"16 Shots": Chicago Police Killing of Laquan McDonald Exposed a System Built on Lies
The documentary “16 Shots” examines the 2014 murder of African-American teenager Laquan McDonald in Chicago and the attempt by the city’s police department to cover up the events. McDonald, who was 17, was shot 16 times by former police officer Jason Van Dyke. Van Dyke was found guilty in 2018 of second-degree murder and sentenced to six years and nine months in prison for McDonald’s murder. He was also found guilty on 16 counts of aggravated battery—one count for each of the 16 bullets he fired at McDonald. The film is screening on Showtime. We speak with Rick Rowley, director of “16 Shots.”
After years of severe underfunding, gun violence research may finally start to get the federal resources it deserves.
The full U.S. House passed a spending bill that allocates $50 million to study both the causes of gun violence and solutions to help prevent it. This is yet another sign that the gun lobby's stranglehold on gun policy and legislation is weakening. And thanks to you, the gun safety movement is getting stronger!
Gun violence kills 100 people and wounds hundreds more every day in our country. That makes it one of the most serious public health challenges our country faces. But research funding has been largely blocked by gun lobby supporters for more than 20 years. Until now.
The money would go to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This research could point the way toward effective new approaches for ending gun violence in America.
This spending bill now goes to the Senate, where the gun lobby still holds sway over some Senators. So the biggest hurdle to getting full funding for gun violence research lies ahead.
I wanted to make sure you knew about our upcoming lobby day on June 27, at 11 AM.
Join your fellow NJ Moms at the State Capital in Trenton to meet with legislators with the goal of building relationships and influencing votes on NJ gun legislation.
Lunch and snacks will be provided, and we will also have a kids’ area so families are welcome!
NJ Advocacy Day
June 27th @ 11am
NJ State House/Committee Rm 11 on 4th Floor
Below is some helpful information about the day:
What to Wear: Wear your Moms Demand Action red shirt and if you don't have one, wear red!
Parking: Park behind the Statehouse in the Annex parking garage. If that's full other parking options are: The State Street Square Parking Garage, 35 N Chancery Ln and The Trenton Parking Garage, One West Lafayette St.
Twitter and Facebook: Don’t forget to post about Lobby Day, with photos if possible. Tweets should include @MomsDemand, #NJLeg, #NJPolitics & #NJAdvocacyDay
We’re looking forward to doing this important work, together. It will be an exciting day for NJ Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense!
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