#PowerInPlace: Countdown to Remote Advocacy Week

At this time of year, I'd normally be on a bus on my way to Albany, where my fellow activists at Youth Over Guns and the students of NYAGV Ed Fund’s ReACTION program would meet with state officials to advocate for stronger gun laws. It's the culmination - and the highlight - of our empowerment curriculum and programming each year. 

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Youth Over Guns and NYAGV are doing things a little differently. As part of our youth empowerment programming, we're turning “shelter-in-place” into #PowerInPlace: A week from today, we’ll begin our youth-led Remote Advocacy Week. From May 11th to 15th, we’ll put the skills we’ve learned in classrooms and workshops to work in remote meetings with federal, state and local lawmakers.

It’s not a coincidence that the communities being hit hardest by COVID-19 are also the neighborhoods that bear the brunt of gun violence. Now more than ever, we need lawmakers to hear the voices of youth leaders like us - who live in the most disproportionately affected areas - as we fight for safe and just communities. 

As we continue this work, we need support to ensure our youth empowerment programs and Remote Advocacy Week is as successful as possible. In honor of #GivingTuesdayNow we're hoping our community members can commit to a $10, $25, $50 or $100 donation. 

Cash App: $YouthOverGuns
​Secured Donation: bit.ly/youthoverguns

Luis J. Hernandez
Co-Founder & Executive Director
Youth Over Guns