In light of the tragedy at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, TX, the supermarket mass shooting in Buffalo, NY, and many others, March For Our Lives held a rally in Elkhorn, Wisconsin on June 11, 2022. I attended the rally at the invitation of Anita Loch (pictured above).

As we approached the rally area in front of the courthouse, we could see 19 chairs that lined the sidewalk, each with a child’s or teacher’s name attached. These were the victims killed in the Uvalde shooting.

Three speakers spoke about how such shootings affect their lives. One was a mother with a toddler in her backpack, one was a school counselor, and one was a member of the LGBTQ+ community from UW-Whitewater. The mother has been on the School Board and City Council and shared how she experienced the effects of angry, frightened, and confused parents and community members regarding gun safety. The counselor showed what a small space she has in her office. If she were counseling any students at the time of an active shooting, or even during a drill, she would put the student(s) under her desk, leaving no room for herself. The LGBTQ+ individual talked about how their community is a big target for shootings.

After the speeches, we picked up the chairs and marched around the town square chanting and waving anti-gun violence signs.

When the rally was over, I took some pictures, and one happened to be of fellow LWV Whitewater Area members Karl and Brienne Brown and their son (pictured above). The son's sign was quite moving. “Am I Next?” How, where, and who will be next is a daily question we don’t want to ask, but it is always on our minds, and in the news. We need gun legislation to stop this violence.

Submitted by Midge Gill, Board Secretary