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Summer 2016 #FIGHT4AFUTURE Week of Action: Rising up to #DisarmHate in All Communities

August 2, 2016

Gun violence has no easy cure, but with the help of targeted policies and bills, America may one day see an end to one of its most fatal epidemics. While some politicians have steered away from these policies in favor of less polarizing issues, it is clear now more than ever that gun violence doesn't just affect one community, it affects the safety of our entire nation. With more than 33,000 people fatally shot each year, we must enact meaningful gun violence prevention solutions to create a better, safer future for our country. To help you work toward that future, Generation Progress has created an overview of the current federal gun violence prevention climate. From the conditions that lead to gun ownership to a quick overview of the most recent gun violence prevention bills and how they shape the who and what of guns — that is, who can buy guns and what kinds of guns can people buy — we hope to provide you with the information you need to get involved in the fight against gun violence.

Divestment Toolkit: Your Guidebook To Organizing On Campus

October 15, 2014

What is "divestment"? Divestment is simply when an investor decides to sell their stock in a company. It's a decision that large and small investors make all the time, for all kinds of reasons.Why a divestment campaign now? A vast majority of Americans support common-sense changes in public policy while respecting the rights of lawful gun owners, but a small number of well-financed extremists have blocked the political process. Since funding is now driving the process, de-funding the industry has become an appropriate and important priority for those committed to sensible reform.How does a divestment campaign work? When many investors decide it's time to sell at the same time, that company's stock comes under pressure. Over time, a low stock price can make it harder for a company to get loans, finance sales, or expand its business. And if the pressure is high enough, an entire industry—even a national government—can decide it's time to change how they do business.How can divestment improve gun policy? As the public outcry over gun violence continues to escalate, influential investors such as university endowments have greater reason to reconsider the business, financial, and moral implications of their holdings in firearm manufacturers that refuse even modest changes in their products and practices. At the same time, individual investors may not even realize that they own shares in such companies through their mutual funds, retirement accounts, ETFs, or other products. As investors of all kinds become more informed of the risks involved, the potential for widespread divestment will grow—and with it, the pressure on the industry to change.Who is participating? The dozens of organizations that have joined Campaign to Unload to date include established national civic organizations, local grassroots groups, educators and students, and elected leaders. These voices come from urban, suburban, and rural areas throughout the country.Have divestment campaigns worked in the past? Because funding is the lifeblood of business, divestment campaigns have been essential components in some of the most successful changes in public policy of the past 30 years. These include changes in U.S. tobacco policy and the end of Apartheid in South Africa.

Young Guns: How Gun Violence Is Devastating the Millennial Generation

February 1, 2014

While guns play a role in so many deaths of America's youth, very few public health research dollars are spent to understand the causes of this epidemic and develop policy solutions to address it. In the wake of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in December 2012, the issue of gun violence has received renewed attention in this country, and many voices are now calling for solutions to this public health crisis.In this environment of increased focus on gun violence, Millennials' voices are crucial. As discussed in detail below, young Americans suffer disproportionately from gun violence. Beyond the numbers, which are startling, the voices of young people must be heard and the stories told about the effect of this violence on their lives and communities.In this report, we present data on the disproportionate impact of gun violence on young people; discuss the prevalence of young people as perpetrators of such violence and the ramifications of involvement in the criminal justice system; and highlight poll numbers indicating that Millennials are increasingly concerned about the presence of guns in their communities. With an American under the age of 25 dying by gunfire every 70 minutes, we must all recognize that gun violence among youth is an urgent problem that must be addressed.