Jan 1, 2019
PPGV – Michigan Physicians Educated and Empowered to Advocate for Gun Violence Prevention.
Happy New Year Docs!
Taking stock after a bruising election year of 2018 we are thankful for
1. The Energy of the Young.
After Parkland’s Mass shooting of students and the continued violence in Chicago
Two groups came to Michigan to the UM to receive the Raul Wallenberg Prize named for the hero who saved hundreds of Jews in WW11. PPGV’s Sonia Lewis writes about it in the Washtenaw Jewish News on page 16. https://www.washtenawjewishnews.org/PDFs/WJN_Dec_Jan_18_web.pdf
She quotes these young high schoolers, part of a new, strong, perhaps more savvy voice in the gun violence prevention (GVP) movement. They are energized and they can use social media like no one else.
2. Renewed energy of physicians. #ThisisOurLane. Many docs are enraged by the NRA’s claim that we should “stay in our lane” that somehow this epidemic of killings and injuries is not a public health issue. https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/nra-tweet-anti-gun-doctors-stay-in-your-lane_us_5be4ba32e4b0769d24cb1cef?pe8 PPGV joined this energy seeking a common voice that is being led by Doctors for America among others. More to follow.
3. Celebrating our victories. We won big with the Michigan Supreme Court’s affirmation that schools could limit guns. And we have a pro-gun safety governor. Now we need some Republican legislators who will help. Let’s find them!
Thanks for all your help and support in 2018!
Cheers and Happy New Year!
Jerry for the PPGV team