By Monique
It’s one day after the horrifying terror attack that took place at Pulse, an Orlando LGBT nightclub. Now that there’s more information, let’s take a look at what we know and how we can offer help to those in need (as well as how to stick it to those who have allowed certain loopholes to persist).
News/analysis
“What You Need to Know About Gun Control in America” | The New York Times: If you are muddled on the issues surrounding gun control, the ways guns can get into the wrong hands legally and illegally, and what is being done to close the legal loopholes, read this comprehensive coverage by the New York Times, comprised of several articles giving fuller detail on the issues.
“How They Got Their Guns” | The New York Times: The Times also has an article, an article that was written last year but has since been updated to reflect the Orlando shooting, that details how mass murderers get their weapons. This article also includes profiles on how the shooters of San Bernadino, the shooter at Oregon’s Umpqua Community College and others got their guns as well.
“Victim vignettes” | Associated Press: Some people might find reading about the victims as a way to cope with what happened. If that happens to be the case for you, the AP has compiled small bios of those lost.
“Florida Man Feels ‘Helpless’ After Failed Blood Donation Attempt” | NBC OUT: One of the stories coming out of this tragedy is that, despite the attack being leveled against LGBT men and women (specifically Latino LGBT men and women), some in the LGBT community can’t give blood to help their own. NBC OUT posted a story about a young man who felt “helpless” after being unable to give blood to help victims.
Calling out insincere congresspeople
Igor Volsky, the deputy director of the Center for American Progress Action Fund, has used his Twitter feed to expose congressmen and women who gave “condolences” and offers for “prayers” on social media, but have been funded by the NRA, the main organization keeping certain congresspeople from acting on common sense gun reform.
https://twitter.com/TwitterMoments/status/742059407781990400
“These GOP Lawmakers Sent “Prayers” After Pulse Shooting–But Took Money From NRA” | Mic: Mic also has an article on Volsky’s Twitter feed, showing just a small sampling of how many elected officials have been funded by the NRA.
GetEQUAL, a grassroots social justice network for LGBT equality, also tweeted out to several congressmen who offered condolences despite having the ability to save lives with legislation:
.@SenDanCoats – or you could think of those lost to the violence & end your 100% voting record w/ anti-LGBTQ @FRCdc. pic.twitter.com/1LSswo3Esb
— GetEQUAL (@GetEQUAL) June 12, 2016
This is just some of the amount of tweets GetEQUAL sent to members of Congress.
How to Help:
There are many blood donation centers that need help. As of June 12, News Talk Florida tweeted out blood donation centers who were asking for donations.
Updated list of blood donation sites and bloodmobiles in the Orlando area: #OrlandoStrong pic.twitter.com/2lbQ1azQ2o
— News Talk Florida (@newstalkflorida) June 12, 2016
“How To Help Orlando” | MTV: MTV has compiled a list of how people can help as well, which includes many of the blood donation centers on this list, as well as where people can donate to victims’ families and who people can call for counseling.
People can also contact their elected officials to urge them to close legal loopholes and, frankly, do their jobs to protect their constituents.
Keep Guns Out of Criminals’ Hands | Brady Campaign To Prevent Gun Violence
Ban Assault Weapons | MoveOn Petitions
If you have any link, petition, or service you’d like to add to this list, let me know either via Twitter or at monique@colorwebmag.com.
Julian 