Award-Winning Film, Gun Safety Advocate Colin Goddard at B-CC

Last December, a group of women sat at a dining room table, still sickened and raw after the tragedy in Newtown, and vowed to do something about reducing gun violence.

This time had to be different. Like so many, we had marched with a million moms after Columbine, signed petitions after Tucson, and made donations to gun safety organizations after Aurora. But the Sandy Hook tragedy affected us all so powerfully that we had to do more. It felt wrong to bemoan the power of the NRA or the futility of our ability to play a significant role in this effort—all from the comfort of our living rooms.

With the encouragement of Rep. Chris Van Hollen, we decided that any action, however small, could make a difference in the national debate over gun violence.

So we reached out to everyone we knew and built up a cadre of people who felt, as we did, that “this time it’s different.” We educated ourselves on the issues surrounding universal background checks and high capacity magazine clips and straw purchases, and disseminated what we learned. Like many, we struggled with how to make a difference against the formidable gun lobby.

In January, at the march on the Mall, we heard from various speakers, including the wonderful Marian Wright Edelman. She spoke of Sojourner Truth who, when a heckler said, “Why, I don't care any more for your talk than I do for the bite of a flea” replied, “Perhaps not, but the Lord willing, I'll keep you scratching.”

Edelman went on to note that, “Enough committed fleas biting strategically can make even the biggest dog uncomfortable and transform even the biggest nation." From this we drew our inspiration as well as our name: “Project Flea."

Since that day in December, we have kept biting. We marched on the mall and rallied in Annapolis. We connected with other national and local organizations that are committed to this issue and helped mobilize support in Congress and in the Maryland legislature. We had the privilege of co-hosting a reception in support of Rep. Gabby Giffords and Mark Kelly, raising significant funds and awareness for their organization, Americans for Responsible Solutions. ​

This Thursday, May 16, we will show the award-winning documentary “Living for 32,” about the Virginia Tech shooting, which will also feature an appearance by the film’s subject, Colin Goddard. The film chronicles Colin’s journey from college student, to gunshot victim and eventually to nationally recognized advocate for gun safety.

We are cosponsoring this event with two of our “sister” organizations, MD Against Gun Violence and Moms Demand Action – Maryland. All of us came together after the Sandy Hook tragedy in the same truly grassroots fashion, refusing to be complacent, and committed to doing whatever we can to reduce gun violence.

We hope you can join us at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School this Thursday to hear Colin’s inspiring story and see this fascinating film. We will also provide information from national and local advocacy organizations about how you, too, can make a difference.

Date: Thursday, May 16, 2013

Time: 7:30 to 9 p.m.

Place: Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School, ​4301 East-West Highway, Bethesda, MD

Admission to the event is free, although RSVPs are appreciated (livingfor32BCC@gmail.com)