Detroit, Michigan – March 24, 2018: A girl holds a sign that says “#EndGunViolence” and “It could have been me” while looking down on protestors marching against gun violence. Stephanie Kenner/Shutterstock.

by Judith Sheldon
Detroit Branch

April 2023

The Detroit Branch continued its ongoing “Kitchen Table Talk and Action” series, focusing on Reducing Gun Violence, on February 23, 2023. Although planned prior to the February 13th tragedy at Michigan State University, the horror and profundity of that event, coupled with the five-year anniversary of the Parkland School shooting, generated even further urgency.

Our branch had previously hosted a January 2022 forum titled “After Oxford: A Mental and Public Health Forum” in response to the school shooting in Oxford, Michigan. 

Lauren Jasinski, a former Oxford High School teacher who is now very active in End Gun Violence Michigan, spoke at length with facts, statistics, bills in the Michigan Legislature, and action steps. In talking about the rising number of gun deaths, especially suicides, during the pandemic, Jasinki noted that suicide by gunshot “is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.” State Representative Ranjeev Puri, whose district includes Michigan State University, made remarks by video. 

There were more than 20 participants, many of whom asked questions and completed calls and letters to their state representatives during the “action” part of the event. A video of the event can be viewed here. Although this response is local, the issue is national; the information provided at the event is invaluable for efforts being made by WILPF in other locations. On a national level, there are growing calls to restore the assault weapons ban. WILPF members can use this link to write a letter to their U.S. Representatives and Senators telling them Congress must restore the ban.  

Information about each monthly 7 pm Kitchen Table Talk and Action event will be sent to the WILPF listserv. Please email Laura Dewey at wilpfdetroit@att.net with questions.