We're constantly doing something

Hi everyone, this is the first post on our new blog. We're hoping to connect with our followers and get people interested by telling them about what we've been up to. I’m writing this right now as a way to process the whirlwind of events that the last two weeks have been.

On Thursday, February 21st, we were invited to speak at a press conference at Mother Emanual AME Church with Congressman Joe Cunningham and Congressman James Clyburn. The press conference addressed the bipartisan HR 1112 bill that would extend the waiting period to conduct background checks from three days to ten days. This bill would close the “Charleston Loophole” which currently allows anyone to purchase a firearm by default if the background check hasn’t been completed within the three day waiting period. That Saturday, we hosted an event at Ebenezer AME Church with Giffords and the Townhall Project. I sat on the panel with Representative Joe Cunningham, Dr. Joseph Sakran, Lt. Tom Adams, and other local advocates. It was a great discussion focused around the HR 8 bill that requires universal background checks on firearm purchases. The next week, HR 8 and HR 1112 were passed through the House of Representatives! It was the first time in over two decades that meaningful gun legislation got passed. Then on Friday March 1st, I was invited to speak at another press conference with Representative Cunningham. Local leaders like Pastor Thomas Dixon, Mayor Tecklenburg, State Representative JA Moore, Pastor Eric Manning, and Jackie Shelley of Moms Demand Action, gathered to speak about the monumental week we just had. The next day, myself, Lauren, and Pamela arrived early to Burke High School to help set up for the Cory Booker townhall that would begin later that day. We made and hung up signs, straightened up, and just prepared ourselves for the day to come. AND THEN, we got to meet the Senator! There was a local community leaders meeting prior to the townhall that we were able to attend. It was a private conversation with Senator Booker and we got to talk to him and we even took some selfies. I was then ushered away to be on the panel for the townhall (which I was NOT aware of until that moment) and Lauren, Pamela, and Shelby went back to get ready for the start of the event. The townhall was great and personally, I was enamored by Senator Booker. Right after it ended, we rushed forty-five minutes across town to the Summerville Country Club for an oyster roast with Representative Cunningham and Clyburn, Senator Sherrod Brown (from Ohio), and of course, Senator Booker. We took lots of pictures, ate lots of food, drank lots of lemonade, and had a great time. By the time I got home that night, I was completely exhausted both physically and mentally.

The previous two weeks had been extremely emotional. But, it made me realize just how much I love what we’re doing. For the first time I feel like we’re making real progress and I can’t wait for more to come. I hope you all enjoyed this little read and feel free to reach out at anytime! Thanks, Sydney.