Viciously escalating the Trump administration’s multi-pronged attacks on First Amendment rights, the National Rifle Association recently released Freedom’s Safest Place: The Violence of Lies, a propaganda video designed to whip up fear and provoke violence against the Resistance, communities of color, and anyone refusing to fall in lock-step behind the Republicans’ policies.
Conservative talk show host Dana Loesch closes her divisive and incendiary rant with: “The only way we save our country and our freedom, is to fight this violence of lies with the clenched fist of truth. I’m the National Rifle Association of America. And I’m freedom’s safest place.”
Black Lives Matter activist DeRay Mckesson said the video is “an open call to violence to protect white supremacy. If I made a video like this, I’d be in jail.” The Women’s March issued an an open letter to the NRA and a statement co-signed by more than 30 groups, asking for removal of the video and an apology. The letter and statement also call out the NRA’s racist hypocrisy in failing to defend Philando Castile’s Second Amendment right to own a gun. A July 14th non-violent protest that the Women’s March and partners are mobilizing starkly draws the connections: people will rally in front of NRA Headquarters in Fairfax, Virginia, and march to the Department of Justice.
Can’t make it to Virginia? There’s plenty to do!
Protest the youtube video. Click > 1) More > 2) Report > Choose an issue (several apply):
- Violent or repulsive content
- Promotes terrorism
- Hateful or abusive content
- Harmful dangerous acts
- Spam or misleading
- Infringes my rights
Support a gun control organization (know of others? List them in the comments):
- Everytown for Gun Safety (see their rebuttal to the NRA video, calling for a “break from the politics of fear.”)
- Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence
- Coalition to Stop Gun Violence
Find out whether your representatives are funded by the NRA, and if so, demand they stop taking blood money!
Sign a petition for Facebook to remove the video.
I would like to team up with whomever wrote this article. I have been the team lead for Indivisible Berkeley’s First Amendment team but commitment is waning and I need a group that shares my commitment. Contact me please!!!
I will contact you via DM on twitter