Please read Manuel's story

I wanted to make sure you had a chance to read this powerful email from Manuel Oliver. [Democrats][Join us.] I wanted to make sure you had a chance to read this email from Manuel Oliver, the father of Joaquin Oliver, who was among the 17 people killed at Stoneman Douglas High School last year. Manuel's story is so powerful, and I wanted to be sure you saw it today. I hope you'll give it a read. All my best, Seema ----- Begin Forwarded Message ----- Sender: Manuel Oliver Date: Thursday, February 14, 2019 Subject: My son was a student at Stoneman Douglas Before February 14, 2018, I was an artist and a parent. There were few moments where I would have considered myself an activist or an organizer. My path to activism began with every father's worst nightmare: My son, Joaquin Oliver, being murdered at the hands of senseless gun violence at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. At that moment I knew I needed to do something to make sure this never happened again, that no parent would go through the heartbreak I felt -- the heartbreak I still feel today. I knew I had to rise to the occasion in the wake of tragedy and work to make communities safer. So, my wife Patricia and I started an organization called Change the Ref that's dedicated to engaging the next generation of leaders to get involved, fight for our shared values, and have their voices heard. But as long as the gun lobby controls our system, we will face an uphill battle. It is incumbent upon each and every person who believes it's time for this violence to end to take action to elect leaders who will listen to the people, not the NRA. Will you add your name to stand with Democrats who will work to solve our nation's gun violence epidemic? Your support will show you're committed to electing Democrats who fight to make our communities safer: [I'M IN]( We live in a country where mass shootings follow a similar trajectory. Thoughts and prayers, brief national debates, and then eventually inaction in the days, weeks, and months following the most horrific events in our nation's history -- enough is enough. This fight isn't just for my son or for the innocent lives we lost in Parkland -- it's about all of us. More than 100 Americans die from gun violence every day, while hundreds more are shot and injured. The vast majority of Americans support commonsense solutions to prevent these tragedies, such as requiring universal background checks and closing the gun-show loophole. No other country has to live through mass shooting after mass shooting like the United States. It's not just a coincidence. It's what happens when NRA-backed politicians refuse to act while the gun lobby fills their pockets. It's why we have to be doing everything in our power to elect Democrats who will finally act to make a change. [Add your name to help elect Democrats nationwide who will have the courage to stand up to the gun lobby.]( Thank you, Manuel Manuel Oliver Father of Joaquin Founder of Change the Ref If you no longer wish to receive emails from the DNC, [submit this form to unsubscribe](. If you’d only like to receive our most important messages, [sign up to receive less email](. This email was sent to {EMAIL}. If this isn't your preferred email address, [update your contact information](. If you’re ready to elect Democrats in all 50 states, [make a contribution today](. This organization is powered by you, and we'd love to hear your ideas. Just reply to this email to send any comments, criticisms, or feedback. Our community management team reads every message from supporters like you. Thanks for supporting our party! Contributions or gifts to the Democratic National Committee are not tax deductible. Paid for by the Democratic National Committee, www.Democrats.org, and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee.