Press Release

Child Welfare

1,200 Children to March in St. Paul to Protect Children, Not Guns

July 15, 2019

Media Contact: Stephanie Hogenson
Outreach Director, Children’s Defense Fund-Minnesota
shogenson@childrensdefense.org, 612-978-7365

Children’s Defense Fund-Minnesota Freedom Schools® Scholars to March to State Capitol to “Protect Children, Not Guns”
Local children and community members will take action to encourage gun violence prevention

What: On July 17, 2019, nearly 1,200 Children’s Defense Fund-Minnesota (CDF-MN) Freedom Schools® will join over 180 Children’s Defense Fund Freedom Schools® sites in 87 cities and 28 states across the country for a National Day of Social Action to “Protect Children, Not Guns.” Children, community members and elected officials will march to the State Capitol in St. Paul to draw attention to the thousands of children and teens who lose their lives to gun violence every year in America. This action will be supplemented by a national moment of silence, a letter writing campaign, digital advocacy efforts, and a teach-in. Children and CDF Freedom Schools site leaders will rally community members to support youth safety, and protect children, not guns.
  • A child or teen is killed with a gun every 2 hours and 34 minutes minutes in the United States.
  • 3,410 children and teens were killed by guns in 2017 – enough to fill 71 school buses.
  • Guns kill more children under 5 each year than law enforcement officers in the line of duty.
This gun violence awareness and prevention effort is part of CDF Freedom Schools. The CDF Freedom Schools program provides summer enrichment that helps children fall in love with reading and empowers them to believe in their ability to make a difference. The National Day of Social Action is the cornerstone of the civic engagement component of the CDF Freedom Schools program that encourages community service and social justice advocacy.

Who:   Nearly 1,200 Freedom School Scholars from summer program sites in Minneapolis, St. Paul and surrounding suburbs will be joined by several elected officials in a march from Summit Park to a rally on the State Capitol lawn.

When: 11:30 on Wednesday, July 17, 2019

Where: March will begin at Summit Park (across from St. Paul College) and will go to the State Capitol where students will gather for cheers, chants, and short presentations, including from State Representative Dave Pinto who leads the efforts to protect children, not guns at the state legislature.

If you would like to attend the event or arrange interviews with CDF Freedom Schools leaders, please contact Stephanie Hogenson at shogenson@childrensdefense.org or 612-978-7365.

###