Consider joining this student-led discussion on the practical steps we can all take to decrease gun violence in our society:

Monday, June 18, 7 to 9 p.m.

Unitarian Church of Lincoln, 6300 A St., Lincoln

Panelists will include Isabel Boussan, Lincoln East High School; Jadyn Keller, Northeast High School; Jack Buchanan, Lincoln High Sschool; Bouthaina Ebrahim, Northeast High School; Maia Ramsey, Lincoln High School graduate.

The discussion will be bipartisan. Several panelists from among the Lincoln high school students who demonstrated after the Parkland massacre will discuss what they hope to do next to reduce gun violence in our society. They will be discussing, with Nebraskans of all viewpoints, how we can solve an issue that has plagued our state for decades. We all have come in contact with some sort of gun violence, not only in schools, but also concerts, movies, hate crimes and gang shootings. Not an anti-gun rally, this is an open discussion that should lead to our making actual changes quickly and by all means possible.

Gun violence is no idle concern. The massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, goes down as one of the deadliest in U. S. history. It is not isolated. Gun Violence Archive says that about 150 U. S. mass shootings occurred between 1967 and 2017, about eight people killed per incident. Indeed, mass killings are becoming more frequent. Now about 6,000 people in the U.S. die each year from gun violence. To show concern, after the Parkland massacre, high school students throughout the country, including the students from Lincoln, Omaha and several Nebraska towns, demonstrated on March 14 to say, “Never again.” Now we wish to explore how to say it effectively.

In this discussion, people with different perspectives will be encouraged to share their viewpoints, so we can arrive at constructive action steps and move forward. We are urging the community to join us as we continue to strive for positive change. The panelists will each discuss for about 10 to 15 minutes. A person in government active in the gun discussion will follow and examine the student suggestions. Open discussion follows. Coffee and snacks served.

Sponsored by the Lincoln Chapter of Nebraskans for Peace, The Friends Meeting House, Antelope Park Church of the Brethren, The Unitarian Church of Lincoln, Nebraskans Against Gun Violence, National Association of Social Workers, and Nebraskans for Peace.