Students Demand Action took a stand against gun violence by attending advocacy day at the Indianapolis State House on Monday, February 10. 

Advocacy Day is an event organized by Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action to protest stronger gun laws.  

Moms Demand Action is the largest organization fighting against gun violence. 

“The goal of advocacy day is that it promotes safer gun laws so fewer people die from the impact of guns,” junior Gabby Moore said. 

In the most recent Advocacy Day, 240 advocates gathered at the statehouse and set up 50 meetings with lawmakers to emphasize the importance of gun violence prevention. 

Students hear from influential speakers during Advocacy Day, including Danyette Smith, Andrea Hunley, Angela Ferrell-Zabala and Cade Smithson. 

Some advocates, like Smith, are gun violence survivors.  

“I needed someone to tell me how unsafe I was after a gun was held to my head and I was told I would be killed if I left that relationship,” Smith said. “I needed someone to tell me this isn’t normal and I shouldn’t be embarrassed or ashamed. I am who I needed,” Smith said.

Smith spoke on her experiences of being in an abusive relationship where she was constantly threatened with a gun. She noted the normalization of gun use and the safety issues that can occur when it has someone who’s out of control. 

The organization Moms Demand Action started its first chapter in Indiana. Now, the organization has grown into chapters in every state. 

The organization was founded by Shannon Watts, a mother who moved to Indiana after the Sandy Hook school shooting in 2012. 

The organization is a part of Everytown for Gun Safety, one of the most prominent gun violence prevention organizations in the U.S.

The main goals that Students and Moms Demand Action pushed for were more vigorous background checks, red flag laws, and stricter gun storage laws. 

“Joining Students Demand Action is a good first step to stop gun violence,” Moore said. “We do a lot by educating ourselves on the problem. So I think that also helps when people are more educated about the problem to solve it.”

The Indianapolis chapter is led by Crystal Paschal, who has been a part of the Moms Demand Action organization for many years. Her brother recently died by suicide, so she is more inspired now than ever. 

At the event, multiple speakers spoke about their personal experiences with gun violence. 

Ferrell-Zabala is the executive director for Moms Demand Action. She is also a mother and wife who cares deeply about gun violence. 

“Our kids are being shot and killed, and no matter where you stand, none of us can be okay with that,” Ferrell-Zabala said. 

Ferrell-Zabala became inspired to keep not only her kids safe but also all kids in America. Ever since she joined Moms Demand Action, she’s traveled through America, using her voice to inspire others and push for a more substantial fight. 

“Until we can all learn, play, shop, pray, and simply exist without the constant threat of gun violence, we aren’t letting up,” Ferrell-Zabala said. 

Advocacy Day’s goal was to enforce stronger gun laws, such as the Extreme Risk Law or Background Checks. 

“If we all face that reality, we can move toward the solutions that we know will save lives,” Ferrell-Zabala said. “And that starts with secure storage.”

The voices of students are critical because they have lived in a society where violence is present.

“For every single student that has had to live through these years, that sense of safety has been squandered,” Cade Smithson said. “Every bell that rings isn’t a reminder that the school day is over; it’s a reminder that we are vulnerable. Every moment in class is a ticking clock; every drill, every lockdown, every siren we hear on the streets outside sends our heart into overdrive.”

During Advocacy Day, students talked to state legislators like Fady Quaddora and Ed Delaney, encouraging them to enforce these gun laws. 

“It’s important for students to educate themselves about events and laws and get involved with organizations such as Students Demand Action to make their voices heard,” junior Lillian Tabor said. 

Ferrell-Zabala also spoke directly to Indiana lawmakers in her speech. 

“We need our lawmakers to wake up and show up for us, and that’s exactly what we’re gonna make clear today,” Ferrell-Zabala said.

NC is one of the very few Students Demand Action chapters in Indiana. It was started by Salsibil Quaddora and is now led by senior Chase Newton.  

NC students are excited to continue the fight through advocacy.