On Mother's Day 2000, almost one million people in 70 cities and towns across the country marched on behalf of the victims of gun violence, and in favor of sensible gun laws intended to prevent further violent incidents. The Million Mom March is a social change and organizing story with many lessons for individuals and groups interested in reducing the social impact of violence in general, and firearms morbidity and mortality, in particular. Method: Reviews of national print and television news coverage, as well as semi-structured interviews with key participants in order to gather the lessons learned in setting a gun policy agenda, making use of the internet as an organizing tool, engaging the mass media, and promoting widespread mobilization of private citizens. Findings: Nationwide spread and growth of Million Mom March is substantial. Strategic use of mass media and emerging communications technologies (e.g. world wide web and listservs) are attributed to early and continued momentum. Lessons learned from the linkage of personal grief and loss, with policy advocacy are presented. Implications of the strategies used in the formation and advancement of the Million Mom March for the prevention of violence and promotion of sensible gun laws will be discussed.
Learning Objectives: By the end of this session, participants will be able to: 1.Identify three key factors contributing to the growth of this violence prevention movement. 2.Describe the roles of mass media, and emerging communication technologies in the development of this movement. 3.Discuss how the MMM firearm policy agenda was developed and prioritized.
Keywords: Violence Prevention, Firearms
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: Million Mom March
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.