Jun 11

Jun 11 Mixed Messages

“I’m still looking for my own version of America
One without the gun, where the flag can freely fly
No bombs in the sky, only fireworks when you and I collide
It’s just a dream I had in mind”

— Lana Del Rey, Looking for America (2019)

Two weeks ago, I was in Houston photographing the NRA’s annual convention and the demonstrations that inevitably popped up outside the George R. Brown Convention Center, the site of what was billed as 14 Acres of Guns and Gear. During the counter-demonstration across the street in Houston’s Discovery Green park, March for Our Lives co-founder David Hogg spoke about a nationwide series of rallies planned for Saturday, June 11. To paraphrase Hogg, “Everyone should turn out.”

By and large, that’s not what transpired today in Chicago, Washington, D.C., and throughout the country. The headline in the New York Times online (not even on the front page as of Sunday morning) read, ‘Scared and Tired’: Thousands Across the U.S. Rally Against Gun Violence. The Chicago Tribune’s website reported that the rally in Federal Plaza drew “more than 1,000 people.” While photographs from the Washington, D.C. mothership demonstration show far more people than those who who attended last month’s Planned Parenthood’s abortion rights demonstration, yesterday’s turnout paled in comparison to the 2018 turnout following the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School mass shooting.

I focus on attendance for good reason. There is only one road to meaningful gun reform, given the current division of power in the Senate: At least 10 Republicans and Joe Manchin must be on board. Before that happens, millions — not thousands — of Americans must take to the streets.

I do want want to praise the students who organized yesterday’s March for Our Lives rally in Chicago’s Federal Plaza. They were enthusiastic and passionate. They were aggressive in working with the media; they had signs and tee-shirts on hand, giving crowd a unified look; they arranged for speakers; and they handled the logistics. The lead organizer, Peyton Arnes, is a 17-year old high school student, auguring well for the country’s otherwise dismal future.

I stayed for about an hour and a half because I had another event to photograph. And with no march planned, the event was clearly winding down. I saw only one politician, Congresswoman Marie Newman, address the assembled—apparently a second politician also spoke. Where were Mayor Lightfoot and Governor Pritzker, members of the City Council, and the other members of Illinois’ congressional delegation? Where were the celebrities and musicians? The adults simply did not support the efforts of these kids.

By far the most effective speaker was Leed Blackman, a young man who was temporarily paralyzed following a shooting in Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood. He spoke from experience and the heart, but his visual aid was overwhelmingly powerful: Toward the end of his short speech, he lifted his white T-shirt to reveal a permanent horizontal scar from his rib cage to his naval. Suddenly the statistics were visibly embedded in the flesh. And to Blackman’s credit, he spoke without notes.

I do have several suggestions for the local organizers. First and foremost, don’t partner with other causes for what one person told me was meant to turn the rally into an educational event. As I walked toward Federal Plaza, the first sign I noticed was the green banner that I had seen at abortion-rights demonstrations. The rally also included a table manned by those who favor socialism, as well as one promoting a political campaign.

Depending on your perspective, all might be worthy causes, but they diluted the messaging. Moreover, the organizers assume that those favoring reasonable gun legislation are monolithic in their core beliefs. While many people who support reasonable gun regulation do support abortion rights, not everyone does. To conflate the two issues is to alienate some who support reasonable gun regulation, but who are not pro-choice. In short, the March for Our Lives organizers should stick to their knitting. There will never be 40 million people in the streets advocating for reasonable gun regulation if everyone must agree on a panoply of issues.

Second, CBS News Chicago covered the Race Against Gun Violence, which took place Saturday night in Grant Park. About 1,000 runners participated, with an after-party following the event. The participants included young people who live with gun violence on a daily basis. Ideally, the groups that organized the Race Against Gun Violence and the March for Our Lives would have coordinated the two events, but both events were sparked by different incidents that occurred within the last month, so coordination might have been difficult. Going forward, however, the March for Our Lives organizers should reach out to the groups behind the Race Against Violence, making them a powerful part of future demonstrations and marches.

Third, suggestions about mechanics: In the future, the March for Our Lives organizers should use a stage, so that the crowd can see the speakers. They should also provide a platform for the media, so the television cameras can better pan the crowd. Rather than using a hand-held mic, the organizers should utilize wireless lapel mics. Once again, imaging is critical, particularly when three television news crews are covering the event. Hand-held microphones hide facial expressions, functioning as barriers to effective communication. Finally, the rally should have included a march. Visually, marches are more dynamic than static events centered on speeches. Look around during those speeches. As sad as it might be, many in attendance are checking their Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok feeds. I noticed that most of the national television footage was devoted to events where people marched in the street.

Overall, yesterday was a good restart of an important movement, particularly with the fresh, young faces leading the way. Let’s see how the movement evolves.

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