Publisher's Synopsis
The purpose of this book is to explain how the tragic shooting in a Parkland, Florida, school fits into the massive gun violence surging in public places and collateral trauma experienced, either directly or vicariously, being a threat to public safety and the American way of life. It begins as an in-depth examination of the incidence in Florida and the grassroots peaceful protest movement by survivors to stem such occurrences. This movement is referred to as "The March for Our Lives" is initiated by teenagers that survived this mass shooting. They have since connected with other survivors of school shootings, including those in public places, their families, and friends, dedicated to progress on gun safety measures. Their adversaries are the National Riflemen's Association, other gun lobbyists, and politicians that support the deluge of guns, overt and hidden, in our society. Most of the politicians with this sort of sentiment are embedded in the Republican Party which is dedicated to desires of its wealthiest donors than the welfare of the American people favoring the privileged at the expense of the underserved. Highlighted in the investigative research examined in this book is how our adversaries, particularly Russian oligarchs or mob funneling campaign funds through the NRA to bolster the marginal takeover of the presidency under Trump and GOP's control of each branch of the federal government and most state governments, as well. Contributions in the name of 3 million members has laid an armed siege upon our society. "The March for Our Lives," led by youth, so far is leading a nationwide peaceful demonstration of defiance against those responsible for the inundation of guns, the highest per person in the developed world. In return, our society experiences the highest gun-related deaths. The catalyst, the proliferation of firearms, particularly among white domestic terrorists, is unacceptable. In the name of survivors, politicians who accept campaign contributions and advertisement from the gun lobby for undermining public safety do need to be accountable and be voted out of office. Evidently, this book is an advocacy manuscript that argues for accountability in regards to those responsible for being underwritten by the gun lobby and opposing common sense gun laws that would curtail gun violence. It honors those involved in the gun safety cause and victims lost and traumatized by such violence. The book holds that "The March for Our Lives" Movement is aligned with the life, message, and work of Jesus Christ. The adversary is greed and power by a demigod (Trump), false prophets, and witnesses following the script of atheist Ayn Rand, the Eve of Avarice and Darwinism over the Holy scriptures of the New Testament as cited. The ensuing battle between our "Better Angels" and "Demons" place our democracy, its values, and future at stake. As Meacham (2018) recommends, morality and facts must be respected and deployed rationally on behalf of the greater good. As MLK prophesized, "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice." To that end, his granddaughter spoke at the Washington, D.C. "March for Our Lives" in leading a new generation intent on achieving justice as described in this book.
