I think the last election demonstrated the collective power of women. When they care about an issue, and they mobilize, they feel really empowered to make a difference.
— Michelle Sandberg, M.D., Pediatrician, Mother of three
By Carla Marinucci, San Francisco Chronicle
When Sen. Dianne Feinstein of California reintroduces the controversial assault weapons ban Thursday in Washington, she will get backing from a emerging new gun safety movement – tens of thousands of mothers nationwide who came together on social media in sorrow and anger after the Connecticut school shootings.
One Million Moms for Gun Control has amassed 40,000 followers on Facebook and has 72 chapters across the nation, including half a dozen in California. Bay Area women in the group will be on hand to support Feinstein.
The organization vows to do for gun control what Mothers Against Drunk Driving did to raise awareness for that issue. Bay Area members plan a stroll for gun safety at 10 a.m. Saturday at Crissy Field in San Francisco to dramatize support for tougher gun laws.
“There are 4 million members of the NRA – and 80 million moms,” said Sara Smirin, a group member and marketing director in San Francisco. “Polls are showing that a vast majority of NRA members support commonsense solutions. It’s a matter of making the legislators understand.”
Read the entire story at the San Francisco Chronicle online.
One Million Moms for Gun Control rally heads to New York’s City Hall Park on Monday, Jan. 21, 2013.