This father of a Parkland Shooting victim has a message for Louis CK

A database with records as far back as 1970 shows there were more incidents of gun violence and more deaths in 2018 than any other year on record, and yet, to our collective raised eyebrows ‘ and amid a heckuva lot of other questionable material ‘ Louis CK made headlines when he mocked the victims of the Parkland Shooting during a show in New York that was widely condemned.

While the remarks made were unfortunate, they led to an important response from one of the victims ‘ families survived by the Parkland Shooting. It is a response that isn ‘t comfortable, or fun, but it does raise an important point about the line between comedy and tragedy, a point so obvious it ‘s rather shocking it needs to be made but here it goes:

Being shot to death at school is not a joke.

That ‘s the message that Change The Ref (CTR), the organization that produced this gut-wrenching PSA which references the opening to Louis CK ‘s eponymous television show, wants to underscore.

Founded in the memory of Joaquin Oliver who was one of the 17 victims of the Parkland Shooting, CTR is a result of the efforts of Manuel and Patricia Oliver who are committed to making sure that their son ‘s life and the lives of the other 16 victims are never forgotten. Their mission is to bring about real change by empowering future leaders to ensure that tragedies like Parkland never happen again.

Being shot to death at school is not a joke. We need common sense gun laws, and we need them now. Stand up against gun violence at ChangeTheRef.org #NotAJoke

About Change The Ref (CTR)

Change The Ref (CTR), was formed to empower our Future Leaders. CTR gives the kids of today the tools they need to make changes to critical issues that affect our nation, through education, conversation, and activism. It uses urban art and nonviolent creative confrontation to expose the disastrous effects of the mass shooting pandemic. Change The Ref ‘s ultimate goal is to give the young generation of survivors and victims a disrupting voice to help lead the way to change ‘ a more peaceful future. #NeverAgain.

CTR ‘s Mission

To empower our next generation so they can fight for their values, have their voices heard, and impact change for their future.