As the United States continues to do nothing against an epidemic of mass shootings, gun reform group Sandy Hook Promise has released a public service announcement framed as a back to school ad that captures a horrific reality faced by American students every day: school shootings.
You can watch the heartbreaking PSA below, but the depiction of gun violence may be disturbing for some viewers.
Survive the school year with these must-have #BackToSchool essentials. https://t.co/9KgxAQ0KGz This PSA contains gr… https://t.co/XXe7pkB5VG— Sandy Hook Promise (@Sandy Hook Promise) 1568808000.0
At first, the video is indiscernible from a typical back-to-school ad, beginning with what a return to education should feel like for children: bright and full of promise.
Things soon take a dark turn as students go from recommending colorful binders for their help with staying organized to recommending sneakers for running from shooters, a sock as a tourniquet for bullet wounds, and—most heartbreakingly—a new phone to tell a parent 'I love you' one final time.
People had visceral reactions to the powerful piece.
I genuinely- and I am not exaggerating - almost just threw up in the final scene of this. My God, why don’t we fix… https://t.co/cLz9X8JfN6— Jessica Shortall 🧂 (@Jessica Shortall 🧂) 1568831216.0
@sandyhook This is the most powerful video I have ever seen. Chills through my body and tears in my eyes. Wow. Pr… https://t.co/1WwChhaiZJ— Marcel (@Marcel) 1568816149.0
@sandyhook Powerful and absolutely devastating.— Nicole (@Nicole) 1568820575.0
@sandyhook Jesus Christ! I'm Scottish. We've had one school mass shooting, 23 years ago. 16 5 &6 yr olds were kille… https://t.co/xqfTykcZHI— Jacquie Hahn (@Jacquie Hahn) 1568818510.0
@sandyhook This is real. This is so sad. This is sickening. America is a very sick place. I hope it can get better.— Cliff (@Cliff) 1568810688.0
@sandyhook When a PSA looks more like a horror film trailer, we truely have lost our way in America.... change the… https://t.co/9cvpk3pqmy— Ra-ra Vaping Nicotine for 7 yrs smoker over 40 yrs (@Ra-ra Vaping Nicotine for 7 yrs smoker over 40 yrs) 1568822815.0
The majority-Democratic House of Representatives passed a sweeping gun reform bill in February. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) refuses to bring it to the Senate floor for a vote.
Learn more about what you can do to help prevent school shootings here.
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