Cape Cod Grandmothers Against Gun Violence

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	Cape Cod Grandmothers Against Gun Violence P.O. Box 877, Barnstable, MA 02630

Cape Cod Grandmothers Against Gun Violence is a non-profit grass roots organization. CapeCodGAGv was created in January 2013 in the aftermath of the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut.

Mission Statement

"We will influence public policy to create an America free from gun violence, where our children and grandchildren are safe at home, at school, and in our communities."

Goals

Federal and State background check systems that include mental health history
Have gun trafficking declared a Federal crime
Enforce State gun laws
Raise public awareness of gun safety

Action Points Supporting the Mission Statement

Create and sign petitions
Observe in our local courts
Attend protests
Attend vigils
Support brain health literacy
Support effective public policy, including meetings with public officials
Work with and support other like-minded organizations

CapeCodGAGv has held informational meetings with Senator Dan Wolf; Senator William Keating; Representative Sarah Peake; County Commissioner Mark Forest; District Attorney Michael O'Keefe; Assistant District Attorney Edward F.X. Lynch from Barnstable Superior Court; several Barnstable County Police Chiefs, Ron Holmes from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, Jessica McHugh from the Suicide Prevention Coalition; Dr. Jennifer Balboni, Director of the Masters Program, Criminal Justice, Curry College; Dr. Matthew Massiello, WHO, expert on bullying; Diane Pratt, Director of Cape Cod Center for Women; ATF Agent Christopher Arone, Public Information Officer; Sheila Creaton Kelly, Esq., Director of Victim Services Unt, MA Dept. of Correction; Brenda Nolan, Restorative Justice; and an NRA certified instructor.

Board of Directors

Founder	Linda Alhart
President	Pat Hatch
Vice President	Marilyn Lariviere
Recording Secretary	Jane Buckley
Treasurer	Barbara Cognetta
Public Action Chair	Anne Grammer
Media Chair	Pat Sherlock
Corresponding Secretary	Gwen Johnson
Court Advocacy Chair	Donna Hannigan
Members at Large	Kathleen Glueck
	Nan Logan

March for Our Lives March 24, 2018: GAGv members attended the Hyannis March for Our Lives rally, a great success with many student speakers, among them a sophomore from Parkland. Also speaking was Courtney Kennedy, the daughter of Robert. The young people were passionate and articulate. Everything was impressive and inspiring!

Advocacy Day for Extreme Risk Protective Order Bill February 15, 2018: GAGv members attended the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence's Advocacy Day, to promote the Extreme Risk Protective Order Bill at the Massachusetts State House.

Hyannis Rally and Women's March January 20, 2018: GAG members joined with other groups in a rally on the Hyannis Village Green, to celebrate the anniversary of the 2017 Women's March. Speakers were Congressman Bill Keating, State Senator Julian Cyr, State Representative Sarah Peake, and many others. All groups then marched on Main Street in Hyannis.

Candlelight Prayer Vigil December 14, 2017: On the fifth anniversary of the tragedy at Sandy Hook, GAGv members held a Remembrance Vigil at the First Baptist Church of Hyannis. A big thank you to Rev. Jonathan Singer for welcoming all of us! Margy Mahrdt, local group leader of Moms Demand Action, talked about working together in large numbers to combat gun violence.

Welcome	Margy Mahrdt of Moms Demand Action

Rev. Kate Epperly stated that we should create something good out of the tragedy of Sandy Hook, replacing fear with strength, courage, and love, to make a difference. GAGv President Pat Hatch talked about sustaining hope and letting go of fear: "Keep up the fight." GAGv Vice President Marilyn Lariviere stressed the need to take the past and move forward with strength and courage.

Rev. Kate Epperly	Pat Hatch	Marilyn Lariviere

Dinah Mellin played beautifully throughout the evening and during the reading of the victims' names. Michael Jackman, a representative from Congressman Bill Keating's office, shared his personal experience of Sandy Hook. Allen McGarry provided great entertainment with the song "Nothing More". It truly was a wonderful service!

Dinah Mellin	Sandy Hook Victims	Michael Jackman	Allen McGarry

Representative Vieira Speaks to
GAGv Members

December 8, 2017:
State Representative David Vieira, R-Barnstable,
spoke at the monthly GAGv meeting.

State Rep. David Vieira with
GAG President Pat Hatch

Lock It Up! Campaign Kick Off

November 30, 2017:
Almost 100 gun locks were given away and three Free Lock storage boxes were raffled off at our Kick Off event in West Yarmouth. Chief Frank Frederickson of the Yarmouth Police is in the center below. Frank was the perfect host and one of our speakers. Cape and Islands District Attorney Michael O'Keefe was the guest speaker.

Senator Cyr Speaks to GAGv Members

October 31, 2017:
State Senator Julian Cyr, D-Truro, spoke at the monthly GAGv meeting, saying that bump stocks "were meant to circumvent the assault weapons ban. Many of us feel they shouldn't have been legal in the first place."

GAGv Members at Violence Bill Hearing July 18, 2017: GAGv members attended the Massachusetts Judiciary Committee's Extreme Violence Protection Order Bill Hearing at the Massachusetts State House, as part of a joint effort of groups in the Massachusetts Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence. The hearing began at 11:00 AM and continued into the evening. Twenty-one Gun Violence Prevention advocates testified in support of Rep. Linsky's "Extreme Risk Protection Order" bill and against bills to legalize silencers. GAGv members were the last to testify at nearly 7:00 PM. GAGv received a gracious thank you letter from the Massachusetts Coalition.

	GAGv members at State House

GAGv Members at Wear Orange Event June 3, 2017: GAGv members joined MOMs (Moms Demand Action) in Buzzards Bay by the canal for their Wear Orange event (Family Picnic) to show our commitment to end gun violence. It was a wonderful event organized by the south shore MOMs lead, Kathleen Berry.

	Pat Hatch speaks

Maura Healey Speaks at GAGv May 2, 2017: Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey visited the Cape, first meeting with the community in Centerville, then speaking at the monthly GAGv meeting in Hyannis, where she called gun violence a public health crisis and supported universal background checks.


Twentieth Louis D. Brown Mother's Day Walk for Peace May 8, 2016: GAGv members walked with a diverse crowd to benefit the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute, which works to promote peace and to help families and communities dealing with murder, trauma, grief and loss The Institute and the Mother's Day Walk were founded by Tina Chery after her son, Louis D. Brown, was killed by gun violence in 1993.

GAGv Team	Boston City Hall