The speech was delivered by the president at the White House during a ceremony to celebrate the signing of a new law that includes a number of measures aimed at preventing school shootings. The White House invited lawmakers, victims of gun violence and other advocates to the event. While the Biden administration has heralded the law as “the most important piece of legislation to reduce gun violence in 30 years,” gun control advocates like Manuel Oliver say it’s not enough.
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Oliver’s 17-year-old son, Joaquin, was one of 17 people killed during a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland on February 14, 2018. Seventeen others were injured. Story continues below ad During his speech, Biden told the crowd that the new law “proves, despite the naysayers, we can make significant progress in addressing gun violence.” As he spoke, Oliver stood up, pointed his finger at the president and shouted “We have to do more than this.” Manuel Oliver, whose son Joaquin was killed in the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, was escorted out after interrupting President Joe Biden’s remarks during an event on the South Lawn of the White House celebrating the bipartisan SAFE Act communities, which will help curb gun violence, on Monday, July 11, 2022. Biden, responding to Oliver, stopped his speech to tell the man, “Sit down and listen to what I have to say.” “I’ve been trying to tell you for years,” Oliver said.
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As Oliver continued to yell at the president, Biden answered again. Story continues below ad “Let him speak. Let him speak,” the president told security. “Make no mistake, this legislation is real progress. More needs to be done.” The new law, often referred to as the bipartisan gun safety law, is, according to CNN, “potentially the most significant new federal gun safety measure in decades.” Trending Stories
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The legislation pledged $750 million to help states implement and run crisis intervention programs “aimed at keeping guns out of the hands of those who pose a threat to themselves or others,” CNN reported. The law also closes the “boyfriend loophole,” which prevents people convicted of dating partner abuse from owning a gun. In addition, the bipartisan gun safety bill increased funding for mental health programs and school safety.
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Story continues below ad According to NBC, a representative for Oliver told the agency that the father “never believed that the event should be a celebration and that it would allow Republicans to claim that they had taken steps to address gun violence and prevent additional changes ». On Twitter, Oliver echoed that statement, writing before the event: “The word CELEBRATION has no place in a society that saw 19 children massacred just one month ago,” referring to the shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas in May. The word CELEBRATE has no place in a society that saw 19 children massacred just a month ago. “Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten years.” Not me, not Joaquin. @ChangeTheRef — Manuel Oliver (@manueloliver00) July 11, 2022 This is not the first time Oliver has criticized the Biden administration’s response to mass shootings. In February, on the fourth anniversary of the Parkland shooting, Oliver climbed a crane near the White House and held up a banner calling on Biden to pass gun control legislation. Story continues below ad Manuel Oliver displays a banner calling on government officials to prioritize gun violence prevention from a construction crane near the White House in Washington, DC on February 14, 2022. Getty Images The banner showed a black-and-white photo of his son Joaquin and read: “45,000 people died from gun violence on your watch.” 2:02 Thousands across the US protest to demand changes to gun laws Thousands across the US protest to demand changes to gun laws – June 11, 2022 © 2022 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.
