#2 Discussing Gun Violence Politics (and more) w/Daphne Frias

Youth Saving Democracy

Last year, America’s youth marched, mobilized and turned out to the polls in unprecedented numbers. Now, many of them are running for office themselves. Every office in a democracy counts, and the more youth we have running and/or winning elections, the more likely it is American democracy will be saved. One of the amazing young people running for office is Daphne Frias. Daphne is 21 years old and is running for County Committee Representative for Election District 70 in Manhattan. She also is a gun violence prevention activist and above all, an inspiring young woman. Daphne joined us to discuss her campaign, the agenda she plans to implement if elected, her experience in the movement to end gun violence, how she plans to get an historic number young people to vote in 2020, and a lot more!

1. Daphne, you are running for County Committee Representative for Election District 70 in Manhattan. What are the main responsibilities of that office?

2. If elected to this position, what are the top priorities on your agenda and why?

3. Why is it important for anybody, anywhere in America, to support your campaign and the campaigns of all the other fantastic young people running for office?

4. Daphne, you have also been in the trenches in the fight to end gun violence, which has undoubtedly prepared you to seek office. Two people you have grown pretty close to recently are Manny and Patricia Oliver, whose son Joaquin was one of the 17 angels cruelly stolen from us in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas HS massacre last year. How did your relationship with these two incredible activists come to be and what makes it so special?

Our Weekly Community Bulletin Board: In this segment of the program, we will share news from youth-led grassroots organizations all across the country. This week, we take you to Long Island, NY, where March For Our Lives Long Island is running an exciting filmmaking contest. If you are a student filmmaker between the ages of 14 and 22 and are passionate about ending gun violence, then create a 1-minute PSA video on gun violence and submit it to [e-mail] by NO LATER than 11:59 PM ET on March 1. The winner gets $100 and will have their video featured on marchforourlives.com. If you have any more questions, email them at [e-mail].

If your organization (whether it be a local MFOL chapter, a local Sunrise Movement chapter, etc) wants something to be featured on next week’s Community Bulletin Board, don’t hesitate to contact us on Twitter @dkromelow17 or on Instagram @youthsavingdemocracy

5. Also last month, Daphne, you took a very special trip to Washington, DC. You got to meet Speaker Pelosi, Congressman Joe Kennedy, as well as some of the key young leaders and organizers in this movement to put common sense gun safety laws on the books. What made that trip so “life-changing” as you described it?

6. As a member of March For Our Lives, you played a role in getting the highest youth voter turnout for a midterm election in 25 years. Without such a turnout, there is just no way such an historic Congress takes power. What does the 116th Congress mean to you?

7. David Hogg has said he wants 71% of eligible youth voters to turn out and vote in 2020. And we here at Youth Saving Democracy intend to do everything we can to make sure that goal is achieved. You have also started a non-profit called Box The Ballot to help increase youth turnout. Please tell us more about Box The Ballot and how we can support it

8. One of the things that have impressed me about this entire youth-led movement for social justice is the emphasis on diversity and inclusion. Whether it be March For Our Lives, Team Enough, Sunrise Movement, or any major youth-led grassroots organization, the site of young people from all types of r