Moms Are Asking For "Phone Calls Not Flowers" This Mother's Day — In The Fight For Gun Safety

Moms deserve to be celebrated every day, showered with love, thoughtful gifts, spa treatments, and more. But true appreciation for mothers goes beyond gestures. It involves supporting them with equitable child care, healthcare, labor policies, and ensuring their children are safe from gun violence. This year, a powerful movement is taking shape as thousands of moms mobilize against gun violence—the leading cause of death among children and teens in the U.S. The viral social media campaign, #PhoneCallsNotFlowers, is spearheaded by Emily Amick, a lawyer and journalist from the nonprofit organization For Facts Sake, which utilizes social media to drive political action. #PhoneCallsNotFlowers empowers parents and their loved ones to make phone calls to their representatives, urging them to support legislation that mandates background checks for all gun sales. Amick highlights the concerns of moms who worry about their children's safety at school, malls, and public events, emphasizing the need for collective action and solidarity in this fight. The campaign's Instagram post kickstarts the movement by specifically urging callers to support the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2023 in both the House and Senate—a policy that enjoys majority support among Americans. For Facts Sake simplifies the process by providing a to-do list, resources to find the phone numbers of federal elected officials, a script for the calls (trust us, it's just a couple of sentences!), and a call to action, encouraging users to share a screenshot of their call logs on Instagram. In fact, the organization's Instagram account is welcoming collaboration requests for posts that inspire action under the #PhoneCallsNotFlowers campaign. While thousands have already embraced the challenge, Amick remains hopeful that the momentum will continue throughout Mother's Day weekend. The real gesture of admiration would be to send roses to your mom and also make those important phone calls to your representatives. It's crucial to acknowledge that moms, particularly moms of color, have historically been on the frontlines of the battle against gun violence. By joining forces, we can amplify their voices and work towards a safer world for all children. So, this Mother's Day, let's go beyond the traditional celebrations and take action. Make those phone calls, share your support on social media, and stand in solidarity with moms who are tirelessly fighting for a safer future. Together, we can make a difference and honor the remarkable strength and resilience of mothers everywhere.