Dispatch is the latest group to speak up for more gun control in the aftermath of the mass shooting that took place at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on Valentine's Day (Feb. 14).
The Boston-based jam band put out the song “Dear Congress, (17)" on Friday (Feb. 23), and plan to donate all of its proceeds to the Brady Campaign, a non-profit that works to reduce national gun violence.The song takes a look at the person from a first person perspective, with frontman Chad Stokes singing as a grieving parent: “It’s not enough, your thoughts and prayers," he sings.
"Written from the the perspective of someone who just buried their loved one, 'Dear Congress' is the personal side of observing Washington throw empty condolences to grieving families while accepting NRA Campaign money," Stokes and bandmate Brad Corrigan offer in a joint press release. "How is it possible our 'elected' protect the gun lobby more than the human lives they represent? How many more people have to die?"
While the song focuses on the emotional aspect that comes with mass gun violence, the donations will work towards the legislation that prevents it. The Brady Campaign is calling on Congress to “immediately pass legislation to make it significantly harder for deadly weapons to be used by dangerous people,” according to their website.
The song comes after the massacre in Florida that killed seventeen people, one of far too many that has already taken place thus far in 2018. Earlier in the week, students from the high school participated in a CNN Town Hall with legislators, and ended the night with a powerful rendition of an original song "Shine."
To donate to the Brady Campaign, you can purchase Dispatch's "Dear Congress" here.