45: Voices Calling For Change

It takes an army of people from all different kinds of backgrounds to solve complicated societal issues.

Gun control activism continues to gain momentum as younger and older generations are coming together to lift their voices and draw national attention to the issues that taunt them daily. Adults are now reaching out to youth protesters to add support and organizational assistance and highlight the challenges faced when inspired youth feel ignored. Yet grassroots organizations to collegiate-educated leaders remain hopeful and band as one to fight for widespread change.

Originally aired on June 8, 2022 on KPOV’s Youth Radio Hour

41: Blood On Their Hands

The growing number of fatal shootings has changed the way these kids think about going to school and the responsibility of lawmakers.

Students hold lawmakers accountable for continued school shootings and call for gun control laws to be implemented in Oregon. Open-hearted youth share perspectives they hold on second amendment rights, the availability of military-grade weapons to the public and arming their teachers while continuing to grapple with their own emotions and daily fears. It is scary and exhausting, but they are committed to bringing awareness to and not letting lawmakers forget about the chronic gun problems in society today.

Originally aired on June 8, 2022 on KPOV’s Youth Radio Hour

27: When Activism Runs In The Family

Juniper grew up wanting to be like and admiring her role models.

In the Rook family, activism is a civil duty passed down between generations. Juniper, and her mother, Kelsey, share trials and tribulations of leading such a bold, yet vulnerable life, giving insight into some of the impacts and challenges of using their voices to push for social and political change. Juniper reads her letter to the Redmond School Board in which she pleas for safer schools.

Originally aired on March 22, 2022 on KPOV’s The Tuesday Point

25: Rising From The Ashes

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, Alyssa’s Law is intended to save the lives of children from gun violence in schools.

In a courageous display of transmutation, Lori Alhadeff and her husband started the non-profit Make Our Schools Safe (MOSS) after losing their daughter in the Parkland, Florida school shooting in 2018. Named after the departed, Alyssa’s Law is now a nationwide movement and is focused around enacting a direct notification method between classrooms and local law enforcement and creating a standard level of protection in schools across the country.

Originally aired on July 1, 2022 on KPOV’s The Friday Point

19: Kids Say The Darnedest Things

Youth activists and DJs are just happy to have a platform to speak and be heard.

Courageous Youth Radio Hour hosts, Juniper and Parker, have important dialogue about topics that are important to them, how they feel and what they’re experiencing in their community. They express their deep desire to be accepted for the way they are and the exhaustion that’s felt as they continue to fight for representation, action and change. Be inspired by the honesty and stamina it takes to defend your life against everything you’ve ever known and have been taught.

Originally aired on May 25, 2022 on KPOV’s Youth Radio Hour

10: A Force Among Us

Moms Demand Action promotes gun safety, gun-sense laws and squashes myths to keep families safe.

The ripple effect of gun violence is wide and the discussion here brings awareness to and questions how our immediate culture shapes the way we view and process gun violence. Brandy Steelhammer and Juniper Rook, both gun safety advocates in Central Oregon, vulnerably give their own stories and many ways to take action against gun violence.

Originally aired on May 31, 2022 on KPOV’s Curiosity Lab