Former NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg plans to spend $50 million this year building an anti-gun-
violence organization that he hopes will ultimately outmuscle the NRA. The Bloomberg LP founder
intends to establish a nationwide grass-roots network designed to motivate voters who feel strongly
about curbing gun violence. The organization, known as Everytown for Gun Safety, marks Bloomberg's
first major political investment since leaving office.The organization describes itself as "a movement
of Americans fighting for common-sense policies that will reduce gun violence and save lives." The
former New York City major said in a New York Times story announcing the establishment of Everytown
that those who want to curb gun violence need to learn from the NRA and punish those politicians who
fail to support their agenda.
“They say, ‘We don’t care. We’re going to go after you,’ ” Bloomberg told The Times of the N.R.A.
“ ‘If you don’t vote with us we’re going to go after your kids and your grandkids and your great-grandkids.
And we’re never going to stop.’ We’ve got to make them afraid of us.”
Women and mothers, in particular, will be the focus of Everytown's organizing and outreach, The
Times reported, a pattern he and his advisers modeled after groups like Mothers Against Drunk
Driving. Bloomberg explained that his efforts will require time and dedication. “You’ve got to work
at it piece by piece,” he told The Times. “One mom and another mom. You’ve got to wear them down
until they finally say, ‘Enough.’ ” Everytown supporters will also back candidates and legislation that
will save lives and raise awareness of the ways in which gun violence affects all Americans.
Source: THR