The dreary weather in New England today matches my mood perfectly. So, when the following email came across my desk this morning, it lifted my spirits, because I realize that every tragedy presents us with a call to take action. Jennifer Jenkins, of Murder Victims' Families for Human Rights, is a dedicated death penalty abolitionist and also a tireless campaigner for effective gun control. She lost her sister and brother-in-law to gun violence. I hope this message spurs you to action and helps you with your grief in the process:

"To all my abolition colleagues -

Many of you know that as a gun violence victim's family member as well I have long also given my energies to the gun violence prevention issue.

Of course today was horrible for us.

I have done several interviews already this evening for Chicago radio, etc. It was personally re-traumatizing for many of us.

I just wanted to share with you all, since you were kind enough to express concern about it, that my wonderful employers at the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, do amazing work every day to keep the kind of fire power at work today in Virginia out of the wrong hands.

If you are looking for a good way to respond to today's tragedy, you might want to log onto www.bradycampaign.org and consider making a donation or taking action on legislation that could make a difference.

Likely the weapons used today were "assault"-type pistols. All military style assault weapons, capable of killing dozens in less than a minute, as we saw today, are available to ANYONE over the age of 18 at a gun show in Virginia.

As the folks at Brady have long been supportive of my abolition work, today would be a good day for us all to be supportive of them.

Fond regards,
Jennifer Bishop-Jenkins
Illinois MVFHR"