During a recent government meeting, a passionate call for greater representation of gun violence survivors was made by Aaliyah Strong, founder and executive director of the nonprofit Time TO Thrive Beyond Grief. Strong emphasized the need for those most affected by gun violence—children and teens—to have a voice in discussions surrounding the issue, arguing that their absence from the conversation hinders effective solutions.

Strong recounted her personal experience with gun violence, highlighting the disconnect between policymakers and the realities faced by survivors. She criticized the reliance on traditional experts, such as doctors, stating that true expertise comes from those who have lived through the trauma. \"If you don’t have representation of that in every single room, at every single table, the problem is never gonna get solved,\" she asserted.

The meeting, which aimed to address ongoing issues related to gun violence, saw Strong urging officials to engage directly with community members who have firsthand knowledge of the challenges, including the illegal acquisition of firearms. She expressed frustration over the lack of action despite years of identifying the problems, calling for a more inclusive approach to policymaking.

In response to her remarks, the chair of the study committee acknowledged the importance of survivor input and encouraged Strong to share her organization’s details for future collaboration. Strong provided her contact information, emphasizing her commitment to ensuring that the voices of those affected by gun violence are heard in future discussions.