The orchestrators of this clever ruse were Manuel and Patricia Oliver, parents of Joaquin Oliver, who tragically lost his life in the 2018 Parkland shooting. Their mission was to draw attention to the urgent need for universal background checks on gun sales. As they pointed out in a press release from their advocacy group, Change the Ref, “Ironically, had the men conducted a proper background check on the school, they would have seen that the school is fake.”
In his speech, Keene addressed the empty chairs, expressing his “honor” in celebrating the graduation of students who would never have the opportunity. He remarked, “There are some who will continue to fight to gut the Second Amendment, but I’d be willing to bet that many of you will be among those who stand up and prevent them from succeeding,” showcasing a tone-deaf approach to the somber occasion.
The Olivers’ organization, Change the Ref, documented Keene’s speech and paired it with haunting audio from actual 911 calls during mass shootings, emphasizing the reality that “this year, 3,044 students won’t get the chance to graduate because they were killed by a gun.” They are advocating for universal background checks to protect future students and ensure they reach their graduation day.
Joining Keene on stage was John Lott, a gun-rights activist, who echoed similar sentiments about gun control advocates. After the event, Lott was shocked to learn that he had been part of a staged setup, stating, “You’re telling me the whole thing was a setup?” Manuel Oliver called both Keene and Lott “part of the problem,” underlining the need to confront those perpetuating the gun culture.
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Summary
The Olivers, parents of a Parkland shooting victim, orchestrated a stunt with former NRA president David Keene to highlight the impact of gun violence on education. With an empty stadium symbolizing lost lives, they aim to push for universal background checks, underscoring the urgency of gun reform.