CHICAGO – On the final night of the Democratic National Convention, 19-year-old Edgar Vilchez, a lifelong Chicagoan and second-year member of Project Unloaded’s Youth Council, took to the stage to share about how his personal experience with gun violence pointed him to advocacy.
Two years ago, Edgar witnessed a shooting near his high school. Today, as a member of the Youth Council, he advises the organization’s social media campaigns and programs designed to empower fellow teens to move away from owning and carrying guns. Project Unloaded is the only organization focused on reducing gun violence through youth-powered culture and narrative change.
In response to his speech, Project Unloaded released the following statement from its President and Founder, Nina Vinik. Project Unloaded is a non-partisan 501(c)3 organization and is not affiliated with any political party.
“While Project Unloaded’s mission is not political, I am filled with hope for the future when I see young leaders like Edgar Vilchez standing up to gun culture on a global stage. When young people know the facts about gun violence and the risks of having and using guns, they have the power to reject our gun culture and build a safer future.”
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