VOA – CONNECT

EPISODE  41
AIR DATE  10 26 2018  

FULL TRANSCRIPT


 

OPEN  ((VO/NAT))
((Banner))

A School Shooting in Parkland 
((Montage NATS))
This place, where Alyssa rests.
The problem at MSD is that…..
We're here to talk about gun violence, right?
I say to direct your anger at the federal level and law enforcement.

It's possible that you have a conversation to find the common ground.

((Open Animation))

 

BLOCK A
((Banner: After Parkland))

 

((PKG))  PARKLAND -- PART 1 
((Banner:  The Activist))
((Producers:  Beth Mendelson, Tom Detzel, Cliff Hackel))
((Camera:  Esha Sarai, Tom Bagnall)) 
((Music:  Roger Hooper, Lenny Williams))
((Map:  Parkland, Florida
            Washington, D.C.))
((Stills Courtesy: Andrew Sheehy)) 
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
Alyssa was the heartbeat of our family.
((Stills Courtesy: Alhadeff family)) 
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
She had so much zest for life, so much spunk, she kept us on our toes.
((Stills Courtesy: Andrew Sheehy and Coach Laurie Thomas))
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
Her soccer skills were outstanding.
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
So, the next step for Alyssa was to play in college and to get a soccer scholarship. Actually, the day before she died on February 13, she played in her last competitive soccer game and she was phenomenal. Every single thing that she did during that game was incredible. Her passes were on, her heading was on, her shooting was on, every single thing.
((Stills Courtesy: Coach Laurie Thomas))
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
She got into the car after the game and I turned to Alyssa, I said, “Alyssa, you know you just played the best game of your life.” And she was like, "Yeah, I know mom."
((Locator: Parkland, Florida - February, 14, 2018))
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
So, what happened was I received a text message saying ‘shots fired at Stoneman Douglas High School. Kids jumping and running towards Westlake Middle School.’ And the next second, I just had this overwhelming feeling of loss that something happened to Alyssa. And I was running towards the high school, but there was yellow tape from tree to tree and I couldn't go anywhere past that. I broke through the yellow tape and I'm just wearing this thin little black tank top and then, like, I literally feel him keeping up pace with me. 

((Still Courtesy: NBCUniversal Archives))
 ((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
The Marriott command center was the designated area where I would hear about what happened to Alyssa.
((Still Courtesy: Sun Sentinel))
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
So, we went to the command center and I was the first parent there. It wasn't even set up yet. Because I was, I was always one step ahead of all this because Alyssa was with me. Alyssa was pushing me, telling me that she was hurt and telling me she needed help. I was like I need to get to Alyssa. I need to get to her.
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))

Finally, we were called to the room. So, my husband and I, we go to this room and we sit down with the FBI, and they tell us, "We believe that Alyssa is dead.” And as a mother, that's just not acceptable. You can't just tell me you believe.
((NATS))
((RABBI MENDY GUTNICK, CHABAD OF PARKLAND))
This place where Alyssa rests, it is now holy and will forever be a living monument, a sign post for all of us, to inspire all of us and direct our path forward.
((ILAN ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S FATHER))
Alyssa, I'm so sorry as your father that I could not have taken those bullets for you.
((RABBI MENDY GUTNICK, CHABAD OF PARKLAND))
When Ilan spoke at the memorial service, it was one of the most powerful words I'd ever heard. They had such an unbelievable love for their daughter and their daughter for them. And the idea of sending out those butterflies at the memorial ceremony was so poignant in as much as it spoke not only with regards to Alyssa still being with us but now just in a different state, in a different form. Now, she was almost like the butterfly with wings like an angel flying above us. But it also is a powerful lesson and testament to us of what we are capable of achieving in our lifetimes.
((NATS))
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
I got up really early in the morning and I drove to the Everglades which is less than a minute from my house.
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
I went there because I wanted to try to get a closer connection with God to better understand why He took Alyssa. And I sat down and I looked up in the sky and asked God, "Why Alyssa? Why did you take Alyssa?"
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
The next day, I knew that I needed to have a voice to make change.
((NATS))
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
My name is Lori Alhadeff. And as of a few minutes ago, I'm a candidate for the Broward County School Board District Four.
((Footage Courtesy: Tobin Kurtz and Garrison Irwin))
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
I'm Lori Alhadeff. I want to ensure that the money that the school district spends, gets utilized both properly and efficiently.
When I do something, I go all out and I do it.

There's no halfway in between. As I say at my campaign, I'm up to bat and I'm going to hit a home run. I just can't stop trying to make change, trying to positively affect the school safety in the schools.
((RABBI MENDY GUTNICK, CHABAD OF PARKLAND))
There’s just been a remarkable increase in what she’s chosen to do. I mean everything she’s done is not by force.

((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
And we got another donation, and a hundred dollars! Woohoo!

((RABBI MENDY GUTNICK, CHABAD OF PARKLAND))
It’s a choice that she’s made, but every one of those choices is motivated, I believe, by her striving to live Alyssa’s legacy the best way she can.
((NATS))
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
What each school needs to do is come up with a game plan from security experts. Each school is going to be different. We're looking into different ballistic glass to be able to put in the doors in the schools. If there was ballistic glass in Alyssa's door, Alyssa would be alive today.
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
So, I do feel very strongly that the schools need to change that piece of glass and make it bullet proof.
((Locator: Washington D.C. - March 24, 2018))
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
I will not stop talking. I'm going to let my voice be my power. Absolutely this is going to make change. There's going to be change in school safety. It's not going away.
((Footage Courtesy: Tobin Kurtz and Garrison Irwin))
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
I lost a child. But if I can be strong enough to do these things that other adults or children can see, "Well look if Lori Alhadeff can do and she lost a child, I can be strong enough to do it too."
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
I'm just a stay-at-home mom. I'm just one person.
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
I do think one voice can make a difference. I think just stepping up to the plate, speaking out and having that power of your voice, can make changes.

((NATS: NEWS ANCHOR))
Two Parkland parents ran for school board. Lori Alhadeff, whose daughter Alyssa was killed in the massacre in Parkland, wins District 4 here, and winning it pretty easily, 65 percent to 18 percent for her opponent.
((NATS))
((LORI ALHADEFF, ALYSSA’S MOTHER))
We did it!


TEASE  ((VO/NAT))
Coming up
((Banner))
A Family United
((SOT))
After about two weeks, they slowly started coming out of that shock and grief and kind of try to figure out what's the next steps.
 

 

BREAK ONE                                                                             
BUMP IN  ((ANIM))                                

 

BLOCK B 

 

((PKG))  PARKLAND – PART 2  
((Banner:  A Family United))
((Producers:  Beth Mendelson, Tom Detzel, Cliff Hackel))

((Camera:  Esha Sarai, Gabrielle Weiss, Tina Trinh))

((Music:  Roger Hooper, Lenny Williams))

((Map:  Parkland, Florida 

             Tallahassee, Florida 

             Washington, D.C.)) 
((NATS))
((Locator: Road to Change Tour, Tallahasee, Florida – July 28, 2018))
((ROBERT SCHENTRUP, MARCH FOR OUR LIVES ACTIVIST))

Hi. My name is Robert Schentrup, and I'm the older brother of Carmen Schentrup, one of the 17 victims of the Stoneman Douglas school shooting.
((Source: Schentrup family))  

((ROBERT SCHENTRUP, MARCH FOR OUR LIVES ACTIVIST)) 
I've realized that through the shooting, our family was destroyed, but it created a family of activism.
((ROBERT SCHENTRUP, MARCH FOR OUR LIVES ACTIVIST))
My sister Evelyn and I were in Tallahassee as part of the Road to Change tour. Having Evelyn there by my side allowed us to really bond and connect.

((NATS))
((Source: Schentrup family))
((ROBERT SCHENTRUP, MARCH FOR OUR LIVES ACTIVIST)) 
Carmen's death catapulted me to be an activist because I realized that what had happened to her was just so preventable.
((NATS))
Being in Washington, and being right in the heart of American politics, and really getting involved in the nitty gritty of how American government works, is something that is really inspiring to me.
((NATS)) 
Initially after Carmen's death, my parents were extremely grief stricken. They couldn't leave the house.

((NATS))
((PHILIP SCHENTRUP, CARMEN’S FATHER))  
Carmen was on a journey of discovery, running a race against time to see how much of the world she could discover.
((Source: Schentrup family)) 
((PHILIP SCHENTRUP, CARMEN’S FATHER)) 
She couldn't have known how little time she had. Carmen was artistic and loved music.
((NATS))
She enjoyed drawing, visiting art museums. She played piano, violin, guitar. We miss her music.
((APRIL SCHENTRUP, CARMEN’S MOTHER))
As a woman of faith, I can say prayers have helped me find strength to get through each day and stand here before you. But, as a mother who mourns the death of one child and fights to protect the future of her two other children, I can honestly say that prayers do not feel like enough.
((PHILIP SCHENTRUP, CARMEN’S FATHER))
If every parent took just five minutes and forced themselves, for five minutes, to think what life would be like if their child was shot and killed, there would be no more debate in this country because no parent could make it for five minutes. No parent would get that far.
((ROBERT SCHENTRUP, MARCH FOR OUR LIVES ACTIVIST))
After about two weeks, they slowly started coming out of that shock and grief and kind of try to figure out what's the next steps.
((Source: Broward County)) 
((Locator: Broward County School Board Hearing - July 24, 2018))
((PHILIP SCHENTRUP, CARMEN’S FATHER))
Three months after the shooting, my wife and I stood before the board to call out the district for its complete inaction with regard to investigating the tragedy at MSD (Marjory Stoneman Douglas).
((ROBERT SCHENTRUP, MARCH FOR OUR LIVES ACTIVIST))
My dad has changed a lot and he got involved in activism. After the shooting, he realized that he doesn't have the luxury of allowing things to be the way that they are. You have to be the person that leads the charge.
((Locator: Broward County School Board Hearing - July 24, 2018))
((PHILIP SCHENTRUP, CARMEN’S FATHER))
In less than one month, over 3000 students will return to MSD, an MSD led by the same administration that failed Carmen and 33 others, murdered or wounded.
((Source: Schentrup family)) 
((ROBERT SCHENTRUP, MARCH FOR OUR LIVES ACTIVIST))
My mom was a principal at Pembroke Pines Elementary, which is in Broward County, for many years. And now, she's taken on a new role as the Director of School Safety, because she's always been such a strong advocate for children, and she just wants to make sure that all the young people in the county stay and remain safe. Raising three children has really motivated her to try and provide the best learning environment she can for children and so I'm excited to see her in this new role.
((APRIL SCHENTRUP, CARMEN’S MOTHER))
Volunteers as the visitors go to schools and they might notice something that is a safety concern. How do they report that and get action done immediately? Those are things that we need to look at.
((Locator: Stand with Parkland Meeting, Parkland, Florida - July 26, 2018))
((ANTHONY MONTALTO, PRESIDENT, STAND WITH PARKLAND))
You know, part of what we are trying to do is bring the experts together, right? Bring everybody to talk and bring them to where we can find consensus and then make a difference.
((ROBERT SCHENTRUP, MARCH FOR OUR LIVES ACTIVIST))
Tony Montalto has been very active in organizing all of the parents and family of the 17 victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting.
((NATS))
((ANTHONY MONTALTO, PRESIDENT, STAND WITH PARKLAND))
We've met under the worst of circumstances. We're all damaged and grieving. Yet, when we're together, we are able to find strength. It's the members of this group that understand the pain that each of us is going through. It's the most expensive club you'll ever join. The price of admission is exceedingly high.
((Source: Schentrup family)) 
((ROBERT SCHENTRUP, MARCH FOR OUR LIVES ACTIVIST))
One guy with a AR15 walked into a school and instantly many people died, my daughter included.
((NATS))
((Locator: Washington, DC - March 24, 2018))
((DAVID HOGG, MARCH FOR OUR LIVES ACTIVIST))
When people try to suppress your vote, and there are people who stand against you because you're too young, we say, no more!
((ROBERT SCHENTRUP, MARCH FOR OUR LIVES ACTIVIST))
It's been amazing to see the change that came out of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas school shooting. At the march, seeing my friends and my sister’s friends come together to create a national movement and spark a conversation about gun violence prevention.
((NATS))

 ((EMMA GONZALEZ, MARCH FOR OUR LIVES ACTIVIST))
Six minutes and about 20 seconds. In a little over six minutes, 17 of our friends were taken from us, 15 were injured, and everyone, absolutely everyone, in the Douglas community was forever altered. And my friend Carmen would never complain to me about piano practice.
((Source: Schentrup family))  
((ROBERT SCHENTRUP, MARCH FOR OUR LIVES ACTIVIST))
When I heard Emma say Carmen's name, it just sent a shockwave of emotion through my body because
((NATS – Gonzalez speech))
((ROBERT SCHENTRUP, MARCH FOR OUR LIVES ACTIVIST))
seeing one of Carmen's best friends up on that stage
((NATS – Gonzalez speech))
((ROBERT SCHENTRUP, MARCH FOR OUR LIVES ACTIVIST))
talking about the tragedy,
((NATS – Gonzalez speech))
((ROBERT SCHENTRUP, MARCH FOR OUR LIVES ACTIVIST))
it was just a very emotionally powerful moment for me.
((NATS – Gonzalez speech))
((ROBERT SCHENTRUP, MARCH FOR OUR LIVES ACTIVIST))
I think those six and a half minutes of silence are extremely impactful, because you could feel the awkwardness, the tension, how uncomfortable it was, because no one had any idea what was going on. And that's a very similar feeling to what those kids must have felt that day at Marjory Stoneman Douglas. It was one of those moments that really made what happened very tangible and concrete. It gave me a lot of flashbacks of, you know, Emma and Carmen together at our house and going to the movies or another event or riding a bus back home.
((NATS))
((ROBERT SCHENTRUP, MARCH FOR OUR LIVES ACTIVIST)) 
My sister and Emma Gonzalez were really good friends. And I remember back at Carmen's last birthday party, Emma had long brown hair, and compared to now with her head shaved, I honestly wouldn't have even recognized her.
((NATS))
((ROBERT SCHENTRUP, MARCH FOR OUR LIVES ACTIVIST)) 
One thing that the shooting of Parkland and the death of Carmen taught me is that silver linings don't exist, that you need to create them yourself.
((NATS – US Senate office))
((ROBERT SCHENTRUP, MARCH FOR OUR LIVES ACTIVIST))
One person can make a difference. Activism has taught me that you alone can do so many great things if you put your mind to it. We've come together under this tremendous tragedy and banded together in a fight for a better future.
((NATS))
 


TEASE  ((VO/NAT))
Coming up
((Banner))
American Divide
((SOTs))
I think that the NRA is a good organization.
But someone who is taking medication for a mental illness, should not be allowed to buy a firearm.

 

BREAK TWO                                                                             
BUMP IN  ((ANIM))                                

 

BLOCK C
 

((PKG))  PARKLAND – PART 3  
((Banner:  American Divide))
((Producers:  Beth Mendelson, Tom Detzel, Cliff Hackel))
((Camera:  Suli Yi, Michael Burke, Mino Dargakis, Austin Ao, Alexander Gilles))
((Music:  Roger Hooper, Lenny Williams))
((Map:  Fairfax, Virginia
             Washington, D.C.))
((Locator: Road to Change, Fairfax, VA - August 4, 2018))
((NATS))
Hey, hey. Ho, ho. The NRA has got to go. Hey, hey. Ho, ho.
That's my flag. That's my flag.
The second amendment is our right to self-defense.
My daughter Jamie was shot with an AR15 at school.
((LESLIE COCKBURN, DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE, 5TH DISTRICT, VIRGINIA))
I think the Parkland students are absolutely magnificent. They are getting voters out, younger voters on a single issue.
((NATS))
But someone who is taking medication for a mental illness, should not be allowed to buy a firearm.
There's kids out here that have lost somebody that they were close with, due to gun violence, due to a gun like that, and you're out here in full force with it, and, listen, it's your right. I get that. But to have the whole thing out and on display, I don't, I just think that might be a little excessive, that's all.
I have that right as an American, and I have a right as a Virginian as well, because I am, I’m allowed to open carry in this state.
((DENVER RIGGLEMAN, REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE, 5TH DISTRICT, VIRGINIA))
You know, I'm a strong Second Amendment supporter, you know, based on where I'm from here in the fifth district. The Second Amendment is important now because we've had some very bad and awful emotional events that happened around the United States. But I believe that when these emotional and awful things happen, I think that reasonable discussion, sort of, goes out the window.
((Source: Cockburn campaign)) 
((Locator: Rappahannock County, Virginia))
((JOHN MCCASLIN, EDITOR, RAPPAHANNOCK NEWS))
The fifth district gets as close as you can get to Montana and still be within 60 miles of the nation's capital. That stretches from North Carolina to west of Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C.  This district, being as rural as it is, people have guns.  There's no doubt about it. The people locally in this district want to keep with tradition. They do like their guns.
((NATS))
((AUDREY REGNERY, RESIDENT, RAPPAHANNOCK COUNTY, VIRGINIA))
This is a .22.  I use this basically for practice when I'm down here.  This is a Glock .42 which I carry.  I think that the NRA is a good organization. I have to go through eight hours of training with them before I'm allowed to have my conceal carry. And without an organization such as the NRA, that does these things, I think we'd be a lot worse shape.
((LEONARD STEINHORN, PROFESSOR OF COMMUNICATION, AMERICAN UNIVERSITY))
The NRA has a big impact politically. They make a lot of legislators scared because of their ability to mobilize their voters and they have an outsized impact because they are concentrated in certain parts of each state that ultimately can swing an election in favor of their particular candidate.
((JOHN MCCASLIN, EDITOR, RAPPAHANNOCK NEWS))
Gun control is a big issue nationally.  It's come up here in the fifth district of Virginia during the debates. We hosted one here in Little Washington, Virginia.
((Locator: 5th Congressional District Debate, Washington, VA - September 5, 2018))
((NATS))
((MODERATOR))
What's missing under current law that you want to work for?
((DENVER RIGGLEMAN, REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE, 5TH DISTRICT, VIRGINIA))
I don't think, right now, as far as the Second Amendment's concerned, there's anything missing under current law.
((MODERATOR))
You're satisfied.
((DENVER RIGGLEMAN, REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE 5TH DISTRICT, VIRGINIA))
I'm satisfied. Yes, I am.
((MODERATOR))
Now, there has been a presence in Washington, particularly since the murders in Parkland, Florida earlier this year, of people who are not satisfied with federal law.
((LESLIE COCKBURN, DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE, 5TH DISTRICT, VIRGINIA))
Well, this issue has changed dramatically this year. There are a lot of angry mothers out there and they see their children having to go to school every day in fear. But I do see a demand from Democratic women that we must address these issues, and also being with the Parkland kids, you really feel the power of this whole new generation to lead us into better gun legislation.
((LESLIE COCKBURN, DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE, 5TH DISTRICT, VIRGINIA))
I think the reason why gun violence and gun legislation is very, very important is the demand from constituents. I hear it all the time. I've never seen it like this in Virginia, this demand for change in gun legislation.
((NATS))
How in the world do you eat deer when it's full of AK47?
Nobody shoots a deer with an AK47.
Well then why do they have them?
AR15s
Ok, you're right. Why do they have them?
Home defense.
Oh! You can do home defense with a .38.
((DENVER RIGGLEMAN, REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE, 5TH DISTRICT, VIRGINIA))
If we're talking about the seizure of firearms or the mass seizure of firearms, it's unnecessary, it's unconstitutional.
((Locator: Washington, DC - March 24, 2018))
((NATS))
((DELANEY TARR, MARCH FOR OUR LIVES))
We are here to call out every single politician, to force them into enacting this legislation, to addressing this legislation, to doing more than a simple Band-Aid on a broken bone.
((LEONARD STEINHORN, PROFESSOR OF COMMUNICATION, AMERICAN UNIVERSITY))
These Parkland students didn't ask to get involved. They were forced to get involved because of a life and death matter that they saw on the grounds of their school affecting their friends, their families, their community and ultimately our country.
((NATS))
((DELANEY TARR, MARCH FOR OUR LIVES))
If we move on, the NRA and those against us will win.
((AUDREY REGNERY, RESIDENT, RAPPAHANNOCK COUNTY, VIRGINIA))
Some of the political groups, and I'm not going to say who they are,
feed on this kind of thing. They feed on fear. And these children are right into that situation. For these kids going out, a lot of them don't know what they're there for.
((STEPHEN HALBROOK, CONSTITUTIONAL ATTORNEY))
There was a reaction that law abiding people throughout the country, who are gun owners, felt like this is some kind of orchestrated attack that special interests have set forth and carried through.  Everybody's interest is not to have school shootings happen, and the only question is, how do you prevent them?
((NATS))
That's what I'm getting at.
((LEONARD STEINHORN, AMERICAN UNIVERSITY))
So you have two opposing worldviews here. People who look at guns as safety, security, freedom. Other people who look at guns as palpable threats and something that makes them afraid, and something that could potentially threaten their lives. How you reconcile those worldviews, that's very difficult. We have to find a way to listen to each other and come together.
((NATS))
((Banner))
After Parkland
 

CLOSING  ((ANIM))
voanews.com/connect
 

 

BREAK THREE                                               &nbsp