Aalayah Eastmond

Aalayah Eastmond (born March 22, 2001) is an American activist and advocate for gun violence prevention, social justice, and racial equality. After surviving the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, Eastmond began her activism during the 2018 United States gun violence protests. She has testified multiple times to the U.S. Congress. Eastmond is an executive council member of Team Enough, a youth-led gun violence prevention organization which is part of the Brady Campaign. Eastmond co-founded Concerned Citizens of DC in the wake of the murder of George Floyd to organize protests supporting social justice issues in Washington, D.C. She supports Black Lives Matter and protests against police brutality.

Aalayah Eastmond
Activist Aalayah Eastmond testifies before the US Senate Judiciary Committee
Eastmond in 2018
Born (2001-03-22) March 22, 2001
Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
EducationMarjory Stoneman Douglas High School
Trinity Washington University
OccupationActivist

Early life and education

Eastmond was born in Brooklyn on March 22, 2001, to Stacey-Ann Llewellyn.[1][2] When Eastmond was 2 years old, her 18-year-old uncle, Patrick Edwards, was shot and killed leaving his mother's home in Brooklyn.[3] At the age of 4, Eastmond moved to West Virginia with her mother. She played the violin as a child.[2] They moved to Broward County, Florida, when she was 8 years old.[4] Eastmond attended Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. On February 14, 2018, during her junior year, Eastmond survived the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting by hiding underneath the body of Nicholas Dworet, a deceased classmate.[3] In the summer following her high school graduation, she lived with her aunt in Brownsville, Brooklyn while interning for Governor Andrew Cuomo.[3]

Eastmond studies criminal justice at Trinity Washington University.[5]

Activism

Eastmond became prominent during the 2018 United States gun violence protests as a student survivor of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, helping lead several high-profile protests, marches, and boycotts.[2][4][3] She is an activist and advocate for gun violence prevention, social justice, and racial equality.[5] Eastmond and others from her high school faced criticism for speaking out after the shooting.[6] She attended March for Our Lives events.[7] In July 2018, Eastmond spoke at a gun violence awareness march organized by Save Our Streets Brooklyn.[8] Eastmond testified during the Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court nomination.[9]

Eastmond is an executive council member of Team Enough, a youth-led gun violence prevention organization which is part of the Brady Campaign.[2][4] In this role, she provides insights on the impact of gun violence in black and brown communities.[2] Eastmond testified to the United States House and Senate Committee on the Judiciary in support of the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019.[4]

Eastmond is a supporter of Black Lives Matter and protests against police brutality.[10][11][12] After the murder of George Floyd, she co-founded Concerned Citizens of DC. The group organizes protests supporting social justice issues in Washington, D.C.[2][13] At the 2020 March on Washington for racial equity, Eastmond spoke about the connections between racial justice and gun violence.[4]

Personal life

Eastmond experienced symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder after seeing U.S. National Guard troops with M-4 rifles as part of the security preparations for the inauguration of Joe Biden.[14]

References
  1. @AalayahEastmond (March 22, 2020). "Birthday in quarantine [sic] definitely a nasty 19 because y'all need to wash your hands and cover your mouths. Stay safe!!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  2. Bell, Kennedey (June 17, 2020). "Parkland survivor turned racial equality activist is fighting on two fronts". ABC News. Archived from the original on June 17, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  3. Goldberg, Noah (July 10, 2019). "A Parkland survivor from Brooklyn, struck twice by gun violence". Brooklyn Eagle. Archived from the original on December 4, 2019. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  4. DiBenedetto, Chase (December 15, 2020). "Parkland survivor wants a different kind of gun reform movement: One that centers Black lives". Mashable. Archived from the original on December 15, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  5. "Parkland survivor: Who doesn't want to prevent gun violence?". CNN Video. February 2, 2021. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  6. Kim, Eun Kyung (February 27, 2018). "'Nothing fake about this': Florida shooting survivor and mom recount harrowing day". The Today Show. Archived from the original on February 27, 2018. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  7. Sassman, Brooke (February 12, 2019). "Parkland shooting survivor Aalayah Eastmond speaks out on 1-year anniversary". The Today Show. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  8. Goldberg, Noah (July 1, 2019). "'Bed-Stuy stay alive': Brooklynites call for a shooting-free summer". Brooklyn Eagle. Archived from the original on July 2, 2019. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  9. "Read testimony of Parkland shooting survivor Aalayah Eastmond". CNN. September 7, 2018. Archived from the original on September 8, 2018. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  10. James, Chris (February 6, 2021). "These BLM activists are fighting for the civil rights of the next generation". CNN. Archived from the original on February 6, 2021. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  11. "Parkland shooting survivor leads hundreds of protesters from White House to Capitol". WUSA9. June 4, 2020. Archived from the original on November 20, 2021. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  12. "Activist: "I'm genuinely exhausted as a young black woman"". CNN. June 26, 2020. Retrieved February 11, 2021.
  13. Walker, Hunter (June 3, 2020). "A group of D.C. protesters now has a list of demands". Yahoo News. Archived from the original on June 3, 2020. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
  14. Bakeman, Jessica (January 20, 2021). "Black Parkland Shooting Survivor, Now Attending College In D.C., Struggles With Armed Military Presence For Inauguration". WLRN-FM. Archived from the original on January 20, 2021. Retrieved February 12, 2021.
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