April 17, 2023

Linking Arms for Change event is April 18; planned human chain to stretch from VUMC to State Capitol

Linking Arms for Change, an event seeking to create a human chain connecting Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt to the Tennessee State Capitol, will take place from 5:15 to 5:45 p.m. on Tuesday, April 18.

The event is sponsored by Voices for a Safer Tennessee, and is being held as a visual image of support for three specific gun safety proposals:

  • Extreme Risk Laws that would allow authorities to temporarily remove guns from people who pose a risk to themselves or others
  • Stronger Gun Storage Laws that would require gun owners to provide safe storage and report lost or stolen guns.
  • Closing Background Check Loopholes to keep guns away from dangerous people by closing the background check loophole.

Dozens of community organizations, including houses of worship, schools, civic organizations, political groups, neighborhood groups and employers have registered to participate. Individuals may sign up singly, or may join one of the registered groups (a complete list is available here by scrolling down the page). Among the registered groups are Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

After signing up, participants will be assigned to meet at a particular block along the route, with people from the same organization grouped together. Participants are requested to wear red, and organizers emphasize that the event is not intended to block streets or intersections and that the safety of participants is the first priority.

A simultaneous event will be taking place in Knoxville, with participants there linking hands to circle that city’s downtown Market Square.

For more information or to sign up, go to the event page here.