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As Valentine’s Day approaches, one family has transformed their grief into advocacy, honoring their daughter’s life with a call to action for school safety. On Feb. 14, Alabama joins 19 other states in participating in Make Our Schools Safe Day, a national day for advocacy and remembrance, marking the seventh anniversary of the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
In recognition of this solemn day, Alabama lawmakers are considering legislation that would allocate funding to public schools for emergency response technology aimed at improving safety during crises. This technology can instantly initiate lockdowns and alert authorities in emergencies, ensuring a faster response when seconds count.
“Nothing is more important than protecting our children, and Alabama is committed to ensuring our schools are providing safe environments for our students,” said Rep. Baker. “Alyssa’s Law, HB234, is a common-sense measure that empowers schools with the tools they need to ensure rapid emergency response times and save lives. This legislation is about taking action, not just talking about safety, and I’m proud to stand with parents, educators and law enforcement in support of Make Our Schools Safe Day.”
The legislation, modeled after “Alyssa’s Law,” is named after Alyssa Alhadeff, one of the victims of the 2018 Parkland shooting. In the wake of her daughter’s death, Lori and Ilan Alhadeff founded the nonprofit Make Our Schools Safe, a movement dedicated to driving and guiding best practices for school safety.
“Had this technology been in place seven years ago, our daughter might be with us today,” said Lori Alhadeff, founder of Make Our Schools Safe and mother of Alyssa. “Time equals life, and I am grateful to Alabama lawmakers for considering this crucial legislation. It could save countless lives in the future.”
Alyssa’s Law is currently in seven states. To learn more about Alyssa’s Law and Make Our Schools Safe Day, visit https://makeourschoolssafe.org.
