Uniting for Change: The UnLocked Project at UMD PROGRESS's Gun Violence Teach-In
On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, members of the UnLocked Project had the opportunity to participate in a powerful teach-in event hosted by UMD Progress, focused on gun violence prevention and intervention strategies. The event brought together a range of organizations, activists, and community members dedicated to addressing one of the most pressing public safety issues of our time.
Our team proudly represented the UnLocked Project with a display table featuring posters and flyers that highlighted our mission: to support and uplift the children of incarcerated individuals while advocating for justice reform through direct action and education. Throughout the event, we introduced attendees to our work, shared our accomplishments, and offered ways for people to connect with us and get involved.
We connected with organizations like Guns Down Friday, which empowers youth affected by gun violence through loss or lived experience; Moms Demand Action, a grassroots movement focused on implementing public safety measures; and Students Demand Action, a group of young activists working to end gun violence. It was especially encouraging to see how engaged and passionate some of the youth and students were. Witnessing their involvement reminded us that young people have always played a vital role in pushing society forward—and that we’re stronger when we uplift each other.
For us, the teach-in wasn’t just an opportunity to showcase our work—it was a reminder of how deeply interconnected systemic issues are. While UnLocked doesn’t directly focus on gun violence, we understand that children of incarcerated parents may have lived experiences that overlap with it, making these conversations all the more important to engage in.
We’re thankful to UMD Progress for inviting us to be part of this important conversation. And we look forward to continuing to build with the many voices and visions we encountered that day.
