Former Rep. Gabrielle Giffords (D-Ariz.) is putting two options before Americans: Allow gun violence to continue, or vote to elect Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden and “protect our families, our future.”
In remarks aired during the Democratic National Convention, Giffords — who has been a gun-control advocate since she survived being shot in the head in 2011 — urged Americans to make their voices heard in the upcoming election.
“I’ve known the darkest of days, days of pain and uncertain recovery,” Giffords said. “But confronted by despair, I’ve summoned hope.”
She continued, “Confronted by paralysis and aphasia, I’ve responded with grit and determination. I put one foot in front of the other. I found one word and then I found another. My recovery is a daily fight, but fighting makes me stronger.”
“Words once came easily; today I struggle to speak, but I have not lost my voice,” she added.
She urged Americans to speak out “even when you have to fight to find the words.”
“We are at a crossroads. We can let the shooting continue or we can act. We can protect our families, our future. We can vote. We can be on the right side of history. We must elect Joe Biden.”
Finally, she said, “He was there for me, he’ll be there for you too. Join us in this fight. Vote, vote, vote.”
Watch the video below:
Giffords was shot in the head in 2011 in Tuscon, Arizona. She resigned from the House in January 2012 to focus on her recovery.
After the shooting, Giffords suffered from aphasia, a result of a traumatic brain injury from the shooting, which made it difficult for her to speak.
Additionally, she is paralyzed in her right arm and leg.
Since the shooting, Giffords and her husband, Arizona Senate Candidate Mark Kelly (D) have fought to end gun violence.