Disgraced former Broward Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie was hired as the new CEO of Chiefs for Change. The Sun Sentinel famously documented how Runcie used lies, deceit, and corruption to run Broward Schools in its Pulitzer Prize winning series on his administration. April speaks out against this disgraceful appointment along with Ryan Petty.

April lobbied hard individually and as part of the Washington Alliance for Gun Responsibility to get this bill through the legislature. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed House Bill 1240 into law on April 25, 2023.

April provides testimony in support of Senate Bill 5078, which was signed into law on April 25, 2023. Watch a portion of her testimony in the linked news clip. 

Robert and April discuss their views on the trial of the murderer.

April spoke before the King County Council to discuss the effects of gun violence and ask for their help in promoting responsible firearms ownership. 

Phil, April, and other MSD victims families speak out about our loss, our work, and our hopes. 

Robert and April testify in WA in support of limiting magazine capcity for firearms.

Robert testifies in support of magazine limits in WA.

April shares her thoughts in an op-ed in Newsweek. Excerpt below: 

"I am still and will forever be a mother of three, even if one of my children no longer walks this Earth. I am a survivor because I push through my pain. I fight for stronger gun laws because I know the stakes are so painfully high. And I continue to demand action because my two living children—and your children—deserve a safer world. We all do."

April traveled to Tallahassee with Tony Montalto and Tom Hoyer to lobby Florida lawmakers to pass legislation requiring school districts inform parents of serious threats and violent incidents that happen at school or a school sponsored event. 

The Florida legislature unanimously passed SB590 which included the requirement for parental notification. 

Phil and April work with Stand with Parkland to introduce legislation that requires school districts to inform parents of serious threats and violence on school campuses. 

The superintendent of the Florida school district where 17 students and staff died in a 2018 high school massacre was arrested Wednesday after investigators said he lied to a grand jury investigating events surrounding the shooting.

Broward County Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie was arrested by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement at district headquarters and charged with perjury in an official proceeding, which is a felony punishable by up to five years in prison.

Phil and April lobby in support of the Parents Need to Know Act. Potentially the most important school safety legislation of the 2021 legislative session.

Phil, April, Robert, and other families of those slain at MSD met with Ambassidor Susan Rice (Director of the Domestic Policy Council), Cedric Richmond (Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement), Stefanie Feldman (Senior Advisor to the Director of the Domestic Policy Council), Adrian Saenz, and Erin Pelton to discuss how to cement gains made in school safety over the last three years and quickly move forward with important new initatives.  

April shared here reflections as part of the Saint Francis project hosted by the National Cathedral in Washington DC.

April author's an op-ed that discusses the threat unsecured firearms pose to students learning from home due to COVID restrictions and advocates for safe-storage or firearms at home.

A federal judge ruled that the FBI owed Carmen a duty to act on tips that were provided to the FBI Public Access Line (PAL).

April publishes an op-ed in the Sun Sentinel.

April explains why she supports restriction on high capacity gun magazines.

April attends the premier of Voices of Parkland and participates in a panel discussion.

April co-wrote an op-ed in Education Week with other Stand With Parkland members on the need for every parent to ask their child's teacher and principal 5 important questions. Learn more about the 5 Questions here: https://www.standwithparkland.org/five-questions

April joins other Stand With Parkland members in a trip to Washington D.C. to press the President and lawmakers for change.

April lobbies for change in the state of Washington.

A year-and-a-half after 17 students and faculty were killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, two grieving families with a shared sense of distrust for their old home have reached the same conclusion, Broward County is fatally broken and isn’t home any more.

April speaks about gun violence prevention (GVP) at a summit in Seattle.

​

Additional interview below:

https://komonews.com/news/local/gun-violence-being-looked-at-through-a-public-health-approach-in-king-county

Phil and April filed a lawsuit against the FBI for failing to investigate the tips received by the FBI Hotline. They believe both tips had sufficient information to have stopped the murder of their beloved Carmen.

“I like to tell people the NRA has actually brought up some pretty good ideas," Schentrup said. "They actually come to the table with more than 'no, we don't like this.' They come to the table with specific concerns. ... And they come with specific solutions."

Robert advocates for the governor of Colorado to sign ERPO legislation that was passed by the Colorado legislature in the Colorado Sun.

Robert launches ZeroUSA with support from the Rise Social Justice Incubator. Rise is mentoring the leaders in ZeroUSA to pass ERPO legislation in all 50 states. Rise founder Amanda Nguyen has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and funding for the Social Justice Incubator comes from Chang Zuckerberg and Bill and Melinda Gates foundations.

Here are some links to the announcements:

• Rise CEO Amanda Nguyen Coaches A New Generation Of Civil Rights Fighters

• Civil rights group launches social movement accelerator

• Forbes 30 Under 30 Alumna Amanda Nguyen Launches Rise Justice Labs, An Incubator For Civil Rights Movements

Phil and April talk to Amy Clancy a year after Carmen's murder about the tragedy and the struggles afterwards.

The murder of 17 students and staff at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High on Valentine's Day 2018 has been called the United States' most preventable school shooting. In coverage launched the day of the massacre and sustained through the year, the South Florida Sun Sentinel showed why.

Gabby Deutch writes, "losing their daughter was excruciating; trying to find out why she died has been a nightmare."

Phil and April talk with Melissa about life a year after Carmen's murder and their involvement in Stand With Parkland - The National Association of Families for Safe Schools.

Robert spoke during a forum on gun violence hosted by the Brady Campaign.

Phil and April work with local reporters from the Sun-Sentinel to shine a light on the Broward County School Board. Great job by the team of reporters at the Sun-Sentinel!

Voice of America outlines the activities of Bobby, Evelyn, April and Phil after the massacre at MSD as part of a series they did on the tragedy and its aftermath.

Both local newspapers join Phil and April in the fight to compel the Broward Sheriffs Office and the School Board of Broward County to release public information.

Phil and April file suit, along with the Polluck family, to force the Broward Sheriffs Office and Broward County School Board to abide by the law and fulfill their obligations to provide public information concerning the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

Phil goes in front of the school board to demand action and accountability for the failings at Marjory Stoneman Douglas.

Watch a video of Phil's remarks: School Board Meeting (scroll to 2:16:53)

News story by local CBS affiliate: MSD Investigation Begins

News story by local ABC affiliate: Back to School Update

Article in Sun-Sentinel: Wexler Investigation

April and Phil spoke at a rally in Austin hosted by Bishops United Against Gun Violence. The couple spoke about how Carmen's murder affected them and the need for the action.

Watch a short compilation video here: https://youtu.be/gjuM3kDz0MA

Read Phil's full remarks here.

Read April's full remarks here.

April was invited to address the House of Deputies at the Episcopal General Convention. April shared her experience and called the deputies to action.

Phil shares a small part of Carmen's story with the bishops of the Episcopal Church and asks for their continued support for reducing gun violence in our country.

Article by the Episcopal News Service:

https://www.episcopalnewsservice.org/2018/07/07/schentrup-family-urges-convention-to-continue-work-against-gun-violence/

Phil and April launch Stand with Parkland along with the 16 other families who lost loved ones in the massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

NBC6 Miami

MSD Families Launch ‘Stand with Parkland’

https://www.nbcmiami.com/on-air/as-seen-on/MSD-Families-Launch-Stand-With-Parkland_Miami-486875561.html

CBS4 Miami

‘Stand With Parkland’ Wants Conversation, Compromise For Safer Schools

https://miami.cbslocal.com/2018/06/28/parkland-group-conversation-compromise-safer-schools/

Rolling Stone

The Parkland Parents Are Not Backing Down

https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/news/parkland-shooting-parents-w522137

USA TODAY (Gannett)

The families of Parkland are hoping to start a civil discussion about ending school violence

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2018/06/28/parkland-families-want-start-civil-dialogue-ending-school-violence/740205002/

CNN

Parkland families call for compromise and conversation in addressing gun violence

https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/28/politics/stand-for-parkland-group/index.html

NBC

Parents of Parkland shooting victims unite for safer schools

Stand With Parkland says it wants sensible firearms and mental health policies for the nation's children.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/parents-parkland-shooting-victims-unite-safer-schools-n887201

Sun Sentinel

'Stand with Parkland' bands together families who lost loved ones at Stoneman Douglas High

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-sb-stand-with-parkland-launch-20180627-story.html

The Hill

Parkland families launch new advocacy group

http://thehill.com/homenews/news/394431-parkland-families-launch-new-advocacy-group

Washington Post (Associated Press)

Florida families form advocacy group ‘Stand With Parkland’

https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/florida-families-form-advocacy-group-stand-with-parkland/2018/06/28/256aa76a-7ad6-11e8-ac4e-421ef7165923_story.html

Axios

Relatives of Parkland victims launch school safety group

https://www.axios.com/stand-with-parkland-parents-relatives-launch-gun-law-advocacy-group-9bca0a6c-a9ef-4d10-928d-9eb4239e56f8.html

Seattle Times

Florida families form advocacy group ‘Stand With Parkland’

https://www.seattletimes.com/nation-world/apxflorida-families-form-advocacy-group-stand-with-parkland/

Mother Jones

Parkland Families Push to End School Violence With New Advocacy Group

Stand With Parkland will push for universal background checks.

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2018/06/parkland-families-push-to-end-school-violence-with-new-advocacy-group/

Houston Chronicle (AP)

Florida families form advocacy group 'Stand With Parkland'

https://www.chron.com/news/education/article/Florida-families-form-advocacy-group-Stand-With-13033649.php

Bustle

What Is Stand With Parkland? Marjory Stoneman Parents Have Launched A Brand New Organization

https://www.bustle.com/p/what-is-stand-with-parkland-marjory-stoneman-parents-have-launched-a-brand-new-organization-9619530

April working with Max and mayors from across the county to make school safer.

Quick story by WLRN on April's issues with the School Board and her desire to fight to make schools safer for all children.

Robert works with Team Enough to highlight the effects gun violence has on our broader communities, especially minority communities.

Philip Schentrup, whose daughter Carmen was murdered at Marjory Stoneman Douglas, speaks out against the inaction and ineptitude of the School Board of Broward County's response to his daughter murder.

Additional links:

Read Phil's full statement here.

April speaks out against mistreatment by her employer, the School Board of Broward County and its superintendent Robert Runcie.

​

Additional links:

Read April's full statement here.

Read article from Sun-Sentinel here.

Student leaders from Marjory Stoneman Douglas, Sandy Hook, Columbine, and neighborhoods impacted by gun violence across the country have joined together to form Team ENOUGH. This new youth-led group will focus on student engagement on the issue of gun violence prevention and ways to continue momentum for change, including voter education, community empowerment, and advocacy. Team ENOUGH will convene individual leaders and other youth-focused organizations on a national platform.

April and the other moms and wives of those lost at MSD discuss their #ShopInForMoms initiative to support business that have acted to support sensible gun sales policies.

Additional links:

http://cbs12.com/news/local/parkland-mothers-organize-shopinformoms

http://cbs12.com/news/local/parkland-moms-hold-shop-in-at-stores-that-changed-their-gun-sales-policy

April and the moms of other MSD victims talk about what Mother's Day 2018 will be like.

Article outlines how President Trump, or anyone in his administration, has failed to reach out to the majority of families whose loved ones were murdered at MSD.

April discusses her feelings as Carmen's friends get ready for prom.

Phil and April speak with Micheal Mayo of the SunSentinel on life since Carmen's murder.

The MSD orchestra plays a tribute for Carmen at the Hollywood Arts Park.

Phil attended and spoke at the National School Safety Forum in DC.

Phil and others speak up for common sense improvements to school safety and accountability of government agencies and individuals.

Robert shares his thoughts on initiatives focused on hardening our schools.

Robert speaks with the Carolina Connection about his sister, Carmen, and his advocacy for common sense, bi-partisan changes to gun laws.

Robert speaks out for common sense changes to gun laws at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Robert's speech begins around time 44:50 in the video.

Carmen's friend Zac and Phil talk about Carmen in an article done by the University of Florida school newspaper, The Independent Florida Alligator. Phil and April cried happy, but painful, tears after reading this article.

April speaks about Carmen and the need for action at the National Cathedral in Washington DC.

Phil, April, Robert, and Evelyn talking with Melissa Block from NPR.

The bishops of the Episcopal Church act in response to the letter written by Phil and April.

Phil and April wrote a letter to Episcopal House of Bishops that was read into the record by the Bishop of Southeast Florida, Bishop Peter Eaton.