Spiller non-profit talks gun violence in new ad

A non-profit founded by Montclair Mayor Sean Spiller, a possible candidate for the 2025 Democratic nomination for governor, has launched a seven-figure campaign that addresses gun violence and protecting democracy in New Jersey.

A new digital ad, “Means Everything,” is narrated by Spiller, the chairman of Protecting Our Democracy and the president of the New Jersey Education Association, and includes clips of the Tennessee legislature expelling members who led a protest over gun violence, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and former President Donald Trump.

Script: “What the standing up to gun violence mean?  It means working to make a difference.  It means keeping assault weapons off the streets.  It means saving lives.  It means everything.  Instead of doing their jobs to keep us safe, extremist politicians are trying to silence those who raise the issue — shifting blame, ignoring the real problem.  But here in New Jersey, we are working toward solutions. Fighting for progress and standing up for our democracy. What does standing up to stop gun violence mean?  It means everything.”

The organization, founded by Spiller and the NJEA, is running 15-second and one-minute digital ads reminding New Jerseyans of the “devastating human cost of gun violence and the urgent need for common sense solutions.”

“It is unconscionable that extremist politicians continue to put the gun lobby over people’s lives,” Spiller said.  “Twenty-two people lost their lives as a result of mass shootings in just one holiday weekend, and each of them left behind loved ones who now will have empty chairs at their kitchen tables.”

In addition to the ads, Protecting Our Democracy is also constructing a data-driven organizing effort.