Tilly Evan Jones

Just last week the terror of gun violence hit home hard in our family.  Two of our grandsons were in a school that was held on a 5 hour lock down due to a tweeted threat to “shoot up the school”.  Like many, when I heard, my heart raced, my throat dried, and I felt a cold, powerful fear.  And anger, I felt anger.  How dare someone put my children in danger!  Like many, I spent the afternoon worried about the outcome.  And anger, I felt anger.  And my daughter, the mother of my threatened grandsons presented me a new perspective, a clear perspective.

The boy, a 15 year old with a diagnosis of autism, had been in the school this entire time, unarmed, frightened, the tweet a misjudged political statement on gun violence and the ability of “adults” to protect our children.

It seems the school knew right away where the tweet appeared from, it was not a hidden account, knew the boy had a diagnosis, and knew he was with all of the other kids locked down in the classroom.  Yet, for hours, our news stations, ran non stop coverage of this new “threat”  Police, FBI, Helicopters, blocked roads, all this occurred with unnecessary alarm.

And finally, after hours of terror, the boy was arrested from his classroom, thrown in jail, and allowed 5 minutes a day with his parents.  He is still there, in jail, broken, suicidal, crying, in total despair.  Not receiving the help he needs to save his spirit, just being punished.  And me, I am ashamed of my hatred for him and ashamed of the Orono Police and Schools for politicizing this event, rather than help save this boy.

I am told he is gentle, kind, and has never been threatening.  Like any child with autism he has poor impulse control.  And not thinking, thought he might be helping.

I do so believe in gun control, I believe in peace, I believe in helping our children survive.  I believe in preventing and healing, not terrorizing our young.

Please visit this site and donate what you can to help him, help his family, and help this community move forward into a future of light not one of anger and darkness.