Joe Biden, Dwyane Wade among speakers at Parkland victim’s virtual birthday event
The parents of Joaquín Oliver, a 17-year-old boy killed in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in 2018, are holding a 20-hour online event this week to raise awareness against gun violence, marking what would have been Joaquín’s 20th birthday.
On Tuesday, Patricia and Manuel Oliver are hosting Guacathon 2020, inspired by Joaquín’s nickname, Guac. The marathon will be an event featuring musical performances, an auction and Democratic speakers like former Vice President Joe Biden, U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren and U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
The event will be streamed on Facebook Live on the page for the Olivers’ organization Change the Ref. It will begin on Aug. 4 at 6 a.m.
Since the Feb. 14, 2018 mass shooting that claimed the life of Joaquin and 16 others in the Parkland schooling, the Olivers have been vocal advocates against gun violence through public art and performance events. The couple founded the nonprofit Change the Ref, which advocates for gun safety and against the intervention of gun rights groups like the National Rifle Association.
Among the announced guests at Guacathon 2020 are also rapper will.i.am, former Miami Heat player Dwayne Wade, and former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, who survived a near-fatal shooting during a constituent event in 2011.
The Olivers will auction off several items including a “Hamilton” musical playbill signed by playwright and producer Lin Manuel Miranda. All proceeds will go to Change the Ref.
