Patricia and Manuel Oliver launched the ‘Change the Ref’ tour in memory of their son, who died in the 2018 mass shooting at MSD High School in Parkland, Florida.

The tour stops at various cities that have been the scene of mass shootings, as well as Tucson. During their stay, the couple argued for stronger laws amid claims of widespread gun violence.

“They’re celebrating his life, but they’re also reminding us that we’re in a dire situation with mass shootings happening every day, every week. And we. lawmakers haven’t done anything about it,” said former Congressman Ron Barber, who hosted the event.

Barber was one of 19 people injured in the January 8, 2011 Tucson shooting. Six people died during the event, which was hosted by the then congressman. Gabrielle Giffords was among those injured outside a grocery store on the northwest side.

Joaquin Oliver, nicknamed “Guac”, would have turned 23 on August 4th.

Leaving Parkland, the Oliver family and others whose lives have been affected by gun violence are on a tour of 23 cities across the United States on a converted school bus.

The Tucson stop started at the downtown memorial at 10am.

Local speakers included Barber and Pima County Attorney Laura Conover.

Conover acknowledged an increase in gun violence and murder cases handled by his office over the past two years. She called on her attendees to be aware of gun violence and how political candidates are speaking out on the issue.

“We are working to revive a red flag bill that passed the Arizona Senate this summer but stalled in the House,” Conover said. “This is one of the smartest of all the proposed reforms, because due process is tightly packed.”

The bus tour was scheduled to continue to Columbine and Sandy Hook by the end of the summer. It had already stopped in Uvalde, Texas and El Paso.