Mary Leigh Blek

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Mary Leigh Blek is a California gun control activist.

Blek became an activist in gun control legislation when her son was murdered. In June 1994, her son Matthew Blek was confronted by three armed teenagers. Although he offered no resistance, Matthew was shot and killed^[1]. The youths who murdered Matthew were armed with inexpensive handguns, also known as Saturday Night Specials.

Orange County Citizens for the Prevention of Gun Violence was founded in 1995 by Charles and Mary Leigh Blek in memory of their son. Blek later became the the western regional organizer for the Million Mom March in 2000^[2].

She was also the cofounder and president of the Bell Campaign, a grassroots organization in Orange County, California, dedicated to the prevention of gun deaths and injuries. ^[3]

Today she serves as President Emeritus of the Million Mom March and is spokesperson for the national grassroots network of Million Mom chapters.

Blek frequently provides testimony before local, state, and federal legislators.

[edit] References

1. ^ California Donors Create Endowment in Memory of Matthew Blek.
2. ^ Online News Hour: Marching Moms May 12, 2000 (2000-5-12). Retrieved on 2006-12-02.
3. ^ The Bell Campaign