Award-Winning NYC Artist, Producer, and Filmmaker Richard Oliver Jr. Confronts the Harsh Reality of Handgun Violence With His Song and Film, “These Sad Times.”

Imagine an innocent kid waking up every day, dressing up for school, taking their breakfast, and hopping on the school bus and going to school with the looming feeling, maybe somewhat inconceivable to them, that it may actually be their last day at school because a lunatic somewhere could get any kind of gun he wishes just because he can, get into a school, and start shooting anyone indiscriminately. As you let the thoughts haunt you, just remember this is the reality America has been confronted with, and yet, it seems the issue remains unresolved.

This is a reality that award-winning filmmaker, artist, producer, and actor Richard Oliver Jr. has tried to wrap his head around, but every time he ends up feeling deeply frustrated with the USA, its government, and society at large.

How the most powerful nation on earth has failed to contain one of its single greatest threats, gun violence, remains a mystery to those observing from abroad and its citizens, including individuals like Richard Oliver Jr.

Something needs to change, and it is this actuality that motivated Richard Oliver Jr. to create “These Sad Times”- a reggae-conscious song and film that addresses the grave issues of gun violence and especially its colossal impact on vulnerable and innocent school-going kids.

With his pure voice that carries the raw emotions triggered by these tragic events, the hurt, and the shockwaves of gun violence, Richard takes us on a journey that confronts us with this grim reality.

The reality of innocent and vulnerable children in class, the reality that teachers, caregivers, and parents are also innocent victims; the reality of losing a dear child to gun violence!

The film delves deep into the harsh reality, visually and audibly demonstrating the devastating effects of gun violence—a single shot’s massive damage.

This is the time to act—we have to do something now to keep not only this generation safe but the future generations, lest they inherit a mad, unsafe, and atrocious world!

“These Sad Times”- the song and film—are available for streaming on major digital platforms.

Follow the attached link, subscribe to Richards’s Therhyme Impersonator channel, support this music and film, share it widely, and sign the #marchforourlives petition below it to support this cause.

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