Joaquin Oliver’s Parents Turn “Thoughts and Prayers” into Toilet Paper to Call Out Hypocrisy of Gun Violence

Manuel and Patricia Oliver, the parents of Joaquin Oliver, who was killed in the 2018 Parkland mass shooting, are making a bold new statement in their ongoing fight against gun violence—using toilet paper.

Their latest campaign through their nonprofit Change The Ref, Thoughts & Prayers Toilet Paper (Ts & Ps TP), features actual social media posts from pro-gun lobby politicians issued in the aftermath of mass shootings. Each roll is printed with real messages from elected officials including: president Donald Trump, sen. Ted Cruz,  sen. Lindsey Graham, sen. Marsha Blackburn, and others—showcasing the repeated cycle of empty rhetoric instead of real legislative action.

Visitors to ThoughtsandPrayersTP.com can purchase these specially designed toilet paper rolls to symbolically wipe away the "streaks of inaction" and flush out the performative gestures that have failed to prevent future tragedies.

“For years, we’ve watched politicians offer ‘thoughts and prayers’ after every mass shooting, but they refuse to pass meaningful gun reform,” said Manuel Oliver. “So we’re giving people a way to show Congress exactly what they can do with those empty words.”

The Olivers, who have been outspoken advocates for gun reform since their son Joaquin “guac” Oliver was murdered, continue to use creative activism to demand change. Their latest initiative challenges the public to take action, hold lawmakers accountable, and support real solutions to America’s gun violence crisis.