Aly & AJ Recall Surviving a 2022 Shooting While on Tour as They Fight for Gun Reform at White House (Exclusive)
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09/15/2024 08:45 AM
The sister duo tells PEOPLE about their new song, "Sirens," and working with March Fourth to reinstate the assault weapons ban 20 years after its expiration
- In 2022, Aly & AJ survived a mass shooting that occurred near one of their concerts in Sacramento, California, hours after they exited the stage
- The sister duo is partnering with the March Fourth organization and went to the White House to discuss reinstating the U.S. assault weapons ban
- They also released an emotional ballad, "Sirens," about the experience
Surviving a horrific mass shooting inspired Aly & AJ to fight for change.
Hours after the sister duo's 2022 concert at the Crest Theatre in Sacramento, California, they sheltered in place in their tour bus with bandmates and crew members as a gunman killed six people and injured more than a dozen almost directly outside.
Two years later, they've crafted an emotional ballad, "Sirens," about the experience, partnered with the March Fourth organization and went to the White House on Sept. 12 to discuss reinstating the U.S. assault weapons ban — which expired 20 years ago.
Related: Aly & AJ on How Their Family Bond Informs Their Music and Helped Them Survive Child Stardom
Stephen Ringer
Aly & AJ"It's been an event that has changed our lives," Aly Michalka, 35, tells PEOPLE of the tragedy. "After that shooting occurred, we both decided that this needed to be something that we were very vocal about as an issue, especially because it affects our fan base, and it affects any and every American."
One day following the incident, Aly & AJ spent time with their band and crew in San Francisco, where the sisters hired a mental health professional to help everyone process what happened. "I think we'll always look at that day as a day of great sadness, but there's also a lot of gratitude behind it because we're grateful that we were able to walk away," says Aly.
Since then, the "Potential Breakup Song" musicians have partnered with various gun reform charities at their concerts and even speak out about the issue on stage in the middle of most of their performances.
Daniel Zuchnik/Getty
Aly & AJ in June 2022"Not only is it a tricky subject to talk about in general, but to stop your show and have a moment to discuss it on stage is hard. It's taxing every night, but Aly and I feel we have a duty there, and I don't think we're going to stop anytime soon," says AJ Michalka, 33. "The work we're doing, it matters. It's important."
Their longtime efforts led to the White House visit, which involved speaking with representatives about the issue and attending a dinner held by March Fourth and Aftermath alongside officials and fellow mass shooting survivors.
"I'm looking forward to meeting people that we can share a similar story with, as sad as it is, and I'm really happy that we're here today, even though it's under such sad circumstances," adds AJ. "I really feel inspired and motivated by today's work."
A couple years removed from the Sacramento tragedy, the sisters reflected on the devastating moment to write "Sirens," which directly references what happened. "It could've been me / Instead, it's sirens over their bodies," they sing. "Another day in America / We wait around for the change that never comes."
Channeling their grim memories into music was a healing process for the duo. "We wanted this song to be specific and speak about this tragedy, but in a way that also many people could listen to it and turn it into their own personal story," says Aly. "Hopefully it brings some healing to them as well."
Aly & AJ have been especially passionate about gun reform since surviving the shooting, but it's felt even more urgent since Aly welcomed her first son, Jack, with husband Stephen Ringer in April.
"He's here with us at the White House, and I think just having his presence with us here means so much to me, knowing that we're fighting for something that is his future, something that will greatly affect him, his friends and his generation," says the new mom. "It's definitely heightened the importance of this subject greatly in our household."
As a first-time aunt, AJ feels similarly. "I feel like Jack is an extension of me. I look at his face and I also see a younger version of my sister," she says. "He's a huge part of my life now."
Mike Tran/Billboard via Getty
Aly & AJWith the 2024 U.S. presidential election coming up in November, the sisters — both of whom endorse Kamala Harris and Tim Walz — encourage any and everyone to get involved with issues they care about, gun reform and beyond.
"Vote. Call. Write emails. Show up to town halls. I think that the biggest thing that we can do right now is vote for people that stand by this issue and want to see change," says Aly.
"These assault weapons are weapons of war. They shouldn't be in the hands of civilians," continues the iZombie actress. "I think if we just continue hitting the pavement with this message over and over again, we'll finally see change, hopefully in our lifetime. That would be a huge accomplishment."
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