Everytown for Gun Safety’s recent decision to move into the gun training world has been met with criticism from activists involved with the organization (as well as from real “gun safety” advocates), with one activist complaining that the group uses “survivors as props” and wondering “if the name ‘Everytown for Gun Safety’ is really just a hedge for weapons training.
Now Michael Bloomberg’s anti-gun organization is facing a lawsuit from a former employee; not over its decision to offer would-be gun owners an online course full of gun control talking points, but for alleged discrimination based on race and age.
FPC’s Rob Romano flagged the lawsuit, which was filed Wednesday afternoon in a federal court in North Carolina.
— Rob Romano (@2Aupdates) October 29, 2025
The complaint, filed by a former staffer named Adrienne J. Johnson, alleges that while serving as the Organizing Manager in the Southern Region for North Carolina and Arkansas, she was subjected to “racist microaggressions in North Carolina, retaliatory volunteer conduct in North Carolina, and lack of support from leadership.”
Johnson, who first filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that she says was improperly dismissed for a lack of timeliness, alleges that she experienced a “change in treatment after complaining to her Supervisor Brandon Rhodes, a Black man, about his friend and Supervisor, Kenneth Gonzales” for violating the group’s code of conduct’s rules about harassment and non-retaliation.
Brandon developed a leadership style by overcompensating to prove his merit to volunteers and his Supervisor-Friend, Kenneth Gonzales at Plaintiff’s expense. It included upholding White superiority at her expense by debilitatingly micromanaging her, comparing her to White members of other teams, and referring to select group of White volunteers as “key” Leads, the same Leads who were bullying her.
Johnson goes to allege that the harassment continued, but her complaints to leadership went unaddressed.
On September 3, 2024, Plaintiff made a concerted effort to meet with Angela Ferrell Zabala, Executive Director of Moms Demand Action via her Chief of Staff to discuss overt discriminatory and retaliatory treatment from a member of the Executive Management Team, racist volunteers, tone-deafness of HR and management team, and the silencing of her voice ( and others) while being treated differently as a Black woman OM of NC. This sentiment was documented by several of Plaintiff’s colleagues. Scheduling conflicts precluded them from meeting. However, similar conversations were shared in 2023 and were always productive and welcomed by her.
The following month Johnson was placed on a Performance Improvement Plan (PIP), and though she says she successfully completed it she was terminated on November 14, 2024.
Johnson’s lawsuit alleges that, in addition to the racial harassment she was subjected to by white Everytown volunteers, she was “denied leadership opportunities” and ultimately terminated based on an “inability to keep up with the team,” which she argues was an age-based act of discrimination.
Now, these are only allegations, and I have no idea how much truth is contained in Johnson’s lawsuit. It’s also worth noting that Johnson filed the lawsuit herself with no attorney listed. If I were planning on taking on a group as well-funded as Everytown I’d want to have a lawyer working with me on my case, but that’s just me.
If what she’s saying is accurate, though, Everytown for Gun Safety seems to have a problem with “racist volunteers” and perhaps even leadership as well. I’m sure Everytown will deny every one of Johnson’s allegations, but I’m curious to see what emerges in discovery… if the lawsuit gets that far.
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15 Comments
Another example of systemic issues persisting even in progressive organizations. Hope this leads to meaningful changes.
This lawsuit raises questions about workplace culture in advocacy groups. Will be watching developments closely.
Skeptical that this lawsuit will lead to real accountability, but perhaps it’s a necessary wake-up call.
Skepticism is healthy, but every case like this should push for better workplace cultures.
This is a troubling development. Activist groups must hold themselves to higher standards, particularly when advocating for social justice.
This lawsuit highlights deeper issues within advocacy organizations beyond their stated missions. Hope they address these internal conflicts transparently.
Transparency is key, especially when public trust is on the line.
It’s unfortunate when activists and employees face discrimination while trying to push for critical causes.
Unfortunate to see allegations of discrimination within an organization advocating for gun safety. Hope they address this swiftly and fairly.
Fairness is paramount in any workplace, especially one with a public advocacy role.
Discrimination cases like this often reveal deeper cultural problems. Let’s see if Everytown for Gun Safety takes these allegations seriously.
Interesting how this lawsuit adds another layer to the debate around gun safety advocacy. Wonder if it will impact their operations.
Racial and age discrimination are serious allegations. Curious about how Everytown for Gun Safety will respond to these claims.
Discrimination has no place in any workplace, regardless of the organization’s goals. Worried this could undermine their broader agenda.
Agreed. Credibility is hard to maintain if internal practices don’t align with public messaging.