STATEMENT FROM BBT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DANIELLE MELFI ON SHOOTING IN UVALDE, TEXAS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 24, 2022
PRESS CONTACT: [email protected]

STATEMENT FROM BBT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR DANIELLE MELFI ON SHOOTING IN UVALDE, TEXAS

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Building Back Together Executive Director Danielle Melfi released the following statement after a shooting in the predominantly Latino community of Uvalde, Texas that reportedly killed at least eighteen elementary students and three adults:

“This is a horrifying loss for the community of Uvalde. Eighteen elementary students should be home with their families tonight. They should be eating dinner, doing their homework, preparing for summer break — with decades of birthdays, graduations, weddings, and anniversaries in their futures. Instead, we mourn their deaths and share in the unimaginable heartbreak of parents and loved ones who will never see them grow old.

“There have already been over 200 mass shootings in the United States since January – including one just ten days ago in Buffalo, New York. Today’s shooting was the deadliest this year, and is the deadliest school shooting since the tragedy at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut that also targeted children and teachers.

“Congress must act to put an end to the epidemic of gun violence in America. For years, we have watched Congress fail to stand up to the gun lobby and oppose common sense gun control measures supported by the majority of Americans that would make our kids safer and prevent tragedies like these. How many times must we say enough is enough? President Biden and Vice President Harris have championed legislation to stop gun violence for decades. We cannot afford one more day of Congressional inaction.”

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