GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION COALITION CALLS FOR CONTINUOUS NATIONAL SCHOOL WALKOUTS UNTIL LAWMAKERS PASS LIFESAVING GUN LAWS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
APRIL 7, 2023
Contact:
John Kelley
917-679-6475
jkelley@newtownaction.org
GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION COALITION CALLS FOR CONTINUOUS
NATIONAL SCHOOL WALKOUTS UNTIL LAWMAKERS PASS LIFESAVING GUN LAWS
CALL TO ACTION FOLLOWS EXPULSION OF TWO BLACK DEMOCRATIC REPRESENTATIVES FROM TENNESSEE FOR SUPPORTING GUN CONTROL
NEWTOWN, CT: The following joint statement from 47 gun violence prevention organizations and allies was released after an unprecedented expulsion of two elected state representatives in Tennessee:
“Yesterday, the authoritarian Republican majority of the Tennessee House of Representatives, beholden to the gun lobby, unjustly expelled two black Democratic representatives -- Justin Jones and Justin Pearson -- while sparing the white representative Gloria Johnson, for standing with students and their families who were demanding action to end gun violence after three children and three educators were killed by a shooter with an assault weapon 10 days ago in Covenant School in Nashville. When representative Gloria Johnson was asked why she wasn’t expelled, she replied: ‘It may have something to do with the color of our skin.’
“We cannot stay silent while our democracy and our lives are on the line.
“We, the undersigned groups, call for continuous #GenerationLockdown #EndGunViolence student walkouts across the nation and urge their educators, parents, and communities to support them. We also call on school administrators and school boards to refrain from retaliation against students and staff for participating in the walkouts.
“THE TIME IS NOW for all Americans to stand up and demand change to keep our children safe in our schools, homes, and streets. Guns are now the number one killer of American children and teens. Students are no longer waiting for permission to demand that their lawmakers take action to keep them safe from gun violence.
“Lawmakers on all levels of government must act urgently to pass a set of bold, comprehensive gun laws to dramatically reduce gun deaths and injuries in all of our communities.”
Advocate for Change
Ban Assault Weapons Now
Blessed Ministries & Survivor Smiles
Central Valley Democratic Club
Change The REF
City of Monterey Park
Community Justice
Culver 878
Democratic Public Education Caucus of Florida
Democratic women alliance
Doctors for America
Dutchess County Progressive Action Alliance
Ethan Miller Song Foundation
Gays Against Guns
Gun Violence Prevention PAC
GunSense Vermont
Honor with Action Coalition
Illinois Alliance to Prevent Gun Violence
IMPACT (Illinois Medical Professionals Action Collaborative Team)
Indivisible Chicago Alliance
indivisible northern nevada
JACPAC
Japanese American Citizens League
Journey4ward
Jr. Newtown Action Alliance
Lives Robbed
Maine Gun Safety Coalition
Mo/KS Grandparents for Gun Safety
National Organization for Women
NCJW
Newtown Action Alliance
Orange Ribbons for Gun Safety
Park Slope United Methodist Church Social Action Committee
People for a Safer Society
Prevent Gun Violence Florida
Rocky Mountain Hye Advocates
S.A.F.E. To Thrive
SOUTH ASIAN NETWORK
St. Mark's Episcopal Church Washington DC
Survivors Empowered
Tender Youth
The Campaign to Keep Guns Off Campus
The ENOUGH Campaign
Urban Community Unity Solutions LLC
Veterans For Peace Maine Chapter
Violent Crime Survivors
WAVE Educational Fund
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Newtown Action Alliance (http://alliance.newtownaction.org/) is a Newtown-based, national grassroots organization formed after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings. Our mission is to achieve the steady and continuous reduction of gun violence through legislative and cultural changes.