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.