NAACP Responds to Domestic Terrorism in Colorado Springs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Jonah Bryson, jbryson@naacpnet.org
Just days after a mass shooting at the University of Virginia, another senseless act of violence occurred in Colorado, claiming the lives of 5 LGBTQ+ individuals and injuring 25 others. NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson released the following statement:
"It is entirely unacceptable that day after day, vulnerable communities across the country must mourn a new tragedy caused by gun violence. We must do everything in our power to stop the spread of hate, and pass the regulations necessary in order to prevent the continued rise in domestic terrorism. The NAACP grieves the heartbreaking loss of life that the LGBTQ+ community in Colorado Springs suffered on Saturday and renews our continued calls for elected officials to put their words into action and pass common sense gun safety legislation to ensure that no one has to fear for their life for simply existing. Democracy and hate cannot coexist."
Following the act of domestic terrorism at a supermarket in Buffalo, NY this May, which left 10 Black individuals dead, the NAACP released a comprehensive response plan and list of policy recommendations to combat the proliferation of white supremacy and hate crimes. The plan outlined actionable items to hold corporations and media accountable for their role in spreading misinformation, prevent future tragedies through common sense gun safety legislation, and improve police reforms.
Since then, the Association has continued to hold corporations and media accountable for encouraging violence, spreading hate speech, and promoting conspiracy theories and lies. Recently, several NAACP leaders published a letter addressed to state governors across the country, urging them to take meaningful action against gun violence after the tragic shooting at the University of Virginia which claimed the lives of three young Black men.
About NAACP
Founded in 1909 in response to the ongoing violence against Black people around the country, the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People) is the largest and most pre-eminent civil rights organization in the nation. We have over 2,200 units and branches across the nation, along with well over 2M activists. Our mission is to secure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights in order to eliminate race-based discrimination and ensure the health and well-being of all persons.
NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund – also referred to as the NAACP-LDF – was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but separated in 1957 to become a completely separate entity. It is recognized as the nation's first civil and human rights law organization and shares our commitment to equal rights.