NAACP Responds to Mass Shooting at Michigan State
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 14, 2023
Contact: Jonah Bryson, jbryson@naacpnet.org
WASHINGTON, D.C.- On the eve of the fifth commemoration of the mass shooting that took 17 lives at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, a shooter opened fire at the Michigan State University campus, killing three students and critically wounding five others.
NAACP President & CEO Derrick Johnson released the following statement in reaction to this latest tragedy:
"Going to school should not be a life-threatening endeavor. But this is America, and every day that our children leave the house, or their dorms, we fear for their safety. As we once again mourn the death of lives taken far too soon, one thing has become entirely clear - our so-called 'leaders' have failed us.
It is unconscionable that, on the eve of the fifth anniversary of the tragedy that took the lives of 17 students in Parkland, another nightmare has befallen our students, their families, and this entire nation. To members of Congress, I must ask you; How many more examples do we need? How many more innocent lives need to be stolen before you put your sworn oath into action and pass common sense gun safety legislation to ensure that no one has to fear for their life? Gun violence is a domestic threat. Our children deserve to live in a country where they are excited about, not fearful of, their time at school, or the movies, or the mall. Our children deserve to live in a country where their leaders fulfill the sworn oath they took to protect us.
We have voted, protested, called, wrote - we continue to do everything in our power to advocate for the substantive changes needed to protect our communities. It is time for you to turn your 'thoughts and prayers' into the actions this country continues to cry out for. Do your job and pass the common sense gun reforms we are in dire need of. Our children's lives depend on it."
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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.