NEWTOWN, Conn. – On Wednesday afternoon, eight high school students in Philadelphia were shot and injured while waiting for their bus ride home after school. This incident is just one in a series of shootings that have impacted 11 youth on the city’s transit system in just the past three days.
It is tragic and unacceptable that gun violence has become an inescapable, daily occurrence for our youth. So far there have been more mass shootings than days this year: Less than a quarter of the way into 2024, the U.S. has already had 71 mass shootings, and at least 835 youth have been killed or injured by firearms this year alone.
In response, Mark Barden, co-founder and CEO of Sandy Hook Promise and father of Daniel, who was killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy, issued the following statement:
“Every child has the right to return home safely after school. Students should never have to risk death, whether in their classrooms or on their way home. The recent wave of mass shootings in Philadelphia has had a devastating impact, leaving us heartbroken for those whose lives were taken or have been permanently altered by their injuries. Our thoughts go out to all those who have been affected by these tragic events, as they will undoubtedly carry physical and emotional burden with them for the rest of their lives.”
“In this time of need, we need to rally Trusted Adults in our communities to help youth navigate the aftereffects of these horrifying incidents and provide a consistent, dependable source of support in preventing future violence from occurring. Whether you’re a parent, educator, school counselor or community leader, you have the profound power to offer safety and stability for youth right now when simply going to school feels life-threatening.”
“As a nation, it is crucial that we implement proven programs and policies to protect all children from gun violence. We urgently call on our leaders to take decisive action and prioritize the safety and security of our children. Tangible measures must be enacted to safeguard them from the devastating consequences of gun violence. We specifically implore President Biden to address this issue and propose potential solutions during tonight’s State of the Union address.”
Sandy Hook Promise urges parents, caregivers, youth and educators to advocate for sensible policy that can prevent gun violence and save lives. To learn more about how you can help, visit: https://www.sandyhookpromise.org/take-action/get-involved/.
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Sandy Hook Promise (SHP) envisions a future where all children are free from school shootings and other acts of violence. As a national nonprofit organization, SHP’s mission is to educate and empower youth and adults to prevent violence in schools, homes, and communities. Creators of the life-saving, evidence-informed “Know the Signs” prevention programs, SHP teaches the warning signs of someone who may be in crisis, socially isolated, or at-risk of hurting themselves or others and how to get help. SHP also advances school safety, youth mental health, and responsible gun ownership at the state and federal levels through nonpartisan policy and partnerships. SHP is led by several family members whose loved ones were killed in the tragic mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School on December 14, 2012.
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Aimee Thunberg | [email protected] | 646.761.5579