Yesterday, yet another tragic and completely preventable loss of life occurred in Uvalde, Texas. Oregon’s labor movement sends our sincere condolences to the families and loved ones of the 21 people who died in this unspeakably horrific incident. School should be the safest place for our children to learn and educators to teach. The terror caused by another violent act in a school must lead to meaningful action from lawmakers to ensure no more families have to face the mountainous grief and sorrow that far too many have already experienced.
The tragic events at Robb Elementary School occurred just 10 days after the racially motivated shooting of 10 Black people grocery shopping in New York. These most recent mass shootings remind us why the Senate has to stop hiding behind their arcane procedures which allow them to avoid taking real action to prevent gun violence. Working families deserve safe schools and workplaces, without fear of mass shootings.
We must do better for our kids, for our educators and school employees, and for our communities. Our hearts are with the families, friends, and loved ones of the victims and with the entire Uvalde community as they mourn and grieve.