Evelyn DeJesus AFT Executive Vice President | American Federation of Teachers
AFT President Randi Weingarten addressed a mass shooting at Florida State University, marking the third such incident in recent days, following others in Dallas and San Antonio. In her statement, Weingarten highlighted the frequency of gun violence in the U.S., particularly in states with relaxed gun laws.
"This is the third incident of devastating gun violence in and around schools in as many days—and they’re occurring in states with the loosest gun regulations. Campuses and classrooms must be safe and welcoming places, but they can become unsafe in an instant because of the ever-present threat of gun violence," she stated.
Weingarten emphasized the unique position of the U.S. in dealing with regular gun violence, stating, "We are the only country in the world that regularly deals with this—but we don’t have to live this way." She called for common sense gun legislation and measures to remove "weapons of war" from communities, fund intervention programs, enforce background checks, ban high-capacity magazines, and pass risk-protection laws.
The president of the American Federation of Teachers also urged for accountability for those committing such acts of violence and pressed lawmakers to act decisively to prevent future tragedies. "The perpetrator of this monstrous act must be held to account. Shooting innocent people is never a solution. And lawmakers must urgently move to thwart these horrific events that result in terrifying and tragic real-world consequences," Weingarten asserted.
Randi Weingarten serves as President of the AFT, with Fedrick C. Ingram as Secretary-Treasurer, and Evelyn DeJesus as Executive Vice President.
The American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO maintains all rights to their materials, including photographs, illustrations, and text, which require permission for use.
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