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KY 120 United AFT and Kentucky Education Association statements on Texas school shooting

Berry Craig
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From KY 120 United AFT:

On the last week of school for many districts, educators & students should not have to worry about their safety. They have the right to life. Thoughts and prayers are not enough. Change is needed. Now. We are all reeling from what happened....We echo Randi's words. 

From Randi Weingarten, AFT president:

“Within the span of a week, our country has witnessed two mass shootings, the gunning down of innocent people in what should be our community’s safest spaces. As we await further details, some things are clear: These are despicable acts of hatred designed to terrorize us all. The communities of Buffalo and now Uvalde will join a long list of places that will never be the same. Our hearts are with all of them.

“Only in America do people go grocery shopping and get mowed down by a shooter with hate in his heart; only in this country are parents not assured that their kids will be safe at school.

“Gun violence is a cancer, and it’s one that none of us should tolerate for one single moment longer. We have made a choice to let this continue, and we can make a choice to finally do something—do anything—to put a stop to this madness.”

A statement from the Kentucky Education Association on the tragic school shooting in Uvalde, Texas: 

The school shooting that occurred yesterday at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, is the most recent example of the unacceptable and tragic violence that continues to plague our public schools. KEA sends our love and support to the families and friends who lost loved ones at Robb Elementary School. But there are no words that can make this right.

As a nation, we must think rationally about the health and safety of all citizens, but especially our kids. It is an unfortunate reality that gun laws are an education issue, but repeated instances of school shootings prove the truth of that. This latest tragedy again makes it painfully clear that to keep our children and teachers safe at school, we must all advocate for change to ensure that our laws are enforced and strengthened.

As parents, educators, and Americans, we owe it to our children to make our schools safe and welcoming places where every student can learn and thrive without fear. Our schools reflect the values of our communities, our commonwealth, and our nation. KEA is committed to working with all stakeholders to end this repeated violence in our schools and communities.

For every teacher and school employee who walked into a public school this morning with a heavy heart and concern for their students, we are with you. Please continue to be the light, and a safe place for a generation of students whdesperately need you, especially today.