Another day, another school shooting — this one happened yesterday (Jan 4) in Iowa, on the first day back from the holiday break. This one left one sixth-grader dead, and five others injured.
Meanwhile, here in Memphis:
- On Wednesday, Fox13 reported a bullet flying through the window of an elementary school.
- The same day, WREG reported that 2023 was a record year in Memphis when it comes to kids getting shot — 10 children killed and 168 wounded in 2023 alone.
- On Thursday, Action News 5 reported a shooting at a gas station in South Memphis.
- And right now, a family in Memphis is raising money for funeral expenses for a child who was killed by a stray bullet on New Year’s Eve. A STRAY BULLET.
The day-to-day violence that people in Memphis have tragically gotten used to doesn’t grab headlines the way a school shooting does. But the body count is still staggering — and the NAACP is calling on everyone to sign a petition demanding that Congress enact some sort of sensible gun legislation.
“Let me be clear – blood is on the hands of every member of congress who refuses to deliver common sense gun reform,” said NAACP National President Derrick Johnson in an email exhorting people to join the movement.
“Enough is enough. Do your job. We are done dying,” Johnson continued.
Below is the whole email. Check it out, but more importantly . . . click the link, complete the petition.Â
Our children can’t wait any longer.
In the wake of another tragic school shooting, this time in Des Moines, Iowa, America’s shamefully long list of victims of gun violence has grown.
And still NO movement towards nationwide gun reform.
So NAACP President Derrick Johnson is making the stakes clear for lawmakers →
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When lawmakers refuse to take ANY action to protect Americans’ lives from rampant gun violence, they’re failing our communities, our families, and our friends.
ENOUGH ISÂ ENOUGH.
Â
NAACP
