There are no words to convey the sorrow and horror we feel in the wake of another senseless school massacre. I am heartened by the compassionate responses of our Consortium members as well as the resources they are providing for our students, for teachers and parents, and about our faculty’s research on gun violence.
While this Memorial Day commemorates those who gave their lives for our country, we all mourn the precious souls lost to senseless violence, hate, bigotry, and terror. I share the anger of so many of our community members and hope that at long last we will make crucial policy changes so desperately needed.
Andrew Flagel, PhD
President and CEO
Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area
The following statements were posted on social media by several Washington-area institutions of higher education:
Catholic University mourns the loss of innocent life in the recent mass shootings in Buffalo, NY, and Uvalde, TX. We pray for the victims, their families, and their communities. May our nation find peace.
I am sickened by yet another act of horrific mass gun violence in our country, this time in Uvalde, Texas. I am devastated for the victims-at least 19 children and two adults killed, and many others wounded-and the countless people now suffering. In schools, places of worship, and grocery stores in every corner of our country, gun violence is a public health crisis. We must bring to bear our university’s research and policy work, teaching, and service to combat what has become an existential threat to our communities. As educators, researchers, and the next generation of leaders, we are in a strong position to use our knowledge to advocate for change. Every day, we work across disciplines and political affiliations to bring solutions to seemingly intractable problems. We can and must do something-anything-to turn the tide on gun violence.
Our hearts and prayers go out to the families and individuals in Uvalde, Texas who have lost sons, daughters, and loved ones.
Our hearts break for the families again torn apart by gun violence. As we grieve another tragedy, we ask ourselves what we can do to prevent these horrific attacks. We are a community that cares and feels the weight and urgency of our responsibility to be part of the solution.