John,

Last night, eight people, including six Asian women, were shot and killed in a wave of attacks targeting spas in the Atlanta area.

We are heartbroken. Once again, lives have been cruelly cut short, families devastated, and communities broken by senseless gun violence. Our thoughts are with the loved ones and communities of all the victims of this tragedy.

Authorities have not yet confirmed a motive for the attack, but the rampage, which killed six Asian women and targeted businesses where a majority of employees are Asian, comes at a time when anti-Asian hate crimes are up 150 percent across the country. According to research from Stop AAPI Hate, there have been at least 3,795 racially-motivated attacks against Asian Americans since just last March. That staggering number likely represents just a fraction of the attacks that actually occurred.

Reardless of the motive of this attack, it is a tragic reminder that we cannot end gun violence without rooting out white supremacy. It is also yet another example of the devastating consequences of hate fueled by a gun. Finally, it is evidence that the gun violence epidemic has not been slowed by the pandemic.

This is the cost of inaction. We know that gun violence is not inevitable. There are commonsense things we can do to prevent senseless tragedies like this. We just need leaders with the courage to act.

Last week, the House of Representatives passed two bills to expand background checks, a crucial step in addressing the gun violence crisis. Now it is on the Senate to make these long-overdue changes. We will not accept more empty thoughts and prayers.

In Washington state, we’ve passed laws to disarm hate and keep guns out of dangerous hands. We’ve been working tirelessly to ensure Congress does the same and finally puts an end to decades of inaction on gun safety.

Today, as we grieve for all those impacted by this violence, we recommit to fighting in their honor for a future where everyone can live free from the threat of gun violence.

—Renée (she/her)

P.S. If you agree that gun violence is not inevitable and want to fund our lifesaving work, you can contribute in honor of the victims of this shooting here.