John—

I often pray. It's a key part of who I am and how I practice my faith, and
a way in which many people in America cultivate empathy and love for one
another.

But John, I know that our elected lawmakers owe us more than
just their thoughts and prayers. They owe us action. [ [link removed] ]Tell your U.S.
senators: Take action on background checks.

For years, "thoughts and prayers" have been the only thing that the NRA
and its allies in Congress have offered in response to gun violence. Their
inaction does a disservice to their communities and constituents. And by
not acting, they undermine the sincerity of the thoughts and prayers they
have so readily offered.

In Sikhi—the religious community to which I belong—there is a long history
of civic participation. The teachings of the founders of our faith call on
all Sikhs to actively take on work that will reduce suffering and seek
justice. They tell us that we must grow ourselves spiritually while
extending our love beyond ourselves.

And John, that love beyond ourselves—a teaching present in many
religious communities—needs to be defined by action. That's especially
true when it comes to our elected lawmakers, the people who we have chosen
and trust to act.

That's why I'm joining with members of the Everytown Faith Advisory
Council to demand more than thoughts and prayers from our elected
lawmakers. Because while we value the importance of their words, we know
they must be reinforced by action. [ [link removed] ]Tell your U.S. senators today: Take
action on background checks.

John, as a brown, turbaned man in America, I know conversations
around religion in this country are experienced differently by
marginalized groups. Members of my own faith were the victims of a
hate-fueled mass shooting in 2012, and became a part of this country's
ongoing history of gun violence against religious minorities in their
houses of worship. Because of that history, thoughts and prayers from our
elected lawmakers must be backed up by action that reduces suffering and
seeks justice, especially for those most impacted.

Our lawmakers must do what we elected them to do, and give us more than
just their thoughts and prayers. They must give us action. [ [link removed] ]Tell your
U.S. senators today: Take action on background checks.

Thank you for being a part of this movement, and thank you for showing
love for others by taking action.

Simran Jeet Singh
Everytown Faith Advisory Council


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