Darrin Camilleri for State Senate [[link removed]]
Dear John,
I'm just so incredibly sad and angry today -- like too many days like today.
Ten days ago, 10 Black families lives changed forever after a trip to the grocery store.
Nearly six months ago, 4 families from Oxford High School.
Just over 29 years ago, my Latino family lost my uncle -- my mom's brother -- to gun violence after a trip to the party store.
Today, in a predominately Latino community, 15 families in Texas will never be the same because a gunman went to a school and killed children and their teacher.
Our experience is uniquely American -- because it has become so normal in this country. We as a society have accepted these incidents as part of our lives, even going so far as preparing for them at our schools with regular drills. And training teachers and parents how to talk about tragedies like this.
After Oxford in Michigan, there was a task force formed in the State Legislature to study and address the problem, but we have yet to see any recommendations or action taken to prevent this kind of shooting from happening again. Shooting, task force, no change, and the cycle continues.
What will it take to force Republican politicians to work with us to save lives? How many people -- including children -- must die? How many will be targeted and killed for their race or religion? We know that over 85% of Americans support universal background checks, but even that common sense solution cannot get a vote of support.
Some will say that we cannot politicize these tragedies. But the problem? The decision to politicize tragedies like this was made long ago by the NRA and gun manufacturers when they pressured Republican politicians to do nothing after Columbine. And then again after every subsequent mass shooting -- with every location being far too long to list.
On the way home from Lansing today as I was listening to the news, I heard from a father who lost his daughter at the Parkland shooting. He shared his anger and frustration and tears at the fact that nothing has changed since his daughter died. How messed up is that? Parents of one school shooting go on television to try and comfort the parents from another. What are we doing?
One day, when I have children, I want them to know that at the very least, I tried to make their world safer than it is today. We deserve so much better. The families of the children and teacher deserve better.
Today's victims were just kids, and a teacher -- reading books, learning math, eating snacks, drawing, and having a normal day.
I'm saying my prayers for them, and we need to do something.
We cannot continue to be broken by this violence.
In service,
Darrin
[link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]]
darrincamilleri.com [[link removed]]
Paid for by Darrin Camilleri For State Senate
PO Box 818, Trenton, MI 48183
If you believe you received this message in error or wish to no longer receive email from us, please unsubscribe: [link removed] .