John -
It is with profound sadness and deep resignation that I write to you today.
Another community has gone through what is a uniquely American horror. This kind of tragedy has happened far too many times in our country, and without meaningful action to address the gun violence plaguing our society — we unfortunately know that this will not be the last.
It is normal to feel anger, sadness, and even hopelessness in the face of such carnage that is all too familiar. A church filled with Asian people in California was gunned down, a supermarket in a predominately Black community in Buffalo, New York was gunned down, and now an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas filled with children was gunned down — all in the last twelve days.
The “thoughts and prayers” our leaders send has never been and will never be enough. What we need is concrete legislative action to address the abundance of access to guns. What we need is for our leaders to find the courage to take on the gun lobby, and the Republicans who enable them. For what the hell are the elected offices they sit in for, if they can’t even keep children safe at school.
AYD extends our wholehearted sympathies to the entire community of Uvalde, Texas that is grieving, to the families and friends who lost loved ones, and to the survivors of this senseless violence who must now carry on and live with this uniquely American trauma.
We call on all elected officials to act, stand up against the gun lobby, and keep our places of worship, our grocery stores, our schools, and our communities safe.
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One last note on regular business — we hope you are able to join us at our upcoming events, including the AYD AAPI Heritage Month Happy Hour on Tuesday, May 31st at 7pm:
