Friend – I wanted to reshare with you this email I sent last week.
Just last week, I did what I have done too many times. I shared my heartfelt condolences to family members, friends, and an entire community who experienced the violent wrath of white supremacy and gun violence. And as I have done after each senseless mass shooting we’ve seen in the news, I called and pleaded for common-sense gun reform.
Now, the cycle has already repeated, this time with innocent, precious elementary school children. I refuse to sit idly by as our leaders continue to put the gun lobby above our children, teachers, churchgoers, grocery shoppers– innocent people time after time. Nothing, absolutely nothing, will change unless we vote out the complacent elected officials whose inaction fuels this crisis, starting with Governor McMaster.
Mass shootings at schools, malls, grocery stores, and churches are totally foreseeable, absolutely probable and a direct result of the choices Republican governors like Greg Abbott in TX and Henry McMaster in SC make, along with their Republican legislative colleagues.
As South Carolina’s next Governor, I will continue to do everything in my power to protect our children and curb the rising tide of gun violence through common sense gun reforms that bring our communities and government leaders together to create a better, stronger, safer South Carolina…for all of us.
It’s critical that we send a clear signal on June 14th–that we will no longer stand by while innocent lives are being taken because our leaders lack the political courage to take action. Together, we will take action, but we will not get there without your help. Early voting runs from May 31st to June 10th with no excuse. It’s time to make your voice heard and send a strong message to Governor McMaster that his failed leadership on this issue, and so many others, will no longer be tolerated.
Thank you for your continued support, Mia
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Friend – It’s taken me a bit to process the tragedy that took place last weekend in Buffalo, New York, but I knew I wanted to share my thoughts with you. It's heartbreaking that still in America, Black people are going about their everyday lives, only to die at the hands of a white supremacist who targeted them because of their skin color.
Substitute a grocery store in Buffalo with a church in Charleston and the parallels between the tragedies are striking. As I'm sure it did for many of you, hearing the news brought me straight back to that horrible June day in 2015. I was flooded with the fear, the frustration, and the worry that despite my best efforts, our lawmakers will do largely nothing to prevent the next act of targeted racial violence.
Unfortunately, it looks like my concerns are justified: South Carolina Republicans just last week, minutes before the legislative session ended, blocked the passage of the Clementa C. Pinckney Hate Crimes Act. This legislation, named in honor of my former colleague and our late State Senator who was tragically murdered at the Mother Emanuel AME Church, would increase the criminal penalty for crimes motivated by hatred of a victim based on race, ethnicity, religion, or other unchangeable features. Legislative session after legislative session, I’ve fought tooth and nail for this bill. As hate crimes are on the rise, it was infuriating to see the Republicans block this bill again, making South Carolina one of just two states without a hate crimes law.
How can Republicans continue to justify their unbridled hypocrisy? They refuse to pass the most basic common-sense gun reforms that would save lives. They refuse to pass a hate crimes law. They’ve shredded our social safety net, making it harder for South Carolina families to make ends meet. And they do all of this under the guise of being pro-life– now how does that make a lick of sense?
In times like these, when the news is so gut-wrenching, I know it can be tempting to disengage from politics, but we can’t fall into that trap. We have to do something. All McMaster and the GOP have to offer is empty thoughts and silent prayers, and I’ve had enough. South Carolinians need an advocate who will stand up for common-sense gun legislation and stand up against hate crimes– that’s why I’m running against McMaster for Governor– because South Carolina deserves better. In solidarity, Mia |
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About Senator Mia McLeod:
Senator Mia McLeod was the first black woman elected to represent her Senate district. She is a working mom, small business owner, and seventh-generation South Carolinian from Bennettsville, South Carolina. She is a former State Representative, current State Senator representing District 22, and is running as a Democratic candidate for Governor. |
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PAID FOR BY MIA FOR SOUTH CAROLINA MIA FOR SOUTH CAROLINA
PO Box 290692
Columbia, SC 29229
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