Tragic event in Uvalde is yet another reminder that our state’s leadership has failed our children

Red brick sign in front of school reads: "Robb Elementary School."

This statement was updated to reflect new information on the number of victims.

For Immediate Release: May 24, 2022

Contact: Rob D’Amico, 512-627-1343, rdamico@texasaft.org

Texas AFT President Zeph Capo commented today on the school shooting in Uvalde with reports of 14 elementary students and one teacher dead:

It is devastating to have to ask the same question again and again: “When are we going to take the commonsense actions needed to help stop the slaughter of our children and their teachers where they should feel safest—in our schools.” This insanity must stop.

While pouring out their thoughts and prayers for the educators and students who are dead, injured, or trying to make sense of this tragedy, some of our state leaders need to accept a deep dose of culpability for not taking meaningful steps to help prevent these attacks. We don’t need another round table of safety experts. We don’t need more active-shooter drills. We need legislation that addresses common-sense issues and ensures our children and their teachers can learn and work without constant fear for their lives.

The only thing that could break our hearts further is to allow these 21 beautiful souls to become yet another set of numbers in someone’s stats folder. Nineteen children will never graduate. Two teachers won’t go home again. Countless others are wounded for the rest of their lives. Now is the time for change.

•. Read AFT’s report with EveryTown USA on concrete steps we can take to stop gun violence in schools.
•. Read AFT’s resolution on gun violence.

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Texas American Federation of Teachers represents some 65,000 teachers, paraprofessionals, support personnel, and higher-education employees across the state. Texas AFT is affiliated with the 1.7-million-member American Federation of Teachers and AFL-CIO.

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