ST. PAUL, Minn. — One year ago today, a gunman opened fire at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, claiming the lives of 19 children and two teachers. In recognition of the anniversary of this tragedy, the People of Color and Indigenous (POCI) Caucus released the following statement:
“In the year since the incalculable loss of 21 people at Robb Elementary School, we have seen not only the horror, grief, and anger that such an attack creates; but also continued to see mass shootings and acts of extreme violence across the country, including ones targeting communities of color and marginalized peoples. We must expand the capacity of our nation to protect our children and families by standing up to the gun lobby and treating gun violence like the public health crisis that it is.
“As lawmakers and community leaders, we call on each of our colleagues, in Minnesota and across the country, to answer the demands of parents, teachers, students, and every person who condemns violence and hatred, who have risen up in communities in every state to say enough is enough. Minnesota has taken decisive action to curb gun violence with expanded background checks and extreme risk protection orders, but we must continue to fight to protect Minnesotans from preventable gun violence, in the next legislative session and in every day of our lives. We are here and we are ready to stand up against this senseless violence.”
The members of the Senate POCI Caucus are Senator Mary Kunesh (Chair), Senator Bobby Joe Champion, Senator Omar Fateh, Senator Foung Hawj, Senator Alice Mann, Senator Erin Maye Quade, Senator Zaynab Mohamed, Senator Clare Oumou Verbeten, Senator Susan Pha, and Senator Tou Xiong.
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