We won't be safe until we stand up to hate
By CAITLIN CLARKSON PEREIRA
HARTFORD COURANT |
MAR 15, 2019 | 5:21 PM
... On the first anniversary of the National School Walkout, the nine families of Sandy Hook victims finally received news that they had won their lawsuit against Remington, a cornerstone in the gun manufacturing industry. The ruling was a direct hit to the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (or PLCAA), which gives gun manufacturers immunity from lawsuits.
With NRA donations falling at rapid rates and elected officials proudly sporting their NRA grade of an “F,” rather than the once prideful “A,” it felt that the war against gun violence was gaining steam. In addition, a video was circulating on social media showing our own U.S. Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-5th District, signing a resolution to ban use of federal funds to arm teachers. Extremely fitting for the former “National Teacher of Year.”
... hours later, while most of Connecticut was fast asleep, a gunman, equipped with multiple firearms, entered the main doors of a mosque in Christchurch, New Zealand, and began indiscriminately firing at those there for prayer. By the time the sun was up here on Friday morning, it was being reported that at least 49 people had been killed and 50 had been injured.
And just like that, the positive energy from Thursday’s win fell flat. As details emerged about the gunman, his 87-page manifesto, his idolization of other United States mass murderers, and most disturbingly, comments about President Trump, immigration, and the Second Amendment, the realization began to set in. Our country’s obsession with guns and approval of hate was touching other parts of the world — even those literally on the opposite side of the globe ...
https://www.courant.com/opinion/op-ed/hc-op-pereira-new-zealand-stand-up-0316-20190315-664mdunfyfeftdojwr5ndw4e5m-story.html