“The mass shooting in Jacksonville on Saturday is heartbreaking and even more devastating because the racism and easy access to weapons of war that drove it are tragically taking lives, causing grave harm to communities, and escalating in our country. That the shooter first tried to enter Edward Waters University, a historically Black institution, before committing mass murder at a nearby Dollar General store, makes it even more chilling – and that this heinous crime was committed as we celebrate the 60th anniversary of the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom makes it even more painful.

“Our hearts break for the families of those who lost their lives in Saturday’s terrorist attack, for all those affected by it, and for the Jacksonville community, which has experienced race-based violence too many times. As is the case so often, the murderer in Jacksonville was a young man with vile racist, anti-Semitic views who purchased his weapons legally so he could commit these premeditated murders. White supremacy indoctrinated the shooter, and white supremacy — which underlies the profound Republican resistance to gun policy reform — armed him. 

“Moms know this senseless violence is not inevitable and that nobody is safe until everybody is safe. We appreciate that the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating this as the hate crime that it is, but we need much more. Congress must pass sweeping gun policy reform now, starting with a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines; lawmakers at all levels must end policies that censor and deny painful chapters in our history; and all our leaders must stop using inflammatory, reckless rhetoric that fans the flames of hatred on social media, in speeches, and through all their communication. Ending gun violence and hate is an all-hands-on-deck emergency in America. Moms do not want to raise our children in a country in which communities are divided from each other, with so much hatred and violence. We want – we deserve – a country where we can all count on safety, justice, equality, and opportunity.”