Congresswoman Lee Applauds Student Walk Outs to Protest Gun Violence
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee released the following statement applauding student walk outs in the East Bay and throughout the country to protest gun violence:
“I am so proud of the courage and resilience shown by our East Bay students and students across the country who stood up and walked out to protest gun violence. That’s why I walked out of the US Capitol in solidarity with the brave students demanding action to end this plague on our communities. While this protest was initiated by the brave young voices from Parkland, Florida, as a response to the tragic school shooting that took 17 lives, we know that gun violence is also an everyday reality for many Black and Brown communities, including those here in the East Bay. As we work to address school safety issues, we must also focus on the disproportionate impact that gun violence has on young people of color. I echo the sentiments of our young people and say enough is enough!
“Today’s actions compel me to reflect on the memory of Roderick ‘Travon’ Godfrey, a graduate of Oakland’s McClymonds High School. Travon was shot and killed in broad daylight just ten months after speaking at my town hall about the painful impact of gun violence on his life. This heartbreaking story is another sad reminder of why Congress must act to end this senseless violence that is tearing apart families and shattering our communities.
“We must get these weapons of war off our streets. As young people continue their efforts here in the East Bay, I will keep fighting in Congress for common sense gun reforms to prevent future tragedies.”