FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Educators Call On Leaders To Act In Wake Of North Kansas City Shooting

The following statement can be attributed to Missouri NEA president Phil Murray and North Kansas City NEA president Amanda Bearden: 

     We are deeply saddened by the recent shooting outside North Kansas City High School following a basketball game. This senseless act of violence starkly reminds us of the critical need to ensure our learning environments and community spaces are safe for our children and students. They deserve to come together for school events without the looming threat of gun violence. Our elected officials must take action to safeguard our schools and communities. The safety of our schools is inextricably linked to the safety of our communities at large. We must come together to create a secure environment for our young people.

     Each and every one of us deserves to attend school events, religious services, or a parade without fear or threat of violence. Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and all affected by this tragedy, including the children and families bearing this trauma. We're grateful to the first responders for keeping attendees of the student events on the campus safe and providing emergency medical aid to the victims. 

     Missouri NEA is committed to working with our local members and the school district to ensure that students and employees impacted by this senseless violence receive the emotional and physical support they need to begin recovering from this tragedy.

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The 32,000-member MNEA represents teachers, education support professionals, college faculty, retired teachers, and students studying to be teachers in school districts and on college campuses throughout the state. It is the Missouri affiliate of the three-million-member NEA.