February 16, 2024
For Immediate Release
STATEMENT: MNEA Pres. Phil Murray calls on leaders to act in wake of Kansas City parade shooting.
It is with sadness that we face the news of the recent shooting at the celebration parade for the Kansas City Chiefs football team. This senseless tragedy is a reminder that our work to ensure safe learning and celebratory environments for children is more pressing than ever. Children and students should be able to gather without the fear of gun violence. Our elected leaders have a responsibility to ensure that schools and communal spaces are safe places of discovery and learning, not fear. We can’t have safe schools without safe communities.
Each and every one of us deserves to attend religious services, a concert, 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 their quick and life-saving actions. 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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