YWCA stands against gun violence, calls on leaders

In light of the senseless shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio, last weekend, I am writing to reaffirm YWCA Greater Pittsburgh’s commitment to ending gun violence.

My prayers and support are with the people of El Paso, Dayton and all the communities that have experienced the senseless tragedy of gun violence. The perpetrators’ only goal is to unleash fear, inflict pain and cause great loss of innocent life. No community should have to endure such violence, and I call on Congress to act now. Our leaders need to end the fear and establish commonsense solutions to create safe communities where all can experience peace, justice, freedom and dignity.

The motivations behind the weekend’s shootings are still being investigated, but gun violence has become an alarming trend that disproportionately affects women of color. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, black women are more than three times as likely to be murdered with a gun as white women. Mass shootings are inextricably linked to domestic violence, yet the impact of gun violence on women and women of color is often overlooked in public conversations.

The weekend’s events demand a response from Congress. The proliferation of mass shootings and gun violence is often fueled by hate. Shooters have histories of hate speech or domestic violence, yet they acquire firearms with ease. Please contact your legislators to let them know that this insanity must end.

To learn more about YWCA USA’s position on gun violence and on what you can do to prevent it, please follow the links posted at ywcapgh. org.

JANINE WOODS Chief Executive Officer YWCA Greater Pittsburgh

Downtown