Contact: Stephanie Cohen
Cell: 646-457-1485

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Horrific shootings necessitate immediate Senate action

August 5, 2019 Washington, DC – The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is heartbroken by the three shootings that occurred over the past six days. We are grieving with these communities and send our deepest sympathies to impacted families. NCJW CEO Sheila Katz released the following statement: 

“In the past week, our country has experienced three mass shootings — two of which occurred 13 hours apart. Gilroy, El Paso, and Dayton are now added to the ever-growing list of communities devastated by gun massacres. The three shooters were enabled by easy and unfettered access to assault rifles — firearms with high capacity to kill that have no business in the hands of civilians and on our streets.

“In addition, by all accounts, the El Paso shooter was fueled by xenophobia, racism, and white supremacy. We know all too well what happens when you mix this hatred with firearms: mass shootings. The Trump administration’s anti-immigrant, anti-refugee, and anti-asylee policies are driven by white supremacy. These extreme policies are designed to rile up the president’s political base, regardless of their human cost. This weekend we’ve seen that cost. At the same time, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has refused to take action on any of the common-sense gun bills passed by the House.

“As Jews and people of conscience, we have an obligation to care for and protect our neighbors and to end the epidemic of gun violence. The National Council of Jewish Women, representing 90,000 members and supporters, demands that Leader McConnell bring the Senate back from recess to consider S 42, the Background Check Expansion Act, and HR 1112, the Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2019 to prevent gun violence and ensure the safety of our communities. Our lives depend on it.”

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The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms. More information on Facebook and on Twitter at @NCJW.