We Decry Killings in Atlanta and Stand With Asian Americans and Call for Action on Gun-Control Bill

       We join with the Loretto Community and all those mourning the recent killing by a white male in Atlanta of eight people, six of whom were Asian women. This horrible tragedy touches us deeply, as it does all who decry violence of any kind. The awful act of violence targeting Asian-Pacific Americans speaks to the reality this past year of the growing tension and outright hatred in the United States and across the world toward our Asian sisters and brothers fanned because of racist characterizations during the pandemic. We also call out, in particular, the racialized misogyny that has long been directed at Asian-American women. While investigations continue regarding the racist intent on the part of the shooter, the fact that six of the eight people he killed were Asian-Pacific Americans speaks for itself.

        We wish to express our solidarity with Asian-Pacific Americans and all who are targeted by racist speech and action. We also renew our call for better background checks and waiting periods for the purchase of guns. We ask our members and friends to take this action today: Call your U.S. Senators. Tell them to vote for the gun-control bill passed last week by the U.S. House of Representatives. Since the horrific Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012, 404 persons have been killed in mass shootings in the United States. Loretto Community, Sisters of Charity of Nazareth, Ursuline Sisters of Louisville and many other women religious congregations have supported many federal bills to strengthen background checks and require waiting periods for would-be gun buyers. None have passed. In memory of all victims of gun violence, we pray, and we take action.