Refugee Congress Mourns Recent Gun Violence, Commemorates Anniversary of the Murder of George Floyd
For Immediate Release: June 3, 2022
WASHINGTON–Recent weeks have been difficult ones for the nation. We have witnessed a mass shooting in Uvalde, Texas, that killed 19 children and 2 teachers in Uvalde, Texas, and racist mass shooting that killed 10 Black people at a grocery store in Buffalo, as well as other incidents of gun violence throughout the country. We also commemorated the two-year anniversary of the murder of George Floyd on May 25.
As former refugees and asylees, Refugee Congress Delegates and Honorary Delegates are survivors of war, genocide and persecution, and we know firsthand the devastating consequences of violence, injustice and hate. We came to this country seeking a safe haven to build our lives, raise our families and pursue our dreams. We are devastated to see gun violence, hate and discrimination in our new home, and we worry for ourselves, our families and our communities.
As we mourn for the families who have lost loved ones, we call on each of us to work together and take swift action to stop gun violence and to stop the cycle of racism and inequity that plagues our country. We must come together to build a safer, better future.
“A famous adage from my home is, ‘Rain does not fall on just one person's roof.’ Everything that is happening affects us all, directly or indirectly. The increase in gun violence across the nation should be everyone's concern. We need to stand up and speak up. We cannot continue to live in fear. Kids cannot be deprived of school due to the fear of the unknown. Our leaders need to step up and fight this disease ravaging the community. We need to end gun violence, protect our schools and protect our kids and teachers. Families need to feel safe,” said Sharon Njie, Refugee Congress Delegate for Louisiana.
“It’s heartbreaking to see racist acts, gun violence and shootings around the U.S. I cried watching the news about little kids losing their lives in the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas. Shouldn’t schools be the safest place for children to go? As a mother, I fear sending my kids to school in the morning and not having them return home. My heart goes out to the families bearing this irreparable loss,” said Kumari Pokhrel, Refugee Congress Delegate for Upstate New York.
"It saddens me to see the continuous mass shooting of innocent people in our nation, motivated by racism and hatred,” said Tshishiku Henry, Refugee Congress Delegate for Washington. “It is a shame! Our police forces, FBI, sheriffs – there should not only be first responders but first preventers, and it should be a duty for every one of us. One of the first basic aspects of a developed nation is safety to its citizens and to whoever seeks safety and refuge in that developed nation. U.S.A., we can do better than this.”
“The three Ps – power, politics and privileges – have betrayed this country and the very people the country claims to care about. The three Ps have led to careless and carefree gunshots, violence, racism, death and pain in the hearts of innocent people, and this leads to an increase in trauma, mental distress, fear and anger in communities. We are living in this country with no dignity or peace. The lack of humanity and love from those in power towards providing services to those in need represents a weakness of leadership. Real leaders make the environment and space more welcoming and safe for everyone to exercise their rights and freedoms without fear of death,” said Emma Yaaka, Refugee Congress Delegate for Illinois.
“Do not kill! The dignity of humankind is sacred. As a woman of faith, I believe that one of the ways to prevent gun violence and killings in our communities is going back to our source. Parents, preachers, and guardians, let us teach our values and morals – whether they are religious, spiritual or secular – in our homes and places of worship more than ever before. Discussions around mental health should also be intensified in our homes. You need justice and your human dignity to be preserved, and I need it, too,” said Drocella Mugorewera, Refugee Congress Board Member.
“When those who’ve sworn to ‘serve and protect’ are those who murder unarmed humans… When defenseless individuals are met with lethal force while armed individuals are left unscathed… These devastating and recurring truths demonstrate blatant disparity toward communities of color. It exposes a system that’s entrenched in targeted bias and violence. On the anniversary of the murder of George Floyd, we continue to work toward demanding accountability, reform and humanity from decisionmakers and all who took an oath to protect us – all of us.” Nga Vương-Sandoval, Refugee Congress Honorary Delegate.
###
Refugee Congress is a nonpartisan advocacy organization built and led by former refugees, asylum-seekers and other vulnerable migrants to promote the well-being, integration and dignity of all vulnerable migrants. With delegates across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, we use our voices and experiences to inform and influence decision-makers on critical domestic and international issues that affect our communities.
MEDIA CONTACT: (202) 905-6238, media@refugeecongress.org
