JGVPR Statement on Tragic School Shooting in Antioch, TN
From JWI’s Jewish Gun Violence Prevention Roundtable on January 23, 2024:
The Jewish Gun Violence Prevention Roundtable is heartbroken and deeply saddened by the tragic school shooting in Antioch, Tennessee, which left two students dead (including the shooter) and two injured. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Josselin Corea Escalante and all those affected by this devastating event. In this time of profound sorrow, it is crucial that we come together as a community to offer support, comfort, and strength to one another.
Early reports indicate the shooter praised Hitler online and posted neo-Nazi rhetoric, including hateful sexist, racist, and antisemitic content. As a community dedicated to justice, compassion, and peace, we unequivocally condemn this act of violence. Hate has no place in our society, and we must stand together to confront and eradicate it. The Jewish Gun Violence Prevention Roundtable stands in solidarity with the victims and their families and reaffirms our commitment to advocating for safer schools and stronger gun violence prevention measures. In the wake of this tragedy, we urge our lawmakers and community leaders to:
Prioritize the safety and well-being of students and educators by implementing comprehensive school safety protocols, including threat assessment procedures and access to school-based mental health support services.
Enact common-sense gun violence prevention measures, such as universal background checks, restrictions on high-capacity magazines, and extreme risk laws to prevent individuals in crisis from accessing firearms.
Invest in early intervention and prevention programs to address the root causes of violence and provide support to at-risk individuals before tragedies occur.
Foster a culture of empathy, inclusion, and mutual respect within our schools and communities to prevent future acts of violence and promote positive relationships among students and peers.
Prohibit individuals convicted of misdemeanor hate crimes from possessing firearms.
As we mourn the loss of Ms. Escalante and grapple with the trauma inflicted by this tragedy, let us also draw strength from our shared commitment to creating a safer and more compassionate world for all. Together, we can honor the memory of Ms. Escalante by taking meaningful action to prevent further senseless loss of life.
With heartfelt condolences and solidarity,
Jewish Gun Violence Prevention Roundtable
The Jewish Gun Violence Prevention Roundtable (JGVP Roundtable) works to amplify the collective voice of the Jewish community in addressing the pervasive issue of gun violence in the United States. By uniting individuals and organizations already involved in diverse approaches to combatting gun violence, our roundtable aims to strengthen our efforts and drive meaningful change. Guided by our Jewish values, particularly the principle of 'Lo ta'amod al dam re'echa' (Do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor), we are compelled to act and intervene in the face of harm. We are further driven by the experiences of being a religious minority disproportionately impacted by hate crimes and alarmed by the epidemic of gun violence that disproportionately impacts the most vulnerable populations. The JGVP Roundtable, representing Jewish organizations across the nation, is committed to forging a future free from gun violence.