About Our Sadness

Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) is heartbroken today. Our thoughts are with the people of Sutherland, TX, where yet another mass shooting has claimed the lives of at least 26 people yesterday, and many more people were injured. This is a news story too often repeated in cities and towns all across America. Our hearts break and our sense of outrage grows with every report.

Each life lost is so tragic and so precious to us all. They are us. We are they. At a church, at a concert, in an elementary school, at the store, in a restaurant—they died as we might have died. We all died a little as we learned their numbers first, then their names, and finally their stories. Their stories are our stories.

There can be no justification for this escalating epidemic of gun violence in this nation. Also, there can be no justification for ignoring our responsibilities to one another—and to future generations—to do our best to prevent future mass shooting incidents.

Difficult as it will be, we must confront the issue of gun violence head on as a public health concern. We need bold and effective public policy solutions. Great minds and willing hearts must come together with the best information and data available and guide our lawmakers, public servants and health professionals to offer policies and programs to address the causes, and also helping to support victims and families of these horrific events.

May we embrace one another with a real commitment to safe, healthy and peaceful communities both here and around the world. We believe those elected to serve us all have a duty to do all that is in their power to help us achieve that mission. We hope you will support PDA in this struggle.

In order to form a more peaceful union,

Donna Smith, PDA Executive Director for Mike H, Mike F., Judy, Dr. Bill, Janis, Dan, Deb, Kimberly, Bryan, and Amos—Your PDA National Team