Six years later, former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords remembers the Tree of Life synagogue shooting
Earlier this week, Congresswoman Giffords spoke at the Eradicate Hate Global Summit in Pittsburgh
WASHINGTON — Ahead of October 27, former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, founder of the national gun safety organization GIFFORDS, honored the lives of the 11 people killed at the Tree of Life synagogue mass shooting that took place in Pittsburgh six years ago. In addition to the lives lost, six more were injured in an antisemitic attack that the shooter carried out with multiple guns, including an AR-15. Earlier this week, former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords spoke at the Eradicate Hate Global Summit, which was formed after the shooting with the goal of becoming “the most significant anti-hate rule of law initiative in the world.”
“Today, I am remembering the lives of the 11 worshippers who were killed for no other reason than that they were Jewish, in an attack that our community felt across the country. Six years later, the survivors have refused to be defined by an attack fueled by prejudice and hatred, and have instead chosen to fight against it with courage and resilience. Yet deadly firearms like the one used in this attack are still easily accessible, and there are still no federal firearm protections specific to hate crimes. GIFFORDS won’t stop working until every community, no matter their religion, race, ethnicity, gender or sexuality is safe from gun violence,” said former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords.
Giffords, who is Jewish added, “In a time of increasing intolerance and prejudice, I am more proud than ever of my Jewish faith. Attacks like these are meant to silence us, but I know the Jewish community, one so full of bravery and endurance, will never back down.”
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