Politics Swirl as Students Stage Walkouts to Protest Gun Violence
More walkouts are already being planned for March 14, a month after the Florida shooting.
WASHINGTON (AP) – Democrats are voicing outrage over comments that Republican Rep. Claudia Tenney of New York made claiming that “so many of these people that commit the mass murders end up being Democrats.”
Evan Lukaske, a spokesman for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, says the comments are “unhinged, shameful and disgusting.”
Tenney made the remarks on “Binghamton Now,” a talk radio show, as she discussed the Parkland, Florida, shooting. She added that “the media doesn’t talk about” her assessment. Her office did not reply to a request seeking comment.
Lukaske says Tenney demonstrated “how completely unfit she is to serve in Congress.” Tenney is serving her first term in Congress. Her race this year is expected to be competitive.
Meanwhile, Students at high schools across the U.S. are staged walkouts to protest gun violence in the wake of last week’s deadly school shooting in Florida. The demonstrations took place at schools from Maine to Arizona. Some lasted 17 minutes in honor of the 17 people killed one week earlier at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. Students at many of the protests called for stronger gun control and said they’re taking action to protect schools because Congress hasn’t. Students in Minneapolis marched from high schools to city hall.
More walkouts are already being planned for March 14, a month after the Florida shooting.
At the same time, students and parents appealed to President Donald Trump at the White House to set politics aside and protect America’s school children from the scourge of gun violence. Trump listened intently to the raw emotion and pledged action, including the possibility of arming teachers.
