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Statement

America’s Moms Mourn Victims of Tragic Shooting in Colorado Springs Saturday Night, on Eve of Trans Day of Remembrance; Call for More Action to Stamp Out Hate and Violence

November 20, 2022

Lisa Lederer, 202/371-1996

Statement of Kristin Rowe-Finkbeiner, Executive Director and CEO of MomsRising, the online and on-the-ground organization of more than one million mothers and their families, on the deadly shootings at an LGBTQ+ nightclub in Colorado Springs this weekend:

“The brutal attack on patrons and staff at Club Q in Colorado Springs Saturday night is yet another heartbreaking mass shooting tragedy, this one leaving at least five people dead, some 25 others injured, and many more traumatized. That Club Q was preparing to host Transgender Day of Remembrance events this morning makes this violence even more painful. Our hearts are broken by this violence, and by the anti-LGBTQ+ and other hate that is escalating across our country. 

“The shootings Saturday night are also an excruciating reminder that the work to stamp out hate and violence must intensify. Moms stand with the LGBTQ+ community at this tragic moment. We stand with all communities who are othered and targeted by hate and violence because of gender identity or sexual orientation, race, religion, gender, or any other attribute that does not conform to white supremacist ideals. We stand with all those who are fighting against the easy access to firearms and rampant bigotry that are making mass shootings too common and their targets too often those in the LGBTQ+, Black, Jewish, Asian American, immigrant, Muslim, and other minority communities.

“And we recognize – without doubt – that the hateful, discriminatory anti-LGBTQ+ legislation and court cases, and the cruel rhetoric supporters use to advance them, foments hate and violence.

“Today, on Trans Day of Remembrance, moms are honoring the transgender, non-binary, and gender non-conforming people whose lives have been cut short by violence or harmed by discrimination and hate. Tomorrow, we return to the hard work of confronting and defeating hate, stopping gun violence, and making our communities safe and fair for all of us. Diversity is our country's strength and MomsRising will never stop fighting for acceptance and love for everyone. Nobody should have to fear for their lives at a club, school, church, synagogue, mosque, grocery store, home, or on our streets.”

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MomsRising.org is an on-the-ground and online grassroots organization of more than a million people who are working to increase family economic security, decrease discrimination against women and moms, and to build a nation where businesses and families can thrive. Established in 2006, MomsRising and its members are organizing and speaking out to improve public policy and to change the national dialogue on issues that are critically important to America’s families, including criminal justice reform, immigration policy reform, and gun safety. MomsRising is working for paid family and medical leave, affordable, high quality childcare and early learning, and for an end to the wage and hiring discrimination which penalizes women — particularly moms and women of color — and so many others. MomsRising advocates for access to healthy food for all kids, health care for all, earned sick days, and breastfeeding rights so that all children can have a healthy start. MomsRising maintains a Spanish language website: MamásConPoder.org. Sign up online at www.MomsRising.org — and follow us on our blog, and on Twitter and Facebook.