Statement by Deborah Weinstein, Executive Director, Coalition on Human Needs 

Once more we were witnesses to shocking violence as a man with an assault rifle injured former President Trump, killed Corey Comperatore and sent David Dutch and James Copenhaver to the hospital with serious injuries.  We mourn the death of Mr. Comperatore and hope for the speedy recovery of the injured. 

We are a nation prey to resentment and blame and awash in guns – a lethal combination.   

We have real problems – massively growing concentration of wealth while millions of Americans struggle to be economically secure and protected from a host of threats beyond their individual control.  It is the challenge of our time to use our democracy to find real solutions to our problems.  We must come together to reject resentment, blame, and hatred.  We must use our democratic tools to seek solutions, to build upon the progress we have made and to commit to helping more to share in that progress. 

Using the tools of our democracy – voting, petitioning leaders and legislators, or standing for election – can and should focus on making health care and housing more affordable, expanding economic security and freedom, reducing poverty, protecting against climate threats, and reducing gun violence.   

These and a host of other problems can only be solved when we commit to democracy and reject violence.  Our children and grandchildren are depending on us; we must not fail.