To: Governor Andrew Cuomo
No Sandy Hook in New York State
We just marked the one year anniversary of the massacre of twenty little children and six educators in Sandy Hook. While many hedge funds, private equity firms, city and state pension funds subsequently divested themselves of investments in the gun industry, too many are still supporting this vehicle for murder that stymies any reasonable regulation that could prevent such tragedy and unspeakable loss.
Governor Cuomo, we need to guarantee our children that there will not be a Sandy Hook tragedy in New York state. We call on you to ensure that New York state divests itself of any investments it may have in the gun industry. We can clear the way for common sense gun violence prevention laws.
Governor Cuomo, we need to guarantee our children that there will not be a Sandy Hook tragedy in New York state. We call on you to ensure that New York state divests itself of any investments it may have in the gun industry. We can clear the way for common sense gun violence prevention laws.
Why is this important?
In 2005, I was one of the founding educators of Validus Preparatory Academy in Bathgate, Bronx, New York. Not long after the Academy opened, two of my students were shot in random acts of violence. They were promising young people who had overcome huge hurdles to attempt what is almost impossible in the South Bronx--a lifestyle of success, of raising a family, of living a good life. They didn't get the chance. Nadairee Walters, age 17, and Martin Jackson, 18, lost their dreams for no good reason except that guns on the street are the norm in too many communities.
Additionally, I'm also an educator who frequently works with children in the early grades. They are so full of life and promise, love and laughter. It is no cliche that they are our future—and in caring and protecting these young lives, we show the best part of who we are as a people. For months after December 14, 2012, I was haunted by the vision of some of my little students being cruelly slaughtered and dying in fear, pain, and without the comfort of their parents' love. We owe it to our children and ourselves to do everything possible to truly make sure our saying "never again" is a solemn vow rather than an aspiration.
Please add your name to this petition urging Governor Cuomo to make sure New York state has no investments in the gun industry.
Additionally, I'm also an educator who frequently works with children in the early grades. They are so full of life and promise, love and laughter. It is no cliche that they are our future—and in caring and protecting these young lives, we show the best part of who we are as a people. For months after December 14, 2012, I was haunted by the vision of some of my little students being cruelly slaughtered and dying in fear, pain, and without the comfort of their parents' love. We owe it to our children and ourselves to do everything possible to truly make sure our saying "never again" is a solemn vow rather than an aspiration.
Please add your name to this petition urging Governor Cuomo to make sure New York state has no investments in the gun industry.