Watson Coleman Statement on Racially Motivated Shootings in Pittsburgh and Kentucky

Ewing, NJ (October 29, 2018) — Following the shooting of two African Americans outside of Louisville, Kentucky last week and Saturday’s mass shooting at the Pittsburgh-area Tree of Life Synagogue, Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) issued the following statement:

“Gun violence of every kind has become a plague in this country, but there is a deeper and more sinister darkness that follows hate crimes. My heart breaks for the congregation at Tree of Life, and I join countless Americans lifting prayers of comfort and condolence to the friends and families of victims in both of these disgusting acts of hate.

“For some time now, law enforcement officials have tried to warn us about the threat of domestic terrorists — individuals motivated not by radicalization from some foreign threat, but by a disturbed view of the amazing diversity of religion, race, ethnicity and culture that makes our country so special. The willingness of some of our nation’s highest ranking elected officials to toss around slurs, embrace conspiracy theories, and repeat falsehoods is troubling alone. Combined with the failure to identify and address the rise of these domestic threats, we are setting the stage for more violence aimed at minorities.

“I take comfort in the outpouring of solidarity shown by so many Americans who recognize that our similarities and shared humanity outweigh our differences, and I remain committed to working with my colleagues in Congress to prevent acts of violence and hate like these in the future.”