WASHINGTON—AFT leaders respond to the shooting at Santa Fe High School in Texas.

Statement of AFT President Randi Weingarten:

“This year has brought some of the worst mass shootings in our recent memory, and gun violence is now young people’s greatest fear. That is shameful. No child, no parent and no educator should fear walking into their school.

“We are mourning the lives lost this morning at Santa Fe High School, and we are in contact with our members to offer support for them and their students in this moment. It is shameful that President Trump and those who control Congress continue to choose gun manufacturers and the National Rifle Association over children and educators. We are determined to change those in office in November if lawmakers continue to refuse to change the laws and take on the gun violence epidemic plaguing our nation.”

Statement of Texas AFT President Louis Malfaro:

“The shooting in Santa Fe, Texas, is a horrific and tragic addition to the growing list of school shootings across the nation in which students and teachers have been murdered. It is not enough for elected leaders to simply show up at the site of these catastrophes. Wiping up the blood isn’t enough! What is needed are concrete steps to stop the carnage. That is what is being demanded by students, mothers, fathers, families and educators. The time for mere words is over. Now is the time for action!

“Tomorrow, as thousands of educators and our allies gather in Houston for a rally demanding more support for public education, we will hear from student leaders who have led protests against school violence as well as from educators who have advocated for more funding for mental health services, counseling and support for struggling students to head off these kinds of tragic events. We are standing together to mourn those killed and injured today, but we must also unite to challenge our state leaders to make school safety and sensible gun legislation a priority.”