Burlington, VT – Today, Mayor Miro Weinberger made the following statement:
“During a week when we should all have the opportunity to gather with loved ones and celebrate the uniquely American holiday of Thanksgiving, we are once again confronted with the horror of the uniquely American scourge of mass shootings.
Burlington condemns these killings in the strongest possible terms and offers strength and solidarity to the grieving communities of Colorado Springs, CO, and Chesapeake, VA.
That the Colorado violence once again took place in an LGBTQ+ space, during a period of rising violence against queer and trans people across the country and in Vermont, is a further outrage and tragedy that has shaken many members of our community. I urge all Burlingtonians to do what they can to support the LGBTQ+ community during this painful time and to continue Burlington’s vigilance against hate and bigotry.
As of this morning, the United States has experienced at least 606 mass shootings in 2022, after experiencing 692 in 2021, and routine gun violence has corroded public safety throughout Vermont this year. No other country tolerates this level of gun violence, and we should not either. Since state government has aggressively blocked Burlington and other Vermont cities and towns from taking action to protect its people from gun violence, the Governor and state legislature have a duty to act this session to pass statewide gun safety measures to keep all Vermonters safe and free from fear.”
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