VEA and NEA Presidents issue statements on recent shooting outside…

Press Release Statements from VEA, NEA Presidents on Shooting Outside Huguenot High School Graduation in Richmond

Published: 06/13/2023

On Tuesday evening, tragedy struck Huguenot High School’s graduation ceremony in Richmond, Virginia, when two people were fatally shot and several more were injured outside the Altria Theater. The Virginia Education Association (VEA) President, Dr. James J. Fedderman, and the National Education Association (NEA) President, Becky Pringle, released statements in response to the terrible event.

VEA President Dr. James J. Fedderman’s Statement

Dr. Fedderman expressed his devastation at the occurrence of yet another mass shooting in the state, which happened only five months after the shooting of an educator in Newport News. Referring to the senseless violence affecting their community, he stated that classrooms and campuses must be safe havens. He emphasized the need for all children to be safe from gun violence, urging the abandonment of tolerance for violent events that dash the hope for tomorrow.

NEA President Becky Pringle’s Statement

Becky Pringle, NEA President, extended her condolences to the affected families, students, and educators who witnessed the traumatic event. She lamented the prevalence of gun violence that continued to threaten the safety of schools and communities. Pringle echoed Fedderman’s sentiment that schools should be the safest places in towns and cities.

She expressed disappointment with political leaders who refused to protect the safety of students and communities, promising accountability for those who failed to take necessary action. She described the shooting as a reminder of the horrifying realities students, parents, and educators faced daily.

The Need for a Collective Effort

The statements from Dr. Fedderman and Becky Pringle underline the need for collective efforts to end gun violence. Gun violence has become a recurrent issue that impacts everyone in society, particularly students and educators. The idea that schools should be havens for learning and creating future leaders has been replaced by the notion that schools are targets for dangerous and deadly attacks.

As leaders of major education organizations, Dr. Fedderman and Becky Pringle advocate for students’ safety and address gun violence in their respective communities. Their statements send a strong message to lawmakers and other policymakers that enough is enough, and that urgent action is needed to end gun violence.

Editorial and Advice

The tragedy of gun violence demands immediate and sustained action by policymakers and the larger community. The failure to address the matter will continue to impact the lives of students, educators, and families. As leaders, lawmakers are obligated to act in the interest of the wider community. The society must insist that lawmakers prioritize the safety of students and communities, and make gun violence a top priority. Candidates running for office must commit to ending gun violence in their areas of influence, particularly in schools.

Parents, educators, and students also have essential roles to play in ending gun violence. They can participate in community advocacy groups that support the implementation of safer school policies and actively lobby policymakers for changes in gun regulations.

The fear of gun violence is now entrenched in society, particularly in schools. The challenge now is for the community and policymakers to address this issue without delay. Without sustained efforts to end gun violence, the society risks losing future leaders, educators, and promising individuals.