Dear Friends,
As another July 4th approaches, our thoughts inevitably turn to what we lost a year ago. While multi-generational families from various Lake County communities lined the streets in Highland Park on a beautiful Fourth of July to watch a parade and celebrate our nation, a single gunman murdered seven, injured many dozens more, and shattered the lives of countless others.
Now, one year later, our pain has not subsided. Our hearts ache for a child who will grow up without parents, for those who are permanently physically injured, and for those whose emotional wounds will never fully heal. We’re grateful that our legislature passed and our governor signed into law an assault weapons ban that will make another such event in our state far less likely, but we’re at a loss to understand why similar measures to ban assault weapons and large-capacity magazines haven’t been enacted nationwide.
Next week, we celebrate the Fourth of July with barbeques, parades, and fireworks, and many of us will participate in a solemn remembrance ceremony and community walk in Highland Park.
Let’s renew our determination to continue working to reduce gun violence. Let’s work to elect Democrats who have the wisdom to prioritize our right to be safer when we shop, attend school, and gather for celebrations in our communities.
Tenth Dems Founder, Lauren Beth Gash
P.S. This is what I posted on July 4th last year:
The mass shooting at the Highland Park, Illinois parade today was just so awful…
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