STATEMENT: AAPI Victory Alliance Calls on President Biden to Address the Growing Gun Violence Crisis During Tonight’s State of the Union

WASHINGTON — Tonight, President Joe Biden will deliver his second State of the Union Address. As the nation marks the halfway point of Biden’s presidential term, AAPI Victory Alliance reflects on the administration’s commitment to tackling the nation’s evergrowing gun violence crisis. 

Two months into 2023, we have had 60 mass shootings, and tragically lost 4,396 lives because Republicans refuse to take action against gun violence. Last week, AAPI Victory Alliance joined 116 gun violence prevention groups as part of The Time is Now coalition, requesting President Biden pursue all possible options to push for meaningful gun violence prevention solutions - including creating a federal office of gun violence prevention.

AAPI Victory Alliance Executive Director Varun Nikore issued the following statement:

“Tonight, President Biden will speak to the United States with a message that we expect to reflect hope, introspection, and solidarity during a time when Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, and our whole country needs it the most.” 

“We hope that President Biden will use his second State of the Union address as an opportunity — in light of all the recent tragedies — to highlight the issue of gun violence in the collective national consciousness. The strides that the Biden administration has made within the past two years, from signing historic bipartisan gun violence prevention legislation into law to directing federal funding for evidence-based research for the first time in decades, show a clear prioritization of efforts to curb this national crisis.”

“AAPI Victory Alliance applauds the Biden-Harris administration for leading the most comprehensive gun violence prevention strategy from the White House in U.S. history, but these efforts must go further. The health and longevity of our nation require innovative, bold action. We join The Time is Now coalition in demanding that the administration declares a national emergency around the epidemic of gun violence and establishes a federal office of gun violence prevention, to ensure that this issue does not fall through the waysides of GOP obstruction.”

“As the epidemic of gun violence continues to run rampant throughout our nation, communities of color bear a disproportionate brunt of this violence. Prevention requires action, so AAPI Victory Alliance remains committed to building a world where we can all live without the looming fear of gun violence.”

If you’re interested in connecting with Varun Nikore to discuss President Biden’s SOTU address, the epidemic of gun violence in the U.S., and AAPI Victory Alliance’s gun violence prevention efforts, please contact britton.lee@firesidecampaigns.com.

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