2023 is on pace to be the deadliest year on record for mass shootings in America.

FRAMINGHAM, MA – Today, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5) joined Massachusetts Moms Demand Action for a Mother’s Day of Action to demand the reinstatement of a federal assault weapons ban and commonsense gun reforms that will save lives. After the rally, participants formed a human chain around Hemenway Elementary School as a visual reminder that we must prioritize protecting kids over guns. 

“Every day in America, moms are sending their kids to school terrified it might be the last time,” said Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-5). “Let’s be very clear: the gun violence epidemic is a policy choice. We have solutions that we could implement tomorrow to save lives. We can end gun violence in this country — but instead of building a stronger, safer America, the House GOP is putting guns over kids.”

2023 is on pace to be the deadliest year on record for mass shootings in America. This Mother’s Day also marks one year since a white supremacist took the lives of 10 people and wounded three people in a grocery store in Buffalo, New York, and May 24 will mark one year since 19 children and two teachers were killed in an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. Both shooters used an assault rifle.

“Our community showed up today in Framingham because we are fed up with the relentless gun violence across our country — today's Mother's Day of Action event was one of over 200 events taking place across the country to call on Congress to reinstate the assault weapon ban,” said Samantha McGarry, a volunteer with the Massachusetts chapter of Moms Demand Action. “We're honored that Congresswoman Clark stood hand in hand with us as a gun sense champion who is committed to standing up to the gun lobby and prioritizing the safety of our communities.”

Whip Clark is a long-time champion for commonsense gun safety reforms. Last year, she helped pass the Safer Communities Act. In the aftermath of the 2016 Pulse Nightclub shooting, she and the late Congressman John Lewis led a sit-in protest on the House floor.

Photos from today’s event can be found HERE.