National Urban League and New York Affiliate Condemn Senseless Violence of Brooklyn Gunman
Washington, D.C. (April 14, 2022) – Today, National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial and New York Urban League President and CEO Arva Rice released the following statement after a gunman injured New Yorkers during a shooting at the 36th Street train station:
“On Tuesday, a gunman walked into a Brooklyn subway station, unleashed a smoke bomb onto a train of passengers and opened fire, injuring dozens of others. New Yorkers are still reeling in disbelief over yet another horrific shooting in our city and persistent gun violence that has plagued our city since the COVID-19 recovery began,” said Marc H. Morial, President and CEO of the National Urban League. “This attack on our city's subway system is an attack on our shared space, our peace of mind, and presents yet another shock to the system at a time when New Yorkers desperately seek reprieve from tragedy. Infrastructure failures that contributed to these events must be addressed to ensure our collective security from similar plots. The National Urban League and New York Urban League stand in solidarity, with heavy hearts and empathy for the families and loved ones of those who were injured by this malicious act, and others who are in anguish over the traumatic event they witnessed.”
“We know that every crisis has root causes that deserve strategic attention and action to find solutions,” said Arva Rice, President and CEO of the New York Urban League. “Persistent workforce and income disparities, inflation, and energy costs that out a strain on families and businesses, housing insecurity, and ongoing healthcare, mental health, and social services crisis all contribute to a rise in violent crime that weigh heavily on our hearts and minds. We are pleased to see that our government and law enforcement leaders acted swiftly and were able to apprehend the man responsible for this appalling crime.”
“The gun used in this horrific shooting was traced back to a legal purchase by the suspect in 2011 in Ohio. This is a clear example of how policy measures that mandate gun registration and identification requirements can help to solve gun crimes. Our nation can prevent gun violence before it occurs by addressing root causes of violence and by ensuring that our national gun prevention policies and strategies employ tracing measures state by state and closes loopholes that prevent background checks of firearms purchasers and sellers.
“New York City is home to millions, including the National Urban League and the New York Urban League. We were founded here, work here, and serve communities here. This is our home. We urge our leaders to double down on efforts to address the root causes of crime and to ensure our shared future and infrastructure are secure and sound.”