Call to Action from 60+ Minnesota organizations following mass shooting

Following the tragic mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minnesota, we signed a letter with over 60 other organizations serving Minnesota children and families. We call on Governor Tim Walz and the state legislature to act immediately. We need a multi-layered approach, including common-sense gun legislation and support for critical investments in mental health.

Read the letter below:  

Dear Governor Walz and Legislative Leaders, 

Today we are reaching out to you as a community in mourning. Our hearts are with the children, families, educators and community members directly impacted by the tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church and School. 

This act of gun violence has now been added to a devastatingly long list of horrific events that have harmed children in our communities and in others across the country. Gun violence remains the number one killer of kids in the United States and we cannot let that continue. 

As organizations that care for and advocate on behalf of Minnesota children we are asking you to come together in a special session to address this public health crisis. We need elected officials to take a layered approach to this issue by both passing common sense gun legislation and making critical investments in the mental health supports our community needs. 

The urgency of this moment cannot be overstated. Our mourning and heartbreak must drive us to act. 

Please join together in protecting the children of Minnesota. 

Allina Health 

American College of Surgeons, Committee on Trauma

Amherst H. Wilder Foundation 

AspireMN 

Beyond Early Initiatives LLC 

Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities 

Change Inc. 

Children’s Defense Fund Minnesota 

Children’s Minnesota 

CLUES – Comunidades Latinas Unidas En Servicio 

Divine institute 

Doctors for Early Childhood 

EdAllies 

Education Minnesota 

EVOLVE Family Services 

Face to Face Health & Counseling Inc. 

Fairview Health Services 

Fernbrook Family Center 

First Tee Minnesota 

Fraser 

Gillette Children’s 

Growing Sage 

Guns Down Love Up 

Healthy Community Initiative 

Hennepin County 

Hennepin Healthcare System 

Inspire Change Clinic 

JFCS Minneapolis 

Minneapolis Youth Coordinating Board 

Minnesota Academy of Family Physicians 

Minnesota Alliance With Youth 

Minnesota Association for Children’s Mental Health

Minnesota Athletic Trainers’ Association 

Minnesota Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics

Minnesota Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians 

Minnesota Chapter of the American College of Physicians

Minnesota Child Care Association 

Minnesota Children’s Museum 

Minnesota Medical Association 

Minnesota Prenatal to Three Coalition 

Minnesota School Social Workers Association 

Minnesota Social Service Association 

Minnesota Society for Clinical Social Work 

Minnesota Society of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry

Minnesota Youth Council 

Moms Demand Action Minnesota 

National Association of Social Workers, Minnesota Chapter 

New Horizon Academy 

Nexus Family Healing 

Northern Voices 

Northside Achievement Zone 

Pediatric Surgical Associates, Ltd. 

Pine Pals Child Care Centers, Bemidji 

PrairieCare 

Rise Early Learning Center 

RiseUp Partnership 

S.T.A.N.D. Up Minnesota Parents United 

Sheltering Arms Foundation 

St. David’s Developmental & Therapeutic Services

State of Minnesota, Office of Ombudsperson for Families 

Students Demand Action Minnesota 

The Mental Health Collaboration Hub 

Think Small 

Volunteers of America, Minnesota and Wisconsin 

Washburn Center for Children 

WomenVenture 

YMCA Minneapolis 

Youable Emotional Health