Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey on Mass Shooting: 'How Many Times Have We Been Here?'

Unspeakable Tragedy and Repeated Violence

• 💔 The Mayor of Minneapolis, Jacob Frey, describes the mass shooting as an "unspeakable tragedy," highlighting the recurring nature of such events despite politicians' repeated statements.
• 🤝 He expresses gratitude for law enforcement, medical professionals, teachers, and faculty who acted heroically to save lives and support the victims and their families.
• 🙏 While "thoughts and prayers" are appreciated, Frey emphasizes that they are not enough, and action is needed to prevent future occurrences.

Parental Grief and Societal Responsibility

• 👨‍👩‍👧 Frey stresses the importance of viewing victims as if they were one's own children, reflecting on his role as a husband and dad.
• 🏃‍♂️ He recounts the harrowing scene of parents rushing towards the school, driven by the fear of their children being inside.
• 🏫 The fundamental right of every child to feel safe at school, to learn and play without fear of violence, is questioned in the wake of such events.

Call for Action and Love

• 🗣️ Frey directly challenges the repeated nature of these tragedies, asking, "How many times have we been here?" and urging for concrete action, referencing other countries that have implemented changes.
• ❓ He acknowledges the difficulty in understanding the perpetrator's motives and the means by which they acquired weapons, noting that speculation is unhelpful when children are dead.
• ❤️ The focus, he insists, must be on wrapping arms around the grieving families and supporting them through their worst moments.

Addressing Hate with Compassion

• 🏳️‍🌈 Frey addresses the rhetoric attempting to villainize the transgender community, stating that such attempts show a loss of common humanity.
• 🎯 The priority should be operating out of love for children, not hate for any group.
• 💬 He asserts that the antidote to hate is not more hate, but compassion and love for one another, recognizing that "hurt people, hurt people."