Below you’ll find breaking news as well as reports, updates on our campaigns, and victories.
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Press Release
Statement on Shooting in Kenosha, WI During Protests Resulting in 2 Dead and One Injured
Following reports indicating that two protestors were killed and one was injured during protests in Kenosha, WI, Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) released the following statement from End Gun Violence Campaign Manager Ernest Coverson. The protests come after local police shot and severely injured Jacob Blake as he tried to get into his car.
August 26, 2020
Press Release
#StandWithOhio: Coalition Launches National Campaign To Demand Ohio Gov. DeWine Reject Stand Your Ground Law
Today, a coalition of eight advocacy organizations launched a nationwide campaign calling on Ohio Governor Mike DeWine to clearly and explicitly reject proposed ‘Stand Your Ground’ legislation in Ohio.
August 4, 2020
Press Release
Supreme Court Decision To Not Hear Challenges to Gun Laws Underscores Needs for Congress to Implement Gun Reform, Invest in Communities
Following the announcement that the U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear multiple Second Amendment cases, Ernest Coverson, Campaign Manager for the End Gun Violence Campaign at Amnesty International USA, released the following statement:
June 15, 2020
Press Release
Amnesty International USA Joins Senate Push for Gun Violence Prevention Funding in COVID-19 Stimulus, Calls for Passage of Break the Cycle of Violence Act
Today, Senators Tammy Duckworth and Corey Booker, along with 18 other Senators released a letter to U.S. Senate leadership building on Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) research to call for increased funding in support of communities affected by gun violence during the COVID-19 pandemic. This comes on the heels of an AIUSA letter sent earlier this week to Senators calling for increasing funding for vital community programs that work to prevent gun violence, along with the release of people in immigration detention at risk for COVID-19.
May 22, 2020
Press Release
Workshop For Media Will Examine Gun Violence During The COVID-19 Pandemic
As part of an ongoing series of workshops exploring human rights concerns related to the COVID-19 response, Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) will be holding its third workshop titled “Gun Violence In the Age of COVID-19” on Thursday, April 9th, at 1:30pm EST. The workshop will address the gun violence risks posed by increased gun sales and stay at home orders, including how improperly secured guns put families and children in danger, instances of intimate partner violence and abuse, as well as concerns for individuals at risk of suicide.
April 3, 2020
Press Release
Increased Gun Sales and Gun Stores Recognized as “Essential Businesses” Amid COVID-19 Pandemic Will Lead to More Violence
In response to reports of increased gun sales and gun stores being considered “essential businesses” amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Ernest Coverson, campaign manager for the End Gun Violence Campaign at Amnesty International USA (AIUSA) released the following statement:
March 31, 2020
Press Release
Final 2020 Congressional Funding Bills Fall Far Short of Making Human Rights a Priority
Responding to the final funding bills for Fiscal Year 2020, Amnesty International USA urges that the U.S. government must step up its contribution to global efforts to protect human rights. Earlier this week, Amnesty International USA welcomed efforts to secure $25,000,000 to aid in research around gun violence after recommendations from 160 medical, public health, and research organizations. Although Amnesty International USA acknowledges that these funds are a long overdue step in the right direction, the overall 2020 spending bill does little to restrict the human rights abuses to which the administration has subjected asylum seekers. “We are deeply…
December 19, 2019
Press Release
Congress Appropriations for Gun Violence Research Step In The Right Direction, But More Must Be Done
Responding to the first time in more than 20 years that Congress has appropriated money for gun violence research, Ernest Coverson, the End Gun Violence campaign manager at Amnesty International USA said: “This is a long overdue step in the right direction, but there is so much more we can do. Communities have the power to end gun violence, but they need long term financial and political support. Actions – including funding -- speak louder than words, and today Congress finally sent a clear message that financial resources must be a vital part of addressing the gun violence epidemic in…
December 16, 2019
Press Release
Jersey City Gun Violence Demonstrates How Guns Exacerbate Hate
In response to reports that the shooter in yesterday’s Jersey City, New Jersey shooting that left six people dead, had published anti-Semitic posts online and targeted a Kosher deli in a Jewish neighborhood, Ernest Coverson, campaign manager for the End Gun Violence Campaign at Amnesty International USA, said:
December 11, 2019
Press Release
Supreme Court NRA Case Highlights Necessity of More Regulations, Not Less
Ahead of hearings before the Supreme Court of the United States on the case of New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc et al. v. City of New York, challenging a now repealed regulation prohibiting transporting firearms to gun ranges, shooting competitions and second homes outside of the city, the End Gun Violence campaign manager at Amnesty International USA, Ernest Coverson said: “What is at hand in this case is really an attempt by the NRA to place guns before people’s safety and before people’s other basic rights. The NRA is arguing for unrestricted access to guns anytime and anywhere. The Second…
December 2, 2019
Press Release
Another Weekend of Shootings Shines A Glaring Light on Inaction By Congress, Mitch McConnell
Responding to shootings this weekend in the United States, in Pleasantville, New Jersey and Paradise Hills, San Diego, Amnesty International USA’s End Gun Violence campaign manager, Ernest Coverson said: “On the heels of the preventable tragedy in Santa Clarita this week, this country is once again in pain as children bear the brunt of inaction in Congress. For our country’s leaders to continue to fail to take any action on gun violence prevention is damning. “Blood from these shootings lies squarely in the hands of Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell, who has refused to take any action as children as young as…
November 16, 2019
Press Release
Amnesty International USA Stands With Santa Clarita Community in School Shooting, Calls for Meaningful Gun Violence Prevention
Responding to reports of a school shooting today in California, Ernest Coverson, campaign manager for the End Gun Violence Campaign at Amnesty International USA said: "No child should ever go to school with the fear of never coming home again. The gun violence in this country is a human rights crisis, which our leaders continue to ignore at the expense of all our children. We stand today with the Santa Clarita community in their pain. "A whole generation of children in the U.S. are growing up afraid to go to school for fear of being shot: this is shameful. This country's…
November 14, 2019