Honoring Workers Who Care For Others

Here is a beautiful tribute written by AFSCME Local 2474 members to honor the lives lost in a tragic mass shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis: 

A tragic mass shooting took place yesterday in Minneapolis at Annunciation Catholic School.  Two children were killed – an 8 year-old and a 10-year old. In addition 17 were injured – 14 children and 3 adults.  As gun shots were fired into the church sanctuary of the elementary school, heroic teachers stepped up to protect children, and older children bravely protected younger children.  One young child hid under a pew, and an older child laid on top of him to protect him.

The killer then committed suicide with a self-inflicted gunshot. The 23-year old was a former student of Annunciation Catholic School. He had posted hateful material on YouTube and written hateful things on the gun itself. This is being investigated as a possible hate crime and terrorism.

Many victims were rushed to HCMC for healthcare. This incident yesterday followed at least 3 other shootings in Minneapolis within the previous 24 hours, leading to a surge of victims who HCMC workers had to take care of.  We want to honor and thank the HCMC workers who stepped up and rose to the occasion.  HCMC workers continue to take care of the injured patients who thankfully appear to be recovering.  AFSCME member Shane Christensen in the Respiratory Department said, “Workers responded appropriately, quickly, and calmly to the mass casualty incidents. We couldn't have asked for a better group of therapists to represent my department in this city's time of need.”

We owe a debt of gratitude to these frontline workers. We see you, we hear you, and we appreciate your service to our community. The mother of one of the victims is an HCMC nurse and a member of the Minnesota Nurses Association – one of our sister unions. We encourage all workers, unions, and community members to stand together in solidarity to support frontline workers and those grieving losses.

As we discuss once again what we can do to stop such hatred and violence that has become all too common, thoughts and prayers are appreciated and needed. In addition, we must also take action to end this senseless gun violence. Wealthy politicians have been passing tax breaks and policies that benefit the billionaire class while trying to distract the rest of us by spreading fear, hatred, and divisions within the working class. Although this is a very complex problem, one small thing that can help is demanding gun safety regulations, such as banning military assault rifles, which is supported by 90% of Americans. Despite overwhelming public support for common sense safety regulations, legislation has been consistently obstructed by politicians from both political parties whose election campaigns are often funded by the gun manufacturing industry. We encourage the working class to pull together, help us overcome any divisions or forms of oppression along racial and gender lines, and speak up against the political influence of the billionaire class.

At one of the vigils yesterday, attended by thousands, HCMC doctors, nurses, and staff were publicly recognized and honored. The Basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis is holding an ecumenical interfaith prayer service today, Thursday August 28th, at 5:30 pm. It will be livestreamed at mary.org