Today we learned of yet another mass shooting. My thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Rob Hiaasen, 59, a former feature writer for The Baltimore Sun who joined the Capital Gazette in 2010 as an assistant editor and columnist; Wendi Winters, 65, a community correspondent who headed special publications; Gerald Fischman, 61, the editorial page editor; John McNamara, 56, a staff writer who had covered high school, college and professional sports for decades; and Rebecca Smith, 34, a sales assistant. All worked at the Capital Gazette newspaper in Annapolis, Maryland.
At this time, no doubt the media is taking many hits. Just a few days prior to this shooting, a known Trump supporter called for the “gunning down of journalists”, and as recent as this week, the President continued his rhetoric that the media is the enemy.
I was pleased to see that, in spite of very difficult circumstances, the Capital Gazette went ahead and published the newspaper today. A free Press is an enduring tradition in this country, protected by the U.S. Constitution. As an admirer of the profession, I salute and commend everyone that is willing to do what it takes to carry on the important role the media plays today.
Remember we continue to find ways to address the gun crisis we have in the country. So every Monday from 11am to 1pm, many of us, with a group called “WE THE PEOPLE FOR SENSIBLE GUN LAWS”, stand in front of the White House, demanding common sense gun control laws, if you can, please join us this coming Monday.
· I want to also take the opportunity to ask that you please come out Saturday June 30th, 2018 (tomorrow) at 10:30am at Lafayette Square, for the Families Belong Together march in Washington DC. There will be marches organized throughout the country so please RSVP to join on Saturday in Washington, D.C., or to join the event closest to you. Here in DC, local efforts will be led by the DC Latino Caucus, see attached flyer for more information.
Thank you.
Franklin Garcia
US Representative (Shadow) for the District of Columbia
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, C-09
Washington DC 20004
202-727-9110 (Office)
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