“As the President of the National Parents Union, I call on all levels of leadership—local, state, and federal—to confront this crisis with urgency and courage.”
August 27, 2025, Washington, DC – Today, National Parents Union President Keri Rodrigues released the following statement following the tragic shooting at Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis Minnesota.
“Every parent is shaking right now. Our hearts break for the families and loved ones of the two young children who lost their lives today to gun violence at Annunciation Catholic School, and for the many injured, including children, educators, and community members.
Once again, as parents send our kids back to school, we are immediately faced with the very real threat that the children we send off may never return home. This tragedy is a devastating reminder that the status quo continues to not be enough.
As a devout Catholic, the mother of two young Catholic school students, and the wife of a Catholic school teacher, this tragedy pierces me on the deepest personal level. Catholic schools are more than classrooms. They are communities of faith, service, and belonging that play an essential role in shaping our children’s values, education, and futures. To see such a sacred space violated in this way is unbearable.
As the President of the National Parents Union, I call on all levels of leadership—local, state, and federal—to confront this crisis with urgency and courage. We must take immediate action to regulate access to dangerous weapons, strengthen protections for schools and places of worship, and invest in the mental health and community safety supports our families desperately need.
To the grieving families and community, we stand with you. We will raise our voices, organize our communities, and demand that our schools, our children’s sanctuaries, become safe again. Our children’s futures are not optional. They are worth fighting for.”
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ABOUT THE NATIONAL PARENTS UNION
With more than 1,800 affiliated parent organizations in all 50 states, Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico, the National Parents Union is the united, independent voice of modern American families. We channel the power of parents into powerful policies that improve the lives of children, families and communities across the United States. https://nationalparentsunion.org/