A visibly shaken city council member and elementary school teacher Tuesday night implored her fellow councilors, other leaders and the community to work together to fight the gun violence that has gripped the country.
Susie Hildalgo-Fahring said there is no sanctuary against mass shootings anymore, not in movie theaters, churches nor schools. “There isn’t anywhere that is safe,” Hidalgo-Fahring said during a portion of Tuesday’s city council meeting where councilors can speak on any topic.
Hidalgo-Farhing was reacting to Tuesday’s shooting in Uvalde, Texas where a gunman killed at least 19 elementary school students.
“We have to take the lead to help keep our community safe,” Hidalgo-Fahring. A third grade teacher, she said she would consider using a cupboard near her classroom desk as a shield for her students should a shooter enter her classroom.
“I see it has a barricade now,” Hidalgo-Fahring said. “How can I protect our kids? Enough is enough,” she said.
She said the issues surrounding gun shootings include mental health resources and keeping guns away from children. A culture that is awash in violence is another problem, she said.
“I know mental health is a big issue,” she said. “But our culture of violence has to be addressed. We have to be open enough to talk about it.”
Mayor Joan Peck said she wants the council to also talk about addressing mass violence. “The council needs to sit and talk about this … and decide what we want to do as a city,” Peck said.
