Portland High School Shooting: Ceasfire Oregon to Hold Gunfire Violence Call to Action TONIGHT

Friday, December 12, 2014

Kyle Curtis, GoLocalPDX Contributer

Prior to today's shooting of three high school students at Rosemary Anderson in North Portland, Ceasefire Oregon--a statewide group that advocates for reasonable, effective gun laws--had scheduled Cease Violence: A Memorial and Call to Violence. Originally, the event was intended to have participants remember victims lost to gun violence at Clackamas Town Center, Reynolds High School, Marysville and Sandy Hook shootings.

Now, despite there thankfully being no fatalities this afternoon, Rosemary Anderson can also be added to this list.

"Three young people were shot on school grounds, where they are supposed to be safe," said Penny Okamoto, Executive Director of Ceasefire Oregon. "These three kids were outside and in front of their high school. This is the 96th school shooting since Sandy Hook."

Okamoto also points out that today's shooting coincides with the release of the 2014 Gun Law Scorecard by the Law Center to Prevent Gun Violence, in which Oregon earns a D+. "At the second anniversary of the Clackamas Town Center murders, lawmakers in Oregon need to make our communities safer by enacting smart gun laws," said Okamoto.

"Our state MUST do better to protect our residents."

Tonight's event to commemorate the two-year anniversary of both the Clackamas Town Center and Sandy Hook shootings is free and open to the public. Anyone who is shaken up or upset by today's shootings are encouraged to attend and seek support, friendship, and inspiration to take the necessary steps to reduce gun violence.

The event will be held at Augustana Lutheran Church, 2710 NE 14th Ave., from 7:00-8:00pm.