Aly Raisman speaks out on school shootings following Florida tragedy
"Something MUST be done."
Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman is taking advantage of her recently amplified public platform to raise a difficult question in the aftermath of the recent school shooting in Florida that left 17 people dead.
“What are you supposed to tell your little sister when she asks ‘what do I do if a shooter comes in? Do I hide in the classroom or run for my life?'” the Needham native tweeted Saturday. Raisman has three younger siblings, including two sisters, Chloe and Madison.
With school shootings an all-too-common occurrence in the United States, the 23-year-old gymnast added in all caps: “THIS SHOULD NOT BE A CHILD’S CONCERN OR WORRY.”
“No one should have to live in fear,” she wrote. “Something MUST be done.”
What are you supposed to tell your little sister when she asks “what do I do if a shooter comes in? Do I hide in the classroom or run for my life?” THIS SHOULD NOT BE A CHILD’S CONCERN OR WORRY. No one should have to live in fear. Something MUST be done.
— Alexandra Raisman (@Aly_Raisman) February 18, 2018
Raisman then retweeted Twitter users who replied to her tweet sharing similar conversations with their younger siblings.
Saw a post about an 8-year old asking for new shoes bc she didn’t want to wear her light-up ones bc a shooter would be able see them. An 8y/o for gods sake.
— faith 🌻 (@faith_Iess) February 18, 2018
Had a similar convo w/ my 9 y/o. She asked if it will happen at her school. I couldn’t honestly look at her and say “no”. 😢
— Heidi Stentz (@NativeTexan1023) February 18, 2018
I know i had to sit my little brothers down and talk to them about what they should do in case that happens. I cried myself to sleep that night
— Bri (@Ash_JBHMikey) February 18, 2018
I have two little brothers – one in first grade & one in seventh grade. Both of them told me how scared they are that this will happen at their schools. My heart broke as soon as I heard them say that – we must protect our children & their innocence. No child should live in fear.
— hannah (taylors version) (@1989daylight) February 18, 2018
It’s not the first time Raisman has spoken out on gun violence. Shortly after a gunman in Las Vegas killed 59 people and injured more than 500 last year, the gymnast questioned why the shooter was able to obtain a gun.
https://twitter.com/Aly_Raisman/status/914831331883921408
