Parliament Statement on Shooting in Highland Park, USA

The Parliament of the World’s Religions joins the Highland Park community in mourning the seven lives lost and dozens injured at the July 4th shooting that took place in Highland Park, IL, USA; just north of Chicago where the Parliament calls home. We stand resolute with the wounded victims, their loved ones, and the families of those who lost their lives.

We implore political leaders to acknowledge and take action to stop the systemic threat of gun violence and violent extremists. We call on the United States Congress to ban the sale of assault weapons again as they did from 1994-2004.

Additionally, we extend a moral call to the gun manufacturers in the state of Illinois and around the world, to put lives ahead of profits and lobby for safe gun reform. The time for change is NOW. There is no justifiable excuse for inaction on this issue.