Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer condemned recent shootings at Brown University and a Hanukkah gathering in Sydney, calling such "sickening events" far too normal. He warned of rising antisemitic rhetoric and urged unity across communities. Authorities say two students were killed and nine wounded at Brown, with a person of interest detained; in Sydney, 16 were confirmed dead and 42 hospitalized. Schumer called for congressional gun safety action and a rejection of all hate.
Schumer: ‘Sickening Events Have Become Far Too Normal’ — Calls For Gun Reforms After Brown And Sydney Shootings
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) on Sunday condemned a pair of recent mass shootings — one at Brown University in Providence, R.I., and another at a Hanukkah gathering on Sydney’s Bondi Beach — saying these "sickening events" have become far too common and urging action to curb violence and hatred.
“The Jewish people have been collectively demonized — increasingly so in the last few years — and this tragedy in Sydney shows the abject danger of letting antisemitic rhetoric and action go unchecked. Our collective humanity demands that we come together, no matter our race or religion, and forcefully rebuke the forces that have led to this moment and left our society so divided.”
Schumer, in a statement obtained by NewsNation, also addressed the shooting in Providence: “On the heels of a tragic shooting here at home at Brown University, our hearts are extremely heavy this morning. These sickening events have become far too normal in our world.” He urged Congress to pursue gun safety reforms and called for a rejection of antisemitism and all forms of hate.
Authorities said a Saturday shooting on the Ivy League campus left two students dead and nine others wounded; Providence Police Department Chief Oscar Perez said a person of interest has been detained. Schumer’s Senate colleague, Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.), said the fatal attack “shook” the Ocean State.
Separately, New South Wales officials said a mass shooting on Sunday at a Hanukkah event on Bondi Beach left 16 people confirmed dead — 15 victims and the perpetrator — and sent 42 people to hospitals overnight, with ages ranging from 10 to 87. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns described the toll as "a devastating fact."
Investigations in both incidents remain ongoing. Schumer and other leaders called for unity across communities, urgent attention to antisemitic rhetoric, and congressional action aimed at reducing gun violence.
Source: Statement obtained by NewsNation; reporting from Providence Police and New South Wales officials.
