Celebrities are speaking out after mass shootings in Dayton, Ohio and El Paso, Texas claimed the lives of over 25 innocent people and left dozens more injured.
Stars like Rihanna and John Legend have called for stricter gun control laws and have condemned President Donal Trump for continuing to use racist language that inspires white supremacist terrorism.
“My heart aches for El Paso and Dayton,” Legend wrote on Twitter. “Our nation is experiencing these traumas far too often and we need our leaders to take urgent action: take these weapons of war off the street and fight the evil ideology of white nationalism that motivates many of these terrorists.”
Never one to hold his tongue when it comes to calling out Trump, the Grammy-winning entertainer, father and husband made it clear that he believes the current Commander-in-Chief is indeed a part of the problem.
“When we condemn the racist venom coming from the President’s mouth and point out the bigotry of his policies, it’s not an academic question, it’s not a political game, it’s about life and death. The President regularly inspires killers. He is a part of the problem.”
Rihanna also called out the president for failing to call the shootings acts of terror and echoed Legend’s call for better gun control.
“Imagine a world where it’s easier to get an AK-47 than a VISA! Imagine a world where they build a wall to keep terrorists IN AMERICA!!! My prayers and deepest condolences to the families and loved ones of all the victims and the communities affected and traumatized, from Texas, California, and Ohio! I’m so sorry for your loss! Nobody deserves to die like this! NOBODY!”
Others like Natasha Rothwell and Nicole Byer also shared their thoughts on the shootings and the state of the US under Trump.
Lizzo used her platform to call on fans to “make noise & bring awareness.. vote,” following the shootings. And Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson sent well-wishes to the families affected.
The shootings in El Paso and Dayton come just days after a shooter opened fire at the Gilroy Garlic Festival in Gilroy, CA.
Damon Davenport, a man who lost two cousins in the Dayton shooting, told CNN, “We have gun laws, people can just go and buy guns and not even be registered or not even qualify. They can just walk into a gun store and buy high-powered equipment and walk right now and kill people in broad daylight, broad night time. This has got to stop.”