People For the American Way Foundation

Statement on Shooting at Fort Hood

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 6, 2009

Contact: Drew Courney or Josh Glasstetter at People For the American Way

Email: [email protected]

Phone Number: 202-467-4999

esterday, 13 people were killed in a mass shooting at Fort Hood Army Post in Killeen, Texas. People For the American Way Foundation president Michael B. Keegan issued the following statement.

“Our thoughts and sympathies are with the victims of this horrific incident, their families and the entire Fort Hood community. Members of our armed forces already sacrifice so much to protect us, and it’s doubly tragic for this kind of violence to arise in what should be a safe place.

“While the facts of the case are still being established, some commentators have latched onto the suspect’s name and religion and used them to impugn the characters of all Muslim Americans. That’s unacceptable. All Americans are united in condemning this violence, and it would be horrific if this incident was used to sow divisiveness and discord.

“Religious diversity, far from being a weakness, is one of our nation’s greatest strengths, and no religion should be unjustly smeared because of the actions of a single deeply disturbed member.”

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