Content Warning: This article contains references to gun violence.
Two shootings on opposite ends of the globe took the lives of 13 people in the last 24 hours. At least two shooters attacked a gathering of Jews in Sydney who were celebrating the first night of Hanukkah, killing at least 11 and wounding 29 others. Over 10,000 miles away, at Brown University (R.I.), police have taken a suspect into custody in connection with a shooting that resulted in the deaths of two students. Additionally, nine other people were injured in the incident, which began near Brown’s Barus & Holley engineering and physics building.
Emory University Interim President Leah Ward Sears (80L) sent an email to the Emory community on Dec. 14 addressing the two incidents. Sears offered her “deepest sympathy” on behalf of Emory to all who were affected by the shootings.
“Once again, we are faced with the unspeakable pain and anguish of two deadly acts, a mass shooting at Brown University and a terrorist attack at a Chanukah celebration in Australia,” Sears wrote.
Sears urged the Emory community to reject violence in all of its forms and to remain sensitive to incidents of gun violence around the world.
“These events, though separated by geography, remind us that we must never become numb to the threat of violence,” Sears wrote. “We must never accept violence as a normal part of life.”
Sears also wrote that students may notice a heightened police presence on campus following the two shootings as an “added safety measure.”
From Brown to Sydney, Sears asked the Emory community to keep the victims of the attacks in their hearts and help one another move forward from pain.
“In the days ahead we hold close in our hearts those affected by all violence and affirm our work for healing and peace,” Sears wrote.
If you or someone you know is struggling in the aftermath of gun violence, you can reach Emory’s Counseling and Psychological Services at (404) 727-7450 or https://counseling.emory.edu/ or the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Disaster Distress hotline 24/7 at +1 (800) 985-5990.
Jacob Muscolino (he/him) (28C) is a News Editor at The Emory Wheel. He is from Long Island and plans to major in History and Psychology. Outside of the Wheel, he is involved in Emory Reads and Emory Economics Review. You can often find Jacob watching the newest blockbuster for his Letterboxd, dissecting The New York Times and traveling to the next destination on his bucket list.
