Brittany Pettersen: “I rise today following the horrific events of last week in my community and the rise of political violence nationally.…”

“I rise today following the horrific events of last week in my community and the rise of political violence nationally. Last week I was sitting in my office in a meeting when the phone lit up. Charlie Kirk had been shot at an event in Utah. Seconds later, my phone lit up again. There was an active shooter at Evergreen High School, which is not far away from my house. Our schools are supposed to be our safest places, and, unfortunately, that is far from a reality in the United States. What happened in Evergreen High School is every parent's worst nightmare. I felt shocked and horrified as I waited minute by minute not knowing how many lives might be taken. I couldn't help but think: What if that had been my kids' school? My heart breaks for the two students who continue to fight for their lives in the hospital, the parents who are at their bedside not knowing if they will ever come home again, and for the kids and the educators who will carry this trauma forever.”