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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. Thomas Blackwell |
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Blackwell: ‘Black Caucus has taken off the gloves‘
HARRISBURG, Dec. 6 -- “The Black Caucus is done being
blind loyalists,” said state Rep. Tommy Blackwell, D-Phila., today after about a
dozen of the caucus’ members declared themselves “on leave” Tuesday and walked
out as the House prepared to tackle the thorny issues of open records, causing
Speaker Dennis O’Brien, R-Phila., to adjourn the session.
Blackwell said the Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus action was a “matter of life and death,” done in protest to highlight the fact that the House has yet to take meaningful legislative action to deal with the rising toll of gun violence in Philadelphia and elsewhere in the Commonwealth.
“We have been there with essential votes for the Democratic Caucus for years,” Blackwell said. “It is time for the caucus to return the favor, practice the art of compromise and get us some legislation to vote on that will help us fight the blight of handguns in our city that is taking hundreds of lives each year and making decent people afraid to leave their homes. Public safety is a basic responsibility of government. We want Pennsylvania to live up to that responsibility and we’re not going to be placated by anything short of action.”
Blackwell said that while a large number of House members fear the National Rifle Association for the political harm it could cause them, “the people of my district aren’t afraid of the NRA. The gang-bangers and street punks aren’t card-carrying members, yet the NRA is doing everything it can to keep their access to handguns wide open.”
Blackwell was a member of the House Public Health and Violence Task Force that held hearings across Pennsylvania this summer. He said the spread of gun violence isn’t just a Philadelphia problem.
“It’s an Allentown problem and an Erie problem, a Fayette County problem and a Pittsburgh problem,” Blackwell asserted. “Those folks are going through the same problem as we are in Philadelphia and my colleagues across the Commonwealth should keep in mind that poll after poll says the majority of people want to see better controls over handguns.
“It’s a controversial issue, but so were civil rights and employee rights, and the American Revolution and other crusades essential to life in the United States today. They all required people willing to take a stand.
“I’m proud that the Black Caucus is taking a stand and I invite all my colleagues to free themselves of the chains of political fear forged by the NRA and make a brave stand with us -- to save lives and take back public safety on our streets.”
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CONTACT: Jay Purdy |