NEW YORK — Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, part of Everytown for Gun Safety, today released the following statement in observance of Transgender Day of Remembrance, an annual day dedicated to honoring the memory of those killed in acts of anti-transgender violence.

Everytown for Gun Safety has found that at least 25 transgender individuals have been killed nationwide so far this year. At least 17 of the victims were killed with guns, and 20 victims were women of color. A list compiled by The Advocate of transgender people killed nationwide in 2016 showed that more than half (52 percent) were killed with guns.

STATEMENT FROM SHANNON WATTS, FOUNDER OF MOMS DEMAND ACTION FOR GUN SENSE IN AMERICA:

“Along with Moms Demand Action volunteers across the country, I proudly stand in solidarity with the transgender community to honor the memory of Chyna Doll Dupree, Jojo Striker and the countless other transgender Americans whose lives were horrifically cut short this year. At least 25 transgender individuals have been killed in 2017 so far – most of them being women of color and at least 17 have been shot and killed. Transphobia threatens the lives of the most marginalized, and our nation’s lax gun laws make the trans community even more vulnerable. It’s long past time for us to disarm hate. The safety of too many Americans depends on it.”