Moms Demand Action, Students Demand Action Statements on Shooting of Trans Woman in Philadelphia

The Pennsylvania chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both a part of Everytown for Gun Safety grassroots networks, released the following statement on the death of Mia Green, a Black trans woman who was shot and killed in Philadelphia on Monday.

“We’re heartbroken that another life has been cut short by gun violence in our city and the trans community,” said Marybeth Christiansen, a volunteer with the Pennsylvania chapter of Moms Demand Action. “We refuse to sit by idly and let gun violence continue to ravage our community. This is exactly why we’re working overtime to elect lawmakers who will strengthen gun laws and prevent others from suffering the same fate as Mia.”

“Mia Green should be alive today,” said Tara Shilkret, a volunteer with Philadelphia Students Demand Action. “Marginalized communities continue to bear the brunt of gun violence in Pennsylvania, and it’s on all of us to change that by casting our ballots and electing gun sense candidates.”

Mia Green was at least the 24th trans person killed nationwide this year, according to Everytown research accessible through EveryStat, the last six of whom were all Black women. News of her death comes as reports emerge that a Kee Sam, a Black trans woman in Louisiana, was also shot and killed in August.

Between 2017 and 2019, there were 80 homicides of trans or gender non-conforming people in America, and three-fourths of these victims were killed with a gun. In a report released this summer, research by Everytown reveals that while just 16 percent of the trans population in the U.S. is estimated to be Black, 79 percent of known trans homicide victims were Black. For Black trans women especially, guns are inextricable from the threat of violence.

After continued inaction by Pennsylvania Republican leadership in both chambers, Everytown has announced a statewide effort to flip both legislative chambers to gun sense majorities. The effort includes:

• A commitment of at least $1.4 million before November 3 to flip both chambers of the Pennsylvania legislature to a gun sense majority.

• The endorsement of 21 candidates for Pennsylvania State House and Senate.

• Digital ads slamming lawmakers for inaction. View here.

• The launch of Pennsylvania’s new Students Demand Action Virtual Field Office, focused on registering young voters