By winning the House, Democrats can now serve as a bulwark against a White House that has shown no respect for the rule of law – and no interest in bringing the country together. The Democrats’ gains demonstrate that the American people want Congress to stand up to a reckless, divisive president – and to work across the aisle to tackle tough issues. Millions of Americans poured their hearts into the campaign to retake the House – and I was proud to be a part of the effort. We can do better in America today, and we must start now.
I was in Pittsburgh last week meeting with moms who are working to elect gun sense candidates. Today, I know they are mourning, along with Mayor Peduto and the whole city. The mass shooting at the Tree of Life synagogue is an unconscionable crime. But I also know all the moms and volunteers in Moms Demand Action and Everytown for Gun Safety will be even more determined to start bringing about change on November 6th. We cannot let elected officials get away with offering empty words every time another tragic shooting occurs. We need to demand that they take action. And if they do not, we need to replace them with leaders who will. Some will say it’s too soon to talk about solutions to gun violence. In fact, it’s just the reverse. We are too late for the congregants of the Tree of Life – and for so many other communities. But it is not too late to save others from the daily toll of gun violence. I stand with Moms Demand Action. I hope you will too.
The following are remarks as prepared for CITIZEN by CNN, a forum for discussing the challenges facing Americans today:
“Thank you, Jeff. And thank you to CNN for organizing the CITIZEN Conference.
“Today you’ve heard from Democrats, Republicans, and independents. And now you’re going to hear from someone who’s actually been a Democrat, Republican, and independent.
“I’ve never been a partisan guy. But I recently switched my registration from independent to Democratic, because I believe that our democracy is being threatened in ways our country has not seen in a very long time.
“At key points in U.S. history, one of the two parties has served as a bulwark against those who threaten our Constitution. So I have re-registered as a Democrat, because it’s up to Democrats to provide the checks and balances our nation so badly needs.
“But even as I support Democrats this fall, I will always believe something that I’ve said many times: No party has a monopoly on good ideas. Both sides can learn from each other—if we are willing to listen to one another, and follow facts and data, and respect science. Unfortunately, none of that is happening right now in Washington, and the majority party has refused to accept responsibility.
“You know, one of my political heroes, Harry Truman, kept a sign on his desk that read: The buck stops here. In other words: Even though he wasn’t to blame for every problem, he took responsibility for every problem. To me, that’s what leadership is all about. We need more Harry Trumans in Washington. People who will take responsibility for the fact that we elected them to solve problems. Not to point fingers. Not to scapegoat outsiders. To get things done.
“In recent years, Republicans in Congress have ducked just about every major challenge we face: Stagnating wages; the lack of good-paying jobs; failing schools; growing numbers
of Americans without health insurance; out of control gun violence; climate change; a broken immigration system; and the list goes on and on and on.
“Yes, they passed a tax cut last year. But most of the money went to people like me who don’t need it, instead of to things that we do need, like infrastructure.
“Now, on all of the issues I just mentioned, we can disagree on what the exact best policies should be. But it’s the job of leadership to work across the aisle to find common ground. And that’s not happening right now. Instead, we have a president who acts like he’s the leader of a party, instead of the leader of a nation.
“So whoever you vote for this November, I believe we have to send a message: That we expect leaders to unite us, not divide us, and we’re going to start holding them accountable for solving problems.
“But whatever happens on Election Day, here’s the good news: Despite the gridlock and dysfunction in Washington, we are seeing some progress on important issues—thanks to cities, states, communities, and businesses.
“Take climate change. When the White House said it would pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement, hundreds of cities and towns—along with businesses, universities, and state legislatures—came together, and they said: “We are still in.”
“Governor Jerry Brown and I have brought them all together under one banner, which we call “America’s Pledge.” To put the size of our group in perspective: It represents more than half the total U.S. population. If we were a country, we would have the world’s third-largest economy. And we are determined to fulfill America’s commitment under the Paris Agreement, no matter what happens in Washington.
“I believe we can do it. Just look at the data: Over the last ten years, thanks to actions by cities, states, and businesses, we have cut carbon emissions more than any other nation. And despite all the talk by this administration about bringing back coal-fired power plants, those plants have continued to close at about the same rate as they did under the Obama administration.
“The reason is simple: The American people want cheaper energy and cleaner air, and the marketplace is delivering. I’ll give you one example: Georgetown, Texas. It’s a city in central Texas, with about 70,000 people, and it is the first city in America that is running on nearly 100 percent clean energy. And I should point out: The mayor is a Republican—which goes to show that clean energy really can be a bipartisan issue.
“Georgetown was the first city to go to 100 percent clean energy, but it won’t be the last. Dozens of other cities are now working to meet that goal, and they are taking many other actions that save people money, clean their air, and promote economic growth.
“Now, that doesn’t mean we should let Washington off the hook. No way! But it shows how local and state governments are leading where Washington won’t—and not just on climate change.
“Gun violence is another good example. It seems like every day, there’s another mass shooting—at a church, at a concert, at a school, at a mall. What has Congress done? Nothing. It’s an outrage! And we can’t let it stand.
“I was in Parkland, Florida, two weeks ago, where 17 students and faculty were gunned down earlier this year. I spoke with students and parents who are turning their grief into action by getting involved in this year’s elections. They’ve inspired people all over the country to join them, and to support Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action.
“Recently, I’ve met with some of those moms in Georgia, Nevada, New Hampshire, and Pennsylvania. They are taking on the NRA in their own communities—and they are winning.
“The NRA and their puppets in Congress ought to be worried. Very worried.
“Polls show that more than 90 percent of Americans support universal background checks for gun sales. And that’s why eleven states have adopted or expanded background checks over the past five years. This year alone, 20 states have enacted stronger laws that are saving lives.
“So we really are making progress. But wouldn’t it be nice if Washington actually worked with us, not against us? Imagine how much progress we could make if Washington were on our side! Not just on gun violence, but also on climate change and every other issue. We need our elected officials in Washington to stop playing politics and start leading!
“Now, I know this isn’t a partisan event—and I appreciate that. But it is a citizen event. And one of the fundamental responsibilities of citizenship is voting. So let me close the event by urging everyone watching to exercise your civic duty—and vote.
“It’s our chance to tell Washington to start paying attention to what’s happening in our towns and cities, and start working across the aisle to get things done. If we do that, if we send that message, then we can begin moving past all this nasty partisanship and division, and we can start becoming the UNITED States of America once again.
“Thank you.”
The following remarks were delivered by Mike Bloomberg, WHO Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases, today at the United Nations:
“Thank you, Mr. Prime Minister. Good morning. First, I want to thank our panel co-chairs: Prime Minister Harris and President Lungu. And I want to thank you all for joining this meeting. I know that this is a very busy week for all of you, and that you will discuss many important issues. But, I think it’s fair to say that there are few more critical or more urgent issues than the growing problem of non-communicable diseases – AKA, NCDs.
“Today, for the first time, more people are dying from non-communicable diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer than communicable ones, like malaria, pneumonia, and dysentery. That marks a real shift, but for the most part, global policies have not shifted in response. Worldwide, NCDs account for more than two-thirds of all deaths, and yet, to this point, only two percent of international health funding to low- and middle-income countries has been dedicated to preventing NCDs. That’s a huge disparity, and the result is a lot of preventable tragedy. These diseases cut so many promising lives short. They cost countries billions of dollars in health care costs and lost productivity, and they contribute to poverty, by harming people’s ability to work and feed their families.
“These are all powerful reasons why we should be doing more to address this problem. But here’s another reason: We can do something about it! There is a growing body of evidence that shows how smart policies can help save an awful lot of lives. For the most part, these policies don’t require a lot of money, so we don’t have to choose between fighting NCDs and fighting communicable diseases. What they do require is political will.
“It’s no secret: Many of the biggest causes of NCDs – like tobacco and junk foods – have powerful industries working on their sides. But so many lives are at stake – and there really is no excuse for inaction. So it is encouraging to see you all here, and the steps you take can set a great example for others.
“Let’s talk specifics. Our foundation has been glad to work with many of your countries. Our mission is to help the greatest number of people live better, longer lives, and that drew us to the fight against NCDs. I’ll briefly describe a couple of ways we are working on this issue – particularly, some places where we think there is an opportunity to make a big difference.
“The first is tobacco use – the number-one agent of preventable death. More than seven million people every year die from tobacco use. If a communicable disease was killing that many people each year, every government would be racing to cure it!
“What are we doing, you ask? Since 2007, Bloomberg Philanthropies has spent almost $1 billion helping to spread a set of WHO policies – known as MPOWER – to end this scourge. These policies are fully in line with the Framework Convention on Tobacco Control, the world’s treaty on tobacco control. When we started, only 42 countries had one of those policies in place. Today, more than 120 do. These victories haven’t been easy. The tobacco industry has fought back at every turn – but countries are showing that this is a fight we can win. Those policies make a real difference. Just to give you a few examples:
“India reduced tobacco use by 17 percent since 2010. That’s 8 million fewer tobacco users, in just 8 years. In Bangladesh, adult tobacco use fell by over 18 percent since 2009. In 2016, Uruguay beat a tobacco industry lawsuit challenging the country’s law requiring health warnings on cigarette packs. That paved the way for others to pass and defend similar laws, including the increasing use of plain tobacco packaging. Uruguay really has been a leader in taking on non-communicable diseases, and President Vázquez deserves a lot of credit for that.
“The progress that has been made already on tobacco control policies – like smoke-free public places and graphic picture warnings on tobacco packs – through our partnership with countries will save 35 million lives. We still have a long way to go, but that’s real progress, and it should encourage us all to take on other contributors to NCDs – like obesity, which is a growing problem in virtually every country.
“Of course, there are industry groups and special interests that oppose policies to reduce obesity, like taxes on sugary drinks. But countries are showing that they can overcome industry opposition – just as they are with tobacco.
“Mexico’s 10-percent tax on sugary beverages has helped drive down consumption by around 10 percent. South Africa recently passed its own national tax on sugary drinks. Chile is placing warning labels on foods high in salt, sugar, and saturated fat, and banned junk-food ads aimed at children.
“Last year, my foundation began supporting targeted efforts to prevent cardiovascular disease – specifically, heart attacks and strokes, the world’s leading killers and which are responsible for 18 million deaths each year. By addressing sodium consumption and high blood pressure – and by eliminating artificial trans fats from the food supply – governments can save millions of lives.
“These kinds of policies and activities are making a big difference. Support for them is growing, and cities are helping to lead the way. That only makes sense because cities account for a growing majority of people, and they share many common challenges. What works in one city often works in many others. At the same time, cities can act quickly to implement new policies – and they have shown a real willingness to lead the way in tackling NCDs.
“To help them, we launched a global network called the Partnership for Healthy Cities. It’s helping more than 50 cities take cost-effective steps to prevent NCDs and injuries – like passing smoke-free laws, improving child nutrition, and ensuring streets are safe for pedestrians and cyclists. We saw how well those ideas worked when I was mayor here in New York and in other cities around the world. And once they work at the city level, national governments tend to be more willing to adopt them.
“Promoting such policies for non-communicable diseases has been a focus of my role as the World Health Organization’s Global Ambassador for non-communicable diseases over the last two years. Today, WHO Director-General Dr. Tedros invited me to serve for another two-year term, and I was glad to accept. The WHO has helped lead the charge on NCDs – and it is important to see the UN using its resources to help bring more attention and spur more action on this issue.
“Reducing premature deaths from NCDs is one of the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals – and it really is achievable. The steps you take will make your nations stronger, and they will set an example that can spread around the world and save even more lives. We need your continued commitment to tackle this issue.
“Thank you all for your leadership.”
The following are Mike Bloomberg’s remarks as prepared for the Emily’s List Ignite Change New York Luncheon in New York City on September 24, 2018.
Thank you, Stephanie Schriock – and thank you for your leadership of Emily’s List, which really has done so much to advance the rights of women in America.
It’s only right that we are having a fundraiser for a group dedicated to electing women the same week the Senate is expected to hold a hearing about a Supreme Court nominee who has been accused of illegal sexual misconduct.
I believe that Dr. Blasey Ford and Anita Hill are absolutely right when they say: Before the Senate holds a vote, time should be taken to conduct a nonpartisan and professional investigation into the allegations. That is all the more true as additional accusations and questions are raised. But until a thorough investigation occurs, the only Senate vote that would respect women and the rule of law is: No.
For many of us, however, there is already enough evidence to oppose this nomination. The Constitution gives to the President the authority to nominate judges. But it also gives the Senate the authority to reject them. I believe the Senate should use that veto authority in only exceptional circumstances. But given that Judge Kavanaugh has cast doubt on the validity of Roe v. Wade and given his extremist reading of the Second Amendment I believe that this is one of those cases.
As many of you know, I have long been active in supporting a woman’s right to make her own reproductive choices. When I was elected mayor, one of the first things we did was make sure that all city hospitals teach OB-GYN residents reproductive care, including how to safely perform abortions – something we did amid much criticism. We also increased access to emergency contraception, which helped us dramatically reduce unwanted pregnancies, particularly among teens. At the same time, women’s health and choice have been an important part of my foundation’s focus.
To me, it’s very simple: A woman’s right to choose is a fundamental American right – and it is the law of the land. Yet it remains under attack by some politicians.
Well, it’s hard to believe that things wouldn’t be a lot different if more women held public office – and that’s why Emily’s List is such an important organization today. I’ve been glad to support Emily’s List over the years – and this year, the stakes are higher than ever.
Thanks to so many women who have courageously spoken out, the “Me Too” movement has shone a spotlight on sexual assault, abuse, and harassment – that, disgracefully, society has tolerated for a very long time. Those brave women deserve our respect and support.
But that’s not enough. Because the fact is: empowering women also requires electing women to office.
As much as women are changing America for the better culturally, women are still vastly under-represented politically. In fact, women still make up only 20 percent of Congress. This November is our chance to start changing that.
A record number of women have been nominated for Congress and I’m glad to say many of them are “gun sense” candidates, like Lucy McBath from Georgia, who is with us today, and who has worked closely with Everytown for Gun Safety, an organization I helped found. But winning primaries is only half the battle.
We’re here today because we want not just to nominate, but to elect, a record number of women to Congress. Now, as many of you know, I’m an independent, and I’ve never been a partisan person. But two years ago I gave a speech at the Democratic National Convention – arguing that the Republican candidate was unsuited for the job. Unfortunately, I have been proven correct.
And yet Republicans in Congress have refused to stand up to this administration. They have shown about as much courage as the cowardly lion. And that’s being unfair to the cowardly lion.
Republicans have had two years to show they could govern responsibly – and they failed, miserably. Instead, they’ve pandered to the extreme right wing of the party – and that includes trying to shutdown Planned Parenthood, an organization that I have long funded and supported.
There are only 43 days until the election. I’ve committed $80 million to help Democrats this cycle – with much of that going to help flip the House. And I’m partnering with Emily’s List to help female candidates across the country get elected to Congress. I will be putting more money into supporting women candidates this cycle than any individual ever has before because if we’re going to win, it’s going to be women that get us there. And I want to do my part.
We’ve got to begin getting our country back on track. And that starts with us going to the polls, and getting our friends and family to go, and donating and volunteering and getting involved.
This is an all-hands-on-deck situation. We have to exercise our rights as Americans – so that the America we know and love continues to its forward march toward a more perfect union.
We can do it – together.
The following are Mike Bloomberg’s remarks as prepared for the Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco on September 13, 2018.
Hello everyone! I hope you all enjoyed the trailer for “Paris to Pittsburgh”. It’ll air on the National Geographic Channel in December – so mark your calendars.
I want to thank Governor Brown for bringing us all together today in a city and state that have been leaders on climate change for a very long time – and Governor Brown and Congresswoman Pelosi both deserve an awful lot of credit for that.
California is a great example of how fighting climate change and growing the economy go hand in hand. That’s something we also saw in New York City. We created a record number of jobs while at the same time reducing our carbon footprint by 19 percent.
Many of you have had similar experiences in your own cities and countries – and we appreciate the long distances many of you traveled to be here.
Governor Brown and I first began talking about this summit last year, after the Trump administration announced its intention to withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement.
Neither of us was happy about that, to say the least. Climate change is a global challenge and Washington ought to be leading from the front.
We also knew many people around the world would conclude – wrongly – that America was walking away from climate action.
Nothing could be further from the truth. That’s the message of the film, and it’s why we are here today.
We want the world to know that Americans are more determined than ever to make progress on climate – and that we are making progress. A lot of progress.
In fact, we are making just as much progress under this administration as we did under the last.
You wouldn’t know that from reading the headlines – because the headlines focus on the political fights in Washington.
But the real action is happening in cities, states, and the private sector. And the good news is: Those groups are positioning the U.S. to uphold our end of the Paris Agreement, no matter what happens in Washington.
The fact is: In the U.S., the decisions that have the most influence over greenhouse gas emissions are not made by the federal government.
Those decisions are made by mayors and governors, who want to deliver cheaper energy, more jobs, and cleaner air.
They are made by CEOs, who want to save money on energy costs and capitalize on new business opportunities generated by advanced technology.
And they are made by citizens, who want to breathe air and drink water that won’t make them sick.
Because of all of these groups, over the last decade, the U.S. has cut carbon emissions more than any other large nation.
Last year, with no help from Washington, U.S. emissions fell to their lowest levels in 25 years.
The story of how and why that reduction is happening is being written in communities across America – and it’s a story that doesn’t get told enough.
I’ll give you one example: Over the last six years, more than half of all U.S. coal plants have closed or made plans to. That’s 273 plants out of 530.
Since the 2016 election, coal plant closures have continued at the same rate – despite the Administration’s efforts to prop up the industry with subsidies.
The reason is, again: Washington isn’t in charge of America’s energy production. Consumers are – and new technology is delivering exactly what they want: energy that is cheaper and cleaner than coal.
Washington can’t stop the decline of coal – and it can’t keep America from fulfilling the commitment we made in Paris.
Over the past year, thousands of U.S. cities, states, businesses, universities, and others have re-affirmed their support for the Paris Agreement. And together, their work is being supported by an initiative created by Governor Brown and Bloomberg Philanthropies, called “America’s Pledge.”
America’s Pledge aggregates all the climate actions being taken by all the groups that have declared their support for the Paris Agreement. To put the size of that group in perspective: It represents more than half of the U.S. population. If it were a country, it would have the world’s third-largest economy, behind only China and the overall U.S.
In other words: Even if Washington drops out of the Paris agreement, the group of Americans committed to it would represent more economic might than any country still in the Agreement, other than China.
Now, the Paris Agreement wasn’t only about commitments. It was also about accountability. And through America’s Pledge, we’re upholding that end of the deal, too.
We’re measuring the progress that the U.S. is making cutting emissions and reporting that to the UN, just like every other nation is doing under the Paris Agreement.
We submitted our first report at the UN’s last climate conference in Germany. This morning, we released our latest report and announced some very encouraging news from it.
The report – which is based on rigorous data collection and analysis – shows that the U.S. is nearly halfway to our Paris goal of cutting emissions at least 26 percent by 2025. And it outlines the steps that public, private, and nonprofit organizations can take to help our country reach that mark.
Every day, we’re getting closer. Just to give you a few examples:
Indianapolis has cut emissions by around 17 percent, through actions like changing thousands of streetlights to LEDs.
Georgetown, Texas is running on nearly 100 percent clean energy – and dozens more cities are on their way.
Bloomberg is one of many American companies committed to reaching that same goal – and we’re on track to get there by 2025. And in the meantime we’ve improved our energy efficiency by around 50 percent.
A coalition of Western states – with Republican and Democratic governors – are working together to build electric vehicle charging stations.
And progress like this is playing out across the country.
Now, that doesn’t mean what happens in Washington isn’t important – it is. We need more federal leadership, and that’s one reason why I’ve gotten so involved in this year’s midterm elections.
I’ve never been a partisan guy, but Republicans in Washington have had years to take on this issue – and they have stuck their heads in the sand.
We need a new direction in Washington, so I’m supporting Democrats in their bid to take over the House of Representatives.
That won’t break the gridlock. But it will send a message that members of Congress better start taking this issue seriously – or the American people will send them packing.
Until we get leadership in Washington, the report we’re releasing this morning can serve as a blueprint for national climate action, driven by the bottom up.
It’s also a blueprint that other countries can use to make their own bottom-up progress – and that’s exactly what’s starting to happen.
The Japan Climate Initiative is a coalition of businesses, cities and regional governments working to accelerate progress there.
Another new coalition of non-state groups was launched in Mexico just last month.
We’re hopeful that groups in more countries will embrace this approach in the months and years ahead.
Remember: The goals nations set in Paris were just the beginning. They have to keep aiming higher – and they increasingly recognize how important cities, states, and businesses are in that work.
Through our foundation, we’ll help them harness the power of those groups to drive progress.
Now, we have a lot of work to do, of course. Every week seems to bring fresh evidence of the urgency of climate change, from rising sea levels to record-setting storms and wildfires.
So this year, Bloomberg Philanthropies challenged the 100 biggest U.S. cities to create ambitious proposals to cut emissions from the two biggest sources: transportation and buildings.
Over the course of the fall, we’ll announce the winners, starting tomorrow.
We’re also helping states create plans to get more energy from clean sources – and we will keep working with the Beyond Coal campaign to reduce our reliance on coal-fired power plants.
Now, we could to a lot more, a lot faster, with support from the federal government. Instead, the Administration is inflicting real harm on Americans.
According to the EPA’s own estimates, the new coal pollution rules it just proposed would lead to at least 1,400 more premature deaths each year.
I doubt those rules will ever go into effect – because cities and states are fighting back, just as they have against all of Washington’s attempts to reverse our progress.
California is leading a group of states that are resisting federal rollbacks of fuel efficiency standards for vehicles – rollbacks that neither automakers nor consumers want.
Other states are setting their own rules to reduce methane leaks from oil and gas operations.
And cities all around the country are cutting carbon emissions through energy efficiency, which brings savings to residents.
We’re going to keep fighting – and we’re going to keep winning.
To the non-Americans in the room, I would say: thank you for not giving up on us. We’re going to get there – I’m convinced of that. And we’re going to do it no matter what obstacles Washington tries to throw in the way.
So to everyone here, keep up all the great work you’re doing. And I look forward to seeing new efforts and partnerships come out of this forum that will keep us on the path to victory in the fight against climate change. All the best.
The rise of e-cigarettes is hooking a new generation of kids on nicotine – and we can’t let that continue to happen. Today’s decision by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to force manufacturers to produce plans for reducing youth sales is an important step forward. But we need to go further. If these companies keep targeting children, the FDA needs to take their products off the market. And the FDA should immediately move to regulate flavored e-cigarettes, instead of waiting until 2022, as it is currently planning to do. Two million middle and high school students are already using e-cigarette products regularly – and unless we take bolder action now, that number will rise.
Michael R. Bloomberg is the World Health Organization’s Global Ambassador for Noncommunicable Diseases
The pollution limits the EPA is wrongly trying to roll back have never gone into effect. Yet emissions continue to shrink because Americans are demanding cleaner air and cheaper, cleaner energy — and cities, states and businesses are delivering. Wind, solar and other clean energy sources are beating coal in the marketplace, which is benefiting both public health and the economy. That will continue to happen even if the EPA keeps spitting in the wind. Washington ought to lead, follow, or get out of the way.
The following are remarks as delivered for Mike Bloomberg’s speech at the Moms Demand Action “Gun Sense University 2018” convening in Atlanta, GA.
This really is an impressive group here this morning: More than 1,000 moms, dads, survivors, and volunteers from all across the country – from cities and towns of all sizes, in both red states and blue states, big states, small states. We just can’t walk away. We have to do something about it and you are the ones that are going to accomplish it.
I’ve worked on the issue of gun violence for more than a decade and I have never seen more energy behind the movement than there is right now – and all of you deserve an enormous amount of credit for that. This is a movement taking over the country and we are going to win this battle. People say you can’t make change, but we’ve made a lot of changes in this country, most of them for the better, and it is when the American people stand up and say to their elected officials, ‘This is what’s right, this is what we want — and you vote this way or we’re going to vote you out.’
To put things in perspective: When Moms Demand Action was starting out five years ago, I think it’s fair to say that our movement to protect people from gun violence had hit a low point. The mass murder of 26 young children and adults at Sandy Hook Elementary School shocked the nation.
Despite our best efforts, and despite the fact that 90 percent of Americans agreed with us, neither house of Congress took any action. It was a sad moment for our country – but it also became a turning point.
Millions of people around the country asked themselves: Could this happen at my child’s school? Or in my community? The answer, tragically, was yes. That is a terrible thought for any parent – and I know that, for many of you, it is not just a thought. It’s a daily reality.
Now, when Congress refused to act after Sandy Hook, a lot of pundits – and a lot of politicians – thought the NRA was invincible. Ever since 1994, they had blocked any serious major gun safety legislation. But throughout all that time, there was no organization big enough and organized enough to go toe-to-toe with them. But now, thanks to all of you, there is.
The truth is: The American people have always favored common-sense gun regulations – but that wasn’t enough. We needed Americans to demand action – and to put in the time and energy to achieve it. That’s what Moms Demand Action and Everytown for Gun Safety have been doing for the past five years, and together, we’ve shown that the NRA is not invincible. Far from it.
Think about this: Over the past five years more than half of all states have passed laws to keep guns from domestic abusers. And 11 states have adopted or expanded gun-sale background checks, beyond federal law. As a result, half of all Americans live in a state with a background check law that is stronger than the federal law. And just since the Parkland shooting, 18 states have passed gun safety legislation. Half of those states have Republican governors. So all of you really are changing the political calculus on this issue, state by state.
Now, we haven’t knocked out the NRA – not by a longshot. But we’ve landed some big punches. And while they’re on the ropes, we’re getting stronger and stronger.
We’re here in Atlanta to take our fight to the next level – and that includes electing more candidates to office who will stand with us. We have to send a message that there is a price to pay for standing with the gun lobby instead of the American people.
I’m doing my part to support ‘gun sense’ candidates this November – and I know all of you are committed to doing that, too. Some of you are going even further, by running for office, which is great to see.
I didn’t spend most of my career in politics, but I decided to run for office because I thought I could make a difference – and I was tired of hearing excuses for why fixable problems weren’t getting solved.
Running for office isn’t easy. But I can just tell you that if you believe in something, you will never regret it. And don’t let the naysayers stop you.
When I first ran for mayor of New York, almost no one thought I had a chance. I’m not even sure my mother thought I had a chance. But I believed in what I was doing – and it was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Last year, about a dozen Moms Demand members ran for office. This year, that number is closer to 50. That includes one running for Congress here in Atlanta, Lucy McBath. She won the primary in an upset – and anyone who counts her out in the general election is making a big mistake. I’m glad to say that Lucy is part of a growing trend.
This fall, ‘gun sense’ leaders will move into jobs in city halls and state-houses around the country – and over the next couple of days, I hope more of you will decide to take that step. There really is nothing more rewarding than serving the public and getting the chance to make your community safer and stronger.
Of course, you don’t have to run for office to make a difference – and this weekend is a chance for everyone here to listen and learn from one another, and it’s also a chance to highlight some of the most effective work happening around the country.
Tomorrow night, Moms Demand will hand out the second annual Sue Brooks Award. As many of you know, Sue was a retired principal and the founder of her local Moms Demand Action chapter in Nevada. In 2016, she was instrumental in helping pass the gun safety ballot initiative in Nevada. Sue won so many voters over to our side, even as she battled brain cancer. She died just days after the election – but the work she started continues and the example she set has led so many others to follow in her footsteps, including tomorrow’s nominees.
I won’t give away who will take home the award. But, I will say – everyone nominated shows the kind of commitment that powers this entire organization. And all of them – and all of you – are helping to save lives every day.
Let me just close by saying that, five years ago, very few people believed we could come this far, this fast – and a lot of the credit goes to a mother of five from Indiana, Shannon Watts. Since she first posted a Facebook page after Sandy Hook, Shannon has thrown her heart and soul into this work. Because of her – and all of you – the ‘gun sense’ movement is stronger and more effective than ever, and communities are safer from the threat of gun violence.
So please join me in welcoming my friend, and the unstoppable founder of Moms Demand Action, Shannon Watts.
Bloomberg Philanthropies selected five cities to receive up to $1 million each as part of the second Bloomberg Philanthropies Public Art Challenge, a program that aims to foster creative collaboration, address civic issues, and support local economies through public art. More than 200 cities submitted proposals addressing a range of pressing issues and social themes such as community development, environmental sustainability, and cultural identity. Many proposals also address issues like displacement, immigration, natural disaster recovery, and public health. Additionally, the proposals reflect a diverse use of artistic mediums including augmented reality, light installations, murals, and performances.
“This year’s proposals focus on critical issues facing our country in exciting and creative ways,” said Mike Bloomberg. “The Public Art Challenge helps to highlight the role that public art plays in provoking conversation, supporting collaboration, and building strong communities.”
Anchorage, AK – Addressing Energy Policy and Economic Development: “SEED Community”
The City of Anchorage proposes a partnership with the Anchorage Museum to address climate change. The partnership creates “SEED Lab,” a center bringing together artists, designers, engineers, and community members to embed energy efficient solutions into city planning. The partnership will turn a neglected downtown building in the city’s nascent design district into a vibrant and vital civic center. The center will have open in May 2019.
Camden, NJ – Transforming Illegal Dumping Lots into Arts Spaces: “A New View”
The City of Camden proposes transforming lots currently used for illegal dumping along major transportation highways into spaces with arts programming. Spaces located along the city’s downtown transit hub will be converted into multi-purpose community forums to host art installations and provide a visual narrative to the more than 65,000 people who travel through Camden daily. Community activities will begin summer 2019.
Coral Springs, FL – Inspiring Community Healing After Gun Violence: “The Power of Art”
The City of Coral Springs in partnership with the City of Parkland proposes developing five temporary installations to bring the community together in collective healing and reflection following the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in February of 2018. The artworks will serve as the community’s vision of change and hope for the future. The project will draw on and support Coral Springs Museum of Art’s “Healing with Art,” an art therapy program which began as an immediate response to the shooting. The first of five installations opened on February 14, 2019 and the four other installations will open through 2020.
Jackson, MS – Inspiring Dialogue about Food Access: “Fertile Ground”
The City of Jackson proposes a city-wide exhibition with installations and performances to promote dialogue and inform policy related to food access. Installations and performances that explore food sovereignty, nutrition, domestic hunger, and the agrarian landscape will be deployed across areas of the city experiencing food access issues. Installations will be on view beginning spring of 2020.
Tulsa, OK – Reclaiming History through Public Art: “Greenwood Art Project”
The City of Tulsa proposes a public art project that celebrates a vibrant community in the Historic Greenwood District known as Black Wall Street. Comprised of black-owned businesses that emerged in the early 20th century, in 1921, Black Wall Street was subject to both racially motivated attacks and destructive urban renewal projects in the 1950s. Led by Macarthur Genius Award winning artist Rick Lowe, artists will develop work that deepens the collective understanding of the Greenwood story in time for the 100th anniversary, summer 2020 – 2021.
“This year’s applications reflect a diversity of creativity and exciting experimentation for the public to experience, and the willingness of civic leaders to embrace artists in addressing complex urban challenges.” said Kate D. Levin, head of Bloomberg Philanthropies arts team.
The Public Art Challenge is a part of Mike’s American Cities Initiative, an effort to help U.S. cities generate innovation and advance policy. The Public Art Challenge allows mayors and artists to join forces to elevate the value of including the creative sector when developing solutions to significant urban issues. The foundation’s inaugural Public Art Challenge catalyzed $13 million for local economies across the four winning regions and illuminated civic issues including economic decline, vacancy, water conservation and police-community relations.
More information about the Public Art Challenge can be found here.