Teachers Unify Crisis Intervention Team Available Following Tragic Erie Mass Shooting that Included Children

Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence Offers Unique Support Led by Survivors who Are Teachers and Clinicians

DANBURY, CT – Abbey Clements, survivor of the 2012 Sandy Hook School tragedy, executive director and co-founder of Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence, released the following statement following media reports that a shooter in Erie, Pennsylvania claimed the lives of eight people including, two children and a pregnant woman:
“As a teacher, I have heard far too many stories from my fellow teachers about when gun violence in the community means one fewer desk in the classroom. My heart breaks for the entire community in Erie, from the victims to the teachers and staff dealing with one less student to the first responders who have had their lives changed forever. The Teachers Unify Crisis Intervention team is available to any teachers or staff, who need support, day or night. It’s OK to ask for help.”

Any staff, teacher or school, public or private, can reach a member of the crisis intervention team by calling 203-296-3689 or emailing response@teachersunify.org.

Background: While not all the facts about this tragedy are known, what is known is that Pennsylvania does not have an Extreme Risk Protection Order law, which are laws on the books in 22 states to temporarily help keep firearms away from people who are an imminent danger to themselves or others.

Abbey Clements is the executive director and a Co-Founder of Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence. She is a survivor teacher of the Sandy Hook School tragedy in 2012, and was an elementary educator for over 30 years. She was a strategic consultant on gun violence issues for the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and is a member of the ENOUGH! Plays to End Gun Violence National Advisory Council. Abbey has been featured in various events, publications, and documentaries including the 2024 DNC, Newtown, If I Don’t Make It, I Love You, Bullets Into Bells, AFT Voices, USA Today, AARP, Share My Lesson, The Hill, among others.

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Teachers Unify to End Gun Violence envisions a future where every school in the United States is a safe haven and a safe learning environment for every child, and where all citizens live without the fear and trauma of gun violence.