Donald Trump didn’t spend any time at the State of the Union talking about gun violence, instead, he pointed out, “So long as I am president, I will always protect your Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.” But what about protecting people from gun violence? That is what Fred Guttenberg, a father who lost his daughter in the Parkland shooting wondered out loud as he yelled, “what about my daughter?”
Fred Guttenberg, whose 14-year-old daughter, Jaime, was killed in the Feb. 14, 2018, shooting, was escorted calmly out of the balcony gallery of the U.S. House of Representatives chamber toward the end of Trump’s speech.
Guttenberg, a prominent gun safety activist, was invited to the speech by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
That protestor is @fred_guttenberg, who's daughter Jaime Guttenberg was killed in the Parkland massacre.
Trump did not mention gun violence once during the #SOTU .
He wants to defend the right to bear arms? What about our right to not be shot?#IStandWithFred https://t.co/JxLWphiZLK
— March For Our Lives (@AMarch4OurLives) February 5, 2020
Guttenberg explained what happened today on Twitter:
Tonight was a rough night. I disrupted the State Of The Union and was detained because I let my emotions get the best of me. I simply want to be able to deal with the reality of gun violence and not have to listen to the lies about the 2A as happened tonight.
That said, I should not have yelled out. I am thankful for the overwhelming support that I am receiving. However, I do owe my family and friends an apology. I have tried to conduct myself with dignity throughout this process and I will do better as I pursue gun safety.
And as he continues that pursuit, the hashtag #IStandWithFred is trending today.
Since Trump won't tell the truth about gun violence in the #SOTU, we will let @fred_guttenberg tell you about the lasting impacts that gun violence has on our families.
Thank you for your strength Fred, we stand with you today and every day.#IStandWithFred pic.twitter.com/BWCYDpXRtl
— Florida Democrats (@FlaDems) February 5, 2020
After Parkland, @realDonaldTrump promised to “do something” about gun violence in America.
Then after El Paso he promised background checks “like we’ve never had before.”
He lied.
And tonight @fred_guttenberg called him out for it.
Let’s all say it together: #ImWithFred
— Andrew Weinstein (@Weinsteinlaw) February 5, 2020
I hope the next president awards @fred_guttenberg with the metal of freedom.
If this president had the amount of courage Fred has in one cell gun violence would be over tomorrow. #ImWithFred
— David Hogg (@davidhogg111) February 5, 2020