Hillary Clinton Pens Open Letter to Charleston

On the one year anniversary of the shooting at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church that claimed the lives of nine people, Hillary Clinton published an open letter to the citizens of Charleston, South Carolina remembering the victims of the shooting. Clinton mentioned each victim by name before discussing the work that still needs to be done to enact stronger gun control laws including provisions that would require a background check before the purchase of a firearm and barring those on the FBI’s terrorist watch list from purchasing a gun. A copy of Clinton’s letter is below:

Friends —

One year ago today, our nation lost nine precious lives. They were mothers and fathers, students and coaches, pastors and choir members. They were men and women of faith, each filled with passion and love, and with so much left to give. For many, time has done little to dull the pain of their loss. I still remember my grief and confusion when I heard the news. But their deaths have not been in vain.

“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things,” Scripture teaches us. “Love never fails.”

On that evening in the “Mother Emanuel” AME Church, Clementa, Cynthia, Susie, Ethel, DePayne, Tywanza, Daniel, Sharonda and Myra lived out the lessons of their faith, like always — welcoming a stranger for prayer and fellowship, offering love without a second thought.

Their spirit of love remained long after they were gone. In court, one by one, grieving parents and siblings looked at the young man who had taken so much from them and said, “I forgive you.” And the entire Charleston community — black and white, Christian, Muslim and Jewish, and so many others — came together to stand up to hate and bigotry, providing love to one another instead.

Filled with that love, we have made progress. The Confederate flag that flew on the South Carolina State House grounds has been removed. Young people have called out for much-needed reforms to our criminal justice system. Mothers who lost their children to gun violence are channeling their grief into action and turning their mourning into a movement for common-sense gun reform.

But we have much more to do.

Another mass shooting, in Orlando, broke our hearts earlier this week. An average of 90 people a day are killed by gun violence in our country. This must stop. A good first step is closing the “Charleston Loophole” in our gun laws, which allows a person otherwise prohibited from buying a gun — such as a domestic abuser or other violent criminal — to buy one if a background check isn’t completed within three business days. This loophole allowed the alleged Charleston shooter to buy his gun despite his prior arrest record. How many more innocent people need to be cut down before we act and close this dangerous loophole?

On that terrible evening and every day since, Americans across the country have joined our hearts with the people of Charleston and South Carolina. Millions of Americans are still walking with them — in grief, solidarity and determination.

In the spirit of the Charleston Nine, let’s bridge our divides, fight for change and remember that love never fails.

With solidarity and warm regards, I am

Sincerely yours,

Hillary Rodham Clinton

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News Source: CNN

Hillary Clinton Endorsed by Everytown for Gun Safety

On Friday, Hillary Clinton received the endorsement of Everytown for Gun Safety and Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. The groups cited Clinton’s stance on mandatory background checks before the purchase of a firearm. Clinton released a statement saying that she is “honored” to receive the endorsement of the groups and vows to fight for common sense gun control measures to prevent the deaths of 33,000 Americans a year. A copy of her statement is below:

Every year, 33,000 Americans die from guns. That’s an average of 90 per day. Countless others are injured. Too many of them are children. They are shot in small towns and in big cities. Sitting in a park with their friends.Riding the bus home from school. Watching TV in their living rooms. Working at their desks. They are our friends, our neighbors, our family.

Across our country, Americans are standing up and saying: enough is enough. Mothers and fathers, survivors and students, mayors and responsible gun owners are demanding that we put the safety of our children and our communities ahead of the interests of the gun lobby.

As a mother and a grandmother, I know nothing is more important than keeping our children safe. And I am honored to receive the endorsement of Everytown for Gun Safety, including Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America. They are fighting every day for commonsense gun safety measures and to end the epidemic of gun violence.

The stakes in this election could not be higher. We need leaders in Washington who will close the loopholes that let guns fall into the wrong hands, and who will finally pass comprehensive background check legislation.  We need leaders who will repeal the special legal immunity that the gun lobby secured for irresponsible gun makers and sellers, so they are finally held accountable for their products. What we don’t need are the extreme and dangerous positions of Donald Trump, who has pledged to overturn President Obama’s actions to strengthen background checks and mandate that every school in America allow guns in classrooms on his very first day in office.

The gun lobby may be the most powerful lobby in Washington, but I believe that the American people are more powerful still. We are stronger together. We will not be intimidated. We will not back down. And as long as children anywhere are being killed by gun violence, we will keep fighting—because their lives are precious, and they deserve a president who stands up for them.”

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News Source: Politico

Hillary Clinton Delivers Keynote Address at Circle of Mothers Restoration Weekend

On Saturday, Hillary Clinton gave the keynote address during the Circle of Mothers Restoration Weekend in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The event was hosted by the Trayvon Martin Foundation and was aimed at empowering the mothers of gun violence victims. During her speech, Clinton vowed to stand up to the gun lobby saying, “Unlike Donald Trump, I will not pander to the gun lobby and we will not be silenced and we will not be intimidated. As long as children anywhere are being killed by gun violence, we will keep fighting.” Clinton said that she would continue to press ahead with her proposals to strengthen background checks requirements for the purchase of the firearm.

At the center of her argument is her concern for the safety of families and children. She said, “Parents, teachers and schools should have the right to keep guns out of classrooms, just like Donald Trump does at many of his hotels by the way.” Clinton went on to criticize Trump for his fear tactics saying that she is not anti-gun and that she knows there are responsible gun owners. But that something needs to be done to reduce the number of deaths as a result of firearm. Clinton said, “Something is wrong when so many young people just starting their lives are dying. Something is very wrong, my friends, and this election gives us a chance to keep trying to make it right.” A video from the event will be posted when/if available.

Clinton also attended two fundraisers today. The first was in Washington, DC and was hosted by Julius Genachowski and Rachel Goslins. The second event was in Forth Lauderdale and hosted at the home of Pam Africk and Shari Olefson.

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News Source: CBS News, The New York Times

Clinton Participates in MSNBC Town Hall

Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speak during a town hall with MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow, Monday, April 25, 2016, at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

On Monday evening, Hillary Clinton took part in a town hall event hosted by MSNBC. Moderated by Rachel Maddow, the town hall event featured an interview with Clinton before questions were fielded from the audience. Clinton spoke about a number of topics including gun control, the minimum wage, the economy, and her primary battle with Bernie Sanders. She has begun to focus on the general election and unifying the Democratic party saying, “My difference is not with Sen. Sanders, but Republicans who don’t want to raise [wages and] refuse to acknowledge the terrible struggles people are facing.” A video from the town hall is below.

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News Source: Penn Live

Hillary Clinton Campaigns in Delaware and Pennsylvania

On the eve of Tuesday’s primaries, Hillary Clinton spoke at Get Out the Vote events in Delaware and Pennsylvania. Her first event was in Wilmington where she made the case that she is the best qualified for president because of her experience in Congress and as Secretary of State. During her speech, Clinton criticized Republican candidate Donald Trump for being out of touch with Americans saying, “Come out of those towers named for yourself and actually talk to people. If you want to be president of the United States, you’ve actually got to be familiar with the United States.” Despite her attacks on Trump, Clinton said that she is open to talking to Republicans in Congress to get things done for Americans.

Clinton then traveled to Youngwood, Pennsylvania where she spoke to a crowd of supporters at Westmoreland County Community College. She focused on her platform points speaking about reducing the cost of higher education, equal rights for women, and continuing the progress of the last eight years. Clinton then asked for voters support in tomorrow’s primaries saying, “If you vote for me tomorrow, I will stand up and fight for you every day.”

Clinton’s final Get Out the Vote rally was in Philadelphia. In her final speech before voters head to the polls, Clinton spoke about a number of her platform points including requiring mandatory background checks before any gun purchase, expanding early childhood education funding, lower the cost of a college education, reducing the debt of college graduates, and ensuring equal pay for women. She spoke about the importance of the 2016 election before asking for voters support in tomorrow’s primary. Videos from today’s events will be posted when/if available.

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News Source: Philly.com, The News Journal, Tribune-Review

Bill Clinton Campaigns for Hillary in Connecticut

On the eve of Tuesday’s primaries, Bill Clinton spoke at Get Out the Vote events in Connecticut. The first event was in Hartford where he was joined by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her husband, Mark Kelly. During his speech, Bill spoke about Hillary’s plans to continue improving health care, reducing the cost of education, and continue to grow the economy. Bill talked about the importance of all Americans rising together saying, “She understands that if we don’t tear down the barriers that are keeping some people from participating, including the educational barriers, we can’t all rise together.”

Bill and Giffords held a second Get Out the Vote event in New Haven. During his speech, Bill focused on the prevention of gun violence by introducing background checks. He also advocated for holding gun manufacturers responsible for acts carried out by their weapons. He said, “The organized groups on the other side recognize that representing the manufacturers try to terrify every legal gun owner to think they’re coming to get your guns, which of course constitutionally you can’t do.” He explained that the vast majority of gun owners support background checks, but the gun lobby constantly blocks it. Videos from today’s events will be posted when/if available.

Chelsea Clinton was also on the campaign trail where she attended two fundraisers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The events were hosted by Christina Weiss Lurie, Priscilla Sims Brown, Lisa Buckingham, and Lynn Shecter.

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News Source: KITV, MassLive.com

Hillary Clinton in Philadelphia and Bridgeport on Sunday

Today, Hillary Clinton was in Pennsylvania and Connecticut where she met with church goers and potential voters in Tuesday’s primaries. She began in Philadelphia where she spoke at church services at Triumph Baptist Church and African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas. At both churches, Clinton spoke about her plans to seek criminal justice reform and fight the gun lobby by introducing stronger gun regulations. She said, “We as a people have to start showing each other more respect, more kindness more love.” She spoke briefly about the importance of the 2016 election and asked for the support of voters in Tuesday’s primary.

Clinton then traveled to Bridgeport, Connecticut, the largest city in the state. Speaking at the University of Bridgeport, she talked about continuing the progress of the administration of President Barack Obama. She then covered a number of platform topics including health care, gun control, raising the minimum wage, and reducing the cost of higher education. She believes that America’s best day are still ahead of it saying, “I’m going to do everything I can to make sure America’s best years are ahead of us. You should feel that your country has your back.” This evening, Clinton also attended a fundraiser in Stamford. Videos from today’s events will be posted when/if available.

Bill Clinton was in Baltimore, Maryland where he attended Sunday morning services at three local churches. At each, he spoke about Hillary’s platform and her plans to move America forward. Today, Bill also attended a fundraiser in Wynnewood, Pennsylvania. The event was hosted by Barbara and Richard Schiffrin.

Other Hillary for America fundraisers were held across the country today. In Bry Mawr, Pennsylvania, a fundraiser was held featuring New Jersey Senator Cory Booker. Meanwhile, in Seattle, Washington, a fundraiser was hosted by John and Nancy Sabol, Daniel James Brown, Pam Eakes, and Jeanne Kohl-Welles. The event featured a conversation with Daniel James Brown, the author of The Boys in the Boat.

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News Source: The Baltimore Sun, ABC News, NBC Connecticut, The Hour

Bill Clinton Spends Saturday in Pennsylvania

On Saturday, Bill Clinton spoke at two organizing events in Pennsylvania on behalf of his wife Hillary Clinton. Between the two events, he also stopped a number of restaurants and businesses in the Philadelphia area. His first event at the Swarthmore Rutledge School where he spoke about a number of Hillary’s platform points including the economy and health care. He asked supporters to vote for Hillary on Tuesday in the Pennsylvania primary.

Clinton then traveled to Ambler where he spoke to a crowd of supporters at Wissahickon Middle School. At the event, he was joined by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her husband Mark Kelly. Giffords and Kelly spoke briefly, but Clinton spent a part of his speech focusing on introducing measures to curb gun violence. Like Hillary, he called for universal background checks to ensure firearms are not getting into the hands of those who should not own one. Clinton also spoke about other topics including health care, higher education costs, and raising the middle class. Videos from today’s events will be added when/if available.

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News Source: Philly.com, CBS Philly

Hillary Clinton on Good Morning America, Campaigns in CT

On Thursday morning, Hillary Clinton appeared on ABC’s Good Morning America for a town hall style segment. Clinton was interviewed by Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos before taking questions from those in attendance. She was asked questions on a number of topics including some of her platform points, her Democratic rival Bernie Sanders, her thoughts on the Republican presidential candidates, and she was asked some light hearted questions as well. She was asked what her husband’s (former president Bill Clinton) most annoying habit was. She answered, “No matter how tired he is, he always feels like he has to read before he goes to sleep. That means I have to get up and go around and turn the light off before I go to bed!” A video from this morning’s episode is below.

Clinton then went to Hartford, Connecticut where she attended a conversation on gun violence held at the Wilson-Gray YMCA. Clinton also met with families of victims of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School. The discussion included families that have lost loved ones as a direct result of shootings or gun violence. During the 90-minute conversation, a number of the family members shared their stories, the group took questions from the audience, and Clinton said that she would fight for common sense gun control and the introduction of mandatory background checks before purchasing a firearm. She said, “If anything else was killing 33,000 Americans a year, we’d be doing something about it. I’m not here to make promises I can’t keep. But I will spend every day as President trying to get gun control.” A video from today’s event is below.

This evening, Clinton returned to New York City for a fundraiser hosted by Donna Zaccaro and Paul Ullman, Anne and John Zaccaro.

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News Source: ABC News, Fox 61, Hartford Courant,

Chelsea, Bill Campaign for Hillary in New York

On Friday, Bill and Chelsea Clinton held a number of Get Out the Vote events in New York. Bill began with a rally in the Bronx where he spoke to a group of supporters. During the event, he criticized Republican Donald Trump for his plan to build a wall on the border between the United States and Mexico and his plan to ban Muslims from entering the country. Bill said that what the country needs is more acceptance, not intolerance. He said, “No one who walked through that door today was asked to check your faith at the door, check your race at the door, and check your politics at the door. Everywhere in the world people are working together for inclusive economic opportunities, inclusive social policies, which is a fancy way of saying we love our differences.”

Bill then spoke at a rally at The Garden at New York-Presbyterian Hospital. During the event, he spent time detailing a number of Hillary’s platform points including her plans to reduce student debt, expand clean energy, and rebuild the economy. He criticized Bernie Sanders for making it sound as though Wall Street is the central problem in the country when in fact it is more complicated than that. He said, “I think it’s fine that all these young students have been so enthusiastic for her opponent and say, ‘It’s all good, just shoot every third person on Wall Street and everything will be fine.'” He asked for voters support when New York holds its primary on April 19. Videos from today’s events will be posted when/if available.

Chelsea, meanwhile, had four events on her agenda. She attended events in Sands Point, Brooklyn, and New York City. During each of the events, Chelsea spoke with small groups of supporters touting her mother’s plans to improve heath care, enact stricter gun regulations, and keep America safe. She spoke about Hillary’s experience and how that sets her apart from the other candidates. Chelsea explained to each group how important the 2016 election is and asked them for their support in the upcoming New York primary.

In Hong Kong, a fundraiser was held for United States citizens currently living in the region. Chief Financial Officer Gary Gensler attended the event which was hosted by Young Joon Kim, Tony Miller, Robert Roche, Ruby Shang, Carolyn Wu, Wenchi Yu and James Zimmerman. The event was held at the home of Laura Howard.

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News Source: The Hill, US News & World Report, Newsday, The Journal News