West Orange School Gun Violence Forum: Sherrill, Giffords, Kelly

WEST ORANGE, NJ — A former U.S. Navy pilot running for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives will be visiting two Essex County schools next week to speak with students about gun violence.

Mikie Sherrill, a candidate to replace the soon-to-retire Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen in New Jersey’s 11th Congressional District, plans to speak with students at West Orange High School on Monday, May 7 and Montclair High School on Tuesday, May 8. Sherrill will also speak at a Town Hall rally in Morristown on May 5.

Next week’s appearances aren’t Sherrill’s first visits to Essex County schools in recent history. In January, she appeared at Lincoln Elementary School in Caldwell with State Assemblywoman Mila Jasey and former governor Richard Codey.

• See related article: 3 Key Caldwell Area Politicians To Visit Lincoln Elementary

According to a news release from Sherrill’s campaign team, the school visits in West Orange and Montclair are being conducted in the spirit of “changing the culture of gun violence in America.”

The West Orange visit will be part of a “student roundtable discussion on gun violence” and will also include appearances from former U.S. Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her husband, former astronaut Mark Kelly, Sherrill’s campaign team stated.

The Montclair visit will take place at an assembly with the Civics and Government Institute Program.

“Across the country, students, parents and law enforcement are standing up to demand action in addressing the crisis of gun violence,” Sherrill said. “But in Washington, Congress remains silent. Now is a time for courage: We deserve new leaders who will enact common-sense reforms that will make our country safer. I look forward to traveling around our community over the next week to listen to our residents, talk about my ideas, and work to change the culture of gun violence in America.”

• See related article: Joe Biden Endorses Mikie Sherrill's Bid For US Congress
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