Obama calls out leaders who feed 'a climate of fear and hatred' after mass shootings

Barack Obama.
(Image credit: JOHN MACDOUGALL/AFP/Getty Images)

Former President Obama on Monday urged Americans to demand tougher gun control laws and reject leaders who normalize racism following two mass shootings that left more than 30 people dead.

Obama in a statement released on Monday afternoon following the weekend tragedies in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio wrote that "we are not helpless here," urging Americans to "insist on holding public officials accountable for changing our gun laws." Otherwise, he said, "these tragedies will keep happening."

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Brendan Morrow

Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.