April 5, 2022
In response to the murder of 15-year-old Juan Carlos Robles-Corana, and the separate shooting that critically injured a 13 year old, PFT President Jerry Jordan issued the following statement:
PHILADELPHIA—"My heart breaks for the Duckrey school community, and especially for the family and loved ones of Juan Carlos Robles-Corana, just 15 years old, who was killed on his way home from school. Our students, our families, and our communities deserve so much more than to live with the constant fear of gun violence. I would be remiss not to include that a 13 year old boy remains in critical condition after another shooting yesterday.
"These incidents are simply devastating and while shocking, they are becoming all too common. There are no quick fixes or easy answers to the scourge of gun violence. But we do know that the cost of inaction is lives.
"We must work diligently to dismantle the racist systems that continue to shortchange primarily Black and brown communities. Yesterday, I shared with my members my reflection on the 54th anniversary of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the pervasive inequities that still exist in our schools and in our society as a whole.
"Our students need access to robust services including certified school counselors, smaller classes, extracurricular activities, and so much more. These services are not a panacea, but we do know that fully funding an equitable system of public education is a fundamental tenet of a better tomorrow.
"My deepest condolences to the family and loved ones of Juan Carlos Robles-Corana and all who are impacted by the devastating crisis of gun violence."
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