Parkland Dad Speaks Out After Being Ejected From State Of The Union

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?”

The Miami Herald reports:

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. 

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.