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U.S. NEWS Monday 16 May 2022
Biden urges unity to stem racial hate after Buffalo shooting

WASHINGTON (AP) — Presi- “And then there are some
dent Joe Biden on Sunday on one side of the aisle that
cited the Buffalo shootings block anything from being
in calling for national unity done. It seems like there
as a remedy for “the hate are those that believe own-
that remains a stain on the ing a gun is more precious
soul of America” while New than the sanctity of human
York’s governor and the life. So I think people all
city’s mayor appealed for across this country have to
forceful action from Wash- rise up. They have to speak
ington after the latest mass more loudly and more
shooting had caused a clearly that there must be
community to grieve. gun control in this country.
Biden used his remarks at This is a uniquely American
a Capitol ceremony hon- phenomenon. These mass
oring law enforcement of- shootings don’t happen in
ficers who died in the line other countries across the
of duty in 2021 to decry world,” he said.
what he said his Justice Brown said he would like to
Department has labeled see “sensible gun control.”
as “a hate crime, a racially House Speaker Nancy Pe-
motivated act of white su- losi, D-Calif., said tighter
premacy and violent ex- gun measures are “a huge
tremism.” priority” for Democrats
Authorities say that a white and the White House. She
gunman in military gear at- bemoaned the 60-vote
tacked shoppers and work- President Joe Biden speaks at the National Peace Officers’ Memorial Service on the West Front of threshold needed in the 50-
ers at a supermarket in Buf- the Capitol in Washington, Sunday, May 15, 2022, honoring the law enforcement officers who lost 50 Senate that has made it
falo, New York, on Saturday, their lives in the line of duty in 2021. so difficult to advance such
killing 10 people, including Associated Press legislation, but pledged on
a retired Buffalo police of- CNN’s “State of the Union”
ficer, and wounding three killed 10 innocent people this more than the people ington. that “we are not going
others. Most of the victims in cold blood at a grocery sitting in front of me,” the “We’ve seen many of away until the job is done.”
were Black. Law enforce- store on Saturday after- president said. these mass shootings Hochul said that most of
ment officials said Sunday noon,” Biden said at the Biden did not address calls around the country year what she described as “the
that the 18-year-old gun- 41st annual National Peace by Gov. Kathy Hochul, D- in and year out, month in illegal guns” being used on
man had researched the Officers’ Memorial Service. N.Y., and Buffalo Mayor By- and month out. And it’s the streets of her state’s cit-
local demographics while “We must all work together ron Brown for strong federal always the same refrain. ies are coming from other
looking for places with to address the hate that action in the aftermath of People send their thoughts states. “We need a nation-
a high concentration of remains a stain on the soul the latest act of mass vio- and their prayers. Lawmak- al response,” she told NBC.
Black residents. of America. Our hearts are lence in the United States. ers in Washington say that “We need other states to
“A lone gunman, armed heavy once again, but the His brief remarks did not there’s something that step up. We need the fed-
with weapons of war and resolve must never, ever mention gun control efforts must be done,” Brown told eral government on our
hate-filled soul, shot and waver. No one understands that have stalled in Wash- NBC’s “Meet the Press.” side.”q

McConnell, GOP senators meet Zelenskyy in surprise Kyiv stop

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republican “the strong connection between the Ukraini- need to defend themselves against this de-
leader Mitch McConnell and a delegation an and American people. We discussed vari- ranged invasion,” McConnell said this past
of GOP senators met with Ukrainian President ous areas of support for our country, including week of the Ukrainians. “And they need this
Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv during an unan- defense and finance, as well as strengthening help right now.”
nounced visit Saturday, delivering the latest sanctions against Russia.” In his statement after the visit, McConnell
show of American solidarity with the country The trip came at a time when the Senate is called the visit “inspiring” and said he and his
at war with Russia. working to approve a nearly $40 billion pack- colleagues had seen firsthand “the courage,
“Our delegation reaffirmed to President Zel- age for Ukraine, a substantial infusion of sup- unity, and resolve of the Ukrainian people.”
enskyy that the United States stands squarely port that will push American aid to the region McConnell added: “It is squarely in our na-
behind Ukraine and will sustain our support un- well above $50 billion. The measure includes tional interest to help Ukraine achieve victo-
til Ukraine wins this war,” McConnell said in a $6 billion for Ukraine for intelligence, equip- ry in this war and to help Ukraine and other
statement released after the delegation had ment and training for its forces, plus $4 billion countries deter other wars of aggression be-
left Ukraine. in financing to help Ukraine and NATO allies fore they start.”
A video posted on Zelenskyy’s Telegram ac- build up their militaries. It was the second high-profile congressio-
count showed McConnell, R-Ky., and Sens. Passage was delayed Thursday by Sen. Rand nal delegation to stop in Ukraine in as many
Susan Collins of Maine, John Barrasso of Wyo- Paul of Kentucky, who demanded the inclu- weeks. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif.,
ming and John Cornyn of Texas greeting him sion of a proposal to have an inspector gen- visited on May 1 with a group of House Demo-
in the capital. Zelensky, in an Instagram post, eral scrutinize the new spending. But final ap- crats and promised Zelenskyy that the United
called the visit “a strong signal of bipartisan proval is not in doubt and could come in the States will “be there for you until the fight is
support for Ukraine from the United States week ahead, reflecting overwhelming sup- done.”
Congress and the American people.” port in Congress for replenishing the Ukrainian First lady Jill Biden visited western Ukraine last
Later, in his nightly video address. Zelenskyy war effort. weekend for a Mother’s Day meeting with Zel-
said he believed that the senators’ trip showed “They’re only asking for the resources they enskyy’s wife, Olena Zelenska.q