Ellen DeGeneres, Chelsea Handler and Others Rally for Gun Control After Florida High School Shooting
Following the news of a shooting at a Parkland, Fla. high school on Wednesday, Hollywood took to Twitter to offer condolences and rally for gun control.
A gunman, 19-year-old Nicolas Cruz, opened fire at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, killing at least 17 people, according to law enforcement. Cruz, who was a former student at the high school, has since been taken into custody after one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history.
Ellen DeGeneres called for change. “No words, no actions, no laws are enough until we end this epidemic of school shootings in our country,” she wrote on Twitter.
No words, no actions, no laws are enough until we end this epidemic of school shootings in our country. My heart is with the students and parents of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) February 14, 2018
Bette Midler took on Congress directly, calling them “spineless cowards who do nothing to help us stem this horrific epidemic.”
Another school shooting, this in FLA. Congrats to the spineless cowards who do nothing to help us stem this horrific epidemic, ie CONGRESS
— Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) February 14, 2018
Gabrielle Union, whose family recently returned to Florida when her husband Dwyane Wade was traded back to the Miami Heat, wrote, “Like thousands in South Florida, we sent the boys to school in Broward County this morning… there are no words to describe the despair, horror & anger. This does not have to be our collective reality. How many more? How many children must not make it home?”
Like thousands in South Florida, we sent the boys to school in Broward County this morning… there are no words to describe the despair, horror & anger. This does not have to be our collective reality. How many more? How many children must not make it home?
— Gabrielle Union (@itsgabrielleu) February 14, 2018
Rainn Wilson joined the conversation advocating for gun control. “As we send our thoughts & prayers to the people of Parkland, Florida how about we, the people & govt of America, actually DO something about gun violence,” he wrote.
As we send our thoughts & prayers to the people of Parkland, Florida how about we, the people & govt of America, actually DO something abt gun violence.
— RainnWilson (@rainnwilson) February 15, 2018
Chelsea Handler and Billy Eichner both referenced the upcoming November midterm elections. “We have to elect candidates that are not funded by the NRA in November,” Handler wrote. Eichner said, “America 2018. And a Republican led Congress has done and will do nothing.”
We have to elect candidates that are not funded by the NRA in November. We have an opportunity to elect candidates who won’t allow kids to go to school and get shot. It is disgusting how many times this has happened and Republicans do nothing. You all have blood on your hands.
— Chelsea Handler (@chelseahandler) February 14, 2018
America 2018. And a Republican led Congress has done and will do nothing.
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) February 14, 2018
The Miami-based Fifth Harmony wrote, “Our hearts are shattered by the terrible news about Parkland… love you so so much Florida.”
Our hearts are shattered by the terrible news about Parkland… love you so so much Florida
— Fifth Harmony (@FifthHarmony) February 14, 2018
Kim Kardashian wrote, “We owe it to our children and our teachers to keep them safe while at school. Prayers won’t do this: action will. Congress, please do your job and protect Americans from senseless gun violence.”
We owe it to our children and our teachers to keep them safe while at school. Prayers won't do this: action will. Congress, please do your job and protect Americans from senseless gun violence
— Kim Kardashian West (@KimKardashian) February 15, 2018
Read more messages of support to those affected below:
My heart deeply hurts for the children and their families in South Florida that are going through a living hell.
These senseless acts have to stop.
Enough!
— Tyra Banks (@tyrabanks) February 14, 2018
Another school shooting. Sad. Prayers to the families #ParklandShooting
— Mike Tyson (@MikeTyson) February 14, 2018
We can’t wait any longer. #GunControlNow #LoveIsLouder pic.twitter.com/TdpTnLvAos
— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) February 14, 2018
Just hearing about Florida. My God. I’m speechless. What can we do?
— Tia Mowry (@TiaMowry) February 14, 2018
And on this day that we should be celebrating love, my beloved Florida is once again assaulted by gun violence. Yet again senseless misery is inflicted on the loved ones of innocent victims whose only fear should have been not being able to finish their homework.
What now?
— Gloria Estefan (@GloriaEstefan) February 14, 2018
Broward school shooting–There will be prayers from Blabbermouth Don, Pence the Grinch, and their rightwing cohorts. There will be no call for any sort of sane gun regs.
— Stephen King (@StephenKing) February 14, 2018
When
Will
The @GOP
Stop
Being
OWNED
By
The @NRA
And
FINALLY
Do
ANYTHING
About #GunControl?Never.
Their thoughts and prayers mean nothing.
We must replace them all.
— Beau Willimon (@BeauWillimon) February 14, 2018
Not time to talk about #GunControl but let's get all the undocumented Chemistry professors out of here NOW!
— yvette nicole brown (@YNB) February 14, 2018
My heart and prayers are with the victims and their dearest ones affected by this terrible shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida. What a heinous tragedy.
— Johnny Weir (@JohnnyGWeir) February 14, 2018
Sending light and healing to the students of MSDHS in Parkland, Florida. Heartbreaking.
— ADAM LAMBERT (@adamlambert) February 14, 2018
Related stories
Bette Midler, Sharon Stone to Star in 'The Tale of the Allergist's Wife' Movie
Networks Bet Big on Female-Driven Pilots, but How Many Will Make It to Series?
Ed Sheeran, Cardi B, Maroon 5, Camila Cabello to Perform at iHeartRadio Music Awards
Subscribe to Variety Newsletters and Email Alerts!
