August 5 – Philadelphia Union captain and US international Alejandro Bedoya has called on US Congress to “end gun violence” after 29 people were killed in two mass shootings in Texas and Ohio over the weekend.
Bedoya was on the scoresheet in DC United’s 5-1 win over Philadelphia at the weekend, but he seized the opportunity to appeal to Congress in a comment that could be heard on Fox Sports’ coverage of the game. “Congress, do something now. End gun violence,” said Bedoya.
Saturday’s shooting in a supermarket in El Paso, Texas, is believed to be the eighth deadliest in modern US history. The shootings over the weekend have renewed the debate about gun laws and the rights of gun owners in the United States. President Donald Trump has said “hate has no place” in the US, adding that “perhaps more has to be done” to prevent shootings.
The former Rangers player had tweeted his views on gun policy before the game. “Seeing more thoughts and prayers bullshit,” tweeted Bedoya. “Words without actions are just worthless. America, it seems, is becoming a dystopian society.”
He then later clarified how he would address gun violence. “We can start with stricter background checks, red flag laws, making a registry for gun purchases, closing gun show loopholes, and taxing ammunition,” wrote Bedoya in Twitter.
Bedoya, from Florida, was raised near Parkland, where 17 students were killed in 2018 in a mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Later he wore an ‘MSD Strong’ shirt in support of the affected families.
“To see that happen again, it’s absurd, I am not going to sit idly and watch this stuff and not say something,” said Bedoya in a post-match interview. “Before I’m an athlete and a soccer player, I am a human being, first. I have got kids – I can’t be the only one feeling the same way.
“Something has got to be done, it has got to the point where we have become numb to it, that is a big problem.”
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1713298257abtoo1713298257fdlro1713298257wedis1713298257ni@of1713298257ni1713298257