LANSING, Mich. — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has ordered flags be lowered following this weekend’s massacres in Ohio and Texas.
“We are heartsick to hear the news out of El Paso and Dayton,” Whitmer said. “Gun violence is a public health crisis in our country, and we need to come together and take action to make sure firearms don’t end up in the hands of someone who wants to hurt themselves or others. My heart is with the loved ones of the victims and the residents and first responders of Texas and Ohio.”
The governor’s office said the flags should be returned to full staff on August 9.
Gov. Whitmer Orders Flags Lowered After Mass Shootings in Texas and Ohio.
Below is the full statement from Governor Whitmer’s office:
Governor Gretchen Whitmer has ordered U.S. and Michigan flags be displayed at half-staff throughout the state of Michigan on all state buildings, grounds, and facilities commencing immediately until sunset on Thursday, August 8 to honor the victims of the deadly mass shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio.
“We are heartsick to hear the news out of El Paso and Dayton,” Whitmer said. “Gun violence is a public health crisis in our country, and we need to come together and take action to make sure firearms don’t end up in the hands of someone who wants to hurt themselves or others. My heart is with the loved ones of the victims and the residents and first responders of Texas and Ohio.”
On Saturday, a gunman opened fire in a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, killing 20 people and sending more than two dozen others to the hospital. That same day, another gunman opened fire in a popular nightlife district, killing at least nine and injuring at least 27 people.
The State of Michigan remembers the victims and stands in solidarity with residents of the Texas and Ohio by lowering flags to half-staff. Michigan residents, businesses, schools, local governments and other organizations also are encouraged to display the flag at half-staff.
To lower flags to half-staff, flags should be hoisted first to the peak for an instant and then lowered to the half-staff position. The process is reversed before the flag is lowered for the day.
