Pax Christi USA has issued the following statement regarding the president’s attack on 75 year-old Catholic peace activist Martin Gugino who was injured by 2 police officers during a peaceful protest last week in Buffalo, New York.
Last week, Martin Gugino, a 75 year-old Catholic peace activist from Buffalo, New York was shoved by two police officers during a peaceful protest, resulting in a fall that left him bleeding from his head. The two officers have been suspended and charged with assault. Following the incident, the president tweeted about Mr. Gugino, insinuating that he was an “antifa provocateur”.
Pax Christi USA has long been involved in public protests and celebrates the right of people in our country to gather to air their opinions and stand up for the values which they believe in. The treatment of Mr. Gugino, who is motivated by his deep Catholic faith, is inexcusable and shines a further light on the importance of protecting the rights of people to peacefully protest. Furthermore, the president’s tweet is just another example of his determination to sow confusion and division, to attack the character of people with whom he disagrees, and to threaten people who exercise their rights as citizens of this country.
Pax Christi USA extends our appreciation to Mr. Gugino for his actions and prays for his quick recovery. We are also appreciative of the short comment he gave in response to reporters who informed him of the president’s tweet.
“No comment other than Black lives matter,” Gugino said.
Additional Updates and Information
- Click here to read the RNS story which includes a quote from Pax Christi’s local coordinator in Buffalo, Tom Casey on Mr. Gugino’s activism.
- Click here to read Witness Against Torture’s press release. Mr. Gugino has a long history of working with WAT.
WAT has also provided this information for updates on Mr. Gugino, including contact and donation information:
- You can send well-wishes to Martin by mail, addressing them to Martin Gugino c/o Western New York Peace Center, 1272 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, NY 14209.
- Donations can be also made to Martin through the WNYPC: by check, payable to WNYPC, designated for Martin Gugino; or by PayPal or credit card at https://wnypeace.org/wp/ (After clicking on Donate, type in Martin Gugino under “Add special instructions to the seller”).
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Photo credit: Witness Against Torture
At what age do Blacks qualify 4 their lives 2 matter??? Surely his time would be far more effectively spent in demonstrating against the Industrial Slaughter of 1,000s of Black babies by Planned Parenthood. As opposed, of course, in trying 2 collect Data electronically. Just an Observation.