Siena College Must Publicly Condemn Alumni Wayne LaPierre
Siena College Must Publicly Condemn Alumni Wayne LaPierre
The Issue
Siena College, a small college in Loudonville, NY, has long prided itself on its identification with the core values of St. Francis of Assisi. These are values centering on inclusivity, peace, and service. Siena has also built a strong reputation for its student body and alumni, who are expected to carry the aforementioned values into the professional world and represent the college for life.
According to the official Siena College website, "Siena strives to embody the values and vision of St. Francis of Assisi: faith in a personal and provident God, reverence for all creation, affirmation of the unique worth of each person, appreciation for beauty, service to the poor and marginalized. We seek to build a community strengthened through diversity, where members work together in friendship and respect, committed to building a world that is more just, peaceable, and humane." For a large percentage of those involved with the school, this rings true. However, not for all. One of Siena's most notable alumni is CEO and Executive VP of the NRA Wayne LaPierre - a man who proves time and time again to be the absolute antithesis of this vision.
LaPierre has faced charges of defrauding his own people, stealing millions from NRA members who support his cause. He has also been videotaped poaching an endangered elephant species, having travelled to Botswana in 2013 for the sole purpose of this endeavour. In addition, he has been outspoken in support of arming teachers and faculty to prevent mass shootings, claiming that more guns is the only solution to this continued problem in America. Stealing, animal cruelty, and violence.
In light of the recent attack on innocent children and educators in Uvalde, Texas on May 24th, 2022, I believe that Siena College should publicly condemn the actions of Wayne LaPierre, and should consider revoking his degree. His name is forever associated with ours, and until those ties are severed this will not change. Since the early 90's LaPierre has lobbied to keep gun control laws loose - a direct contributing factor to the massacres we have to behold so often. The most prominent figure standing in the way of stricter gun laws is a Siena graduate. How Franciscan is that?
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The Issue
Siena College, a small college in Loudonville, NY, has long prided itself on its identification with the core values of St. Francis of Assisi. These are values centering on inclusivity, peace, and service. Siena has also built a strong reputation for its student body and alumni, who are expected to carry the aforementioned values into the professional world and represent the college for life.
According to the official Siena College website, "Siena strives to embody the values and vision of St. Francis of Assisi: faith in a personal and provident God, reverence for all creation, affirmation of the unique worth of each person, appreciation for beauty, service to the poor and marginalized. We seek to build a community strengthened through diversity, where members work together in friendship and respect, committed to building a world that is more just, peaceable, and humane." For a large percentage of those involved with the school, this rings true. However, not for all. One of Siena's most notable alumni is CEO and Executive VP of the NRA Wayne LaPierre - a man who proves time and time again to be the absolute antithesis of this vision.
LaPierre has faced charges of defrauding his own people, stealing millions from NRA members who support his cause. He has also been videotaped poaching an endangered elephant species, having travelled to Botswana in 2013 for the sole purpose of this endeavour. In addition, he has been outspoken in support of arming teachers and faculty to prevent mass shootings, claiming that more guns is the only solution to this continued problem in America. Stealing, animal cruelty, and violence.
In light of the recent attack on innocent children and educators in Uvalde, Texas on May 24th, 2022, I believe that Siena College should publicly condemn the actions of Wayne LaPierre, and should consider revoking his degree. His name is forever associated with ours, and until those ties are severed this will not change. Since the early 90's LaPierre has lobbied to keep gun control laws loose - a direct contributing factor to the massacres we have to behold so often. The most prominent figure standing in the way of stricter gun laws is a Siena graduate. How Franciscan is that?
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Petition created on May 25, 2022