MARTINEZ – Assemblymember Anamarie Ávila Farías (D-Martinez) released the following statement on the tragic loss of John Beam, who died this morning, one day following a shooting at Laney College in Oakland, CA. He was 66 years-old:
“Our Bay Area community is hurting we lost a mentor, leader, and pillar of Oakland today. “My deepest and heartfelt condolences go to Coach Beam’s wife, daughters, and his entire family. Their loss is immeasurable, and their pain will be lifelong. Coach Beam was more than a football coach — he was a husband, a father, a grandfather, and a guiding force for thousands of young people.
“The loss of Coach John Beam is a devastating reminder of the violence that continues to take lives far too easily.A family is now shattered because someone with violent intent had access to a gun. This cannot be normalized.
“We have to ask ourselves: At what point did we become so desensitized that conflict is met with rage, and rage is met with a gun? The lack of value for human life is alarming, and it demands honest reflection and real action.
“We do not need more guns on our campuses. We need safe, secure school environments and a commitment to addressing gun violence. We owe it to Coach Beam, to his family, and to every family impacted by gun violence to act with urgency.
“Enough is enough. It’s time to come together, pass meaningful policies, invest in prevention, and do the hard work required to end gun violence in our communities once and for all.”
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Assemblywoman Ávila Farías is Co-Chair of the Select Committee on Housing Finance and Affordability and represents California’s 15th Assembly District, covering the communities of Alhambra Valley, Antioch, Bay Point, Brentwood, Clayton, Clyde, Concord, Crockett, Martinez, Mountain View, Pacheco, Pittsburg, Pleasant Hill, Port Costa, Reliez Valley. Vine Hill, and Walnut Creek.
