Harry Styles donates over $1million to gun safety fund following Texas shooting
"I have been absolutely devastated by the recent string of mass shootings in America"
By Tom Skinner
Harry Styles has pledged $1million (£791K) to a gun safety organisation in the wake of the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas last week.
At least 19 young children and two adults were killed when an 18-year-old gunman opened fire at Robb Elementary School in the city last Tuesday (May 24). The suspect was subsequently shot dead by enforcement officials.
It marked the worst high school shooting in America since 26 people were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012, as well as the 27th high school shooting in America this year alone. So far in 2022, there have been over 200 mass shootings in the US.
In a message posted on his official social media channels, Styles wrote: “Along with all of you, I have been absolutely devastated by the recent string of mass shootings in America, culminating at the latest in Robb Elementary School in Texas.
“On our North American tour, we will be partnering with Everytown who work to end gun violence, donating to support their efforts, and sharing their suggested action items. Love, H.”
The singer also shared the statistic that firearms are the number one leading cause of death for American children and teens. Additionally, he requested that his fans text the word “ACT” to 64433 to join Everytown in the fight to end gun violence. See the post below.
Elsewhere, entertainment company Live Nation said that it was “proud to join Harry Styles in matching his donation to Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund – equalling over $1 million and counting”.
Styles joins the likes of Madonna, Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo and Brandon Flowers in speaking out against gun violence. Speaking to Rolling Stone UK last week, The Killers‘ frontman said of the Uvalde attack: “It’s heartbreaking. What’s sad is that we’ve come to expect it.
“It’s not shocking, it’s just heartbreaking because people should be up in arms and our politicians should be fighting to figure it out and they’re just not.”
In other news, Harry Styles recently played a special set for BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge in support of his new album Harry’s House.
Yesterday (May 29) saw the pop star headline the final day of Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2022 in Coventry.