April 18, 2025
With heavy hearts, the Virginia Tech Graduate Labor Union reaffirms their unequivocal support for Florida State University and the broader Tallahassee community following the shooting on their campus on April 17, 2025. This news comes to us as our very own Virginia Tech and broader Blacksburg community is grieving the anniversary of the April 16, 2007 shooting on our campus. We understand all too well the aftermath of gun violence and stand in solidarity with our union siblings from FSU Graduate Assistants United.
We’ve had the opportunity to make personal connections with FSU GAU members that we value deeply. They have shared essential strategies for labor organizing in higher education, especially how to make ourselves seen and heard across the graduate student community. The GAU’s expertise has made an impact on us and we are grateful for their time and support.
There is no place for violence on any school campus, regardless of education level or public/private status. Students should not have to fear for their safety while they are on school grounds. Gun violence in the United States has led to a public health crisis, with children, teens, and young adults shouldering this burden. It is disheartening to see the lack of political action, despite the continual occurrences of violence on higher education campuses.
We send our support and care to the FSU and Tallahassee communities. We will continue to organize at the local, state, and national level for safety, security, and liberation in higher education.
With care,
The Virginia Tech Graduate Labor Union
Website: https://vtglu.org/
Email: vtgraduatelaborunion@gmail.com
Virginia Tech United Campus Workers: https://ucwva.org/who-we-are/virginia-tech/
Resources:
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
NAMI HelpLine: +1(800) 950-NAMI, or text “HELPLINE” to 62640. Both services are available between 10 am-10 pm ET, Monday-Friday.
Sincerely, students of the Virginia Tech Graduate Labor Union and our supporters
VT Graduate Labor Union 