While news pundits and media talking heads immediately launched into politicizing Sunday night’s shooting in Las Vegas, hyper-analyzing everything from gun laws to President Trump to the significance of the shooter’s skin color, the people of Las Vegas responded just a little bit differently to the tragedy that left at least 50 people dead and more than 400 others wounded.
Lines of volunteers extended well past the doors of local blood donation centers, as donors stood waiting to help shooting victims any way they could. Several on the scene said volunteers stood outside clinics for hours waiting to donate blood.
The line to donate blood is out the door at United Blood Service. People have been here all night waiting for it to open #GMLV pic.twitter.com/D5VQeEjAYF
— Yasmeen Hassan (@YasmeenTV) October 2, 2017
Las Vegas blood donation center was 'full' at 3:48 a.m. https://t.co/XgI7tCn5u5 pic.twitter.com/lAgtPIGMUg
— The Week (@TheWeek) October 2, 2017
Pic from inside blood donation center on W Charleston. Packed. You can help too @KTNV @BethFisherTV pic.twitter.com/tPemr6ikyq
— David Schuman (@david_schuman) October 2, 2017
Another pic of blood center. My friend there says line is out the door. Again, this was at 4:15. People care. @KTNV pic.twitter.com/Was1prG8Ml
— David Schuman (@david_schuman) October 2, 2017
Just as Texans rallied in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, Americans in Las Vegas pulling together to selflessly support neighbors they’ve never met shows the very best of humanity – and shames those who instantly turn such senseless tragedies into a political soapbox.
(Cover photo: Twitter)