Before observing a minute of silence in honour of the victims of the attacks in Graz and Nogent, the President of the European Parliament Roberta Metsola said that schools must remain safe spaces of learning and growth, and not of fear.
Last week, we learned of the horrific school shooting in Graz, where a former pupil killed ten students and staff, and severely injured many others. This was a senseless act of violence that has deeply shaken Austria, and all of Europe.
Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, and the entire school community. We stand with everyone in Austria at this terrible time.
That same day, we learned of another brutal attack, as a 31-year-old teaching assistant was stabbed to death outside a school in Nogent, France.
The victim and their family are in our thoughts.
Violence and hatred have no place in Europe, and no place in our schools. Schools must remain safe spaces of learning and growth – never of fear.
Now, please join me in observing a minute’s silence in honour of the victims and all those affected.