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New York, United States | AFP | Lady Gaga urged US leaders Monday to act quickly to tighten gun laws following the carnage in Las Vegas as artists voiced shock at the deadliest shooting in modern US history.
While most artists left their comments to general messages of sympathy after the assault on a country music festival, Gaga used her social media power to press politicians.
“This is terrorism plain and simple. Terror bares no race, gender or religion. Democrats & Republicans please unite now,” the pop star wrote to her more than 71 million followers on Twitter, where her account is the seventh most popular.
These numbers… oh my god… https://t.co/pfcBaG3QRP
— Lady Gaga (@gagamonster96) October 2, 2017
She took to task the call for prayers by House Speaker Paul Ryan, who like President Donald Trump and most other Republican leaders is a staunch opponent of regulations on guns.
“Prayers are important but @SpeakerRyan @realDonaldTrump blood is on the hands of those who have power to legislate. #GunControl act quickly,” she wrote.
Gaga also invited fans to join her in a live-streamed 20 minutes of silent meditation or prayer “to connect us all through inner peace.”
Country turned pop superstar Taylor Swift, the fourth most followed person on Twitter, steered clear of politics as she wrote: “There are no words to express the helplessness and sorrow my broken heart feels for the victims in Vegas and their families.”
Prayers are important but @SpeakerRyan @realDonaldTrump blood is on the hands of those who have power to legislate. #GunControl act quickly. https://t.co/bXZQ7enuEp
— xoxo, Gaga (@ladygaga) October 2, 2017
Rihanna similarly tweeted:: “Saying a prayer for all the victims & their loved ones, also for the residents & visitors of Las Vegas! This was a horrific act of terror!!”
At least 58 people were killed and 500 injured when a heavily armed gunman opened fire from his hotel room onto an open-air country music festival on the Las Vegas Strip.
Jason Aldean, who was playing the headlining set when bullets began raining down, called the attack “beyond horrific.”
“It hurts my heart that this would happen to anyone who was just coming out to enjoy what should have been a fun night,” he wrote on Instagram.
Wow what a presidential thing to say after the deadliest mass shooting in US history. We need change and action, not „warmest condolences“. https://t.co/jNltqLzoTq
— Lady Gaga (@gagamonster96) October 2, 2017
Maren Morris, who played the same Route 91 Harvest festival on Saturday, recalled that “we were all singing” the day before the tragedy.
“I’m in shock over this. Heartbroken for all those lives taken too soon,” she tweeted.
