
'This Is Us' pays emotional tribute to Pittsburgh Synagogue shooting victims
By Meaghan Wray
After a tragic shooting at a Pittsburgh Synagogue on Saturday (Oct. 27) claimed 11 lives and affected many others, TV shows like This Is Us, sports franchises like the Pittsburgh Penguins and other big names like Justin Trudeau, Ellen DeGeneres and more are paying tribute.
After its Tuesday night (Oct. 30) episode, the popular family series ended with a heartfelt message to those who lost their lives and were injured at the Tree of Life Synagogue, as the emotional drama is based in the Pennsylvania city. Dan Fogelman, the critically acclaimed show’s creator, took to Twitter to share the message, which read: “Our hearts are broken. We stand with our television hometown of Pittsburgh. To learn more about ending gun violence, visit everytown.org.” Stars of the show like Mandy Moore and Susan Kelechi Watson retweeted the message, adding their own comments on the tragedy.
The end card from tonight's episode. @Everytown#ThisIsUspic.twitter.com/K88NY3hoAV
— Dan Fogelman (@Dan_Fogelman) October 31, 2018
Support for the victims has been pouring out after the scary incident, which saw a gunman open fire on worshipers during a Saturday service. The city’s hockey team, the Pittsburgh Penguins, introduced a special patch on each jersey that reads “Stronger than Hate,” incorporating the Star of David within their team logo. Before their first game following the hateful attack, a video played to honour policemen Chief Scott Schubert, and officers Anthony Burke and Mike Smigda, who were wounded while saving lives that day.
#StrongerThanHatepic.twitter.com/rgm5NCP6U0
— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) October 30, 2018
Just across the border in Canada, the Prime Minister used his social media platform to share his sympathies with the city, writing: “Canadians’ hearts are with the Jewish community in Pittsburgh today, as they endured a horrific anti-Semitic attack while at prayer.” Other big names likeEllen, One Direction’s Niall Horan, Joe Manganiello, Bette Midler and more also reached out to offer condolences.
Canadians’ hearts are with the Jewish community in Pittsburgh today, as they endured a horrific anti-Semitic attack while at prayer. May the families of those murdered be comforted, and may the injured recover quickly and fully.
— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) October 27, 2018
Today, I send out love to each and every one of you reading this. Every single one of you. We are one world. We all need love. We all want comfort. Let’s give it to each other.
— Ellen DeGeneres (@TheEllenShow) October 27, 2018
Trump kept saying in his chat with reporters that if there was an armed guard inside the synagogue that the “numbers” would have been a lot lower . The fact is if there was no guns at all , there wouldn’t have been a shooter in the first place. Get a grip
— Niall Horan (@NiallOfficial) October 27, 2018
My heart goes out to all those affected by gun violence today and every day. Feeling helpless and frustrated by this news too? VOTE Nov 6th. VOTE. Use your voice. #GunSenseCandidateshttps://t.co/LCi3ufyMJH
— Mandy Moore (@TheMandyMoore) October 27, 2018
My thoughts are back home today with the people of Squirrel Hill, Pittsburgh.
— JOE MANGANIELLO (@JoeManganiello) October 27, 2018
To the families of those who died in the synagogue shooting in Pittsburgh, my deepest and sincere sympathies. This horror is escalating day by day. If only we had LEADERSHIP that would actually take steps to stop it.
— Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) October 27, 2018