Not Backing Down: Public Health Staff and Allies Speak Out

Release Date: Aug 9, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Current and former CDC staff and allies gather in support of fallen officer, David Rose, and in condemnation of the 8/8 attack on CDC (Atlanta, GA)

On August 8, 2025, a man opened fire on CDC’s main headquarters in Atlanta, GA, killing one police officer. Employees were instructed to run, hide, or fight as bullets struck the windows of buildings on CDC’s Roybal campus. Children at the nearby daycare were on lockdown, and parents were unable to pick them up. This attack was entirely preventable, but it was also predictable.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has spent decades villainizing CDC and sowing distrust in vaccines, fueling a climate of hostility toward CDC and its employees. Credible news reports indicate that the shooter was driven by misinformation about COVID-19 vaccines - misinformation that Secretary Kennedy has repeated numerous times.

We stand against this act of violence. We are joined by current and former CDC employees and key allies to speak out against the continued assault on CDC and the federal workforce. It is past time for something to change. Our press conference will begin at 11:00 am in Piedmont Park near 10th Street and Charles Allen Drive NE. We welcome a variety of speakers, including:

• Representatives from Fired But Fighting

• Current CDC Staff • Former staff of CDC’s Division of Violence Prevention

• And others

You can read Fired But Fighting’s full statement on the attack here.

Media Contact: Aryn Backus aryn@nationalphc.org