In this August 5, 2019 file photo, Maylin Reyes hangs a Mexican flag and a U.S. flag at a makeshift memorial near the scene of a mass shooting at a shopping complex in El Paso, Texas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Editor’s Note: On Monday morning, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus issued the following statement to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the El Paso shooting, which many consider was an act of domestic terrorism against people of Mexican descent.
SAN ANTONIO, TX — Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement to mark the one-year anniversary of the El Paso shooting, the deadliest act of anti-Latino violence in modern history.
“One year ago today, a gunman motivated by white supremacy drove over 600 miles to the bi-national community of El Paso, Texas, and killed 23 people and wounded 22 others in an act of terror. We lost veterans, coaches, immigrants, and parents, all members of a vibrant border community—a city that reflects the promise of America as a nation of immigrants.
“The El Paso shooting was not only an attack on the Latino community, but an assault on our entire American family. My thoughts and prayers are with the people of El Paso and Texas today, and all the survivors of that terrible violence.
“This anniversary is a reminder that we need to disarm hate—our nation’s weak gun laws enable violent extremism. The Senate should pass H.R. 8 because common sense gun safety laws save lives. The toxic mix of hate and guns is a significant threat to public safety. White supremacist ideology is not a relic of history, it still persists today.
“We have made progress over the last few decades to bridge racial and cultural divides, but we must reaffirm our efforts to achieve a more inclusive, tolerant, and just society. We must never forget those killed in El Paso, and I hope their lives will be an inspiration for us to march towards a better future.”
It’s such a shame that it is being watered down like if nothing happened. The “Punk” that did the killing specifically went after people of color meaning, of Brown color! They walk amongst us, folks!