Community Justice Marks Fifth Anniversary of El Paso Shooting
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 3, 2024
Contact: CJAF@skdknick.com
El Paso, TX – On the fifth anniversary of the mass shooting in El Paso, Texas which killed 23 people and injured 22 others, Community Justice Executive Director José Alfaro released the following statement:
“Five years ago, our nation witnessed a horrific attack on Latinos in El Paso, fueled by hate and racism. Parents lost their children, brothers lost their sisters, friends lost their teammates, and a community lost its sense of safety. This tragedy was a stark reminder of how white supremacy, xenophobia, and anti-Latino racism can manifest into deadly violence when dangerous individuals act on that vitriol.
“It is shameful that just five years later, Texas policymakers echoed the hateful ideology of the El Paso shooter with the passage of SB4, embracing the same rhetoric of a so-called ‘Hispanic invasion’ that led to this violence. This law, allowing non-federal entities to question and detain suspected undocumented immigrants, has instilled fear in Hispanic families and increased the risk of racial profiling in Texas. Our communities deserve better.
“Our hearts remain with the El Paso community who have spent the past five years rebuilding and recovering from this senseless act of violence. We stand in solidarity with them and will continue to support their journey towards healing and justice.”
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