Statement from UnidosUS Action Fund Executive Director Rafael Collazo on the shooting in Uvalde, Texas

Contact: 
Rafael Collazo
info@unidosusaf.org

May 25, 2022

WASHINGTON, D.C.-- --“Yesterday was another dark day in our country with the killing of 21 people– 19 of them children in Uvalde, Texas. What was supposed to be another day closer to the end of the school year for students and teachers at Robb Elementary, turned into one of the deadliest school shootings in our country’s sad and abhorrent history of gun violence.

“Tragedies like this one keep happening while elected officials do nothing; except, in Texas’ case, make firearms more available. Instead of working to protect their citizens after the senseless and racist murders in El Paso and Odessa just two years ago, Governor Greg Abbott and Texas Republican legislators have shamelessly loosened gun laws, most notably passing permit-less carry less than a year ago.

“Texas’ Senators John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, along with Rep. Tony Gonzales – who represents Uvalde in Congress – all have 100% ratings from the National Rifle Association (NRA) and have been staunch supporters of gun rights during their entire political careers, casting votes to obstruct common sense gun reform at every opportunity to court political allies and supporters regardless of the cost to American families.

“We call on Governor Abbott to immediately convene a special session to rescind the deadly gun laws currently in place and pass common sense gun legislation to protect Texans, especially Texas’ children. We call on President Biden to bring Congress and state leaders to the table to find the intestinal fortitude to stop these horrific killings and save American lives. And we call on the U.S. Senate to act immediately by taking up the bipartisan gun safety legislation already passed by the House of Representatives or find a way to put politics aside and pass sensible gun safety laws. The time is now for our elected leaders to actually lead.

“We mourn for the people of Uvalde and the families who have lost a loved one. And we are sick and tired of seeing young and promising lives cut short due to gun violence. How many young children must be murdered before Republicans find the courage to stand up and do the right thing to protect us and our children? Unfortunately, Republicans in state legislatures and in Congress would rather stoke the fears of culture wars rather than addressing the issues that are impacting the lives of everyday Americans. We have the power to hold them accountable and change our leaders if they fail us once again. And it starts by voting in this year’s midterm
elections.”

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UnidosUS Action Fund is committed to building Latinx political power to strengthen families and communities.