LULAC DENOUNCES POLITICAL CANDIDATE ON SOCIAL MEDIA CALLING FOR PUBLIC EXECUTION OF UNDOCUMENTED IMMIGRANTS

Nation's Oldest and Largest Latino Civil Rights Organization Calls for Justice, Not Hate-Motivated Retribution Targeting Certain Types of Accused Suspects In America

Washington, DC – The League of United Latin American Citizens, LULAC strongly condemns the call for public executions made on social media by Valentina Gomez, a Republican seeking public office in Texas. Gomez's video glorifies the type of vigilantism that has led to deadly consequences in our nation and feeds into the anti-immigrant lie.

"LULAC denounces violent crime in our nation and expresses its deepest condolences to its victims and their loved ones," says Roman Palomares, national president and chairman of the board. "However, we believe in the Christian principles of justice, not retribution. Using public executions as a hook to a politically motivated message fuels blind hatred. This kind of language is intended to appeal to an extreme base of individuals who believe the lie that all immigrants are here to harm others," says Palomares.

In her video, Gomez shoots a figure tied to a chair with a hood over its head, drawing millions of views. She claims to be speaking out after a Guatemalan immigrant was arrested for the brutal murder of a woman on a New York subway. Gomez is calling for public executions of undocumented immigrants accused of violent crimes in America.

"Texas LULAC deplores the irresponsible actions of this purported candidate seeking public office," says Texas LULAC state director Gabriel Rosales. "The El Paso Walmart mass shooter killed 23 people and wounded 22 more precisely because of racial hate speech. Social media must ban this kind of reckless display for attention," he adds.

Lupe Torres, LULAC national board member and vice president for women in America and Puerto Rico, states, "Women of LULAC stand with the victims of sexual assault as an especially heinous crime that cannot be tolerated but oppose revenge killings. Instead, our elected leaders must enact legislation that sets mandatory and harsher sentencing guidelines for those who perpetuate attacks on women," Torres states.

"LULAC wholeheartedly condemns Gomez's video and words," says Lawrence "Larry" Romo, LULAC national vice president for veterans. "We are a nation of laws, not barbarism, and any individual in our country accused of a crime deserves their day in court to determine if they are guilty or not guilty. This is a Constitutional right America's military servicemembers have fought and died for to uphold," adds Romo.

"Every person subject to deportation is entitled to due process," says Gloria Leal, LULAC general counsel. "Posting of this type on social media incite violence and vigilantism, and we do not support them," states Leal.

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About LULAC
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation's oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization. Founded in 1929, LULAC is committed to advancing the rights and opportunities of Latino Americans through advocacy, community building, and education. With a growing network of councils nationwide, LULAC remains steadfast in its mission to protect and empower millions of Latinos, contributing daily to America's prosperity. For more information about LULAC and its initiatives, please visit www.LULAC.org.