Happy Hispanic Heritage Month, John! ❤️
My name is Maria Paula Hernández, and I’m honored to serve as the Associate Director of Development at March For Our Lives. Now more than ever, I am a proud Latina, carrying my community’s strength, love, and fight for justice in everything I do.
When we recognize Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate the richness of culture, history, traditions, and contributions of the Hispanic and Latin community. But we cannot overlook the painful reality facing our community today.
This month is not only a time for celebration, but also for reflection. We must confront the disproportionate challenges the Hispanic and Latino community continues to face - especially when it comes to gun violence. My community is suffering, and we can’t ignore that reality.
Gun violence is tearing families apart. Hispanic deaths by firearms occur at twice the national rate. That means double the families grieving their loved ones. For Latino youth ages 15 to 19, a gun is the leading cause of death. Every year, nearly 5,300 Latino lives are cut short in the U.S. because of gun violence.
At March For Our Lives, we celebrate the resilience, beauty, and achievements of the Latino community. But celebration is not enough. Hispanic Heritage Month may only last thirty days, but the fight for our lives, our safety, and our dignity continues every single day. Our heritage, our culture, and our struggle for justice are not confined to a calendar - they are lived experiences that demand recognition, respect, and action year-round.
It is time not only to celebrate but to stand in solidarity, to act, and to protect our community in every way possible.
With hope,
Maria
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