Hi Friend,

Two years ago, on August 3, 2019, a white supremacist domestic terrorist killed 23 El Pasoans and injured dozens more in a targeted attack on Texas Latinos.

Today, we grieve with the entire El Paso community. We remember those whose lives were so unjustly taken, and hold their loved ones in our hearts. And we stand with all those affected by this horrific attack.

For so many in our community, this tragedy is personal. Family members and friends who still feel the sting of this loss. El Paso community members whose resilience is both astonishing and heartbreaking. And Latino families like mine, all across Texas, who are still dealing with the terror this attack unleashed.

No one should have had to go through what El Paso went through. And I know it’s a slap in the face for so many of us that two years later, next to nothing has been done to keep our communities safe. Republican politicians like Greg Abbott are still peddling the same violent, racist rhetoric that fueled this attack -- including by scapegoating immigrants in our border communities. And they’re still clearing the way for gun violence -- this time, through their reckless permitless carry legislation that’s set to become law in September.

El Paso deserves better. Texas deserves better. So I want to make a commitment to you. As we stand with El Paso today, and honor those whose lives were so unjustly taken, I commit to continuing to fight every day for a Texas where all our communities are safe. I will continue to work for common sense gun reform, and an end to the gun violence epidemic -- and I will never stop fighting against the racism and hate that put communities of color in danger.

Thank you for standing together today, and for all you do to fight for a better Texas.

We won’t forget.

Gilberto Hinojosa
Chair, Texas Democratic Party