John–
Earlier today, a gunman shot and killed 14 children and one teacher and wounded several more at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas. Once again, gun violence has forced its way into our schools, leaving nothing but devastation, trauma, and tragedy in its wake.
We are absolutely devastated for the people impacted by this senseless act of gun violence. We grieve with the people of Uvalde, a predominantly Latinx community. School is the last place where kids should have to worry about gun violence, especially when they include members of my community that immigrated to the United States in search of a better, safer life.
Unfortunately, this tragedy is far from an isolated incident for the Latinx community—my community. Gun violence already disproportionately impacts us. This mass shooting is an added burden, an added act of horrific violence on top of what our community has historically experienced.
And we're not alone. Less than two weeks ago, a white supremacist shot and killed multiple Black people in Buffalo, New York, an act of racist violence adding to centuries of atrocities. Asian American communities are also still the target of violent hate crimes across the United States.
Students deserve to learn and live without fear of getting shot in school. Gun violence should not be a norm anywhere in the United States. But thanks to our country's weak gun laws and the gun lobby's relentless "guns everywhere" agenda, nowhere is safe.
Our children deserve better. Latinx communities deserve better. Our country deserves better.
As Everytown's Director of Latinx Leadership and Community Engagement, I'm working with people across the country to build a future free from gun violence. But we need your help.
This crisis will only end if we band together and demand action from our lawmakers. John, I need you in this fight. Become a volunteer with Everytown and help put an end to this crisis.
As we continue to receive more details from Uvalde, please take care of yourselves. Moments like these call for us to look after one another and make sure we have the support we need to grieve and be safe.
Thank you for being a part of this movement. I know that together, we can stop this violence and save lives.
José Alfaro
He/Him/El
Director of Latinx Leadership and Community Engagement
Everytown for Gun Safety
