The United States has experienced more than 200 mass shootings so far in 2022. The latest, the mass shooting at Robb Elementary, in Uvalde, Texas is the 27th school shooting of the year. Uvalde is a region steeped in Latino heritage and Mexican American history. A history dating back to the 1800s. Currently, it is 72 percent Latino. With nearly 90 percent of students at Robb Elementary School are Latino.
In the wake of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. UnidosUS, the nation’s largest Latino civil rights and advocacy organization has issued a statement and call to action. Read it in full here.
Janet Murguía, President and CEO, UnidosUS:
“We are absolutely devastated and heartbroken over [the] shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde. This is yet another senseless and preventable mass shooting that has taken the lives of innocent people going about their ordinary day. This time a group of young schoolchildren and their teachers on one of the last days of the school year.
“Our hearts and thoughts go out to the families and to the tight-knit, majority-Latino community who are grieving. We know from too many prior experiences that providing immediate and sustained support. Both within the school system and throughout the community—is of utmost importance now and for long-term healing. UnidosUS is working with leaders and partners on the ground, including our Texas UnidosUS Affiliates, to help deliver culturally relevant mental health resources and services as quickly as possible.
“But this can’t go on. We are the only country where mass shootings happen so often. It’s long past time for the people we elected to represent us to step up and eradicate the American crisis of gun violence. We are calling on Congress to take meaningful action and vote on common sense gun reform we have endorsed. Including universal background checks, closing related loopholes, and a ban on assault weapons. This is an issue of great importance to our community, and UnidosUS will engage with Latino and Latina voters to make sure we hold our elected leaders accountable.”
About UnidosUS
UnidosUS, formerly known as NCLR (National Council of La Raza), is the nation’s largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization. Through its unique combination of expert research, advocacy, programs, and an Affiliate Network of nearly 300 community-based organizations across the United States and Puerto Rico. UnidosUS simultaneously challenges the social, economic, and political barriers that affect Latinos at the national and local levels. For more than 50 years, UnidosUS has united communities and different groups seeking common ground through collaboration, and that share a desire to make our country stronger.
For more information on UnidosUS, visit www.unidosus.org