Stephanie Valencia
In response to the tragic El Paso shooting on Saturday, dozens and dozens of Latino leaders across the country signed onto an oped that ran in the Washington Post online edition on Tuesday, August 6th. In addition to the signers who appeared in the online edition, the following people have also signed onto the letter (last updated at 6:45PM ET, on Tuesday, August 6, 2019).
Stephanie Valencia is the co-founder of EquisLabs. Joaquin Castro, a Democrat, represents Texas in the U.S. House and is chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Ana Maria Archila is co-executive director of the Center for Popular Democracy. Cristina Jiménez is the executive director of United We Dream. Luis Miranda was an aide to President Barack Obama. Luis Miranda Jr. is board chair of the Latino Victory Fund and founding president of the Hispanic Federation. The above individuals circulated the letter and it is co-signed by 33 other Latino leaders listed at the bottom of the op-ed.
The deadly mass shooting in El Paso this past weekend was an attack on a U.S. city that many of us call home. It is also a city that has been one of the safest in the country for years, and it is now a city where there were almost as many murders Saturday morning as there were in all of last year. It is a city that is more than 80 percent Latino, including many immigrants. So let’s call Saturday’s heinous act of violence what it is: a carefully calculated and purposeful hate crime targeted at the Hispanic and immigrant community. It is an act of domestic terrorism.
Many will not want to hear or believe this: Hispanics in this country are under attack. Black and brown people in this country are under attack. Immigrants in this country are under attack. And President Trump is fanning the flames of hate, division and bigotry directed at us all — immigrants and U.S. citizens alike. Though the attack has been pervasive for many people in this country for years, it is becoming an epidemic that is quickly infecting more communities and posing a real threat to our country. The president is also providing cover for white nationalists, explicitly endorsing hate speech and tacitly endorsing violence.
We, along with dozens of Latino leaders, demand leadership from both political parties, call on them to stand with allpeople in our country and proudly acknowledge that the diversity of our country has been our greatest strength. Our leaders must have the courage to stand tall against this hate, not just in words, but also in actions that protect their fellow Americans.https://tpc.googlesyndication.com/safeframe/1-0-35/html/container.html#xpc=sf-gdn-exp-583311962&p=https%3A//www.washingtonpost.com
We cannot excuse the vile behavior of Saturday’s shooter or gloss over the actions of others who have committed similar atrocities as just a sickness or mental health issue. This is hate and white nationalism, plain and simple, and it is fueled by irresponsible rhetoric. Unabashedly saying that Muslims should not be allowed in this country, warning people of invasions from Hispanics and immigrants (as cited in the suspect’s manifesto), encouraging chants of “send them back” and calling neo-Nazis and white supremacists “very fine people” are all examples of rhetoric that inspires hate and violence. We see the consequences in the stories of the victims and their families who mourn them, in the tears of those caring for the wounded.
A toxic combination of guns and hate is the problem. Keeping guns out of the hands of those who would perpetrate violence is an important part of the answer, and the Senate must immediately act to pass the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019, update our laws and insist on regulations that meet the challenges of 21st-century America. Still, it is as important to address the root of the problem and stop the division, polarization and propagation of dehumanizing rhetoric that inspire these acts of hate. Washington, too, must act, and Congress must hold this administration accountable to ensure that groups promoting dangerous conspiracy theories and hate are designated as domestic terrorists. That includes the Ku Klux Klan, neo-Nazis, racist skinheads, and other white supremacist and separatist idealists.
Domestic violent extremism perpetuated by white nationalists affects Americans from all backgrounds. On Saturday, it was a Latino community; not long ago it was a Jewish congregation worshiping at a synagogue in Pittsburgh. Muslims at a mosque in California. African Americans at Bible study in Charleston, S.C. Our gun violence epidemic is further fueling hate crimes. Since the Sandy Hook massacre of 20 elementary school children in Newtown, Conn., in 2012 there have been 2,193 mass shootings, resulting in 2,478 deaths and more than 9,000 injuries, including tragically in Dayton, Ohio, just hours after El Paso. We are all connected, and we must speak out.
The administration should also publicly announce that it is suspending deportation and enforcement actions in areas affected by this violence so that victims can seek medical care and the support they need to recover regardless of immigration status.
We are standing up for the soul of this country. And we have a lot of healing to do. But we are at a critical crossroads: Are we going to continue to tolerate the slayings of our fellow citizens and human beings based on their religion, national origin or skin color? Are we going to allow ourselves to be divided and separated? We think we are better than that. We know we are better than that.
Jerry Gonzalez, Executive Director, Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials (GALEO)
Adan Acevedo
Adria Marquez, Vice Chair, Obama Latinos44 Alumni Association
Adrian Saenz, Founder, Mosaic Media Strategy Group
Aileen Schlef, Consultant
Aissa Canchola, Legislative Director, US House of Representatives
Alejandra Gonzalez, Policy Coordinator, National Security Action
Alejandro Becerra, Director of Research, NAHREP
Alejandro R. Rodriguez
Alfonso Lopez, Minority/Demcratic Whip and Member, 49th District, Virginia House of Delegates
Alliance in Mentorship, Mi Mentor
Amanda K., Founder and CEO, Javilud LLC
Amanda Renteria, President, Emerge
Amber Seira, Special Advisor to the Associate Administer, Latinos44
Amilcar Guzman, National President, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Alumni Association
Ana Marie Argilagos, President and CEO, Hispanics in Philanthropy
Ana Sol Gutierrez, Former MD State Legislator, MD General Assembly
Andrea Mercado, Executive Director, New Florida Majority
Angela Maria Kelley
Anna Lisa
Anne Cardenas
Arely Ramirez Diaz, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute
Arturo Vargas, CEO, NALEO
Bernadette Carrillo Hobson, former Deputy White House Liaison, U.S. Department of Agriculture
Brenda Arredondo, Director, The Raben Group
Brenda Luna Macedo
Brian Castro, Attorney
Brianna M. Carmen, Director of Organizing and Partnerships, Voto Latino
C. Eduardo Vargas Toro, Senior Associate, International Center for Religion & Diplomacy
Carmen Lomellin, Ambassador
Caroline Soberanis
Cecilia Muñoz
Celinda Peña
Christian Esperias, National Senior Director of Campaign Strategy, SFER Action Network
Chuck Rocha, Founder, National Association of Diverse Consultants
Cindy Nava, Speaker & Policy Advocate
Cindy Padilla
Courtney B. Taylor
Cynthia Jasso Rotunno
Daniel Balke, PhD Student, UC Berkeley, Department of Political Science
Daniel R. Suvor, Attorney
Dante Barry, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Million Hoodies Movement for Justice
Dave Montez, Senior Director, Democracy Alliance
Dusti Gurule, Executive Director, Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights
Edgar Flores, NV Assemblyman and lawyer
Edna Z. Ruano, Former Director, Public Affairs & Communications, Formerly with the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security
Eduardo Canales, Director, South Texas Human Rights Center
Eduardo Cisneros, Community Leader
Eduardo Guevara
Eduardo Sainz, Arizona State Director, Mi Familia Vota
Elena Rios, MD, President & CEO, National Hispanic Medical Association
Elisa Montoya, Former Executive Secretary & Director of Administration, Department of Homeland Security and Director, National Security, Presidential Personnel, the White House Private Citizen
Elisa Montoya, Former Counselor & White House Liaison, Peace Corps; Former Executive Secretary & Director of Administration, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; and Former Director, National Security, Office of Presidential Personnel, the White House, Private Citizen
Elvis S. Cordova, President, Statecraft Strategies
Eric Hernandez, President, CHCI Alumni Association, DC Chapter
Eric Waldo, Executive Director, Reach Higher
Esther Morales
Fatima Cuevas, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Legislation U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
Fernando Ramos, Principal, FLR Strategies LLC
Fernando Trevino, Principal, Trevino Strategic Consulting
Francesca de Quesada Covey
Francisco Reinoso
Francisco Sanchez, Former US Under Secretary of Commerce, Private Citizen
Franco Caliz-Aguilar, Senior Political Advisor, Community Change Action
Frankie Andres Martinez Blanco, Associate Director, XQ Institute
Gabriel Esquenazi
Gabriel Sandoval, Civil Rights and Education Attorney
Gabriela D. Lemus, Ph.D., President of the Board, Mi Familia Vota Education Fund
Geoconda Arguello-Kline, Secretary-Treasurer, UNITE HERE Culinary Union
Georgina C. Verdugo, Former Director. Office for Civil Rights, US Dept. of Health and Human Services
Gilda Pedraza, Executive Director, Latino Community Fund (LCF Georgia)
Grecia Lima, Political Director, Community Change Action
Griselda Guevara-Cruz, Educator
Gustavo Torres, Executive Director, CASA
Hector Sanchez Barba, Executive Director, LCLAA
Irma Esparza Diggs
Jaqueline Cortez Wang
Javier H. Valdes, Co-Executive Director, Make the Road NY
Javier Martinez
Jennifer M. López, Community Advocate
Jesse Salazar, Former Obama Administration Appointee
Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, Executive Director, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health
Joelle Martinez, Executive Director, Latino Leadership Institute
John Amaya, Former Deputy Chief of Staff, ICE, Department of Homeland Security
John Carlos Green, Community Engagement Coordinator, Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia
Jose Borjon, Texas Resident, Concerned Citizen
José E. López, Executive Director, Puerto Rican Cultural Center
Jose Galarza
Jose P Garza, Co-Executive Director, Workers Defense Project
Jose Rico
Juan Sebastian Gonzalez, Senior Fellow, Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement
Julian Alcazar
Julie Martinez Ortega, Director — Washington Office, Sandler Phillips Center
Karina Cabrera Bell
Kate Garza
Kate Villarreal
Katherine Archuleta, Former Director of US Office Personnel Management
Kevin Figueroa, Founder, Central Americans for Empowerment (CAFE)
Kimberly Inez McGuire, Executive Director, URGE: Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity
Kristie Hernandez, Board Member, Weingart East Los Angeles YMCA
Kurt Sackerman, Candidate, Kurt for America’s Voice
L. Alejandro Molina, Co-cordinator, National Boricua Human Rights Network
Laura C Forero Orozco
Laura Castillo
Laura Jimenez,
Laura Marquez, Board Member, Latinos44
Leo Cruz, Associate Director of Communications and Campaigns, National Security Action
Lia Parada, Director of Government Affairs, Center for American Progress
Lisa Garcia
Lisa Hunter
Lisa Pino, Former Obama Official, USDA and DHS Attorney, Immigration
Liz Alarcon, Founder & Director, Pulso
Liz Chavez, Communications / Digital Strategist
Liz Montoya
Lizet Ocampo, Political Director, People For the American Way
Lizette Olmos, Communications Manager, CASA (Former Obama HHS appointee)
Loida L. Tapia, Director of Public Engagement, Michigan Department of State
Lourdes Castro Ramirez
Lucy Flores, CEO, Luz Collective
Luis Ávila, Founder, Instituto Lab
Luis Melero, Former Senior Policy Advisor, Office of National Drug Control Policy
Luz Mendez, Senior Advisor, Former State Department Official
Marco A. Lopez, Jr, Frm. border mayor, Nogales, AZ, Intermestic Partners
Marcos Vilar, Executive Director, Alianza for Progress
Margaret Olmos
Maria Teresa Kumar, President/CEO, Voto Latino
Marielena Hincapie, Executive Director, National Immigration Law Center
Marina A. Torres
Marisa Franco, Director and Co-Founder, Mijente
Marissa Padilla
Maritza Perez, Lawyer, Policy Analyst, and Activist
Mark Magaña, Founding President & CEO, GreenLatinos
Marlene Sallo, Former Staff Director, US Commission on Civil Rights
Marsha Catron
Marta Urquilla, Former Senior Policy Advisor, White House Domestic Policy Council
Martin Cuéllar, Former Deputy Director, White House
Matt A. Barreto, Latino Decisions
Mayra E Alvarez, President, The Children’s Partnership
Mel Wilson, Senior Policy Consultant, National Association of Social Workers
Melissa Morales, President, Somos Votantes
Melissa Vargas
Mercedes Marquez, President, Márquez Community Strategy
Michael C. Camuñez, Former Assistant Secretary of Commerce
Michelle Dhansinghani, CEO, Elan Strategies
Myra Garcia, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, College Assistant Professor-New Mexico State University
Nancy H. Sutley, Former Chair, White House Council in Environmental Quality
Nate Snyder, Former Obama DHS Senior Counterterrorism Official, Cambridge Global Advisors and Latinos44
Nathaly Arriola, Executive Director, Need To Impeach
Noerena Limon, SVP — Policy and Advocacy, National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP)
Oliva Lopez, Co-Founder, Latinos44
P. David Lopez, Dean Rutgers Law School — Newark
Patrick Hidalgo, Co-founder, Miami Freedom Project
Pili Tobar, Deputy Director, America’s Voice
Rafael Lemaitre, Former Director of Public Affairs, FEMA
Rafael López, Former Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families and Former Senior Policy Advisor, The White House DPC & OSTP
Raffi Freedman-Gurspan, Former Obama Administration LGBTQ Liaison
Ramona E. Romero
Raul Alvillar, Former National Political Director Democratic Party
Rebeca Rumayor, CMO, Rumayor Marketing
Ricardo Alfaro, President, Democratic Latino Organization of Virginia
Ricardo Rauseo, Constituency Media Associate, Center for American Progress
Ricardo Reinoso
Robert Julien, Staff Assistant, Office of Majority Whip James E. Clyburn
Dr. Robert Ross
Roció Saenz, Executive Vice President, Service Employees International Union
Sam Jammal, Attorney
Samuel Molina, California State Director, Mi Familia Vota
Sarah Audelo, Executive Director, Alliance for Youth Action
Sergio Gonzales, Deputy Director, The Immigration Hub
Shantel Meek, Professor of Practice and Director of Policy, The Children’s Equity Project, Arizona State University
Sigrid Gonzalez
Sindy M. Benavides, CEO, LULAC
Soledad Roybal, Founder and President, Latino Tech Policy Initiative
Sonia Rangel, Chief Operations Officer, Corazón Latino
Sonja Diaz, Founding Executive Director, UCLA Latino Policy & Politics Initiative
Stephanie Gómez, Houston Activist
Steve Haro, Principal, Mehlman Castagnetti Rosen & Thomas
Steven Montoya, Senior Director of State Capacity Building, State Voices
Sulma Arias, Immigration Field Director, Fair Immigration Reform Movement (FIRM)
Sylvia Ruiz, Immigrant Justice Campaigns
Tammye Trevino, Executive Director, Housing Authority of Bexar County
Tatiana Torres, Director, Social Impact & Community Affairs
Teresa Chaurand
Tony Martinez, Former Chief of Staff Wage & Hour Division, Obama-Biden Appointee
Tory Gavito, President, Way to Win
Valentina Pereda, Documentary Filmmaker
Vanessa Quintana, Founding Community Organizer, Denver Community Action Network
Vanessa Valdivia
Victor M Mendez, Former Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation
Victor Vasquez, Nonprofit Consultant
Victoria Ochoa, Student, University of Pennsylvania Law School
Vivian Graubard
Vivian Nava-Schellinger, Partnerships & External Affairs, National Council on Aging
Yaheiry Mora, Director, CASA in Action
Yol-Itzma Aguirre, Columnist, El Paso Herald Post
Yvanna Cancela, State Senator, Nevada State Senate
Sources:
