Stephanie Valencia<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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 Jim\u00e9nez 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.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The deadly mass shooting<\/a> 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 <\/a>as many murders Saturday morning as there were in all of last year<\/a>. It is a city that is more than 80 percent<\/a> Latino, including many immigrants. So let\u2019s call Saturday\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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 \u2014 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We, along with dozens of Latino leaders, demand leadership from both political parties, call on them to stand with all<\/em>people 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<\/p>\n\n\n\n We cannot excuse the vile behavior of Saturday\u2019s 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\u2019s manifesto<\/a>), encouraging chants of \u201csend them back\u201d and calling neo-Nazis and white supremacists \u201cvery fine people\u201d 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/a>. Muslims at a mosque in California<\/a>. African Americans at Bible study in Charleston, S.C.<\/a> Our gun violence epidemic is further fueling hate crimes. Since the Sandy Hook<\/a> massacre of 20 elementary school children in Newtown, Conn., in 2012 there have been 2,193 mass shootings<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jerry Gonzalez, Executive Director, Georgia Association of Latino Elected Officials (GALEO)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Adan Acevedo<\/p>\n\n\n\n Adria Marquez, Vice Chair, Obama Latinos44 Alumni Association<\/p>\n\n\n\n Adrian Saenz, Founder, Mosaic Media Strategy Group<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aileen Schlef, Consultant<\/p>\n\n\n\n Aissa Canchola, Legislative Director, US House of Representatives<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alejandra Gonzalez, Policy Coordinator, National Security Action<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alejandro Becerra, Director of Research, NAHREP<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alejandro R. Rodriguez<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alfonso Lopez, Minority\/Demcratic Whip and Member, 49th District, Virginia House of Delegates<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alliance in Mentorship, Mi Mentor<\/p>\n\n\n\n Amanda K., Founder and CEO, Javilud LLC<\/p>\n\n\n\n Amanda Renteria, President, Emerge<\/p>\n\n\n\n Amber Seira, Special Advisor to the Associate Administer, Latinos44<\/p>\n\n\n\n Amilcar Guzman, National President, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Alumni Association<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ana Marie Argilagos, President and CEO, Hispanics in Philanthropy<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ana Sol Gutierrez, Former MD State Legislator, MD General Assembly<\/p>\n\n\n\n Andrea Mercado, Executive Director, New Florida Majority<\/p>\n\n\n\n Angela Maria Kelley<\/p>\n\n\n\n Anna Lisa<\/p>\n\n\n\n Anne Cardenas<\/p>\n\n\n\n Arely Ramirez Diaz, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute<\/p>\n\n\n\n Arturo Vargas, CEO, NALEO<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bernadette Carrillo Hobson, former Deputy White House Liaison, U.S. Department of Agriculture<\/p>\n\n\n\n Brenda Arredondo, Director, The Raben Group<\/p>\n\n\n\n Brenda Luna Macedo<\/p>\n\n\n\n Brian Castro, Attorney<\/p>\n\n\n\n Brianna M. Carmen, Director of Organizing and Partnerships, Voto Latino<\/p>\n\n\n\n C. Eduardo Vargas Toro, Senior Associate, International Center for Religion & Diplomacy<\/p>\n\n\n\n Carmen Lomellin, Ambassador<\/p>\n\n\n\n Caroline Soberanis<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cecilia Mu\u00f1oz<\/p>\n\n\n\n Celinda Pe\u00f1a<\/p>\n\n\n\n Christian Esperias, National Senior Director of Campaign Strategy, SFER Action Network<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chuck Rocha, Founder, National Association of Diverse Consultants<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cindy Nava, Speaker & Policy Advocate<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cindy Padilla<\/p>\n\n\n\n Courtney B. Taylor<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cynthia Jasso Rotunno<\/p>\n\n\n\n Daniel Balke, PhD Student, UC Berkeley, Department of Political Science<\/p>\n\n\n\n Daniel R. Suvor, Attorney<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dante Barry, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Million Hoodies Movement for Justice<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dave Montez, Senior Director, Democracy Alliance<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dusti Gurule, Executive Director, Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights<\/p>\n\n\n\n Edgar Flores, NV Assemblyman and lawyer<\/p>\n\n\n\n Edna Z. Ruano, Former Director, Public Affairs & Communications, Formerly with the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eduardo Canales, Director, South Texas Human Rights Center<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eduardo Cisneros, Community Leader<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eduardo Guevara<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eduardo Sainz, Arizona State Director, Mi Familia Vota<\/p>\n\n\n\n Elena Rios, MD, President & CEO, National Hispanic Medical Association<\/p>\n\n\n\n Elisa Montoya, Former Executive Secretary & Director of Administration, Department of Homeland Security and Director, National Security, Presidential Personnel, the White House Private Citizen<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/p>\n\n\n\n Elvis S. Cordova, President, Statecraft Strategies<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eric Hernandez, President, CHCI Alumni Association, DC Chapter<\/p>\n\n\n\n Eric Waldo, Executive Director, Reach Higher<\/p>\n\n\n\n Esther Morales<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fatima Cuevas, Former Deputy Assistant Secretary for Legislation U.S. Department of Health & Human Services<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fernando Ramos, Principal, FLR Strategies LLC<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fernando Trevino, Principal, Trevino Strategic Consulting<\/p>\n\n\n\n Francesca de Quesada Covey<\/p>\n\n\n\n Francisco Reinoso<\/p>\n\n\n\n Francisco Sanchez, Former US Under Secretary of Commerce, Private Citizen<\/p>\n\n\n\n Franco Caliz-Aguilar, Senior Political Advisor, Community Change Action<\/p>\n\n\n\n Frankie Andres Martinez Blanco, Associate Director, XQ Institute<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gabriel Esquenazi<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gabriel Sandoval, Civil Rights and Education Attorney<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gabriela D. Lemus, Ph.D., President of the Board, Mi Familia Vota Education Fund<\/p>\n\n\n\n Geoconda Arguello-Kline, Secretary-Treasurer, UNITE HERE Culinary Union<\/p>\n\n\n\n Georgina C. Verdugo, Former Director. Office for Civil Rights, US Dept. of Health and Human Services<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gilda Pedraza, Executive Director, Latino Community Fund (LCF Georgia)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Grecia Lima, Political Director, Community Change Action<\/p>\n\n\n\n Griselda Guevara-Cruz, Educator<\/p>\n\n\n\n Gustavo Torres, Executive Director, CASA<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hector Sanchez Barba, Executive Director, LCLAA<\/p>\n\n\n\n Irma Esparza Diggs<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jaqueline Cortez Wang<\/p>\n\n\n\n Javier H. Valdes, Co-Executive Director, Make the Road NY<\/p>\n\n\n\n Javier Martinez<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jennifer M. L\u00f3pez, Community Advocate<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jesse Salazar, Former Obama Administration Appointee<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jessica Gonzalez-Rojas, Executive Director, National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health<\/p>\n\n\n\n Joelle Martinez, Executive Director, Latino Leadership Institute<\/p>\n\n\n\n John Amaya, Former Deputy Chief of Staff, ICE, Department of Homeland Security<\/p>\n\n\n\n John Carlos Green, Community Engagement Coordinator, Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jose Borjon, Texas Resident, Concerned Citizen<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jos\u00e9 E. L\u00f3pez, Executive Director, Puerto Rican Cultural Center<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jose Galarza<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jose P Garza, Co-Executive Director, Workers Defense Project<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jose Rico<\/p>\n\n\n\n Juan Sebastian Gonzalez, Senior Fellow, Penn Biden Center for Diplomacy and Global Engagement<\/p>\n\n\n\n Julian Alcazar<\/p>\n\n\n\n Julie Martinez Ortega, Director \u2014 Washington Office, Sandler Phillips Center<\/p>\n\n\n\n Karina Cabrera Bell<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kate Garza<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kate Villarreal<\/p>\n\n\n\n Katherine Archuleta, Former Director of US Office Personnel Management<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kevin Figueroa, Founder, Central Americans for Empowerment (CAFE)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kimberly Inez McGuire, Executive Director, URGE: Unite for Reproductive and Gender Equity<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kristie Hernandez, Board Member, Weingart East Los Angeles YMCA<\/p>\n\n\n\n Kurt Sackerman, Candidate, Kurt for America\u2019s Voice<\/p>\n\n\n\n L. Alejandro Molina, Co-cordinator, National Boricua Human Rights Network<\/p>\n\n\n\n Laura C Forero Orozco<\/p>\n\n\n\n Laura Castillo<\/p>\n\n\n\n Laura Jimenez,<\/p>\n\n\n\n Laura Marquez, Board Member, Latinos44<\/p>\n\n\n\n Leo Cruz, Associate Director of Communications and Campaigns, National Security Action<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lia Parada, Director of Government Affairs, Center for American Progress<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lisa Garcia<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lisa Hunter<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lisa Pino, Former Obama Official, USDA and DHS Attorney, Immigration<\/p>\n\n\n\n Liz Alarcon, Founder & Director, Pulso<\/p>\n\n\n\n Liz Chavez, Communications \/ Digital Strategist<\/p>\n\n\n\n Liz Montoya<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lizet Ocampo, Political Director, People For the American Way<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lizette Olmos, Communications Manager, CASA (Former Obama HHS appointee)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Loida L. Tapia, Director of Public Engagement, Michigan Department of State<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lourdes Castro Ramirez<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lucy Flores, CEO, Luz Collective<\/p>\n\n\n\n Luis \u00c1vila, Founder, Instituto Lab<\/p>\n\n\n\n Luis Melero, Former Senior Policy Advisor, Office of National Drug Control Policy<\/p>\n\n\n\n Luz Mendez, Senior Advisor, Former State Department Official<\/p>\n\n\n\n Marco A. Lopez, Jr, Frm. border mayor, Nogales, AZ, Intermestic Partners<\/p>\n\n\n\n Marcos Vilar, Executive Director, Alianza for Progress<\/p>\n\n\n\n Margaret Olmos<\/p>\n\n\n\n Maria Teresa Kumar, President\/CEO, Voto Latino<\/p>\n\n\n\n Marielena Hincapie, Executive Director, National Immigration Law Center<\/p>\n\n\n\n Marina A. Torres<\/p>\n\n\n\n Marisa Franco, Director and Co-Founder, Mijente<\/p>\n\n\n\n Marissa Padilla<\/p>\n\n\n\n Maritza Perez, Lawyer, Policy Analyst, and Activist<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mark Maga\u00f1a, Founding President & CEO, GreenLatinos<\/p>\n\n\n\n Marlene Sallo, Former Staff Director, US Commission on Civil Rights<\/p>\n\n\n\n Marsha Catron<\/p>\n\n\n\n Marta Urquilla, Former Senior Policy Advisor, White House Domestic Policy Council<\/p>\n\n\n\n Martin Cu\u00e9llar, Former Deputy Director, White House<\/p>\n\n\n\n Matt A. Barreto, Latino Decisions<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mayra E Alvarez, President, The Children\u2019s Partnership<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mel Wilson, Senior Policy Consultant, National Association of Social Workers<\/p>\n\n\n\n Melissa Morales, President, Somos Votantes<\/p>\n\n\n\n Melissa Vargas<\/p>\n\n\n\n Mercedes Marquez, President, M\u00e1rquez Community Strategy<\/p>\n\n\n\n Michael C. Camu\u00f1ez, Former Assistant Secretary of Commerce<\/p>\n\n\n\n Michelle Dhansinghani, CEO, Elan Strategies<\/p>\n\n\n\n Myra Garcia, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, College Assistant Professor-New Mexico State University<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nancy H. Sutley, Former Chair, White House Council in Environmental Quality<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nate Snyder, Former Obama DHS Senior Counterterrorism Official, Cambridge Global Advisors and Latinos44<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nathaly Arriola, Executive Director, Need To Impeach<\/p>\n\n\n\n Noerena Limon, SVP \u2014 Policy and Advocacy, National Association of Hispanic Real Estate Professionals (NAHREP)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Oliva Lopez, Co-Founder, Latinos44<\/p>\n\n\n\n P. David Lopez, Dean Rutgers Law School \u2014 Newark<\/p>\n\n\n\n Patrick Hidalgo, Co-founder, Miami Freedom Project<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pili Tobar, Deputy Director, America\u2019s Voice<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rafael Lemaitre, Former Director of Public Affairs, FEMA<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rafael L\u00f3pez, Former Commissioner, Administration on Children, Youth and Families and Former Senior Policy Advisor, The White House DPC & OSTP<\/p>\n\n\n\n Raffi Freedman-Gurspan, Former Obama Administration LGBTQ Liaison<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ramona E. Romero<\/p>\n\n\n\n Raul Alvillar, Former National Political Director Democratic Party<\/p>\n\n\n\n Rebeca Rumayor, CMO, Rumayor Marketing<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ricardo Alfaro, President, Democratic Latino Organization of Virginia<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ricardo Rauseo, Constituency Media Associate, Center for American Progress<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ricardo Reinoso<\/p>\n\n\n\n Robert Julien, Staff Assistant, Office of Majority Whip James E. Clyburn<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dr. Robert Ross<\/p>\n\n\n\n Roci\u00f3 Saenz, Executive Vice President, Service Employees International Union<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sam Jammal, Attorney<\/p>\n\n\n\n Samuel Molina, California State Director, Mi Familia Vota<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sarah Audelo, Executive Director, Alliance for Youth Action<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sergio Gonzales, Deputy Director, The Immigration Hub<\/p>\n\n\n\n Shantel Meek, Professor of Practice and Director of Policy, The Children\u2019s Equity Project, Arizona State University<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sigrid Gonzalez<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sindy M. Benavides, CEO, LULAC<\/p>\n\n\n\n Soledad Roybal, Founder and President, Latino Tech Policy Initiative<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sonia Rangel, Chief Operations Officer, Coraz\u00f3n Latino<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sonja Diaz, Founding Executive Director, UCLA Latino Policy & Politics Initiative<\/p>\n\n\n\n Stephanie G\u00f3mez, Houston Activist<\/p>\n\n\n\n Steve Haro, Principal, Mehlman Castagnetti Rosen & Thomas<\/p>\n\n\n\n Steven Montoya, Senior Director of State Capacity Building, State Voices<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sulma Arias, Immigration Field Director, Fair Immigration Reform Movement (FIRM)<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sylvia Ruiz, Immigrant Justice Campaigns<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tammye Trevino, Executive Director, Housing Authority of Bexar County<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tatiana Torres, Director, Social Impact & Community Affairs<\/p>\n\n\n\n Teresa Chaurand<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tony Martinez, Former Chief of Staff Wage & Hour Division, Obama-Biden Appointee<\/p>\n\n\n\n Tory Gavito, President, Way to Win<\/p>\n\n\n\n Valentina Pereda, Documentary Filmmaker<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vanessa Quintana, Founding Community Organizer, Denver Community Action Network<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vanessa Valdivia<\/p>\n\n\n\n Victor M Mendez, Former Deputy Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation<\/p>\n\n\n\n Victor Vasquez, Nonprofit Consultant<\/p>\n\n\n\n Victoria Ochoa, Student, University of Pennsylvania Law School<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vivian Graubard<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vivian Nava-Schellinger, Partnerships & External Affairs, National Council on Aging<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yaheiry Mora, Director, CASA in Action<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yol-Itzma Aguirre, Columnist, El Paso Herald Post<\/p>\n\n\n\n Yvanna Cancela, State Senator, Nevada State Senate<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sources:<\/p>\n\n\n\n