Jolt Action

Tragic shooting claims lives of 19 children, 2 adults

TEXAS — Our hearts go out to the Uvalde, Texas community that is grappling with the senseless loss of 14 children and 1 teacher during the Robb Elementary School shooting earlier today. Our hearts go out to the Uvalde, Texas community that is grappling with the senseless loss of 19 children and 2 adults during the Robb Elementary School shooting earlier today. This tragedy is reminiscent of the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary massacre in Connecticut that claimed the lives of 20 young children and 26 people total. 

Since then there have been nearly 1,000 school shootings in the United States. An estimated 12 children die from gun violence every day in America. Texans deserve to have their rights and dignity protected, including access to quality mental health resources and policies that prioritize the safety of our families and communities. 

“Our thoughts are with the families of the Uvalde community whose lives have been forever changed by the terrible tragedy at Robb Elementary School today,” said Dr. Gloria Gonzalez-Dholakia, Executive Director of Jolt Action. “Losing even one child to gun violence is too much and losing 21 Texans is unfathomable. We join our allies throughout Texas in calling for our elected leaders to put proper measures in place to ensure the safety of our children in their communities.”

Jolt is aware of the fact that more than 80 percent of the Uvalde community is Latino and is home to a sizable immigrant community. No motives are known at this time, and while the shooter is believed to be a Latino migrant, there is no justification for any political figure or organization to turn this into an immigrant rights issue. 

“Let’s get one thing straight: Latinos, regardless of citizenship status, are in no way responsible for the vast majority of school shootings over the last few decades,” said Gonzalez-Dholakia. “ Latinos are often victims of gun violence, including during the 2019 shooting at an El Paso Walmart, where 23 people perished and 23 were injured. The shooting was described as the deadliest attack on Latinos in modern history.”

Jolt believes that all Texans deserve to have their rights and dignity protected and this includes access to quality mental health resources and leaders who put the best interests of everyday people first. 

Contact the Jolt Action Communications team at [email protected] or [email protected] to arrange interviews. 

ABOUT JOLT ACTION

Founded in 2016, Jolt Action is a progressive civic engagement organization focused on building the political power and influence of young Latinos in Texas. Jolt Action’s initiatives are focused on community organizing, leadership development, voter engagement, and multi-issue advocacy. Through these efforts, Jolt Action serves to elevate the community’s collective voice to engage and transform our democracy. Jolt’s high school and university chapters across the state mobilize around issues such as student debt, racial and immigrant justice, healthcare reform, and climate change. To learn more, visit jolttx.org.

 

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