10:39am-10:45am – Saturday, August 3, 2019
In those six minutes, El Paso was gripped by terror and tragedy after a white supremacist gunman traveled 10 hours to wage a racist attack against the Mexican people living on the border.
The binational attack ended with 23 people from El Paso and Ciudad Juárez senselessly massacred.
On the fifth anniversary of one of the nation’s deadliest mass shootings, El Paso and the rest of the country are still grappling with the aftermath of that attack, which left holes in families and caused trauma that may never be resolved.
El Pasoans remembered those lost during local events remembering those killed and combating the root causes of the mass shooting – racism and white supremacy.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris sent letters to the El Paso community as they mourned. Biden called the attack “a despicable act of hate.”
“To survivors and loved ones of victims: I know how difficult these days can be. Even after years, milestones like this can bring them back to how they felt when they lived their worst nightmare,” Biden wrote. .
Harris promised to “recommit to achieving a future where all people can live free from gun violence, fear and hate.”
“Doug and I join you in remembering those who lost their lives in this senseless act fueled by white supremacy, and we are thinking of those who were hurt,” Harris wrote.
Closer to home, the communities of El Paso and Juárez — united in one voice — seemed to cry out for hope, perseverance and unity. Prince of Peace Christian Fellowship pastor Michael Grady called Saturday a beautiful day of remembrance.
“Here we are again, speaking truth to power, exposing darkness and offering light, challenging the highest levels of leadership in the country to fight systemic racism, xenophobia and white supremacy – all of which have brought us to today. .” he said.
More: August 3, 2019: ‘Lay aside your weapons of hate’, sadness and look forward with hope
This article originally appeared in the El Paso Times: Mass shooting at Walmart in El Paso: ‘A despicable act of hate’
