The leader of a national Hispanic group meeting in San Diego linked Saturday’s El Paso massacre to President Donald Trump’s rhetoric.
“President Trump’s hateful and bigoted words have resulted in hateful and deadly consequences,” said UnidosUS President and CEO Janet Murguía in a statement released Sunday — the second day of the group’s annual convention.
“He now bears some responsibility for the tragic deaths in Texas, and we all must hold him accountable,” she said about the same time Rep. Scott Peters of San Diego tweeted the president: “This is on you. Your hate speech is motivating murder. Enough.”
Calling the mass shooting in El Paso that left 20 dead “a deliberate attack on our community,” Murguía said people were targeted by the 21-year-old suspected gunman “simply because of who they are.”
“It is a stark reminder that words matter,” Murguía said in the wake of weeks of presidential tweets with what many consider racist language.
UnidosU, the nation’s largest nonprofit Latino advocacy group, is holding four days of workshops and speeches, addressing issues including the 2020 census, the separation of families at the border and emerging needs of the Latino community.
“What gives me hope in these dark times is that, in spite of the division that seems to dominate our nation’s discourse, I believe in my heart that the vast majority of my fellow Americans are as troubled and appalled by what happened,” the Hispanic leader said.
“We must join with them to rise above fear, division and hate and restore respect, dignity and common humanity for all in our society. I pledge that UnidosUS will lead the way and invite others to join us.”
On Monday, five Democratic presidential candidates — former Vice President Joe Biden, former Housing Secretary Julián Castro and Sens Kamala Harris, Amy Klobuchar and Bernie Sanders — are set to address the conference at the San Diego Convention Center. (Castro, the only Latino in the race, was a late addition.)
At Saturday’s opening luncheon, Murguía again had harsh words for Trump and his impact on the Latino community.
“Like most of you, there have been times in my life when someone told me to go back to where I came from,” she said in response the president’s recent Twitter attack on four female congresswomen of color.
“It’s an ugly, bigoted slur intended to intimidate us—to demean us into thinking we don’t belong here,” the Hispanic leader said.
Calling Trump’s tweets “stunning and a repulsive violation of our nation’s values,” Murguía said the president paints a portrait of people of color that prevents others from “seeing us as human beings, let alone Americans.”
While calling Trump “a liar and a racist,” Murguía said she is equally appalled by the lack of rebuke by Republicans. “Defending racist behavior only encourages it.”
Murguía pointed out that 59 million Latinos live in the country, 80% of whom are citizens. Under the age of 18, that percentage jumps to 93%.
“Whether President Trump likes it or not, we are the future of this country,” the Hispanic leader said in San Diego. “Whether President Trump likes it or not, diversity has always been our nation’s super power.
“We have always been part of America and we will not be erased,” she added. “Our voices will be heard and our votes will be counted.”
Besides Peters, other local members of Congress weighed in:
More families shattered by gun violence in Texas and Ohio – and less than a week after Gilroy. When will enough be enough? Our hearts go out to the victims and survivors and their families. Thank you to first responders and law enforcement for their quick responses.
— Rep. Susan Davis (@RepSusanDavis) August 4, 2019
.@realdonaldtrump: This is on you. Your hate speech is motivating murder. Enough.
— Rep. Scott Peters (@RepScottPeters) August 4, 2019
Rep. Juan Vargas, another Democrat, called for immediate gun reform.
My heart is broken for #ElPaso, yet another community devastated by gun violence. Thoughts and prayers will not cure this tragic epidemic – we need immediate action. We need gun reform now.
— Rep. Juan Vargas (@RepJuanVargas) August 4, 2019
Waking up to news of another mass shooting in America, this time in Dayton, OH. We cannot sit idly by as people continue to senselessly lose their lives. Enough is enough.
— Rep. Juan Vargas (@RepJuanVargas) August 4, 2019
We passed historic gun violence prevention legislation in the House (#HR8 & #HR1112) – @senatemajldr blocked them.
We’re doing our job in the House. It’s time the Senate do theirs. #HonorWithAction
— Rep. Juan Vargas (@RepJuanVargas) August 4, 2019
Rep. Mike Levin, whose 49th district straddles North County and south Orange County, added his call for action.
After the tragedies in El Paso and Dayton, there have been 292 mass shootings this year.
Earlier this year, the House passed common sense gun safety legislation, HR 8 and HR 1112.
Mitch McConnell must allow the Senate to vote on these bills. Enough is enough.
— Mike Levin (@MikeLevinCA) August 4, 2019
Dear @senatemajldr McConnell:
How about you get back to Washington and let the Senate vote on the gun violence prevention bills we passed five months ago in the House? https://t.co/6GwJZpV2SF
— Mike Levin (@MikeLevinCA) August 4, 2019
Rep. Duncan Hunter of Alpine, the only GOP member of the county’s delegation, had not tweeted about the shootings by 1 p.m. Sunday. His latest comment regarded care of migrants in detention.
The attacks from @HouseDemocrats that migrants don’t have access to basic supplies are flat out wrong. Our agents work tirelessly to enforce our laws to protect our citizens while, at the same time, doing their best to provide good care to those in our facilities. #CBP #ICE pic.twitter.com/VSz8QVYjv9
— Rep. Duncan Hunter (@Rep_Hunter) August 1, 2019
Updated at 8:40 a.m. Aug. 5, 2019