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Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) released the following statement:

"On August 3, 2019, El Pasoans found themselves at the center of America’s domestic violent extremism and our gun violence epidemic.

"It’s been four years since a white supremacist confessed that he drove over 10 hours to El Paso in order to slaughter Hispanics and immigrants. He published a screed online, using the same xenophobic rhetoric used by former President Donald Trump, rhetoric that is still unapologetically repeated today by many Republicans in positions of public trust.

"He then walked into a busy Wal Mart and using an AK-47-style assault rifle that he easily accessed legally, shot indiscriminately at senior citizens, children, parents and anyone in his sights.

"The pain, trauma and damage he inflicted is still felt today by El Pasoans, including the victims and survivors who still require medical procedures and live with PTSD.

"While the federal trial is over, there is a state trial ahead. But no sentence can bring back the innocent souls we lost on that day.

"While my community remains #ElPasoStrong, we must see more urgent action from legislators – at our nation’s capital to our state capitals – who must do more to prevent the tragedies that have engulfed our nation.

"We’ll take the thoughts and prayers that come our way, but demand real legislative action in order to prevent the needless pain that is inflicted daily across our nation."

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