Our nation has been grappling with multiple crises, and I know that this period has not just been tragic and frightening, but also frustrating and deeply painful. 

We’ve been focused on the catastrophic loss of life and the health crisis resulting from COVID-19 as well as the devastating economic crisis that is still unraveling. But the brutal murder of George Floyd has opened up a deep and unhealed wound that unfortunately continues to be opened up over and over again. People all over the country have rightfully taken to the streets to mourn the loss of George Floyd and to protest systemic racism and police brutality. 

The feelings of pain and anger rippling across our community and nation are justified and overwhelming and we need action from our leaders.  

In the absence of leadership from the White House, Congress will act. House Democrats are focused on delivering a legislative package to respond to this reckoning. Below are a few of the actions I’ve been working on: 

• As a member of the House Judiciary Committee, we will have a hearing on police brutality next week, Wednesday, June 10 in order to move legislation that addresses police brutality to the floor of the House by the end of the month. 
• As a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, I will be working with my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus to ensure our approach is as comprehensive as possible. 
• As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I will be submitting amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act that reflect my concerns regarding the use of Department of Defense resources against Americans exercising their First Amendment rights. 
• This week, I’ll be discussing ideas and options with local stakeholders including the NAACP, civil rights leaders, and organizations including youth organizations involved in recent local protests to ensure the legislation we bring forward in Congress is reflective of El Paso’s perspective. 
• Next week, I’ll be hosting a virtual community discussion with local and national leaders about a path forward for our country. I want to hear from you and take your questions.  This discussion will be available to the public via social media (more details to follow). 

We have all been shocked by the horrifying behavior we’ve seen in some of our cities – from destructive individuals as well as from the law enforcement officers who have brazenly attacked innocent protestors and journalists doing their jobs.  While President Trump has continued to inflame the situation and has failed to act in any meaningful or healing way in this critical moment – and in so many other critical moments – there have been important leaders whose empathy has broken through, like Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo.

I’m so grateful for and profoundly moved by the peaceful protesters all over the country, including those in our own beautiful community who are pushing for change and using their voices and activism to call for justice. We need your voices and we need your activism.

As El Pasoans take to the streets to show support for equality and justice, I call on the El Paso Police Department and federal law enforcement to engage in de-escalation and support those peacefully demonstrating in solidarity. Accounts from Sunday’s protest indicated that the El Paso Police Department’s initial strategy of community collaboration kept the peace and built trust but ended with tear gas and projectiles that resulted in injuries to unarmed protesters. City Council should ask for an independent review of this escalation including whether it was warranted and seek guidance about how to improve policing of these large protests. I have expressed my deep disappointment directly with federal immigration law enforcement leaders in El Paso for their presence at local marches – a presence that was unnerving and unnecessary. In a community that has already been through so much trauma, this moment calls for unity and action.  

As Pope Paul VI told us: “If you want peace, work for justice.”  

I want to hear from you on this important issue.  Please share your ideas on how we can continue to work together towards building more just and fair communities here. I will continue to report on my work directly to you.  Thank you for the privilege of serving you during these difficult times in American history.

Sincerely,

Veronica Escobar
Member of Congress