A Statement from Brenda Victoria Castillo, President & CEO of the National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC)
Tomorrow August 3rd marks the five-year anniversary of the tragic El Paso Massacre, the deadliest attack on Latinos in modern U.S. history. On that fateful day, 23 innocent lives were lost, and 22 others were injured as they shopped at their local Walmart. The shooter’s manifesto, filled with hateful rhetoric and incited by former President Trump’s dangerous disinformation about an ‘invasion’ at the border, serves as a chilling reminder of the power of words and the real-world consequences they can unleash. As we remember those who perished, let us also acknowledge the ongoing struggles our community faces due to such divisive and harmful language.
“This massacre was not just an attack on the victims and their families; it was an attack on every Latino in this country. It could have been any of us shopping that day. As a 40-year-old national civil and human rights organization, the National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC) is steadfast in its commitment to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again,” said Brenda Victoria Castillo, President and CEO of NHMC. “Our community should be able to shop, live, and thrive without fear of violence fueled by hate and disinformation.”
The El Paso massacre remains the largest mass shooting and hate crime against Latinos in modern history. The shooter drove across Texas to carry out the horrific attack, targeting innocent lives based on hate-fueled prejudice.
With tensions around the border still high, it is crucial to act mindfully and ensure that history does not repeat itself. We call on society to reject hate and stand up for justice and equality. Let the memory of the El Paso victims inspire us to build a future where every individual can live without fear, regardless of their background. Let us never forget and always strive for a more inclusive and compassionate society.
Yours in the Movement,
Brenda Victoria Castillo
President & CEO
National Hispanic Media Coalition
NHMC is a Section 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization, EIN 95-4111353. All donations are deemed tax-deductible absent any limitations on deductibility applicable to a particular taxpayer.
About The National Hispanic Media Coalition
NHMC is a woman-led non-profit civil and human rights organization that was founded to eliminate hate, discrimination, and racism toward the Latino communities.
We educate and increase Latinx visibility from our policy work in Washington, D.C., to our media advocacy work in Hollywood, where we connect, collaborate, and create with Latinx talent within the entertainment industry. At NHMC, we focus on all forms of media because it is one of the most influential and powerful institutions that shape society’s attitudes, values, and beliefs.
We lead the work to eliminate online hate and disinformation across media platforms. We advocate for the Affordable Connectivity Program, Lifeline Program, Net Neutrality protections, and closing the digital divide for Latino and other marginalized communities. NHMC works in partnership with other social justice organizations to safeguard democracy in the United States of America.
Photo: Mark Ralston, AFP, Getty Images
