Texas Democratic Party Chair Gilberto Hinojosa issued the following statement:

“One year ago today, tragedy struck our beloved El Paso community when a white supremacist terrorist armed with guns and ammunition stepped foot into a Wal-Mart and tragically ended 22 innocent lives. The shooter posted a manifesto shortly before committing the massacre in which he cited a ‘Hispanic invasion,’ using rhetoric often spouted by Republicans, like Donald Trump, Greg Abbott, and Dan Patrick, to justify his hateful act.

“It’s been one year since the shooting in El Paso and nearly one year since the tragedy in Midland-Odessa, and Texas Republicans remain no closer to taking measurable steps to ensure the lives of our families, friends, and neighbors are not lost to gun violence. Hate, racism, and xenophobia still remain entrenched in the Republican Party that we see today and Republicans continue to stall any legislation that would end gun violence or white supremacist hate in the country.

“Much like we saw with the murder of George Floyd, white supremacy has plagued American society throughout our country’s history. Despite the legal milestones that have furthered racial equality, white supremacy is instilled in our institutions and many of our Republican elected officials, through their endless rhetoric inspire white supremacists day in and day out.

“It’s time to prioritize the safety of the people of our great state and confront the gun violence atrocities our communities have suffered. Everyone in our state should have the right to live a life free from gun violence and racial hatred. Republicans have demonstrated time and time again that they care more about the NRA than the lives of the people they were elected to protect.

“We will elect Joe Biden as President and Democratic leaders across the state who will end gun violence and stop white supremacist violence once and for all.”