Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa released the following statement as students in Uvalde CISD return back to school for the 2022-2023 school year:
“Today was supposed to look different from how it does.
“By today, we hoped to have given the heartbroken families of Uvalde the smallest modicum of justice – by enacting meaningful gun violence prevention legislation, in the hopes that a massacre like the one at Robb Elementary never happens again.
“We, and the families of the victims of the Uvalde shooting, asked our incorrigible Governor to – for once in his career – put aside the desires of his deep-pocketed NRA donors and do what’s right for the citizens he’s charged with leading. We asked him to call a special legislative session to pass a law raising the minimum age of purchasing an assault rifle in Texas from 18 to 21.
“He did not relent. He stood strong for his ultra-wealthy NRA cronies and did not buckle to the pressure being put upon him by tens of millions of Texans. He waited months to address the issue – and then recited a mealy-mouthed, meaningless diatribe about how it was not within his powers to effect real change.
“By today, at the very least, we were supposed to have answers for what led to one of the worst mass shootings in American history – and how we could ensure it never happened again. But even on our need for transparency, Governor Abbott continues to stand strong on behalf of injustice – covering up fact after fact that might lead to a greater understanding of the tragedy.
“We pray for the students, teachers, and families of Uvalde today. We pray for their safety, and that, against all odds, they feel some sense of peace and comfort as they begin a new school year.
“But above all, we feel rage on an unparalleled level – at a gaggle of leaders who have so spectacularly failed at their most basic duty: to protect their constituents.
“We will channel this rage into action in two months’ time. Texans will hold these derelict office-holders accountable.”
