'No to Racism': Texas Politician Speaks at Rally as Trump Visits El Paso

Democratic congresswoman for El Paso Veronica Escobar called for the city’s community to say “no to hate” and “racism” during a protest of President Donald Trump’s visit on Wednesday, August 7, after a deadly shooting over the weekend.

The suspected gunman, 21-year-old Patrick Crusius, was booked by local police under charges of Capital Murder following the shooting at an El Paso Walmart that killed at least 22 and injured at least 26 more people.

A manifesto associated with the suspect, posted anonymously to 8chan before the incident, spoke of a planned attack in “response to the Hispanic invasion of Texas.” Hispanic or Latino people make up more than 80 percent of El Paso’s population, according to the US Census Bureau.

Crowds gathered at Washington Park in El Paso for a demonstration that included musical performances and speeches by politicians and community members.

“I stand with you as we say no to hate, no to bigotry, no to racism, and yes to love. I love you, El Paso,” Escobar said in a video posted on Instagram. Escobar serves El Paso and nearby cities under Texas’s 16th congressional district.

Local media reported that presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke also spoke at the event.

Trump was expected to meet with first responders and victims of the shooting at the University Medical Center of El Paso on Wednesday, local media reported. Credit: Latino Victory via Storyful