El Paso Shooting Leaves Pilsen Community Members In Fear

Familia Latina Unida and Lincoln United Methodist Church El Paso vigil
Photo credit WBBM Newsradio/Rachel Pierson

CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The El Paso mass shooting was more than 1,200 miles away, but members of the Pilsen community said it felt as though it were right next door.

"I fear for my children. I do fear for our community," said Cecilia Garcia.

The El Paso gunman told police he was specifically targeting Mexicans. Garcia is one of many who feel they now have a target on their back.

"It's not only I.C.E. coming after the families, but now it's people with guns willing to take lives just because of a color," Garcia said.

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The shooting is the largest mass murder of Latinos in U.S. history, and Garcia said she blames President Donald Trump.

"He is the one who brewed and rose that hate and made sure that it was okay to express the dislike of someone because of their culture or because of their color," she said.

That's why Familia Latina Unida and Lincoln United Methodist Church are asking the Pilsen community to register to vote and participate in the 2020 census.

"If we don't do something, if we don't stand up, then we're going to be that target for someone to come and shoot us."