El Paso Congresswoman tells Donald Trump to go to hell
In an effort to deflect the blame from himself after a white supremacist shot up a Walmart in El Paso, Donald Trump is traveling to the city tomorrow for what can only be described as a political stunt. Even the city’s Republican mayor doesn’t seem eager about Trump’s visit, and of course Trump owes the city significant money. One would-be participant in Trump’s stunt tomorrow is refusing to partake in it entirely.
Democratic Congresswoman Veronica Escobar represents the El Paso area in the U.S. House of Representatives, having won the seat after Beto O’Rourke vacated it in order to unsuccessfully run for the U.S. Senate in 2018. As per protocol, Escobar is supposed to join Donald Trump for his visit to El Paso tomorrow. She very eloquently explained on Twitter why she’s declining:
The White House invited me to join Donald Trump during his visit to El Paso. My response was clear. I requested a phone call with him today in order to share what I have now heard from many constituents, including some who are victims of Saturday’s attack. My message would’ve been that he needs to understand that his words are powerful and have consequences. Using racist language to describe Mexicans, immigrants and other minorities dehumanize us. Those words inflame others. The domestic terrorist who came to El Paso to kill innocent people had his sights set on Hispanics and immigrants. He took 22 lives, injured more than two dozen. I have publicly said he has a responsibility to acknowledge the power of his words, apologize for them, and take them back because they are still hanging over us. I asked for a call so I could say this to him over the phone and ask for a dialogue that could lead to healing. I was told that Donald Trump is “too busy” to have that conversation. I declined the invitation because I refuse to be an accessory to his visit. I refuse to join without a dialogue about the pain his racist and hateful words & actions have caused our community and country. Tomorrow, I will again be spending time with fellow El Pasoans who are dealing with the pain and horror left in the wake of this act of domestic terrorism fueled by hate and racism.
Congresswoman Escobar was polite and respectful with her choice of words, but make no mistake: she’s telling Donald Trump to go to hell. She gave him the opportunity to convince her why she should participate in his El Paso visit, and he refused, so she’s taking a bold stand against a bad seed.
