“There are no words”
Hello #Changemakers,
When my mother and I first came to the United States, we were embraced by a community like no other. El Paso, home to desert mountains, mystic sunsets, and the vibrant border. El Paso, a binational community in West Texas that is proudly home to so many immigrants like my mother. It was El Paso that helped her raise me. It was our sisterly bond with Ciudad Juarez that taught us to care and love our neighbors.
For too long, we have been plagued by hateful and conflated policies that have separated our families, militarized our community, and have gone as far as putting immigrant women, men, and children seeking a better life in cages. Make no mistake–this was not an isolated attack on our community. This was domestic terrorism. This was a targeted act of violence by a white nationalist fueled by the anti-immigrant and racist agenda of Trump—an irresponsible “president” who continues to put our country’s safety in jeopardy by refusing to accept how his dehumanizing rhetoric against immigrants leads to acceptance of violence against them.
But in the midst of hate, we choose to embrace love.
I think of all of my family and friends. Of all the resilient people that make this beautiful place stronger everyday:
Mr. Sparks, a veteran who you find at almost every community meeting, constantly advocating for those most disenfranchised.
Gabriela, one of our #MovementMujeres fellows and a Dreamer like me. A social justice warrior, who despite her immigration status, fights for the rights and future of her children.
My friend, David. Proud father and local leader who has given his full heart to serve our binational community.
Mi Prima Stephanie y mi Tía Germania, que como muchos en nuestra comunidad que aunque no compartimos sangre, nos llamamos familia y fortalecemos un vínculo de solidaridad y amor.
Bianca and Isabella, my two nieces. Bianca, celebrating her 13th birthday this weekend in tears as she adapts to what has now become the new normal in America.
I mourn with you in action, El Paso. My heart feels hopeful as I see you come together, despite your pain, to take care of our community. We need your prayers, #Changemakers. We need your advocacy. We need your voice. We need all of you to embrace El Paso. We need you to embrace Dayton, Gilroy, and all the communities that have been tragically affected by senseless gun violence. We need you to take a stand against white supremacy and the institutionalized racism that has taken innocent lives from us.
From all of us at Deeds Not Words: We see you, El Paso. We hear you. We love you.
You are and will always be my home.
–Claudia
Co-Executive Director
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Also, our work with Movement Mujeres has been recently featured in an 
