STUDENT ORGANIZATION MECHA HOLDS VIGIL FOR UVALDE MECHA DE PSU HONORS THE LIVES LOST IN UVALDE, TEXAS ELEMENTARY SHOOTING COMMUNITY MEMBERS KNEEL IN FRONT OF THE CANDLELIGHT VIGIL ON THUR. 26. ALBERTO ALONSO PUJAZON BOGANI/PSU VANGUARD ALBERTO ALONSO PUJAZON BOGANI On May 24, an 18-year-old took the lives of 21 victims, with 17 other people reportedly injured, in the second deadliest school shooting in the history of the United States—and the deadliest school shooting since the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in Newtown, Conn., in 2012. The assailant began by shooting his grandmother and driving her truck to Robb Elementary School, before crashing nearby, according to The Washington Post. After shooting two passersby at the scene of the crash, the shooter went on to enter Robb Elementary School at 11:40 a.m., unchallenged by the police officers standing outside, according to director for the state Department of Public Safety, Victor Escalon Jr. At 11:43 a.m., shots were fired inside Robb Elementary School prompting the school to enter a lockdown. The shooter was not detained by law enforcement until 1:06 p.m. Robb Elementary School is located in Uvalde, Texas, which has a Hispanic population of 83.5%. Robb Elementary School has an enrollment rate of 89.9% Latinx students. In response to the tragedy, the Portland State University chapter of Mecha (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicanx de Aztlán) quickly organized a vigil to honor the lives lost in the shooting. Mecha posted a flyer on their Instagram on Wednesday afternoon, inviting members to attend a vigil to be held the following night, and prompted members to spread the word. The post amassed 245 shares within 24 hours. On Thursday, the organization sent a mass email to its members stating, “Hola Mechistas, It is with heavy hearts that we invite you to join us tonight for a Candlelight Vigil, which will be a time dedicated to honoring the victims and survivors of the tragedy that took place at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas on Tuesday. We will have a limited supply of candles and encourage you to bring your own if you have one at hand.” On Thursday night, at approximately 8:30 p.m., members gathered in the Park Blocks in front of Smith Memorial Student Union. People showed up in large numbers, even prompting other local students to show up and pay their respects. The vigil was primarily organized by the new Mecha officer team, which will be
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COMMUNITY MEMBERS PAY THEIR RESPECTS TO ROBB ELEMENTARY VICTIMS AT THE VIGIL. ALBERTO ALONSO PUJAZON BOGANI/PSU VANGUARD
PSU Vanguard • JUNE 1, 2022 • psuvanguard.com
