Colorado Springs, CO – On Mother’s Day, a gunman opened fire at a birthday party killing 6 people. The victims — Melvin Perez, Mayra Perez, Jose Gutierrez, Joana Cruz, Sandra Ibarra, and Jose Ibarra — were all members of the same family and beloved members of the local immigrant community. This tragedy is one of 10 shootings that happened in the U.S. over this past weekend. The Colorado Immigrant Rights Coalition (CIRC) and Voces Unidas for Justice extend our deepest condolences to the surviving family and the local community.
Intimate partner violence and domestic violence are issues deeply embedded in the fabric of our society, and the systemic obstacles many immigrants face when seeking help render the community doubly vulnerable, especially as fears of police brutality and the continuing history of police-ICE collaboration undermines trust in local law enforcement.
The need for transformative action has never been clearer. In our communities, as in any, we must normalize talking about intimate partner violence and domestic violence. And we all, immigrants and allies alike, must fight to reform our immigration system into one that welcomes families instead of pushing them into the shadows. Only then can we thrive in communities free of domestic violence. We stand with our community, and our fight to end violence continues. It is our mission and purpose to live in and help to create a world where all people receive the Love, Respect, Equality, and Consent of which we are all deserving
To support the family in this difficult time, please donate to this grassroots community fundraiser. Donations are also being accepted by the Colorado Healing Fund to respond to the immediate and long-term needs of those impacted by this mass shooting in Colorado Springs at https://www.coloradohealingfund.org/.
A candlelight community vigil honoring the victims will be held by Mothers of Murdered Youth (M.O.M.Y) today, Thursday, May 13th at 6pm at the entrance of Canterbury Mobile Home Park in Colorado Springs..
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Voces Unidas for Justice seeks to improve access to safety services, creating community-based advocacy for accessing social networks and services, and building community leadership in order to end domestic and sexual violence, and stalking for all people. Community members looking for resources can contact Voces Unidas for Justice in Colorado Springs at (720) 588-8219.