Abbott meeting with Uvalde victims, families under scrutiny
3 min read
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott traveled to Uvalde amid increasing criticism of his degree of engagement with a local community even now reeling from the May well 24 capturing at Robb Elementary Faculty.
The Republican governor satisfied with people of the 21 victims on Friday, his workplace confirmed to ABC News. Arriving Friday morning at the town’s municipal airport, Abbott stated, “I am right here to aid out the individuals of Uvalde.”
But some have accused Abbott, who is at the moment in the throes of a heated reelection bid, of ulterior motives in quietly participating with loved ones users of the victims. Condition Sen. Roland Gutierrez, a Democrat from San Antonio, prompt that the governor’s go to may well have been a political calculation — notably supplied his hesitancy to heed their calls for gun reform.
Mementos decorate a makeshift memorial to the victims of a taking pictures at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, June 30, 2022.
Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Pictures
“It is marketing campaign period, so now, Governor Abbott is examining a box to say he achieved with people,” Gutierrez instructed ABC News. “He requirements to do something authentic for them.”
Javier Cazares, whose daughter Jackie Cazares was killed in the Robb shooting, was among those people who met with Abbott on Friday. Cazares claimed he and many others took the possibility to ask issues about university basic safety and all over again propose increasing the age limit to purchase assault rifles. Cazares said the governor took notes but did not response their thoughts immediately.
“We just required to have a likelihood to question him some concerns,” Cazares informed ABC Information.
Renae Eze, a spokesperson for Abbott, confirmed Abbott’s journey to Uvalde in a assertion to ABC Information and explained the governor has “[visited] with every single spouse and children who requested a assembly.”
“Governor Abbott visited Uvalde right now and above the earlier several weeks, meeting with about 30 victims’ families privately to ensure they are getting all the resources and guidance required to heal,” Eze mentioned.
Abbott has attracted the ire of some in Uvalde who understand his posture towards the neighborhood as aloof and distant. Some household users have been unhappy when Abbott did not attend any funeral solutions for the victims. Other individuals cited information reports indicating that Abbott attended a political fundraiser on the night of the shooting.
Beto O’Rourke, the Democratic nominee for governor, has frequented Uvalde five moments since May perhaps 24 and has also criticized Abbott for his reaction to the capturing.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks in the course of a information meeting, March 10, 2022, in Weslaco, Texas.
The Watch by means of AP, FILE
Eze, the Abbott spokesperson, said “many families asked for private funerals, and the Governor and Initially Lady as an alternative sent bouquets and condolences to let the cherished kinds know they remain in their prayers.”
In July, Angel Garza, father of victim Amerie Jo Garza, advised ABC News: “Governor Abbott has however to achieve out.” And Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin stated in mid-July that he had not been in touch with Abbott in the prior 4 weeks.
Eze pushed back again on issues that Abbott has not adequately engaged with the community.
“The Governor has been to the neighborhood every month considering that the tragedy,” Eze mentioned. “Governor Abbott and his business office continue to be in common get hold of with regional leaders to ensure all speedy requires for victims’ people and the Uvalde neighborhood are currently being fulfilled..
