NCLR Condemns Horrific Shooting Incident in Orlando

Remarks as given today by NCLR President and CEO, Janet Murguía, at a press conference organized by the Human Rights Campaign:

“It is an honor to stand with such a distinguished group of civil rights leaders, united in our grief and our condemnation.

First and foremost, on behalf of the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, I want to extend the deepest condolences from the NCLR familia, the more than half a million Hispanics who call Orlando home, and the entire Latino community nationwide to the victims of this horrific tragedy. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.

As we know, this was an act of terror and it was an act of hate.

Orlando is rightly proud of its rich diversity and its reputation as a welcoming community, especially for its large and growing Latino and LGBTQ communities. Those communities came together last evening at the club’s weekly Latin night.

But that night of celebration and of unity was shattered by a senseless, baseless, and inexcusable hatred. We must condemn (that act) and we must come together. We stand in solidarity with the LGBTQ community to help reassure our fellow Americans that they need not worry about living their lives, or fear being open about who they are.

In the days ahead, we will learn the names of those who lost their lives or have had their lives irrevocably changed by last night’s event. We know with a heavy heart that many of these victims are beloved members of our community. We are saddened, but also strengthened by our unity; their pain is our pain. NCLR and its Affiliates stand ready to help the victims and their families. We are united in rejecting this horrible act that is contrary to our American values.”