Mass shootings in Texas and Ohio claimed at least 29 lives and injured dozens of others this weekend, shocking the nation and prompting critics to place blame on President Trump for “stoking racism.”
After waking to news Sunday of a second massacre in a matter of hours, social media users expressed their anger on Twitter. The two hashtags #ThisIsAmerica and #WhiteSupremacistTerrorism trended throughout the morning, with people demanding stricter gun control and an end to Trump’s rhetoric about people of color.
“I’m at a loss for words. Two mass shootings in 24 hours?! My heart & prayers go out to El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio. This has got to stop!” actress Jill Marie Jones tweeted.
“#ThisIsAmerica …where a traffic stop can get you killed… but you get taken in to custody alive in a civil manner after committing a mass shooting and taking the lives of innocent people,” comedian D.L. Hughley wrote.
“When Donald Trump uses words like ‘infestation,’ ‘invasion’ and ‘shithole countries’ … Trump is giving license to this kind of violence. He’s responsible,” said Sen. Cory Booker (D-New Jersey), who’s running for president.
One of the lessons in my faith is that you reap what you sow.
When Donald Trump uses words like “infestation,” “invasion” and “shithole countries”—
When he refuses to condemn Neo-Nazis and white supremacists—
Trump is giving license to this kind of violence. He’s responsible. pic.twitter.com/hf3ugZIO5D
— Cory Booker (@CoryBooker) August 4, 2019
The reactions have dominated social media since Saturday morning when a gunman opened fire at a shopping mall in El Paso, Texas, killing 20 people and injuring at least 26 others. Police said most of the victims were shot at a Walmart adjacent to Cielo Vista Mall in the border town.
El Paso Police Chief Greg Allen told reporters the shooting had “the nexus of a hate crime.” Patrick Crusius of the Dallas area was arrested minutes after the shooting. Police described him as a 21-year-old white male.
The police chief said investigators found a manifesto they believe the shooter authored. The hate-filled manifesto was posted online a half hour before the shooting and made reference to a “Hispanic invasion of Texas.”
Democratic presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke, who’s from El Paso, said Trump shares blame for repeatedly using racist rhetoric.
“You’ve had a president who’s called Mexican citizens ‘rapist and criminals,’ though Mexican immigrants commit crimes at a far lower rate those born here in the country. He has tried to make us afraid of them,” O’Rourke said.
The former Congressman cited other examples, including Trump’s Muslim ban and his comments telling four Democratic Congresswomen of color to go back to their “crime infested” countries.
“He is a racist and he stokes racism in this country,” O’Rourke said.
About 13 hours after the El Paso shooting, a gunman opened fire outside a popular bar in Dayton, Ohio, where people were enjoying a night on the town.
At least nine people were killed and 27 injured in the early morning violence. The gunman was armed for battle. Police said he was wearing body armor and carrying multiple rounds of ammunition. Officers in the area responded within a minute and killed the gunman, authorities said Sunday.
The shooter was identified as Connor Betts, a 24-year-old white man, The Associated Press reported. His 22-year-old sister, Megan, was among those killed.
The attacks came less than a week after a 19-year-old gunman killed three people and injured 13 others at the Gilroy Garlic Festival in California before dying of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Many social many users say they are fed up with the violence and want something done. Read their reactions below.
Asked if Trump shares any blame for the El Paso shooting Beto O'Rourke says "yes." "He is a racist and he stokes racism in this country." Full video: https://t.co/7XylxcukRl pic.twitter.com/JEdN0i8BjR
— MSNBC (@MSNBC) August 4, 2019
President of the United States is eating steak and chocolate cake tonight and refusing to condemn #WhiteSupremacistTerrorism while people in El Paso and Mexico are planning funerals..
— I Paid Them All In Dust (@battletested5) August 4, 2019
All of these ppl saying the gun violence epidemic is purely a mental health issue are also the same ppl who think that not everyone is entitled to health care, the care you need to make sure your mental health is in check. #ThisIsAmerica
— juicy j (@therealjuicyj) August 4, 2019
#ThisIsAmerica …where a TRAFFIC STOP can get you KILLED… but you get taken in to custody ALIVE in a civil manner after committing a MASS SHOOTING and taking the lives of INNOCENT PEOPLE. #TeamDL… https://t.co/sWjHPdZJDS
— DL Hughley (@RealDLHughley) August 4, 2019
White supremacists used guns in 70% of US domestic terror attacks and are responsible for more deaths than any domestic extremist movement.
We are the only high income country that gives white supremacists easy access to arsenals and ammo.
Dayton #WhiteSupremacistTerrorism https://t.co/4vtN8WSTo7
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) August 4, 2019
The excuses need to stop.
The denials need to end.
The current President of the United States has the blood of these dead migrants on his hands.#ThisIsAmerica#WhiteNationalistTerrorism #WhiteSupremacistTerrorism pic.twitter.com/9u9n0y3Hrv
— Ernest Owens (@MrErnestOwens) August 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/JRehling/status/1157909694024781825
Ban the Muslims
Build the wall
Turn a blind eye
To the guns
To the carnage
To the hate speech
To the hate crimes
To the racism
Targets are We the people
At places of worship, schools, concerts, festivals, stores, theatres, work locations #ThisIsAmerica #EnoughIsEnough— Chithra Jeyaram ? (@Realtalkies) August 4, 2019
Aurora: White man
Sandy Hook: White man
Charleston: White man
Sutherland Springs: White man
Vegas: White man
Parkland: White man
Thousand Oaks: White man
Pittsburgh: White man
El Paso: White man
Dayton: White manIt’s not “senseless violence.”
It’s #WhiteSupremacistTerrorism.
— Adam Best (@adamcbest) August 4, 2019
Damn! I hate waking up to this!!! I’m at a loss for words. Two mass shootings in 24 hours?! My heart & prayers go out to El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio?????? THIS HAS GOT TO STOP! #domesticterrorism #gunviolence #ThisIsAmerica Guys, be careful out there ? pic.twitter.com/JN0PhrxhRe
— Jill Marie Jones (@MsJillMJones) August 4, 2019
