El Paso City, County & George Lopez Honor Mass Shooting Victims on 2nd Anniversary
August 3, 2019. It's a painful day to remember, but it's one we'll never forget.
Tuesday was the two-year anniversary of the 2019 attack, and City and County officials marked the solemn day with various tributes in memory of the 23 lives lost that day.
Healing Garden
El Paso County officials and federal, state and local community leaders participated in the dedication ceremony and unveiling of the Healing Garden at Ascarate Park.
The park space is intended to be a quiet place for our community to reflect, and "will act as a beacon of El Paso's culture, strength, and unity that cannot be weakened by hate," per a County press release.
Special Guest George Lopez
Actor and comedian George Lopez also participated in the unveiling ceremony. Lopez, who is scheduled to perform at the Abraham Chavez Theatre on October 9, spoke about his 2019 trip to El Paso when he and Edward James Olmos flew in to visit with the survivors and their families at University Medical Center, and promised the community he would not let anyone forget about what happened here.
Luminaria Drive-Thru
The weekend before the anniversary date, the El Paso United Family Resiliency Center held a luminaria drive-thru event at the park that consisted of live music, artists, and about 10,000 luminarias.
Memorial Bell Tolling Ceremony
The mayor and City Council held a special ceremony before the regularly scheduled Council meeting that included a moment of silence, followed by the reading of the names of each victim. Council members took turns tolling a bell in remembrance.
Airport Lights Up, Museum of History Exhibit
"Resilience: Remembering August 3" debuted at the El Paso Museum of History. The exhibit features items left by people at the makeshift memorial that was set up behind the Cielo Vista Walmart shortly after the mass shooting.
The El Paso International Airport lit up its terminal and landscaping lights in orange in remembrance of the August 3 victims. It will remain illuminated orange through August 16.
Watch Star on the Mountain Tribute
The El Paso Chamber flashed the Star on the Mountain 23 times Tuesday night in remembrance, while Mayor Leeser read each of their names. Forward to the 9:34 mark on the video below to watch.