Latinos Honor EP Shooting Victims With Dia De Los Muertos Ofrenda

Latino communities around the United States are honoring those who lost their lives on August 3rd by putting them on their ofrendas for Dias de los Muertos. When someone came to El Paso to shoot our people on August 3rd, it felt to many like the entire Latino community as a whole was targeted. Many of the victims reminded people of their loved ones and we couldn't believe someone had so much hatred in his heart towards individuals he had never even met. The outpouring of love and support from other communities was so strong and proved even more how united we all would continue to be. Now, Latino communities around Texas and the entire country are showing their love and celebrating those who lost their lives too soon on August 3rd.

In Texas, ofrendas have been set up in Austin, Houston, and right here in El Paso have altars set up to honor the victims. The Mexic-Arte Museum in the Texas capitol has an alter named "Ofrenda a Nuestra Comunidad Internacional de El Paso” or “Altar to Our International El Paso Community," according to the Statesman. Texans are encouraged to bring items to the altar and it will be on display until November 24th. At Houston Community College, they are having a photography exhibit for Day of the Dead. The exhibit will honor the victims of the August 3rd shooting and is open until December 15th.

The University of Texas at El Paso's C.L. Sonnichsen Special Collections Department set up on alter to honor victims and the community is encouraged to bring in their own items for the altar according to the El Paso Herald-Post. You may contact Claudia Rivers at 915-747-5697 or crivers@utep.edu for more information. In San Antonio, an altar has been set up with pictures of victims from the shooting, according to ExpressNews.

Dias de los muertos ofrendas are also being set up for El Paso victims in Chicago and Washignton, D.C. You can read more about these at the Remezcla website. While our community still tries to heal from the unthinkable tragedy on August 3rd, it is comforting to know that Latinos around the nation are with us and support El Pasoans. At a time when most still cry when we think about how much life has changed since that August morning, these ofrendas can give you a reason to smile and know people are still praying of us.