Once again, violence mars celebration
Re: “One dead and 22 wounded by gunfire at Chiefs parade,” Feb. 15 news story
The mass shooting in Kansas City is as American as apple pie. A city celebrates, and school is canceled in order to celebrate a win. Instead, we have a shooting with kids caught in gunfire even though there is a police presence.
When Denver celebrated the Denver Nuggets winning the NBA championship, of course, there had to be a shooting. Are we safe anywhere? Not at a parade, sporting event, movie theater, church, synagogue, or grocery store?
Maybe we should cancel the events that make us feel good. You never know when anyone is standing by to disrupt and kill our celebrations.
Kal Zeppelin, Broomfield
A story about a mass shooting in a major American City is relegated to The Denver Post sports section. This speaks volumes. On the other hand, who reads real news anyway when there’s so much more important info every day in the sports section?
Rich Moore, Denver
Guns and domestic violence: Why Latinx/Latinos should care
On Saturday we attended the Chicano Humanities and Arts Council (CHAC) Valentine fundraiser. The light, celebratory tone immediately changed when we remembered the loss of Lucille Ruibal Rivera, mother, daughter, godmother, health care leader, activist, Chicana artist, and CHAC Board member. Sadly, she became another domestic violence statistic as the victim in a murder-suicide at the hands of her boyfriend in Northglenn on Nov. 18, 2023.
Domestic violence and gun violence are deeply interconnected, impacting millions of women, families, and communities across the United States. Two-thirds of women killed by an intimate partner are killed with a gun, according to Everytown for Gun Safety.
There is hope. House Bill 1122, Protection Orders for Victims of Crimes is being considered in the state House. This is a complicated bill largely dealing with court procedures for temporary protection orders in cases involving domestic violence.
Colorado Ceasefire and other gun violence prevention organizations strongly support a provision that requires a respondent to refrain from possessing or purchasing a firearm for the duration of the protection order and also relinquish all such items in their possession or control.
Lucille’s passing reminds us that as a Latino community, we must join with gun-violence prevention organizations that are on the front lines. Do we need to be reminded that gun violence is an issue for us? Lucille was a mother, activist and fighter for our community. Let us not let her down.
Pauline Nuñez, Lakewood
Olivia Garcia, Arvada
Editor’s note: Nuñez is an Advocacy Committee member for Colorado Faith Communities United to End Gun Violence. Garcia is a domestic violence policy advocate.
Lakewood resident urges support of migrants
Re: “The question for cities: to help, or not?” Feb. 11 news story
As someone who lives and works in Lakewood, I was deeply disappointed to read about how hundreds of my neighbors packed into a meeting to rally against our city lending support to the new arrivals to Denver who are seeking asylum from the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela. I do not believe it is in Lakewood’s best interest to leave Denver to shoulder the burden of this crisis alone, as Denver’s well-being is inextricably tied to ours.
Furthermore, I wish to raise my daughter in a city that values inclusivity, shared sacrifice, and collaboration over nativism, individualism, and distrust. Lakewood should embrace the opportunity to support these resilient people who have walked thousands and thousands of miles with the hope for a better life. If we all work together to bring them into the fabric of our community, we can also make Lakewood a better city.
Greg Kuo, Lakewood
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