Abbott assembly with Uvalde victims, households below scrutiny

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott traveled to Uvalde amid rising criticism of his stage of engagement with a neighborhood nonetheless reeling from the Might 24 taking pictures at Robb Elementary Faculty.

The Republican governor met with households of the 21 victims on Friday, his workplace confirmed to ABC Information. Arriving Friday morning on the city’s municipal airport, Abbott mentioned, “I am right here to assist out the parents of Uvalde.”

However some have accused Abbott, who’s at the moment within the throes of a heated reelection bid, of ulterior motives in quietly participating with members of the family of the victims. State Sen. Roland Gutierrez, a Democrat from San Antonio, advised that the governor’s go to may need been a political calculation — notably given his hesitancy to heed their requires gun reform.

PHOTO: Mementos decorate a makeshift memorial to the victims of a shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas, June 30, 2022.

Mementos beautify a makeshift memorial to the victims of a taking pictures at Robb Elementary Faculty in Uvalde, Texas, June 30, 2022.

Chandan Khanna/AFP through Getty Photos

“It’s marketing campaign season, so now, Governor Abbott is checking a field to say he met with households,” Gutierrez instructed ABC Information. “He must do one thing actual for them.”

Javier Cazares, whose daughter Jackie Cazares was killed within the Robb taking pictures, was amongst those that met with Abbott on Friday. Cazares mentioned he and others took the chance to ask questions on faculty security and once more proposes elevating the age restrict to buy assault rifles. Cazares mentioned the governor took notes however didn’t reply their questions immediately.

“We simply needed to have an opportunity to ask him some questions,” Cazares instructed ABC Information.

Renae Eze, a spokesperson for Abbott, confirmed Abbott’s journey to Uvalde in an announcement to ABC Information and mentioned the governor has “[visited] with each household who requested a gathering.”

“Governor Abbott visited Uvalde as we speak and over the previous a number of weeks, assembly with over 30 victims’ households privately to make sure they’re receiving all of the assets and help wanted to heal,” Eze mentioned.

Abbott has attracted the ire of some in Uvalde who perceives his posture towards the neighborhood as aloof and distant. Some members of the family have been disillusioned when Abbott didn’t attend any funeral companies for the victims. Others cited information stories indicating that Abbott attended a political fundraiser on the evening of the taking pictures.

Beto O’Rourke, the Democratic nominee for governor, has visited Uvalde 5 instances since Might 24 and has additionally criticized Abbott for his response to the taking pictures.

PHOTO: Texas Gov.  Greg Abbott speaks during a news conference on March 10, 2022, in Weslaco, Texas.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks throughout a information convention, March 10, 2022, in Weslaco, Texas.

The Monitor through AP, FILE

Eze, the Abbott spokesperson, mentioned “many households requested non-public funerals, and the Governor and First Girl as a substitute despatched flowers and condolences to let the family members know they continue to be of their prayers.”

In July, Angel Garza, father of sufferer Amerie Jo Garza, instructed ABC Information: “Governor Abbott has but to achieve out.” And Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin mentioned in mid-July that he had not been in contact with Abbott within the prior 4 weeks.

Eze pushed again on complaints that Abbott has not engaged with the neighborhood.

“The Governor has been to the neighborhood each month because the tragedy,” Eze mentioned. “Governor Abbott and his workplace stay in common contact with native leaders to make sure all instant wants for victims’ households and the Uvalde neighborhood are being met..