'You do not get to trade those lives for your liberty': Phoenix honors victims of Uvalde school shooting

On Wednesday — a week after people gathered in Phoenix to honor the victims of the mass shooting in Buffalo, New York — community members came  together again, but this time to honor the 19 children and two teachers who were killed in the Robb Elementary School shooting in Uvalde, Texas.

The candlelight vigil for the state's deadliest school shooting in modern history and the third mass shooting in the United States within weeks was held at the Arizona State Capitol and brought together several prominent community members as well as local politicians.

The ceremony opened with Rev. Katie Sexton-Wood, executive director of the Arizona Faith Network, who led a prayer lamenting the mass shooting and those who value the second amendment over the first commandment.

"What are we to say when thoughts and prayers are offered out freely, but policies and change and action are rebuked and denied? What are we to say, oh God?" Sexton-Wood said.

Pastor Gina Pollard with City Square Church criticized those who used the mentally ill as scapegoats to avoid gun reform. Pollard asked people how much it would take for people to do something about gun violence.

"I'm asking you what you're willing to be inconvenienced for?" Pollard said and asked not for thoughts and prayers, but for votes and actions to ensure such shootings never happen again.

Pollard criticized those who claim to be "pro-life" but refuse to pass or support gun control legislation.

"Here and now we demand justice for all living, breathing human beings — period." Pollard said. "One cannot espouse a belief in the sanctity of life but demand the right to own and use weapons created only to take them."

Pollard said communities must continue to work for gun-control reform and ignore those who say a solution doesn't exist or that the gun lobby is too powerful.

"We must not let evil win," Pollard said. "We must use our votes and our voices to send away those who would continue to let innocent people die."

Rep. Jennifer Longdon, who was paralyzed in a random drive-by shooting in 2004, urged people not to be complacent. "You do not get to trade those lives for your liberty," Longdon said.

Longdon said she can't get her bill that would require background checks for firearm purchases heard in the Arizona Legislature floor.

She also urged people to call their U.S. senators and change the lawmakers who are supposed to be listening to their constituents.

Longdon repeatedly asked the crowd if they were angry and to which they would shout "Yes!"

"Then get to work," Longdon said in response.

The vigil comes just one day after a gunman entered a fourth-grade classroom and started shooting. Multiple students in the classroom were wounded, and officials have said the death toll could rise.

The names of the children are starting to come out, along with the identification of two longtime teachers who were among the victims, Eva Mireles, 44, and Irma Garcia.

The deceased students so far identified include Uziyah Garcia, 8; Xavier Javier Lopez, 10; Jose Flores, 10; and Eliahana Cruz Torres, whose age is not currently known.

The speakers condemned the shooting and lack of action next to a staged memorial in front of the Capitol, which had 19 pairs of children's shoes representing the elementary school students who would never again sit at a desk.

The suspect, identified as Salvador Ramos, 18, had hinted of an attack on social media, according to state Sen. Roland Gutierrez, who said he had been briefed by state police. He said the gunman “suggested the kids should watch out” and that he had bought two assault weapons after turning 18.

Donations for the Uvalde community

GoFundMe established a website with verified fundraisers for those affected by the shooting.

Those include the fund started by Victims First, an organization that helps those affected in previous mass shootings. The description states the donations are for the victims and survivors in Uvalde.

"The funds collected will go to the families in cash payments with no strings attached, thereby fulfilling the full intent of the donors," the description in the fundraiser reads.

As of Wednesday evening, they had raised over $2.3 million in donations.

University Health in Texas tweeted Wednesday morning that at least four victims from the shooting were in their care:

• A 66-year-old woman in serious condition

• A 10-year-old girl in serious condition

• A 10-year-old girl in good condition

• A 9-year-old girl in good condition

A Robb Elementary Memorial Fund account was opened at First State Bank of Uvalde for the families, according to Uvalde Consolidated Independent School District.

People can donate in any FSB branch and checks can be mailed to 200 E Nopal St. Uvalde, TX, 78801. Zelle donations are also being accepted at robbschoolmemorialfund@gmail.com.

Biden says allowing teens access to an AR-15-style rifle 'violates common sense'

Before signing an executive order on policing Wednesday, President Joe Biden questioned laws that allow teenagers access to an AR-15-style rifle like the one authorities said Ramos used.

"The idea that an 18-year-old could walk into a store and buy weapons of war designed and marketed to kill, it's just wrong,'' Biden said. "It just violates common sense. ... Where's the backbone? Where's the courage to stand up to a very powerful lobby?"

Biden said he and first lady Jill Biden will soon travel to Texas to meet with grieving families, adding that the whole nation should offer support.

"And we must ask when in God's name will we do what needs to be done to, if not completely stop, fundamentally change the amount of the carnage that goes on in this country," he said.

USAT reporters contributed to this article.

Reach breaking news reporter Angela Cordoba Perez at Angela.CordobaPerez@Gannett.com or on Twitter @AngelaCordobaP.

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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix comes together to honor victims of Uvalde, TX, school shooting