AUSTIN, Texas — After the deadliest school shooting in Texas history, Austinites planned a couple of events for the Uvalde victims at the Texas State Capitol.
At least 21 people were reported to have been killed in the elementary school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, a small town about 80 miles west of San Antonio. Nineteen of the victims were students at Robb Elementary School, which has nearly 600 students in second, third and fourth grades. Typically, students in those grades are between 6 and 10 years old.
On Wednesday evening, people gathered at the steps of the Texas State Capitol to mourn the lives taken in this shooting.
A memorial with pictures and candles were placed on the Capitol steps. One by one, people placed flowers around the photos.
For hours people cried and screamed because they said they are tired of mass shootings being the norm.
"Nineteen is the number of innocent elementary school students like me that were killed yesterday," said one elementary student.
"I stand here today after Oxford, Parkland, Santa Fe, Robb and the countless other schools that have been ripped apart for the unforgivable acts of terror," said one speaker.
During the open mic, people also spoke about hope for creating a better future.
"We are done with thoughts and prayers," said one speaker. "It is time for action and it's time to call for gun control. My God, how many is it going to take?"
The Austin Coalition planned the vigil.
From 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, a rally and march against gun violence – hosted by Moms Demand Action started at the Governor's Mansion, then moved on to the Texas State Capitol. According to the Facebook event "Not In My State! A Rally Against Gun Violence," organizers plan to march to the south steps at 3 p.m. with cards and flowers for the victims. The rally will begin with speakers at the south steps at 4 p.m., according to the post.
If you want to help, KVUE has put together a list of resources to assist those in Uvalde.
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