5 years later: Events to honor the 23 lives lost in El Paso Walmart mass shooting
El Pasoans will once again come together to remember the 23 lives lost in the Aug. 3, 2019, mass shooting.
In observance of the tragedy's fifth anniversary, the community is invited to show love to the victims through tributes, remembrance ceremonies and newly unveiled artwork.
Mayor Oscar Leeser and the Consulate General of Mexico in El Paso will hold a remembrance ceremony and art unveiling on Saturday, Aug. 3, at 9:30 a.m. at Jim Crouch Park, 7500 W.H. Burges Drive.
Orange for gun violence awareness
The community can also show support by lighting porches or windows with orange lights at 8:30 p.m. every day leading up to Saturday, Aug. 3.
Orange has become the national color for gun violence awareness.
Many El Paso landmarks will also be illuminated in orange in remembrance: The public art sculpture on Interstate 10 and Airway Blvd., public art near the Abraham Chavez Theater, Downtown, and The El Paso International Airport walking path, landscaping and terminal.
Events for anniversary of Aug. 3 Walmart mass shooting
Star on the Mountain to honor victims
The El Paso Chamber of Commerce will flash the Star on the Mountain 23 times in honor of the victims at 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 3.
Aug. 3 remembrance community blood drives
The community is encouraged by Vitalant Blood Donation and the City of El Paso to donate blood in honor of the victims. El Paso City Hall will host a blood drive from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 1, while the El Paso Zoo will take blood donations from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 2.
More: El Paso Walmart shooting anniversary: A timeline of tragedy
Aug. 3 day of resilience ceremony
The ceremony begins at 6 p.m. and ends with a reading of names at 8:30 p.m. at the County of El Paso Healing Garden at Ascarate Park, 6900 Delta Drive. El Paso County officials will also unveil a mural commemorating the victims, and a light beam ceremony will close the night.
Del Sol Medical Center remembrance ceremony
Medical staff at the hospital will recount their experiences and recognize the doctors, nurses and staff who cared for the victims. Remarks will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 3, at Del Sol Medical Center, 10301 Gateway Blvd. West.
More: El Paso shooting victims: Know their names, learn their stories
El Paso heals
El Pasoans can unite in healing by participating in sound bath meditations hosted by Live Active El Paso in collaboration with United Way of El Paso. The first session is at 6 p.m., Tuesday, July 30, at the Pat O’Rourke Recreation Center, 901 N. Virginia Street. The second is at 6 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 1, at the Sylvia Carreon Community Center, 709 Lomita Drive. Both sessions are an hour long.Aug. 3 memorial items
Photos of the 23 lives lost on Aug. 3 will be displayed in a tribute outside council chambers at City Hall from July 29 to Aug. 2.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso to honor the 23 lives lost in Aug. 3 Walmart mass shooting
