For Albert “Tino” Ortega, Aug. 3 will forever remain a solemn date on the calendar. It holds sobering significance for many El Pasoans as on that date in 2019, 23 people were killed in a terrorist attack at an El Paso Walmart, a tragedy fueled by racism that — with nearly 50 federal hate crime charges — became one of the country’s largest hate crime cases.
Nearly five years after the incident that also resulted in injuries to 22 people, Ortega hopes his efforts can contribute to his community’s collective healing and empowerment.
