This year will be seven years since a gunman walked into the Cielo Vista Walmart and wounded and killed innocent people.
“Aug. 3 left an indelible impact on El Paso, but it also revealed the compassion and resilience of our community,” said Mayor Renard U. Johnson in a statement. “As we honor the 23 lives lost, I encourage El Pasoans to continue showing love for one another through simple acts of kindness. Whether it’s by donating blood at the city’s Aug. 4 blood drive, volunteering with a local nonprofit, helping a neighbor, or reaching out to someone in need, every act of compassion helps strengthen our community. Caring for one another is what makes El Paso special.”
Both the city and the county will have events for remembrance, reflection and continued healing.
Here are events being planned to mark the anniversary.
Day of Remembrance
El Paso County will lead the city in its annual Day of Remembrance in partnership with the United Way of El Paso County’s Family Resiliency Center. The ceremony will take place at 6:45 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2 at the El Paso County Healing Garden, inside Ascarate Park at 6900 Delta Drive.
The evening program will include an instrumental musical performance by El Paso Pro Musica, the release of 23 white doves, luminarias lighting, the lighting of the Eternal Flame and a reading of the names of the 23 victims.
As a final tribute, there will be 23 beams of light shining into the night sky.
Sound Bath session
The El Paso United Family Resiliency Center will host a Sound Bath session at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 2 at the Ascarate Park Pavilion. This gentle healing experience offers a quiet space for peace, meditation, and reflection.
Visit Aug. 3 memorial
El Pasoans can visit the city’s permanent August 3rd Memorial near Viscount Boulevard and Sunmount Drive. The granite memorial, created by El Paso artist Albert “Tino” Ortega, features seven pillars inscribed with the names of the 23 victims, along with a mandala symbolizing harmony, unity and interconnectedness.
Residents encouraged to unite with light
El Paso community members are encouraged to illuminate their porches or windows with orange lights each evening from Sunday to Saturday, Aug. 2-8, as a visible expression of remembrance and solidarity.
Community Remembrance Ceremony
The Border Network for Human Rights (BNHR) will host a community remembrance ceremony at 9 a.m. Monday, Aug. 3 at Jim Crouch Park, 7500 W.H. Burges Drive. They will be joined by elected officials, faith leaders, and community advocates.
Remembrance of Aug. 3 tribute Aug. 3-10
A tribute installation featuring photographs of the 23 victims will be displayed outside City Council Chambers, from Aug. 3-10 in the Council Chamber lobby, 300 N. Campbell St.
Star on the Mountain
The Star on the Mountain will flash 23 times in memory of the 23 victims at 8:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 3.
Community Blood Drive
The City of El Paso and Vitalant invite the community to donate blood in honor of the victims from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 4, in the City Hall Breezeway, 300 N. Campbell St.
The blood drive reflects the compassion and generosity demonstrated by El Pasoans in the aftermath of Aug. 3 and offers residents another meaningful way to give back, the city stated.
María Cortés González may be reached at 915-546-6150; mcortes@elpasotimes.com; @eptmaria.bsky.social on Bluesky, and @eptmariacg on TikTok.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: El Paso honors 23 lives lost in Walmart shooting with memorial events
Reporting by Maria Cortes Gonzalez, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Maria Cortes Gonzalez, El Paso Times | USA TODAY Network
