Uvalde Togetherness Day excludes press- 1st Amendment violation?

  Uvalde Togetherness Day: A free event open to all families in Uvalde and the general public is closed to the press according to a sign at the entrance of the Uvalde County Fairplex and confirmed by a volunteer at the registration table at the event. 

  The Ecumenical Center for Education. Counseling and Health is advertised along with the Uvalde Together Resiliency Center on event fliers and signage as sponsoring organizations for the event.

   The Uvalde Hesperian called the two phone numbers posted on the Uvalde Togetherness Day event sign posted outside of the event as was told the organization would not be doing interviews that day but all families from Uvalde were invited to attend. 

  When asked about the “No Press” sign posted at the main entrance of the Uvalde County Fairplex, a volunteer for the organization explained she thought it was done out of respect for the families. 

  According to a Press Release from the Office of Texas Governor Greg Abbott, the Uvalde Together Resiliency Center was opened as of Monday, June 6th, 2022. 

  “Governor Greg Abbott today announced Uvalde County officials are opening a temporary facility for the newly created Uvalde Together Resiliency Center (UTRC) on Monday, June 6 to begin providing long-term support services for the community. Operated initially by the local district attorney’s office, the Center will offer ongoing mental health resources and other assistance provided by state agencies and local organizations for members of the Uvalde community impacted by last week’s tragic shooting at Robb Elementary School.

  ‘As the Uvalde community works to piece their lives back together, we must come together as Texans to provide the ongoing, comprehensive support needed to move forward from this terrible tragedy,” said Governor Abbott. “I commend County Judge Bill Mitchell, District Attorney Christina Mitchell, Mayor Don McLaughlin, and Superintendent Dr. Hal Harrell for establishing the Uvalde Together Resiliency Center as a single location to meet the needs of the community and provide easily accessible resources and support. Whether it’s counseling or assistance with insurance claims, the Uvalde Together Resiliency Center will be able to serve the community as it heals. Texans are a uniquely resilient people, but that doesn’t mean coping with grief and trauma alone. The State of Texas and local organizations will continue to offer the ‘”support the Uvalde community needs going forward.”’

“The UTRC will be initially overseen by the office of District Attorney Christina Mitchell and will operate through coordinated efforts between local support organizations and state agencies.” according to the press release from the Texas Governor’s Office. 

  The Ecumenical Center for Education. Counseling and Health was approved as a subcontractor for the Uvalde Togetherness Resiliency Center by the Uvalde County Commissioners Court on Monday, July 11ths, 2022.    38th Judicial District Attorney Christina Mitchell Busbee spoke on behalf of the agenda item to the Uvalde Commissioners Court. 

  The First Amendment of the United States Constitution states: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”