Submitted to the Uvalde Hesperian by Velma Lisa Duran
Proverbs 24:24-25
Whoever says to the guilty, “you are innocent,” will be cursed by peoples and denounced by nations.
But it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and rich blessing will come on them.
I, Velma Lisa Duran, sister of Irma Linda Garcia who was a former teacher at Robb Elementary due to being gunned down, would like to share the insulting and cruel interaction my sons and I experienced at SWTJC on February 13, 2024 at The Candidate Forum
This trip to Uvalde was very difficult as I had spent Superbowl Sunday creating a trifold poster of the aftermath at Robb Elementary using various articles and photos from a multitude of media sources showing law officers who are disgracefully running for Uvalde County Sheriff, constable and House of Representatives. They are Uvalde Sheriff Nolasco, Former Uvalde Mayor Don McLaughlin Jr., SWTJC Law Enforcement Academy Coordinator Johnny J. Field, and SWTJC Law Enforcement Academy Instructor Emmanuel Zamora.
Let’s not forget D.A. Christiana Mitchell who doesn’t have anyone running against her and is intentionally dragging the Robb Elementary Massacre in order to protect Law Officers who just stood by and witnessed 19 children and 2 teachers DIE and many other children and teachers left suffering inflicted with life-long injuries and trauma, as she states without any remorse, “allow the process to take place.”
Lastly there is Justin Wolbert, who is running for County Attorney, his wife Shawna Wolbert, former Vice Principal of Robb Elementary during one of the deadliest massacres in The United States of America, who wants your vote and ” if elected plans to attend all meetings to be on hand to offer legal advice or explain complex matters, something he says is not currently happening.”
He is correct. These people elected for a specific job find it very easy NOT to show up if they don’t feel like showing up and Uvalde’s taxpayers continue to provide their salaries. It is a corrupt system that takes care of their own.
Now, my reason for this write up is to show everyone the blatant demonic people that comprise Uvalde, Texas. The night before the forum I stayed up until 1:00 a.m. writing 15 questions to submit to the Uvalde Leader News all directed to Sheriff Ruben Nolasco.
I went to work and left midday to head to Uvalde with my two loving sons. With little sleep, I felt good about representing my sister and my brother in law Joe by attending submitting imperative questions that deserved to be asked. I needed to make sure someone from the family would be there to represent them as great concerns overshadowed every day knowing the list of candidates running for these important roles in Uvalde County.
As we walked towards the Tate Auditorium we were told to leave our posters outside before signing in to the forum. As I held my poster up, I noticed a woman staring at me and I said, “Do you like this poster? ” and she responded with a big smile and said, “That’s a very pretty poster.”
I responded, “THIS poster with the bloodshed of my sister and her students?” she replied with a dark smile and said, “Yes, VERY pretty.” and turned away from us.
I was completely shocked and could feel a sharp pain in my heart as I placed the poster by the door and walked in trying to hold my composure. I looked at my sons and I could tell they were floored at what had just happened. A couple of minutes passed and we were then directed to move our posters off the building due to some legality and we complied.
After the uninspiring SNL type of forum and debate, Nolasco, Field and Zamora failed to show up. I asked SWTJC Hector Gonzales if I could have a word with him and he agreed. I had deep concerns about the employment of Field and Zamora as Law Enforcement Instructors after their failure to help children and teachers in the Robb Massacre.
He responded that he had someone looking into the DOJ report and would get a conclusion to their decision. That is when I saw the same woman on the stage who was trying to taunt me as we walked into the auditorium.
I asked SWTJC President Hector Gonzales if he knew her and he said, “yes, she’s one of my instructors.” I explained what had happened as we walked into this event and he called her over.
I was extremely emotional but hoping for a resolution. He asked her to apologize and she did! She didn’t ask what was the reason for the apology,,, she just did. I asked her why she was apologizing and she once again said, ” It was a very pretty poster.” At that point I lost it and said some choice words and yelled at her, Fucking Bitch!
My boys walked me away and before leaving the auditorium I yelled at Mr. Gonzales to Do Something as he and his wife have been so gracious with the families in seeking justice.
At this point, I feel like everyone has their own agenda because one way or another everyone is related, has a friendship or works for or with someone who stood around and REFUSED to follow the oath they took when they signed up to be a law officer.
That brings me to County Commissioner, PCT 1 John Yeackle, who made a statement at the SWTJC Board Meeting last week. Not one person rebutted his claims about the responsibility of SWTJC Law Enforcement Academy Coordinator Johnny J. Field and Constable/Law Enforcement Instructor Emmanuel Zamora who responded and stood in the Robb Elementary Hallway where my sister Irma was horrifically shot to death alongside many of her students and co-teacher.
I agree with Yeackle, when he states ” that elected officials have to express how they feel and accept the consequences that come with that. If you want to be a leader then you have to say those uncomfortable difficult things or then you DON’T DESERVE TO LEAD.”
Well said, however, Field, nor Zamora showed up to the Forum but want your vote. Their names were listed on the Department of Justice of the United States of America Report detailing their failure and Yeackle attempts to defend them?
They want to double dip in their important responsibilities but not have any backlash when they dangerously fail. That is just WRONG! When it comes to law enforcement you should choose one or the other because with this leadership, the chances of this happening again are great.
They shouldn’t have been there if they were not going to practice what they TEACH! Everyone knows that when it comes to a shooter you follow the shooter and neutralize them NOT stand around asking about who the lead is. Is that what they teach?
Who in their right mind is going to ask a law officer what title they are representing during a shooting? It is RIDICULOUS! Getting a Law Enforcement degree from SWTJC is a complete joke but I can understand that it is also less of a financial burden. Choose wisely people, they have clearly shown us the type of officers they are and getting a supplemental check protecting your life is not worth your precious vote.
With My Family and the Uvalde Citizens In Mind,
Velma Lisa Duran
Former Robb teacher
