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Editorial: Organizers of Venezuelan Gathering in Aurora Should Be Punished

Jesús Sánchez Meleán

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Today, we must address the unfortunate incident that occurred in the city of Aurora on Sunday, July 28th. On that day, approximately 4,000 people, according to data from the Aurora police, gathered in the parking lot of the Target store located at Havana Street and Mississippi Avenue.

At some point in the afternoon and evening, most of the crowd, though possibly not all, began to behave in a lawless manner, as reported by witnesses who were present and had to leave the area. Gunshots were fired into the air, alcohol was consumed in industrial quantities, and possibly other substances were involved.

This behavior resulted in such a large movement of cars that it hindered access for customers of nearby commercial establishments. These establishments, including the Target store, had to close their doors upon witnessing the mass, almost uncivilized behavior, fearing looting or property damage. Consequently, all surrounding stores had to close.

This closure resulted in a significant loss of sales on a Sunday afternoon. Imagine the impact on businesses like McDonald’s, Chick-fil-A, or Target having to close early. Beyond the financial loss, there was trauma and a sense of insecurity for both employees and customers. Do you think that was justified? Unfortunately, it is disheartening to say that the majority of those involved were Venezuelans who completely misunderstood the concept of a gathering.

We are talking about a significant number of people—4,000. You can see the images. What happened resulted in multiple incidents, including reports from Target customers of thefts and the creation of panic in the area. Noise complaints, traffic disruptions, and the littering of broken bottles and excrement were widespread, with even the McDonald’s concessionaire reporting the use of their premises as a public restroom.

These events occurred in a city known for its hospitality towards immigrants. Aurora has opened its arms to immigrants from around the world for years, boasting a school district where 162 languages are spoken and unique programs for migrants and refugees. It is shameful that Venezuelan migrants tarnished the city’s reputation with their behavior.

Aurora must hold accountable those who organized this gathering. The first thing to do is to identify and point out those responsible: Daniel Jorge and Samira, as they are known on social networks. We do not know if these are their real names, but they can be traced through social networks. They were the pseudo-organizers who made the call for this gathering.

They likely live in Aurora, saw the place, and decided to call people there. It’s as if they arrived, liked the location, and said, “Come here, and we’ll have a party.” They did this irresponsibly, creating a post and inviting people. They didn’t consult with city authorities, telling them about their plan to bring so many people. Had they done so, the city would have told them that a rally of that size couldn’t be held in such a main area and would have required a different location.

Organizers of Venezuelan Gathering in Aurora Should Be Punished

Moreover, the city would have required security measures, including a certain number of police officers per attendee, and an evacuation plan in case of an incident. Responsible organizers would have taken these steps to ensure the safety of the people they invited.

Those who behaved badly at the event are also responsible, but the primary responsibility lies with Daniel Jorge and Samira. I demand that city authorities locate these individuals and apply the appropriate sanctions. This incident cannot go unpunished.

I am also an immigrant and do not want to condemn myself or others, whether Venezuelan or non-Venezuelan workers, for the irregular behavior of a few irresponsible people who made this call without considering the risks. Ignorance of the law does not excuse them. Regulations exist, and they should have informed themselves about how to organize such an event. Other responsible Venezuelan groups held gatherings on the same day following all regulations.

So, ignorance of the regulations does not make you innocent. Secondly, they are responsible for using social networks to invite people. Everyone who attended did so because of their invitation, so they must be held accountable. I would have liked to have the ordinance with the applicable sanctions at this moment, but the police did not provide it, possibly because they are still studying it. But I insist that these individuals be located and sanctioned appropriately.

Organizers of Venezuelan Gathering in Aurora Should Be Punished

Additionally, we must consider the role of the Aurora police. How was such a large, unauthorized gathering allowed to happen? What actions were planned in case it got out of control? The police were present but unable to manage the situation effectively.

I leave two messages: those identified as organizers must be sanctioned, and the police must reflect on their response to prevent such situations in the future. This is a matter for public discussion, and we must continue talking about these issues and learning from them. It is important to prevent such events and ensure that citizens know how to react in similar situations.

We trust the Aurora police to act appropriately to avoid such incidents. If action is required, the community is ready to support and understand what needs to be done. We will continue to discuss this issue, but I leave it for your reflection. Thank you very much.