FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA – AUGUST 05: Advocates of gun reform legislation hold a candle light vigil for victims of recent mass shootings outside the headquarters of the National Rifle Association August 5, 2019 in Fairfax, Virginia. Thirty-one people have died following the two mass shootings over the weekend in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Since the beginning of 2019, the United States of America have seen 249 mass shootings – on Saturday evening US time, Dayton, Ohio and El Paso, Texas were number 248 and 249. The devastation has not only rocked the country but the globe as the conversation for stricter gun laws is reintroduced. As vigils take place for the 31 victims, peaceful protests have broken out.

On Sunday evening, thousands of people came together to march down the streets of cities carrying signs and flowers as they mourn the death of not only its residents but a crumbling government. Signs read, “If only thoughts and prayers were bulletproof”, and “Disarm Hate” and called for gun bills to be put into effect. However, guns are only part of the epidemic spreading across America – that is, racism.

While the motive of the Dayton attack is still not known, El Paso was crime of hate and of unwavering racism. The country has racism engrained in its history but according to residents of the town, it is stemming from the White House.

“Racism has a name,” Fernando Garcia, the founder and executive director of the Border Network, told The New Yorker. That name is Donald Trump. His rhetoric brought this violence to El Paso.” Garcia went on. “Today we march in the streets. Tomorrow it will be the elections. We will get this racism out of the White House.”

Elsewhere however and a clear illustration of the strong divide and ongoing debate, Ohio Republican State Representative, Candice Keller, took to Facebook following the two attacks with a controversial post which has since been deleted. She blames open borders, homosexuality and video games.

“Why not place the blame where it belongs?”, she said in post. Keller went on to share an extensive list including the breakdown of traditional American family, marijuana and the Democratic party.

People were quick to respond and are calling for her resignation. Butler County Sheriff Richard Jones, who oversees law enforcement across Keller’s district, is among those calling for her to resign. “Candice Keller should resign at once. Shame shame,” Jones tweeted.

The protests and vigils continue. In a time when the country – and the rest of the world – need to come together, why are we still seeing so much hatred and adversity?