The Mothers of Uvalde Sheroics

Uvalde, Texas sits at a literal crossroads. U. S. highways 83, from Canada to Mexico, and 90 from Florida to California cross right through the middle of town. But the city is at a different crossroads, too; an emotional one. It's at the intersection of fear, cultural division and grief - all of which were amplified by the horror that took place on May 24th, 2022. A gunman opened fire at Robb Elementary School, killing 19 children and two teachers. Police stood for over an hour in a hallway outside the classroom while the shooting was in progress. Over the last year, much has been revealed about the inaction that day. We recently learned the Uvalde County Sheriff’s office didn't have an active shooter policy in place, and a senior law enforcement official on the scene didn't complete an active shooter training course. But, we also learned about the brave citizens who stepped up that day and who have continued to work for systemic changes that will improve the lives of Uvalde citizens and, hopefully, prevent another tragedy. Angela Villescaz, founder of the Fierce Madres, tells her story to Yulin Cruz.
Transcript:
On May 24th, 2022, there was yet another mass shooting in the United States. 
We are following the breaking news out of Texas and it is heartbreaking news. 
This one at an elementary school in Texas, in a town called Uvalde, just west of San Antonio. 
Tonight inside the unspeakable horror. Officers running to the scene with the 18 year old gunman already inside Rob Elementary where second, third, and fourth graders were in the middle of their day. Authorities say he got in through a back door, slipping into a classroom and opening fire on fourth graders and their two teachers. 
The gunman killed 19 children and two teachers, while police stood for over an hour in a hallway outside the classroom they were in. In the wake of the tragedy, devastated parents and residents sought answers from the local school board.
And I can't help but wonder if they just didn't find our children worthy of being saved.
The town's collective grief soon turned into collective action. 
More calls for action in Uvalde today. The families of the children who were killed and local teachers lined the city plaza calling for change. Organizations, We Are Your voice, Esse, and Fierce Madres are pledging to rally every weekend.
The group Fierce Madres has been especially vocal since the shooting in Uvalde. Its members are proud, passionate women; mothers, and grandmothers who are determined to hold those in power accountable, and make their schools and communities a safer place. 
I've always been fearless. The founder of Fierce Madres is Angela Villescaz.
She attended Robb Elementary as a child and lived in Uvalde most of her life. She is known to many in the community just as Tia Angie.
I believe that something good can come out of all of this. 
I'm Yulin Cruz. In this episode of Sheroics we are going to talk with Angela Villescaz and hear more about Fierce Madres and what it takes to turn an unspeakable tragedy into a force for change in the world.
The day after the shooting in Uvlade, Texas Governor Abbott held a press conference. It had been just four years since another school shooting in Santa Fe, Texas had killed eight students and two teachers.
As horrible as what happened, it could have been worse. The reason it was not worse is because law enforcement officials did what they do.
So it all started at the press conference where I'm the woman in the black hat standing behind Beto O'Rourke. 
Beto O'Rourke, a democrat, was running against Abbott in the Texas Governor's race, and he was not happy with the official response to Uvalde.
Governor Abbott. I have to say something. The time, the time for you to have stopped this was was after Santa Fe.
Sit Down!
After that press conference, I went to the Uvalede Memorial Hospital to see if there was any families there that, that I could help or meet with.
But no one t