President of the United States Joe Biden gave legal status to the agreement approved by Congress that minimally restricts access to guns.
By signing the document, Biden took a step many Americans as considered necessary, but insufficient, on the road to put an end to the massacres caused by the promotion of violence and the indiscriminate sale and use of firearms.
It is important to note, due to its contradictory nature, that the approval of this agreement by the Congress on June 23, was preceded by a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that expands the right to bear arms.
The Supreme Court ruled to overturn a New York State gun ownership law, enacted more than a century ago, that placed restrictions on carrying firearms in public.
This decision may have implications in seven other states with similar laws: California, Delaware, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Rhode Island.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul called the Supreme Court's ruling outrageous and reckless, according to CNN.
It is worth noting that there are about 310 million guns in circulation in that nation. With a population of 319 million, it means that almost every American owns a gun, regardless of age.
A few hours after the Uvalde massacre, considered as the deadliest in the history of the United States after the Sandy Hook elementary school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut, the National Rifle Association (NRA) held its annual convention, which was attended by former President Donald Trump and Senator Ted Cruz, among others.
In the speeches of both politicians, who are highly business-wise, ideologically and, above all, politically committed to the NRA, they criticized the Democrats' proposal to push for stricter gun legislation.
Ted Cruz went as far as proposing increased security in schools, placing armed guards to deal with shootings.
Many interests are at work behind the support of these politicians for the NRA. The funds of the powerful organization flow freely to pay for electoral campaigns, bills and vetoes against anyone who tries to limit the business.
When guns cease to be a profitable business that pays for careers and buys consciences, the path will begin to clear, the chants of death and the macabre hymn of gunfire will cease.
CONSERVATIVES CELEBRATE
The Supreme Court of the United States also overturned the historical 1973 ruling known as Roe v. Wade, which determined that the right to abortion was a constitutional guarantee in the United States.
Ending this constitutional right is the result of a long-standing campaign by the nation's most backward sectors, especially conservative Christians.
After it was confirmed, Trump called the decision "the biggest win for life in a generation;" meanwhile, former Vice President Mike Pence expressed, "we must not rest and must not relent until the sanctity of life is restored to the center of American law in every state in the land."
On the other side, President Joe Biden, taking advantage of the circumstances, pointed out in an address to the nation that the only way Americans can protect abortion rights is by voting for the Democrats in the November mid-term elections, reported BBC. The leader of the Democratic majority in the Lower House, Nancy Pelosi, called the Supreme Court ruling an "insult" to women.
Non-profit association Planned Parenthood described the decision as "dangerous" and "unprecedented", as it will leave 36 million women of reproductive age unprotected, according to La Opinión.
Prior to the decision, access to this right was already out of reach for many women in the United States.
"This contrasts with many countries, including those in Western Europe, which offer access to subsidized, fully funded abortion services, universal health care, contraception and broader social programs," said Risa Kaufman, director of U.S. Human Rights at the Center for Reproductive Rights.
It should be made clear that this does not only happen in Europe. Cuba, the Caribbean island labeled a "dictatorship" by Washington, was the first country in Latin America and the Caribbean to decriminalize abortion, which has been free and legal since 1961. The legal framework for its practice was created in 1965 so that it could be performed within the framework of the National Health System.
THE COURT'S IMPARTIALITY IN QUESTION
Another ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court demonstrates the partiality and ultraconservative bias that prevails in its decisions.
On June 27, the Court recognized the right of teacher Joseph Kennedy, a soccer coach at a school in the Bremerton school district, in Washington, to pray with his students at midfield after the game.
The Supreme Court ruled against the School District and in favor of Kennedy, who demanded the right to pray with his players after games at the 50-yard line. The decision significantly erodes the separation of church and state in public schools.
The school had determined that Kennedy's practice violated the students' religious freedom rights, and also created a security risk at the games, because the teacher had orchestrated a public spectacle by inviting the media and local politicians to attend; while Kennedy claimed that the school's actions violated his free speech and free exercise rights.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Washington filed a brief with the Court, arguing that Kennedy's prayers are not protected by the Free Speech Clause.
Students stated that they were forced to pray, and one player explained that he participated against his own beliefs, for fear of losing playing time if he refused.
This is the country that took centuries to classify lynching as a federal hate crime. For years, attempts were made to punish mob killings, of which people of African descent and other minorities were the main victims, to no avail.
More than 4,400 African Americans were executed in the United States as a result of this practice between 1877 and 1950 alone, as documented by the Equal Justice Initiative.
The crimes were committed with impunity, often in public places and in broad daylight, and also affected, albeit to a lesser extent, other minorities such as Native Americans, Asians and Mexican migrants.
The division within the United States is becoming increasingly evident; some even speak of a schism of insurmountable polarization, of possible balkanization. The truth is that the borders between one and the other are very clearly distinguishable.
Whoever stops just for a moment to take a look at the American society in these times, will discover how deep and far the most ultra-conservative and retrograde thinking has gone.
You will hear, amidst the paraphernalia of political showmanship and gunfire, the deafening roar of dinosaurs that refuse to go away.
Translated by ESTI
