Do you remember where you were on October 1, 2017?
Eight years ago today, it was a clear day in Las Vegas, Nevada — a perfect day for an outdoor music festival. Over 20,000 people were watching their favorite artists perform when a gunman opened fire from a hotel window, ultimately killing 60 people and wounding hundreds more.
As the bullets rained down on festival attendees, several employees — many of whom were undocumented community members — scrambled to get them to safety, putting their own bodies on the line to usher people out of harm’s way and prevent trampling. These people were working in food service, cleaning, and stage support, but didn’t hesitate to step in for those who’d traveled from all over to enjoy the festival.
Unfortunately, in the aftermath of the shooting, it was nearly impossible for any of those brave undocumented service workers to receive support, even as the state of Nevada opened resources to those impacted. From medical care for their physical injuries to mental health support for their silent struggles, people who risked their lives for others were being denied the help they needed, based solely on their status.
That’s when Make the Road Nevada stepped up — helping these survivors get connected with resources to keep their families fed, doctors to tend to their injuries, and agencies to apply for U-Visas, a special visa for crime victims that provides temporary legal status and protection. We did everything we could to ensure they could qualify for the resources that were open to victims of the shooting.
Today, we honor those who perished at the Route 91 Harvest Music Festival, keep survivors in our thoughts, and express our gratitude for everyone who stepped up to help others on-site and afterward. That’s why we are committed to justice and dignity for every person, regardless of immigration status, race, or background.
In addition to our work supporting individual survivors of Route 91, during the 2025 state legislative session we introduced the Gun Safety Act (SB156), a bill developed by students directly impacted by school shootings in our state. This legislation aimed to implement preventative measures against gun violence, which has become a public health emergency both nationally and here in Nevada. Although the bill was recently vetoed, we remain committed to advocating for these initiatives — especially since our Latine communities, already disproportionately impacted by rising gun-related fatalities, deserve stronger protections and coordinated efforts to save lives. We continue to push for these critical measures to ensure the safety of all Nevadans.
We’re grateful to be able to do this work, and we hold every single victim of this horrific event with us as we try to impact change. We will continue to honor them through action to make our future safer, just as we have done for the last eight years. We’re grateful for your support on this difficult memorial.
Hoping for a safe and healthy October for you and your family,
Leo Murrieta
Executive Director, Make the Road Nevada
