Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) recently found herself at the center of controversy after discarding a memorial pin that honored Maite Rodriguez, a 10-year-old victim of the Uvalde, Texas school shooting. The pin was a replica of the green Converse shoes Maite was wearing when she was tragically killed. These shoes played a crucial role in helping Maite’s family locate her body after her death.
Boebert’s Apology and Explanation
Boebert publicly apologized, stating her regret for “the appearance” of “disrespecting a child” by tossing the pin into the trash. She attributed her actions to a misunderstanding exacerbated by her wearing AirPods at the time. Boebert claimed that the man who handed her the pin had previously approached her “aggressively” during a separate incident. In a video shared by the PatriotTakes account on Twitter, Boebert explained, “I recognized him as a man who came at me quite forcefully just a few weeks prior during a press appearance.”
Misidentification of the Activist
Lauren Boebert apologized for “the appearance” of “disrespecting a child” killed in the Uvalde school shooting after a video of her throwing away her memorial pin went viral.
— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) July 24, 2023
Boebert partially blamed throwing the pin away on wearing AirPods and claimed the man was “aggressive.” pic.twitter.com/otyk9XPaxa
Boebert mistakenly identified the man who gave her the pin as someone who had previously confronted her. The activist who presented the pin, Elijah Pelton, clarified that Boebert confused him with Jake Burdett, an activist who was removed from a press conference by Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.) in May for raising issues regarding Boebert’s divorce. Pelton’s intentions were solely to honor Maite Rodriguez, not to provoke.
The Pin and Its Significance
Update: We just talked to Lauren Boebert about what the pin represents. She immediately threw away the pin and shook her head “no” when I said we hope you can take action on gun violence prevention. https://t.co/51amIYJiUx pic.twitter.com/Yh4lboUr8t
— sarah fishkind (@sarahefishkind) July 18, 2023
The memorial pin, attached to a card detailing Maite’s story, symbolized a poignant reminder of the tragedy. The image of the pin and footage of Boebert discarding it have sparked widespread criticism. Boebert’s actions have been perceived as insensitive, especially given the pin’s significant emotional value to Maite’s family and the broader community affected by the Uvalde tragedy.
Boebert’s Response
Today, we’re passing out pins of the green converse that Maite Rodriguez was wearing when she was killed by gun violence at Robb Elementary School to members of congress.
— sarah fishkind (@sarahefishkind) July 18, 2023
Her legacy will live on, we are making sure of it. @AnaRodr17118 #EndGunViolence #BanAssaultWeapons pic.twitter.com/uh6JmZA6Oy
Boebert insisted that she had no intention of showing malice and expressed that she had been “very vocal” against the Uvalde shooting. Her goal was to avoid receiving anything from the individual she mistakenly believed to be confrontational. Despite her clarification, the incident has raised questions about the respect and sensitivity required when dealing with memorials and symbols of tragedy.
