LULAC CALLS FOR A RETURN TO CIVILITY AND RESPECT IN OUR DEMOCRATIC PROCESS
The Nation's Oldest and Largest Latino Civil Rights Organization Says America's Voters Can Demand a Stop to Damaging Campaign Hate Speech and Vitriolic Rhetoric
Washington, DC - The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is issuing a call for a return to civility and respect in the American political process. As the oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization in the United States, LULAC believes that the current climate of hate speech and vitriolic rhetoric in political campaigns is deeply damaging to our democracy and must come to an end.
"LULAC is calling for all political candidates to reflect and reconsider the use of their words and messages that they share in their stump speeches, ads and on social media," says Roman Palomares, LULAC National President. "From the race for President of the United States to someone at the state, county, or local level, LULAC urges candidates to think about how their words have consequences. Political campaigns are about bringing your best and most persuasive views forward, where every candidate puts themselves in the best possible light before voters. It should not be about personal attacks or condemnations of the opponent, as stepping on them helps us rise above and to a better and more qualified level. We didn't get here overnight, and it may take time, but this is the year we should begin to restore respect and civility in the American democratic process," adds Palomares.
Recent examples of demeaning and very offensive language highlight the urgent need for change. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-ALA) referred to recent immigrants as "garbage" in a nationally televised interview. Bill Eigel, a candidate for governor of Missouri, uses the term "illegals" and plays to the most harmful, inaccurate stereotypes of immigrants using social services to make his point. Alongside him stands a Latino man who pretends to translate and finishes with the words "ay caramba" in a weak attempt at humor that falls far short and demeans a wide swath of hardworking Latinos in his state and the country. Equally offensive is the campaign rhetoric of a 2024 presidential candidate who says that immigrants are "poisoning the blood of our country."
LULAC firmly believes that the American political process should be a beacon of integrity, respect, and constructive debate. We urge all candidates to rise above the negativity and focus on the issues that truly matter to the American people. Let this be the year we restore dignity and respect to our democracy.
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About League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest Hispanic civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 535 Councils and 145,000 members across the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services, and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting the critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit https://lulac.org/