LULAC Taking Action So Latinos Are Taken Into Account In U.S.
President and CEO of Nation’s Oldest and Largest Latino Civil Rights Organization Say Community Wants More than Words and Promises
Washington, DC - The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and UNIVISION today hosted COVID-19 Impact: Latinos at Risk Town Hall which included Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Kamala Harris (D-CA), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT).
The sweeping discussion included the major issues Latinos are confronting in a COVID-19 context. This included immigration reform, the U.S. Census and the outlook for how Latinos will vote in the 2020 November elections.
“Both parties need to do more if they expect Latinos to believe them and and vote for them,” said Domingo Garcia, National President. “I think one of the silver linings that may come out of this pandemic is that politicians using Latinos as political piñatas may find it will not pay off for them. As for other Americans who share that view, think about what would happen if these workers in the packing plants, in the fields were not on the job every day. There won’t be food on your table. There might not be the construction because that’s where Latinos are. So it’s time we get a bipartisan bill to create emergency protected status during this pandemic and undocumented Latinos are afraid to seek testing and treatment. There may be a golpe de castigo (a blow of punishment) for Republicans and they will wake up,” he added.
In addition to how Latinos promise to impact the 2020 vote, there is the presence of Latinos today in the economy that is being felt throughout the United States. Equally important is being counted as the fastest growing demographic in the nation.
“What we are seeing right now is that Latinos are keeping America running,” said Sindy Benavides, National Chief Executive Officer. “We are essential workers. We must put pressure in the Senate and send a strong indictment in November and be sure we support leaders who support immigration reform and a pathway to citizenship. Latinos are still showing up to work even though they know they are facing danger. This is not the time to stand on the sideline. This is the time to call our Senators in Congress. Also, we have to forcefully step up and take responsibility in such things like filling out the Census. At a time when our community is trying to be erased, we must and will step up!”
To view the entire LULAC-UNIVISION Town Hall, go to www.lulac.org.
About LULAC
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1,000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit https://lulac.org/