New Outrageous Web Video: “If you don’t vote, you’re nothing but a BLEEEEEP”
Washington, DC – America’s Voice and Illinois Immigrant Action have teamed up to produce a humorous new viral online video to encourage young Latinos in the state to vote in the toss-up US Senate election on November 2nd. Latino voters could make the difference in this too-close-to-call race. The video will be distributed to over 50,000 online activists and youth, immigrant and Latino networks around the state.
The video pushes the envelope by using “censored” language, Spanglish slang and animated sock puppets to communicate the message that voting and making our voices heard is the only way to see the DREAM Act signed into law.
The DREAM Act, which would grant legal status to young undocumented immigrants who came to the U.S. as children, graduate from high school and complete two years of college or military service, has become a mobilizing issue for Latinos in Illinois and across the nation. Recent polling by Latino Decisions revealed a spike in voter enthusiasm following the obstruction of the DREAM Act by Senate Republicans in September.
The two candidates for US Senate in Illinois have divergent positions on the DREAM Act. Democratic State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias unequivocally supports the DREAM Act and comprehensive immigration reform. Immigrant advocate organizations had pressed Congressman Kirk, who voted for the notorious “Sensenbrenner bill” in 2005 that set off million-person marches in Chicago and other cities, to declare his position on the DREAM Act. In a candidate debate last week, after intense questioning by Giannoulias and the debate moderator, Kirk said that the border should be closed and that he would not vote for the DREAM Act.
“The results of the Illinois election could prove pivotal in the fate of the DREAM Act. The victor will be seated immediately following the election, and the two most senior members of the Senate, Harry Reid (D-NV) and Richard Durbin (D-IL), have expressed a desire to bring the DREAM Act up for a vote in the lame duck session. No matter who wins the Illinois Senate race, the citizens of Illinois deserve leaders who will advance common sense immigration reform, like the DREAM Act,” said Frank Sharry, Executive Director of America’s Voice.
“The Latino community cares deeply about the DREAM Act,” said Lawrence Benito, Executive Director of Illinois Immigrant Action.” “The senatorial race is very close and the immigrant vote can make the difference on Election Day. This video will help mobilize Latino youth to the polls by connecting this important issue with this growing, energetic and tech savvy constituency.”
SCRIPT:
“How to Get Your Lazy @#! Amigos to Vote”
[Opening slide: “How to get your lazy @#! amigos to vote on November 2 to pass the DREAM Act”]
Sock Puppet Girl: Oye primo – what are you doing on November 2nd?
Sock Puppet Guy: Pues I don’t know, going to class, going to the mall, getting a Justin Bieber haircut. Why?
Sock Puppet Guy: Hey!
Sock Puppet Girl: Hijole! If you don’t vote on November 2nd, I’m going to kick your lazy [BLEEP]
Sock Puppet Guy: Whatever – my vote won’t matter anyway.
Sock Puppet Girl: Why you gotta be such a burro? Oye, whoever wins the Senate race in Illinois will vote on and decide the fate of the DREAM Act! They could vote on it as early as next month. You get it? I thought you wanted your cousin Maria to go to school and get her papers?
Sock Puppet Guy: Okay, okay, I get it.
Sock Puppet Girl: Here’s the deal: We have two candidates. The Democrat is Alexi Giannoulias. He says he definitely supports the DREAM Act. [VIDEO CLIP – Giannoulias: “My position is clear, I am in favor of the DREAM Act, I am in favor of comprehensive immigration reform.”] The Republican is Mark Kirk. He voted for the Sensenbrenner bill that would have sent our abuelita to jail! Now “Now, he says he WON’T support the DREAM Act!” [VIDEO CLIP – Moderator: “How will you vote?” Kirk: “This is not the time to do this.”]
Sock Puppet Guy: For real?
Sock Puppet Girl: Let me break this down for you. If you don’t vote, you’re nothing but a lazy bum, hijo de [BLEEP] who doesn’t give a [BLEEP] about the DREAM Act. And if you don’t vote, sabes que? I’ll tell your mom about that one time you spiked the punch over at Tio Julio’s.
Sock Puppet Guy: No manches, dale, I get it. I’ll vote.
Sock Puppet Girl: Nah, dude. I want it in writing.
Sock Puppet Guy: Okay! [BLEEP]. Where do I sign up?
[Closing slide: Put it in writing! Sign the pledge: www.VoteDream.org]
