Republicans are dead to Latino voters, between their inaction on immigration reform and their multiple votes to end DACA and deport DREAMers, while Democrats have been on blast for delaying executive action on deportations. Today, nearly 50 immigrant and Latino advocacy organizations launched Hispanic Heritage Month of Action to remind both parties of the importance and priorities of Latino voters. The campaign aims to register as many Latino voters as possible before the November elections.
As Maria Teresa Kumar, president and CEO of Voto Latino said to Buzzfeed:
This month is not only about celebrating our heritage. It is about recognizing the power of our votes…
One party is taking us for granted, and the other is trying to prevent us from participating. They’re still not taking us seriously in Washington. They’re asking us to stand in the back of the line to wait for whenever it’s convenient for them to do the right thing.
The campaign — which is nonpartisan — is being lauded for its size and scope. The groups participating include those traditionally supporting conservatives (US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce) and those traditionally supporting progressives (SEIU), those who have blasted Obama (NCLR) and those who have defended him (Univision radio host Fernando Espuelas), news organizations (Fox News Latino, impreMedia), state-based initiatives (C0lorado Immigration Voter Accountability Project), elected officials (NALEO), and celebrities (America Ferrera, Rosario Dawson, Eva Longoria, and others).
Find out more about the Hispanic Heritage Month of Action here.