WASHINGTON – Today, the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) launched a national campaign aimed at educating Latinos on the importance of voting. The campaign, which will begin one year ahead of the general elections, will be initially implemented in the key states of Florida, Colorado, and Texas.
Latinos, the fastest growing voter block, had a decisive role in the last presidential election and will have an even more important presence in 2016.
For workers like Christian Hurtado, Latino voters need to express their voice to advocate for the issues that are important for Latino working families.
“I know firsthand how important it is to advocate for our community. My father died at his job from a fatal fall. He couldn’t ask for more safety precautions or trainings because he was undocumented and voiceless,” said Christian Hurtado. “Accidents like my fathers are preventable if we collectively harness our political and economic power. Voting is the vehicle that can help Latinos gain that power to change our outlook in this country.”
Julie Gonzalez, a worker from Colorado, lives through fear of losing a family member every day because Congress has not fixed our broken immigration system. She knows that the only way to make a positive change is by voting.
“Latinos cannot stand idle while politicians continue to ignore our community. We must educate Latinos this election cycle to hold every elected official accountable. This starts by knowing where every candidate on the ballot in 2016, local and national, stands on the issues important to us,” said Gonzales.
LCLAA will mobilize volunteers in key states to talk about the importance of the Latino vote.
“The Latino community is growing rapidly in the U.S., both in population and in our contribution to the economic and social life of this nation. Our voters are eager to find candidates who take them seriously and are ready to invest in the economy, improve our schools and immigration system, and defend our rights,” said Hector Sanchez, executive director of LCLAA.
Photo: AP
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