FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 20, 2010
Contact:
Jackeline Stewart
(202) 785-1670
“DON’T VOTE” ADS ARE UN-AMERICAN, SAYS NCLR
Washington, DC—Calling recent ads by Latinos for Reform an “affront to American civil rights and values,” NCLR (National Council of La Raza) President and CEO Janet Murguía today urged Latinos to stand up and have their voices heard at the polls this November. NCLR, the largest national Latino civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States, issued the following statement:
“Latinos for Reform’s efforts to urge Latinos to stay at home on November 2 are an affront to us as Americans who have a deep and abiding faith in our democratic process. Too many people fought too long and too hard—some at the cost of their lives—for the right of all citizens to vote. This ad is a blatant attempt to undermine both that noble struggle and the long and proud history that Hispanics have in this country.
“It is clear that Latinos matter in the 2010 midterm elections and that some people will go to great lengths to suppress the Hispanic vote. Latinos will most likely play decisive roles in races in California, Florida, Nevada, New Mexico, and Illinois, and Latino voter participation will also be watched closely in Arizona and Texas.
“We applaud Univision and Entravision, both partners in the ya es hora ¡VE Y VOTA! campaign, for pulling these deplorable ads. Latinos must vote for respect on November 2. We must stand up against the scapegoating of this community and the demonization of millions of hardworking people. NCLR’s Vote for Respect campaign, which includes work with community-based organizations in 22 states, a voter participation pledge, celebrity and community public service announcements, and a musical single by Grammy Award-winning multicultural fusion band Ozomatli, is a rallying call for Latinos to show up at the polls on Election Day. NCLR will also partner with the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Educational Fund and other ya es hora partners to staff a bilingual election protection hotline on Election Day, 888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682), where voters can call and receive advice if they encounter problems at the polls.”
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