Latino Action Network Urges Latinos to Get Involved in Redistricting Process

The Latino Action Network today urged Latinos across New Jersey to actively participate in the redistricting process that formally begins tomorrow with two hearings. The New Jersey State Apportionment Commission will hold hearings tomorrow in Camden and Toms River to consider how to redraw state legislative districts in light of demographic changes over the last decade. [Read full Press Release below]

 

Latino Action Network Urges Latinos to Get Involved in Redistricting Process

Latino Political Voice at Stake

Leaders to Testify Before Commission

For Immediate Release: January 28, 2011

Contacts:

Frank Argote-Freyre, President – 908-670-0552

Christian Estevez, Executive Vice President – 973-418-7012

            The Latino Action Network today urged Latinos across New Jersey to actively participate in the redistricting process that formally begins tomorrow with two hearings. The New Jersey State Apportionment Commission will hold hearings tomorrow in Camden and Toms River to consider how to redraw state legislative districts in light of demographic changes over the last decade.

“We want to ensure that the Latino community is fairly represented in whatever legislative map is developed,” said Frank Argote-Freyre, President of the Latino Action Network. “Our numbers are growing and we expect that our representation will follow the same upward trajectory. New Jersey's Latino population has grown significantly since 2000 – from 13.3 percent, to, according to the latest available data, 16.7 percent.”

Argote-Freyre continued: “Currently there are only seven Assembly members and one State Senator from the Latino community which is evidence of  under-representation on the state level. We expect the Commission to address those issues in redrawing the state’s  legislative districts.”

The LAN was founded in 2009 as a vehicle to mobilize the Latino community to seek greater social and economic justice.

Latino Action Network Denounces US Senate Defeat of Dream Act

The Latino Action Network [LAN] vowed today to work with other state and national organizations to defeat members of the United States Senate who voted against the Dream Act this weekend.  [Read full Press Release Below]

Latino Action Network Denounces US Senate

Defeat of Dream Act

Calls on Latinos to Remember those who Voted Against It.

For Immediate Release: December 20, 2010

Contact:

Frank Argote-Freyre, President – 908-670-0552

Christian Estevez, Executive Vice President – 973-418-7012

Daniel Santo Pietro, Chair of Public Policy Committee – 732-496-9628

The Latino Action Network [LAN] vowed today to work with other state and national organizations to defeat members of the United States Senate who voted against the Dream Act this weekend. In the aftermath of the vote, the Network stressed the importance of passing in-state tuition in New Jersey to ensure that the children of undocumented immigrants have a chance to receive a university education and called on members of the State Legislature to pass the appropriate legislation in 2011.

The US Senate failed to overcome a filibuster that prevented a vote on the Dream Act by a 55-41 vote on Saturday. The measure was opposed by 36 Republicans and five Democrats.

“The names of the Senators that voted against the Dream Act should be emblazoned on the minds of Latinos across the United States every time they step in a voting booth,” said Frank Argote-Freyre, President of the LAN.  “A majority of the Senate was prepared to pass this critical civil rights measure that would have allowed hundreds of thousands of youths brought to this country by their parents without documentation an opportunity to contribute to America’s future by completing their higher education or military service and eventually acquire citizenship.”

  Daniel Santo Pietro, Chair of the Network’s Public Policy Committee stated, “It is a long tradition in Western law not to hold children responsible for the transgressions of their parents.  By denying these youths their basic civil rights, we deny ourselves future leaders, entrepreneurs and scientists that we need just to satisfy an anti-immigrant political agenda.  This is an intolerable situation that Latinos and other Americans of like mind must repudiate.

Both New Jersey Senators, Robert Menendez and Frank Lautenberg, were strong proponents and supporters of the Dream Act, but several New Jersey Representatives opposed it including, Rodney Frelinghuysen, Scott Garrett, Leonard Lance, Frank LoBiondo, and Christopher Smith.

            Christian Estevez, Executive Vice President of the LAN, summarized the current situation, “In the short term the New Jersey State Legislature has to step forward and at least enact the In-State Tuition bill that the State Senate narrowly declined to move forward last December.  All New Jersey college presidents should endorse this bill and other steps to support the youth left in limbo by the US Senate’s debacle. LAN efforts will be focused on organizing New Jersey’s students in support of in-state tuition in New Jersey and comprehensive immigration reform at the national level.

The LAN was founded in 2009 as a vehicle to mobilize the Latino community to seek greater social and economic justice. A list of the Senators who opposed the Dream Act will be placed on the LAN’s website and blog to remind its members of their vote.

US Senators Voting Against the Dream Act

Republicans:

Lamar Alexander of Tennessee

John Barrasso of Wyoming
Kit Bond of Missouri
Scott Brown of Massachusetts
Sam Brownback of Kansas
Richard Burr of North Carolina
Saxby Chambliss of Georgia
Tom Coburn of Oklahoma
Thad Cochran of Mississippi
Susan Collins of Maine
Bob Corker of Tennessee
John Cornyn of Texas
Mike Crapo of Idaho
Jim DeMint of South Carolina
John Ensign of Nevada
Michael Enzi of Wyoming
Lindsey Graham of South Carolina
Chuck Grassley of Iowa
Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas
James Inhofe of Oklahoma
Johnny Isakson of Georgia
Mike Johanns of Nebraska
Mark Kirk of Illinois
Jon Kyl of Arizona
George LeMieux of Florida
John McCain of Arizona
Mitch McConnell of Kentucky
James Risch of Idaho
Pat Roberts of Kansas
Jeff Sessions of Alabama
Richard Shelby of Alabama
Olympia Snowe of Maine
John Thune of South Dakota
David Vitter of Louisiana

George Voinovich of Ohio
Roger Wicker of Mississippi

Democrats:

 

Max Baucus of Montana

Kay Hagan of North Carolina
Ben Nelson of Nebraska
Mark Pryor of Arkansas
Jon Tester of Montana

Latino Action Network Applauds Latino Voters for Standing Up for Our Community on Election Day

The Latino Action Network applauds Latino voters throughout the United States for not falling for the campaign to suppress the Latino vote. Latinos voters stood up for the entire Latino community by showing up at the polls on Election Day, contributing to the defeat of anti-Latino candidates in states like Nevada. [Read full Press Release below]

Latino Action Network Applauds Latino Voters for Standing Up for Our Community on Election Day      

For Immediate Release: November 3, 2010

Christian Estevez, Executive Vice-President – 973-418-7012

The Latino Action Network applauds Latino voters throughout the United States for not falling for the campaign to suppress the Latino vote. Latinos voters stood up for the entire Latino community by showing up at the polls on Election Day, contributing to the defeat of anti-Latino candidates in states like Nevada.

Latino voters also showed great intelligence in places like Passaic County, New Jersey where they looked beyond the fact that the candidate for sheriff was Latino. The LAN takes note of the fact that Latino voters in Passaic County, New Jersey, rejected a candidate who expressed his support for the anti-immigrant, profiling laws passed earlier this year in Arizona.

The Latino Action Network supports efforts to increase the election of Latinos from all political parties.  However, we cannot support candidates who take positions that run counter to the interests of the Latino community. We are pleased to see that the Latino voters of Passaic County share these values and expressed them on Election Day.

The LAN was founded in 2009 as a vehicle to mobilize the Latino community to seek greater social and economic justice.

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For more information about Latino voting results, please visit the following websites:

Latino Decisions: Latino Election Eve Poll Results, November 2, 2010

http://latinodecisions.wordpress.com/2010/11/02/latino-election-eve-poll-results-november-2-2010/

New York Times: Senate Exit Polls 2010

http://elections.nytimes.com/2010/results/senate/exit-polls

Hispanic Evangelical Coalition Opposes Voter Suppression Efforts

Reverend Gabriel Salguero, a leading voice among Latino evangelicals across the nation and a member of the Latino Action Network [LAN] today issued the following statement in response to efforts to suppress the Latino vote.

Hispanic Evangelical Coalition Opposes Voter
Suppression Efforts

For Immediate Release: October 31, 2010

Reverend Gabriel Salguero, Steering Committee Member – 917-484-0179

Reverend Gabriel Salguero, a leading voice among Latino evangelicals across the nation and a member of the Latino Action Network [LAN] today issued the following statement in response to efforts to suppress the Latino vote. It is in response to a statement issued by Reverend Miguel Rivera of the National Coalition of Latino Clergy and Christian Leaders [CONLAMIC] urging Latinos to refrain from voting.

“Reverend Rivera is not representative of most of the Hispanic Evangelical national leadership,” said Reverend Salguero, a member of the Latino Leadership Circle. “On the contrary, Reverend Rivera represents a misguided religious leadership that will disenfranchise an important constituency just when it is coming of age.”

“The close to 9 million Latino Evangelicals should disregard this unwise counsel and go to the voting booths in unprecedented numbers,” Reverend Salguero concluded. “Many of us who have suffered from voter suppression in our countries of origin will not tolerate it here."

The LAN was founded in 2009 as a vehicle to mobilize the Latino community to seek greater social and economic justice.

Latino Action Network Urges Latinos to Cast Ballots on Tuesday; Ignore Those Seeking to Silence Them

The Latino Action Network today urged Latino voters throughout the nation to go to the polls on Tuesday and comply with their civic responsibility to elect the leaders of our country. The LAN urged Latinos to ignore those “who seek to silence us and remove us from participation in the political process.”

Latino Action Network Urges Latinos to Cast Ballots on Tuesday; Ignore Those Seeking to Silence Them

For Immediate Release: October 30, 2010

Frank Argote-Freyre, President – 908-670-0552

The Latino Action Network today urged Latino voters throughout the nation to go to the polls on Tuesday and comply with their civic responsibility to elect the leaders of our country. The LAN urged Latinos to ignore those “who seek to silence us and remove us from participation in the political process.”

LAN President Frank Argote-Freyre noted a growing effort by some to keep “Latinos silent and powerless.”

The latest efforts to suppress the Latino vote are spearheaded by Reverend Miguel Rivera, head of the National Coalition of Latino Clergy and Christian Leaders [CONLAMIC] working in conjunction Roberto de Posada of the Latinos for Reform organization.

“This is the latest irresponsible act on the part of Reverend Rivera, who seems committed to ensuring that Latinos have as little say as possible in the political process,” Argote-Freyre continued. “His effort to encourage a boycott of the Census earlier this year was a complete failure and we hope he will fail again in this latest effort.”

“It does not matter who Latinos support they should go out and vote on Tuesday and ignore the advice of people, like Reverend Rivera, who advocate an extremist agenda. Go to the polls and ignore Rivera and Posada.”

The LAN was founded in 2009 as a vehicle to mobilize the Latino community to seek greater social and economic justice.

Latino Action Network Denounces Comments by Garcia Campaign Favorable to Arizona-Style Profiling Laws

The Latino Action Network [LAN] today denounced statements made recently by the campaign of the Passaic County Republican Candidate for Sheriff Felix Garcia, which took a favorable position towards the Arizona-style racial profiling laws adopted over the summer.
    

Latino Action Network Denounces Comments by Garcia Campaign Favorable to Arizona-Style Profiling Laws

For Immediate Release: October 30, 2010

Christian Estevez, Executive Vice President – 973-418-7012
 
The Latino Action Network [LAN] today denounced statements made recently by the campaign of the Passaic County Republican Candidate for Sheriff Felix Garcia, which took a favorable position towards the Arizona-style racial profiling laws adopted over the summer.
 
Some of the most objectionable elements of that legislation have been placed on hold by a judge pending a federal lawsuit challenging them.
 
The LAN sought a clarification or retraction of the statement that appeared on a local blog recently, but the Garcia campaign declined. The statement made by Garcia Campaign Manager George Cole was as follows: “The Arizona reform comes from the people. Felix advocates people migrating to this country through a legal process. The Arizona people are enforcing the laws that were already present.”
 
Christian Estevez, Executive Vice President of the Latino Action Network, noted “the Garcia campaign has actively courted the Latino vote in Passaic County, while trying to also appeal to anti-immigrant elements in the electorate. The statements by Cole reflect a positive attitude towards a law that would racially profile individuals, specifically Latinos, and this is something we strongly oppose. The issue is of particular concern since Garcia is running for the top law enforcement position in Passaic County.”
 
Estevez concluded: “There is no place for racial or ethnic profiling in law enforcement and the statements by the Garcia campaign come close to endorsing those policies. Local law enforcement must work with local communities to maintain trust with them. The enforcement of immigration laws at a local level would break down those important lines of communication.”
 
The LAN sought a statement from the Democratic Campaign of Richard Berdnik and received the following from the campaign: “My parents were immigrants and law abiding citizens. My parents taught me first-hand the contributions that immigrants have made and continue to make to our country. While I am obligated to uphold the law, immigration is a federal issue.”
 
The LAN was founded in 2009 as a vehicle to mobilize the Latino community to seek greater social and economic justice.

Latino Action Network Praises Judge’s Ruling Against Arizona Immigration Law

“The decision by Judge Bolton was wise and prudent and ensures that the most deplorable provisions of the Arizona Law will not be implemented tomorrow,” said Frank Argote-Freyre, President of the Latino Action Network.

Latino Action Network Praises Judge’s Ruling Against Arizona Immigration Law

For Immediate Release: July 28, 2010

Frank Argote-Freyre, President – 908-670-0552

          The Latino Action Network [LAN] today issued a brief statement on the decision by Federal District Court Judge Susan Bolton:

            “The decision by Judge Bolton was wise and prudent and ensures that the most deplorable provisions of the Arizona Law will not be implemented tomorrow,” said Frank Argote-Freyre, President of the Latino Action Network. “This is the first step in a long legal struggle which the Network will continue to monitor. We urge those planning to take part in protests to proceed and let their voices be heard.”

Argote-Freyre continued: “It now remains for the members of Congress to find the political courage to enact comprehensive immigration reform. There has been an abundance of political posturing from both parties on this issue and a scarcity of political will. It is this failure to act that leads mischievous minds to concoct laws such as the one blocked by Judge Bolton today."

The Network supports federal legislation that would provide a path to citizenship for the estimated 10 to 12 million undocumented immigrants in the United States, a federal worker exchange program and an economic investment fund for Latin America.

           

            The LAN was founded in 2009 as a vehicle to mobilize the Latino community to seek greater social and economic justice.