The Reality Check: SOCIAL JUSTICE WRITING AND PHOTOGRAPHY - THE REALI...

The Reality Check: SOCIAL JUSTICE WRITING AND PHOTOGRAPHY - THE REALI...: SOCIAL JUSTICE WRITING AND PHOTOGRAPHY - THE REALITY CHECK AND BEYOND - PART TWO By David Bacon and John W. McKerley a chapter in The Routle...

Tamale Fundraiser for Student Aid

 

Migrant Shelters in Mexico Need Assistance

 Please support our Migrant Emergency Fund!

Right now, migrant shelters across Mexico are at capacity and on the verge of collapse. Under a new legal provision by the Biden administration, tens-of-thousands of asylum seekers are being rejected from the United States and sent back to Mexico.

In response to the Republican governors' cruel political stunt of bussing and even flying thousands of asylum seekers from southern states to sanctuary cities across the country, the Biden administration announced a new migration enforcement process. This has once again forced tens-of-thousands of migrants back to Mexico.

The Mexico government has accepted these migrants, but is not offering them any support. Migrants and their families are urgently depending on shelters for their basic needs: meals, a safe place to sleep, and medical care.

Migrant shelters in Mexico do not receive funding from the Mexican government and are run entirely by civil society. Because of this, their resources are limited and they depend on the support of volunteers and the generosity of the international community.

Global Exchange members, partners and allies have helped raised over $40,000 in the past year to support shelters during hard times in Mexico.

It’s time to stand up in support of migrant families searching for a new life away from violence, poverty and displacement. Please join us in supporting shelters, who are doing their best to deal with the consequences of the crises in Haiti, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Colombia and Venezuela. 

Please support our Migrant Emergency Fund now and help migrant shelters in Mexico deal with the latest crisis caused by the new U.S. migration enforcement policies.

In Solidarity and Action 

Marco Castillo
Director of the Bi-National Program and
Co-Executive Director

Latino Voting-- Votar es Poder !

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, November 5, 2022 

Hispanic / Latino Community Organizations Unite to Encourage
Latinos in the Greater Sacramento Region to Vote this November 8^th

 Sacramento, CA – Hispanic / Latino Community Leaders and Community Organizations throughout the Greater Sacramento Region who serve this often-ignored community are calling for all Latinos to let their voices be heard during the upcoming elections next Tuesday, November 8, 2022.

Only 27% of Latino registered voters turned out to vote during the primary elections that’s 12% below Sacramento’s County average for all registered voters. That’s why, many local Latino/Hispanic organizations representing various points of view in the community with a legacy of advocacy and representation for Latinos in the region are uniting to plead with all who identify as Latinos to cast their vote in person or by mail.

“We need to end the myth that Latinos/as are unaware or indifferent to the importance of our vote. It’s time that we utilize this critical tool to amplify our voice. Latinos/as are no longer a sleeping giant. Let’s get loud. Vote,” states Cathy Rodriguez Aguirre, President/CEO of the Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

As the nation’s largest minority group, the Latino community can play a key role in elections.

“We must vote for experienced leaders who can address issues like economic growth, job creation, education, voting rights, health care accessibility, language access, transparency, discrimination, and social justice,” states Marty Puentes, President of LULAC.

Our participation is necessary to safeguard the vulnerable portions of our society. But this can only happen if everyone turns out to vote this Tuesday, November 8, 2022. Regardless of party affiliation, the entire community must galvanize the electorate and vote.

“The power within the Latino community can be most effective at the ballot box. We must use our vote as our voice… without our participation in this election, our voice will not be heard,” states Alexis R. Arriaga, President of United Latinos Promoviendo Accion Civica.

¡Comunidad! The future is in your hands – VOTE ON TUESDAY NOVEMBER 8, 2022.

In Unity,

La Familia Counseling Center
Latino Economic Council
Sacramento Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Cien Amigos
Latino Center of Art and Culture
Brown Issues
United Latinos of Sacramento
Benito Juarez Association
LULAC – League of United Latin American Citizens
Latino Coalition for a Healthy CA
Teatro Nagual
Bridge Network Corporation

 

SPANISH BELOW

DECLARACION PARA LOS MEDIOS DE COMUNICACION

Para Difusión Inmediata
Sábado 5 de noviembre de 2022

Elections: Which Side are you on ?

 

We’re one week out from this election, and it comes down to recognizing who is on our side. Ask yourself: Who are the candidates trying to solve problems, and who are the ones just trying to stoke fear and division? Who supports public education, and who is trying to ban books and engage in culture wars? Who is protecting freedoms like a women’s right to reproductive health, and who is undermining our democracy?  Check out the GOP plan for the economy. They want to: Raise prescription drug costs. Increase healthcare premiums. Cut Medicare and Social Security benefits. Cancel student loan forgiveness. Drive up inflation and the deficit by cutting taxes for the rich. Look how well that worked for the last U.K. prime minister. The AFT has endorsed the problem-solvers—the lawmakers and candidates who are working to solve the problems that keep us up at night: inflation, the costs of prescription drugs and gas, the struggle for a better life, potential cuts to Social Security and Medicare, global climate change, the need to strengthen public education, and threats to and our freedoms and our democracy. On the other side, we have the problem-makers—the lawmakers who use anger and fear to divide people and want to slash Social Security and Medicare, roll back freedoms, allow Big Oil to gouge us at the pump and Big Pharma to gouge us at the pharmacy, and stop student debt forgiveness. Their answer to everything seems to be to cut taxes for the rich.  Everything is on the ballot this year. Thank you. In unity, Randi Weingarten AFT President

Choosing Democracy: We have a lot to learn from Brazil/Lula

Choosing Democracy: We have a lot to learn from Brazil/Lula:   Kuttner on TAP What Brazil Teaches America Actually delivering for working people matters. It also matters whether elites support democrat...

U.S. Pressuring New Left-Wing Honduras Government

U.S. Pressuring New Left-Wing Honduras Government: After the Honduran government fulfilled a campaign promise by moving to end an extreme form of special economic zone, two U.S. senators threatened to withdraw foreign aid to the country.

Sanders Campaigns in Texas

 Duane,

In the last 24 hours, Bernie Sanders and I have rallied voters across three cities and covered 300 miles of Texas together. We set out to inspire people in Austin, San Marcos, and McAllen to flip key seats for progress.

Duane, in this election, the stakes couldn’t be higher. We aren’t slowing down between now and Election Day.

That is why our team has set an emergency $3,000 in grassroots donation goal before midnight tomorrow.

Will you please make a $50.00 donation to help us get out the vote and elect progressives across Texas in these final days? If we make progress in Texas, we change the country.

Chip In »

When we talk about high stakes, this is what we mean:

We can save millions of peoples’ jobs, and homes, and lives if we tackle the climate crisis.

We can save our democracy for millions of people, if we guarantee voting rights and prevent another January 6th insurrection.

We can make it so our students no longer have to fear weapons of war in our schools, if we take on the NRA.

The Mis representation of the issues in the Los Angeles Council Conflict

 

About Those “LA Audio Tapes” and How To Heal Los Angeles: We Have Questions Jorge H Rodriguez  October 22, 2022 Stansbury Forum If you know the history of most of the individuals in the conflict, you know that something is missing from the story, See who they are.  Then, ask, who benefits from this division ? And, why is the issue of Latino under representation in Los Angeles City Council not the topic of discussion ?

Cost of Living, Housing and Inflation are Top Issues

NEW POLL: Cost of Living, Inflation, and Housing Top Issues for California Latinos Ahead of 2022 Midterm Elections

Yet, voter engagement still alarmingly low less than three weeks from Election Day

October 21, 2022 11:02 AM Eastern Daylight Time

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Latino Community Foundation announced the results of their second California statewide poll of Latino voters ahead of the 2022 Midterm Elections. California’s Latino voters, the second largest voting bloc in the state, can potentially decide the balance of power in Congress. Yet, outreach to them is dismally low and 31% say they are still undecided.

“Latino voters demonstrate a strong commitment to progressive policy issues. Yet, there is such a low level of engagement of these crucial voters by candidates, with only 29% of Latino voters saying they have been contacted and asked to vote”

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“Latino voters demonstrate a strong commitment to progressive policy issues. Yet, there is such a low level of engagement of these crucial voters by candidates, with only 29% of Latino voters saying they have been contacted and asked to vote,” said Jacqueline Martinez Garcel, CEO of the Latino Community Foundation. “Our democracy is stronger when voters are engaged in every election. Especially considering that Latino voters can determine the balance of power in Congress at a moment in time when we are facing one of the worst inflations in decades and we are still trying to heal and rebuild from the COVID pandemic.”

According to Matt Barreto, co-founder of BSP Research and Professor of Political Science at UCLA, “Two-thirds of Latino registered voters in California say they are certain to vote, but 31% say they are on the fence and not yet certain. If campaigns want to see massive Latino turnout, they need to engage heavily to get out the vote in the final weeks. Over half of California Latinos say they will vote early using a mail ballot and 19% say they will vote early in-person. That leaves just 29% of Latinos who plan to vote on Election Day. Get out the vote starts now.”

The Poll also found:

• 73% said inflation and jobs and the economy are their top concern;
• 80% of Latinos say the cost of living is going up faster than they can keep up, yet Latino voters in California are more likely to say they are optimistic that things are getting better;
• Latinos in California give Democratic candidates a large margin of 58% to 20% for Republicans in the election for U.S. House, unlike national polls that suggest Republicans are making in-roads with Latinos;
• 57% of Latino voters said they had heard or read little to nothing about the Inflation Reduction Act, demonstrating a steep disconnect between policies they overwhelming support and a missed opportunity for the Administration to build goodwill on this historic passed legislation.

Click to download toplines and crosstabs of the poll.

The Latino Community Foundation commissioned the statewide poll of California’s Latino Voters from BSP Research. They surveyed 1,200 Latino registered voters across California for a margin-of-error of +/- 2.8%. The poll was conducted on-line and by phone in English and Spanish at the discretion of the respondent. Interviews were conducted between September 26, 2022 – October 5, 2022.

"This poll represents a unique deep-dive into the California Latino electorate with one of the largest and bilingual sample of Latino voters from across the entire state,” says Gary Segura, President of BSP Research. “The findings clearly show Latinos expect their elected officials to deliver on climate change, affordable housing, immigrant rights and much more. However, the poll also shows that more outreach needs to be done by individual candidates to connect with and convince Latino voters. From ballot measures to the U.S. Congress, Latino voters can be the difference makers, but only if candidates reach out and engage the Latino community."

About the Latino Community Foundation

The Latino Community Foundation is on a mission to unleash the civic and economic power of Latinos in California. LCF has the largest network of Latino philanthropists in the country and has invested $20 million to build Latino civic and political power and leadership in the state. It is the only statewide foundation solely focused on investing in Latino youth and families in California. For more info, please visit: www.latinocf.org.

About BSP Research

BSP Research is a Latino-owned polling, research and analytics firm headquartered in Los Angeles, California, and directed by four PhD-holding political scientists.

Contacts

 

Statement by LULAC National Board.

  818 689-9991 davidcruz@lulac.org 

LULAC FOCUSES ON THE FUTURE AND SAYS CLAIMS FROM DISGRACED FORMER BOARD MEMBERS ARE FAKE 

  

 Leaders of Nation's Oldest and Largest Latino Civil Rights Organization Climax  Historic Meeting With Call for Unity and Commitment to the Mission of LULAC 

Dallas, TX 

 – 

 Leaders of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) issued a statement following a two-day national board meeting pledging to members, corporate partners, and community allies to stay focused on the organization's mission of serving the 66 million Latinos in the United States and Puerto Rico. "We want to report that we have come out united, committed, and stronger than ever with one voice that includes elected LULAC representatives from all corners of the country," said Domingo Garcia, LULAC National President. 

Meanwhile, a counterfeit rogue group is waging a misinformation campaign, including saying that former LULAC National President Roger Rocha is the LULAC National Institute (LNI) chairman. His reply is swift and straightforward: 

"Fellow LULAC members and friends, I was notified this afternoon that I was elected the Chair of the LULAC National Institute (LNI); however, the position I hold within the LNI is its Vice Chairman. There is only one LULAC National Institute (LNI), and that is the one that is officially recognized by the LULAC National Board (LNO). The Chairman of the LNI is Mr. Domingo Garcia, and as such, the rest of the LNI Board members and I work with him for the betterment of our community." Garcia says the fake claims are being led by a group of five national board officers removed and impeached, with one of the officers expelled from membership in the league. 

The action was taken after considering an array of violations of the organization's constitution. The decision means the individuals cease to be members of the national board. Also, refunding their membership dues ends their participation in the organization. Any future involvement in the league by these individuals requires re-applying for membership and acceptance of their dues by local, state, and national LULAC officials. Impeachment charges against President Garcia were dismissed. 

•

 

Ralina Cardona 

 – 

 National Vice-President for the Northeast 

War on Immigrants is a War on Poor People

 

THE WAR ON IMMIGRANTS IS A WAR ON ALL POOR AND LOW-INCOME AMERICANS

If low-income voters stick together, they can stop politicians from turning a humanitarian crisis into political theater.

By Shailly Gupta Barnes | October 19, 2022

In states across the country, cynical politicians are turning a humanitarian crisis into political theater.

New Hampshire Governor John Sununu recently announced that he was deploying the state National Guard to the U.S.-Mexico border, joining around two-dozen mostly GOP-led states. Meanwhile Florida, Texas, and Arizona have been busing migrants to blue states and cities, often under fraudulent circumstances.

Immigration is not a crisis — but the political, economic, and environmental factors that push people out of their homes are. So is the inhumane treatment these displaced people receive.

Republicans are most brazenly exploiting these conditions, but its origins cross party lines.

When President Clinton enacted the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act, he made more people eligible for deportation and made it easier to deport them. This drove up the undocumented population by making it riskier to seek documentation. And it laid the groundwork for a massive infrastructure to detain people.

Every administration since has expanded that infrastructure.

Under President George W. Bush, immigration enforcement moved to the new Department of Homeland Security, transforming a justice and labor issue into one of national security. Deportations started climbing, reaching more than 5 million under President Obama, despite his introduction of DACA to protect undocumented children.

President Trump escalated this trend, spreading dangerous lies about immigrants as violent criminals and invoking emergency powers to fund a southern border wall. Although President Biden reversed that move, our immigration system has not fundamentally changed.

DACA Rule by Supreme Court

As you may have heard, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that DACA is unlawful and sent the case challenging the DACA policy back to the district court that originally ruled to end DACA. Our legal experts are still putting together a full analysis of the opinion. In the meantime, we wanted to share some important information with you about what this means and what comes next. 

The Immigrant Legal Defense will be holding a Zoom webinar and Q&A session Friday, October 7, 2022, at 10 am in light of the decision. Please circulate the link widely and encourage anyone in your campus community to attend. No registration is needed, and we will not share any identifying information about who attends. We will not be recording so as to encourage as many as possible to attend.

Join Zoom Meeting here

 

 

Newsom Signs Farmworker Election bill.

 

Alongside Farmworkers at the State Capitol, Governor Newsom Signs Law Expanding Farmworker Union Rights

Published: Sep 28, 2022

The Governor’s Office finalized an agreement with UFW and the California Labor Federation on clarifying language next year to ensure worker protection

SACRAMENTO – Today, alongside advocates and farmworkers outside the State Capitol, Governor Gavin Newsom signed legislation expanding union rights for farmworkers. This follows the Governor, United Farm Workers (UFW), and the California Labor Federation having agreed in a letter on clarifying language to be passed during next year’s legislative session to address Governor Newsom’s concerns around implementation and voting integrity.
 
“California’s farmworkers are the lifeblood of our state, and they have the fundamental right to unionize and advocate for themselves in the workplace,” said Governor Newsom. “Our state has been defined by the heroic activism of farmworkers, championed by American icons like Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta, and Larry Itliong. California is proud to stand with the next generation of leaders carrying on this movement.”  
 
AB 2183 by Assemblymember Mark Stone (D-Monterey Bay) creates new ways for farmworkers to vote in a union election, including options for mail-in ballots, and authorization cards submitted to the California Agricultural Labor Relations Board, in addition to the existing in-person voting process.
 
The supplemental agreement between the Newsom Administration, UFW, and the California Labor Federation includes a cap on the number of card-check petitions over the next five years, and will allow the ALRB to adequately protect worker confidentiality and safety. This additional agreement would be codified into law with a bill next year that would be supported by both the administration and the union. The agreement will be codified with additional legislation next year backed by the union and the administration.

Republicans Use Huddled Masses Yearning to Breathe Free to Own the Libs

Republicans Use Huddled Masses Yearning to Breathe Free to Own the Libs: For conservatives, defenseless refugees are something to abuse and exploit.

Immigration work on the Border

 UCLA Labor Center brings together 60 labor and immigration leaders for San Diego-Tijuana border tour

 

https://newsroom.ucla.edu/stories/ucla-labor-center-san-diego-tijuana-border-tour?mc_cid=633970dc90&mc_eid=678412554b

 

Support Farm Workers Right to Free Elections

 Tomorrow at 2 pm: Join us at the Sacramento State Capitol for a FREE concert by Tom Morello supporting AB2183!

Since we ended our 335-mile march for the Governor's signature on August 26, farmworkers and supporters have held a 24 hour vigil at the State Capitol to demand that Governor Newsom sign AB2183.

Tomorrow, on Day 24 of our vigil, renowned activist and musician Tom Morello of Rage Against the Machine will join farmworkers and community members and perform a free concert to support farm workers and their vital bill. Join us. 

The free concert will occur at 2 pm, at the vigil site located at N Street and 11th street, right outside the Sacramento Capitol. 

Out of the area or unable to attend? You can show your solidarity by: 

• Commit to join the vigil on another day by clicking here
• Sign the petition telling CA Governor Newsom to sign #AB2183 here!
• Spread the word to friends and family. 
• Questions about tomorrow or the vigil? Email sacvigil@ufw.org

WILL GOVERNOR NEWSOM SIGN TWO BILLS STRENGTHING "G...

The Reality Check: WILL GOVERNOR NEWSOM SIGN TWO BILLS STRENGTHING "G...: WILL GOVERNOR NEWSOM SIGN TWO BILLS STRENGTHING "GUEST WORKER" RIGHTS? By David Bacon Capital & Main, September 16, 2022 https...

The Reality Check: BIDEN VS NEWSOM ON FARMWORKERS' RIGHT TO VOTE

The Reality Check: BIDEN VS NEWSOM ON FARMWORKERS' RIGHT TO VOTE: BIDEN VS NEWSOM ON FARMWORKERS' RIGHT TO VOTE By David Bacon The Nation, 9/14/22 https://www.thenation.com/article/activism/farmworker-u...

Tell Newsom- Respect Farm Workers Rights to Vote

 

Action Alert: Tell Governor Newsom you stand with Farmworkers TODAY

AB 2183 would amend the Agricultural Labor Relations Act to facilitate the ability of farm workers to vote for or against unionization.  California League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) defends the right of all workers to form unions and bargain collectively, and we need your voice to urge Governor Newsom to sign this bill.  AB 2183 expands voting options for farmworkers by establishing a two-track system, in which, each year, agricultural employers will have the choice of enrolling in a Labor Peace Election that will certify a labor organization as the exclusive bargaining representative of a bargaining unit. If the employer chooses not to enroll, then the labor organization may engage in a Non-Labor Peace Election modeled after the Public Employment Relations Board (PERB). Under the 1975 Agricultural Labor Relations Act, farmworkers have the right to choose whether they want to be represented by a union. This representation election is held via secret ballot at a polling place designated by the ALRB, which is usually at the place of employment. The Legislature has enacted a series of changes to facilitate the exercise of the right to vote. Those changes gave Californians a variety of means for casting their votes, including voting by mail, dropping off ballots at multiple locations, and allowing someone else to mail or deliver their ballot. The changes were made based on the simple premise that facilitating the exercise of an existing right is inherently a good thing to do. In a representation election, farmworkers present their identification card or check stub, receive a ballot, and cast a confidential vote for or against unionization. If the eligibility of the voter is questioned, the ballot is placed in a sealed envelope and submitted to the ALRB for review.  Tell Governor Newsom that you support this important bill for farm workers today! Click the link below to log in and send your message: https://tinyurl.com/CALULACUrgesNewsomSignAB2183