Dear California Members and Friends, as difficult it is to comprehend the challenges to our community regarding cancellation of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, we must unite and rise to the challenge.
We must be the first line of defense for our communities during this crisis. Never before in our history have the Latino people been so demonized and discriminated against.
Facts are facts, the cancellation of DACA is a racist policy change by a racist President announced yesterday by a racist Attorney General.
However, not all is lost. We are fortunate to live in California where State and Local elected officials are constantly looking for ways to challenge the reprehensible public policies set forth by the Trump administration. They are here to protect our interests and we owe them our gratitude for doing so. I urge you to embrace the communities you live in and let them know that you are there as a member of LULAC to provide counsel, support, legal options, and more than ever, a safe haven if needed. I am asking all to do the following and I encourage you to uphold LULAC’s mission of service to the Latino community by doing so:
- Organize and/or participate in peaceful protests wherever and whenever it is appropriate to ensure that anti-immigration forces are met with a strong opposing view. All actions should be performed in a non-violent manner with respect for the law.
- It is important that key opinion leaders and elected officials in your communities hear from you regarding the future of DACA and your full support for congressional action to continue the program. 3. Although we can all condemn the actions of this president in the newspapers and media outlets, the real work lies in your contact with community leaders and elected officials, particularly those in the Republican Party. It is our responsibility to change minds on this issue and hold members of the California Congressional Delegation to account if they support cancellation of DACA. This means having local leaders write letters to local members of Congress.
- It is important for us to organize meetings with members of our Congressional Delegation and provide information on how DACA students and young adults contribute to our economy and growth as a great state. We will be providing facts for you. 5. Monitor newspapers and local media on a regular basis. When and if anti-immigrant racists speak to a newspaper, radio program, or television program, ensure that the LULAC perspective is also heard. We will assist you if you call upon us. 6. Check with your local police department or law enforcement agency on a regular basis and keep a record of any alleged hate crimes, including acts of vandalism, which occur in our communities. These reports will be used to request individual action through the California State Attorney General as needed.
- Register all eligible voters amongst your friends and family each year and ensure they vote on Election Day. The time for excuses has past. Finally, it is our responsibility as a national civil rights organization to defend the Latino community against hate. We hope we can count on you to follow our lead. As we endure the racist policies of this administration we must all stand strong. We are proud of our roots. Never give up, never give in, and always defend our community and the rich culture we bring to state.
— Dave Rodriguez, State Director California LULAC