Tuesday, Latinos made history in our nation. Never before has our voice at the ballot box been heard more loudly and clearly. Our millions of votes clamored: PRESENTE!
The so-called sleeping giant we have been told about for years is a myth. The story was to lull us into believing our people were taking a siesta. Now, no one can say Latinos don’t care, don’t vote and don’t matter. Every political candidate knows our vote can never again be taken for granted. Aqui estamos y no nos vamos!
We have broken all the records and proven that LULAC is about taking action, not taking polls. We defend the victims of social injustices from political rhetoric. We lift refugees in despair and give them our help, not a litmus test to determine how they or their children may vote one day many years or decades from now.
I pledged to you when you elected me that LULAC would be on the frontline, not the sideline in confronting the most serious threats to our constitutional rights. This election shows we are doing it all across our nation – from Boston to Los Angeles, from Florida to Washington State. LULAC is motivating and mobilizing new voters and re-engaging others who became discouraged by broken promises and faded dreams.
Now, we must press on harder and more determined than ever. This election is only the beginning. Ahead is the all-important 2020 Census and the Presidential election. Between now and then, LULAC is mounting the most aggressive GOTV campaign in our close to 90-year history and we are committed to growing our membership like never before. There are some historic battles ahead for Dreamers, women, the disabled, veterans and seniors.
This struggle for the soul of America will take each and all of us — you, me and thousands more who are leaders in our communities, the organizers, the first to step up and do whatever it takes to get the job done. We are going into the streets, processing and packing plants, farm fields, schools and churches to protect the hard-earned civil rights those before us fought to win.
De nuevo, gracias por todo su trabajo. Felicidades por los logros y siempre adelante.
Hasta La Victoria!
Domingo Garcia