HOUSTON, Sept. 14, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LULAC Executive Director Brent Wilkes: "Texas's history of discrimination is chronicled by literacy tests, poll taxes, and other mechanisms that were meant to prevent minorities from exercising their Constitutional right to vote. The Voting Rights Act was passed to protect minorities against a state's blatant disregard for the Constitution that continue to exist. Although we have made strides with a recent Federal Court ruling striking down a Texas voter ID law that attacked the voting rights of minorities, we know that the absolute best way we can protect the Constitutional rights of the Latino community is to VOTE!"
Eric Rodriguez, Vice President, Office of Research, Advocacy and Legislation: "Latino voters in Texas are crucial and comprise 38% of the residents of Texas and one quarter of the state's electorate is Latino," said "Perhaps some are alarmed and rather than welcoming Latinos have chosen to attack their Latino voting rights. That is why this election is a critical one for Latinos to show that we cannot and will not be kept from exercising our Constitutional right to elect our government."
José Calderon, President of Hispanic Federation: "Federal courts have spoken and put a stop to malicious efforts in Texas to disenfranchise Hispanic and minority voters in upcoming elections," said. "Texas' large and growing Hispanic community now has a fair and legitimate opportunity at shaping the outcome of Congressional and state elections in 2012 and for years to come."
Eliseo Medina, SEIU International Secretary-Treasurer: "A couple of weeks ago, the discriminatory Texas voter ID law was blocked by a federal court because it was grossly unfair. The same week, a federal court threw out Texas' congressional map drawn by the conservative-controlled state Legislature, admonishing the state for enacting it with 'discriminatory purpose' against Hispanics. Conservatives in Washington and in states across the nation have engaged in a coordinated and systematic campaign to diminish the presence and political power of Latinos in this country.Some politicians are counting on us NOT to show up come Nov. 6. They think of us as unreliable or just plain non-voters. I beg to differ. We understand what politicians say and what they mean, regardless of the language they use, because, even if they don't know this, we speak English too. What are we doing about it? We will have the final say when we vote. And we will vote with pride and without fear of intimidation or harassment on Nov. 6."
Ben Monterroso, Executive Director, Mi Familia Vota: "As the Latino population grows, so too does the potential for political strength. But politicians only listen to those who vote. That is why we are working across the country to register and mobilize Latino voters and to remind them that their ability to influence the policy agenda will only grow if the Latino voices are heard through their votes. Our work is not just the 2012 elections, but to build the foundation for greater voter participation in future elections and at the policy tables."
Hector Sanchez, Executive Director of LCLAA: "Nearly 4 Texans out of 10 are Latino but so far Texas Latinos have not fully participated in the political process.Voter suppression efforts seek to reduce the Latino vote. We will fight back not only through the courts, but by registering and turning out to vote in record numbers this November."
Claudia E. Ortega-Hogue, Texas Director of Civic Engagement: "The NALEO Educational Fund projects more than 12.2 million Latino voters will head to the polls on Election Day, including more than 1.9 million in the state of Texas alone. Our vote will be decisive this election year and the Todos A Votar campaign will help to ensure that the Latino community turns out in even greater numbers this November."
Ceil Roeger, OP, Promoter of Justice, Peace, and Care of Creation: "Catholic Social teaching reminds us that humans are social beings. This means we have not only the right, but the responsibility to participate in the social structures of family, community, economic institutions and government. One of the basic ways to participate in government is to vote. Studies tell that the demographics in Houston and Texas have changed in recent years. Houston has a multicultural, multiethnic population and is a minority majority city. The Catholic call to faithful citizenship and political responsibility means that voting is an essential part of lifting our voice to assure that there is multi-cultural representation, which is especially important today we see Voter ID laws passing that could limit those voter rights."
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