Last week, DREAMers from AZ, NY, FL and MD, advocates and lawmakers gathered in the shade of the Capitol Building to celebrate the launching of DRM and iDREAM’s newest campaign, Su Voz Mi Voto. This campaign will motivate and educate registered Latino voters, asking them to pledge to vote for their undocumented friends and family.
«I can not vote because I am undocumented, but my whole family has promised me that they will vote in this elections because they want the best for me. Thay have pledge to vote for me, to listen to me, to let me inform them and educate them on candidates who are willing to support the DREAM Act. And I am not alone. Hundreths of youth in Arizona and across the country will come out, just like we did against Russell Pearce, to knock on doors and use social media to turn Arizona into the state we want» said Erick Garcia.
Watch his video here: http://www.suvozmivoto.com/
Undocumented immigrants, such as Erik Garcia, came out to share their stories and show the pledge cards which their friends and families had signed. Lucy Allain, who confronted Mitt Romney in a NY fundraiser, went on to say that «Mitt Romney has ignored the concerns of Latinos and has become an enemy to Latinos.» Following Lucy, Jose Manuel, a DREAMer who graduated law school, talked about the Marco Rubio bill, asking that Rubio step up with action not just words. He expressed his concern about the possibility of the future bill becoming a Latino vote pandering attempt in an electoral year.
Chairman Charles Gonzalez, Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chairman, Representative Luis Gutierrez, Immigration Task for Chairman and 6 other members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus came out to show their support. Rep. Guitierrez supported an «effort to bring real relief to undocumented youth with the DREAM Act and not empty rhetoric by Republicans.» They stepped up to say they were elected by Latino voters, and how, considering the demographics, the Latino vote will ultimately decide the next President.
“We will be watching both parties, educating the Latino community and making sure that this issue is not used as a political football to gain votes. President Obama needs to show courage and show he cares about Latinos by stopping deportations. Further, Rubio must demonstrate that he can deliver the House to indicate that he is serious about his proposal.” Cesar Vargas, himself an undocumented immigrant and founder of DRM, said in closing remarks.
