LATINO LEADERS CONDEMN WHITE SUPREMACIST VIOLENCE AS A THREAT TO DEMOCRACY

NHLA calls for removal of extremists in the White House staff and stands in solidarity with the victims of white supremacist actions

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda, a coalition of 45 of the nation’s preeminent Latino advocacy organizations, joins civil rights organizations, legislators, advocates, and cities nationwide in condemning the violence that ensued as a result of white supremacists’ actions this weekend. NHLA offers condolences to the families and friends of the victims of this violence and stands in solidarity with those who denounce and fight against the racism and bigotry that are driving acts of hate.

Further, NHLA urges President Trump to take formal actions beyond today’s belated naming of specific white supremacist organizations. There is no place for white supremacy in our government; thus, NHLA calls for the firing of Stephen Bannon, Sebastian Gorka, and all White House staff with ties to white supremacist and extremist groups. Violence in Charlottesville and the subsequent lack of meaningful response by the president will not break the unity of those fighting against hate that manifests itself both in actions and in words.

“We first offer our condolences to the immediate families and friends of the victims of this hateful act of violence. Violence in any form will not repair the brokenness in our country and to see this tactic carried out by white supremacists is horrific. As the president of the United States failed to react immediately to explicitly condemn white supremacy, the Latino community, communities of color and advocates across the country will remain united to engage in peaceful resistance to fight for a just and inclusive society,” said Hector Sanchez Barba, Chair of NHLA and Executive Director of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement.

“Donald Trump’s belated statement today fails to acknowledge that white nationalists do not belong in the White House or anywhere in the upper reaches of government,” said Thomas A. Saenz, NHLA’s Vice Chair and President and General Counsel of MALDEF. “The White House’s dog whistles – which we all hear and recognize even without racists celebrating them publicly online – must stop, and the best way to begin is by removing those who whistle to the dangerous tune of alt-right white nationalism.”

"This weekend’s violence against people who uphold the values of a democracy grounded in racial equality is a tragic reminder of how the words, actions, and silence of one man can ignite racial hatred. Make no mistake about this, the violence and the loss of life lies squarely with Donald Trump. His pretense of ignorance of white supremacists during his campaign, his hiring of white nationalists in the White House, and his intentional refusal to denounce white supremacist violence immediately after the events in Charlottesville nurtures and feeds into a segment of the country that yearns for a race war," said Juan Cartagena, Co-Chair of NHLA's Civil Rights Committee and President and General Counsel of LatinoJustice PRLDEF. "Our sympathies go to the family of those who died and those who are recovering from injury. Like the counter-protestors in Charlottesville, we must all stand against this evil and this hatred. We stand for inclusion, equality, and tolerance."

“Instead of condemning the specific acts of violence caused by white nationalists, President Trump has chosen, over the course of his presidency, to discriminate against vulnerable populations, who in fact, are often the targets of white nationalists. For example, this administration has systematically enacted policies to strip away LGBT rights, pushed to ban Muslim communities, deport DREAMERS and support legislation to keep non-English speaking legal immigrants out of the country," said Brent Wilkes, Treasurer of NHLA and CEO of LULAC. 

"The HNBA condemns the violent acts committed in Charlottesville by white supremacists, and calls for the perpetrators to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, including, where appropriate, federal hate crime and terrorism charges,” said Pedro J. Torres-Díaz, member of NHLA's Civil Rights Committee and HNBA National President. "We cannot defeat hate and bigotry if we pretend it does not exist, or refuse to call it by name, or neglect to take concrete steps to stop it. While the HNBA welcomes the calls of our nation’s leaders denouncing these heinous acts, they must now show the American people the steps they will take to protect all Americans from hateful violence."

"NHCSL condemns the act of domestic terrorism committed in Charlottesville on Saturday and the hate speech spewed by the groups that marched on campus rallying for everything this country stands against. As state lawmakers we are cognizant of the fact that the policies we forge in State Capitols should always be aimed at fostering a more inclusive society where the benefits of prosperity are shared by all those who work hard and play by the rules. However, we also have a responsibility as Americans to call out hatred and bigotry no matter where it comes from and state unequivocally that it has no place in public discourse," said Kenneth Romero-Cruz, Member of NHLA's Civil Rights Committee and Executive Director of the National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators (NHCSL). "Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the horrific violence that took place in Virginia and we implore the groups that organized the white supremacist rallies to reflect upon the founding ideals of this nation and realize that the path of exclusion and oppression has been tried before and failed miserably. We are better than the Jim Crow era and we will not let anyone take us back to those dark days again," Romero-Cruz concluded. 

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ABOUT THE NATIONAL HISPANIC LEADERSHIP AGENDA

The National Hispanic Leadership Agenda is composed of 45 of the leading national and regional Latino civil rights and public policy organizations and other elected officials, and prominent Latinos Americans. NHLA coalition members represent the diversity of the Latino community – Mexican Americans, Puerto Ricans, Cubans, and other Latino Americans. NHLA’s mission calls for unity among Latinos around the country to provide the Latino community with greater visibility and a clearer, stronger influence in our country’s affairs. NHLA brings together Latino leaders to establish policy priorities that address, and raise public awareness of, the major issues affecting the Latino community and the nation as a whole. For more information, please visit: www.nationalhispanicleadership.org.

NHLA MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS

Alianza Americas | American G.I. Forum | ASPIRA Association | Avance Inc. | Casa de Esperanza: National Latin@ Network | Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute | Farmworker Justice | GreenLatinos | Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities | Hispanic Federation | Hispanic National Bar Association | Inter-University Program for Latino Research | Labor Council for Latin American Advancement | LatinoJustice PRLDEF | League of United Latin American Citizens | MANA, A National Latina Organization | Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund | Mi Familia Vota | National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures | National Association of Hispanic Federal Executives | National Association of Hispanic Publications | National Day Laborer Organizing Network | NALEO Educational Fund | National Association of Latino Independent Producers | National Conference of Puerto Rican Women, Inc. | National Hispanic Caucus of State Legislators | National Hispanic Council on Aging | National Hispanic Environmental Council | National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts | National Hispanic Media Coalition | National Hispanic Medical Association | National Institute for Latino Policy | National Latina/o Psychological Association | National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health | Presente.org | SER Jobs for Progress National | Southwest Voter Registration Education Project | UnidosUS | United States Hispanic Chamber of Commerce | United States Hispanic Leadership Institute | United States-Mexico Chamber of Commerce | U.S.- Mexico Foundation | Voto Latino