By: Sulma Arias, Director of Immigration and Power Building, Community Change Action
We have the power to change our politics.
It’s no secret that we are living under a presidential administration that cruelly disregards the humanity of immigrants and people of color, terrorizes our families, and fails to extend the protections we need during a deadly pandemic. We are essential workers, but treated as disposable. Particularly given the recent passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, our rights hang in the balance.
That’s one of the many reasons Community Change Action and FIRM Action are organizing to make sure Latinx communities wield their collective power — and cast their ballots in this critical election. It will affect our ability to build and shape the country where every American can thrive.
As Community Change Action President Lorella Praeli explained in an interview with The Atlantic earlier this month, we understand exactly what’s at stake in this election. “The question is who gets to claim America, and what does it mean to be a full citizen of this country. That, ultimately, is what is on the line,” she said.
The network of grassroots immigrant rights organizations that I lead won’t be on the sidelines. This month, FIRM Action began our final push toward Election Day — doubling down on our nationwide effort during the final weeks before November 3 to mobilize millions of immigrants, Latinx, Black, Asian, and young voters.
Our network is throwing down in 25 congressional districts in 15 states: California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Maine, Michigan, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin — places where immigrant voters can impact the outcome of this year’s election. Organizers will safely engage voters remotely through relational organizing tactics, online rallies, texting, phone calls, digital ads, and no-contact literature drops.
Together, FIRM Action groups will reach millions of pro-immigrant voters this cycle who are often overlooked by traditional campaign targeting.
We have seen the power of our network when we flex our electoral muscles together. In 2018, the strategy of Community Change Action and FIRM Action to focus on unlikely voters — particularly immigrants and people of color — played a key role in turning out the infrequent voters who helped flip the U.S. House. We know that when #WeVoteWeWin.
The soul of our nation is on the ballot in November — and together, FIRM Action organizations and our communities will win the fight for it. In order to create the future we need to thrive, we’re building the power to win big and govern as part of a multiracial democracy.
In Solidarity,
Sulma Arias
Director of Immigration and Power Building, Community Change Action