This month celebrates the cultural achievements and vast contributions the Latinx community has made to society for centuries. Virginia is home to more than 800,000 people of Hispanic and Latino descent – according to the League of Women Voters of Virginia press release.
“As we honor this legacy, we can not overlook the many problems facing Latinx people, especially in this year of COVID-19. Because so many essential workers, business owners and educators are Latinx, their communities have borne the brunt of COVID casualties,” LWV states.
In addition, DREAMers, who still live in limbo, have had to face unnecessary hardships. The disenfranchising threat of a Census undercount threatens to dilute the voting power of immigrant communities. This impact will be examined at the Oct. 6 LWV forum titled Racism and Redistricting: How Unfair Maps Impact Communities of Color.
“Despite the hurdles and dangers, the Latinex community persists, thrives, and overcomes,” said Deb Wake, President of the League of Women Voters of Virginia. She noted that the League of Women Voters of the United States now makes their nonpartisan voter information portal, VOTE411.org, available in Spanish: https://www.vote411.org/es/es/Spanish.
“Voter registration for this election ends on Oct. 13. A great way to honor Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month is for every person to check VOTE411 to assure that they are ready to vote,” commented Wake.
For more information, visit the League of Women Voters of Virginia at https://lwv-va.org/ and on social media @lwvva and @leagueofwomenvoters.