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Press Release

Hispanic Caucus Denounces Letter Intimidating Hispanic-Americans' Participation in the Electoral Process.
Hispanic Residents of Orange County Received Letter Attempting to Intimidate Hispanic Voters

October 17, 2006

Contact: Congressional Hispanic Caucus
Carlos Sanchez2410
Carlos.Sanchez@mail.house.gov
 

Washington, DC - Today, the Congressional Hispanic Caucus calls on Hispanics, and all Americans, to resist any fear tactics that appear to discourage citizens from participating in the electoral process. The right to vote is granted to all U.S. Citizens, and exercising this right should be encouraged. There is no room in the electoral process and our democracy for this type of intimidation.

"Any attempts to discourage Latinos, or any ethnic or racial minority group, from voting is simply intolerable. Given the climate that has surrounded the immigration debate, I am not surprised that some groups would be so blatant in their attempt to target Hispanics and portray them all as law breakers when many - native born and naturalized - are merely exercising their constitutional right to vote. That certainly was the impetus behind the vote on the Federal Election Integrity Act of 2006 (H.R. 4844). My colleagues and I will be calling upon the Department of Justice to monitor this situation very closely," stated Rep. Charles Gonzalez Chair of CHC Civil Rights Taskforce.

"This letter is a classic case of voter suppression and intimidation with the goal of creating fear and keeping legal Latino voters from coming out to vote. My office is working with state and federal officials to investigate the anti-immigrant group who circulated the Spanish-language letter. We are also working with the media and organizations like MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund) and NALEO (National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials) to dispel rumors, remind residents of their rights as voters, and encourage Latinos to vote on November 7," stated Rep. Loretta Sanchez (CA-37).

See samples of the letters: letter 1, letter 2, letter 3, letter 4, letter 5, letter 6, envelope 1, envelopes 2, envelopes 3, envelopes 4.

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The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) is comprised of 21 members of Congress of Hispanic descent. Since 1976 the CHC has been addressing the needs of the Hispanic community in all areas of American life. For more information on the CHC, call (202) 225-2410.