LatinoJustice connects hundreds of students and young leaders for May
1 action
New civic engagement network promotes Latino activism across the
country
For immediate release: April 30, 2008
For information contact: John Garcia, Director of Communications (212)
739-7581
The next generation of Latino leaders has a new tool to help them get
involved in the fight for civil rights. LatinoJustice, an online civic
engagement network created by the Puerto Rican Legal Defense and
Education Fund (PRLDEF), connects students and young Latino activists
across the country, and helps engage them in the fight for social
justice. LatinoJustice connects doers, thinkers and motivators who
seek to galvanize their communities.
In the weeks leading up to this year=92s May 1 events, LatinoJustice
connected hundreds of students and young leaders from across the
country with information on where and how to get involved. After May
1, the network will continue to connect young leaders for future
activism, including organizing naturalization campaigns and voter
registration drives, and conducting poll watching to ensure that
Latinos are not intimidated when they cast their votes this November.
=93This generation plans activities, talks about what=92s on its mind and
makes friends in a different way. It is also a generation that is
eager to make a difference,=94 said PRLDEF President and General Counsel
Cesar Perales.
"We are asking these young activists to become leaders in their
communities: Leaders in the fight for justice and equal op****tunity at
a time when Latinos are facing a barrage of prejudice from the media,
from politicians and from many other people in this country."
With their growing numbers, Latino youth stand to exert an im****tant
influence over civic society in the coming years. Our country saw its
first glimpse of this potential power three years ago, when young
activists helped convert messages on social networks into high turnout
at massive rallies and marches for May 1, the national day of action
for immigrants=92 rights.
Young Latinos are the country's fastest growing demographic; about 34
percent of Latinos are under the age of 18. And approximately 60,000
Latinos turn 18 every month in the United States, according to the Pew
Hispanic Center.
=93Our young activists are residents and new immigrants who realize the
im****tance of standing up for the rights of their community,=94 said
Madeline Friedman, Director of the LatinoJustice Network.
=93LatinoJustice provides them with the tools to be advocates for all
Latinos.=94
LatinoJustice brings together young leaders from various colleges and
states across the country, allowing them to debate im****tant policy on
discussion boards, comment on the latest news affecting their
communities, and post and view workshops and events that promote
community engagement. For more information, visit LatinoJustice=92s
profile on MySpace at myspace.com/latinojustice or visit Facebook.
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