The Progressive

NewsWire

A project of Common Dreams

For Immediate Release
Contact:

Sam Singleton-Freeman, 414-469-9206, sfreeman@vdlf.org

Starting Saturday, Wisconsin Immigrant Families to Lead Massive Voter Drive

Beginning Saturday, July 16th, thousands of volunteers will go door-to-door to counter the politics of hate

MILWAUKEE, WI

Days before Republicans gather to nominate Donald Trump as their candidate for President, Voces de la Frontera will announce a massive canvass effort of Latinx communities throughout Wisconsin in advance of the 2016 elections. Organizers vow to make November 8th a "Day WITH Latinxs and Immigrants," a reference to February's massive "Day Without Latinxs" protest and strike that stopped anti-immigrant state legislation in Wisconsin.

The first canvass is in Milwaukee on Saturday, July 16th. Dozens of canvassers will gather at 11am at Voces de la Frontera (1027 S. 5th St.). Future canvass efforts are planned for Madison, the Green Bay/Fox Cities area, Waukesha, Walworth County and Racine.

Saturday's canvass is part of a national day of action bringing together thousands of community members in more than 20 states to urge people to vote this November against hate. Voces' canvass is part of a multiracial push that includes the Center for Community Change Action, People's Action, MoveOn.org, and scores of state-based groups. This weekend alone, volunteers aim to talk with more than half a million people.

"This election is a battle for the soul of our country," said Christine Neumann-Ortiz, Executive Director of Voces de la Frontera. "While the Republican Convention focuses on blaming every minority for our problems and driving an agenda that will make income inequality even worse, we will be asking people to vote on November 8th, and to organize their friends, family and co-workers to do the same. Our mobilizing will send a message to anti-immigrant politicians at every level of government: We reject racism and scapegoating, and we will hold all candidates and elected officials accountable to the needs of our community before and after the elections."

Voces de la Frontera is Wisconsin's leading immigrant rights group - a grassroots organization that believes power comes from below and that people can overcome injustice to build a better world.