'No Te Espantes Ve y Vota' Voter Turnout Rally Hosted by Latino Issues Forum and Fundacion Azteca America Encourages Community to Get Out and Vote

'No Te Espantes Ve y Vota' Voter Turnout Rally Hosted by Latino Issues Forum and Fundacion Azteca America Encourages Community to Get Out and Vote

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- Latino community organizations, elected officials and voters met today for a rally on the steps of the LA City Hall to ignite registered voters to get out and vote.

The event, with the theme "No Te Espantes Ve y Vota," or "Don't Be Afraid; Go Out and Vote," aimed to dispel any misconceptions, fears or doubts that first-time voters may have leading up to the November 4 elections.

Participants included: Luis J. Echarte, Chairman of Fundacion Azteca America and Azteca America Network; Nora Vargas, Executive Director Latino Issues Forum; Eric Garcetti, President of the Los Angeles City Council; Gilbert Cedillo, California State Senator; Rocky Delgadillo, Los Angeles City Attorney; John Trasvina, President and General Counsel of MALDEF; and Los Angeles City Council members Richard Alarcon, Jose Huizar, Janice Hahn, Jan Perry and Tom LaBonge.

Also attending were Helen Iris Torres, Executive Director HOPE; Josh Norek, Deputy Director, Vote Latino, and representatives from Green Dot and SALEF.

The MC for the rally was Nancy Agosto, from Noticero Azteca America, Los Angeles.

Highlights from the event include the following messages from participants:

"It is very important that our community plays an important role in the selection of our future leaders so that we can keep elected officials accountable and ensure that they address our needs," said Luis J. Echarte, Chairman of Fundacion Azteca America and Azteca America Network.

"As Executive Director of the Latino Issues Forum, I know that it is vital that Latinos vote this coming Tuesday, November 4, 2008," said Nora Vargas, Executive Director of the Latino Issues Forum. "The Latino vote will be the deciding factor in determining the outcome of major initiatives and who will lead our country. The direction of the country and the state is in our hands."

"Su voto es su voz. Your vote is your voice, and the Latino community can play an important role in the 2008 election, but only if we exercise our right to vote," said Council President Garcetti, whose father's family came to the U.S. from Mexico. "We owe it to ourselves, our families and our community to go to the polls on Tuesday to support the candidates and the issues that are important to our everyday lives."

"During this historic presidential election, the voices of the over 1.6 million California Latina registered voters need to be heard. The fiscal crisis threatens funding for public education, healthcare and public safety throughout the state," said Helen Iris Torres, Executive Director of Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE). "Latinas need to exercise their right to vote to safeguard their communities and their futures."

"We're going to flex our electoral muscles like never before," said LA City Attorney Rocky Delgadillo. "If you want to make a difference, if you want to build a better life for yourselves and your families, then you must speak up with your voices and your votes."

"On Election Day, Latinos have the opportunity to not only influence, but change the direction of our nation on the economy, healthcare, and immigration reform and to influence the outcome of our local and statewide elections," said John Trasvina, President and General Counsel of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund. "MALDEF is working hard to ensure that all Latino voters are able to exercise their right to vote on Election Day. It is up to the voters to exercise that right and vote on November 4."

"Green Dot is committed to preparing students for college, leadership and life. We organize parents, communities and schools to transform education," said Green Dot CEO Marco Petruzzi. "Voting allows our voices to be heard and urges education leaders and public officials to improve our schools."

"The Latino community is part of our economy, part of the changes in the United States, and part of the future," said California Senator Gil Cedillo. "We need to ensure that this importance is reflected in the political process by exercising our right and duty to vote."

Contact:

Belinda Barragan
Regional Director
Latino Issues Forum
213 435 7940
bbarragan@lif.org

Source: Grupo Salinas, Latino Issues Forum, Azteca America, Fundacion Azteca America

Source: Grupo Salinas; Latino Issues; Azteca America; Fundacion Azteca America

CONTACT: Belinda Barragan, Regional Director, Latino Issues Forum,
+1-213-435-7940, bbarragan@lif.org

Web site: http://www.aztecaamerica.com/

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