La Liga: Weekly Newsletter
May 19, 2020

Issue No. 13
LULAC.org

Hello,

Today’s issue will highlight the next edition of LULAC News. As an update, we are postponing our discussion, the Together with Puerto Rico Town Hall. Also, we encourage our councils to apply for micro-stipends to support your local initiatives around COVID-19.

Before you go further, I have a special request. Could you take one minute to share your thoughts in this quick survey to tell us how often you’d like us to send La Liga to you?

Here’s what to check out in this issue:

1. LULAC stands with the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community’s Day Against Bullying: Take me there.
2. Join the new League Action Network: Visit that section.
3. Read and share the local stories of our councils across the country: Where can I find it?
4. LULAC Fights for Access to Voting in Texas: See our recent press release now.

By Diego Tum-Monge

JUMP AHEAD

• LULAC In Action
• Empower Through Access
• In Latino News
• Highlights At Hand

It’s here!

The Spring 2020 edition of LULAC News is set to be released this week on our website and social media. Keep an eye out for our email and social media announcement. Not familiar with LULAC News? See more about the publication and our previous issues.

This edition focuses on the impact COVID-19 is having on our community, the power in our members’ experiences, and the amazing work being done through our national programs. Plus, you’ll get it here first: a sneak peek of the front cover.

Also, read the personal messages from President Domingo Garcia, CEO Sindy Benavides, and the entire LULAC National Team. Then, take a trip across the country and hear the stories from our members throughout the League. Next, we invite you to take a look at key moments in LULAC History, from the creation of the Little School of the 400, and the founding of SER Jobs for Progress to the important Supreme Court case, Texas v. Hernandez.

Want to know how you can contribute to future editions of LULAC News? Email us with your questions or suggestions!

Together With Puerto Rico
Let’s talk about the impact of COVID-19 on Puerto Rico

Our conversation is moving to early June to accommodate schedule changes for panel participants. The focus of this virtual town hall remains the same: the importance of prioritizing the needs of Puerto Rico along with other major concerns of our community in the next stimulus package.

You can still register to be reminded at LULAC.org/townhall.

Local leaders and elected officials from Puerto Rico and the U.S. Congress bring the experiences and needs of Puerto Rico center stage amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Together, we highlight long-standing issues impacting the island including infrastructure, failing electricity, lack of access to quality health care and more.

Help spread the word about this timely conversation using our Social Media Digital Toolkit. We also have a copy in Spanish!

Follow LULAC on social media and never miss our notifications for live events!

LULAC Marks Second Annual AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate

LULAC is committed to ending bullying and we are proud to partner with Act To Change. Let’s help stop hate against the AAPI community. This week, cities, elected officials, influencers and community groups commemorate the second annual Asian American and Pacific Islander Day Against Bullying and Hate.

AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate is part of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and marks the birthday of Vincent Chin. In 1982, Chin was falsely blamed for the layoffs in the auto industry, and brutally murdered in a hate crime. His murder sparked a national Asian American movement, one that must continue today, in light of the rising xenophobia and hate crimes surrounding COVID-19.

Sadly, our society continues to ostracize people who are AAPI. Every day, kids of all ages suffer from being bullied online and in schools across the country. In the AAPI community, this problem is often compounded by cultural, religious, and linguistic barriers that can keep these youth from seeking and receiving help. And certain AAPI groups – including South Asian, Muslim, Sikh, Micronesian, LGBT, immigrant, and limited English proficient youth – are more likely to be the targets of bullying.

This issue is now exacerbated by COVID-19. People of Asian descent are being blamed for the virus and targeted in verbal and physical attacks. There have been over 1500 cases of anti-Asian discrimination reported since the beginning of the pandemic. We publicly denounce all bullying and hate against the AAPI community, and stand in solidarity with Act To Change to encourage the public to foster dialogue, share resources, and end bullying and hate.

Be a part of the League Action Network!
Text “LULAC” to 52886

Take action to receive our text message alerts and be a part of our community of advocate first responders with new events and updates.

COVID-19 and the Latino Education Community

LULAC and the National Education Association (NEA) recently partnered to host a virtual town hall. They cast a spotlight on the experiences of Latino students and educators impacted by COVID-19 -related school closures nationwide. Also, they shared immigration updates from the National Immigration Law Center and mental health tips from the Hope Center for Wellness. Read NEA’s summary of the event!

On-demand, watch the virtual event on Facebook or YouTube.

Submit your local event or stay up-to-date with our LULAC Calendar.

LULAC Relief Fund

This serves as a friendly reminder that we are still accepting applications for council assistance. LULAC is providing micro-stipends to local councils that meet our funding criteria. We want to support your local initiatives. You can easily apply here!

Funding is still available for local initiatives including hunger relief, technology access, mobility/transportation, mental health resources, mentoring, and educational assistance. Visit our COVID-19 Relief Fund page for more information on the council micro-stipends, its criteria, and the application process.

LULAC is working hard to identify additional resources from foundations and partners for our communities through this unprecedented pandemic. Also, your help is welcome and supports the amazing work of our members on the ground by donating to our LULAC Relief Fund.

Collaborate, Meet, and Work Remotely
Friday, May 29 | 4 PM EST (1 PM PST)

Working from home is a huge privilege and can be fun! Come learn how to effectively collaborate, meet, and work remotely with your small business team, classmates, and co-workers. Learn about the awesome products Google is providing everyone access to using to work effectively from home! See more and RSVP.

Share about it using #GrowWithGoogle, #LULACPrograms, and #WFH.

Support these programs and others by donating today!

Upcoming Elections

Many states have taken measures to protect citizens from exposure during the COVID-19 outbreak. However, we encourages you to do your civic duty and safely vote. Here are the latest updates and related information about elections:

Hawaii Democrat Presidential Primary
Friday, May 22—This week, the Democratic Party of Hawaii is holding its presidential primaries exclusively by mail. Read more about the safety precautions they are taking and answers to other frequently asked questions.

Up Next… June 2 = Super Tuesday 3.0? On this day, 686 delegates will be distributed within 8 states and D.C.. These include Delaware, Indiana, Maryland, Montana, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and South Dakota.

News and Updates

Understanding why Latinos are so hard hit by Covid-19

Monday, May 18—In an opinion piece on CNN, Ed Morales expresses the tragedies of Latinos “still mourning the terrible toll on their communities.”

Latinos Now with the Highest Unemployment Rate in the US amid Recession

Saturday, May 16—The Latin Post described: “Latinos, at 18 percent, now have the highest unemployment rate in the United States while the rate for the jobless in the whole country is at 14.7 percent.”

Indefinite detention or family separation? US forced immigrants to choose, lawyers say

Friday, May 15—The Guardian revealed: “US officials gave dozens of detained immigrant parents an ultimatum – allow your children to be released from detention without you or face indefinite detention together.”

COVID-19 cases at a Texas immigration detention center soared. Now, town leaders want answers.

Monday, May 11—The Texas Tribune reported: “Coronavirus infections continue to rise at migrant detention facilities in towns with limited resources. Some local governments want details on what’s being done to safeguard the public.”

African American and Hispanic veterans may face bigger risk from coronavirus, VA warns

Monday, May 11—Military Times shared: “Veterans Affairs officials are warning African American and Hispanic veterans that they may face a greater health risk from the coronavirus outbreak as the total number of positive cases in the department’s health system topped 11,000 over the weekend.”

Why A Historic Wave Of Latino Prosperity Is Under Threat Now

Sunday, May 10—NPR described: “...the latest U.S. jobs report shows that Latinos are the worst hit [by the COVID-19 pandemic], with a record jobless rate of 18.9%, higher than any other ethnic group.

Local Council and National Partner Spotlights

Latino civil rights group seeks more info on Kelso Foster Farms outbreak

Monday, May 18—The Daily News said: “Ed Hamilton Rosales, president of the Southwest Washington Council for the League of United Latin American Citizens, said his group needs the information to make sure ‘those workers most vulnerable — the immigrant community — are being protected.’”

Jobs program has 50 years of service

Sunday, May 16—Look into the history of SER Jobs as board member Mary Chavez wrote: “SER was incorporated on May 18, 1970, by five members of the Santa Fe LULAC Council #33.”

Man killed in police shooting last month did not have firearm, chief confirms

Monday, May 11—Statesman News Network spoke with the president of the East Austin LULAC Council who called for federal oversight in the investigation of an officer-involved shooting of an unarmed man, Michael Ramos, in late April.

Pork chops vs. people: Can Americans’ appetite for meat be filled without risking workers’ safety?

Sunday, May 10—Nilvia Reyes Rodrigues, president of the Waterloo LULAC chapter, is quoted in the Baltimore Sun: “The narrative is shifting the blame to the workers...”

Testing uneven, or nonexistent, at meatpacking plants with COVID-19 outbreaks

Saturday, May 9—In the Star Tribute, Joe Henry of Iowa LULAC said, “It really is a death march going into those [meatpacking] facilities until workers can be tested.”

LULAC Lambda awards scholarships to three D.C. high school students

Friday, May 8—Metro Weekly highlighted: “LULAC Lambda, the queer [Latino] organization in the DMV, has awarded $1,000 scholarships to three high school seniors graduating from D.C. high schools.”

LULAC in the News

Federal Mail-In Voting Suit Begins as Texas Supreme Court Sides with AG
Friday, May 15—The Rivard Report

Catherine Cortez Masto might be a veepstakes dark horse, but does she want the job?
Monday, May 11—CBS News

Idaho Rebounds aims to close the gap for Latino-owned businesses excluded from Paycheck Protection Program
Friday, May 8—Idaho Press

Latinos hardest hit by coronavirus job losses, with a staggering 18.9% unemployed
Friday, May 8—NBC News

Our Press Releases

*Selected highlights from the week

LULAC Urges Congress To Pass The Heroes Act, Which Provides Overdue Protections For Vulnerable Communities Previously Left Out Of Relief Packages
Friday, May 15

LULAC Seeks To Join Lawsuit To Protect People Who Test Positive For COVID-19 From Having Their Personal Information Turned Over To Police
Thursday, May 14

LULAC Files Lawsuit With Partners To Challenge Voter Suppression In Texas
Tuesday, May 12

LULAC Wishes Moms Feliz Día De Las Madres
Sunday, May 10

LULAC Calls For Increased Economic Support For Latinos As Report Shows Hispanics Face Job Loss At Twice The Rate Of Whites
Friday, May 8

Read our latest press releases published at LULAC.org.

Do you have a special story? Connect with us via email!

Latino Discovery Hub
Look here to find new authors, stories, artists, podcasts, and social influencers who helped shape the identities, cultures, and thoughts of your fellow readers.

This week is about: VIRTUAL LEARNING

Learn from Home Day was Wednesday, May 13!

Did you miss it? Then look back to their YouTube stream and join experts from major learning brands and Codecademy to explore new skills — “from art to entrepreneurship to meditation and everything in between.” See the day’s schedule!

Give your kids a Learn at Home experience with Scholastic.

Your young student, from pre-kindergarten to 9th grade, can continue reading and growing at home with Scholastic’s interactive series.

Explore more with Mashable’s list of top free online classes.

Learning during COVID-19 isn’t about trying to stay productive. It’s all about expanding your world beyond what you currently know. Learning services have turned to the digital world and now you have all the more power at your fingertips.

There are plenty of learning topics out there. Look for something that interests you!

Next week is about the impact of telling our stories. Share your ideas via email!

Engage with us online.

Use @LULAC and #LULAC for a chance to be in the next issue of La Liga!

That’s it for now! We’ll see you again next week.

Thought you might have missed this issue last week? Don’t worry, this one covers last week too. Share your thoughts on how often you’d like to receive La Liga!

WHAT’S NEXT?

• Help us reopen our individual assistance stipends to families in need by donating to our Relief Fund.
• Follow us on Instagram and see highlights of #AyudaEnEspañol participants.
• Look ahead: Don’t want to miss our next virtual town hall, check back at our LULAC Facebook Events page for updates.

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What do you think of the newsletter? What would you like to see? Email us with your suggestions or questions at [email protected].