The Latino Policy Forum Pledges Solidarity with the Black Community
THE LATINO POLICY FORUM PLEDGES SOLIDARITY WITH THE BLACK COMMUNITY
The Latino Policy Forum and the undersigned respectfully pledge solidarity and allyship with the Black community at this watershed moment. To our Black brothers and sisters: Your pain is our pain, and your struggle is our struggle.
Black lives matter. The Forum grieves for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and for all the lost lives and destruction caused by structural racism.
At this moment, a valve is being opened. What’s being released is hundreds of years of pain, frustration, and anger resulting from stolen Black lives. It’s pent-up rage that has festered over the course of our nation’s history, a history marred by systemic inequality and the marginalization of Black people.
We must not lose focus on the source of this anger, which in recent days has manifested in both peaceful protesting and violence. Peaceful protest is essential to democracy, and the criminalization of such protesters is yet another form of oppression.
The solutions to structural racism and systemic inequality are complex. We need real solutions aimed at the roots of this illness. It cannot be healed by further militarizing society or with more punishment. We must invest in equitable resources for every individual and community if we are ever to make true progress towards peace and reconciliation, to build a sustainable path to a healed and strengthened world.
The Latino Policy Forum pledges to continue building a foundation of trust alongside our Black brothers and sisters in our collective work towards a compassionate, just, rebuilt society.
Artwork by Veronica Giraldo-Puente
Sincerely,
Latino Policy Forum
Michael D. Rodriguez 22nd Ward Alderman
Carlos Ramirez-Rosa 35th Ward Alderman
Michelle Garcia Access Living
Alex Garza AGG Consulting
Oscar Chacon Alianza Americas
Jason Rosensweig American Jewish Committee, Chicago Region
Fernando Grillo ASPIRA
Luis Roman Association of Latinos/as Motivating Action (ALMA)
Xavier Nogueras BOCA Media Group
Bela Mote Carole Robertson Center
Rodolfo De Jesus Center for Changing Lives
Javier Garibay Central States SER
Madeleine Doubek CHANGE Illinois
Paul Callejas Chicago Center for Arts & Technology
Edgar Ramirez Chicago Commons
Lola Jenkins Chicago Family Partnership
Esther Sciammarella Chicago Hispanic Health Coalition
Myrna Salazar Chicago Latino Theater Alliance
Sonica C. Ruiz Chicago Park District
Elida Ortiz Cicero Community Collaborative
Mariana Osoria Cicero Community Collaborative, Family Focus
Delia Barajas Cicero Community Member
Zoryda Avila Toledo Colectivo de Mujeres Transnacionales
Jesús “Chuy” García Congressman, Illinois' 4th District
Mario Perez El Hogar Del Nino
Rey Gonzalez El Valor
Katya Nuques Enlace Chicago
Kirstin Chernawsky Erie Neighborhood House
Manuel Tamponi Family Focus
Michelle Ramirez Family Focus
Sonia Zuniga Family Focus
Alexandra Sossa Farmworker and Landscaper Advocacy Project
Maricela Garcia Gads Hill Center
Rosa I. Rubio Gads Hill Center
Patricia Mota HACE
Marco E. Jacome Healthcare Alternative Systems
Mireya Vera Holy Cross Hospital
Jaime di Paulo Illinois Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Ana Gil Garcia Illinois Latino Coalition of Education Leaders, Illinois Venezuelan Alliance
Pamela Vergara-Rodriguez, MD Illinois Unidos, Cook County Health CORE Center
Melissa A. Simon, MD, MPH Illinois Unidos, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
Aida L. Giachello Illinois Unidos, The Puerto Rican Agenda of Chicago
Marina Del Rios, MD, MS Illinois Unidos, The Puerto Rican Agenda of Chicago
Cesar Rolon Imagen Consultants
Jose M. Muñoz La Casa Norte
Maria Valle Coto Latino Medical Student Association, UIC
Analía Rodríguez Latino Union of Chicago
Luis Gutierrez Latinos Progresando
John Gallo Legal Aid Chicago
Angelica Rivera Lincoln Methodist Church Member
Blanca R. Soto Little Village 26th Street Area Chamber of Commerce
Megan McKenna Mano a Mano Family Resource Center
Dulce Ortiz Mano a Mano Family Resource Center
Geraldine Luna, MD, MPH Medical Organization for Latino Advancement
Pilar Ortega, MD Medical Organization for Latino Advancement
Amy Diaz Multicultural Leadership Academy Alumna
Paloma Z. Arroyo Multicultural Leadership Academy Alumna
Luis Narvaez Multicultural Leadership Academy Alumnus
Linda Xochitl Tortolero Mujeres Latinas en Acción
Maria G. Medina NCJW North Shore Section
Patricia Aguado Northeastern Illinois University
James Rudyk Northwest Side Housing Center
Jose R. Sanchez Norwegian American Hospital
Michael Tafolla Precious Blood Ministry of Reconciliation, Heart of Chicago
Eddy Borrayo Rincon Family Services
Ruben D. Feliciano Rincon Family Services
Maria D. Ramos Cuaya Self-Help Federal Credit Union
Raúl García Sinai Health System
Reyes Gonzales St. Augustine College
Karina Villa State Representative, 49th District
Elizabeth “Lisa” Hernandez State Representative, 24th District
Celina Villanueva State Senator, 11th District
Cristina Castro State Senator, 22nd District
Cristina Pacione-Zayas The Puerto Rican Agenda of Chicago
Dalila Torres The Puerto Rican Agenda of Chicago
Jessie Fuentes The Puerto Rican Agenda of Chicago
Raul Raymundo The Resurrection Project
Eira Corral Sepúlveda Village Clerk, Village of Hanover Park
Advance Illinois
Angela Sedeño
Cecilia Mendoza
Dr. Maria Gomez
Ernesto Saldivar, Jr.
Evanston Latinos
Jorge Valdivia
Jose L. Alvarez
Latino Think & Do Tank
Luis Roman
Luisiana Menendez, PhD
Maria G. Medina
Omar Diaz
Valerie E. Coffman