ARLINGTON, VA – On Wednesday, former Miss Universe Alicia Machado and civil rights leader Dolores Huerta joined People For the American Way (PFAW) to mark the one year anniversary of Donald Trump’s presidential campaign and launch PFAW’s new campaign, ‘Donald Trump’s Year of Hate.’
Since June 16th of last year, when he infamously described Mexican immigrants as “rapists” at his campaign launch, Trump has only increased his attacks against immigrants and Latinos. Starting tomorrow, new Spanish-language ads from PFAW will run for four weeks, highlighting Donald Trump’s campaign of hate thus far. You can watch the ad here.
At the press conference today, co-hosted by CASA in Action (Virginia), speakers discussed Trump’s hateful campaign and the critical importance of the Latino vote.
Alicia Machado, actress and former Miss Universe:
“I met Mr. Trump when I became Miss Universe. He always treated me rudely. I could share a thousand stories, but I will only speak about one episode: “Miss Housekeeping.” That’s how he called me in front of his friends to make fun of me. And it shows that he doesn’t understand the value of being a domestic worker…These are the women who work hard, put their kids through college, and raised kids to be great citizens.
“I share this story with you to show you who Mr. Trump is, and how he sees us. We don’t need a businessperson who divides our country. We need someone with a good heart. Therefore, I urge you today to vote. To register. To become a citizen.”
Dolores Huerta, civil rights leader:
“Donald Trump has demonstrated over the past year that he is unfit to be a leader for Latino communities and for all Americans. Since the day he announced his candidacy, he’s talked about immigrants as ‘rapists,’ ‘killers,’ ‘criminals,’ and ‘drug dealers.’ Whether it was out of ignorance, insensitivity, or he did it on purpose, he hosted a campaign rally right where a Latino man was killed in a hate crime.
“I could go on and on about Trump’s attack on our communities …We can’t let Donald Trump be president, and I know that we won’t. We won’t because we will get out to vote against him, we will talk with our friends and our families and make sure they go out to vote against him as well. This election, we have the power to make our voices heard and we can make the difference in this election. We have the power of the vote, and that can overcome the hate that Donald Trump spews day after day after day.
Alfonso Lopez, Virginia State Delegate:
“Donald Trump cannot get away with divisive, ugly rhetoric about new Americans, and especially Latinos. That kind of ugly rhetoric, bullying behavior, is not worthy of America, it's not worthy of our heritage, and it's definitely not worthy of Virginia.
J. Walter Tejada, former Arlington County Board member:
“Amid all the attacks from Trump against the Latino community, silence is betrayal in our community. Those who think this gives him more publicity should know that Latinos will speak up against hatred, and demand that we are recognized for the positive contributions to enrich our nation. The road to the White House goes through the Latino vote. In Virginia, the Latino vote will be decisive.”
Lizet Ocampo, director of Latinos Vote! and manager of political campaigns for People For the American Way:
“One year ago, Donald Trump went down that escalator to declare his candidacy and declare his war on Latinos. Trump is the most hateful, anti-immigrant presidential candidate that any of us have ever seen. His hate harms every one of us and goes against the American values of welcoming immigrants and celebrating diversity. Thankfully, more and more of us are registering to vote every year, and we have the power to decide the outcome of this election.”
Luis Aguilar, advocacy and elections specialist for CASA in Action (VA):
“With the anniversary of DACA today, we continue to defend the rights and the voice of our community. We cannot let candidates that built their platform on hatred get to the White House. We will continue on the frontlines by becoming citizens and registering more voters for this upcoming election.”
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