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J.Lo, Eva Longoria, America Ferrera Join Over 200 Artists in Letter of Solidarity to Latinx Community

Eva Longoria, Imagine Cup 2011. (Photo: Imagine Cup). Jennifer Lopez, 25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards, 2014. (Photo: DVSROSS). America Ferrera, 2010 Voice Awards. (Photo: SAMHSA)
Eva Longoria, Imagine Cup 2011. (Photo: Imagine Cup). Jennifer Lopez, 25th Annual GLAAD Media Awards, 2014. (Photo: DVSROSS). America Ferrera, 2010 Voice Awards. (Photo: SAMHSA)

“This message is not about policy or political parties. It is about human decency and care. We are asking people to sign on to love — and it is working.”

In support of the Latinx community after the racially-motived mass shooting in El Paso, Texas and recent ICE raids, several high-profile writers, artists and leaders of Latinx descent have signed an open letter of solidarity to the Latino community.

The letter was published in Friday’s New York Times, along with HOLA!, El Nuevo Herald, La Opinión and El Diario publications, vowing to stand by Latino American citizens who may feel “terrified, heartbroken and defeated by the barrage of attacks.”

Among the other prominent and accomplished Latinx public figures to sign the letter are Jennifer Lopez, Gina Rodriguez, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Carmen Perez, Anthony D. Romero, Wilmer Valderrama, Zoe Saldana, Salma Hayek Pinault, Ricky Martin, Rosario Dawson, Diego Luna, Dolores Huerta, and Sandra Cisneros.

“We have been smeared by political rhetoric and murdered in violent hate crimes. We have been separated from our families and have watched our children caged,” the letter reads. “But, we will not be broken. We will not be silenced.”

Actress Eva Longoria (“Desperate Housewives”) told The Associated Press that she and fellow actress American Ferrera (“Ugly Betty”, “Superstore”) got the idea for the letter after they talked and discovered they were both depressed and sad after the El Paso shooting. She insisted that the letter is not meant to take political sides but to reach out to Americans regardless of party, to say Latinos are hurting.

Specifically addressed in the letter are recent high-profile attacks against the Latino community in the U.S., including the mass shooting on August 3rd in El Paso, Texas, which was targeted by the gunman for its high concentration of Latino American citizens. 22 people were killed and 24 others were injured. Also addressed are the sweeping ICE raids in Mississippi earlier this month where five poultry companies were believed to violate immigration laws. 680 individuals were taken into custody, resulting in separations of families and inhumane living conditions for those detained.

Additionally, President Trump has made statements throughout his administration that foster animosity towards the Latino community. Analysts cite his rhetoric as a catalyst for rising racial division and white supremacist ideologies in the U.S.

“The Latinx community is known for being loving and welcoming. This letter embodies who we are as a community and the way that we are leading to unite our nation and guide us during these difficult times,” said Mónica Ramírez, a civil rights lawyer and activist who helped organize the letter. “This message is not about policy or political parties. It is about human decency and care. We are asking people to sign on to love — and it is working. We hope that our allies and other community members will recognize our shared values and join us for the betterment of our entire country.”

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1 Comment

  1. Larry N Stout August 20, 2019

    hashtag, hashtag, hashtag…follow, follow, follow

    Reply

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