Jul 25, 2006
Democracia U.S.A. expands into Arizona, Florida, New Jersey and Pennsylvania
(Philadelphia, PA) — Democracia U.S.A., a national non-partisan Hispanic civic engagement program, officially launched its Pennsylvania operation today in Philadelphia. Democracia U.S.A. grew from People for the American Way Foundation's hugely successful voter registration project from 2004 that registered 72,000 new Hispanic voters in Florida. One of the main objectives of Democracia U.S.A.'s broadened scope is to offer greater resources and tools to Hispanics beyond voter registration, like community organizing and leadership training.
Jorge Mursuli, the National Executive Director of Democracia USA, speaking at today's press conference
Democracia U.S.A.'s National Executive Director, Jorge Mursuli, said, "Hispanic communities across America are eager for an organization that will educate them about the American political process and show them how to become leaders within it. Hispanics want guidance on how to organize their communities at a grassroots level so that issues and ideas important to them can be effectively promoted. This will be the mission of Democracia U.S.A.."
Mursuli continued, "Democracia is the Spanish word for democracy. America's Hispanics came to this country for many different reasons – but none more important than the opportunities that our democracy offers them."
Democracia U.S.A. takes the momentum from two years ago to expand into four states by establishing permanent grassroots operations that will empower Hispanics and Latinos to improve their family's quality of life through more active participation in the American political process. Democracia U.S.A.'s national footprint will have offices in the growing Hispanic communities of Philadelphia, Reading, PA, New Jersey, Miami and Orlando. The U.S. Census projects that by 2050, America's Hispanic population will surpass 100 million and will account for a quarter of the total U.S. population.
"As Hispanics and Latinos continue to grow in numbers, they also have a responsibility to foster the growth of their civic and political participation," Mursuli said. "This is especially important during times like these that an anti-Hispanic immigrant fever is sweeping the country. The best way for us to show that we are committed to being productive members of this society is by participating in the democratic processes available to us."
Two weeks ago, the town of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, passed a local law requiring landlords and business owners to request proof of citizenship from immigrants they conducted business with. The consequences for not complying with the law ranged from daily fines to loss of business licenses. Similar measures have been proposed in the Florida communities of Palm Bay and Avon Park, and the California towns of Escondido and San Bernardino. To highlight the tension that Hazelton's law is creating in the local community, Democracia U.S.A. presented a documentary with interviewers from supporters and opponents of the ordinance such as Dr. Agapito Lopez who explained that Hispanics feel targeted and scared by the law. According to Mursuli, the most effective way to combat people's insecurities about immigrants is for Hispanics to learn about the American political system and how they can contribute to the ever expanding fabric of America. "Democracia U.S.A. will be helping Hispanics do precisely that," he said.
Jorge Mursuli, the National Executive Director of Democracia USA, and Sergio Bendixen of Bendixen and Associates.
Nationally renowned pollster Sergio Bendixen participated in the news conference and presented data demonstrating how the mission and structure of Democracia U.S.A. will help serve the massive growth of Hispanic residents and voters throughout the country. Bendixen highlighted how, in 2004, there were seven states with Hispanic populations numbering 1 million or higher. By 2015, he explained, projections estimate that there will be 10 states with Hispanic populations of 1 million or more. Between 2006 and 2015, it is expected that the number of registered Hispanic voters in Pennsylvania will triple.
Democracia U.S.A.'s website, www.democraciausa.org, was also unveiled during the news conference. A significant part of Democracia U.S.A.'s interaction with Hispanics across America will be through this state of the art web site - the most interactive and informational bilingual web portal for Hispanics interested in becoming more civically engaged. The website is dedicated to informing and educating Hispanics on issues that matter to them and their families through real time news and information in English and Spanish. It also allows Democracia U.S.A. to communicate directly with its constituents because it is designed so that the program can develop a national database of Hispanics interested in increasing their civic participation. Website users can also make a contribution to Democracia U.S.A. online.
Democracia U.S.A.'s countrywide grassroots effort will be overseen by National Deputy Director Irma Palacios. The southeastern Pennsylvania is based in Philadelphia at 2661 North 2nd Street and covers the 5 county area. It consists of 12 canvassers. The Central Pennsylvania operation is based in Reading at 138 North 5th Street and consists of 12 canvassers. The entire Pennsylvania program will be managed by State Director Rafael Collazo. Their efforts in 2006 have already resulted in 5,000 new Hispanic voters.
Democracia U.S.A. is a project of People for the American Way Foundation.
For more information, please contact Freddy Balsera at 305-772-5189.
