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Six Figure Spanish-Language Ad Buy Highlights GOP Obstruction on Immigration Reform

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SEIU, Mi Familia Vota Civic Participation Campaign, and America’s Voice Launch Radio Ads in Nine Cities as Part of Latino Voter Drive

Washington, DC – Today, the Service Employees International Union, Mi Familia Vota Civic Participation Campaign, and America’s Voice are launching Spanish-language radio ads in nine media markets across the country.  The ads point to the Republican Party’s obstructionism on immigration reform, cite the GOP’s successful effort to block a vote on the DREAM Act last week, and encourage voters to support the candidates who “support our families, and make our dreams come true.” 

The $300,000 ad buy is the largest national ad campaign from pro-immigration reform organizations, and marks the beginning of a voter mobilization drive across the nation to hold politicians accountable for demonizing immigrants and blocking progress on common sense immigration reform.  The ads will run in Phoenix and Tucson, AZ; Denver, CO; Miami and Orlando, FL; Chicago, IL; Las Vegas, NV; and Houston and McAllen, TX—all areas where Latino voters will play a decisive role in contested races this November and in 2012.

For more information on the impact Latino voters are poised to make in the 2010 and 2012 elections, and how voters currently view the two parties, see this report from America’s Voice and these tracking polls from Latino Decisions

“Last week, the same Republicans who have rallied their support behind Arizona’s ‘papers please’ law made a clear choice to crush the dreams of tens of thousands of high-achieving immigrant youth,” said SEIU Secretary Treasurer Eliseo Medina. “Today, it is critical that our community understands who is on their side and what is at stake if we do not hold our elected leaders accountable in November.”

The ads are in additional to a national voter mobilization strategy this year that encourages Latino and immigrant voters to make their voices heard at the polls.  Various mobilization efforts are already underway in these six states, as well as in other locations featuring significant Latino voting populations.  For example, in Colorado, Latino civic engagement organizations aim to turn out over half of all registered Latino voters this cycle through aggressive mail, phone, and grassroots outreach campaigns.  And in Arizona, organizations are on track to turn out 230,000 Latinos in Phoenix, Yuma, and Tucson.

“This is our moment—from Miami to Denver—to use the power of the Latino vote to fight back against the anti-immigrant attacks, the SB1070 copycat laws, and the petty politics in Washington that have blocked all progress on immigration reform,” said Ben Monterroso, Executive Director of Mi Familia Vota Civic Participation Campaign. “Latino voters must take stock of who is with us and who is against us. This is the moment to vote for leaders who will offer real solutions to our broken immigration system and who will commit to building an economy that works for all working families.”

The ad buy and larger mobilization effort are designed to increase turnout among “surge” and “low propensity” Latino voters, and help close the gaps between those eligible to vote and those who turn out on election day. 

According to Frank Sharry, Executive Director of America’s Voice, “The outrageous decision by Senate Republicans to block the DREAM Act last week demands a strong response. We are pleased to partner with SEIU and Mi Familia Vota Civic Participation Campaign to bolster the on-the-ground efforts to mobilize voters and build support for needed immigration reforms.”
 

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VOCES DE LOS SOÑADORES                                         

¿Qué harías si un grupo de políticos te negaran tus sueños y esperanzas?

Miles de nosotros hemos salido a las calles a luchar por lo justo: acceso a la educación universitaria, y un camino hacia la ciudadanía.

Nosotros somos los estudiantes indocumentados del DREAM Act…los Soñadores…

Sin papeles y sin miedo luchamos para que nuestra generación no se quede atrás.

¿Pero quiénes se opusieron a esta propuesta de ley? ¿Quiénes quieren acabar con nuestros sueños?

Los republicanos.  Los mismos que se opusieron a la extensión de beneficios por desempleo.

Los republicanos. Que buscan negar derechos a los inmigrantes en Arizona y otros estados.

Los republicanos.  Que rechazan a las familias trabajadoras y apoyan a las grandes corporaciones.

El presidente Obama, las fuerzas armadas, las cámaras de comercio, las universidades y la gran mayoría del público están de nuestro lado.

Y ellos necesitan nuestro apoyo.

Este 2 de noviembre, en [estado] vota por los candidatos que apoyan a nuestras familias, y haz nuestros sueños realidad.

Anuncio pagado por el Sindicato Internacional de Empleados de Servicio, la Campaña de Participación Cívica de Mi Familia Vota y America’s Voice.
 
VOICES OF DREAM ACT YOUTH

What would you do if a group of politicians were denying your hopes, your dreams?

Thousands of us have taken to the streets to fight for what’s right: access to a college education and a path to citizenship…

We’re the undocumented students of the DREAM Act…the “soñadores”…

Without papers, and without fear, we fight so our generation doesn’t get left behind.

But who opposed this bill? Who wants to quash our dreams?

Republicans. The same people who opposed the extension of unemployment benefits.

Republicans.  Who try to deny immigrant rights in Arizona and other states.

Republicans.  Who always seem to stand with big corporations against working families.

President Obama, the Armed Forces, Chambers of Commerce, universities and a majority of the public are on our side.

And they need our help.

This November 2nd, in [insert state] – vote for the candidates who support our families, and make our dreams come true.

This ad is paid for by the Service Employees International Union, Mi Familia Vota Civic Participation Campaign and America’s Voice