Latino Community Activists Rally Their Support for Mark Ridley-Thomas

ADVISORY

Monday, May 26, 2008
For Immediate Release

Los Angeles, CA –The Mexican American Political Association (MAPA) has endorsed state Senator Mark Ridley-Thomas in his race for Los Angeles County Supevisor. On Tuesday, May 27, 2008 in front of Chesterfield Square (1319 East 41st St. Los Angeles, CA 90011) at 10 a.m. over 30 Latino activists and community leaders will announce their support for Mark Ridley Thomas. The Latino activists are supporting Mark Ridley-Thomas because of his commitment to improving conditions for Latinos and working people.

With over 95,000 Latino registered voters, Latino voters will have a critical impact on the outcome of this election. “In every election Latinos are becoming an important factor in the outcome. We want to make sure Latinos know who Mark Ridley-Thomas is, what he stands for, and why Latinos must support him,” says immigrant right leader Angelica Salas.

Latino community activists working on issues of immigration, education, foster care, juvenile justice, gang intervention, transportation and housing are coming together to demonstrate their support for Mark Ridley -Thomas.

Latino grassroots leaders are calling on the Latino community to join in the efforts to get out the vote, and to vote for Mark Ridley Thomas on June 3rd. Civil Rights leader Nativo Lopez says, “This election is one of the most important elections affecting Latinos. The winner will have decisive influence over county programs serving Latinos such as health care, foster care, criminal justice, and transportation. We must not stay silent.”

Participating Leaders*: Angelica Salas, CHIRLA, Nativo Lopez, Mexican American Political Associaton, Marvin Andrade, ArturoYbarra, Watts Century Latino (Organizations for Identification Purposes Only)

Media Visuals: 30 people, banners, signs, speakers

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Nativo V. Lopez is currently the National President of the Mexican American Political Association (MAPA) and Hermandad Mexicana Latinoamericana (HML), which requires of him full-time advocacy for the civil, human, labor, and immigrant rights of Mexicans, Mexican Americans, and Latinos throughout the United States. He has dedicated his life to these causes since his years as a high school student where he founded the first student movement organization, United Mexican American Students (UMAS). He was born in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles in 1951 to Mexican American parents, and is of both eighth-generation native U.S. born and immigrant stock. Nativo met the legendary immigrant organizer, leader, and advocate, Humberto “Bert” Corona, in 1971 and worked with him in various capacities for thirty years with the organizations Center for Autonomous Social Action (CASA), Hermandad Mexicana, and MAPA. He was a lead organizer in the 2006 pro-immigrant marches and was part of the creation of the National Alliance for Immigrant’s Rights (NAIR) in Chicago, Illinois. For more information, go to http://nativolopez.blogspot.com/.

The Mexican American Political Association, an advocacy organization, was founded in Fresno, California in 1963 and has chapters throughout California. It is dedicated to the constitutional and democratic principles of political freedom and representation for the Mexican, Mexican-American and Latino people in the United States. For more information, visit the MAPA website at http://www.mapa.org/.