A Spanish-language event to encourage civic engagement and voting in West Marin’s Latino community will take place on Sept. 28, at West Marin School. It may be the first election program geared for Latinos in the area.
The event is organized by locals and advocates, including Julie Monson, a board member of the League of Women Voters; Socorro Romo, program manager at West Marin Community Services; local advocate Maria Niggle; and Cathleen Dorinson of the Mainstreet Moms.
“The ultimate goal is to educate the Latino community on the importance of voting” and encourage them “to take on civic roles in the community,” Ms. Romo said.
Though she noted that some Latinos are not eligible to vote because they may not be U.S. citizens, she said that “what we learn trickles down to the children” and to friends.
The event will feature three speakers, including Lorenzo Cordova, a field representative for state Assemblyman Mark Levine, and David Escobar, an aide to Supervisor Steve Kinsey. Speakers will discuss matters like the impact of county, state and federal elections and importance of voting. National electoral politics have turned heads this year, particularly comments from presidential candidate Donald Trump, who has called for a multibillion dollar Mexican border wall and referred to immigrants as “rapists.”
Mr. Escobar noted that part of the importance of the event lies in challenging assumptions about political involvement—which, given the political situation in many immigrants’ native countries, makes some wary. “Folks bring with them, or learn from their parents: don’t get involved in politics,” he said.
Ms. Romo said that regardless of who one votes for this year, elections have consequences. “I really feel, especially in this election, that the Latino community should come out and vote. Whatever decision is made on Nov. 8 will affect the Latino community.”