FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contacts: Michael Espinoza 832-277-3903
Jose Manuel Escobedo 915-253-2527

“Mi Texas. Mi Familia. Mi Voto.”
TX Community Orgs Launch Unprecedented Collaboration to Mobilize Latino Voters

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AUSTIN, TX (August 11, 2010) - Southwest Key's East Austin VOTA! Campaign, along with its Austin partners The Austin Center for Peace and Justice and the Austin Immigrants Rights Coalition, joined with Mi Familia Vota and RITA (Reform Immigration for Texas Alliance) in a statewide effort to "get the vote out" in Texas Latino and African American segments of our communities. On Thursday, community organizations throughout the state will launch a massive non-partisan effort to register and turn out Latino voters this November. At events throughout the state community leaders will be joined by dozens of volunteers to announce this unprecedented collaboration.

For years now, Texas Latinos have been organizing around the themes of comprehensive immigration reform, access to education and health care and job creation. To make these goals happen, Texas Latinos need to get to the polls and vote this November. The "Mi Texas. Mi Familia. Mi Voto." campaign aims to increase Latino participation in mid-term elections.

“Our democracy works when everyone participates,” said Ben Monterroso, Executive Director of the Mi Familia Vota Civic Participation Campaign. “Our goal now is to create an informed electorate that can participate in the civic life of this state, and help guide us away from the kind of policies and politicians that seek to divide us.”

"In a state that boasts the second largest Hispanic population (after California), Latinos have a potentially powerful voice in Texas politics. But to be heard, they need to vote," said Adriana Cadena, State Coordinator for Reform Immigration for Texas Alliance (RITA). "I am proud that RITA’s Executive Committee and member organizations early on decided to take that next step in immigration reform by engaging in Latino voter education and turn-out in partnership with Mi Family Vota."

As a part of the "Mi Texas. Mi Familia. Mi Voto" (My Texas. My Family. My Vote) campaign, over 300 volunteers from across the state will be knocking on doors in Latino neighborhoods, visiting churches and community centers, and hosting candidate forums.

Campaign Kick-off Events around the State include:

Houston
Event: Press Conference
When: Thursday, August 12, 10:00 AM
Where: Plaza Americas, 7500 Bellaire, Houston
Who: Key TX community orgs, dozens of volunteers, GREAT VISUALS
Contact: Mike Espinoza, 832-277-3903

Dallas & Forth Worth
Event: Voter Education and Volunteer Recruitment
When: Thursday, August 12, 5:00-7:00 PM
Where: Univision 23, 2323 Bryan Street, Dallas, TX
Who: Coalition for Immigration Reform of Dallas/Ft. Worth & North Texas, Welcoming Immigrants Network, Dallas RITA Network
Contact: Maria Robles, 817-296-9656

El Paso
Event: El Paso/Southern New Mexico Civic Action Campaign Kick-Off
When: Saturday, August 14, 11:00 AM
Where: Armijo Community Center, Heart of Segundo Barrio
Who: Border Network for Human Rights, El Paso Grassroots, Colonias Development Council, and others
Contact: Jose Manuel Escobedo, 915-253- 2527

Rio Grande Valley
Event: Equal Voice Network Get Out the Vote Campaign Launch
When: Thursday, August 12, 10:30 AM
Where: START Center in San Benito, TX
Who: Rio Grande Valley Equal Voice Network: ARISE – A Resource in Service Equality (Alamo), BCHC – Brownsville Community Health Center (Brownsville), Casa de Proyecto Libertad (Harlingen), La Unión del Pueblo Entero LUPE (San Juan), Proyecto Azteca (San Juan) Proyecto Juan Diego (Cameron Park/Brownsville), START - South Texas Adult Resource and Training Center (San Benito) SWU – Southwest Workers’ Union (Edinburg)
Contact: Jose Chapa, 956-534-5109

Organizations coordinating voter registration and mobilization efforts this November include: Mi Familia Vota, Reform Immigration for Texas Alliance (RITA), SEIU Local 1, Alianza Mexicana, Democracia USA, Texans Together, Border Network for Human Rights, El Paso Grassroots, Colonias Development Council, Austin Immigrant Rights Coalition, Coalition for Immigration Reform of Dallas/Ft. Worth & North Texas, Welcoming Immigrants Network, Dallas RITA Network, A Resource in Service Equality (ARISE), Brownsville Community Health Center, Casa de Proyecto Libertad, La Unión del Pueblo Entero, Proyecto Azteca, Proyecto Juan Diego, South Texas Adult Resource and Training Center (START), Southwest Workers’ Union, Intercultural Development Research Association.

The groups involved in this unprecedented collaboration have committed to turning out 60,000 Latinos who would not otherwise vote in November’s election.

To volunteer to register voters, call (713) 296-1623.

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Mi Familia Vota is a national organization working to unite and build community power in Latino, immigrant and allied communities, and to ensure social and economic justice through sustained civic engagement.

The Reform Immigration for Texas Alliance (RITA) is a multi-sector statewide network dedicated to building support for comprehensive immigration reform.

About the East Austin VOTA! Campaign

Southwest Key's East Austin VOTA! Campaign seeks to increase the political efficacy of the Govalle/Johnston Terrace community through voter registration, education and get-out-the-vote efforts. The campaign is part of Southwest Key’s resident-driven initiative empowering a new wave of neighborhood leaders through education and advocacy around critical issues facing East Austin. Visit www.swkey.org to learn more, or watch our video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7chUXINwS8