The Latino Action Network today urged Latinos across New Jersey to actively participate in the redistricting process that formally begins tomorrow with two hearings. The New Jersey State Apportionment Commission will hold hearings tomorrow in Camden and Toms River to consider how to redraw state legislative districts in light of demographic changes over the last decade. [Read full Press Release below]

Latino Action Network Urges Latinos to Get Involved in Redistricting Process

Latino Political Voice at Stake

Leaders to Testify Before Commission

For Immediate Release: January 28, 2011

Contacts:

Frank Argote-Freyre, President – 908-670-0552

Christian Estevez, Executive Vice President – 973-418-7012

            The Latino Action Network today urged Latinos across New Jersey to actively participate in the redistricting process that formally begins tomorrow with two hearings. The New Jersey State Apportionment Commission will hold hearings tomorrow in Camden and Toms River to consider how to redraw state legislative districts in light of demographic changes over the last decade.

“We want to ensure that the Latino community is fairly represented in whatever legislative map is developed,” said Frank Argote-Freyre, President of the Latino Action Network. “Our numbers are growing and we expect that our representation will follow the same upward trajectory. New Jersey's Latino population has grown significantly since 2000 – from 13.3 percent, to, according to the latest available data, 16.7 percent.”

Argote-Freyre continued: “Currently there are only seven Assembly members and one State Senator from the Latino community which is evidence of  under-representation on the state level. We expect the Commission to address those issues in redrawing the state’s  legislative districts.”

The LAN was founded in 2009 as a vehicle to mobilize the Latino community to seek greater social and economic justice.