The Latino Action Network hosts several signature events throughout the year, including the Latino Action Network Annual Legislative Assembly, which brings together hundreds of policymakers, advocates, leaders, labor, government, and business people for learning and networking. The annual Latino Action Network fundraiser is another opportunity to have fun while networking and developing leadership connections. We hope that you can join us as we continue to offer more events throughout New Jersey. We also encourage you to attend events by our membership and partner organizations. Please check back often to see what is being offered.

For Immediate Release: May 19th, 2022 

Contact:                                                                                                                                                                                                              

Javier Robles (732) 887-8722 [email protected]  

Cuqui Rivera, (732) 339-2234  [email protected]  

 
LAN CONDEMNS RACIST VIOLENCE & MURDER IN BUFFALO 

The Latino Action Network and our members grieve with our brothers and sisters in Buffalo, New York.  They lost their lives this past Saturday, to gun violence and racially motivated hate. We pray and keep in our thoughts their family and friends. 

 The Latino Action Network condemns in the strongest manner possible the ideology of white supremacy which is perpetrated against black and brown communities, and which motivated this horrific attack. The 10 people killed and 3 others injured were targeted based on their race and the fact that they lived in a predominantly black community. The shooter has perpetuated in his actions the teachings of many in our political parties and the media.  

“White replacement theory” or the “Great Replacement” which was used by this shooter as a justification for murder, is not new and has been the impetus for numerous mass shootings. This racist conspiracy theory held by white nationalist blames, Blacks, Latinos, Jews as well as, immigrants, integration, and others for what they see as the weakening powerbase of white America. Let there be no doubt that this racist, anti-Semitic, anti-immigrant hate is alive and well in America.  

 There is a clear and historical pattern of escalating assaults and deadly violence on people and communities of color in this nation. This is happening in a more systematic way in different parts of the country. This is not unnoticed. Racism must be declared a public health crisis in New Jersey and in this nation.  

We call on the federal and state governments as well as the media to begin an immediate self-inventory of their politics and practices which condone and encourage young people to hate and kill based on a racist conspiracy theory. Words have consequences, and our communities must not be the victims of the laissez-faire use of hate speech. Moreover, the ease of access to weapons of carnage must be curtailed at the federal and state level. Shame on a politician who turns his head so that they do not have to look at the bloodshed that their policies and lack of action have produced. We call on social media companies to do a better job at policing hate speech and the indoctrination of people into white nationalist groups. 

 Our thoughts are with those who lost their lives in Buffalo to senseless gun violence and hate. The time for action is now! History will not be kind to those who sit on the sidelines as the world burns.