Building a #Resistencia Movement: A Conversation on How to Channel Activism Into Policy

*Why you should read this: Because you shouldn’t let frustration set-in without finding out what you can do. Because this is a thoughtful and practical list of actions you can take. VL

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By Yara Simón, Remezcla (3 minute read)  

As our feeds become inundated with news that the Trump Administration wants to strip rights for immigrants, women, people of color, low-income communities, and those who are most disenfranchised, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed or helpless in our current political climate. But we know that organizing and the sustained efforts of activists – like in the case of Daniela Vargas, a young undocumented immigrant, who Immigration and Customs officials detained and later released – can make all the difference. That’s why we’ve teamed up with Latino Victory Project for a four-part video series called Building a #Resistencia Movement. We’ve partnered with leaders, experts, and legislators to bring young Latinos the tools they need to become strong local organizers.

Read more stories about the resistance movement in NewsTaco. >> 

“Our mission is to elect progressive Latino candidates and change the American political landscape so it better reflects our communities,” Cristóbal J. Alex, President of the Latino Victory Project told Remezcla. “We see Latinos empowering our local communities and showing up for allies in some of the most difficult and urgent fights all across the country. Our talented digital team realized that there was a space for us to channel this energy towards political change. Through these online trainings, we are giving Latinos free, accessible skills to do that. Ultimately, we want to see community leaders taking the next step to run for office, because they know best what their families and neighbors need. The #resistencia digital campaign is one critical piece to this effort. It allows us to meet folk where they are and really cultivate a base of potential progressive Latino candidates.”

We kicked off the series last month with a Facebook Live session on how to begin organizing. We spoke to veteran organizers Carmen Perez and Nelini Stamp about how to build coalitions, plan protests and rallies, and how to have those difficult conversations with family and friends who don’t share your views. (You can read more here.) This week, for our second installment, “Turning Activism into Policy,” we chatted with NYC Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito; Nevada State Senator Yvanna Cancela; and Jessica Morales Rocketto, the former Digital Organizing Director for Hillary for America.

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[Photos by Karlina – Carla Sedini/Flickr]