In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, which began yesterday and runs through Oct. 15, AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka issued the following statement:
Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate the countless contributions of Latinos to our nation. It is also a time to evaluate the challenges that they face. Today, as America’s Latino community grows stronger, so do attacks from extremist politicians who want to divide us and are obsessed with using hardworking Latinos as scapegoats.
But they could not be more mistaken. Latino working families are stronger as ever. The Latino community has been at the forefront in raising wages and winning workers’ rights through their collective voice. It is this same strength and determination that throughout history has built America and that will continue to move our country forward.
This year’s Hispanic Heritage Month is unique. Pope Francis, the first Latin American pope, will be visiting the United States. Let’s welcome the Holy Father by listening and acting upon his message of inclusion, solidarity and unity.
Throughout this month, the AFL-CIO and the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) are profiling past and present leaders in the intersecting movements to protect and expand the rights of Hispanics, Latinos and working families. The first profile is on Henry Garrido, executive director of AFSCME District Council 37.
