Monthly Archives: March 2013

Equal Justice Under Law

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166790_10151391491476247_2013890949_nNCLR President and CEO Janet Murguía addresses the crowd of marriage equality supporters on the steps of the Supreme Court. Photo: Ruben Gonzalez

Those are the words carved above the entrance to the Supreme Court, and those emphasized by Janet Murguía, NCLR’s President and CEO, as we rallied to recognize the love of millions of committed couples across the country.

Today was an exciting time to be a supporter of marriage quality. Around 10:00 a.m., the first landmark marriage equality case (Hollingsworth v. Perry, also known as the Proposition 8 case) was argued before the nine justices of the Supreme Court. At stake was whether the state of California could prevent same-sex couples from marrying. The public will likely not know what the justices decide until late June.

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What To Do If You’re Not in DC for the Supreme Court Marriage Equality Rally

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Tomorrow, we’ll be joining hundreds of other activists outside the Supreme Court to show our support for marriage equality. The action will be in Washington, D.C., but if you can’t join us for this historic rally, you can participate at home. There are also events happening all over the country. Just visit the Light to Justice site for information on what’s happening near you.

Now for what you need to know to participate. First off, if you’re planning to join the rally in Washington, be sure to wear red. There are counter-rallies being planned and we want to make sure our side stands out.

Next, whether you’re in Washington, an event in your hometown or just at home, be sure to follow the conversation on Twitter. We’ll be tweeting the rally using #United4Amor. We definitely want you to share your thoughts with us, so be sure to include #United4Amor in your tweets.

Pictures! Pictures! Pictures! We want to see the beautiful faces of those who support equality. Post a photo of yourself on Instagram using #United4Amor telling us why you support LGBT equality and we’ll stream your photo to our Facebook page. Be sure to also share the image below to your own Facebook page and let the world know where you stand.

We’re looking forward to seeing you in DC and online!

We Stand on the Side of Equality

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United For Marriage

Next week, as the U.S. Supreme Court hears two cases concerning same-sex marriage, thousands will gather outside the Court steps to show their support for marriage equality.  As a coalition partner of United for Marriage, the organization coordinating this effort, and as a member of the Respect for Marriage Coalition, NCLR will proudly stand with our supporters and numerous other organizations to let the Supreme Court justices know we believe in fairness and justice under the law.

The two cases being heard Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, are Hollingsworth v. Perry (regarding Proposition 8) and United States v. Windsor (regarding DOMA).  Earlier this month, we signed onto a friend-of-the-court brief urging the justices to overturn both DOMA and Proposition 8.  The two cases mark a pivotal moment in the struggle for equality as public support for same-sex marriage has hit a new high.  Indeed, a 2012 study commissioned by NCLR and the Arcus Foundation also found that one-half of Latinos believe in marriage equality.  It is clear America is ready for this.  We’ve been down a similar road as a country before.  It wasn’t so long ago that the Supreme Court was faced with deciding on the freedom to marry for interracial couples.  In the Loving v. Virginia case, the justices stood for the rights of biracial couples to be married.  The Court understood then the deep injustices perpetrated against couples in committed, loving relationships.  We hope that they will once again rule in favor of fairness and recognize that equal protection in marriage is not a privilege but a fundamental right that is withheld from millions of LGBT Americans.

Help us amplify this message in Washington, DC!  Join us Tuesday, March 26 for this historic event.  The rally starts outside the Supreme Court at 8:30 a.m. EDT.  For the full schedule of events, transportation, and places to stay in Washington, please log in to the United for Marriage information page.  If you can’t make it to Washington, there are events happening all over the country in solidarity.  We’ll also be tweeting the day’s events so you can join the conversation online.  Just follow #United4Amor on Twitter.

Check out the list of speakers below, which includes our President and CEO, Janet Murguía, and be sure to join in. We’ll see you there!

United4Marriage

An Open Enrollment Period for All Americans

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By Jennifer Ng’andu, Director, Health and Civil Rights Policy Project, NCLR

March 23 marks the third anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), an historic law that expands access to health care for millions of Americans—including six million Latinos—by providing desperately needed affordable health insurance options.

As we recognize this anniversary at NCLR, we are filled with hope for the families who have gone without medical care in the past because they couldn’t afford it or found themselves in dire financial situations due to medical bills.  Access to health care plays a crucial role in improving the quality of life for everyone, ensuring that workers are contribute to our economy and children go to school ready to learn.

This year is significant because this is where the rubber meets the road.  On October 1, the insurance marketplaces will open for business.  Uninsured Americans will begin shopping for coverage that will help them access care next year. Continue reading →

NCLR Florida Affiliate Network Makes Case for Immigration Reform

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By John Herrick, Policy Fellow, Immigration Policy Project, NCLR

Florida Affiliate letter
NCLR staff Maria Guerreros and Natalie Carlier with the letter from Florida Affiliates.

Presidents, CEOs, and executive directors of eight organizations within the NCLR Florida Affiliate Network—collectively employing 264 people and serving 124,950 Floridians in regions throughout the state—urged 29 members of Congress to deliver a commonsense solution to our broken immigration system in a letter delivered yesterday morning.

“We are calling on the Florida Congressional delegation to contribute to a constructive debate and deliver the smart immigration solutions needed to move the country forward,” reads the letter. “The sense of urgency and expectations for real change in our communities are stronger than ever.”

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We Will Remember Votes for Anti-Latino Amendments to the Senate Budget Bill [Updated]

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By Leticia Miranda, Senior Policy Advisor, Economic Security Policy, NCLR

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As senators consider which amendments to vote for as part of the Senate budget bill today, they should remember that Latino voters will hold them accountable at the ballot box for any anti-Latino votes made. The Senate budget bill is particularly dangerous because each amendment requires only a simple majority to pass. These votes will take place with only a few minutes of debate on each amendment in a dreaded process called vote-a-rama that often stretches into the middle of the night. Senators are not likely to have much advance notice of what the amendments will be.

If more than 51 senators vote for a slew of anti-Latino and anti-immigrant amendments, the stage will surely be negatively set for the upcoming immigration reform debates. Senate insiders have told me that likely amendments may be offered include one that would raise taxes on hardworking, taxpaying Latino families with children. Legislators are proposing cutting off access to the Child Tax Credit for taxpayers who use individual taxpayer identification numbers (ITINs). We estimate that more than four million Latino children and their families could lose out on this valuable tax credit if this restriction passes, pushing these families back into poverty.

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CFPB Witch Hunt Could Lose Latino Voters

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By Janis Bowdler, Director, Economic Policy Project, NCLR

Richard_CordrayYesterday, the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking voted along party lines (12 Democrats and ten Republicans) to advance Richard Cordray’s bid to serve a full term as director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).  Since Cordray accepted the role of CFPB director through a recess appointment, he has championed consumer rights in the fight against predatory lending practices and has brought accountability to financial markets.  This rigid party vote signals a thinly veiled intent to frustrate the CFPB’s consumer-focused mission and threatens to silence the one true consumer voice at federal decision-making tables—such deviousness needs to stop.

Under Cordray’s direction, the CFPB has prioritized consumers, advanced new protections and disclosures for remittances, and issued new mortgage rules that will keep homeownership opportunities open to Hispanic families.  These accomplishments have not gone unnoticed by Latino voters throughout the nation.  During the elections, the economy and a stabilized market were central concerns among Latinos.  Our families have firsthand knowledge, and data to back it up, that without a powerful advocate working on our behalf, unscrupulous practices endure in our neighborhoods.  Time and again, Hispanics are disproportionately impacted by predatory lenders.  The CFPB often serves as the only entity fighting for middle-class and modest-income households.

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