CASA, Former Congressman Gutierréz, and Latino Elected Officials Take to the Streets for a Complete Census Count in Maryland
WHO: Former Congressman Luis Gutierréz, Senior Policy Advisor of the National Partnership for New Americans; CASA canvassers; local Latino leaders including Nancy Navarro, Montgomery County Councilmember; Deni Taveras, Prince George’s County Councilmember; Rocio Treminio-Lopez, Mayor of Brentwood; Celina Benitez, Mt. Rainier Councilmember; Natali Fani, Montgomery County Planning Boardmember.
WHEN: Thursday, January 23rd, at 4:00 p.m.
WHERE: CASA, 8151 15th Ave Hyattsville MD 20783
WHAT: Launch of Census 2020 campaign and Lucas campaign outreach
LANGLEY PARK, MD — CASA, along with former Congressman Luis Gutierréz and local Latina leaders will officially launch a canvassing and digital media campaign in an effort to persuade an estimated 55,000 immigrants and low-income residents in Maryland to participate in the 2020 Census. The campaign will kick off in Maryland this Thursday, Jan. 23.
The CASA campaign is part of a three-state effort by the immigrant-rights advocacy organization to make sure hard-to-reach residents are not undercounted in the official U.S. population tally, which happens nationwide every ten years and is used by Congress to determine redistricting and federal budget allocation.
Following the federal government’s attempt to add a controversial question asking an individual’s citizenship status, civil rights activists feared immigrants would refuse to participate out of suspicion their information could be used against them.
In July, the U.S. Supreme Court, in a case brought by CASA and other immigrant rights organizations, determined the federal government could not include such questioning in the census. But, many immigrants may still be misinformed and choose not to take part.
CASA’s campaign, which in Maryland is funded through a state effort, will include canvassing, digital ad buys, television, and radio outreach.
During the launch, CASA will introduce Lucas, an animated character serving as the campaign spokesperson. The character represents a 13-year-old boy who is the future of Latinos in the U.S. and will be a part of TV, radio, and digital ads as he persuades others to participate in the census.
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