Forty-nine Latino leaders signed on open letter was released on Friday as a mark of respect to his memory Latino immigrant workers killed in Baltimore bridge collapse last week, also condemning the spread of a “false narrative” that undermines the nation’s Hispanic contributions.
the letter overlaps Visit by President Joe Biden where the fatal Francis Scott Key Bridge collapsed, where he met with some of the families of those who died.
“We raise this painful moment to remind us that the Latino community is often behind the construction and maintenance of our nation’s infrastructure and should be celebrated for their contributions and sacrifices,” said Hispanic leaders of civic, cultural, legal, labor, corporate, medical, nationwide educational and political organizations. they state in their letter.
“While some extremists may want to use the Latino community as a political wedge that portrays all Latinos as a burden and a criminal element, the tragedy reminds us all of the reality of our community’s role and daily sacrifices to keep our nation strong,” they said. .
The letter a indicates unlike recent anti-immigrant rhetoric followed by the killing of a nursing student it became known that the suspect is in Georgia undocumented immigrantand a accused young migrant Shooting a tourist in Times Square.
Some Republican and conservative voices pointed to these events while the push for tougher immigration policies some Democrats tagged such attempts as a “cheap” political tactic.
This week, former President Donald Trump, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, they call migrants “animals” and “not human”. as it refers to crimes.
according to National Institute of Justice, US Department of Justice“recent studies show that immigrants (legal or illegal) are not more likely to commit crimes in the United States, and may even be less likely”
At the site of the fatal bridge collapse in Baltimore, Biden said“eight construction workers went into the water when the bridge collapsed. 6 lost their lives. Most were immigrants, but all were Marylanders – hardworking, strong and selfless.”
“The loss is devastating and our hearts are still broken,” Biden said.
The letter says that Spanish workers have repeatedly worked to build the country’s infrastructure.
The letter states, “After 9/11, there were countless Latino and Latina workers who worked to rebuild the damaged areas of the Pentagon and the World Trade Center. “After Hurricane Katrina, it was widely reported how many Latino workers rallied to rebuild New Orleans and surrounding areas.”
About one third of the country’s builders are Hispanic, meaning they are disproportionately exposed to life-threatening hazards from working in the industry.high risk” with Occupational Safety and Health Administration In the US Department of Labor.
The letter will also be published in Sunday’s Baltimore Sun.
Some of the leaders who signed the letter include: Estuardo Rodriguez of the Friends of the National Museum of Latin America, Marco Davis of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), Antonio Tijerino of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, Monica Ramirez of Migrant Women of Justice, and Latin houseA non-profit organization affiliated with Justice for Migrant Women.
Others include leaders in organizations ranging from business and media groups to the Association of Hispanic Colleges and Universities, the Latino Veterans Association and the National Hispanic Medical Association.
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Sandra Lilley contributed.