If the Democrats win in Arizona, it will be due in part to the mobilization of a group of activists of Hispanic origin, pushed into politics by the anti-immigration laws of the 2010s. They have climbed positions and have managed to be elected local representatives. assemblies and promote their demands for equality. Their struggle resurfaces today, but the pioneers have organized themselves. “The fear tactic no longer works”says Alejandra Gómez, founder of Lucha (Living United for Change in Arizona), an organization that is pleased to have knocked on the doors of 500,000 voters since September.
Latinos make up 33% of Arizona’s population. And 25% of the electorate. Less than a week before a decisive election at the national level, but also for Arizona, where Republicans only have a majority of two seats in the Assembly and Senate (compared to 12 in each chamber in 2010), Latinas are in first place line. of mobilization. “Studies show that they are the ones who encourage men to vote, Alejandra Gómez emphasizes. Women are the true believers, the true believers in the American dream. » Immigration, abortion, education: each has their own path and motivations. “We must thank our mothers, invite the activist. They showed us how to fight. »
- Alejandra Gómez: “Let’s fight”
As a child, when she lived in California, Alejandra Gómez did not know that her father was living without papers in the United States. In 1994, when Golden State voters approved “Proposition 187,” a measure that deprived illegal immigrants of social services and was at the forefront of growing anti-immigration sentiment in the country, the family chose to move to Arizona.
Years later, in 2010, Alejandra found herself caught in Phoenix with a similar law (SB 1070), known as “show your papers,” that allowed local police to check the status of anyone they wanted. “Alex”, a political science student, decided that it made no sense to run away and founded Lucha. As in California, Republicans suffered from the awakening of “sleeping giant”. Arizona’s Latino electorate gave a majority to Joe Biden in 2020 and elected a Democratic governor, Katie Hobbs, in 2022.
Today, the same project of criminalizing undocumented immigrants has returned. In early 2024, the state’s elected Republican officials adopted language known as the “border invasion law.” – but was blocked in March by Katie Hobbs. To circumvent the governor’s veto, they decided to present it directly to voters on November 5. This is “Proposition 314”, an initiative that awakens memories of humiliation and racial controls in the community. “The Republicans were beginning to be very afraid of losing power. “They followed their usual scenario: mobilizing their base by demonizing immigrants.” Alejandra Gómez denounces.
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