Washington, DC – Today, Equality PAC, LGBTQ Victory Fund, and LPAC released a joint letter to the people of New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District, condemning the racist attacks against Victor Reyes, a candidate in the district’s upcoming special election.
“This past weekend, we were made aware of a racist attack launched on social media against Victor Reyes, the former legislative director to New Mexico’s Governor Michele LujanGrisham and Equality PAC’s endorsed candidate to serve as the next representative for New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District,” the letter reads. “These types of attacks have shown how much work is still left to do in our political institutions in regard to racial justice and absolutely have no place in our politics or in this race. For many Mexican Americans, attacks like these are not new. That is why we must always speak out against racism, bigotry, discrimination, and hate in all forms.”
Read the full letter below.
March 19, 2021
An Open Letter to the People of New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District,
This past weekend, we were made aware of a racist attack launched on social media against Victor Reyes, the former legislative director to New Mexico’s Governor Michele LujanGrisham and Equality PAC’s endorsed candidate to serve as the next representative for New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District.
In this racist and bigoted attack, a Bernalillo County Democratic Precinct Chair questioned Reyes’ “person of color” status based on his perception of Reyes’ skin color. Reyes is a proud second-generation Mexican American.
These types of attacks have shown how much work is still left to do in our political institutions in regard to racial justice and absolutely have no place in our politics or in this race. What is deeply disturbing is that these attacks were launched by a supposed leader in the state’s party and someone who could have played an integral role in helping decide who will represent the people of New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District.
For many Mexican Americans, attacks like these are not new. That is why we must always speak out against racism, bigotry, discrimination, and hate in all forms. The people of New Mexico’s 1st Congressional District deserve a race that is based on the issues, not petty or personal politics.
Together we stand with Victor and vow to call these attacks out when we see them. It is more important now than ever for the opening of the NM-1 Congressional seat to be filled by a person of color who represents its constituents.
Sincerely,
Congressman David Cicilline (D-RI), Co-Chair of LGBTQ Equality PAC
Congressman Mark Takano (D-CA), Co-Chair of LGBTQ Equality PAC
Congresswoman Angie Craig (D-MN)
Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)
Congressman Mondaire Jones (D-NY)
Congressman Ritchie Torres (D-NY)
Mayor Annise Parker, LGBTQ Victory Fund President
Lisa Turner, LPAC Executive Director
Laura Ricketts, Chair of LPAC Board of Directors
Equality PAC is the political arm of the Congressional LGBTQ Equality Caucus and is dedicated to the full legal and societal equality for LGBTQ Americans. All funds raised into Equality PAC are spent supporting and electing openly LGBTQ individuals and strong LGBTQ allies to the United States Congress who are committed to passing the Equality Act and to ensuring full civil rights and protections for all LGBTQ Americans.
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