Salvadoran-Americans in Los Angeles are joined by Biden-Harris. (Getty Images)
Photo: OLIVIER DOULIERY / AFP / Getty Images
The Salvadorans with Biden-Harris group was formed not only to campaign to ensure the victory of the former vice president in the November elections, but also to take into account the needs of the Salvadoran community.
“We are the largest community outside of El Salvador, and we need a lot in education and changes in immigration laws,” said David Girón, a member of the Salvadorans committee with Biden-Harris, and who works as a senior advisor to the council’s office of Los Angeles, Mitch O’Farrell.
“I am very proud to stand with Karla Salazar and Sandra Mendoza and other Salvadoran colleagues in the effort to win the White House.”
According to the Census Bureau, until 2016 Salvadorans represented 3.8% of the Hispanic population and were considered the fourth largest Hispanic community in the nation.
The Salvadorans with Biden-Harris group was formed in July and is part of the Everyone with Biden national committee directly connected to Joe Biden’s campaign for the presidency.
“Along with Sandra Mendoza – another Salvadoran – I realized that we can activate more people in Los Angeles and organize ourselves to do campaign events,” said Salvadoran Karla Salazar, who makes her living as a political and labor consultant.
David explained that the largest group of Salvadorans with Biden is in California.
The official launch was on August 8, virtually nationwide. “We had five panelists and we talked about why as Salvadorans we should support Biden,” Karla added.
Why do you support Biden?
David said not only because of the pandemic but because of the immigration and security system. “There are so many reasons to have a new administration that handles the laws fairly, and does not negatively focus on our community.”
He indicated that one of the strongest examples is the asylum system that has focused on caravans, people who come in caravans in search of a better life to the United States from El Salvador and other Central American countries.
“They are treated as criminals and criminals. President Trump spoke of El Salvador as a dirty place, and that only bad people come from there. We seek a fairer government that treats us with respect and we want better jobs and funds for education. “.
Do you expect them to change immigration policy with Biden, even though he was part of an administration whose president was called Deporter-in-Chief?
“It is true. That is why our community is organized and focused not only to support him but to tell him about the changes we expect and that he meets our needs ”.
What specifically do they ask of Biden?
Sandra Mendoza, a Biden supporter who works for the City of Los Angeles Housing Department, said they want to ensure access to health, social programs, housing, childcare.
“We want the same that working families receive. The other level is how to make deals with Central America to improve the economy and prevent migration here. “
Karla added that Salvadorans demand funds for schools and that the government assume its responsibility with the COVID-19 pandemic. “The current administration is not taking responsibility.”
In turn, Sandra noted that she hopes Biden will handle the migration issue with compassion and understand why migration is coming. “If it doesn’t, we will continue to put people in the cold and in cages. You must understand the reasons why people flee, human trafficking, violence”.
How will you support the campaign?
David acknowledged that Biden is not a perfect candidate. “We need to bring it to our ideas and problems. But we will continue to support him in virtual events, gathering friends and family to make calls for the vice president; and if it is possible that they donate ”.
Karla added that during the pandemic she will try even harder to use technology and campaign to promote the vote. “I have to remind you that it is important that you vote by mail and for Biden. It is our responsibility to educate our family and friends to vote. “
Sandra called on Salvadorans to put aside apathy and go out to vote. “We are before a president who is going to work with the Latino community; or a president who invites to violate the law and with lack of ethics; or looking for someone with whom we can work, or who does not care about our community”.
David concluded by saying that it is important to communicate the great difference between a Biden administration and that of Trump in the midst of the great needs that the pandemic has brought.
