Press Release for
May 18, 2010
[New York, NY] The Pushback Network (PBN) is honored to announce it partnership with the Southwest Workers Union (SWU), a grassroots organization based in San Antonio, Texas. This brings Pushback Network’s presence into nine states, and adds new depth to the Network’s capacity for electoral outreach and mobilization. The Pushback Network has built learning and collaborating relationships among community based organizations through peer learning, resource development and technical assistance in voter turnout and civic engagement. Our mission continues to focus on uplifting the voices of marginalized communities in local and state government and connecting those voices nationally.
The Southwest Workers Union has shaped a strong and significant presence in south Texas, through neighborhood organizing and multi-issue advocacy. They are an organization of low-income workers and families, community residents, immigrants and youth, united in one organizational struggle for worker rights, environmental justice and community empowerment. As a leading presence in poor and working class Latino communities in Texas, they have exciting new strategies for civic participation and electoral organizing. They have also made connections nationally and globally, working across state and national boundaries, and drawing the connection between peoples everywhere.
“Moving Texas and SWU into Pushback is part of moving Texas out of the right-wing stronghold. The demographics are changing and the consciousness of voters and working families is coming to life. We are excited to learn from our Pushback partners and to create long lasting change in Texas and beyond.” stated Genaro Lopez-Rendon, Director of SWU.
“For the Pushback Network, the addition of SWU is an organic reflection of growing strength of the Latino community nationally, our existing relationships across the South and Southwest, and our ongoing mission to build civic capacity in the most marginalized corners of the country.” notes Peter Hardie, Executive Director of PBN.
Voting patterns in the country reflect historic discrimination against peoples of color in many parts of the country. Texas is one of those places. The inclusion of Texas in the PBN offers new learning in uniquely different communities there, and a moment to build civic strength among the growing Latino population. SWU joins a powerful collection of organizations around the country committed to the full participation of all in the democratic process.
Viva la Pushback Network!
Pushback Network is a national collaboration of indigenous, grassroots organizations and networks committed to building bottom-up, state-based alliances that change both the composition and levels of participation of the electorate.
Contact:
Peter Hardie, Executive Director
Pushback Network
845-520-0253
Please Click on Link for Full Press Release: Texas State Expansion Press Release
