Today I announced my commitment to EQUALITY and challenged Rep. Nydia
Velázquez for denying equal rights to citizens, while pretending to defend the
rights of immigrants. I am for EQUALITY, Nydia Velázquez is not. I
am EQUALITY, she is not.
President Obama challenged the nation during his second inaugural address,
where he demanded EQUALITY for ALL… but both, Rep. Nydia Velázquez and
President Obama have failed the nation for not being true to their words, now
gone with the wind. They have recurred to publicity stunts to give the
impression that they are for EQUALITY, while failing to their false promises.
As a Puerto Rican American, born and raised on the island, I know what
it feels to be a second class U.S. Citizen, not being able to vote for our
Commander In Chief, not having proper representation in Congress, and simply
not being treated equally as citizens. I have been fighting for EQUALITY
all my life, both in and out of Puerto Rico, and we have now reached the
turning point, where we must demand EQUALITY for all citizens, without
exceptions.
Puerto Ricans represent the second largest Hispanic group in the
U.S. The will of the majority must be
respected. Puerto Rico had a plebiscite on November 2012, and for the
first time in history, citizens rejected the current colonial status, a failed
system that forces thousands and thousands of Puerto Ricans to leave the island
every day, the system which continues to adversely impact the quality of life
of its citizens at all levels. It is shameful to see Nydia Velázquez, a
Puerto Rican member of Congress, utilizing her influence in Washington to deny
citizen rights to her own people, while again, giving the impression to be
advocating for the Puerto Rican community, which she clearly does not represent.
The 7th District has a significant Puerto Rican
population of approximately 120,000. These fellow Puerto Ricans have a
vested interest in what is happening to the community at large. They have
family members on the island who day to day are suffering the consequences of
this failed system and the improper influences from Rep. Nydia Velázquez,
constantly denying their rights.
I would like to highlight the relevance of this situation as it
relates to immigration reform. What kind of hope can immigrants and other
Hispanic groups have from Nydia Velázquez’s promise that she will defend their
rights, when she is denying rights to her own people? While President
Obama has been deporting more people than any other president, Nydia Velázquez
has been silent. Why is voting for the president, having senators and
representatives good for immigrants and bad for U.S. citizens from Puerto Rico?
I am committed to comprehensive immigration reform, which recognizes the
value of the great majority of immigrants who proactively contribute to the
social and economic development of our nation, and also securing the border, in
response to our national security interests. I am committed to
comprehensive immigration reform, and people need to know if their
representative in Washington is willing to defend the rights of its citizens.
I would also like to share my commitment to marriage equality by
saying that it is time to recognize equal rights for same-sex couples, along
with the protections, responsibilities and commitment it entails.
Listen… there is only one EQUALITY… Hear me well… you are either for
EQUALITY or against it. I am committed to EQUALITY for ALL.
Please contribute to our campaign online @ www.JoseLFernandez.com
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Website: www.JoseLFernandez.com
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