Sunday, August 16, 2026

La Plaza

The latest news relating to the political world as it impacts the US Latino community.

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Black Legislators Accuse GOP of Stirring up Tensions between Latinos and Blacks

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Republicans were charged by Black lawmakers on Wednesday of stoking tensions between the African American and Latino communities by arguing during a hearing that if it were not for illegal immigration more minorities would find themselves with a job. “I am concerned by the majority’s attempt to manufacture tension between African-Americans and immigrant communities. It […]

New Jersey Mulling over how to Better Represent Hispanics in Redistricting

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New Jersey was one of the first states to receive its redistricting data and as such, is ahead of the pack in redrawing its districts.  It is also now taking the first crack at how to best represent the Hispanic population in the state. The state is deliberating over two approaches.  The first, “packing” would […]

Hispanic Farmers Reject Billion Dollar Settlement from Federal Government

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A lawyer representing Hispanic farmers alleging discrimination by the United States Department of Agriculture over a number of years called the $1.3 billion settlement offered by the government on Friday “unacceptable.” The group of farmers, which also includes women farmers, claims the USDA favored white farmers for years by giving them preference for loans and […]

Guest Blogger Series: Texas State Rep. Aaron Peña “Hispanic Conservatism: Its Emergence in Texas Politics”

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At La Plaza we believe robust and spirited dialogue is most conducive towards the betterment of the Latino community.  As such we invited Texas State Rep. Aaron Peña to share his thoughts on why he switched parties last December after being re-elected as a Democrat to his 5th term.  After his re-election he switched to […]

Guest Blogger Series: Henry Fernandez “Arizona Under Fire”

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Jury Convicts Minuteman Leader of Murder A jury in Pima County, Arizona, convicted Shawna Forde of the murder of 9-year-old Brisenia Flores and her father in a May 2009 home invasion. The jury will now decide whether Forde will face the death penalty. Forde’s alleged co-conspirators will go on trial in the coming months. Forde […]

Hispanics More Optimistic Despite Faring Worst in Economy

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A new Washington Post-Kaiser Family Foundation-Harvard University poll found that Hispanics and African-Americans remained the most hopeful despite the economic recession in comparison to whites. Whites were more pessimistic in general, but Hispanics who “were more likely to be left broke, jobless and concerned that they lack the skills needed to shape their economic futures” […]

Guest Blogger Series: Sylvia Manzano “New Census Data Show Fundamentals of Democracy Require Addressing Latino Interests”

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Today the US Census bureau released the Texas state file including race and ethnicity details.  Latinos now account for 38% of Texas population (up from 32% in 2000) and grew by over 100% in 17 counties.  While demographers and casual observers knew the Texas numbers would be big, the details are still striking to see: […]

Oklahoma Hispanic Population Booms and now Largest Minority in Illinois

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As the Census Bureau continues to release data from last year’s Census, more states and metropolitan areas are seeing proof of what they already know – the Hispanic population continues to fuel growth in many parts of this country. The latest numbers to be released earlier this week showed that in Oklahoma the Hispanic population […]

California Latina Activist Receives Highest Civilian Honor

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Yesterday, Sylvia Mendez, who at the age of eight became a key player in the fight to desegregate the nation’s public schools, was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Obama in Washington. When Mendez’s parents, a Mexican immigrant and his Puerto Rican wife, were barred in their attempt to enroll her and her […]

Obama’s Approval Rating among Latinos Up but 2012 Vote Uncertain

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A new poll by Latino Decisions shows that President Barack Obama’s numbers are up among Latino voters from the middle of last year, but even so, less than half said they would cast their vote for Democrats or Obama in 2012. Latino voters gave Obama a 70% approval rating but only 43% said they are […]