WASHINGTON—Today, People For the American Way (PFAW) announced a new Spanish-language television ad in Virginia as part of its Latinos Vote! program. The ad calls out Republican gubernatorial candidate Ed Gillespie for his anti-immigrant and racist attacks and urges Virginia voters to support Ralph Northam.
Michael Keegan, People For the American Way president:
“Ed Gillespie is doing more than running his campaign in the shadow of Donald Trump and his vile anti-immigrant agenda: He’s actively pushing racist smears against Latinos in order to rile up his base. The fact that Trump was so eager to echo Gillespie’s racist attack on Twitter only underscores the fact that he’s adopted Trump’s bigoted playbook. We won’t let that work and that’s why we are running this ad. Virginia voters rejected Trumps’ bigotry last November and it’s time to vote against Gillespie’s hateful and dangerous policies.”
Lizet Ocampo, People For the American Way political director:
“Ed Gillespie continues to demonize Latinos and the immigrant community for his own political gain. He is running a campaign of fear and divisiveness, and smearing immigrants and Latinos as violent criminals. This cannot go unnoticed and Virginians of every background should reject Gillespie’s ugly fearmongering. He’s a divisive candidate who wants to win on racism; we’re sending a strong message with our ad that this kind of hate doesn’t belong in Virginia.”
English-language translation:
Voiceover: In the election for governor, when the Republican candidate Ed Gillespie talks about us, he demonizes us with divisive and racist language, calling us criminals.
Voiceover: Let’s not allow Trump’s politics/policies in Virginia.
Voiceover: But Democrat Ralph Northam, a military doctor, promotes respect and inclusion, and will create opportunities for jobs and education for all.
Voiceover: For a healthy and united Virginia, let’s vote for Ralph Northam for governor.
Lizet Ocampo is available for interviews in both Spanish and English. For follow up questions or if you would like to speak with Ms. Ocampo, please contact [email protected].
People For the American Way is a progressive advocacy organization founded to fight right-wing extremism and defend constitutional values including free expression, religious liberty, equal justice under the law, and the right to meaningfully participate in our democracy. PFAW’s Latinos Vote! program works to expose and counter anti-immigrant, anti-Latino rhetoric and policies from Republican and far-right candidates, leaders, and elected officials.
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