Willie Velásquez documentary is a lesson for Latinos on the importance of voting

*Why you should read this: Because today is Willie Velasquez day and a quick search of his name turned up no news stories. This piece, by Mercedes Olivera, is from one year ago, published at the release of Hector Galan’s Willie documentary. Share this, the day should not go unnoticed. VL


dallas_newsBy Mercedes Olivera, Dallas News

If Willie Velásquez were alive today, he would have some choice words about this presidential election and the Latino vote.

But, especially, about Donald Trump, whose polarizing rhetoric on immigration this week angered both Latino Democrats and Republicans alike.

“Latino voters are going to take him to the woodshed.”

That’s what Willie would say, said Andy Hernández, whom Velásquez hired in 1974 — the year he founded the Southwest Voter Registration Education Project in San Antonio.

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Back then, Velásquez had a small office with nothing in it, except a folding table, two chairs, and a telephone . . .  READ MORE



[Photo courtesy of Southwest Voter Registration Education Project]

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