(Milwaukee, September 11, 2024) Last night’s presidential debate revealed stark contrasts in temperament and character between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump. The debate covered several foreign and national issues and exposed Trump’s volatility, pushing him into unhinged tirades as he veered off into lies and conspiracy theories.
Statement by Christine Neumann-Ortiz, Executive Director of Voces de la Frontera Action following the presidential debate:
Harris decisively prevailed. She balanced sharp critiques of Trump’s chaotic, divisive, and self-serving nature while promoting a positive economic record and platform for working-class families. She sharply contrasted her vision of equality and unity with Trump’s racism and misogyny, eloquently sharing her commitment to restoring Roe v. Wade.
However, on immigration, Harris adopted the flawed Democratic strategy of supporting the Senate border bill as a tool to confront Trump, moving to the right rather than humanizing immigrants and exposing Republican obstruction of meaningful immigration reform.
Despite this approach, we recognize Harris’ strong record on immigration. She has championed immigrant rights as a U.S. Senator and State Attorney General. During her nomination, Harris emphasized a path to citizenship as a priority, setting her apart from Trump’s xenophobic agenda.
Trump’s dangerous and bizarre lies were on full display when he referred to immigrants as “eating cats and dogs” and labeled them as “criminals.” Harris’s response was sharp and accurate—calling him out as the actual criminal, listing his 34 felonies, conviction for sexual assault, and ongoing legal troubles, including his role in the violent January 6 insurrection. In a moment that speaks volumes, Trump refused to detail how he would use the National Guard for mass deportations—likely aware that most Americans find such cruelty abhorrent. Yet, at a Wisconsin rally the day before, Trump promised his base that mass deportations would be “bloody.”
Voces de la Frontera Action is committed to stopping Trump’s return to power. We will work tirelessly to elect Kamala Harris and hold her accountable for delivering on immigration reform with a path to citizenship. To achieve this, we need a Congress that will work with her. That’s why we are dedicated to re-electing Tammy Baldwin to the U.S. Senate and electing Peter Barca (District 1), Ben Steinhoff (District 5), and Rebecca Cooke (District 3), alongside re-electing progressive champions U.S. Congressman Mark Pocan and U.S. Congresswoman Gwen Moore.
Voces de la Frontera Action will host a “Latinos for Harris’ event at El Zocalo (636 S 6th St, Milwaukee, WI 53204) on September 21st, 2024. Further details will be announced soon.
About Voces de la Frontera Action
Voces de la Frontera Action (VDLFA) a 501c4, stands as the driving force behind Wisconsin’s largest and comprehensive statewide Latine and multiracial youth voter engagement network. As the advocacy arm of Voces de la Frontera, the organization champions immigrant and workers’ rights through strategic mobilization, and grassroots relational organizing. VDLFA strives to amplify the voices of immigrant workers and families, ensuring their concerns are at the forefront of the political discourse.
