Featured Speaker

Canek Aguirre

Member, Alexandria Council

Canek Aguirre was first elected to the Alexandria City Council in November 2018 and re-elected to a third term in 2024. He is the first Latino to ever serve on the Alexandria City Council. Born and raised in Los Angeles, Canek is a community advocate and progressive leader focused on improving the lives of all Alexandrians. As the son of Mexican immigrants, Canek knows first-hand the importance of hard work, education, and ensuring everyone has a fair shot at the American Dream. 

Trump’s “Emergency” Playbook Undermines Democracy and Targets Immigrants

Donald Trump’s declaration of a national emergency on immigration signals not just a policy stance, but a calculated power grab. His framing of immigration as an existential crisis—especially in cities like Los Angeles—is designed to justify extreme, extralegal action. It's not new: during his first term, Trump declared a border emergency to divert military funds to build a wall Congress never approved.

Los Angeles, with its large immigrant population, has become a political prop in this narrative. Trump points to rising numbers of migrants and asylum seekers as proof that the system is “out of control.” But rather than propose serious reforms, he promotes mass deportations, indefinite detention, and expanded use of the military within U.S. borders—all under the guise of emergency authority.

This is not governance. It’s rule by decree.

The danger lies not just in what Trump wants to do, but how he plans to do it: bypassing Congress, sidelining courts, and declaring anyone in opposition part of the problem. Emergency powers are meant for rare, short-term crises—not to enforce controversial, long-term ideological goals.

Weaponizing emergencies to target immigrants and scapegoat cities like Los Angeles erodes our democracy. It sets a precedent that any president can declare political opponents or social challenges to be threats requiring unchecked power.

America, and especially elected Republicans, must reject this drift toward authoritarianism before it becomes our new normal.

Trump Calls L.A. Immigration Protesters “Insurrectionists” While Defending Capitol Rioters

January 6, 2021: protestors beating police officers on the ground with American flags.

In recent days, thousands have gathered in L.A. to protest harsh immigration policies, demand protections for undocumented families, and call for a pathway to citizenship. The demonstrations, while passionate and widespread, have remained overwhelmingly peaceful. Yet Trump, in a Truth Social post, blasted the protests as the work of “radical left insurrectionists trying to undermine our country from within.” He demanded immediate crackdowns and claimed the demonstrators posed “a national security threat.”

This stands in glaring contrast to Trump’s response to the January 6 Capitol riot, where his supporters violently breached the seat of American democracy, leading to multiple deaths and over 1,000 arrests. At the time, Trump refused to call the attackers “insurrectionists.” Instead, he praised them as “patriots,” said he “loved” them, and later pardoned all of them once re-elected.

The hypocrisy is undeniable. Peaceful demonstrators advocating immigrant rights are smeared as traitors, while those who attacked democracy in his name are elevated as heroes. Trump’s reversal of the term “insurrectionist” highlights his dangerous tactic: redefining the law and public discourse based on loyalty to him, not loyalty to the Constitution.

This selective outrage sends a chilling message—protest is only legitimate if it serves his political interests. For everyone else, even the First Amendment won’t protect you from being branded an enemy of the state.

Current Events - Eventos Actuales

Secretary Hegseth Wants to Rename 8 Naval Ships (including the USNS Dolores Huerta and USNS Cesar Chavez)

Military.com | By Joanna Guldin

Published June 06, 2025

Earlier this week, Military.com broke the news that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth directed the secretary of the Navy to rename the USNS Harvey Milk. Hegseth's decision to do so during Pride Month was reportedly intentional: The USNS Milk commemorates the life of the Navy veteran and LGBTQ+ rights activist.

After Military.com's reporting, CBS confirmed the defense secretary's plans and listed seven other naval ships who honor civic leaders and activists that would also be renamed. The USNS Milk is a John Lewis-class oiler; more than half of the currently named ships in the class are slated for renaming, although there are no reports to rename the USNS John Lewis, USNS Earl Warren, USNS Robert F. Kennedy or USNS Sojourner Truth. In addition, two ships from the Lewis and Clark class that have been in service for more than a decade have also been singled out for renaming.

Click HERE to read the stories of those ships' namesakes:

Events - Eventos

Democratic Primary Election - June 17, 2025

16 Early Voting Locations Are Open

Virginia Democrats

Blue Commonwealth Gala

June 21, 2025 @ 7 — 10 pm

Main Street Station

1500 E Main St,

Richmond, VA 23219

In 2017, Virginia Democrats led the charge by sweeping all three statewide offices and flipping 15 House of Delegates seats. Once again, we’re setting the stage for the nation, and 2025 is our chance to show the country exactly what’s at stake.

That’s why we’re thrilled to invite you to the 2025 Blue Commonwealth Gala. This is our moment to celebrate our nominees, rally our movement, and prepare for the tough fights ahead.

La Fiesta Virginia Beach

Friday, June 27, 2025 @ 5:30 pm

24th Street Park

Friday is FREE and open to the public.

Saturday, June 28, 2025 @ 3 pm

On the beach at 24th Street

Saturday is a ticketed event.



Learn more HERE.

Norfolk Latino Music Festival

July 19, 2025 @ 2 - 11 pm

Town Point Park,

Downtown Norfolk Waterfront

Free & Open to the Public!

24th Annual Norfolk Latino Music Festival. Eat, drink, and salsa the night away. Featuring explosive live music performances, an eclectic offering of Latin cuisine including tacos and empanadas, fun family-friendly activities, authentic dance lessons and performances, and much more, the festival celebrates Hampton Roads’ vibrant Latin community! Learn more HERE.

Latino Leaders Network 8th Cafecito Series



The Latino Leaders Network is proud to announce the 8th Cafecito Series on July 30th, 2025, at the National Education Association in Washington, DC, featuring Jasmin Chavez Cruz as the recipient of our Rising Star Award! 🌟 This prestigious award celebrates a rising Latino/a changemaker demonstrating remarkable leadership, potential, and commitment to community impact.

Read her biography HERE.

4th Annual

Bachata Vida

Summer Festival

July 31 - August 3,2025

Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000 19th St.

Virginia Beach, VA, 23451

Four Days, 40 Hours of Bachata & Salsa Dancing! 

Escape to the Beach! With all of the uncertainty and craziness in the world the dance floor is your place to unwind! The only "pop-up" Latin Dance Festival in the US! With 8 locations, it's not your usual festival, it's different. No matter if you are a beginner or advanced dancer, we have something for YOU! Dance classes for every level including a beginner's package, dance parties, sunrise social, and more are all waiting for you... at the beach! Learn more HERE.

UNIDOS

Annual Conference

August 5-7, 2025

Kansas City, MO

UnidosUS is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that serves as the nation’s largest Hispanic civil rights and advocacy organization. Since our founding in 1968, we have contributed to a stronger America by elevating the voice of Latinos, and defending and advancing our community’s concerns.

¿Qué Pasa?

Festival of Herndon

September 14, 2025 @ 12 - 6 pm

Lynn Street & Surrounding Areas

777 Lynn St., Herndon, VA 20170

Kick-off Hispanic Heritage Month by celebrating at the annual ¿Qué Pasa? Festival of Herndon! This festival features a diverse array of activities, including live music and performances, authentic Latin/Hispanic cuisine, artisanal crafts, interactive workshops, and much more. Attendees can expect to be immersed in the vibrant Latin/Hispanic culture, experiencing the sights, rhythmic sounds, and incredible flavors that make it so unique.

Festival Latinoamericano

September 27, 2025 @ 5 - 9 pm

Arlington Mill Community Center

909 S Dinwiddie St, Arlington, VA 22204

Enjoy the rich tapestry of Latin American art, food, and culture found right here in Arlington, celebrating the vibrant and diverse cultures that enrich our community. Our mission is to showcase the rich tapestry of Latin American art, food, and culture in Arlington County, providing a platform for local artists, chefs, and performers to share their talents and traditions with the public.

Festival Latinoamericano is FREE. Registration is not required, but heavily encouraged to allow us to have an accurate count of anticipated attendance.

Manassas Latino Festival

September 27, 2025 @ 11 am - 6 pm

The Loy E. Harris Pavilion

9201 Center Street

Manassas, VA 20110

The Manassas Latino Festival is an annual event which includes live music, dance performances, diverse foods and other fun activities for the entire family, all in celebration of the cultural heritage and contributions of the Latin American community to our City, surrounding areas and to our nation. 

The Manassas Latino Festival is a project of Sambos USA, Inc.

Fiesta DC

September 27 & 28 @ 11 am - 7 pm

Pennsylvania Ave NW

between 7th NW and 3rd St NW

Immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of Fiesta DC! This two-day extravaganza transforms Washington, D.C. into a global fiesta celebrating Latino cultures. Savor authentic and diverse Latin American cuisine, lose yourself in the infectious rhythms of live music and dance performances, and explore a marketplace brimming with handcrafted artisan creations. Fiesta DC is a celebration for all ages, offering engaging activities and fostering a spirit of community and cultural exchange.

Meet the Candidates

Abigail Spanberger

We have an excellent candidate for Governor in Abigail Spanberger. All of the current candidates for the Virginia primary election on June 17, 2025, are listed below. There are 5 candidates for Lieutenant Governor, including one Latino, and 2 candidates for Attorney General.

Click on any picture to learn more about the candidate and how to get involved with their campaign or HERE for our quick reference list.

LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CANDIDATES

Alex Bastani

State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi

Babur Lateef

State Sen. Aaron Rouse

Victor Salgado

Levar Stoney

ATTORNEY GENERAL CANDIDATES

Jay Jones

Shannon Taylor

Get involved.

https://www.youtube.com/@FCDCLatinoCaucus

Latino Caucus

Fairfax County

Democratic Committee

Click HERE to join FCDC

www.FairfaxDemocrats.org

 ‌or HERE to join our mailing list



Maritza Zermeño — Chair

Marta Calderon — Secretary

Leonel Rojas — Social Media Master



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