NEW YORK (March 27th, 2018) — A coalition of 29 of New York community, labor, and legal advocacy organizations broadly denounced Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross’ decision to include a widely criticized question about citizenship status in the 2020 US Census. The coalition, which penned a
letter
last month signed by groups from across the state citing the damage the DOJ proposal would do to funding for schools, health care, and vital services, as well as the political representation for New York’s diverse communities, issued the following statement:
“Secretary Ross’s decision to add a citizenship question to the 2020 Census is a direct assault on our democracy. By acting to include a question that seeks to intimidate immigrants and working-class people of color, Secretary Ross has demonstrated his willingness to allow Donald Trump’s attacks on our communities to infect the hallowed census process. Asking about citizenship status in the 2020 Census will put the whole process at risk by deterring many from participating, and consequently depriving communities of the representation and resources they so desperately need. This is a reckless act that will undermine a full and accurate count and put communities across our state and nation in jeopardy. Our communities rely on accurate Census data to ensure they get the resources they deserve. The Census count is used to determine congressional representation and fair funding for the communities in those districts.
"Our communities' fight against this terrible decision has only just begun. We call on Congress to protect the fairness and integrity of the constitutional mandated census. This dangerous question must not be allowed in the 2020 Census process.”
Groups signing on to the statement include the following:
32BJ
Alliance for Quality Education
Atlas DIY
CAAAV Organizing Asian Communities
Center for Popular Democracy
Churches United for Fair Housing
Citizen Action of New York
Common Cause/NY
Communications Workers of America District 1
Community Voices Heard
District Council 37, AFSCME
DRUM - Desis Rising Up and Moving
Empire State Indivisible
Hispanic Federation
Immigrant Defense Project
Indivisible Nation BK
Jews for Racial and Economic Justice
Kathryn O. Greenberg Immigration Justice Clinic, Cardozo School of Law
LiUNA Local 78
Long Island Civic Engagement Table
Long Island Progressive Coalition
Make the Road New York
New York Communities for Change
New York State Civic Engagement Table
People Power Patchogue
Strong Economy for All Coalition
Urban Youth Collaborative
VOCAL-NY
Working Families Party
