Ohio Congressman and Democratic Presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich gained a significant endorsement today from the Mexican American Political Association (MAPA), a progressive advocacy organization based in California and well known for its work in the areas of civil and human rights.
The endorsement of Kucinich from MAPA for the upcoming California Democratic Primary was decided after a vote by the organization’s members earlier in the day. A statement accompany the endorsement, which was announced by MAPA President Nativo Lopez, said:
“We concurred that Dennis Kucinich is the most consistent candidate with the principles of MAPA and the interests of the Latino voters, workers, families, and youth, and of all American voters.
“He has consistently called for and demanded an end to the war against the sovereign people of Iraq and an immediate return of U.S. troops to their families. He has consistently fought for and advocated in favor of a single-payer not-for-profit health care system, which accords with the material and spiritual interests of all Americans, irrespective of any medical pre-conditions, age, immigration status, or income. He has clearly articulated that the U.S. Healthcare system does not need the insurance companies as middlemen or money men to act as go betweens to the medical professionals and the patients.
“This is the candidate who does not accept corporate contributions and steadfastly supports public financing of elections as a way to rid the system of special money interests who buy and sell our politicians.
“Kucinich, the grandson of an immigrant, has most consistently articulated a fair and humane option for immigration reform that accords with the interests of all American workers who have the right to protect their jobs, and also immigrants who are contributing to the wealth of America and therefore deserve to obtain legal status in a fair and judicious way. He has opposed the construction of border walls, unlike the other top tier candidates who voted in favor of constructing the wall along the Mexico and U.S. border.
“He has most astutely opposed the type of ‘free trade’ policies pursued by this and former administrations as detrimental to the U.S. economy and workers, and which result in the export of millions of jobs, and also result in undermining the economies of our neighbors, which in turn are forced to expel their workers as new migrants to the U.S. He has called for the repeal of NAFTA and has advocated for the prospect of fair trade.
“It is for these reasons that MAPA formally endorses citizen Congressman Dennis Kucinich for the Democratic Party presidential candidate.”
Kucinich thanked the members of MAPA for its endorsement, and said: “I applaud your courage and determination to back a political leader who has the best interests of all Americans in mind, and not simply someone who has been given a quick stamp of approval by the media moguls, corporate chiefs and political insiders. The future of our great country is in balance with this election, and I truly appreciate your close attention to the issues that matter in making your decision today.”
MAPA was founded in 1963 to help protect Mexican American farm workers from human rights and work place abuses while simultaneously strengthening communities across California. The organization’s first president, Edward R. Roybal, was later elected to the U. S. House of Representatives, and MAPA members have worked alongside a number of political leaders, including John and Robert Kennedy, Cesar Chavez and Jerry Brown. Since its inception MAPA has been dedicated to the constitutional and democratic principles of political freedom and representation for the Mexican, Mexican-American and Latino people in the United States. For more information, visit the MAPA website at www.MAPA.org.