Tuesday, September 16th, was Mexican Independence Day, and September 15-October 15 is officially National Hispanic Heritage Month. Over the next 30 days, millions of Americans will celebrate the rich heritage and honor the profound contributions of the Hispanic community in our country.

In Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California, all states once part of Mexico, the influence of Mexican Americans and Hispanic culture runs deep into the fabric of our history. Without the vibrant contributions of people from all parts of the Hispanic world, we would be a very different place today.

We members of Progressive Democrats of America say, ¡Celebremos! – La Lucha Sigue!

During Hispanic Heritage Month, many cities will host concerts, music events, and award shows all aimed at honoring the many accomplishments of Latinas and Latinos and their contributions to our nation’s history.

While it is a time to celebrate, we must also recognize that many in our communities are under attack. Donald Trump, J.D. Vance, and other agents of division and chaos are spreading lies about immigrants in Springfield, Ohio, and elsewhere. Sadly, the political climate during these crazy times is not good and violence against immigrant communities is inevitable.

This scapegoating of immigrants has deep roots in history. These same charges (eating pets) were leveled at Chinese immigrants a century ago. During the Second World War, similar libels were directed against Jews. All of us remember when the Klan was a force in this country, and now to see them mobilizing again in Ohio, alongside modern equivalents like the Proud Boys, brings back deep traumas.

As PDA’s Mike Fox would say, it’s time to step up and get involved. Whether it’s fighting voter suppression laws aimed at people of color in Georgia or stopping Proposition 314, a racist racial profiling and policing law now on the November ballot in Arizona, it’s time to get organized with PDA or an active community organization in your city.

Look, people, unless we stop the Republican extremists it will only get a whole lot worse. We know because he said it. Trump, yes, Donald Trump has stated repeatedly that he plans to deport tens of millions of our friends and neighbors.

So, during this Hispanic Heritage Month, we urge you to get involved, advocate for your communities, defeat hateful laws, and secure Democratic victories up and down the ballot. Let’s send Trump and Trumpism into the ash bin of history.

In solidarity,

Dan O’Neal, for the PDA National Team