Elena Gaona

Chispa and LCV Statements on House Passage of SAVE Act

For Immediate Release April 10, 2025 Chispa Contact: Elena Gaona, egaona@lcv.org 202-907-9717 Washington, D.C. — In response to the House passage of the so-called SAVE Act, Chispa and the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) issued the following statements: “After a week of economic chaos at the hands of our national leaders and millions of Americans protesting peacefully against this mayhem, the House is still deciding to mirror the disastrous and unconstitutional actions of the Trump administration. The House still insists on pushing the anti-voter SAVE Act, which is a transparent attempt to put up unnecessary barriers to voting for all eligible Americans by using prejudiced lies about immigrants,” said Art Terrazas, Chispa LCV Legislative and Policy Manager. “Tens of millions of American citizens don’t have the specific documents required under the SAVE Act – a passport or an original copy of their birth certificate when registering to vote or updating their voter registration in person. This will hurt military voters, tribal voters, rural voters, survivors of natural disasters, and tens of millions of married women in America who have changed their names. We urge Congress to reject the SAVE Act and focus instead on actions that will truly strengthen our elections and ensure that all eligible voters have access to vote instead of scapegoating immigrant communities.” *** “Just days after millions of people across the country turned out to protest Trump and his administration’s unconstitutional actions, the House wants to take away the voices of millions of Americans and their right to vote in free and fair elections,” said LCV Democracy Program Director Justin Kwasa. “Passage of the so-called SAVE Act would put financial burdens on voters and election offices, costing voters time and money to access their fundamental freedom to vote. Additionally, this anti-voter legislation would create unnecessary barriers on tens of millions of women and other eligible voters who have changed their names, elderly and rural voters, over a hundred million eligible voters who don’t have a passport, and millions of other eligible voters who deserve to have their voices heard at the ballot box. We’ll continue to fight for our democracy, and applaud the vast majority of House Democrats who voted against this bill in addition to Leader Schumer and Senate Democrats for their critical commitment to block this massive attack on the American people’s freedom to choose our own leaders. We now call on all Senators to reject it.” ###

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LCV and Chispa Statements on Legislation to Subvert Voting Rights

For Immediate Release April 1, 2025 Contact: Mika Hyer, mhyer@lcv.org, 940-783-2230 Chispa/En Español: Elena Gaona, egaona@lcv.org 202-907-9717 Washington, D.C. — In response to the House consideration of the SAVE Act, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and Chispa issued the following statements: “This anti-voter bill would keep millions of eligible citizens from voting across the country and imperil our fundamental right to choose our leaders,” said Senior Director of Judiciary & Democracy Doug Lindner. “The SAVE Act would intentionally make voting harder for huge numbers of eligible Americans — including tens of millions who changed their names when getting married, over a hundred million who don’t have passports, rural and elderly communities, military voters and people with disabilities, communities of color, and everyone who relies on registering to vote online, by mail, or anywhere other than an election office. Following Trump’s illegal and unconstitutional attempts to roll back the right to vote for millions of Americans across the country, Congress must reject this attack on our rights and protect our freedom to choose our own politicians.” *** “The SAVE Act would be disastrous for everyone’s voting rights in the U.S. It uses anti-immigrant disinformation to make it harder for every citizen to register to vote,” said Art Terrazas, Chispa LCV Legislative and Policy Manager. “And this disturbing bill follows the overreaching, unconstitutional attempt by the President through his executive order to set a brand new set of rules for our elections. The President and Congress should take actions that will strengthen our elections and ensure that all eligible voters have access to the ballot box instead of scapegoating immigrant communities and proceeding with dangerous anti-voter actions. Our democracy is stronger when every eligible voter, regardless of color, party, income, or zip code, has equal access to the decisions that shape our future.” ###

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The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act Will Protect Voters’ Freedom to Vote

Washington, D.C.— In response to the reintroduction of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act in the U.S. House of Representatives, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and Chispa issued the following statements: “Sixty years after Representative John Lewis was attacked on a bridge in Selma, Alabama, for demanding the right to vote, our fundamental rights, including our right to vote in free and fair elections, are under escalating attacks,” said LCV Democracy Program Director Justin Kwasa. “As the Trump administration, extremist Republicans in Congress, and far-right Justices on the Supreme Court attempt to roll back voting rights and prioritize the interests of Big Polluters and ultra-wealthy corporate CEOs over people in this country, it is critical that we protect every voter’s freedom to vote — no matter their race, income, or zip code. We urge Congress to pass the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and other critical voting rights legislation, including the Freedom to Vote Act and D.C. Statehood.” *** “The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act is needed now more than ever as our nation and communities face a ruthless assault on democracy, our civil rights, and our right to vote,” said Chispa Senior Director Estefany Carrasco-González. “Our democracy is stronger when all citizens can participate freely and fairly, not just a few. Instead, we have constant attempts – from voter suppression to disinformation – to justify trying over and over to take away the right to vote from eligible voters. The reintroduction of this bill is critical to protect our fundamental right to choose leaders to represent us.” ### Source: https://www.lcv.org/media-center/the-john-r-lewis-voting-rights-advancement-act-will-protect-voters-freedom-to-vote/

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LCV and Chispa Arizona Statements on Passing of Representative Raúl Grijalva

For Immediate Release March 13, 2025 Contact: Mika Hyer, mhyer@lcv.org, 940-783-2230 Nuvia Enriquez, nenriquez@lcv.org, 602-384-5535 Washington, D.C. — In response to the passing of Representative Raúl Grijalva, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and Chispa Arizona issued the following statements: “Representative Grijalva was a tireless leader who always championed environmental justice, advanced tribal sovereignty, safeguarded our sacred and precious public lands, protected clean air and water, and defended the health and safety of all communities — especially communities of color and communities with low wealth who have been historically excluded,” said LCV President Gene Karpinski. “His countless legislative achievements, including his support of the tribal-led campaign to designate the Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni—Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon National Monument, and his steadfast leadership transformed the Natural Resources Committee to be more intentional in addressing the impacts facing communities most impacted by the climate crisis and pollution. Grijalva’s legacy includes his critical work with the late Representative Donald McEachin to draft the groundbreaking Environmental Justice for All Act, an instrumental bill confronting the legacy of environmental racism that disproportionately impacts communities of color and low wealth. We are forever grateful for Representative Grijalva’s historic leadership.” *** “We are extremely saddened by the news of the passing of Congressman Raúl Grijalva. Our hearts are with his family, with the people of Arizona and with the American people as a whole who have lost a steadfast leader, an environmental champion and an amplifier of voices that were often silenced,” said Chispa Arizona Executive Director Vianey Olivarría. “Congressman Grijalva was a kind man and a leader who listened. He received social justice advocates in his offices with open arms and treated us with the familiarity of a grandpa…commending us for our efforts, giving us advice and encouraging our advocacy. This is a sad day. We have lost an elder but gained an ancestor. May he rest in power.” ###

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Chispa Statement on Congressional Vote to Slash Funding for Environmental Protections and Increase Funding for Immigration Enforcement

Washington, D.C. — In response to congressional votes on a partisan anti-environmental and anti-immigrant funding bill, Chispa released the following statement from Chispa Senior Director Estefany Carrasco-González: “This Continuing Resolution is not a real funding solution for our nation, and it will further harm our Latine and communities of color, overall, by proceeding with the Trump and Musk chaos and program cuts to essential services and protections that improve our lives. The extreme funding cuts and handing congressional power to Trump will only lead to increased job losses, rising energy costs, more pollution, and bad air in our neighborhoods, resulting in devastating health outcomes for our frontline families and communities. Cutting environmental protections and services while increasing funding for inhumane immigration enforcement and militarization of our communities places a target on our backs from our government. Instead of sloppily moving heaven and earth to cut essential services to justify tax breaks to the wealthy, Congress must focus on their job of passing funding bills thoughtfully that strengthen our economy, create jobs, and protect all the people.” *** Chispa LCV also joined the below letter along with over 90 organizations who oppose the partisan Republican-led funding bill: March 10, 2025 Dear Member of Congress, The undersigned organizations represent millions of constituents across the country and a diverse slate of interests and sectors. Across these various perspectives, we are united in our ask: we strongly urge you to vote NO on the Republican-drafted continuing resolution (“CR”). Instead of a bipartisan government funding bill that adequately services the needs of everyday people, this CR poses grave threats to us all. By gutting billions of dollars in critically-needed human needs benefits, health care, affordable housing, clean water and more, this CR will be devastating to many, including veterans, people with disabilities, families, and seniors. Further, this CR does nothing to address this administration’s actions, particularly those led by Elon Musk’s DOGE, that ignore Congressional directives on how to spend appropriated funds and slash and dismantle the federal government in ways that hurt everyday people while benefiting corporations and the wealthiest. We urge you to reject this partisan CR that President Trump and Elon Musk will treat as a slush fund to enable and entrench their harmful agenda. Sincerely, National Organizations 20/20 Vision All* Above All Americans for Financial Reform Americans for Tax Fairness Association of University Centers on Disabilities AVAC Blue Future Center for LGBTQ Economic Advancement & Research (CLEAR) Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) Children’s Defense Fund Clean Water Action Climate Action Campaign Climate Justice Alliance Community Change Action Climate Crisis Policy Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA) Coalition on Human Needs Consumer Action Earthjustice Action Earthworks Economic Security Project Action Elevate Equal Rights Advocates Endangered Species Coalition Evergreen Action Food & Water Watch Friends of the Earth Action Green America GreenLatinos Health Care Without Harm Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights Indivisible Institute for Policy Studies’ Poverty Project League of Conservation Voters Muslim Advocates National Association of Social Workers National Health Law Program National Immigration Law Center National Priorities Project at the Institute for Policy Studies NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice NextGen America Oceana P Street Patriotic Millionaires People For the American Way Physicians for Social Responsibility Popular Democracy Progressive Democrats of America (PDA) PrEP4All Public Citizen Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights Sierra Club The Advocates for Human Rights The Earth Bill Network Unrig Our Economy United Church of Christ United Steelworkers (USW) Voices of Health Care Action Washington Office on Latin America WE ACT for Environmental Justice Western Watersheds Project Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights State and Local Organizations 350Kishwaukee California Environmental Voters Change the Chamber Chispa, a Program of LCV Chispa Arizona Citizen Action of New York Conservation Colorado Conservation Voters of PA CTR Earth Ethics, Inc. Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project For Love of Water Michigan League of Conservation Voters National Immigrant Justice Center New Jersey LCV National Health Law Program North Carolina League of Conservation Voters Oasis Legal Services Oregon League of Conservation Voters Oregon Wild Pennsylvania Sustainable Business Network PICO California San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council Services, Immigrant Rights and Education Network (SIREN) Strong Economy For All Coalition The Legal Clinic The Sidewalk School The Water Collaborative of Greater New Orleans Virginia League of Conservation Voters Washington Conservation Action Wind of the Spirit Immigrant Resource Center ###

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LCV y Chispa aplauden la reintroducción de la Ley para Promover el Derecho al Voto John R. Lewis

Para publicación inmediata 5 de marzo de 2025 Contacto: Mika Hyer, mhyer@lcv.org , 940-783-2230 Chispa/En Español: Elena Gaona, egaona@lcv.org 202-907-9717 Washington, D.C.— En respuesta a la reintroducción de la Ley para Promover el Derecho al Voto John R. Lewis en la Cámara de Representantes de los Estados Unidos, la Liga de Votantes por la Conservación (LCV) y Chispa emitieron las siguientes declaraciones: “Sesenta años después de que el representante John Lewis fuera atacado en un puente en Selma, Alabama, por exigir el derecho al voto, nuestros derechos fundamentales, incluyendo nuestro derecho a votar en elecciones libres y justas, están bajo ataque cada vez más”, dijo el director del Programa de Democracia de LCV, Justin Kwasa. “Mientras la administración Trump, los republicanos extremistas en el Congreso y los jueces de extrema derecha en la Corte Suprema intentan reducir los derechos al voto y priorizar los intereses de los grandes contaminadores y los directores ejecutivos de corporaciones ultrarricos por sobre la gente de este país, es fundamental que protejamos la libertad de votar de todos los votantes, sin importar su raza, ingresos o código postal. Instamos al Congreso a aprobar la Ley para Promover el Derecho al Voto John R. Lewis y otras leyes críticas sobre el derecho al voto, incluida la Ley de Libertad para Votar y la Estadidad de D.C.” *** “La Ley para Promover el Derecho al Voto John R. Lewis es más necesaria que nunca ahora que nuestra nación y nuestras comunidades enfrentan un ataque directo a la democracia, nuestros derechos civiles y nuestro derecho al voto”, dijo la directora sénior de Chispa, Estefany Carrasco-González. “Nuestra democracia es más fuerte cuando todos los ciudadanos pueden participar de manera libre y justa, no solo unos pocos. En cambio, tenemos intentos constantes, desde la supresión del voto hasta la desinformación, para justificar el intento una y otra vez de quitarles el derecho al voto a los votantes elegibles. La reintroducción de este proyecto de ley es fundamental para proteger nuestro derecho fundamental a elegir a los líderes que nos representen”. ###

LCV y Chispa aplauden la reintroducción de la Ley para Promover el Derecho al Voto John R. Lewis Read More »

LCV and Chispa Applaud the Reintroduction of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act

For Immediate Release March 5, 2025 Contact: Mika Hyer, mhyer@lcv.org, 940-783-2230 Chispa/En Español: Elena Gaona, egaona@lcv.org 202-907-9717 Washington, D.C.— In response to the reintroduction of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act in the U.S. House of Representatives, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and Chispa issued the following statements: “Sixty years after Representative John Lewis was attacked on a bridge in Selma, Alabama, for demanding the right to vote, our fundamental rights, including our right to vote in free and fair elections, are under escalating attacks,” said LCV Democracy Program Director Justin Kwasa. “As the Trump administration, extremist Republicans in Congress, and far-right Justices on the Supreme Court attempt to roll back voting rights and prioritize the interests of Big Polluters and ultra-wealthy corporate CEOs over people in this country, it is critical that we protect every voter’s freedom to vote — no matter their race, income, or zip code. We urge Congress to pass the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act and other critical voting rights legislation, including the Freedom to Vote Act and D.C. Statehood.” *** “The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act is needed now more than ever as our nation and communities face a ruthless assault on democracy, our civil rights, and our right to vote,” said Chispa Senior Director Estefany Carrasco-González. “Our democracy is stronger when all citizens can participate freely and fairly, not just a few. Instead, we have constant attempts – from voter suppression to disinformation – to justify trying over and over to take away the right to vote from eligible voters. The reintroduction of this bill is critical to protect our fundamental right to choose leaders to represent us.” ###

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Trump is Hurting Our Communities by Recklessly Dismantling the Office of Environmental Justice

For Immediate Release February 6, 2025 Contact: Mika Hyer, mhyer@lcv.org, 940-783-2230 Chispa/En Español: Elena Gaona, egaona@lcv.org, 202-907-9717 LCV and Chispa Statements on Trump Administration Dismantling the EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice Washington, D.C. — In response to the new Trump administration’s anticipated action to dismantle the EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and Chispa released the following statements: “President Trump and Elon Musk are continuing to flout the law and recklessly dismantle the long-standing institutions meant to protect the health and safety of all communities,” said LCV Healthy Communities Program Director Madeleine Foote. “At its core, environmental justice is about the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people — no matter their race, income, zip code, or national origin. Today’s actions dismantling the EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice is being done to benefit Big Polluters and corporate interests, and will cost lives. Environmental justice communities include everyone living next to polluting factories, congested roadways, toxic waste dumps, and other Big Polluters — low-income communities, communities of color, rural communities, elderly communities, people who have disabilities and increased health risks, and so many more.” *** “The EPA’s Office of Environmental Justice was designed to address pollution disproportionately affecting low-income and communities of color, and the job is not done,” said Chispa Senior Director Estefany Carrasco-González. “Doing away with the office, whose work has operated for decades, sets us back and further increases the need to address environmental injustices. It will put our communities, already dealing with a history of the worse effects of climate change, dirty air, contaminated water, and other toxins, at a greater health risk from polluters. This is a moment where Chispa’s community organizing efforts on the ground matter more than ever because clean air, clean water, and safe and healthy communities for all are worth fighting for. We are not going anywhere. Our communities are not going anywhere. We know how to work and fight for change under difficult circumstances.” ###

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Chispa Statement on Defunding of Solar for All program

(Seguido en español) Washington, DC –– In response to the Trump administration’s decision to cut off funding to the Solar For All program, a $7 billion federal investment that was already under contract to increase the accessibility of affordable solar energy and lower energy costs for low-income households, Chispa, a program of LCV, released the following statement: “The Trump Administration’s decision to abruptly defund the Solar for All program is unconstitutional and unjust. This is a further attack on our communities, especially low-wealth communities, and to our nation. Solar for All funding was intended to support hundreds of thousands of low-income communities and families across the nation who were on their way to maximizing solar power and reducing climate pollution, making their communities healthier while lowering their monthly electricity bills” said Chispa Senior Director Estefany Carrasco-González. “President Trump and his administration seem intent on further harming families and communities and making all our lives more difficult in every way and every state, just to enrich their billionaire oil and gas friends. His stated goal of improving our U.S. energy sources is in direct contrast to cutting Solar for All funding and will hurt us for years to come. Our leaders must demand this funding is released immediately to the communities it was already obligated to.” ### Declaración de Chispa sobre desfinanciamiento del programa Solar for All Washington, DC — En respuesta a la decisión de la administración Trump de cortar el financiamiento al programa Solar For All, una inversión federal de $7 mil millones que ya estaba bajo contrato para aumentar la accesibilidad a la energía solar economica y reducir los costos de energía para los hogares de bajos ingresos, Chispa, un programa de LCV, emitió el siguiente comunicado: “La decisión de la Administración Trump de retirar abruptamente los fondos al programa Solar for All es inconstitucional e injusta. Este es un ataque más a nuestras comunidades, especialmente a las comunidades de bajos recursos, y a nuestra nación. La financiación de Solar for All estaba destinada a apoyar a cientos de miles de comunidades y familias de bajos ingresos en todo el país que estaban en camino de maximizar la energía solar y reducir la contaminación climática, haciendo que sus comunidades fueran más saludables y reduciendo sus facturas mensuales de electricidad”, dijo la Directoro Senior de Chispa, Estefany Carrasco González. “El presidente Trump y su administración parecen decididos a dañar aún más a familias y comunidades y hacer nuestras vidas más difíciles en todos los sentidos y en todos los estados, solo para enriquecer a sus amigos multimillonarios del petróleo y el gas. Su declaración de querer mejorar nuestras fuentes de energía en Estados Unidos contrasta directamente con recortar la financiación de Solar for All y nos perjudicará en los años venideros. Nuestros líderes deben exigir que estos fondos se entreguen inmediatamente a las comunidades a las que ya estaban obligados”.

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Trump’s Inhumane Executive Orders Targeting Immigrants Threaten All Communities and Civil Rights

For Immediate Release January 20, 2025 Contact: Mika Hyer, mhyer@lcv.org, 940-783-2230 En Español: Elena Gaona, egaona@lcv.org, 202-907-9717 LCV and Chispa Statements on Trump Administration Actions Targeting Immigrant Communitiesc Washington, D.C. — In response to the new Trump administration’s flurry of executive orders and actions targeting immigrants, their families, and communities, the League of Conservation Voters (LCV) and Chispa released the following statements: “Trump’s inhumane executive orders targeting immigrants for political gain will harm the privacy and fundamental civil liberties of communities across the country, regardless of their citizenship or immigration status,” said LCV Action Fund Senior Vice President of Government Affairs Tiernan Sittenfeld. “These abhorrent executive orders — going as far as the unconstitutional revocation of birthright citizenship – are not about national security or protecting communities; they demonstrate the disturbing cruelty Trump and his allies have promised to enact against immigrant communities and communities of color — which will have far-reaching and unintended consequences for all citizens and their civil rights. Immigrants have been vital to the economy of this country since its inception, and globally they are too often disproportionately on the frontlines of the fossil-fueled climate crisis and pollution that have made their communities unlivable. LCV will continue to work with our partners at the state, local, and federal levels to help protect communities, no matter their immigration status, from these chaotic and inhumane policies intended to dismantle families and communities.” *** “Today’s immigration actions from the new administration are inhumane, ineffective, dishonest, and excessively costly as our nation works to become financially stronger and address critical issues like the affordability of living expenses and safe and healthy environments. We will not tolerate the further dehumanization and erasure of our communities through proposed false solutions and militarization to attack us,” said Chispa Senior Director Estefany Carrasco-González. “Immigrant communities of all backgrounds make our country better and stronger, from helping our cities flourish to contributing to our rural communities to helping Los Angeles recover from the current climate change-driven wildfires. We are inspired by immigrant communities’ innovation, community building, dedicated engagement, and being a pillar of the economy in countless ways, and we know our fight for climate justice is directly connected to immigrant justice. Today’s actions and abuse of power will cause long-term damage to entire neighborhoods, families, and local economies for the political profit of a few. Chispa will continue organizing our base to build protections and power across the country and work with federal, state, and local jurisdictions and partners to defend all our communities in the face of this hateful targeting.” ###

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Chispa and LCV Statements on House Passage of SAVE Act

The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act Will Protect Voters’ Freedom to Vote

LCV and Chispa Arizona Statements on Passing of Representative Raúl Grijalva

Chispa Statement on Congressional Vote to Slash Funding for Environmental Protections and Increase Funding for Immigration Enforcement

Trump is Hurting Our Communities by Recklessly Dismantling the Office of Environmental Justice

Chispa Statement on Defunding of Solar for All program

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