FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS CONTACT: Jessica Ortiz, Jessicao@mifamiliavota.org

WASHINGTON, DC –Mi Familia Vota strongly condemns the conduct and abuse of power of masked federal agents in Tucson today, who displayed aggression and pepper sprayed Congresswoman Adelita Grijalva and her staff even after the Congresswoman identified herself:

Monica Sandschafer, Arizona State Director for Mi Familia Vota, issued the following statement:

“Mi Familia Vota is extremely troubled by news today that ICE agents pepper sprayed a Member of Congress who represents Tucson. According to Representative Adelita Grijalva, all but one of the agents was rude to her and her staff, even after she identified herself as a Member of Congress. This abuse of power is not making America any safer, in fact it is endangering communities, and it constitutes a violation of civil rights and civil liberties. To target people because of what they look like, even when they are U.S. citizens and in this case a sitting Member of Congress, is unconscionable and un-American. Regardless of status, Latinos in Tucson and across Arizona deserve better from federal law enforcement. Mi Familia Vota will continue to educate voters to hold their elected officials accountable.”

Hector Sanchez-Barba, President and CEO of Mi Familia Vota, issued the following statement:

“Today’s aggression toward Rep. Adelita Grijalva, and the use of pepper spray on her and her staff is inexcusable. ICE owes her and the people of Tucson an apology and those responsible for deploying pepper spray on Rep. Grijalva <her staff, and members of the community >must be held accountable. ICE’s indiscriminate targeting of people all across the country, simply because of how they look, is dangerous and the repeated examples of excessive use of force on our communities is egregious. That these tactics were used by masked men on a sitting member of Congress tells us all we need to know about how they think they can treat hard working Latinos, even though the vast majority have committed no crime. Mi Familia Vota will continue working every single day to educate voters in Arizona and around the country on how to defend their rights, and how to exercise their most important one: the right to vote. We are going to continue to call for accountability, and for unmasking federal Agents so that they cannot abuse anyone, regardless of status, anywhere in the country.”

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About Mi Familia Vota - Mi Familia Vota’s mission is to mobilize Latino power, through year-round activation of the electorate, and investment in local infrastructure, to advance our community’s policy priorities. Mi Familia Vota is fighting for a future where Latino voices shape and advance policies that promote the health, safety, and prosperity of Latino communities across the country.