“Now is the time to demonstrate unequivocal opposition to the white nationalism that has devastated the health and wellbeing of Latino and immigrant communities across the United States,” said Dr. Yanira Cruz, President and CEO, National Hispanic Council on Aging (NHCOA). “Our national leadership must stand up against dehumanizing policies that treat immigrants and potential immigrants as somehow less deserving of rights, protections, or humane treatment than U.S. citizens.”
“So many lives were cut short over this past weekend,” stated Larry Curley, Executive Director, National Indian Council on Aging (NICOA). “We want young people from our communities to have the option to live long, healthy lives and become Elders one day. We stand with the Latino and immigrant communities who were targeted by this attack. An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us.”
Michael Adams, Chief Executive Officer of SAGE, remarked: “SAGE joins our sister organizations in the Diverse Elders Coalition in condemning these heinous, violent acts of racism and domestic terrorism. Many of our LGBTQ+ community members are Latinos and immigrants. In this time of rising violence and hate-filled rhetoric, some of it emanating from the highest levels of our government, it is time that individuals, organizations and communities who stand for justice and inclusion over hatred say – enough.”
The Diverse Elders Coalition and its six members are dedicated to improving the lives of diverse older adults across the United States and its territories. When our communities live in fear – or in poor physical and mental health because of a political climate that is hostile toward immigrants, LGBTQ+ people, and people who speak limited English – our work is that much more difficult. We ask our Federal, state, and local leadership to denounce these acts of violence that target our families and our communities as well as the hateful rhetoric that has led to the rise in violence against us.
- National Asian Pacific Center on Aging (NAPCA)
- National Hispanic Council on Aging (NHCOA)
- National Indian Council on Aging (NICOA)
- SAGE
- Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC)
Contact: Jenna McDavid, National Director, Diverse Elders Coalition: 646-653-5015
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About the DEC:
Founded in 2010, the Diverse Elders Coalition (DEC) advocates for policies and programs that improve aging in our communities as racially and ethnically diverse people; American Indians and Alaska Natives; and lesbian, gay, bisexual and/or transgender (LGBTQ+) people. Learn more at diverseelders.org.
About SAGE:
SAGE is the world’s largest and oldest organization dedicated to improving the lives of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBTQ+) older people. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in New York City, SAGE is a national organization that offers supportive services and consumer resources to LGBTQ+ older people and their caregivers. SAGE also advocates for public policy changes that address the needs of LGBTQ+ elders, provides education and technical assistance for aging providers and LGBTQ+ community organizations through its National Resource Center on LGBTQ+ Aging, and cultural competency training through SAGECare. With staff located across the country, SAGE also coordinates SAGENet, a growing network of affiliates in the United States. Learn more at sageusa.org.
