Oregon Latinx leaders urge govt. to address disparities in COVID-19 response

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- A network comprised of more than 70 Latinx-led and allied organizations and leaders in Oregon has called upon elected leaders to make sure that everyone in the state has access to the resources they need during the COVID-19 crisis. 

“Latinx communities in our state are not receiving the information and resources necessary to protect themselves and their families or to survive economically,” said Anthony Veliz, spokesman for the newly formed Oregon Latinx Leadership Network. 

Latinx Oregonians (Latina, Latino, Hispanic, indigenous, and other identities that make up this community) have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19, accounting for at least 26 percent of all cases, yet they represent just over 13 percent of the state’s total population. 

In a “Call to Action” recently released, the Oregon Latinx Leadership Network urged Oregon’s federal, state, and local elected officials to provide for the critical short-term relief and long-term recovery for Latinx communities. Those actions include:

• Fund and partner with Latinx community-based organizations and establish “resource hubs” to provide culturally relevant real-time information in Spanish and indigenous languages, resource navigation assistance, and technology. 
• Increase representation of Latinx and other communities of color on response task forces and across all levels of government. Also ensure that skilled bilingual and bicultural staff are available to help individuals and businesses to access government resources. 
• Ensure equitable access to COVID-19 testing and treatment. 
• Allocate grants, bridge loans, and low-interest loans to help nonprofits and small businesses. Go beyond “first come, first serve” to ensure that distribution of funds is equitable. 
• Ensure that all school districts are implementing distance learning in a way that is transparent and accessible to all families, especially historically marginalized communities. 
• Protect both renters, homeowners, and low-income and nonprofit property owners. 
• Fully fund the proposed Oregon Worker Relief Fund, which is critical to the financial security of undocumented workers. 

The Oregon Latinx Leadership Network is a new and growing coalition that came together to address the urgent needs brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. As of July 1, 2019, Oregon’s Latinx population topped 560,900 people, with an estimated 74,000 undocumented community members. 

“Our community of Latinx organizations, leaders and allies are committed to safeguarding vulnerable populations as they require critical services, face financial crises and overcome recovery challenges,” Veliz said. “We ask decision-makers across Oregon to move these policy, practice and funding recommendations forward to address the immediate needs and ongoing disparities for the Latinx community.”