For the first time, there will be a borough-wide Hispanic political club.
That’s the claim the newly formed Queens Hispanic Political Club is making. The club aims to unite Hispanics from all over the borough and represent all political parties.
“Most say it is about time someone came up with a nonpartisan political club,” said Luis Castro, who developed the idea for the political club.
The formation of the organization was announced on Tuesday, August 31 at the Unisphere in Flushing Meadows-Corona Park outside of the Queens Museum. Since then, it has started to gain momentum.
“It has been a very good response,” said Castro, a political and religious consultant, who was born in Ecuador.
Castro, 55, said he started the club because there is a lack of political participation in the Hispanic community. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, nearly 27 percent of residents of Queens are Hispanic, but Castro said out of the more than 180,000 Hispanics who are registered voters, less than six percent participate in elections.
“It’s a shame,” said Castro, who helped organize the Centro Civico Colombiano. “Hispanics don’t realize how important their votes are. This is why there are no programs for the kids and they close down schools.”
The club will not allow political candidates or elected officials to join, Castro said. Still, the club will make endorsements in the November elections.
“We don’t want to have any commitment,” said Castro, who worked on disgraced ex-state senator Hiram Monserrate’s political campaign for City Council years ago. “We will endorse a candidate no matter what the race as long as they fulfill our interests.”
The Queens Village resident, who has been involved with politics for over a decade, said he was inspired by the Civil Rights Movement and the effort of black leaders to organize the community to vote. He said that’s why there are now many black elected government officials including President Barack Obama.
“The black community here really had to fight for their rights,” Castro said.
Immigration is the big issue the Hispanic community has to fight for, according to Castro. He said there also isn’t a strong Hispanic leadership in Queens, which in return means that many issues that are important to Hispanic residents are overlooked. He said the club will assure that Hispanics matter in politics and get the representation they deserve.
“The main goal is to make sure our voices are heard,” Castro said.
For more information, please e-mail: thequeenshispanicpoliticalclub@gmail.com.
