For decades, the Latino community has been described as a sleeping elephant, a population giant that can potentially wake up to decide elections at the local, state and national level, but that until now has not fully awakened.

I remember that, from a very young age, when I participated in the voter registration for unionized members of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, there was always talk about the lack of participation and apathy of Latinos in elections at all levels.

However, we must see this attitude of Latinos in the past regarding elections as part of a process of growth and civic maturation. Proof of this is that the community is increasingly more involved in the public and social processes where it has come to live.

In other words, we are a young community that little by little has shown its interest and participation in the civic processes that shape communities.

That is why for the elections on Tuesday, June 2, where I have the honor of being a candidate to represent the 9th district of Los Angeles, I hope we can see some glimpses of that growth at the polls.

It is time for Latinos to demonstrate the power that comes from being the largest minority in the United States, in the state of California and in a large number of cities in Los Angeles County, including District 9 with around 80% Latino population.

It is estimated that in this district there are approximately 100,000 residents registered and eligible to vote, most of them Latino. Unfortunately, in the 2022 elections, only about 13,000 people came out to raise their voices.

We cannot forget that the Latino community is currently under attack by the current federal administration, that is why if there is a tool with which we can defend those who do not have a voice, it is with our vote.

It is important to keep in mind that although many of us are already citizens, the vast majority have family and friends who are not, and consequently, the entire community is being harmed with the division and deportation of our families and neighbors. We cannot continue to remain silent.

Let's show this June 2 to President Trump, the Republicans and all those who believe that the Latino community is a sleeping, powerless, and apathetic giant, that they have made a mistake.

Furthermore, let us not forget that District 9 is one of the poorest areas of the city of Los Angeles, and only with the unity and work of all its residents can we move forward in improving services and education, more employment and housing, among many other aspects.

It is important to send a powerful message to all Political Parties and people in power, that the Latino community, far from being apathetic and asleep, is experiencing a period of growth that will little by little become more visible with its participation in the polls.

So we better be taken seriously and with respect if candidates want to win the vote of the nation's largest minority group.

(*) José Ugarte is a candidate for councilor for District 9 of Los Angeles. He was born in Oaxaca and could be the first Latino representative to represent that area.

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