WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, LCV’s Chispa joins Voto Latino, Mi Familia Vota, iAmerica, Planned Parenthood and more than 150 other partners in launching RISE, a month of movement building and spotlighting the importance of civic engagement across the Latino community. The non-partisan effort is part of Hispanic Heritage Month of Action, calling on Latinos to register to vote and encourage their family, friends and communities to do the same regardless of party or candidate.

RISE emphasizes Latinos’ pride in our culture and the power of our vote – while harnessing the ability to lead on issues that are vital to the health and well-being of our communities. For Chispa, that includes the fight for clean air and electric school bus fleets via our Clean Buses for Healthy Niños campaign, which calls on governors across the country to put the health of youth and communities first, by using the $2.7 billion VW Mitigation Trust Fund dollars allocated to states for zero-emissions school buses.

“We’re proud to honor the contributions, sacrifices and struggles of the Latino community, this month and every single day of the year. As an immigrant who calls this country home, I see the importance of community organizing, civic engagement, and participation as the key pillars of our democracy – those who have the right to vote, must vote,” said Ernesto Vargas, national director of Chispa. “It’s undeniable that the health effects of the climate crisis are exposing families to the greatest burdens of a warming planet – Chispa is committed to continue working with communities of color, especially Latino communities, to fight for a safe and healthy environment for all.”

From September 15th to October 15th, we will rise for our immigrant youth, LGBTQ community, Afro-Latino community, and for our indigenous ancestors.

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Chispa is a community organizing program of the League of Conservation Voters. Chispa builds the capacity of Latinos and families to influence policy makers and pressure polluters to protect communities’ rights to clean air and water, healthy neighborhoods, and a safe climate for generations to come.