In a press release, Los Angeles mayor and Hillary Clinton supporter Eric Garcetti announced a partnership with the American Institute of Graphic Arts and other non-profits to “launch [a] targeted ‘get out the vote’ initiative featuring Edward James Olmos.”
The whole initiative is totally non-partisan, mind you. After all, there are laws against publicly funded electioneering, or the appearance of it. Garcetti says no city money will be used, and that the PSAs will be funded by “broadcast partners.”
The campaign’s name itself could be considered a political statement. Garcetti told the Los Angeles Daily News the message is “that elections have consequences, this election is important, it affects your life…”
Why “this year” instead of any other year? Does the answer rhyme with “Ronald Slump?”
Headlining the event is Blade Runner and Battlestar Galactica actor Edward James Olmos, who told Slate that “Trump is the worst-case scenario for this country. This is a really difficult moment for this country. Trump has lots of issues and to let him into a position of power with that magnitude is very dangerous.” Joining Olmos to promote the initaitive is Ben Monterroso, who serves as executive director of Mi Familia Vota.
After Donald Trump accepted the Republican presidential nomination, Monterroso said in a press release titled “Mr. Trump, You Are Not Our Voice” that “Come November, we will respond to Republican’s [sic] attacks on the well-being of our families. Come November, we will change the country.” And when Trump chose Mike Pence as his running mate, Monterroso said “Gov. Pence is Not a Friend of the Latino or Immigrant Community” and proceeded to attack Pence’s positions on gay rights, abortion, and the president’s unconstitutional executive amnesty program.
Monterroso concluded: “The Latino community and our allies have been paying close attention to the rhetoric and actions against our families led by Donald Trump and supported by Republican officials. We will continue to mobilize and hold accountable politicians who have worked against us. Through the power of our vote, we will elect a candidate who will fight for the issues that matter to us.”
The left-leaning League of Women Voters also supports the initiative, but isn’t apparently sending any speakers to the announcement of the initiative next Monday.
Just remember, this initiative is totally non-partisan!
