A letter from Councilmember Maria Quiñones-Sánchez on the occasion of Hispanic Heritage Month

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ABOVE PHOTO: Councilmember Maria Quiñones-Sánchez

Dear Friends,

During Hispanic Heritage Month and Puerto Rican Week, we would have been celebrating together — from the Puerto Rican Flag Raising at City Hall to Boricua Fest at Fairhill Square. Instead we face a difficult ongoing pandemic and uncertain months ahead, but we have important work to do.

[On September 29] at Julia De Burgos, we opened Philadelphia’s first bilingual Voting Access Center, and I was joined by community stakeholders to encourage residents to vote. Like many of you, I am angry and frustrated as we face crisis after crisis, but I am also filled with inspiration and hope. Our community is strong and resilient, great things happen in Philadelphia, and together we can determine the outcome of this election.

There is so much more to keep fighting for — we need to be counted and to make our voices heard.

If you haven’t already filled out the Census, NOW is the time – visit: www. 2020census.gov.

We’ve never seen an election like this — please make a plan, be patient, and be prepared.

At Julia De Burgos, or at any of the citywide Voting Access Centers, you can register to vote, request and receive a mail ballot, and fill out and return your ballot all in one visit: www.phila.gov/2020-09-29-vote-early-at-one-of-these-satellite-election-offices/.

If you requested your mail ballot already, it’s on the way! When you return it, make sure to enclose it in both envelopes (no naked ballots!). If you can do more, please consider becoming a poll worker — learn more and apply today: www.phila.gov/2020-09-02-become-a-poll-worker/ .

We know that our most vulnerable neighbors still struggle to access COVID testing, so I am partnering with the Black Doctors Consortium to bring barrier-free COVID-19 testing to the 7th District with events at Esperanza (Tues. Oct 20) and at Northeast Baptist Church (Tues. Oct. 27). Both events will take place from 3-7pm — residents can drive-through or walk-up and no one will be turned away.

If we want to see more resources to help cities like Philadelphia, and especially struggling neighborhoods like Kensington, we need to be counted, we need to register, and we need to vote!

Thank you for your hard work and support as we keep fighting together.

Sincerely,

Maria

To contact Councilmember Quiñones-Sánchez, visit: http://phlcouncil.com/mariaqsanchez/ .

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