WASHINGTON, D.C. — What happens to local businesses when people are afraid to leave their homes because of ICE? 
 

An alarming study from the UCLA Latino Policy and Politics Institute found that after just two weeks of ICE activity in Los Angeles, a sample of store owners had lost 46,000 customer visits and $3.16 million in revenue. Nearly a year later, 95% of these same businesses remained in financial distress. Forty-three percent (43%) were barely breaking even and 52% still could not cover their operating costs. This scenario is playing out in business corridors nationwide, as ICE continues its campaign of community destruction.
 

“This is why we are urging every person in the United States to take part in our $30  Challenge and Buy Latino during Hispanic Heritage Month,” said Sindy Benavides, founding Executive Director of Aquí: The Accountability Movement. “Latino business owners and workers have always been there for this country, doing the hard work that we respect and need. Now they need us, and we need to show up for them.”

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Aquí: The Accountability Movement just launched the second annual Buy Latino Campaign, a 31-day national push during Hispanic Heritage Month, to urge individuals, families, and organizations to support Latino-owned businesses (LOBs). “Intentionally investing and building our community is also how we protect it,” said Benavides. “The Trump administration’s assault on immigrants is also an assault on Latino-owned businesses, workers and local communities. These businesses provide the infrastructure that feeds America, builds and maintains our roads and homes, cares for the health, safety, and welfare of all of our community members, and keeps this country running. Let’s come together for them now, when they need us the most.”

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Aquí’s bilingual Buy Latino Toolkit makes participation in this campaign simple and easy. It includes concrete ways that individuals, families, businesses, and other organizations can take part in this national effort.

 

• Take the $30 Challenge — Become one of a targeted 10% of U.S. households who intentionally plan to spend at least $30 at a Latino-owned business during Hispanic Heritage Month.

• Latino Pride — Share your Latino business origin story and spotlight your favorite local Latino-owned business on social media.

• Activate Your Networks — Use the data, graphics, and captions in our toolkit to spread the word online. Buy Latino and build community! 
   

 

“If 10% of U.S. households intentionally spend at least $30 at a Latino-owned business during Hispanic Heritage Month, we will surge $400 million back into the Latino community,” said Benavides. “It feels good to help the community in concrete ways, and that’s why we created the Buy Latino Campaign. It’s both a celebration of Latino economic power and a coast-to-coast act of community resilience. We know how important Latinos are to the past, present, and future of this nation. Support a Latino-owned business in your community today!” 
 

For graphics and additional information about the campaign, download this toolkit.


 

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Aquí: The Accountability Movement is a nonpartisan movement, building collective power to demand accountability and visibility for Latinos in media, politics, and business.

 Learn more at www.aqui.org.