NPRC CONDEMS FLORIDA GOP LEADERSHIP FOR DELIBERATELY WEAKENING U.S. DEMOCRACY BY SUPRESSING HISPANIC AND BLACK VOTE

Washington, DC – The National Puerto Rican Coalition Inc. (NPRC) today condemned Florida’s GOP Party Committee and its legislative leadership for blatantly conspiring to suppress the Hispanic and Black vote for the 2012 election cycle. During a live television interview with Rev. Al Sharpton on his MSNBC show Politics Nation, former GOP Party Chairman Jim Greer admitted to being present during meetings where voter suppression strategies were discussed.

“We are extremely disappointed, but not surprised by this revelation. Puerto Ricans in Florida are a significant swing voting bloc. In 2008 they supported candidate Barack Obama and in 2004 they supported then President George W. Bush. The majority, if not all, of the Puerto Rican elected officials and current candidates in Florida are Republican. These types of strategies not only weaken our democracy, but also hurt their own party members.” declared Rafael A. Fantauzzi, President & CEO of the National Puerto Rican Coalition.

There are close to 900,000 American citizens of Puerto Rican decent in Florida, according to the most recent census numbers. They are largely concentrated in the I-4 corridor area that encompasses the cities of Tampa and Orlando.

“We request the U.S Department of Justice to conduct an investigation. Puerto Ricans have given their life in battle to defend our valuable democracy. We do not need a “war on democracy” on our own soil. This is not our America; this is a third world mentality driven by fear of losing control.” said Fantauzzi.

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The National Puerto Rican Coalition, Inc. (NPRC) is the premier non-profit non-partisan Hispanic organization representing the voice of the Puerto Rican community. NPRC is committed to enhancing the social and economic well-being of Puerto Ricans through policy development, research, advocacy, civic engagement, and education.