LULAC COMMEMORATES CINCO DE MAYO BY CALLING ON ALL AMERICANS TO DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION AND UPHOLD CIVIL RIGHTS

Nation’s Oldest and Largest Latino Civil Rights Organization Honors the Lessons of History and Urges the Nation to Stand Against Injustice in All Its Forms

Washington, D.C. – On this Cinco de Mayo, the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) commemorates the historic victory of the outnumbered and outgunned Mexican forces who, against all odds, defeated the French army at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. Their triumph was not merely military. It stood for national dignity, justice, and self-determination despite overwhelming power. Today, LULAC calls upon every American to reflect on that legacy and its enduring meaning for our nation at this pivotal moment.

“The Battle of Puebla teaches us that courage and conviction can prevail against even the most formidable forces,” says Roman Palomares, LULAC National President and Chairman of the Board. “Just as Mexican soldiers defended their homeland from foreign domination, we at LULAC have for 96 years defended the principles of liberty and equality in the United States. From our litigation to end the ‘separate but equal’ doctrine in Mendez v. Westminster, which paved the way for Brown v. Board of Education, to our challenge of discriminatory redistricting in League of United Latin American Citizens v. Perry, LULAC has always been at the forefront of justice through peaceful, lawful action.”

This Cinco de Mayo LULAC reminds Americans that our Constitution is more than parchment and ink. It is a living document that defines the very soul of our republic—guarding freedoms, ensuring equal protection, and granting citizenship rights to all born on American soil. LULAC remains committed to its duty to defend those protections for future generations.

“In the past year, we have taken bold legal steps to ensure that these rights are not erased by executive overreach,” says Juan Proaño, LULAC Chief Executive Officer. “We were the first to file a federal lawsuit to defend birthright citizenship as guaranteed by the Constitution, ensuring that children born in this country to immigrant parents are protected under the law [see filing here]. Most recently, we filed another federal lawsuit against attempts to suppress voter rights through an executive order because our democracy cannot function if the people’s voice is silenced [see lawsuit here].”

LULAC views Cinco de Mayo as a celebration of perseverance and resolve. The date is not just about Mexican history—it is a North American story about standing tall when challenged, about values that transcend borders: freedom, self-determination, and justice.

“Injustice thrives when good people are silent,” continues Palomares. “That is why LULAC has never stayed quiet. As we approach our centennial, we reaffirm our commitment to fight for Latinos and all Americans whose rights are at risk. We will be the voice of reason and bravery, the guardians of a vision that affirms this truth: the United States has always been and must remain a nation of immigrants whose diversity is its greatest strength.”

This Cinco de Mayo, LULAC urges Americans of every background to rise as those at Puebla did, not with weapons, but with will. To speak truth to power. To defend the Constitution. To ensure liberty and opportunity are preserved for all, not simply for some. By doing so, we honor the past and safeguard our nation’s future.

About LULAC
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s oldest and largest Latino civil rights organization. Founded in 1929, LULAC is committed to advancing the rights and opportunities of Latino Americans through advocacy, community building, and education. With a growing network of councils nationwide, LULAC remains steadfast in its mission to protect and empower millions of Latinos, contributing daily to America’s prosperity. For more information about LULAC and its initiatives, please visit www.LULAC.org.