Statement by Wade Henderson Condemning Senator David Vitter’s Campaign Ad Demonizing Louisiana’s Immigrant Communities

Wade Henderson, President and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement today in response to a campaign ad by Senator David Vitter depicting offensive caricatures of Latino immigrants:

“This ad is callous, divisive, and beneath the lowest discourse expected from a United States Senator. By demonizing immigrant communities, Sen. Vitter cheapens the sacrifices of his own constituents, many who moved to Louisiana in pursuit of the American Dream or simply for the opportunity to help rebuild his state in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.  From Rep. Joseph Cao in Congress to countless infrastructure workers and small business owners, the immigrants who have helped rebuild and heal Louisiana’s gulf coast, like the rest of of the state’s residents, deserve better.

The entire civil and human rights community echoes the call of Latino organizations for Sen.Vitter to take the ad down and issue an official apology.”