The Pittsburgh chapter of the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement (LCLAA) is part of a national organization of Latino labor activists affiliated with both the Change to Win Federation and the American Federation of Labor-Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO). LCLAA is the Latino House of Labor. The Pittsburgh chapter was founded in 2014 and has made the focus of its activism to advocate for and support undocumented families in Southwestern Pennsylvania. The group was instrumental in the establishment of El Fondo Solidario de Pittsburgh (Pittsburgh Solidarity Fund) nearly two years ago, that has assisted local families in obtaining funds to release loved ones from ICE detention. The group organizes an annual fundraiser for Hispanic Heritage Month, İQue Viva Clemente!, that raises tens of thousands of dollars (now ear-marked for El Fondo) largely from labor unions as part of a celebration of the humanitarian legacy of the most famous Latinos associated with Pittsburgh, the great Pittsburgh Pirate Roberto Clemente.

(Photo: Phillymag.com)

As of last week, all registered voters in PA can request absentee ballots and mail-in ballots online for the Primary election. Under Act 77, a voting modernization law enacted last year, Pennsylvania voters now have two ways to vote if they are unable to vote in-person on Election Day: mail-in ballot or absentee ballot:

-- Mail-in ballots are for registered voters who wish to vote by mail before Election Day. They do not have to give a reason or excuse. Registered voters can apply online for a mail-in ballot, or download, print, and mail in the application, or apply in person at their county election office.

-- Absentee ballots are for voters who will be away from home on Election Day or who have a disability or illness that prevents them from going to the polls. Absentee voters must give a reason. They can apply online for an absentee ballot, or download, print and mail in the application, or apply in person at their county election office.

Both mail-in and absentee voters will receive a ballot in the mail to complete and return to their county election office by 8 p.m. on Election Day. Read a step-by-step explanation of the new mail-in ballot option. For all other election-related information, go to www.votespa.com.

We are proud to be a member of Keystone Votes and a community of voting rights advocates who have made advancements like this possible!

For the second year, PICC conducted a questionnaire to understand the experiences of immigrant and refugee students and families in school districts across Pennsylvania. This questionnaire is part of the Welcoming Schools Campaign, an effort to encourage schools to enact policies to ensure that all students, regardless of immigration status, are welcome, safe, and protected in the school environment.

PICC is excited to share the findings from our 2020 Welcoming Schools Report! Findings from the 2019 and 2020 Welcoming Schools Reports provide snapshots of the experiences of immigrant students and parents across Pennsylvania that can help guide educators and school administrators in creating and evaluating policies and practices at their schools. School districts are encouraged to use these reports and the Welcoming Schools Toolkit as resources to ensure that they are creating a safe and welcoming environment for all students.

We are hosting webinars in English and Spanish to present the 2020 Welcoming Schools Report and how to get involved in advocating for welcoming school policies. Registration is requred to recieve information on how to join the webinar.

English Webinar: March 18, 7-8pm. Register today!

Spanish Webinar: March 25, 7:30-8:30pm. Regístrese hoy!

PICC is committed to supporting the leadership development of immigrant and refugee community members and building the capacity of our member organizations and allies to advance immigrant rights by providing regular trainings and developing community education materials. Beginning in 2017, PICC began hosting the #StoptheHate Educational Webinars to provide allies and advocates regular information about changing immigration policies and tools to engage in local, state, and federal level advocacy efforts. Based on feedback from participants and trainers, we are rebranding these educational webinars and updating their format to better serve our mission of advancing pro-immigrant policies.

Starting in March, 2020 the newly named PICC Educational Webinar Series will offer bi-monthly webinars on current policies and advocacy campaigns. We will also offer occasional webinars in response to rapid changes in policy, such as the recent webinar on the Public Charge Rule. 

As we work to rebrand our community education resources, we invite you to submit your suggestions and feedback to help PICC better tailor our Educational Webinars.

March Educational Webinar: Friday, March 13, 12-1pm.

This month's topic will be Sanctuary Cities and Policies.

Please Donate to PICC!

PICC depends upon your support. Please donate to PICC today to support our advocacy and organizing work to mobilize the immigrant vote, build immigrant leaders, campaign for pro-immigrant policies at the local, state and federal levels, and support the effective implementation of pro-immigrant public policies.