Local Latino Organization Uses Puerto-Rican Style “Caravana” to Mobilize Latinos to Get Out The Vote

Bridgeport – The Greater Bridgeport Latino Network (GBLN) is taking its Get Out the Vote message to the streets, literally. Adopting a voter outreach tradition from the island of Puerto Rico that has proven to be highly effective, this weekend GBLN will hit the streets with a “caravan” embellished with music and positive get out the vote messaging to encourage voters to the polls for Tuesday’s Mayoral Election.

This is part of GBLN’s ongoing efforts to increase voter registration and participation among Latinos and other communities of color - the NAACP and GBLN have been collaborating to engage their constituents this election cycle. Bridgeport is a majority-minority city, but minorities are still underrepresented at many decision-making tables and in leadership positions throughout the city and the state. Encouraging engagement by more people of color in the public decisions that impact their communities, their families, and their children is part of GBLN’s mission.

“It’s important for our people to vote, regardless who they vote for,” said Carolyn Gonzalez, GBLN President. “This year, we are taking our message to the streets, like they do in Puerto Rico, with some revelry to get the community excited about voting.

The GBLN caravan will run through major thoroughfares throughout the city this weekend and on election day with music and giveaways and non-partisan positive messages encouraging residents to get out and vote.

GBLN is a nonprofit organization formed in 2004. It is a diverse network of organizations and individuals sharing news, information, ideas, opportunities and services. Its mission is to promote community engagement to address the socio-economic issues affecting Latinos through networking, communication, collaboration and education.