What is PCUN?
Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste (PCUN) was founded in 1985, as Oregon's first union for farmworkers and tree planters. PCUN has registered over 6,500 members, with most of them being Mexican and Central American immigrants. PCUN's fundamental goal is to empower farmworkers to understand and take action against systematic exploitation and all of its effect. Visit www.pcun.org for more info.
What came before APP?
Acción Política PCUNista, formally known as "Voz Hispana Causa Chavista" was established in 1998.
The work began with a informal committee made of PCUN members who wanted to persuade the local school district to name the new public school after César Chávez. Though the outcome wasn't attained, they were able to persuade the school board to the make César's birthday (March 31st), César Chávez day in all 7 Woodburn school districts. After seeing the impact that these PCUN members had on the school board, they realized that they can make real change by involving more people in the political realm. Therefore, they created the "Voz Hispana Causa Chavista."
The work began with a informal committee made of PCUN members who wanted to persuade the local school district to name the new public school after César Chávez. Though the outcome wasn't attained, they were able to persuade the school board to the make César's birthday (March 31st), César Chávez day in all 7 Woodburn school districts. After seeing the impact that these PCUN members had on the school board, they realized that they can make real change by involving more people in the political realm. Therefore, they created the "Voz Hispana Causa Chavista."
Why political work?
In 1999 and 2000, "Voz Hispana Causa Chavista" developed a project focusing on Latinx participation in politics and voting. They found that many Latinx voters, especially new citizens, had a significantly lower voting turn out rate due to feeling intimidated and discouraged by the complexity of the system, and the lack of time or training to learn more. However, because all citizens should be able to fully participate in their community, "Voz Hispana Causa Chavista" became a c-4 non-profit in 2001, giving them the ability to not only help registered voters understand the political system, but also endorse candidates who would positively impact the community.
What is APP?
In 2014, "Voz Hispana Causa Chavista" became Acción Política PCUNista, taking on a name that would accurately describe the work that we do. Much of what we do is inspired by the drastic difference in the Latinx population here in Woodburn with that of those in positions of power. In 2010, the census showed that those of Hispanic or Latinx descent here in Woodburn was 58.9%. However, this high percentage is not mirrored in the government. Because of this disproportionate representation, APP works on getting the Latinx community more involved in the voting and political process through voter registration, voter education, ballot assistance, canvassing, and candidate endorsement. We strongly believe that all Latinxs should take leadership roles in the decisions that directly affect their communities.
