Los Tigres Del Norte, Maná, Alejandro Fernández, Chiquis Rivera, and more than 20 other Hispanic artists are coming together to condemn the Trump campaign’s anti-Latino and anti-immigrant rhetoric in a new statement, shared exclusively with Rolling Stone Wednesday.
“There are real and substantive issues that can and should be debated. The dignity of Latino immigrants is not open for debate,” reads the statement in part. “Together we say to those spreading hate that we choose something better. Together we say enough is enough… ya estuvo.”
The cohort of stars signing the “Ya Estuvo” statement include Kate Del Castillo, Ramón Ayala, Majo Aguilar, María José, Edén Muñóz, Los Ángeles Azules, and Natalia Jimenez as they condemn the former president’s messaging and the long-term effects it’s had on the Latino community.
The statement is paired with a poignant video highlighting the rise of anti-Latino hate since Trump’s electio. It features clips of U.S. Latino folks being physically attacked, soundtracked by the voice of Trump’s 2016 campaign speech where he described Mexicans as criminals and rapists.
The video ends with a call to vote, and Mexican music icon Paquita La Del Barrio sprinkling in some humor with her signature catchline: “¿Me estan oyendo, inútiles?” or “Are you listening, useless people?”
Jason Garner, the former CEO of Global Music at Live Nation and current manager of Maná and Fernández, says he rallied the group of artists to make it clear that “it’s not right to denigrate and dehumanize the Latino people,” and to encourage Latino Americans to vote.
“It doesn’t feel right to stand by now and watch my friends get abused. It feels cowardly not to speak up… Politicians can debate the issues. But the dignity of the Mexican immigrant isn’t up for debate,” Garner tells Rolling Stone. “I am who I am because of Latino immigrants. I owe them so much and I won’t stand by idly as they get attacked. None of us should.”
The new statement comes about a month after Maná pulled their song with Nicky Jam from streaming services after the reggaetón musician joined Trump at a rally in Vegas. “There is no business or promotion that is worth more than the dignity of our people,” the band wrote. “That is why today Maná decided to remove its collaboration with Nicky Jam.”
See the full “Ya Estuvo” statement, and the list of artists who signed it, below:
Human dignity belongs to us all. This includes Latino immigrants. It’s an old and tired political tactic to blame our country’s problems on the most vulnerable — those unlikely or unable to speak up. There are real and substantive issues that can and should be debated. The dignity of Latino immigrants is not open for debate.
Our industry — our world — is richer and fuller because of the contributions of Latino immigrants. They are our friends, coworkers, and fans. Latino music and the people who fuel it are part of the fabric of the U.S. music industry. Our Latino fans are more to us than tickets, streams and views. They are our family. And we don’t turn our backs when our family is being attacked.
Music unites. Music heals. Music is the voice of love in times of despair. Today, we come together in support of our Latino brothers and sisters — and we need to sing loudly. The volume of our support needs to be louder than the hate of the Trump campaign. Together we tell Latino immigrants you are not alone. Together we say to those spreading hate that we choose something better. Together we say enough is enough… ya estuvo.
Alejandro Fernandez
Alex Lora of El Tri
Carolina Ross
Chiquis Rivera
Edén Muñoz
Edgar Huerta of Belanova
Ezequiel Peña
Genetallica
Kate Del Castillo
Lalo Mora
Los Angeles Azules
Maciel
Majo Aguilar
Maná
María José
Motel
Natalia Jiménez
Paco Familiar of DLD
Paquita la Del Barrio
Paty Cantú
René Camacho of La Arrolladora
Ramón Ayala
Río Roma
Sofia Niño de Rivera
Tigres del Norte
Ximena Sariñana
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