“Latinos Are The Missing Piece”

Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino

Host Cinco de Mayo Day of Action:

Washington, D.C. - In recognition of Cinco de Mayo and the 11th Anniversary of the National Museum of the American Latino Commission report, the Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino (FRIENDS) organization issued the following statement:

We take this moment of celebration to emphasize with the Smithsonian leadership that Latinos are the missing piece on our National Mall and only the future National Museum of the American Latino will fill that void. We also reflect on the amazing work of the Commission who, in 2011, after almost two years of research and study, presented to Congress and then President Obama and Vice President Biden their vision for the future museum. Specifically, we applaud their singular focus on the importance of the museum finding its home on the National Mall at the South Monument Site, North Capitol Site or Smithsonian Arts and Industries Building.

“We call on leaders, influencers and allies to join us in sending a message to the Smithsonian that the Commission’s recommendations around the future location of the museum remain our priority. Over 500 years of Latino contributions must be on the National Mall with the rest of our nation’s history for the millions that visit each year, not only from around the country but around the world.” - Estuardo V. Rodriguez, President & CEO of FRIENDS

The campaign has an official partnership today with local D.C. bars and restaurants. El Tamarindo, one of the oldest and most influential Latino-owned restaurants in the District, has joined the campaign as a partner with a special offer, the #BuildItOnTheNationalMall Michelada on Cinco de Mayo. In addition to partnerships, the campaign already boasts a wide range of influencers, actors, and musicians in the Latino community that have added their support and voice to the campaign, including Rosario Dawson, Eva Longoria, John Leguizamo, Paola Ramos, Annie Gonzalez, and Gloria and Emilio Estefan, to name a few.

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About Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino

The Friends of the National Museum of the American Latino strives to create a museum in our nation’s capital to educate, inspire and encourage respect and understanding of the richness and diversity of the American Latino experience within the U.S. and its territories by highlighting the contributions made by Latino leaders, pioneers and communities to the American way of life.

FRIENDS is not affiliated in any way with the Smithsonian Institution.

www.americanlatinomuseum.org