ALBANY — CSEA leaders from across the state recently came to Albany to attend the 40th anniversary conference for SOMOS Inc. It was a weekend of networking, learning, and building connections.
SOMOS has stood as a longtime force for community, leadership, and advocacy, serving as the largest gathering of Puerto Rican and Hispanic civic and political leaders in the state for four decades.
The theme for this year’s conference was ‘Del Momento, Al Movimiento,’ Spanish for ‘From the moment to the movement;’ a phrase that our union members can relate to.
“The theme ignited the passion that attendees have for helping their communities who are facing real pressures every day,” said Dormitory Authority Local President Liz Moran.
Attending this conference allowed our union leaders to learn more about remedying issues facing these communities such as immigration and housing. Pressures around immigration have greatly increased with the continued presence of ICE in our communities, an issue CSEA leaders have been fighting across the state.
“Right now, CSEA members are directly impacted by these issues,” said Moran. “We have CSEA members who fear going to work, walking outside, and even attending CSEA events and meetings. That’s unacceptable. CSEA’s presence at SOMOS is a visible display of how we advocate, fight and support our members.”
Long Island Region 1st Vice President Guadalupe Johnson said she sees these pressures across Long Island.
“Our membership reflects and represents our communities, and in our communities, we have diversity,” said Johnson.
Johnson noted that she finds conferences like this provide an opportunity for Latino leaders to know there is work being done to protect and maintain the communities they are a part of.
“Our families and our communities are taking a hit,” said Johnson. “When we come together like this, we feel that security.”
Speakers, which included Gov. Kathy Hochul, New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, New York State Attorney General Letitia James and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, all shared their support for the mission of SOMOS.
“Immigrants right now are hiding in the shadows, afraid to go to work, afraid to go to school, afraid to go to houses to worship,” said James, who urged voters to support rebuilding these communities.
“A highlight [of the conference] has been seeing Tom DiNapoli and Letitia James come out here and support us,” said Johnson. “They are coming to support the Latino community, especially with the climate that is going on today.”
— Alexandra Whitbeck
