A proposed California bill seeks to mandate the translation of local government agendas into Spanish in counties like Imperial, where many residents mainly speak Spanish. The lack of translation historically disenfranchises non-English speakers from the democratic process. Advocates emphasize that nearly 75% of residents in Imperial County are Spanish speakers, highlighting the necessity for inclusivity in government communications. This bill would ensure equitable access to information, allowing all residents to engage in important civic discussions, especially concerning community health and economic development plans, such as the lithium spending initiative.
"There's no Spanish translation of the updated plan," said Fernanda Vega, an organizer with the Imperial Valley Equity and Justice Coalition. "We cannot continue to push aside Spanish-speaking residents, especially when their health and livelihoods are at stake."
Nearly 3 in 4 Imperial County residents speak mostly Spanish at home, and more than a quarter don't speak English fluently, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
Without consistent Spanish translation in local government, these residents are in essence locked out of the democratic process.
A new California bill could force the county government and the region's two largest cities to start offering Spanish translations of their meeting agendas.
Collection
[
|
...
]