Latinos and American freedom: A legacy worth defending

On July 4, 1776, a group of outnumbered, outgunned colonists met in the Assembly Room of the Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall, to take a brave, revolutionary step: With a quill pen and ink on parchment paper, they founded America.

These Founding Fathers fought (and beat) the most powerful empire in history, Great Britain. But the declaration they signed in that crowded hall was more revolutionary than any battle. It established the country’s North Star: universal principles of freedom and democracy.

They declared that all men are created equal and that God, not the government, endowed them with their rights.

These ideas are as revolutionary today as they were 250 years ago. And from the very beginning, Latinos have been a fundamental part of America’s story, fighting for and protecting freedom alongside fellow Americans.

Here’s how LIBRE is keeping America’s legacy of freedom alive.

Latinos in the trenches for freedom

During the Revolutionary War, Spanish soldiers and Latino settlers pitched in with troops and much-needed supplies from places like Louisiana and Texas. Their support made a real difference when the odds were against us.

Spanish governor Bernardo de Galvez, South American revolutionary Francisco de Miranda, and Spanish naval commander Jorge Farragut all fought on the side of freedom in the Revolutionary War.

Almost a century later, when America was fighting for its survival in the Civil War, Latinos answered the call again.

Admiral David Farragut followed in his father’s footsteps and fought for the Union and liberty, becoming the first admiral in U.S. history. Corporal Joseph H. De Castro, who earned the Medal of Honor at Gettysburg, also showed the kind of leadership and courage that kept America united and free.

Leaders beyond the battlefield

And Latinos have defended this legacy in the halls of Congress and across our communities.

• José Romualdo Pacheco became the first Latino to serve as a full voting member of Congress in the 1870s.
• In 1986, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen became the first Latina elected to Congress. After decades of work for her constituents, she became a respected institution on Capitol Hill.

Latinos laid down roots and built towns and cities. They also advocated for common sense labor protections, more voting rights, and a fair and equal shot at public education.

Latinos are powering American prosperity

Today, Latinos are seizing the moment. They are an integral part of what makes America the best, most prosperous country in the world.

Latinos are an impressive and unstoppable economic dynamo.

• U.S. Latino gross domestic product is over $4.1 trillion — the fifth largest economy in the world.
• Latinos own and operate 1 in 4 new small businesses in America, generate over $800 billion annually, and employ 3.5 million people across the country.
• 1 in 5 workers in America is Latino, and by 2035, a whopping 78% of new workers will be Latinos.

Whether it is an entrepreneur creating jobs for the community or someone working from sunrise to dusk to build a better future for themselves and their families, Latinos are powering the American economy to new heights.

Latino success is America’s success. 

A force for change

Latinos are also key to keeping American principles and American values alive.

In 2024, more than 36 million Latinos were eligible to vote. As our community grows, so does our influence.

And with a once-in-a-generation political shift underway, Latinos are becoming one of the most important voting blocs in the country.

If we want America to keep succeeding for another 250 years, Latinos must be on the front lines doing what they’ve always done: defending American freedom with zeal.

Defending American freedom

That’s why The LIBRE Initiative exists.

Since 2011, we’ve been unabashedly defending the principles upon which America was founded in 1776.

That’s because we trust Latinos and know that when they’re free to follow their passions, they can do incredible things.

At LIBRE, we don’t believe in the siren song of an all-powerful government as the only solution to our community’s problems.

We advocate for freedom-oriented solutions to the problems our communities face.

• Giving parents and students the freedom to choose the education that works best for them.
• Eliminating red tape and barriers holding Latino businesses back.
• Fighting for families to keep more of their hard-earned money.

As America nears its 250th anniversary, we at LIBRE are ready to defend the legacy of those who came before us.

We’re here to defend American liberties and to seize the moment to build an even brighter future for our country.

Whether you’re an immigrant, a child of immigrants, or your family has been here for centuries, America and its legacy are yours.

This is your country. This is our country. And we’re working every day to make it better.

So, join the nation’s largest Latino grassroots organization and be part of the movement working to keep American liberty alive.