LOS ANGELES – Thomas A. Saenz, president and general counsel of MALDEF (Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund) issued the following statement on the death this past weekend of José José, an iconic singer:
“MALDEF mourns the passing of José José and offers its condolences to his many friends and family. He was a friend and ally to MALDEF and a staunch supporter of our mission to promote the civil rights of all Latinos living in the United States. Most important, he was a cherished icon to so many Latino immigrant families dealing daily with violations of rights and demeaning rhetoric. He was an undoubted source of strength to the Latino community and to the civil rights cause. He will be greatly missed.”