Empowering Change: Claudia De La Cruz and Karina Garcia’s Bold Vision for Women’s Rights and Justice
I’d like to preface this with a background on the two women, Claudia De La Cruz and Karina Garcia:
Claudia De La Cruz and Karina Garcia are two influential activists and advocates who have dedicated their lives to uplifting marginalized communities and fighting for justice. Claudia De La Cruz, a Bronx-based community leader, educator, and theologian, is the co-executive director of The People's Forum, an organization dedicated to building the working-class movement. She has a long history of advocating for racial, economic, and gender justice. Karina Garcia, another prominent activist, has been deeply involved in grassroots organizing, focusing on issues that affect working-class communities, particularly women of color. Together, they are running for president with a platform that centers the voices and needs of those who are often overlooked and silenced by mainstream politics.
Their campaign is rooted in social justice, and they advocate for a holistic approach to governance that addresses the systemic inequalities impacting women, especially survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other forms of oppression. One of the standout aspects of their platform is their comprehensive policy proposals to support survivors of gender-based violence. They advocate for increasing federal funding to ensure access to critical services such as shelters, mental health support, and legal aid for survivors. They also emphasize the need to reform the criminal justice system by training law enforcement and judicial officers to handle cases of domestic violence and sexual assault with a trauma-informed approach.
De La Cruz and Garcia’s focus on preventive measures is another defining feature of their candidacy. They propose national campaigns to raise awareness about consent, gender equality, and healthy relationships, starting in schools. Their policies go beyond reactionary responses, aiming to address the root causes of gender-based violence through education and community engagement, resonating deeply with SAMA's mission of providing support, resources, and policy reform for survivors.
In addition to their survivor-centered policies, De La Cruz and Garcia are champions of economic justice, which they believe is critical in empowering women and breaking cycles of violence. They call for expanding affordable housing and healthcare options, along with access to childcare and job training programs, so that women, particularly survivors, are not economically trapped in abusive situations. These comprehensive, interconnected policies demonstrate their commitment to addressing the systemic factors that perpetuate violence and inequality, a vision that aligns closely with SAMA’s work in supporting survivors through advocacy and resources.
Ultimately, De La Cruz and Garcia’s candidacy is unique on the political landscape, offering a bold vision of leadership that prioritizes the voices of the marginalized, particularly women of color. Their commitment to survivor support and systemic reform sets them apart from other candidates, and their approach mirrors SAMA’s dedication to creating a world where survivors are empowered, supported, and connected to the resources they need. Their candidacy is a powerful reminder that true progress is rooted in community-driven solutions and compassionate policy reform.
Pictured from left to right Claudia De La Cruz and Karina Garcia
The candidacy of Claudia De La Cruz and Karina Garcia brings a profound focus on critical issues that affect women, particularly survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other forms of systemic oppression. Their policies advocate for transformative changes that not only address these issues at their core but also aim to prevent future violence through systemic reform.
De La Cruz and Garcia also emphasize the need for preventive education and awareness campaigns, aiming to shift cultural norms around gender-based violence. They advocate for integrating discussions about consent, respect, and healthy relationships into public school curriculums across the country. This approach aligns with SAMA’s mission of providing education and resources to combat the stigma and silence around sexual assault and domestic violence, aiming for prevention through awareness.
Furthermore, the duo's policies on economic justice are crucial for empowering women, especially those escaping abusive situations. They propose expanding access to affordable housing, healthcare, and child care, ensuring that survivors aren’t economically trapped in abusive relationships. By tackling the root causes of oppression, such as poverty and inequality, their platform helps dismantle the conditions that make women vulnerable to violence in the first place.
In contrast to other names on the ballot, De La Cruz and Garcia offer a distinctly grassroots, intersectional approach. Their focus is not just on punishment but on transforming the conditions that lead to gender-based violence, empowering women from the ground up. They are not beholden to corporate interests but are rooted in community-driven solutions that resonate deeply with SAMA's core values of advocacy, community support, and policy reform.
In essence, their candidacy represents the kind of systemic change that SAMA stands for—uplifting survivors, addressing the inequalities that contribute to their trauma, and creating a more just and compassionate society for all women. This alignment between their policies and SAMA's mission shows that true progress is rooted in addressing the root causes of violence and oppression, giving survivors the tools and support they need to heal and thrive.
