Local elections can often bring out behaviors that are illuminating. At the national level, one of the most important issues is ensuring an accurate counting for the census. While the current administration would like to end the count now, a federal judge ruled last Thursday that the census count must continue through the end of October. While San Mateo County has a nearly 78% response rate –higher than California and National response to the census– there is still more to be done to reach the hard-to-count neighborhoods.
San Mateo County leaders have asked everyone, especially locally elected officials, to help spread the word that it is not too late to complete this process. The census can still be completed online and by phone.
Redwood City Councilwoman Giselle Hale posted on the social networking site Nextdoor about the importance of being counted and the benefits to the city, as well as ways to still participate in the census. Councilwoman Hale's posting on Nextdoor was reported by Johanna Rasmussen, wife of Chris Rasmussen, who is running for City Council to represent District 7.
Councilwoman Hale's publication being reported attracted the attention of Peninsula 360 Press as it shows the many challenges facing the Latino community and people of color in the U.S. The attempt to suppress census information is just another example of the systemic biases facing our community that must be made transparent.
What prejudice does Johanna Rasmussen have against the census?
Peninsula 360 Press tried to contact Johanna Rasmussen: we called and left a message on her answering machine, we also sent her an e-mail. As of the time of this publication, we have received no response.
My very first job was with the US Census, counting our Migrant Farmworkers in San Mateo County. I did NOT report Giselle Hale's post. I actually advised the Councilwoman that members of the Community had reported her post in hopes that she would edit it. Please don't attack me, a fellow Latina who has worked for decades to advance the rights and needs of our people.