Good afternoon We Count Pomona Partners,

Please read the following letter my colleagues and I drafted in response to the Census deadline change from October 31st to September 30th. Currently, Pomona’s 2020 Census response rate is 59.8%; that is still 8.6% away from its 2010 response rate of 68.4%. This means that 4 out of 10 households in Pomona have not responded to the Census, majority of who are low income, people of color. I urge every single one of you to sign on to the letter and send it no later that close of business tomorrow.

If you have any questions, please reply to this email.

Thank you.

See info below

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Dear Colleague,

As you may have heard late last week there was information about a potential change in the Census Deadline from October 31^st to September 30^th.  The US Census Bureau has officially issued a statement stating that it “will end field data collection by September 30, 2020.” Additionally the “self-response options will also close on that date to permit the commencement of data processing.”

Rushing the Census in the middle of a pandemic is part of an intentional plot to rig the Census to reflect a less diverse and inaccurate portrait of our communities. A rushed Census shortchanges critical operations that count people of color, American Indians, low-income people, and people experiencing homelessness. This would skew congressional representation, redistricting, and critical funding for our communities.

The We Count LA Census Table partners have come together to draft a sign-on letter to advocate on behalf of all of our communities across LA County.  Attached you will find the letter.  If your organization would like to sign on, please complete THIS FORM.  Please respond to this sign-on opportunity by COB Wednesday, August 5^th. 

Sincerely,We Count LA Census Table Partners