Nebraska LULAC is closing its doors amid reorganization

The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the oldest Latino advocacy agency in the country, and its only active council in Nebraska has come to an end, for now.

Nebraska LULAC was reinstated in 2018, after years of former activity from activists throughout the state, after the immigration raids in O’Neill.

For two years, State Director Elsa R. Aranda was often found in different cities working on police relations, trauma recovery and education opportunities. She was appointed to her position by then national LULAC president Domingo Garcia. Because she is moving out of state for personal health reasons, the Nebraska chapter will face a reorganization, and will close. Aranda emphasized that doesn’t mean advocacy needs to stop here.

“There's the saying in Spanish: ya los encamine," Aranda said. "And it's somewhat relevant when a mom walks their child towards school, you know? And you're walking them to protect them, to open the way, the path. So I feel like I have done that.”

There are currently about 453 LULAC councils throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico, as well as the national delegation. Aranda will continue as a national member. She said she hopes the council will be able to reorganize and recharter in the future.

“I have a commitment from the president of LULAC, Roman Palomares, that he is very invested in Nebraska, and we're not going to let it go. We're just in a mode of reorganizing," she said. "So my vision is that we continue moving forward. We use the resources that I've brought to the table."

Aranda said she leaves the state hoping there will be a renewed commitment for unity among all Nebraskans. During her tenure, community leaders and other government leaders signed up to be LULAC members, including former Omaha mayor Jean Stothert, current Omaha mayor John Ewing Jr. and former state senator and congressional candidate Tony Vargas.

Nebraska recently gained attention from national LULAC through Vargas' campaign for U.S. House. He was the first state candidate to receive national LULAC's endorsement.

Aranda worked to develop relationships between Latino communities and law enforcement, and said she saw some success in doing so particularly in Douglas County. Although she won't be in the state, she still looks forward to supporting anyone who needs assistance or help in Nebraska's Latino populations.