As a DNC delegate, I was incredibly disappointed + troubled to find out @JulianCastro wasn't invited to speak at the DNC this year -- esp. given that he was the only Latinx presidential candidate in the primary and brought attention to so many critical issues. However... (thread)

That disappointment was compounded by finding out that there are just three Latinx speakers at the DNC this year. And yet, John Kasich, the Republican Ohio Governor, is headlining one of the nights. There are nearly as many Republican speakers as Latinx speakers at the DNC.

I can't imagine how tough it must be for DNC staff to navigate this unprecedented moment in our history--the first-ever virtual major party convention. I understand that space is limited, but I can't be the only one who finds the lack of Latinx speakers really problematic.

And I'm troubled that Julián Castro, who, even in a tough and crowded field, energized activists in the progressive movement by speaking some much-needed truths, is somehow being left out of a speaking slot here. One of the few major Latinx Dem presidential candidates. Ever.

Maybe folks need a reminder of Julián Castro's resonance during the primary. For example, here he is making history as the first presidential candidate to bring up trans rights in a debate. (And he made an error, which he corrected later, but it's still historic!)

As a trans woman, even immediately noticing his good faith error, I was blown away to hear someone stand on that stage and give specific, intentional visibility to trans people and our struggles. That was incredibly powerful. It made me hopeful.

Here he is at a nationally-televised town hall calling out HUD Secretary Ben Carson's horrific remarks about trans people and pledging to end anti-LGBTQ discrimination in housing, shelters, and other areas of accommodation.

A year before this summer's Black Lives Matter protests, Julián Castro just would just NOT shut up about police brutality and corruption. Every chance he got during the primary, he'd make it clear that change was needed with policing. From day one of his campaign.

Here he is in a Democratic debate talking about the horrific murder of Atatiana Jefferson and why police violence is also gun violence.

And he wasn't happy with how little time was spent talking about police violence at that debate. Here he is explaining why afterward to reporters.

And again here at another debate.

And again at ANOTHER debate. The man was obsessed with talking about police violence and systemic racism. Almost as though he knew this was going to get a lot worse and why aren't those in power talking about it more? And yet, a year later, here we are.

But here's where it gets insulting. Mike Bloomberg, of NYC stop-and-frisk fame, was invited to speak at the DNC this year. He gets his own speaking slot. Why is this especially ridiculous? You know what, just listen to Julián Castro explain:

It's a big political party and a lot of people to bring together from different backgrounds, but as a delegate, I want Julián Castro to speak, and frankly, I'm a little disturbed that anyone would need to point this out. It seems pretty damn obvious. /thread

#LetJulianSpeak

Hey y'all, I love that you're sharing this thread but I highly encourage folks to send out their own tweets under #LetJulianSpeak. Tell the @DNC why you want to see Julián Castro speak at the convention.