Despite an energetic push by Sen. Barack Obama to woo Latino voters on Super Tuesday, Hispanics in California overwhelmingly supported Hillary Clinton, giving the New York senator 69 percent of their vote, according to Voto Latino.

In East Los Angeles supporters gathered near Belvedere Park, carrying Clinton signs and offering free tamales, tacos and tortas to passersby.

They were joined by Supervisor Molina, who oversees East L.A. and Whittier. She stood alongside Congresswoman Hilda Solis from the 32nd congressional district and activist Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the National Farm Workers Association.

All three women have strongly endorsed Clinton through this election season, enthused about her connection to Hispanics and convinced that the senator most closely expresses the concerns of Latinos.

“There has been a good relationship between the Latino community and the Hillary Clinton campaign and, more importantly, they know her and they know she will deliver,” Molina said.

She continued: “We may be new to this country but we’re looking for someone who has a solid background and values that resonate with us and our community: family, education, health care, making sure that people don’t lose their homes.”

Supporters flanked Cesar Chavez Blvd. throughout the day, holding sings above the 710 freeway and passing out literature to pedestrians. As cars honked in solidarity, volunteers from the phone bank called thousands of potential voters urging them to pick Clinton.

“I’m a Christian, a Chicano and an American,” David E. Martinez, a community activist, said. “Latinos have always gotten the short end of the stick and now we’re being handed an opportunity to help the community by voting for her.”

Many volunteers and Clinton fans questioned Obama’s recent appearance on Piolin por la manana, the city’s most popular Spanish-language talk show, saying that he just now started to focus on a community that could prove to be a valuable asset in the general election.

“Obama only spoke of Latinos when it was time to incorporate us, when Super Tuesday started getting closer,” Martinez said. “Who is he and where has he been all this time?”

“Obama doesn’t understand Latinos,” said Christina Silva, a phone bank volunteer. “Hillary likes all the races, not just black and white.”

For his part, 70-year-old Guadalupe Martinez Diaz stood at the bus stop on the corner of Chavez and Ford St. from dawn until dusk. Singing songs and waving a Latinas Vote for Hillary sign, Diaz spoke to young voters and their parents walking to the Belvedere Recreation Center polling station.

“They need to know about our struggle,” he said. “They need to know where their parents came from and where they’re going.”

La Opinion, the nation’s largest Spanish-speaking newspaper, recently endorsed Obama, saying that his candidacy has the power to bridge gaps not only in Washington, but also throughout the country.

This endorsement came as a surprise to powerful Latinos in Los Angeles. Not only does this mark the first time the paper has endorsed any candidate in the primaries, but some feel that La Opinion should have backed a candidate with more connection to Latinos.

“I think it was very irresponsible of them,” Huerta said. “We tried to arrange a meeting with [the editors] to explain our position, but they went ahead and did it anyway.”

She continued: “In all my years of civil rights work I have yet to meet the man. I’ve been in Chicago many times working with the Latino community there, and he’s never even visited with me or the activists. We need someone who is not afraid to take risks.”

Watching the television monitors closely, Wendy Borales and Loretta Ramos, classmates at Cal State Long Beach, sat eating quesadillas and wearing Clinton stickers. The 19-year-olds raced to the phone bank after class and pledged to spend the entire evening waiting for results to trickle in.

“Hillary really stands for my community,” Borales said. “What other woman can do this, other than Dolores [Huerta]?”

“She’s right on target,” Ramos interjected. “There’s finally a candidate I can relate to.”