Latino gathering focuses on immigration, income

By: PETER PRENGAMAN - Associated Press | Thursday, September 7, 2006 11:46 AM PDT ∞

LOS ANGELES -- What is being hailed as the largest gathering of Latino leaders in decades began Wednesday with promises to re-energize a campaign urging lawmakers to offer a path to citizenship to over 11 million illegal immigrants.

The four-day National Latino Congreso comes as the U.S. Congress returns for its fall session having all but shelved immigration reform after the issue dominated the national agenda earlier this year.

The gathering of hundreds also comes as the immigration reform movement that brought hundreds of thousands of marchers to the streets this spring tries to regain momentum following internal divisions and summer vacations.

"This conference is designed to get us back on the offensive," said John Trasvina, interim president of the Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund. "Congress is doing nothing for Latino issues."

Sessions include speeches and workshops on registering Latino voters, running Latino political candidates, wage gaps between Latinos and whites, environmental issues and a lack of access to health care in immigrant communities.

Speakers include Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony, an outspoken advocate of legalizing undocumented immigrants, Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez, D-Los Angeles, and the Rev. Al Sharpton. The conference culminates Saturday afternoon with a rally.

The idea for the gathering developed several years ago when a handful of Latino leaders reviewed census data and noted Latinos still lagged far behind whites in wages, education and access to health care, said Antonio Gonzalez, president of the Texas-based William Velasquez Institute, a think tank focusing on Latino issues.

In 1977, Latino leaders met in San Antonio to confront issues of inequality, problems Gonzalez said have changed very little since then.

"The gap between Latinos and the white majority has not diminished in 30 years," said Gonzalez.

Gonzalez said the data were especially alarming because Latinos are projected to overtake whites as the country's largest group by 2050.

"The challenge of preparing us for our rightful role in America hasn't been fleshed out," he said.

During Wednesday's opening remarks, organizers said efforts to register thousands of new voters ---- a promised legacy of protesters this spring ---- would intensify as November's congressional elections approached.

So far, there is little indication of any such potent political legacy. An Associated Press review this week of voter registration figures from Chicago, Denver, Houston, Atlanta, Los Angeles and other major urban areas that saw large rallies showed no sign of a historic new voter boom that could sway elections.

Next Previous

More Stories

10 comment(s)[-]Go to Top

Not a joke! wrote on Sep 7, 2006 1:13 AM:I thought that this story was a joke until I read that the highly esteemed Rev. Al Sharpton was present. Cardinal Mahoney, how much illegal behavior can he advocate and be involved in before we can pull his tax exempt status? If he is accepting money from groups that advocate illegal immigration, do federal RICO statutes apply. I'd like to see these guys muzzled through financial means. Then we'll see where they truly stand on illegal immigration

not important wrote on Sep 7, 2006 7:26 AM:I can guarantee that LEGAL Mexican Americans are treated with total equality, and make as much money as the whites, and have extra benefits for being a minority that whites don't have a privelage to.If people continue to segregate, and make everything a race issue then they are going backwards. People aren't upset that these immigrants are Mexican, they are upset that they are ILLEGAL. They should have to work to be here too.

Cause to Pause wrote on Sep 7, 2006 7:43 AM: They should all be checked for green cards.

This is Ubsurd! wrote on Sep 7, 2006 8:14 AM:Gonzalez said, "The challenge of preparing us for our rightful role in America hasn't been fleshed out." What "rightful role" is he talking about? The Illegals have no rights. And, if the ones here legally want equal rights than they should look at the reasons they don't get equal pay. Maybe they should worry more about improving their lack of education so they can keep up with and contribute to society in a positive way.

Concerned wrote on Sep 7, 2006 8:31 AM:I saw this on the news last night and about had a cow. One guy, maybe Gonzalez, was ranting about the "millions and millions" of people here who want to become citizens but are not represented in the "congresso." Are you kidding? Listen to what they are saying. Read the quotes. Is this not the most racist thing you've ever heard? What is this country coming to? It's so sad that these people, in trying to promote their racist, anti-American agenda, are absolutely killing the beautiful Mexican heritage that all Californians share. Since May 1, I can't see a news story or Spanish language ad without feeling a pang. That's not right. This is getting way out of hand!!!!

Oh Boy wrote on Sep 7, 2006 10:01 AM:Rev Al's going to be there! I wonder how much they are paying him to appear? Whoops I shold have said donating to him? He sure adds credibility to this event?

LaRaza wrote on Sep 7, 2006 12:24 PM:The strategy is simple: legalize all illegals, open the border, then sue and tax El Guero until Latinos hold the balance of the wealth and power (the rightful role of the Latino).

Bob wrote on Sep 7, 2006 1:43 PM:Mahoney, Nunez and Sharpton. I would like to ship them off to Mexico where they can maybe do some good there. The people in Mexico would probably just ship them back here. Why are they always speaking? No one wants to listen to them. Well, maybe the illegals but they can't understand them anyway.

David wrote on Sep 7, 2006 3:47 PM:Latino gathering focuses on immigration, income. Right, they were there to plan on what to whine about next. Sharpton and Mahoney are there because they need the money. Nunez was there for the face time. The whole thing is just a big joke.

Get in line wrote on Sep 7, 2006 4:39 PM:The "path to citizenship" should ONLY be available to those who immigrate legally. Anything less is a joke.

First name only. Comments including last names, contact addresses, e-mail addresses or phone numbers will be deleted. Attempts to misrepresent your identity or impersonate any person will not be approved. All comments are screened before they appear online, so please keep them brief. Comments reflect the views of those commenting and not necessarily those of the North County Times or its staff writers. Click here to view additional comment policies.

Submit Comment[-]

(optional)
   

Advertisement

Videos