Countywide : Latino Group Forms County Chapter
A statewide organization that promotes Latino activism in politics, education and civil rights has a new Orange County chapter.
A local group of the Mexican American Political Assn., which endorses political candidates, has formed to provide a vehicle for interested Latino residents to voice their concerns and support issues.
“The time is now that we should form a MAPA chapter in Orange County to stand up for immigrants’ rights, pushing citizenship and voter registration . . . (and) speaking out on hate crime,” said Rueben Martinez, organizer of the local chapter.
One of the goals of the statewide organization is to reach young Latinos, said Martinez, a Santa Ana barber, bookseller and active Democrat. Group members will try to provide Latino role models, promote education and give youths a sense of purpose and belonging.
A youth also will be chosen to join the group’s board of directors, Martinez said.
The statewide group has taken stands on a variety of issues, including representation of Latinos in media, drives to encourage immigrants to become citizens and improvement of health conditions for rural and urban workers.
Anyone interested in MAPA may attend the group’s next meeting at 7 p.m. Wednesday. It will be held at the Martinez-Hernandez Hispanic Bookcase, 220 W. 3rd St., Santa Ana. For information, call Martinez at: (714) 954-1151.
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