John Merino; Leader in L.A. Gypsy Council

John Merino, a leader in both the Los Angeles-area and U.S. Romani (Gypsy) councils who worked for equal rights for his people, has died. He was 81.

Merino, who lived in Ventura, died Aug. 4 in Los Angeles, his friend and civil rights attorney Barry A. Fisher said Thursday.

Fisher said Merino was “unique in his dedication both to preserving his people’s ancient tradition and to raising their political consciousness.”

“He was known by his people from coast to coast,” the attorney said. “A revered elder, he was rooted in tradition, yet saw with clear eyes the progress needed for the coming generations.”

Merino, known as Moyo in the Romani language, headed a 12-member kris, or tribunal, that meets twice monthly or more to handle disputes among Los Angeles’ 50,000 Gypsies. When the U.S. Romani Council was formed in 1984 to fight racial prejudice, Merino became the head of the California chapter, representing the state’s estimated 200,000 Gypsies.

In 1985, Merino was a delegate to a meeting of nationwide Gypsies in the White House. That year he also became the first Gypsy to light a candle in Congress’ annual Holocaust Memorial ceremony. In 1987, he was named a special adviser to the chairman of the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Council.

Merino, a real estate investor and manager who had also been captain of the Hawthorne Police Reserves, wanted his life “to send a message to my people that it is possible to remain a Rom within that rich culture and heritage and yet be accepted in American society.”

Born in Oakland, Merino was a third-generation California Gypsy, the son of a coppersmith.

Merino attended North Hollywood High School, graduated from Polytechnic High School and attended El Camino College in Torrance. In high school, he became an award-winning track competitor and sang in the glee club, in marked contrast to his people’s traditional avoidance of mainstream institutions and activities.

Merino is survived by a son, Robert, of Los Angeles.