SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO

The nation’s oldest and largest Latino civil-rights group held its first meeting in the city Wednesday to discuss issues such as police discrimination and the lack of representation of Latinos in local government. The League of United Latin American Citizens formed a local council in San Juan Capistrano last month to promote equal opportunity, civil rights and education for Latinos, who make up 25% of the city’s population. Latino residents discussed feeling alienated from the rest of the community and said they were victims of discriminatory and questionable police actions, according to Manuel Marroquin, deputy director for the Orange County district office of the organization. Marroquin said the group will encourage Latinos to participate in school affairs and get involved in local politics. In addition, the organization will offer counseling and referral services on civil rights and equal opportunity matters and provide scholarships for young Latinos.