Latino Leaders Across New Jersey Announce Formation of
New Organization Dedicated to Civil Rights and Social Justice
Founding tied to Celebration of Dr. King’s Life
For Immediate Release: January 18, 2010
Contacts:
Frank Argote-Freyre, Interim Chairperson -- 908-670-0552
Christian Estevez, Steering Committee Member -- 973-418-7012
Latino leaders from across New Jersey today announces the formation of a new grassroots organization aimed at uniting the state’s diverse Latino communities and promoting a public policy agenda committed to economic and political empowerment.
The Latino Action Network [LAN] consists of 27 charter members who will be convening an assembly by the end of the month to establish bylaws and elect a permanent Executive Committee. The Network is a non-partisan organization focused on issues of policy rather than political parties or personalities. The LAN website will be set up in the next few days.
“It is obvious that the Latino community in New Jersey has not been served particularly well by either political party,” said Frank Argote-Freyre, who was asked to chair the Network on an interim basis by community leaders. “The most recent proof of this was the failure of In-State tuition to even come up for a vote in the State Senate. The Network will seek to create a broader coalition to champion issues of great concern to our community.”
Christian Estevez, a key organizer of the Network, said: “The Latino Action Network represents the next step in community advocacy, bringing together grassroots community organizers with established Latino policy leaders. The challenges faced by the Latino community in these difficult times require a new approach to advocacy that combines proven organizing methods with new techniques that take advantage of modern technology and existing social networks. It's all about connecting people for community action.”
The Members of the Steering Committee and their affiliations [in alphabetical order] are:
- Albert J. Alvarez, former Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Jon Corzine
- Frank Argote-Freyre, Assistant Professor, Kean University
- Elsa Candelario, Executive Director of the Hispanic Family Center of Southern New Jersey
- Lazaro Cardenas, Chairperson of the Latino Festival Committee of Monmouth County
- Edward Correa, New Jersey Latino Foundation
- Lizette Delgado, Executive Director of The New Jersey State Council Service Employees International Union (SEIU)
- Christian Estevez, Plainfield Board of Education Member.
- Roberto Frugone, Founder & Publisher, La Causa Newsletter of NJ
- Carlos Hendricks, Community Activist from Mercer County
- Romi Herrera, Peruvian American Political Action Committee
- Christopher Irizarry, Chief Executive Officer of the North Hudson Community Action Corporation
- Daniel H. Jara, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Statewide Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Joseph Laureano, Manager of Continuing Education & Global Programs, Rutgers Graduate School of Education
- Emiliano Lemos, Community Activist from Morris County
- Angel Matos, Charter Member of the Keyport Cultural Harmony Program
- David Matos, President of the Matos Group
- Axel Miranda, Principal, The Tower Development Group, LLC
- Jose Perez, Community Activist, Middlesex County
- Omar Perez, Chairperson, Next Generation Latinos Political Action Committee.
- Anna “Cuqui” Rivera, Community Activist
- Michael Ramos, President, Latinos Unidos Civic Association
- Antonio Rivera, Director, Union County Workforce Investment Board
- Idida Rodriguez, Chief Executive Officer, IRODZ Associates
- Milton Rosado, United Auto Workers.
- Reverend Gabriel Salguero, The Latino Leadership Circle
- Daniel Santo Pietro, Executive Director of the Hispanic Directors Association of New Jersey
- Carlos Valentin Jr., Executive Director of ASPIRA
