Members of the Latino community shared their experiences and concerns about life in Fall River at the first Latino Community Leaders Forum held at Bristol Community College on August 31, 2007. About thirty of the 8 candidates for mayor, 29 candidates for city council and 15 for school committee were on hand to hear testimony from local residents. "This is a time for you to hear from us," stated organizer Glenda Izaguirre. "We know you want to respond, but we want you to listen first," she instructed the candidates who each wanted to respond to the statements made at the microphones on either side of the gathering in the Commonwealth Center. Concerns included a lack of Spanish-speaking staff in the Fall River schools, anti-immigrant sentiment in the City, treatment by the State Police, and a lack of Hispanic officers on the Fall River police force. The forum was organized by several members of the Latino community including Izaguiree who works at Congressman Barney Frank's office in New Bedford, Carol Hernandez of Catholic Social Services, Rosa Sanchez of P.R.A.C., Inc. in Brockton and Diana Rosaro. Click here to read the Herald News article about the event. For more information, contact Ms. Izaguirre at 508-999-6462.
 

(Top row, left and center) Benny Mendoza testifies about the "anti-immigrant sentiment" that he experiences in the city as the audience and community leaders listen. (Top row, right) Event organizer Glenda Izaguirre speaks before introducing Bristol Community College president John Sbrega. (Middle row, left and right) Marilyn Gomez describes her experiences with the Fall River school system and City Councilor Linda Pereira, sitting between City Council candidates C.J. Ferry and Manuel Alves, responds. (Bottom row) The audience listens to responses from the various candidates for office and then to Johnny Alvarez who talked about treatment by law enforcement officers.