MONTEBELLO–Representatives of Armenian and Latino organizations met for a summit last Thursday–June 29 in an effort organized jointly by the San Gabriel Valley Armenian National Committee chapter and Rep. Grace Napolitano (D-34). The summit–which took place at the Montebello Armenian Center–was aimed at fostering mutual understanding and cooperation.
The meeting was chaired by Napolitano’s district director Ray Cordova. Participating in the meeting were the Los Angles-area’s leading Latino organization MAPA–as well as youth and cultural organizational representatives from La Puente and San Gabriel Valley areas. The Los Angeles Time San Gabriel Valley Edition’s Our Times editor was also present as was Horizon Armenian Television and Asbarez Armenian newspaper.
Representing the Armenian community were the San Gabriel Valley ANC–the board of trustees of the Holy Cross Armenian Cathedral and representatives of the Armenian Mesrobian School.
The meeting addressed defining relations between Armenian and Latino community organizations and expand the circle of participants in similar gatherings in the future. During the gathering it was also discussed to publicize the activities of the group through events and programs.
The group also discussed publicizing cooperation within schools through speakers known to Armenian and Latino students.
A proposal for a month-long festival was also discussed. This event is slated to take place in May to correspond with Cinco de Mayo and Armenian independence Day.
A public relations committee and a resolution committee were elected during this meeting and a decision was made to garner the support of local municipalities–police departmen’s–school districts and celebrities.
The second such meeting will take place on July 12 at Holy Cross Cathedral.