East Haven Mayor Joseph Maturo announced Friday that East Haven High School will host the Latino Expo May 5 and 6.
The mayor called it a step in the right direction after four of the town's police officers were arrested on charges they violated the civil rights of Hispanics in East Haven. The officers are accused of racial profiling and harassing Latino-owned businesses in East Haven.
“We need to bring all Hispanic individuals and families together with all the other citizens of the town of East Haven in order to bring a stronger community and economic base,” said Maturo.
However, some members of the Latino community think this expo is more of an opportunity for the Mayor than anyone else.
“We feel that he used the Latino Expo as a pick-up line to establish a connection with the Latinos,” said Herman Zuniga, who is the President of the Community of Immigrants of East Haven.
Zuniga thinks the Mayor hasn't established that connection. When he interrupted the Mayor's announcement to ask about a letter the Community of Immigrants had sent to town hall, the Mayor wouldn't answer his questions. He believes the Mayor isn't addressing the real issues.
“It's about human rights; it's a about police brutality; it's about racial profiling; it's about a community issue. You cannot be blind about it,” said Zuniga.
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Instead, the Mayor asked the group to make an appointment or leave their names and addresses to be contacted.
The confrontation was the latest in a string of problems for the mayor since he made controversial comments about eating tacos just after the arrest of the four officers.
“The guy is a clown. He's a joke for me. I'm sorry to say it, but at this point, I have no respect at all for him. He had a huge opportunity to respond to the Latino community and he just blew it up,” said Milena Quinto.
The Latino community members say they’ve tried to meet with Mayor Maturo at his office, but he is never available to speak with them.
Mayor Maturo had no comment on the Latino community’s remarks.
