A group of Trenton-area’s Latino leaders have joined to form the Latino Civic Forum (formerly known as the Central Jersey Latino Civic Engagement Forum) and its political arm the Latino Political Action Committee of Trenton to promote political and civic participation of Latinos as well as to advocate for issues important to that community. These Latino leaders have been meeting since the fall of
2012 in various focus group meetings and community forums to refine their mission and vision. On October 2012, the group held the Central Jersey Latino Civic Engagement Forum at the Assembly of God Church where over 100 residents, elected officials and academics gathered to talk about the state of the local Latino community and identify their most pressing issues. Among the panelists presenting on that occasion were Princeton University Professor Douglas Massey an expert in Latino immigration, Congressman Rush Holt, Latino Leadership Alliance of New Jersey President Martin Perez and a speaker of the Citizens Campaign organization. At the conclusion of the forum, participants unanimously agreed that there must be a concerted effort to increase civic participation and political empowerment in the Latino community. The forum was followed up with several focus-group meetings and on October 2013 Latino leaders held a one day retreat at Thomas Edison State College to create an organization with the mission to promote the political and civic participation of Latinos. The group agreed to create two separate but affiliated organizations: 1) a civic-oriented grassroots organization; and 2) a political action committee. The civic organization named Latino Civic Forum, which will be applying for 501(c)(4) recognition, will be dedicated to four main areas:
1. Leadership development that trains and nurtures Latino youth.
2. Organizes voter registration, voter education, and citizenship drives to increase civic awareness, knowledge, and participation.
3. Offers recommendations of qualified Latinos to serve on local boards and commissions.
4. Advocates for legislation and policies on issues important to the Latino community. The organization’s political arm, Latino Political Action Committee of Trenton (LatinoPACT), which was recently registered with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission, will engage in:
1. Support or oppose ballot questions.
3. Donate money or time to political campaigns. The Latino Civic Forum is born and it plans on becoming a platform for the voices and aspirations of Latinos in the Greater-Trenton area. As its first event, the Latino Civic Forum will be hosting a Trenton Mayoral-Candidates' Night on April 7, 2013 at the Iglesia Pentecostal Asamblea de Dios located at 50 North Clinton Ave.
