Latino-rights group forms

At a kickoff meeting in Costa Mesa on Saturday, a local chapter of a national Latino activist group said its focus will be on community education and youth outreach.

The Costa Mesa chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens met with community members over dinner and live music at Costa Mesa’s Balearic Community Center on Saturday evening.

Chapter President Humberto Caspa said the group will work with the local government to address some of the problems Costa Mesa faces.

“We would like to become a voice in the Latino community,” Caspa said.

Among those in attendance Saturday were Orange Coast College President Bob Dees, Coast Community College District trustee Mary Hornbuckle, and Costa Mesa Police Lt. Clay Epperson.

Amid the recent gang violence and the reaction to immigration law proposals in Costa Mesa, chapter treasurer Mirna Burciaga said the council will work to inform the Latino community.

“They need to be informed. They need to be educated — in a good way,” Burciaga said.

The council will encourage Latinos to be involved with their children’s education and not to be afraid to participate in the community, Burciaga said.

“We need to start working with our youth,” Burciaga said.

The league is a national nonprofit organization that works for the civil rights of Latinos. About five years ago, a local chapter was organized but didn’t have enough members to get going, Burciaga said.

Angelina Madrid, a council member of the Garden Grove chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens, said the organization has so far been successful in that city.

“As a civil rights organization, we’re very well involved with the community,” Madrid said.

Some of the Garden Grove council members mentored Costa Mesa community members and helped them to start their chapter, Madrid said.

Burciaga said the group plans to hold monthly meetings.