Panel Talk on Immigrant Community/Latino Dance

To promote diversity in southern Maine, the Latino/a Law Student Association (LLSA) at the University of Maine School of Law on USM’s Portland campus is hosting a dance and also a panel focusing upon the effects of immigrants and refugees on the Greater Portland area.

The panel discussion will take place at 5 p.m., Wednesday, March 28th in the Moot Court Room of the Law School on Deering Avenue. Matthew Ward, director of the Immigrant and Refugee Department of Catholic Charities of Maine, will talk about the refugee population in Portland. Beth Stickney, executive director of the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project, will speak about legal realities of immigration in Portland. These talks will be followed by discussion with panelists Kathy Bouchard, principal of Portland High School; Pamela McNally, community services coordinator of Midtown Community Policing; Pirun Sen, community coordinator of the Cultural Exchange Center; and José Soto, organizer/director of the Maine Rural Workers Coalition. Time will be allowed for questions from the audience.

The LLSA also will be hosting a Latino Dance at the Mariners' Church Banquet Center at 368 Fore St. from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturday, March 31st. Maine Ball Room Dance will provide free lessons in Salsa and Meringue between 8 and 9 p.m. Tickets for the dance are $5. There will be a free raffle prize of two free tickets for dance lessons at Maine Ball Room Dance.

For more information on the panel and/or dance, contact Mark Russo, chairperson of the Latino/a Law Student Association at 967-1197.