Bronx Immigration Forum, Sept. 9

State Senator Pedro Espada Jr. will be hosting a Bronx Immigration Forum on Sept. 9, from 5:30 to 9 p.m. at Bronx Community College, 2155 University Avenue in the Gould Memorial Library.

Espada, who held a press conference today to announce the event, said he is holding the forum in response to a wave of bias attacks on immigrants in the Bronx, Staten Island and Long Island. Espada referenced the Sunday shooting, in broad daylight, of a 20-year-old man near St. James Park. There were perhaps dozens of witnesses at the park on Sunday when it happened, but no one has yet to step forward with information about the shooters. he said many of the immigrants may have been immigrants who were scared to come forward with information because they were scared of deportation.

Majority Conference Leader John Sampson is co-hosting the event. He didn't make it to the press conference, but Espada's state senate ally, Ruben Diaz Sr., did.

Espada Commemorates MLK's March on Washington, Plans Immigration Forum

Pedro Espada, Jr. (red shirt) marching for "unity and peace" this past Sunday (Photo courtesy of Espada's office)

With primary day drawing ever closer, State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr. has been omnipresent in his west Bronx district these past few days.

On Sunday, he was joined by clergy, local residents, and youth groups for a "march for peace and unity" along the Grand Concourse to commemorate the 47th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s historic march on Washington.

In a statement sent out afterwards, Espada said:

I was encouraged by the response and participation by our community, particularly our children and young people who turned out for this event. They sent a strong message that the actions and behavior of those who pursue the path of violence and discrimination will not be tolerated in our streets and neighborhoods.

Then, on Monday, Espada personally delivered a new transport van to the Sister Annunciata Bethel Senior Center in Bedford Park. The van was paid for with a $50,000 state grant Espada secured, according to a press release. It'll be used to transport seniors to and from their homes, doctors' appointments, and on shopping trips, etc. The money was also used to purchase computers and a digital blood pressure device, and upgrade the kitchen and the center's roof.

Espada also held a press conference later that afternoon with two Spanish-language newspaper editors who are supporting his reelection bid.

At 2 p.m. today he's scheduled another press conference outside his district office on Bainbridge Avenue to discuss what needs to be done to reverse anti-immigrant sentiment, and to announce that he's hosting an immigration forum on Sept. 9 at Bronx Community College. (For more details about the forum, see our events calendar in the top right hand corner of this page.) State Senate Majority Conference Leader John L. Sampson is expected to be in attendence today.

Espada has also been holding "giveaways," during which he and his staff hand out free school supplies or groceries to registered voters. During one such event, he got into an argument - and very nearly a fight - with a man who berated him.  On Saturday morning, we hear he plans to give away bags of fruit outside Amalgamated Houses' Vladeck Hall and Mosholu Library.

Espada's office also fired out a press release recently announcing that he helped secure funding for the construction of two affordable housing projects. One of the buildings will be built in his district, the other just outside.