Hispanic meeting boycotted by some

A meeting Friday with the governor's office intended to help elevate the state's ethnic offices beyond "token positions" was boycotted by some Hispanic community leaders.

"(The meeting) sounds to be somewhat token," said Frank Cordova, director, Utah Coalition of La Raza.

He said that Yvette Diaz, director of the new state Department of Community and Culture, had set the agenda and handpicked who would attend.

"We asked that there be no exclusions, and they are excluding some people from the meeting," Cordova said "We cannot justly attend."

The meeting controversy is the latest in what some observers see as a growing rift in a Hispanic community already divided over drivers' licenses for illegal immigrants, and the new administration's pick for director of the Utah Office of Hispanic Affairs.

Diaz, however, said the closed meeting, requested by La Raza but reportedly not attended by any La Raza member, was "extremely productive," noting that Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. had extended the original half-hour meeting to a full hour.

About 20 people representing the governor's advisory council, the Democratic and Republican political parties as well as various community social service groups were invited.

Diaz said she invited leaders interested in finding solutions, not more division, on issues such as closing the educational achievement gap Hispanic youths face. She said she didn't want the meeting to become divisive or destructive.

"It's good to have diversity," Diaz said. "There's no question when it comes to big issues like education and criminal justice, they are not only important to all ethnic citizens but to all Utahns. ... We definitely can't afford in the state of Utah to be divided on those big issues."

Huntsman told the group that there's a need for more Latino role models and encouraged emerging leaders to get involved in politics. He also stressed the importance of cohesion.

"I need you to come unified to the table. Divided, everyone loses," he told the group.

However, Tony Yapias, former director of the Utah Office of Hispanic Affairs, who was not invited to the meeting, said there doesn't seem to be any unifying force in the community.

"I have never seen our community more divided than it is now," Yapias said. "It's becoming more exclusive, who can we talk to."

RAZ-PAC president Bob Gallegos, who also wasn't invited, said it seems like Diaz is playing "too many games" and is barring the community from moving forward.