Join Me for National Night Out and Celebrating the Peruvian Community

August 1, 2023


I hope you are enjoying our wet, hot, and humid summer. While the annual Hartford Puerto Rican Parade is still a month away, we recognized our Latino friends from Peru last week at the Capitol.

Before getting to that celebration below, I hope you can join me tonight for National Night Out. I will be at Goodwin Park talking about the importance of building a good relationship between our community and our police department.

National Night Out is an annual community building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer. The event provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.

Tonight's event starts at 5 P.M. and will have free food, prizes, and the opportunity for residents and families to see fire trucks, police cruisers, boats, and motorcycles.
 
The Latino community came together last week to say “feliz veintiocho” and to celebrate Peru’s independence. On July 28, 1821, José de San Martín and his forces liberated Peru from the Spanish. We gathered at the State Capitol and watched as the red and white Peruvian flag was raised for all to see.
Performers took part in traditional Peruvian dances but not before popular Peruvian musician Manuel Donayre gave a speech a day after being recognized by the consulate of Peru. Donayre will always be remembered for his mesmerizing performances, mellow vocals, and dedication to helping the people of Peru.
    My colleagues and I soaked in the rich Peruvian culture and pride as we all reflected on the undeniably, positive impact the Peruvian community continues to have in Hartford, West Hartford, and other cities in our state. From all the hard-working Peruvian individuals and families, including the owners of the Cora Cora restaurant, which is nominated for a prestigious James Beard Award, Peruvians are an essential fabric of the community. This is part of the reason why the Peruvian population has more than doubled in Connecticut since 2000, according to the General Consul of Peru in Hartford.
      One of my staffers, Milagros Acosta, received the Peruvian Citizen of the Year of the Peruvian diaspora in December for her many years of working to support the Peruvian community through social service, humanitarian support, and other assistance. Acosta was the only person in Connecticut to receive the award.
        During the pandemic, Acosta hosted a COVID-19 vaccination clinic, which helped protect more than 2,000 Peruvian members in the city.
        I will continue to support the Peruvian and all Latino communities in Hartford. Our vibrancy, diversity, and culture is what makes our city great and a welcoming place for so many immigrants.