MAYOR PEREZ AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE ROLDAN TAKE A STRONG STAND AGAINST INTOLERANCE AT CCSU   

--- NEWS RELEASE ---

(October 4, 2007) ---Hartford Mayor Eddie A. Pérez and State Representative Kelvin Roldán (D-4^th District) are deeply disappointed in the inadequate response by Central Connecticut State University’s leadership to an offensive cartoon published in the school’s student newspaper.  The cartoon, which depicted a Latina minor being urinated on, was published in “The Recorder” on September 12, 2007.  Mayor Pérez and Representative Roldán have written letters urging The Board of Trustees of the CT State University System  to take appropriate action and demonstrate that intolerance of race, gender or ethnicity will not be accepted at the University.

Mayor Pérez wrote, “The response by CCSU’s leadership has been wholly inadequate and the Trustees of the Connecticut State University System must demonstrate that they will not support a culture of intolerance and intimidation of the campus of the ‘flagship’ of the CSU system.”

State Representative Roldán echoes this sentiment and recommends that the University’s leadership implement 5 initiatives to increase multicultural understanding at CCSU.  He also suggested that the University share a report with the Connecticut General Assembly regarding their decision in addressing this serious matter.

Attached to this news release, you will find a copy of the letters sent by Mayor Pérez and State Representative Roldán to Chairman Lawrence McHugh of the Connecticut State University Board of Trustees. 

For more information on the Mayor’s role, please contact Ramón Espinoza, Media Liaison, at (860) 522-4888 x 6208