Who We Are - Overview

30 April 2002
Coalition Unveils Wall Of Shame
Crowns First Cinco de Mayo Parade King and Queen; Recognizes Student Leaders and Event Supporters

What:
The San Diego Cinco de Mayo con Orgullo Coalition unveils Wall of Shame and denounces the alcohol and tobacco industries’ abuse of Cinco de Mayo holiday as a marketing tool. The Coalition will also crown the first Alcohol and Tobacco-Free Cinco de Mayo Parade and Festival king and queen and recognize student leaders and event supporters.

Why:

	Alcohol and tobacco have more negative effects in Latinos than other ethnic groups.
	About 23 percent of Mexican-Americans are considered heavy, problem-drinkers, compared with 12 percent of white men and 15 percent of black men.
	Nationwide, Mexican-American men are nearly twice as likely to get arrested for drunk driving as whites and African-Americans.
	Last year in San Diego, 30 Mexican-Americans got arrested for DUI during Cinco de Mayo celebrations, compared to 23 whites, 9 blacks and 3 Asians.
	The tobacco and alcohol industries specifically target the Latino population and promote Cinco de Mayo as a drinking holiday.
	Every year, 10,000 San Diego youth begin smoking; one third of who will die from tobacco-related illness.

When:
Thursday, May 2, 2002, 6:30 PM

Where:
Doubletree Hotel
7450 Hazard Center Drive

Who:

	Chief David Bejarano, San Diego Police Department
	Jovita Hurtado, Cinco de Mayo con Orgullo Coalition, (858) 974-3603 ext. 212
	Dr. Cleo Malone, The Palavra Tree, (619) 263-7768
	Luis Natividad, Latina/o Unity Coalition, 236-7500
	Bernardo Rosa, CA Latino Leadership United for Healthy Communities (909) 414-8935
	Student, community and business leaders

Background:
The Cinco de Mayo con Orgullo campaign began in California in November of 1997 by a group of youths from the Community Wellness Partnership. Since then the campaign has spread throughout California. The San Diego Cinco de Mayo con Orgullo Coalition was created in 2001 to promote the true meaning of the holiday, create greater awareness of the negative impacts of tobacco and alcohol in the Latino community. The Coalition will also help stop sponsorship and advertisements that demean the Hispanic culture, encourage underage and binge drinking and heavy consumption of alcohol, and support, alcohol and tobacco free Cinco de Mayo celebrations.