Finizio Discusses Diversity In Last Forum Before Caucus

In his last public forum before the Democratic Town Committee holds their caucus later this month, mayoral candidate said there is a need to recognize the diversity in New London.

“I believe that there are many groups within the city that are underrepresented, who have not been treated fairly by the city government,” he said.

At a discussion held at , Finizio said there is a need to make people feel welcome as a way of encouraging involvement in city affairs and retaining population. He said the city has a large Muslim population, but that it was unable to gain enough support for an Islamic community center and ultimately had to set it up in Groton.

Finizio said that while immigrant status has been a much-discussed issue at the federal level, it should play less of a role at the local level. He said he believes most immigrants are hard-working and law-abiding, but are “relegated to what I would call the shadows of society” by the federal policies. He said he would support a resident identification program like one introduced in New Haven, saying this program helps immigrants to report crimes, unfair employment practices, health violations, and other misdeeds. He said the program also helps the homeless or others lacking a photo ID.

“It should be our primary concern to ensure public safety and public health for people who are here,” he said.

Finizio said New London can attract visitors and residents through celebrations of its diversity, such as a gay pride parade or Latino cultural festival. He said there is also a need to recognize the different cultural backgrounds within the Latino population.

“We have a very large Latino population, but it is not a monolithic community, which is often not well understood here in New London,” he said.

Finizio, an attorney and former Westerly, R.I. city councilor, is one of three candidates seeking the Democratic nod for the office. City Councilors —a real estate developer—and —an attorney and firefighter—are also in the running. The Democratic Town Committee will caucus on July 19 at the to determine their choice for the party’s nomination.