Puerto Rican summit in CT brings community disparities to lawmakers’ attention [Video]

HARTFORD, Conn. — Connecticut is only a few days into the Legislative Session, and groups across the state have spent this time organizing their agendas for lawmakers.

On Jan. 11, the Puerto Rican community did just that at the Legislative Office Building. But despite being the state’s largest Hispanic population, many in the community say they are treated as second-class citizens.

“We’re still a bit of an invisible population,” said Chiedza Rodriguez, a participant in the inaugural Puerto Rican Summit. “There’s not the information specific to our people, and yet a very negative narrative that we’ve been fed about our ability, our productivity and what we actually offer to the state that really needs some more attention.” 

Among those pressing issues are the disparities Puerto Ricans face compared to other …