Join KIRO 7's Essex Porter at the Communities of Color United for Progress Legislative Day and Candidate Forum

October 19, 2012 — Join KIRO 7's Essex Porter at the Communities of Color United for Progress Legislative Day and Candidate Forum on Saturday, October 20, 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at Rainier Beach High School.

Porter will be one of the moderators at the free, all-day forum which will focus on legislative priorities impacting people of color around education, economic development and criminal justice and present these priorities to statewide political candidates.

The morning session will serve as a forum for people of color to share concerns around the three main topic areas that will inform the development of policy priorities for people of color in the upcoming legislative session. "We are excited to unite as communities of color to raise our collective concerns on core issues that affect us all," remarks Laura Flores Cantrell, executive director of Latino Community Fund.

"This forum is an opportunity for communities of color to meet and speak with political candidates; and most importantly to ensure that we keep political candidates accountable to their campaign promises." said Nate Miles, African American community leader.

The afternoon candidate forum, covered live by TVW, will be dedicated to listening from candidates for select state-wide offices and their stances. Confirmed candidates include Jay Inslee (D) and Rob McKenna (R) for Governor; Brad Owen (D) and Bill Finkbeiner (R) for Lt. Governor; Bob Ferguson (D) and Reagan Dunn (R) for Attorney General as well as leadership from the Republican and Democratic caucuses in the Washington State House and Senate.  Moderators include Essex Porter from KIRO 7 and Enrique Cerna from KCTS.

"Communities of color are civically engaged to ensure we have the political voice and power to impact state policies affecting our future, children and families," said Lua Pritchard, Asian Pacific Islander community leader."

The free, all-day forum takes place 8:00am-4:00pm with breakfast and registration from 8:00am-9:00am; and the program beginning promptly at 9:00am. To find additional event information please visit: http://unitedforprogress.wordpress.com/.

KIRO