Immigrant Rights Group Honors Diversity At Gala

LOS ANGELES - To commemorate twenty-five years of advocacy on behalf of the immigrant community, the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights of Los Angeles (CHIRLA), a regional civil and human rights organization, will hold its Annual Gala on April 7, 2011 at the historic Park Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles.

"We are proud of our work during the past twenty-five years working hand in hand with many sister organizations who also seek fairness, justice, and equality for all. We look forward to continuing our advocacy for as long as it takes to reach fair and humane immigration laws,' stated Angelica Salas, executive director of CHIRLA.

At the Annual Gala, five exemplary individuals who have left a mark in the immigrant rights movement and continue to advocate on behalf of ethnic and sexual minorities will be honored by CHIRLA. This year's honorees are:

His Eminence Roger Michael Mahony, Cardinal Archbishop of Los Angeles
Rosario Isabel Dawson, actor, singer, writer, and co-founder of Voto Latino, a civic engagement for youth non-profit organization
Nicky Diaz Santillan, former housekeeper and now immigrant worker advocate
Deepak Bhargava, executive director of the Center for Community Change, social justice advocate, philanthropist, and national immigration reform leader
Founders of Wise Up!, pioneers for immigrant student rights

"CHIRLA is pleased to honor such a distinguished cadre of individuals and organizations that are as diverse as the immigrant community itself. As a non-profit organization, we have been blessed with the support and encouragement of people and entities locally, regionally, and nationally represented by this year's honorees. Without the spiritual, political, strategic, and financial support of some of these allies, CHIRLA would not be able to accomplish its work." stated Ms. Salas.