Beacon Hill celebrates Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month

BOSTON (WWLP) – September 15 marked the beginning of National Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month, and Governor Healey hosted a celebration on the Grand Staircase of the State House on Wednesday.

The event brought together members of the Governor’s Latino Empowerment Council and state lawmakers to celebrate food, music, and culture with members of the Hispanic and Latino communities.

The Latino Empowerment Council was created almost a year and a half ago to identify legislative priorities of the Latino and Hispanic communities, and they were given recognition for the work they have done so far at today’s event.

Springfield Senator Adam Gomez is the first Afro-Latino Puerto Rican to be elected to the state senate. “We’re a part of and embedded into the community in Western Massachusetts. We just kicked off our Puerto-Rican parade, kicking off Hispanic Heritage month in Springfield,” Gomez told 22News. “I’m just proud to be here.”

Representative Shirley Arriaga of Chicopee says events like today’s celebrations encourage her community to celebrate their differences. Events such as this just remind everyone, especially those little ones at home that it’s okay to be different,” said Arriaga. “We welcome and cherish and celebrate you.”

One highlight of the event was a capoeira performance, where children and adults alike showed off the traditional Brazilian martial arts to the enthusiastic crowd. Hispanic and Latino Heritage Month runs through October 1 and is marked by celebrations across the state, including a series of events at Holyoke Community College.

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