AP: Sharpton forms group to promote racial harmony in LA

[question everything]

Aug 1, 8:16 PM EDT

Sharpton forms group to promote racial harmony in LA

By MICHAEL R. BLOOD
Associated Press Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- The Rev. Al Sharpton announced Monday he was forming a coalition to promote racial unity between blacks and Hispanics in the city, hoping to ease a long-running rivalry over jobs, housing and schools.

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Sharpton called for a range of public activities aimed at bringing attention to the shared interests of blacks and Hispanics, from community forums to church visits to radio appearances. The group, the Latino & African-American Leadership Alliance, plans a march later this month on the anniversary of the Watts racial riots.

He said he was particularly concerned about conflict in schools. At one high school last spring, a series of fights was blamed on tension between black and Hispanic students. One fight was so serious police needed batons and pepper spray to break it up.

The activist minister made the announcement seated beside his co-chair, Christine Chavez, a union organizer and granddaughter of labor hero Cesar Chavez. Asked about the shortage of prominent black or Hispanic leaders at the event, Sharpton said, "You have to begin the process and others will come forward. I don't think that you want to do everything in one day."

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