|
|
Portuguese Residents Learn About Their
Rights
By Joao Ferreira, Standard-Times
June 16, 2004
Massachusetts: During a heavy snowstorm in 1979, Maria Pachedo said she was taken into police custody for illegal parking when her car died in the midst of the storm just before midnight.
While in custody, she said the arresting officer and another patrolman ate pizza, drank beer and mocked her. Later she went to the police station with her husband to file a complaint, but quickly gave up.
"I was very nervous," she said, noting that she did not speak English and did not know her rights back then. "I was afraid of that the police officer would mistreat me."
If that episode repeated itself today, Ms. Pacheco, 57, said she would act differently.
"Now I know the laws better," she said.
Advocates say that many Portuguese-speaking older people today still do not know their rights when they are victims of abuse or when they need help with getting health care and housing, among other things. They also do not speak out.
"I find that the Portuguese are reclusive, not demanding when they should be," said Lt. Joe Cordeiro of the New Bedford Police Department. "It is a matter of just getting them to come out more."
Advocates yesterday worked to address some of those fears during a Portuguese-language conference for 160 elders at the Mount Carmel Church hall on Rivet Street.
Advocates also said simply making themselves known and available to people is a tremendous first step toward change.
"There are people who are very proud; they go without," Theresa Larson of Coastline Elderly Services said. "They are afraid they are going to be deported, that they will cause trouble."
Ms. Larson said many older Portuguese people do not speak English often go without appropriate health care, housing and other assistance because they are afraid to make waves.
For example, Ms. Larson said some people turn off their heat in the winter and nearly become homeless because they spend their money on medication. They don't look for help.
"They don't know what they are entitled to; they don't know what their rights are," said Rosa Farizo of the Southeastern Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corp.
The conference was organized by the Portuguese-Speaking Elder Network, led by Ms. Farizo and Helena S. Marques, executive director of the Immigrants' Assistance Center. Several local public and private agencies participated.
Participants enjoyed free advice and information, entertainment and Portuguese food. After, they praised organizers.
"This is very good for me and everybody else here because it alerts us about our rights," said Maria Franca, 78, of Fall River. "Many people could be living better but they aren't."
Dina Pachedo, 63, of New Bedford said she has been in the United States 35 years and wondered why a conference like this was not held before.
"There's lots of things I didn't know about," she said. "I loved it."
|
|
