'Not afraid to rattle some nerves'


By Franco Ordoñez
Posted: Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2010


In his first two years in Charlotte, Hector Vaca paid special attention to the city's landlords who he says profited by taking advantage of vulnerable immigrants.

In recent months, the community organizer with Action NC Charlotte has taken a more active role in the fight for immigration reform.

His methods are not always welcome. During this year's county commissioners campaign, Vaca and another advocate pretty much hijacked a local news conference calling for tougher local laws against illegal immigrants.

With TV cameras rolling, Vaca and another advocate peppered the candidates with comments and angered their supporters by questioning statements about illegal immigration and connections to the crime rate.

"I'm not afraid to rattle some nerves," Vaca says. "Sometimes we need that. Being overly diplomatic doesn't always get you answers."


www.charlotteobserver.com