Hispanics rally against racial profiling by local police

By MIKE CHERNEY, The Virginian-Pilot
© June 30, 2007

NEWPORT NEWS

Shorty Melendez was driving here about three months ago when her daughter waved at a police officer from the back seat.

When the officer pulled her over, he pointed at the Puerto Rican flag hanging on her rearview mirror. He told her it was illegal to hang items from the mirror, and gave her a warning.

Melendez, a 44-year-old outreach worker from Newport News , thinks she was profiled for being Hispanic. She joined about two dozen others Friday afternoon to protest what they say has been an increase in Hispanic profiling by Hampton Roads police departments.

Children waved American flags and held placards at the rally, which was organized by the local action group Politica Empowerment of Hampton Roads and took place outside the Newport News Jail .

“A unified community cannot be overcome,â€