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Imperial County

Lawsuit could force Valley church to close its doors

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January 18, 2021 7:21 PM
Published 2:22 PM

Suit raises discrimination claims - News 11's Gianella Ghiglino investigates

HOLTVILLE, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - A Holtville church could be forced to shut its doors due to a lawsuit accusing it of discriminating against Spanish-speaking members of the community.

A regional branch of the Methodist Church filed suit against United Methodist Church in early April, saying it's not catering to Holtville's Hispanic population. The church does not offer services in Spanish.

Hugo Castro Chirla helped organized the suit. He's among those in the city who want to attend Spanish services. Chirla says Holtville has a large Latino population. He says the church's refusal to offer Spanish-language services is an example of systemic racism.

The church is currently in confidential negotiations with the South District Union of the California-Pacific Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church in hopes of reaching a settlement. But, in the meantime, Spanish-speaking worshippers have nowhere to go.

Monday on News 11's Evening Edition, Gianella Ghiglino speaks with Chirla about the desire and need for services.

Article Topic Follows: Imperial County

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Gianella Ghiglino

Peruvian-born and LA raised Gianella Ghiglino joins the team from the San Fernando valley. “LA is the place that taught me how to breath and Peru is my breath.” She says she was inspired by the community she grew up in and began documenting her experience through poetry at the age of 7. “I wrote about everything I saw, felt and everything that inspired me.” When she entered High School she joined her school news station and realized that broadcast journalism allowed her to pursue her passion and her purpose all at once. Gianella attended Cal State Northridge and received a Bachelors degree in Broadcast Journalism and a minor in Spanish Broadcast Journalism, and Political Science. She did several internships while in College but most notably interned for PBS’s local LA station for three years. “My purpose is to share my story and of those in my community, my passion is writing.”

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