Tension between African-American and Latino residents erupted during a Pasadena Board of Education meeting that drew more than 100 people Tuesday, with groups directing harsh words at school leaders and each other.

African-American activists who sat on one side of the room took turns accusing board members of putting political and personal differences ahead of student achievement, saying too little was being done to serve minority children.

A group of Latino parents who gathered on the opposite side of the chamber also lobbed criticism at the board for frequent public infighting, but leapt to the defense of its only Latino member, Ramon Miramontes, who came under fire from Pasadena attorney Joe Hopkins.

Hopkins, who organized the African-American presence, accused Miramontes of fostering conflict and influencing district policy to put Latino students’ needs before those of blacks.

More at the Pasadena Sun.