Most of Des Moines is as White as the October snow. But La Placita, in the northeast part of Iowa’s capital city, is colorful, with murals depicting mariachi bands next to Latin boutiques, bakeries and groceries. It’s the capital within the capital for the budding Hispanic community here. And it’s where Rob Barron, founder of the Latino Political Network (LPN), casually holds court, picking at french fries beneath piñatas hanging from the ceiling like chandeliers.
