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They say numbers don’t lie. But people can lie about numbers.On Monday, Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy issued a press release trumpeting his popularity with Hispanic voters, citing a poll from the well-respected Siena College Research Institute as evidence.What Levy neglected to mention, though, was that the statistics supposedly proving his “popularity” among Latinos came from a subset of a larger poll. That subset was composed of just 29 people, a sampling size with a “very large margin of error,” according to Siena College. The director of the research institute said it would be “inappropriate” to highlight information from such a small subset, and that at least 100 people would need to be polled for a subset to have any validity.As a practiced politician, Steve Levy must have known that the statistics were invalid. But he chose to distort the truth, glossing over years of anti-immigrant and anti-Latino policies and rhetoric. While Suffolk residents are clamoring for solutions to hate crime and a broken immigration system, all they’re getting is smoke and mirrors.
Hearing a lot about immigration reform, but not sure what it all means and why it should matter to you? Come to “Getting It Right on Immigration: What’s Working, What’s Next,” and learn more about immigration reform from Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, and a panel of representatives from faith, business, labor, and advocacy. RSVP to keinhorn@longislandwins.com or at 516-304-5642.
Long Island Wins and the Long Island Council of Churches invite Long Island religious leaders, clergy members, and active lay leaders to be our guests for a luncheon to discuss immigration on Long Island. Your leadership and collective efforts are essential in improving our communities.
The discussion and speakers will focus on how to preach about difficult issues, how to personalize the immigrant experience, and immigration trends on Long Island and in our nation’s history. Each participant will be given a tool kit which includes resources to connect your religious teachings with immigration issues, guidelines for suggested community-building events, methods for educational programs, and other resources to assist you in engaging your community on immigration.
The debate over immigration issues continues to take place both nationally and on Long Island. Religious leaders are important messengers and can provide unique insight on issues in our communities that are difficult to discuss. This is an opportunity to talk with other religious leaders about the work you are already doing or feel is needed on an issue that is deeply important to Long Islanders. Your leadership and collective efforts are essential to helping make Long Island a more welcoming place for all.
Please RSVP with your name, house of worship, and contact information to keinhorn@longislandwins.com or 516-304-5642.
Reform Series: Family Reunification (10/9/09): Immigration lawyer and blogger Dave Bennion tells us how current immigration laws and policy are tearing families apart.
Passport LI: Argentina (10/9/09): Intern Ariel Walzer takes us on a tango tour of Long Island.
Paranormal Policy (10/13/09): Do horror movies make you think someone’s creeping around in your house? For victims of Suffolk immigration raids, that nightmare was a reality.
Strange People Involved with the Minutemen (10/15/09): Did accused killer Shawna Forde have contacts with the CIA?
Federal Investigators Arrive in Suffolk (10/20/09): A call to accountability for a police force accused of discriminating against Latino victims.
Suffolk Exec Levy Distorts Stats on Popularity with Latinos (10/20/09): Levy uses invalid poll numbers to feign popularity among Suffolk Latinos.
Waving While Latino Might Get You Ticketed in Oyster Bay (10/21/09): An anti-solicitation ordinance aimed at day laborers will encourage selective enforcement.
“Why We Migrate: Stories of Mexico’s Displaced”
There will be a mass this Sunday, October 25, honoring Long Island’s immigrants of past and present at St. John the Evangelist Church in Riverhead (546 St. John’s Place, Riverhead; RSVP to 631-789-5210; 2-5pm). For more info on the mass, click here.
For more info, click here.
You’ve still got time to submit a video to Long Island Wins’ “Speak Out/Stop Hate” video contest, which will end at midnight on Friday, October 30, 2009. The winning video will be featured at the Long Island Latino International Film Festival. For more info on the contest, visit www.speakoutstophate.com
6. *Stay in Touch with Long Island Wins*
Please contact info@longislandwins.com to submit immigration-related news stories, events, requests for speakers, and your suggestions on how to engage Long Islanders on these important issues. If you are interested in internships or volunteer opportunities, contact keinhorn@longislandwins.com for more information. To join our Facebook page, click here.
Filed under: Action Alert!, activism, immigration, long island, Long Island Politics, media
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