Since Newsday represents the status quo, corporate media, I suppose one must be grateful that they covered a progressive rally at all.
Still, the inaccuracies matter, and flavor the discourse a certain way.
Newsday was correct that there were about 50 people at the Port Jefferson vigil/rally against SB1070. Though, it was a big stretch for Newsday to say that there were around a dozen demonstrators from the other side. I was there. There were about 6 demonstrators on the other side of the street supporting SB1070. I have the pictures. See below.
In addition, Newsday characterized the anti-SB1070 crowd as being from “a patchwork of social justice and immigrants’ rights groups”. I think it was a very big omission not to note that the peace community was there. In fact, the Newsday photo in the print story depicts Charlotte Koons, in her Code Pink colors, who just came from the peace demo down the street. One woman held a sign that said “Twin Evils: Militarism and Racism”. Other people from the peace community included the man waving a giant, rainbow peace flag (see photo below), myself from PeaceSmiths, Inc., and many others. I think it matters a lot that the peace community cares about immigrant rights.
In this day of corporate media mergers (which includes Newsday) and of the public discourse being watered down to entertainment, weather, and sports, I guess we should be glad for any attention Newsday gives to local politics and grassroots activity. Though, I would appreciate if Newsday could acknowledge all voices – especially the most peaceful and grassroots voices who came out to say NO to SB1070.
Filed under: activism, Anti-War, immigration, international politics, local, long island, Long Island Politics, media, News, nonviolence, politics, progressive politics, rants, social & economic justice, US Politics Tagged: | Anti-Immigration, Arizona Law, Charlotte Koons, Code Pink, corporate media, immigrant rights, kimberly wilder, Long Island activism, Long Island immigrant community, Long Island immigrants, Long Island media, Long Island peace groups, Newsday, Peace, peacesmiths, Port Jefferson, racism, SB1070, Suffolk County
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