.
There are many of you who are new to Long Island Wins and we wanted to take a moment to introduce ourselves. We are a public information and education campaign driven by the belief that immigration creates incredible opportunities for economic, cultural and social growth. As immigrants to this country renew the American dream, they improve the quality of life for us all. We carry out education and outreach to highlight the contributions of immigrant, enhance understanding of the immigrant community on Long Island and build support for immigration initiatives that benefit all residents of Long Island.
For the past few weeks we have been proud to inform you of the latest developments of the hate crime in Suffolk County. Here are some of the past week’s highlights:
- A rally and press conference was held at the Suffolk County Legislature to say no to hate.
- That same day, Legislator DuWayne Gregory called for a 12-member task force to look at the number of hate crimes in Suffolk County.
- The Town of Southampton is the first township after Marcelo’s murder to re-visit their policies regarding hate crimes.
- And more victimes of hate crimes come forward.
Events:
Dear County Executive Steve Levy and Suffolk County Legislators,
I am a concerned _________________ (citizen, mother, student, teacher, clergy member etc) and a _________________ (Long Islander or New Yorker). On November 8th, seven teenagers from Patchogue and Medford murdered Marcelo Lucero. The assailants were specifically looking to inflict violence that night on “some Mexicans.” Marcelo and his friend became their targets simply because of the color of their skin.
This is not the first time Long Island immigrants have been the victims of a hate crime. When will immigrants be able to walk the streets of Suffolk County without fear of attack?
In contrast to County Executive Steve Levy’s recent statements, I believe that hate does not occur in a vacuum or spontaneously, it is learned from others. Hate of this sort is fed by discriminatory policies, attitudes of our local leaders, and general intolerance of difference. There is an undeniable link between the way politicians advocate for the treatment of immigrants and the way they are in turn treated in their communities. Regardless of the color of one’s skin or the country of one’s birth, all people deserve equal treatment.
Long Islanders have continued to express their outrage on what feels like deaf ears. You, as an elected official, are both empowered and obligated to actively work against the spread of hatred towards immigrants. Education is necessary to increase tolerance but education alone is not enough. We as politicians, parents, teachers, business owners and Long Islanders, must set the example. We must lead by our example.
I call on you to
- Stop using harsh and irresponsible rhetoric demonizing immigrants on Long Island;
- Stop introducing legislation that results in profiling immigrants; and
- Create a 5 year plan to improve how we integrate immigrants coming into Suffolk County.
Please contact County Executive Steve Levy and your fellow elected officials to let them know that significant change is needed in Suffolk County. Without drastic changes to the political ideology of Suffolk County we leave ourselves vulnerable to another hate crime in the future. The responsibility falls on all of us to take action now.
Sincerely,
Full Name (Printed) Email Address
Street Address City and Zip Code
Signature Phone Number
Filed under: immigration, local, long island, Long Island Politics, News, To Study Up On Nonviolence Tagged: | Long Island WINS, Marcelo Lucero, Patchogue
I think that the authorities have been complacent and indifferent. I agree with what this page says.
It is a mark of Nobility to care for the weak.
Thanks for posting these important news. I am appalled by the Sadism, Brutality and lack of humanity and empathy for the victims.
Two Latinos have been brutally killed in New York City in less than a month :
Jose Sucuzhanay and Marcelo Lucero in Long Island, New York City.
Add these to the brutal beating and kicking that took the life of Luis Ramirez in Shenandoah Pennsylvania last July.
These Brutal Murders are repugnant. The special Cruelty, Sadism and Inhumanity. The victims were all hard working, peaceful, honest and nice people.
I have a blog to denounce Racial Murders and Racial Hatred. And to profile the good things of the Victims and their Poor families :
Raciality.com
Vicente Duque