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Federal investigations of this caliber aren’t launched every day. In fact, there are typically just two or three initiated in a year. That means that the Department of Justice recognizes that there are allegations worth examining in Suffolk County. While some may say the decision is overdue, it’s still an important step forward.
We asked you to tell Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy to do his part to stop hate crimes against immigrants, and you answered! In roughly a week, we reached our goal of 100 signatures on our Change.org petition, and dozens more have signed since then. We started the petition in response to a report by the Southern Poverty Law Center on violence against Suffolk’s immigrants, and in the petition, we asked Levy to take the report’s recommendations seriously. If you haven’t signed the petition yet, click here, or forward the link to a friend.
Assist local communities in creating and coordinating a Welcoming Campaign to change the messages Long Islanders hear about immigrants and immigration, reduce hostility against immigrants, and create a more respectful dialogue on these issues. The Welcoming Campaign Organizer will organize Welcoming Committees to host community conversations, education, and community building activities that will help create a sense of basic shared values around the issues of immigrants and diversity. Most of this work will take place in Suffolk County. This position will work closely with the Long Island Wins campaign director and staff.
For more on the position, including contact information, click here.
VIDEO: Reactions To Gov. Paterson’s Meeting on Hate Crime (9/16/09): A mix of advocates, politicians, and religious leaders from Suffolk County met with Gov. Paterson to discuss hate crimes in Suffolk. During the meeting, the governor said that he would look into allegations of intimidation involving Mel Guadalupe, Suffolk’s director of minority affairs.
VIDEO: Hate Crimes Kept Quiet in Suffolk? (9/22/09): Francisco Hernandez, a member of the Suffolk County Hispanic Advisory Board, claims that he was intimidated by Mel Guadalupe. See video of Hernandez speaking at a hate crime forum in Patchogue, and Guadalupe’s denial of the allegations.
From Intimidation To Hate Crime Cover Up? (9/2/09): In an interview with Long Island Wins, Hernandez speaks of intimidation from Guadalupe and how the Suffolk police mishandled two incidents that he believes were hate crimes.
Two Local Reflections on the Killing of Marcelo Lucero (9/27/09): Nearly a year after the death of Marcelo Lucero, Suffolk’s weekly papers engage in soul-searching.
Justice Department Suffolk Probe (10/4/09): Blogger Patrick Young breaks the story of a U.S. Department of Justice probe into “discriminatory policing” in Suffolk County. The investigation will look at whether officers sufficiently investigated crimes against Latinos or discouraged them from seeking help.
Oyster Bay Passes Anti-Day Laborer Ordinance (10/5/09): The Nassau town passes a “sidewalk solicitation” ordinance that is clearly aimed at driving away day laborers.
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.
All luncheons will be from noon – 2pm.
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.
All luncheons are free, but please RSVP with your name, house of worship, and which luncheon you will attend to keinhorn@longislandwins.com or 516-304-5642.
We Work for You Community Forum
If you signed our online petition, you emailed Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy about working to stop violence against immigrants on Long Island. But at the “We Work for You Community Forum” on October 14, you can tell Levy officials in person what you think about his immigration policies and actions, and how things can be improved (John Glenn High School, 478 Elwood Rd., East Northport, NY; 6-9pm). According to the press release, “pre-registration for this event is strongly encouraged.”
You can register online for this event here. For more info, contact Suffolk County’s Community Relations Unit at 631-853-4235.
Long Island Wins has extended the deadline for our “Speak Out/Stop Hate” video contest to 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
7. *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
[…] be advised that the U.S. Department of Justice has set up a toll free hotline for victims/witnesses/others to of hate cr… call: 877-795-3339, and an email for victims/witnesses/others to contact them for whatever […]