1) Joselo spoke lovingly about his older brother Marcello whom he described as a peaceful and hard working person.He also confided that he had been feeling very lonely as a result of his loss, but that the expressions of support gave him comfort.
What was also touching was watching Joselo receive that comfort from his fellow Latino immigrants. While Joselo waited in the back of the crowd for his turn to talk, quietly, one-by-one, women and men approached Joselo to offer condolences, a hug or a hug. It was very moving.
2) Speaking as a fellow Latino immigrant (Dominicana), former educator, parent and Suffolk County Deputy Presiding Officer, Vivian Viloria-Fisher expressed -- in Spanish and English -- her condolences to Joselo and the Lucero family.She also called for united across racial, ethnic and class divides because 'we're one Suffolk'.
3)Nassau County Legislator David Mejias expressed his condolences and those of his Ecuatorian immigrant mother to the Lucero family.Mejias also relayed how he became angry when he first heard of the slaying, but remembered the faith taught to him by his mother to hate the sin but love the sinner.
Mejias sought to model his faith by embracing Jack Eddington -- the county legislator for Patchogue and a supporter of anti-immigrant legislation.
4) Dr. Luis Valenzuela, executive director of the LI Immigrant Alliance, also expressed his condolences in Spanish and English to the Lucero family.But unlike the other speakers, Dr. Valenzuela went further than merely calling for unity which may not happen if key leaders don't change their ways. He connected the hate killing of Mr. Lucero directly to the poisonous atmosphere promoted over the last few years by nativist-pandering legislators and County Executive Steve Levy -- and he demanded change.
Specifically, Dr. Valenzuela demanded that the legislator representing Patchogue--Eddington--never again promote anti-immigrant policies.
5) Joselo also spoke about the need to teach young right from wrong.
Unfortunately, for some it's always just about politics. Inter cut in this video is local schools superintendent Michael Mostow boasting that in four years he's only had one racial incident. This is also the fellow who spent his time at the mic shamelessly lobbying for more state funding.
3 comments:
Shame not only on those that performed this vile act, but on Steve Levy and those politicians and constituents, both American and so called Latinos who back up their ideas. Does Levy really think that the garbage he espouses does not influence the community, If Levy thought his words does not have an effect on the community why did he ever go into politics. His”one day” comments just showed the insensitive and prejudical nature of this County Legislative. If Marcello Lucero had been a member of Levys’ family who for any reason (religious, gender,nationality) had some low down politican rallying against him and been attacked as a result believe me Levy would be speaking a different tune. Next election Latino Voters and those who are disgusted with the Levy type politics must make it a top priority to get involved and make their voices heard by voting. Remember "Si se puede."
I am not latina, I am a Medford resident who is outraged by acts of hatred and intolerance.
Both my husband and myself were astonished that the politicians offered little more than condolences at the rally. What are the next steps?
It's not enough to say we will rise above this. How do we as a community, of all races, take an active role to end this bias. Where is the leadership?
If we don't effectively organize and advocate for change, then the memory of Marcello Lucero will fade and that will further the senseless tragedy.
Yes We Can is now Yes We Did. Let's not stop now.
Latinos as well as nonLatinos across Suffolk, LI and the country ought to be outraged at the slaying of Marcello Lucero as well as all of the others targeted simply because they're viewed as more vulnerable.
I, too, am dismayed with the apparently inability of so many of our town and county officials to offer even the basic level of leadership on the issue of racial violence. Some give platitudes and offer condolences after yet another eruption. Most say nothing and go about their business as if such acts are not ruining Suffolk and the affected communities in countless ways.
We need a new vision for Suffolk, courage, new energy and substantive action to unite our diverse family and lead us to a better future.
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