Latino Long Island

Long Island Latinos Devastated by Wave of Home Foreclosures

2011-09-05T14:16:00.000-04:00

A study by the New York Communities for Change found that Latinos in Long Island are among the state's hardest hit group for home foreclosures.

"The Suffolk and Nassau counties in Long Island...were ranked first and second among the highest foreclosure rates in the state during the first quarter of this year. From 2006 to 2010 Suffolk registered 30,552 foreclosures and Nassau registered 22,376."

HuffPost article by David Ramirez

Richard Gutierrez: 1st Latino president of Queens Bar Association

2011-07-02T09:52:00.001-04:00

"It's significant for young Hispanic attorneys to see that there is a president of a mainstream bar association who is Latino because then it becomes something they can hopefully achieve if they want because someone else has achieved it.

It gives us all hope, because diversity is so important in the legal community; inclusion is important." Richard Gutierrez

Full Daily News Article

Benny Torres and Ricardo Montano Partner to Serve Latinos in Hampton Bay

2011-04-07T16:57:00.001-04:00

The Latino population has exploded across the Hamptons of LI -- +94.2% in the Town of East Hampton; +140.3% in the Town of Southampton; and +118.9% in the Town of Shelter Island -- so it's no surprise that Latino businesses are growing as well.

Fiesta Auto in Hampton Bays (+154.7%) is one of the new businesses catering to the area's growing Latino community. The entrepreneur is local resident Benny Torres. According to the 27east.com story, the enterprise is unique because it offers a full menu of services -- insurance, tax and legal assistance -- in partnership with Ricardo Montano's law firm Ferruggia and Calisto, LLP.

Seeking a new venture, [Benny] Torres decided in October to open a branch of Fiesta Auto Insurance—a national chain with 74 locations across the United States—close to his Hampton Bays home. The West Montauk Highway location opened in January.

Looking to further bridge the language gap for Latinos by also offering them access to bilingual legal representation, Mr. Torres said he reached out to an old friend, Suffolk County Legislator Ricardo Montano, a partner with the Hauppauge law firm Ferruggia and Calisto, LLP.

Full Article

US Census: 1,551,629 Latinos Live In The 4 Counties of Long Island

2011-04-07T11:38:00.000-04:00

‎1,551,629 Latinos live in the 4 counties situated on Long Island: Kings (Brooklyn) 496,285, Queens 613,750, Nassau 195,355 and Suffolk 246,239. That's 45% of NY State's Latino population!

Briarcliffe College President Santiago Receives Honors

2010-04-25T13:44:00.001-04:00

Dr. George Santiago Jr., president of Briarcliffe College (Long Island City, Bethpage & Patchogue N.Y.) and a prominent advocate of advanced education opportunities within the Hispanic community, received the 2009 Nassau County Hispanic Heritage Award and was named Educator of the Year by the Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Alarmed by the underrepresentation of Hispanics in America's colleges, Santiago has committed to reaching out, including financial support through the Briarcliffe College Hispanic Scholarship Program.

Source: The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education Magazine

East Elmhurst -- 11369

2010-03-04T08:54:00.001-05:00

"For a class assignment, I was asked to study one particular zip code. I chose the zip code just north of where I live in Jackson Heights. That zip code is 11369, which coincides with East Elmhurst. I knew nothing about it, except that it is close to where I live. But the more I looked into it, the more interesting I found it." Kristin Graves

Suffolk County Forces Homeless Immigrants into the Cold

2010-01-19T22:12:00.000-05:00

Suffolk County in Long Island has a dark tradition of hate crimes and violence against Latino immigrants. The County government has long turned a blind eye, even fostering an atmosphere in which the color of your skin can get you attacked with a baseball bat or BB gun. Now, the town of Huntington has taken another, active step in the abuse, what a New York Times editorial deems "an exercise in needless cruelty": destroying a makeshift camp where homeless immigrants found shelter from the bitter New York cold.

More

Vigil for Jose Sucuzhanay - Bushwick, Brooklyn, 11AM, 12.12.2009

2009-12-08T09:44:00.000-05:00

Hello Friends and Allies,

We are writing to you to invite you to observe the one year anniversary of Jose Sucuzhanay's death.

In December of last year, Bushwick resident Jose Sucuzhanay was brutally murdered in an anti-immigrant and anti-LGBT attack on Bushwick ave. This unfortunate incident has fortunately given space for a conversation to begin between many communities who are suffering the consequences of hate violence.

Join us for a morning of community healing and to invoke the memory of those family members, friends and community members who have been victims of hate violence and to look at the solutions we have developed with community members in response to the outburst of violence that has hit the LGBT/Latin@/Immigrant communities.

Sincerely,
Diego Sucuzhanay & The Sucuzhanay Family

What: 1 year Anniversary of Jose Sucuzhanay's Death
When: Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 11am
Where: Make the Road NY- Bushwick: 301 Grove Street (between Myrtle ave. and Knickerbocker Ave.) Brooklyn, NY 11237
Directions: Take the L or M train to Myrtle-Wycoff
Who: The Sucuzhanay Family, The Lucero Family, The Price Family (to be confirmed), Office of Councilwoman Diana Reyna, James Garcia- Director of the Film 'Taught to Hate', Make the Road NY, Latinoamericanos Unidos, International Ecuadorian Alliance, other LGBT community organizations and Bushwick Community Members.

For more information contact Karina Claudio-Betancourt at karina.claudio@maketheroadny.org or at 718-4187690 ext 1278.

Taught to Hate - a film by James Garcia Sotomayor

2009-11-02T12:16:00.009-05:00

The Long Island Latino Film Festival is this week -- Nov. 6,7,8 . Coincidently, it opens exactly a year and a short drive from the place and time of Marcelo Lucero's murder by a racist wolf pack. That senseless and evil murder shocked the immigrant communities across Long Island, the United States and even across the world.

It also exposed an ugly, deadly vein of hate typically veiled behind the leafyscapes of American suburbia, a vein mined by nativists politicians like Maricopa County's Joe Arpaio, Hazelton PA's Lou Barletta and Suffolk County's Steve Levy.

Now comes what may be the first of its type, "Taught to Hate,” a 27 fiction film based on the Lucero killing and the American sub-culture shaped by hate. The filmmaker is James Garcia Sotomayor, a local filmmaker and Latino immigrant who funnelled his life savings into making the film. He did so because, "I had to do something."

It's been noted that Marcelo's surname name means 'Shining Light'. The memory of Marcelo Lucero and the works of people like Garcia Sotomayor are our Luceros.

The Long Island Latino International Film Festival Nov. 6-7-8, 2009

2009-11-02T03:14:00.006-05:00

The Long Island Latino International Film Festival

Nov. 6-7-8, 2009

This year LILIFF is screening several premiers and world premiers including the film “Stereo Typed” produced on Long Island and features actor Frankie G. who has been in films such as “The Italian Job”, “Manito” and the upcoming film the “Devils Tomb”.
Read more

Box Office
Festival Tickets: LILIFF offers 8 Screening Programs throughout the festival. Each program features a group of films for one price.

3-Day Festival Pass Price: $40
Festival passes allow access to ALL Screening Programs.
Get your tickets

Individual Programs Price: $10
Get your tickets

Nassau County Exec Tom Suozzi on Immigration Policy 11/17/09

2009-10-30T10:03:00.011-04:00

"Getting It Right on Immigration: What’s Working, What’s Next"
Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi and a panel of respected civic leaders will discuss immigration on Long Island and the principles needed to guide the debate on immigration reform.
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
6:00PM - 8:30PM

Marriott Hotel
1350 Old Walt Whitman Rd.
Melville, NY 11747

KEYNOTE SPEAKER
Thomas R. Suozzi
Nassau County Executive

PANELISTS
Roger Clayman, LI Federation of Labor

Matthew T. Crosson, LIA

Chung-Wha Hong, New York Immigration Coalition

Sister Margaret Smyth, Hispanic Apostolate of the North Fork

MODERATED BY
Suman Raghunathan, Immigration Policy Analyst

Admission is free, but space is limited. Please RSVP by email to info@longislandwins.com or by phone to 516-304-5642.

El Diario-La Prensa Endorses Bill Thompson for Mayor

2009-10-15T08:38:00.007-04:00

El Diario-La Prensa's endorsement (Bill Thompson for Mayor) tells why all City voters must reject King Bloomies' bid for a 3rd term and instead pull the lever for Bill Thompson. en español

Excerpt 1
After a decade misspent lionizing the rich and their excesses, too many New Yorkers are paying the price for the decisions made in Washington, on Wall Street and in City Hall. What NYC needs is an executive with a balanced perspective...where families most in need are a high priority. This leader is Bill Thompson.

Excerpt 2
Thompson has a sterling record...[and] has won the backing of highly regarded elected officials, including Nydia Velázquez, José Serrano, Rubén Díaz Jr. and Adriano Espaillat...DC37, TWU Local 100 and the Firefighters....

Excerpt 3
[Bloomberg's undemocratic maneuver he pulled on term limits] is not simply slick scheming—it is a gross abuse of power. Even Venezuela's President Hugo Chávez conducted a plebiscite on his extended stay in power.

Excerpt 4
With city government already tipped to favor the executive branch, Bloomberg’s power grab delivers a clear message: the ability of constituents to challenge power and shape decisions at the top is seriously in danger.

Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers' LI Networking Event - 10/15

2009-10-13T21:15:00.000-04:00

Thursday, October 15, 2009
6:00 - 9:00 pm
Four Food Studio
515 Broadhollow Road
Melville, New York

Please RSVP at rsvp@shpe-nyc.org

Visit www.shpe-nyc.org for more information.

Bogota Latin Bistro

2009-09-27T14:13:00.006-04:00

On par with some of Manhattan's best latin restaurants but located in Park Slope, Brooklyn, Bogota Latin Bistro is a relaxed neighborhood restaurant that mixes latin-inspired cuisine with tropical drinks including mojitos, caipirinhas, and imported latin american wines and beers.

Bogota Bistro features live music on the first 3 Wednesdays of each month and offers a great happy hour All Night Long on Monday, Wednesday & Thursday with reduced prices on the most popular drinks.

Immigration To Open Long Island City Office

2009-09-06T19:06:00.004-04:00

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services agency announced the opening of a new “one stop shop” immigration office in Long Island City early next year. The facility will reduce some of the legwork required for many immigration documents, but the expansion does not include the hiring of additional staff – a step immigrant advocates say would more significantly reduce the lengthy process of obtaining documented status.

According to a spokesperson, the 104 employees that will staff the new office located at 27-35 Jackson Avenue will be transplants from the Garden City office, which will be closed and split into two locations: one in Long Island City and the other in Holtsville.

Queens Tribune article

Hofstra to Celebrate Suburban Diversity

2009-07-29T11:24:00.010-04:00

Hofstra University is hosting a Celebration of Suburban Diversity banquet this fall to raise funds for scholarships and research. It's part of a conference on the "The Diverse Suburb," scheduled for October 22, 2009, 6 p.m., at the university's David S. Mack Student Center.

"The evening will feature inspiring speeches and dramatic presentations, as well as musical performances, art work and awards to students and others."

It's great that Hofstra recognizes that the island's (and Hofstra's ) future is directly tied to the region's exploding racial/ethnic diversify. Hey, late is better than never, right?

Q: Why then are the folks fighting nativism (in its many local guises) missing among the conference planners and speakers? Where is Dr. Valenzuela, Sister Margaret Smith, Patrick Young, Maryann Slutsky, Nadia Marin, Rev. Allen Ramirez, Rev. Dwight Lee Wolter, et al?

Just asking.

Photo: Hofstra towers.

Suffolk Home Foreclosures Up 62%

2009-07-21T23:59:00.005-04:00

According to a Long Island foreclosure report, new foreclosures were down in Q2 '09 (757) 20% from Q1 '09 (944), but up 9% over Q2 '08 (696).

In a good sign for Long Island real estate, the rate of new Nassau County foreclosures has diminished. Compared to Q1 '09 (626), new foreclosures in Nassau County Q2 '09 (265) went down 58%. Since Q2 2008 (393), new foreclosures declined by 33%.

In sharp contrast, foreclosures in Suffolk County reached a two-year high in Q2 2009. There were 492 new foreclosure auctions scheduled in Q2 '09. This was up 62% compared to Q2 '08 (303), and up 55% from Q1 '09 (318).

The Suffolk towns of Brookhaven (267), Islip (244), and Babylon (152) and Nassau's Town of Hempstead (649) have the greatest number of foreclosures in the first half of '09.

Click here for the full Long Island Q2 09 Foreclosure Report.

Smithtown Arts Council Presents 'La Guitarra' - Saturday 8.22.2009

2009-07-13T11:25:00.006-04:00

The Smithtown Township Arts Council is pleased to present La Guitarra, a concert of Flamenco music, song and dance, in celebration of the Spanish Guitar, Saturday August 22, 2009, at 7p.m. at the Mills Pond House. Join us as two Flamenco guitarists and a Flamenco singer interpret songs that reflect the difficulty, dignity, forbearance and hopes of the outsider in a new land and culture. Dancers Maria Loreta Celitan and Ricardo Santiago will perform a variety of dances of this fascinating Spanish art form.

Local artist Pura Cruz uses the guitar to symbolize the parallel experience of the Latino immigrants as they struggle to assimilate into American society today. Her series “Border Wall” will be on display as part of the Arte Latino Exhibition opening August 22, 2009 (reception 4:30-6:30pm). Seating is very limited. Advance reservations are required. Admission by donation.

The Mills Pond House is located at 660 Route 25A, in St. James. For reservations, call 631.862.6575 or email programs@stacarts.org.

Lourdes Ventura Considers Bid for Queens Assembly D38

2009-07-09T19:16:00.007-04:00

The Queens Courier reports that seven individuals are ready to compete for the open seat in the State Assembly's 38th District (Woodhaven, Richmond Hill, Ozone Park, Glendale, Maspeth, Ridgewood, Middle Village).

The seat was most recently occupied by Anthony Seminerio who resigned last month following an indictment on corruption charges.

Among those said to be considering a run is Lourdes Ventura, currently the Counsel for Latino and Immigrant Affairs for State Senator Malcolm Smith. An assistant attorney general and former prosecutor, Ventura, was recognized last year as a “Rising Star” in Queens County.

The daughter of Dominican immigrants, Ventura grew up as the oldest of three children and recalls that one of her earliest obstacles was the language barrier. “I remember being in my first-grade classroom and how difficult it was,” she says, “because I didn’t know English at all even though I was born and raised in Queens.” UB Today: Lourdes Ventura

Ventura was an associate at the Long Island-based law firm of Ahmuty, Demers, and McManus and a former president of the Latino Lawyers Association of Queens County.

She is a graduate of the University at Buffalo where she obtained her BA, MSW and JD degrees. Ventura resides in Queens with her husband and son.

Long Island's Top 10 Corporations

2009-06-20T21:26:00.000-04:00

1. CA Inc.
One CA Plaza
Islandia, NY 11749
800-225-5224
http://www.ca.com/

# of Employees: 13,700
Annual Revenues: $4.32B billion

CA is one of the world's largest information technology (IT) management software companies, unifies and simplifies the management of enterprise-wide IT. Founded in 1976, CA serves customers in more than 140 countries.

John Swainson - CEO
Russell Artzt - Founder
Amy Olli - EVP
George Fischer - EVP
Jacob Lamm - EVP Strategy/Corporate Development
Michael Christenson - President/COO
Alan Nugent - EVP/CTO
Donald Friedman - EVP/Chief Marketing Officer
John Ruthven - EVP WW Sales Operations
Andrew Goodman - EVP WW HR
Nancy Cooper - EVP/CFO
Kenneth Handal - EVP Global Risk
James Bryant - EVP/Chief Administrative Officer

2. Cablevision Systems Corp
1111 Stewart Ave
Bethpage, NY 11714
516-803-2300
http://www.cablevision.com/

# of Employees: 17,082
Annual Revenues: $7.230 billion

Cablevision Systems Corporation is engaged primarily in the business of cable television. The Company's businesses include the residential telephone and high-speed modem businesses; the commercial telephone and Internet operations of Lightpath; the New York metropolitan area sports and entertainment business, including Madison Square Garden, professional sports teams, Radio City Music Hall, MSG Network, News 12 Networks and Clearview Cinemas.

James Dolan - CEO/President
Charles Dolan - Chairman
Jonatha Schwartz - EVP
Kevin Watson - SVP
Victoria Salhus - SVP General Counsel
John Bickham - Pres Cable/Communication
Joshua Sapan - Pres Rainbow Media Holdings LLC
Patrick Dolan - Pres News 12 Networks
Thomas Dolan - EVP/ CIO
Gregg Seibert - EVP Cablevision System Corp
Tom Rutledge - COO
Michael Huseby - EVP/CFO

3. Canon USA
One Canon Plaza
Lake Success, NY 11042
516-328-5000
http://www.usa.canon.com/

# of Employees: 12,000
Annual Revenues: $45b (Canon, Inc. revenue)

Canon USA is the domestic affiliate of Canon, Inc., a global leader in professional, business and consumer imaging equipment and information systems. Canon products include color and black-and-white copiers, printers, image filing systems, facsimile machines, cameras and lenses, camcorders, semiconductor, broadcast, encoders/optoelectric components and optical equipment, flatbed scanners, and other specialized industrial products.

Yoroku "Joe" Adachi - President/CEO
Yuichi Ishizuka - SVP
James Sharp - SVP Systems Technical Support
Shunichi Uzawa - EVP/CTO/R&D
Tod Pike - SVP Sales Marketing
Masahiro Haga - SVP CFO
Seymour Liebman - EVP Chief Administrative Officer

4. Griffon Corp
100 Jericho Quadrangle
Jericho, NY 11753
516-938-5544
http://www.griffoncorp.com/

# of Employees: 4,100
Annual Revenues: $1.28b

Griffon Corporation is a manufacturing company with operations in four business segments: Garage Doors, Installation Services, Specialty Plastic Films and Electronic Information and Communication Systems.

Ronald J. Kramer - CEO
Franklin H. Smith - EVP
Gary Abyad - Pres Clopay Plastic Products
Patrick L. Alesia - VP/CFO

5. Henry Schein, Inc.
135 Duryea Road
Melville, NY 11747
631-843-5500
http://www.henryschein.com/

# of Employees: 12,550
Annual Revenues: $6.39B

Henry Schein, Inc. is the largest distributor of healthcare products to office-based practitioners in the combined North American and European markets. Customers include dental practices and laboratories, physician practices, and veterinary clinics, as well as government and other institutions

Stanley Bergman - CEO/Chairman
Michael Zack - President International Group
James Breslawski - President/COO
James Harding - SVP/CTO
Mark Mlotek - EVP Corporate Business Development
Michael Racioppi - SVP/Chief Merchandising
Steven Paladino - CFO/EVP
Leonard David - SVP/Chief Compliance Officer
Gerald Benjamin - Chief Administrative Officer/EVP

6. JetBlue Airways Corporation
118-29 Queens Blvd
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Phone: 718-286-7900
http://www.jetblue.com/

# of Employees: 8,902
Annual Revenues: $3.39b

JetBlue is a low-fare, low-cost passenger airline, which provides high-quality customer service. Since launching operations in February 2000, the airline has carried more than nine million passengers.

David Barger - CEO
Alex Battaglia - VP Airports
James Hnat - EVP Corporate Affairs/General Counsel
Russ Chew - President/COO
Joseph Eng - EVP Systems/Technology
Scott Laurence- VP Network Planning
Martin George - SVP Marketing & Commercial Strategy
Robin Hayes - EVP/Chief Commercial Officer
Ed Barnes - CFO/EVP

7. NBTY, Inc.
2100 Smithtown Avenue
Ronkonkoma, NY 11779
631-200-2000
http://www.nbty.com/

# of Employees: 13,760
Annual Revenues: $2.33b

NBTY is a leading vertical integrated U.S. manufacturer and distributor of a broad line of high-quality, value-priced nutritional supplements in the United States and throughout the world. The Company markets more than 1,200 products under several brand names, including Nature’s Bounty®, Vitamin World®, Sundown®, CarbSolutions™, MET-Rx®, Puritan’s Pride®, Holland & Barrett®, Nutrition Headquarters®, American Health® and Home Health®.

Scott Rudolph - Chairman/CEO
Harvey Kamil - President/CFO
James Flaherty - SVP Marketing/Advertising
John Leahy - SVP, Wholesale Business
Hans Lindgren - SVP, Operations & Corporate Secretary

8. North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System
145 Community Drive
Great Neck, NY 11021
516-465-8100
http://www.northshorelij.com/

# of Employees: 33,000
Yearly Revenues: $?

Serving Long Island, Queens, and Staten Island, the North Shore-LIJ Health System, headquartered in Great Neck, N.Y., strives to provide an unparalleled spectrum of services in the region. The 18 hospitals of the System include three world-class tertiary hospitals recognized throughout the N.Y. area for their clinical, teaching, & research capabilities. The System includes a nationally recognized children's hospital, psychiatric facility, and community hospitals dedicated to providing outstanding primary and specialized surgical care.

Michael Dowling - President/CEO
David Battinelli - SVP/Chief Academic Officer
Jeffrey Kraut - SVP, Strategic Planning/Marketing
Howard Gold - SVP, Managed Care/Business Development
Gene Tangney - SVP/Chief of Staff
Mark Solazzo - SVP/COO
Robert Shapiro - SVP/CFO
Lawrence Smith - SVP/Chief Medical Officer

9. Pall Corporation
2200 Northern Boulevard
East Hills, NY 11548
516-484-5400
http://www.pall.com/

# of Employees: 10,600
Annual Revenues: $2.51b

Pall Corporation is the largest and most diverse filtration, separations and purifications company in the world.

Eric Krasnoff - Chairman/CEO
Donald Stevens - President
Sandra Marino - SVP & General Counsel
Roberto Perez - President Life Sciences
Lisa McDermott - CFO

10. Yellow Book USA
398 RexCorp Plaza
Uniondale, NY 11556
561-730-1900
http://www.yellowbook.com/

# of Employees: 8,100
Annual Revenues: $1.89b

Founded in 1930, Yellow Book USA is one of the nation's largest publishers of Yellow Pages directories, with almost 600 directories in 41 states and the District of Columbia. It also publishes college directories, city and county directories, and a business-to-business directory serving Long Island, New York. Yellow Book USA is a subsidiary of Yell Group.

Joseph Walsh - CEO/President
Mark Cairns - Chief Publishing Officer
Patrick Marshall - Chief New Media Officer
Victoria Sharrar - SVP, Organizational Development
Gary Shaw - CIO
Jim McCusker - Chief Sales Officer
Jim Haddad - Chief Financial Officer
Tim Zalak - SVP, Mergers/Acquisitions

The 43rd Annual LI Puerto Rican/Hispanic Day Parade - 6.7.09

2009-06-10T19:44:00.039-04:00

KJ, 5, enjoys the sights and sounds of the 43rd Annual Puerto Rican/Hispanic Day Parade (June 7) in Brentwood. The young Boricua proudly sports the traditional guayabera and pava while waving the red, white and blue flag of the Puerto Rican nation.

Thousands of islanders of Puerto Rican heritage, Latinos of all nationalities (Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, Dominican Republic, et al), and many nonLatinos as well, came out to what is Long Island's most festive Spring ethnic fiesta.

Below are wonderful photos of the parade by Newsday's Ana Gutierrez. Click on the photos for a large view and click here for the full series.

Click here a Ana's video of the parade.

Link: Thousands watch LI's Puerto Rican/Hispanic Day parade by Laura Rivera (Newsday)

Latina Hat Luncheon

2009-06-07T20:23:00.004-04:00

Dilcia Granville of Elmont is all smiles in a dynamic, chic straw hat with a turned-down brim, giant bow and fuchsia flowers. (Photo by Gina Tomitz). Newsday

The Long Island Hispanic Chamber of Commerce recently held it's Latina Hat Luncheon and Golf Outing at Carlyle on the Green in Bethpage State Park. Below are links to the photographs of this important annual event.

Founded in 1988, LIHCC seeks to advance the business interests of the Latino communities of Nassau and Suffolk counties.

Photo Links:
Newsday Photo Series
Latina Hat Luncheon and Golf Outing 2009: 80 images (Photobucket)

Guitarist Bryan Vargas on His Brooklyn Neighborhood

2009-06-05T18:56:00.008-04:00

Latin Jazz guitarist Bryan Vargas (Bryan Vargas & Ya Esta) talks to Clinton Hill Blog about what he likes about his Brooklyn neighborhood:

What I love most about the neighborhood is the general vibe. I truly feel relaxed as I walk down the streets. Other Brooklyn brownstone neighborhoods have a hustle and bustle that we just don’t have here. Folks here are CHILL. People get along. They help each other out. They play with each other’s dogs. It’s a great place to live.
I also love the food. We have some of Brooklyn’s best restaurants, and I love the fact that I never have to leave the neighborhood to eat if I don’t want to.

And I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention how much I love Ft. Greene Park. I think it’s the greatest small park in all five boroughs. It has a peaceful serenity to it that you feel as soon as you step foot on the block.

I’ll save what I DON’T like about the ‘hood for another time. For now we can stay positive!

Latino Films @ the Brooklyn International Film Festival - June 5 -14, 2009

2009-06-02T20:35:00.014-04:00

FALLING AWAKE by Agustin

Falling Awake" is the powerful story of Jay (Andrew Cisneros), a young man struggling to find his identity in The Bronx in a house crowded with family members and a neighborhood filled with loyal friends and dangerous enemies. A gifted musician, Jay hopes to leave it all and pursue his dream of composing and performing music. Once he meets Alessandra (Jenna Dewan), a beautiful young woman who lives in Brooklyn, his determination to defy the expectations of his frustrated, angry father become even stronger. Yet Jay is tied to his home through loyalty to his friends and to his brother, who has returned unexpectedly from service in the Marines. As he reaches toward a wider world, he is pulled back over and over by the cycles of anger and violence that have defined his life and neighborhood for so long. It takes love, a change of heart and a new understanding of life's elusive chance at happiness to finally help Jay make the long, uncertain leap to a fresh chance.
Trailer

DON ROBERTO'S SHADOW by Juan Diego Spoerer & Håkan Engström

A boy travels to a saltpeter office with his family, to the city of Chacabuco in the Chilean desert, where he walks along the old buildings. The years pass by and, as the wind erases the days and hours from yesterday, the boy is now grown up, a lonely old man, and that old man decides to move to Chacabuco.
Trailer

SIRENS (SIRENAS) by Alejo Levis

She lost the baby. She stares out the window. Every night when he arrives home, an argument. One day she told him, a few black women on the street walked strangely, like dancing, they looked like dark sirens.
Trailer

FLYING LOTUS by Daniel Garcia

Concentrate produced this music video for Flying Lotus. The video, 'Infinitum' was directed by Daniel Garcia
Trailer

COTTON CANDY by Aritz Moreno

The cold always complicates things.

Trailer

Links:
XII. Brooklyn International Film Festival
BiFF 2009 Trailer YouTube

Meet Alfonso Quiroz - Queens City Council Candidate, D25

2009-06-02T14:54:00.012-04:00

Update: 6.5.09 - Alfonzo Quiroz, who had hoped that the term limit override would be ruled illegal, has pulled out of the race given that final appeals have been lost in that case.

On September 15, 2009, the people of Jackson Heights, Corona (including Lefrak City and Sherwood Village), Elmhurst, East Elmhurst and Rego Park have the chance to send a Latino to the City Council: Alfonso Quiroz.

Like Obama, Alfonso is a community organizer from the South Side of Chicago. A fourth-generation American of Mexican, German and Ukrainian descent, Alfonso grew up in a middle-class, union family; his dad was a Steelworker union member.

When he was 22, Alfonso served as a White House Intern during the Clinton Administration in the office of Hillary Clinton. In 2000, Alfonso served as a political aide in Vice President Al Gore’s presidential campaign.

After the 2000 presidential race, Alfonso settled in Queens and learned about city government as a member of Mark Green’s 2001 mayoral campaign. He subsequently worked for MTV News and then in the office of current City Council Member Helen Sears. After leaving Sears’s staff, Alfonso took a PR assignment with ConEd.

In June 2008, Alfonso was sworn in to a second term on the Queens Community Board 3. He is also a member of the Citizens Advice Bureau, the JFK Democratic Club, the Stonewall Democratic Club of New York and is active in the Jackson Heights Beautification Group.

Links:
Star Of Queens
Gay Candidate Series: Alfonso Quiroz
Alfonso Quiroz: JFK Democratic Club City Council Candidates Night

Tom Suozzi Seeks 3rd Term: Promises a Property Tax Revolution

2009-05-20T13:54:00.005-04:00

Tom Suozzi kicked off his bid for a third term as Nassau County Executive with a spirited call for a property tax revolution.

Billing himself as a problem-solver, Suozzi credits his administration with stabilizing the county's finances and cleaning up brownfields. But, he says, property taxes are still a major problem.

Suozzi's gameplan:

make the governments in Nassau more efficient including consolidating governments
expand the tax base by getting projects the like the Lighthouse Project and the Coliseum built
fight for Nassau's 'fair share' of state aid
Stop costly state mandates

What's interesting is that Suozzi is both a seasoned executive as well as one of New York's most promising politicians. He's also one of the most Latino-friendly political leaders in the state.

Links:
TomSuozzi.com
Friends of Suozzi - Youtube

Jon Cooper's Excellent Adventure

2009-05-20T00:45:00.002-04:00

Suffolk County Legislator Jon Cooper tied the knot recently with long-time partner Rob in a ceremony in Connecticut.

What's Cooper's next adventure?

To decide whether he has enough political juice to prevail in a Democratic Party primary for the U.S. Senate. He's now formed an exploratory committee. To win Cooper would have to not only defeat possible contenders Carolyn McCarthy, Jerold Nadler and Carolyn Maloney, but take down incumbent Kirsten Gillibrand as well.

Pundits discount Cooper's chances of winning the Democratic Party's nomination. After all, Gillibrand has the support of Chuck Schumer, David Paterson and Hillary Clinton and other establishment types. And all of the other contenders have higher profiles by virtue of their jobs as members of Congress.

On the contrary, Cooper is a nearly perfect antagonist to Gillibrand. Here's why:

1) He's a genuine Progressive in a deep blue state. Gillbrand is not. And while the other possible contenders can claim long records of moderate to liberal voting records, none can match Cooper's appeal to the Democrat's progressive base.

2) In a head-to-head contest, Gillibrand probably wins with the support of the party machine. However, if it's a three or four way split, Cooper can win with a plurality.

3) Only Cooper's entry neutralizes the Clinton-Schumer factor. These two pols were big supporters of Gillibrand, but Cooper--as Obama's man in NY--would have the benefit of the Obama campaign operation. It's a largely grassroots operation that is still in place, truly progressive, energetic, and ready to go. He's likely to also receive support -- although not an endorsement -- from President Obama.

4) While McCarthy, Maloney and Nadler are formidable fund raisers, and Gillibrand's big ace was raising big bucks, Cooper has his own money. More importantly, he has the appeal and capacity to tap into a national progressives network to fuel his campaign. There's a thirst for electing true progressives. People also want new, fresh faces. That's why Cooper's Washington inexperience and new face at the statewide level are net pluses.

Think Paul Wellstone.

5) Cooper could quickly garner support from the African American, Latino, Gay/Lesbian, student and progressive activist communities. He could match Gillibrand with suburban democrats. And he could out point anyone on business related issues and the stresses on local governments.

6) Finally, as a legislator at the county level, Cooper is best situated to appeal to his fellow colleagues in urban and suburban legislatures and councils -- neutralizing Gillibrand's Albany-centered advantages.

At the end of the day, it's possible Cooper decides he's not interested in the seat. And Gillibrand could still emerge as the darling of both moderates and progressives, erasing Cooper's path. Cooper could also bow out for an ambassadorship. Who knows?

However, if Cooper runs my sense is that -- if done right -- he could be the dark horse in the race and win the nomination. If he could do that, he'd have so much momentum that defeating any GOP retread (Pataki, Faso, Lazio) would happen. Defeating Rudy Giuliani may be another matter, but I think Cooper would be in a great position to be David against Rudy's Goliath and take him down as well.

My advice? Run, Jon, Run!

Links:
Jon Cooper for U.S. Senate: Exploratory Committee - website
Who Is Jon Cooper, and Why Does He Think He Can Run for Senate? - CAPITOL
Another Dem forms committee to challenge Gillibrand - The Hill
Jon Cooper - Polit Bureau

Rising LI Foreclosures: Latinos & African Americans Hit Hardest

2009-05-14T05:08:00.003-04:00

In the 44 months of foreclosure studied by The Times, nine Long Island communities had more than 10 percent of homes in foreclosure. All but two of them — Islandia and Mastic Beach — had a mostly minority population at the time of the 2000 census.

The communities cut a swath from Freeport, Roosevelt, Uniondale and Hempstead in Nassau County to Wyandanch in Suffolk County, then east to Brentwood, Central Islip, Islandia and Mastic Beach.

As has occurred elsewhere in the region, foreclosure has hit African American and Latino areas hardest. In Long Island’s mostly African American and Latino census tracts, more than 13 percent of homes were in foreclosure at some point since 2005 — more than four times the rate for white tracts, raising questions among housing advocates about “reverse redlining” and concerns about the long-term impact of the foreclosure crisis on neighborhoods and the loss of wealth.

More

Felipe Vergara & Felipe Garcia Victors in LI Marathon

2009-05-10T20:55:00.011-04:00

Felipe Vergara (right) , 44, was the victor in year's LI Marathon with a men's time of 2:34:12.

Felipe Garcia (left), 26, won the half-marathon with a time of 1:09:09.

The men -- Mexican immigrants -- are repeat winners of their respective races, and sponsored my Mi Territa, a Colombian Latino restaurant in the Village of Hempstead.

Other high finishers in the marathon include: 2nd placer finisher Carlos Sauce, 30, 2:43:33; 5th place finisher Mario Dimas, 26, 2:46:09; and seventh place finisher Jaime Palacios, 54, 2:49:36.

Carlos Techera, 21, had the 8th best time in the half marathon.

Alexis Fernandez, 13, was third best time among the women -- and 1st in her age division -- in the 5K at 20:20.

Nassau County Legislator Dave Mejias, 38, finished 7th in the 1 mile race with a time of 8:09.

Full Results

Tom Suozzi's Born to be Wild

2009-05-07T23:10:00.006-04:00

Watch Tom Suozzi's 'Born to be Wild' performance at Dave Mejias' fundraiser in Farmingdale. Check out Mejias' nifty guitar playing. Nice to see the lighter side of these guys.

via Polit Bureau

1 Million Uninsured

2009-04-22T23:21:00.005-04:00

A new report on poverty reveals that 1,052,611 residents of Long Island under 65 have no health insurance. Yup! That's 43% of the state's 2,471,152 uninsureds. And 1 in 6 islander under 65 lacks coverage.

Here are the numbers and percentages of the uninsured by county:

Kings County: 335,289 - 15.9%
Nassau County: 173,349 - 15.1%
Queens County: 345,196 - 17.6
Suffolk County: 198,777 - 15.2%

A few questions:

How is it that the economically challenged Western NY counties of Erie, Monroe and Niagara have lower rates of uninsureds (11.3% - 11.9%) than wealthy LI?
How is it that Bronx County manages an uninsured rate of 11.1%?
How is it that 68% of the largely rural Upstate counties (27 of 40) have uninsured rates greater than 15% and as high as thirty per cent in state as rich as NY?
Furthermore, how is it that NY spends so much while managing to leave millions uninsured?

Link: 2009 New York State Poverty Report

Meet Mel Gagarin - Queens City Council Candidate, D29

2009-04-22T13:00:00.002-04:00

Melquiades Gagarin was born in Elmhurst, Queens to a diverse family background. His father was raised in the Philippines and moved to New York to pursue a better life. Gagarin's mother is a first generation New Yorker born to Puerto Rican parents. Mel was raised largely by his grandmother Ramona and mother Maria, a nurse at the Jack D. Weiler Hospital of the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. Both women emphasized the value of hard work and education.

After graduating from Archbishop Molloy High School in Jamaica, Mel took the values instilled by his family and attended The American University in Washington, D.C. Earning his degree in Political Science, it was at American where Mel developed his passion for public service, and met hisfuture wife, Aleda. After graduation, Mel served as a Board Liaison for the National Foundation for Women Legislators in Washington, a non-profit organization that helps female state legislators develop leadership skills.

LI's 20 Latino Pols = shocking under-representation

In the fall of 2005, Mel and Aleda returned to New York and moved to Kew Gardens. That same year, Mel served as the Communications Liaison to New York State Senator José Serrano in East Harlem. His work in Senator Serrano's office attracted the attention of Congressman Anthony Weiner, who hired Mel as his Community Representative.

It was in Congressman Weiner's office that Mel had the opportunity to meet with many individuals in the community. Mel became familiar with the hurdles that the average New Yorker faces in having their basic needs met by the different levels of government. Gagarin brings this same desire into his campaign to represent the 29th Council District. "Our neighborhoods need a new and vibrant vision at City Hall," says Gagarin. Our city must remain a haven of shared prosperity for New York's middle-class. Our future demands action that cannot wait."

Mel currently works as the Media Manager for the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, where he is responsible for disseminating the organization's message of equality and justice for all Americans. Mel is a member of the New York State Young Democrats and the National Association of Black Journalists. He is also working with a group of his neighbors in Kew Gardens who areunited against irresponsible development.

Mel lives with his wife Aleda and two year old son Micah. They are expecting their second child in time for the New Year.

Source: Meet the Candidates with ChangeNYC.Org

Meet David Galarza - Brooklyn City Council Candidate, D38

2009-04-22T11:57:00.008-04:00

Update 5/20/09: The coast is clear for Councilwoman Sara Gonzalez’s re-election campaign since challenger David Galarza on Thursday dropped out of the race for the Democratic primary election this September — after making a vigorous and outspoken campaign that promised political fireworks in the 38th Council District.

David Galarza has spent his 20 year professional career engaged in union, political, civic, religious and journalistic activities. As a candidate for the 38th City Council District (encompassing sections of Sunset Park, Red Hook, Windsor Terrace and South Slope) he plans on utilizing his experience to continue his advocacy on behalf of his fellow Brooklyn neighbors.

Born in Brooklyn and raised in Sunset Park, David has been active in, and helped establish, numerous local organizations including SPAN (Sunset Park Alliance of Neighbors) a grassroots civic group that works on zoning, land use and housing issues; and the Latino Youth League of Sunset Park, which ran after school and summer programs for youth and in 1993, successfully fought against the building of a sludge treatment plant planned for the area.

LI's 20 Latino Pols = shocking under-representation

David is currently a Communications Specialist for CSEA Local 1000, AFSCME. In that capacity he has helped workers obtain improved safety and health conditions, better wages and benefits, helped organize direct care workers, and fought against the closure of a several State facilities. David began his professional career as a journalist for The Philadelphia Inquirer and The Miami Herald. He went on to serve as a spokesperson for former Manhattan Borough President Ruth Messinger, and worked in the public affairs offices of the New York City Comptroller, the Board of Education and served as a consultant to the non-profit Children’s Aid Society.

A former member of Brooklyn’s Community Board 7, David chaired the Housing Committee. He helped organize the community against the inappropriate use of land and buildings, created an ad hoc committee to investigate the alleged abuse of a local family and youth by police officers and assisted local organizations in promoting affordable housing initiatives. David has served on the boards of Latinos for National Health Insurance, The Greater New York Labor-Religion Coalition and the Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats (CBID). In 2003, David was named Community Advocate of the Year by the Sunset Park Lions Club.

David attended Long Island University and is a product of Brooklyn public schools. He and his wife Inez, a New York City public school speech therapist and member of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT), are the parents of a son, Sean, a high school junior.

Source: Meet the Candidates with ChangeNYC.Org

"A 20/20 Vision of Our Diverse Society" Featuring John Quiñones - 4.20.09

2009-04-09T21:08:00.007-04:00

"A 20/20 Vision of Our Diverse Society"

featuring
John Quiñones

April 20, 2009 @ 7:30 p.m.

St. Joseph's College
D'Ecclesiis Auditorium, O'Connor Hall
155 West Roe Blvd, Patchogue

John Quiñones is anchor of ABC's What Would You Do?, a co-anchor of Primetime, a correspondent for 20/20 and the author of Heroes Among Us: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Choices (Harper).

Winner of seven Emmy Awards, Quiñones has also been honored with the Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Awards Grand Prize for International Reporting.

Sponsored by the Institute for the Study of Religion in Community Life. Lecture is free and open to the public. For more information, call 631.447.8252 or email jmcaleer@sjcny.edu.

Adelphi Forum on Immigration & Civic Engagement - 5.14.09

2009-04-08T12:27:00.009-04:00

"Immigration on Long Island: New Directions and Opportunities for Civic
Engagement"

May 14, 2009
8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m

Thomas Dixon Lovely Ballroom/Harley University Center, 1
South Avenue, Garden City

The forum will focus on the relationship between current global economic realities and domestic immigration policy challenges.

Keynote by Michele Wucker, executive director of the World Policy Institute and author of LOCKOUT: Why America Keeps Getting Immigration Wrong When Our Prosperity Depends on Getting It Right.

Panelists:
- Edward Romaine, Suffolk County Legislator
- Dr. Margaret Gray, Adelphi University
- Dr. David Dyssegaard Kallick, Fiscal Policy Institute

The event, supported by Adelphi’s Center for Social Innovation, is free and open to the public, but registration is required.

For more information about this and other events, visit www.adelphi.edu.
To register, call Sarah Eichberg at 516.877.4418 or email eichberg@adelphi.edu by May 7.

LI's 20 Latino Pols = shocking under-representation

2009-04-07T17:49:00.016-04:00

The roster of Latino elected officials on Long Island increased by three in the last month to a total of twenty. Hurray!

(Now we need to elect 313 to reach parity with Whites!)

The newbies are:

1) Julissa Ferreras , Queens D , NYC Council
2) Livio Tony Rosario, Village of Hempstead Board of Trustees
3) Carmen Piñeyro, Village of Freeport Board of Trustees

It's progress -- although Latinos have a long way to go to achieve anything resembling fair representation. For example, there are about 800 White elected officials across Long Island (village, town, county, city, state and federal) excluding special districts and school boards. With a population of 3.6MM, Whites are represented on a ratio of about 4500:1. That compared to the 75,000:1 for Latinos (n=1.5MM). African Americans (n=1.7MM) do better at 41,000:1.

Include school boards and special districts and the White representation ratio drops below 2,000:1. Add in appointees on government commissions, nonprofit boards and business associations and the racial/ethnic representation gap grows exponentially.

This is not to advocate racial or ethnic proportional representation. There are wonderful examples of politicians very ably representing diverse constituencies. And then there are 'machine' politicians of all shades that are more interested in serving themselves and their political bosses.

Nonetheless, it is not healthy in a multi-ethnic community for one group to have so small a voice into the affairs and policies of government. A glaring example of the problems under-representation creates can be seen in the dismissive attitudes of Suffolk County officials to hate crimes against African Americans and Latinos. Another example--which no one talks about--is the distribution of government funding and philanthropic grants.

Long Island's 20 Latino elected officials:

Anthony Jimenez, City of Glen Cove Council
Carmen Piñeyro, Village of Freeport Board of Trustees
David Mejias, Nassau County Legislature
Diana Reyna, Brooklyn, City Council
Felix Ortiz, Brooklyn, NY Assembly
Hiram Monserrate, NY Senate
Jorge A. Martinez, Village of Freeport Board of Trustees
José R. Peralta, Queens, NY Assembly
Julissa Ferreras, Queens, NYC Council
Livio Tony Rosario, Village of Hempstead Trustee
Maria-Christina Poons, Town of North Hempstead Council
Mark A. Bonilla, Town of Hempstead, Town Clerk
Martin Malavé Dilan, Brooklyn, NY Senate
Nydia Velázquez, Brooklyn-Queens, U.S. Congress
Phil Ramos, Suffolk, NY Assembly
Ricardo Montano, Suffolk County Legislature
Sara M. Gonzalez, Brooklyn, NYC Council
Tony Martinez, Town of Babylon Council
Vito J. Lopez, Brooklyn, NY Assembly
Vivian Viloria Fisher, Suffolk County Legislature

Citizenship Day

2009-04-06T21:56:00.011-04:00

Citizenship Day

Free legal assistance with your naturalization application.

Saturday, April 18, 2009

10:00a.m. – 4:00p.m.

Hofstra Law School
121 California Ave., Room 230
Hempstead, NY 11549

This event is sponsored by the American Immigration Layers Association (AILA) and Hofstra Law School.

Señor Oscar Martinez & Farmingdale State College

2009-03-28T14:14:00.007-04:00

Three sons, two daughters, spouses, six grand children--and an older brother, were all present at last night's Farmingdale College Alumni Gala at the Chateau Le Mer in support of Señor Oscar Martinez.

An elegant, close-knit and multi-lingual family based in Monterrey and Mexico City, the Martinez family was in town to witness the family patriarch--Oscar Martinez--receive Farmingdale College's 2009 Outstanding Alumnus Award.

Señor Martinez ('50) took a mechanical engineering degree, a stint at the Carrier International and leveraged it into his own Bel Air, a leading Mexican air conditioning manufacturing and service corporation. Señor Martinez retired in 1995 after selling his business to his employees.

The highlight of the evening was when his son Alejandro, speaking in flawless and slightly accented English, talked about Señor Martinez and his journey as a beloved father and successful businessman. But it was the 8 year old grand daughter who stole the show in her own loving tribute to grand papa--again, in flawless English.

While the college also recognized a professor, administrator and a local business, it was Señor Martinez' story that offers important lessons for Long Island's past as well as its future. Shamefully, anti-Mexican propaganda, racism and the ongoing nativist spasm against Latino immigrants make reduce the possibility of future Martinez/FSC-type success stories. If so, we'll be poorer for it.

Photo: Oscar Martinez points to his graduation photo.

'Justicia Para Kenny Lazo' Nominated for BOLI Award

2009-03-24T13:11:00.013-04:00

Five videos by Suffolk Community College and Eastern Suffolk BOCES students, in collaboration with MyLITV, have been nominated for 2009 BOLI (Best On Long Island) awards by the Long Island Ad Club.

Justicia Para Kenny Lazo is a 1 minute, cinéma vérité style, video of an April '08 community protest in Bayshore of the tragic death of Kenny Lazo while in the custody Suffolk County Police.

Here's the write-up from the MyLITV press release:

Suffolk Community College Intern, Luis Diaz, was the reporter for the video "Justicia Para Kenny Lazo" and he lives only blocks away from the protest site. He captured the anger and sorrow of the moment without ever uttering a word on camera. Although it's almost all in Spanish, you don't need to know what the crowd is saying in order to feel their pain. Subtitles were left out, because there are no subtitles in life.

Congratulations to Luis and his fellow student video producers. Bravo!

Luis' video:

Was Lazo For more information on the Kenny Lazo murder story, please watch this clip from RNN Long Island which contains graphic photos. Also, see these articles:

Family of man who died in cops' custody files $55M suit - 3.13.09
Lawsuit Being Filed Against Suffolk County for Wrongful Death - 3.12.09
Feds Request Files in L.I. Police Custody Death - 8.22.08
Kenny Lazo lawyer (Fred Brewington) talks about - 8.19.08
Death of man in police custody ruled homicide - 6.28.08
Kenny Lazo - 5.8.08 (YouTube video includes disturbing photos of Lazo's fatal injuries)

Photo: Kenny Lazo

Carmen Piñeyro & Livio 'Tony' Rosario Win

2009-03-20T01:11:00.007-04:00

Voters in the Village of Freeport took change to heart and swept all four members of The Change Freeport Party into office. In so doing, Freeport elected its first African American mayor, Andrew Hardwick, and its first Dominican heritage trustee, Carmen Piñeyro.

The two other winning members are Trustee-elect Robert Kennedy and Justice-elect Stephen Drummond.

Up the road in the Village of Hempstead, incumbent Wayne Hall, running for reelection under the Democratic and Working Families Party lines, defeated his two rivals, including James Garner, the Republican he bested four years earlier. Voters also approved of Hall's team members, candidates for open trustee positions, incumbent deputy mayor Henry Conyers and newcomer Livio Tony Rosario.

Incumbent Theodore Gutierrez was uncontested in his re-election bid for Trustee in the Village of Cove Neck.

Congratulations!

Alonzo's House 4 Sale

2009-03-18T20:58:00.009-04:00

He hasn't played in Queens since 2000 but former New York Mets--and most recently, LIDucks--player, Edgardo Alonzo, is still trying to sell his ~~grandiose~~ grand 14,000 square foot home in Little Neck. Like so many others in a bad market and in need of moving on, Alonzo put his house on the selling block back in '06.

Asking price? $8 million greenbacks! Not bad since Alonzo is said to have paid $900,000 in 1999.

A real estate bust coupled with the challenges of selling an overbuilt house, Alonzo's expanded mansion didn't sell -- even after a price drop in 2005 to the $5 million range.

With a new gig to play for Japan's Yomiuri Giants, Alonzo has switched brokers and dropped the asking price further to $4.3 million--a 46% drop from the original price.

Know anyone looking for a big house on the North Shore of Queens? Call me.

Ramos Endorses Hempstead's Wayne Hall and Tony Rosario

2009-03-15T01:21:00.007-04:00

Assemblyman Phil Ramos (D-Brentwood) was in the Village of Hempstead last week to show support for the reelection of incumbent Mayor Wayne Hall. Running with Mayor Hall is Livio Tony Rosario, a candidate for Village Trustee. If elected, Mr. Rosario becomes the first Latino elected in the Village Board.

The election takes place Wednesday, March 18, 2009.

Photo (r to l): Wayne Hall, Phil Ramos, Tony Rosario

A Faith & Immigration Session in Patchogue - 4.18.09

2009-03-13T13:25:00.005-04:00

click to enlarge

A Legal Clinic: The Housing Crisis - 3.29.09 Brentwood

2009-03-10T22:46:00.006-04:00

click to enlarge

Latino Thugs Attack Daryl Jackson in Roosevelt: Equal Opportunity Hate on LI?

2009-03-09T09:21:00.012-04:00

A gang of Latino thugs attacked an African American in Roosevelt in what appears to have been a hate crime. Four men were arrested, including an off-duty NYC police officer-- and a fifth suspect is being sought. All five could be charged under the state's hate crimes law.

"There's no question that a violent crime has taken place and there's no question that racial epithets were used in the attack. It's a heinous crime and people will pay for it." NC Executive Thomas Suozzi

Q: Have racist thugs from every group been given license?

Latinos are attacked and Marcelo Lucero is murdered in Suffolk by white 'Beaner Jumpers". Black thugs join in by killing Jose Sucuzhanay in Bushwick. Yesterday, a gang of Latino thugs attacked Daryl Jackson.

Violence begets violence. Hate begets hate.

Suozzi is absolutely right! The cost to the guilty in this--and other hate crime cases across LI--must be high.

Links:
Cops: 4 Latinos arrested in racial attack on black man

Affordable Housing Expo - Saturday, 3.7.09 @ Westchester County Center

2009-03-06T16:02:00.000-05:00

See attached flyer
En Español

Teatro Yerbabruja's 3rd Annual Gala - 3.21.08 @ Brentwood Country Club

2009-03-06T09:49:00.006-05:00

click to enlarge
Support Teatro Experimental Yerbabruja, Inc. in its mission to provide more art, and opportunities for constructive social change, in Long Island communities by attending the MASQUERADE BALL 3rd Annual Gala Dinner, 8pm, Saturday, March 21, 2009 at the Brentwood Country Club.

Honorees include State Assemblyman Phil Ramos and Suffolk County Legislator Ricardo Montano. Dr. Luis Valenzuela will be awarded the Jorge Renderos Social Justice Award for his leadership in the fight against anti-immigrant policies on Long Island.

Tickets are $100. Jacket & Tie/Cocktail Dress or Theatrical Costume (Use your imagination!)

For more information call 631.626.3603 or email teatroyerbabruja@yahoo.com.

Severe & Deeply Rooted Housing Discrimination on Long Island

2009-03-03T16:11:00.000-05:00

The advocacy group Education Research Advocacy Support to Eliminate Racism (ERASE Racism)'s latest report, The Racial Equity Report Card: Fair Housing on Long Island (pdf), concludes that African Americans and Latinos are still treated unfairly when searching for homes in Long Island (New York).

The discrimination, the report observes, is severe and deeply rooted in the highly segregated society that is Long Island.

A primary culprit? Real estate professionals.

The report found that some Long Island real estate agents routinely practice housing discrimination, despite efforts to crack down on it, including repeatedly steering African Americans and Latinos to rundown neighborhoods.

Seventy three percent (73%) of all housing race discrimination complaints on Long Island from 2000 to 2007 were filed against real estate professionals.

The report also found that local state and federal government agencies failed to act to stem housing discrimination based on race on Long Island.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under George W. Bush failed to oversee and monitor New York’s human rights cases.

The state’s Division of Human Rights under George Pataki dismissed most housing discrimination complaints. Between 1999 and 2007, 90 percent of the race-based fair housing complaints from Long Island received a “no probable cause” finding.

And local municipalities failed to take “any significant steps towards drafting and implementing community development plans that address inequities caused by racial segregation.”

Links:
Report: Housing discrimination on LI 'routine practice'
Not so fair housing on LI
Housing Barriers Persist on Long Island: New Study Reveals Housing Discrimination on
Long Island Is Severe and Deeply Rooted - report press release
The Racial Equity Report Card: Fair Housing on Long Island

NYC Police Capture a Murderer of Jose Sucuzhanay

2009-02-27T02:44:00.010-05:00

In an incredible bit a slouthing, New York City police found and arrested Hakim Scott, one of two men believed to be the murderers in December of Jose Sucuzhanay. Hakim Scott, was charged with 2nd degree murder as a hate crime which took place in the Bushwick, Brooklyn. Unfortunately, the second murderer - Keith Phoenix - is still at large.

Anyone with information on the where abouts of asked to call the CrimeStoppers hotline at 1.800.577.TIPS.

The following video are the killers at a bridge toll 18 minutes later laughing it up:

Rosario and Isabel Lucero in Suffolk County: Seek Justice for Marcelo; Feel Sadness for the Mothers of the Killers

2009-02-19T11:57:00.006-05:00

Rosario and Isabel Lucero are in town as legal proceedings commence in the tragic murder of Marcelo Lucero. Speaking from a court house in Suffolk County, Rosario had this to say:

"As a mother, I feel this pain of loss. The parents of these children must be feeling a sense of loss, too, seeing their children in these circumstances. We are all human beings, and it is not right to take anyone's life."

(BTW: Newsday's coverage of the Marcelo Lucero murder has been exemplary.)

Links:
Marcelo Lucero's mom faces two hate crime suspects
Photo series (80 images)

Corona Latinos

2009-02-16T22:49:00.008-05:00

One and a half million in the four counties which comprise Long Island are of Latino heritage -- that's 1 in 5 residents, or 20%, and growing!

While Latinos reside in every community across Long Island, the heaviest concentrations are seen in immigrant-friendly locales, including Brentwood, Hempstead, Bushwick, Jackson Heights, Sunset Park, among others.

The community of Corona in Queens is also on that growing list. A one-time Italian enclave with a Little Harlem section, Corona is now home to a diverse population but dominated by people from throughout Latin America.

Shoehorned between the LIE and Flushing Meadow Park, Corona is now 71% Latino, 11% Asian, with the remainder comprised of nonLatino Blacks and Whites. Two-thirds of the residents are foreign-born, and there is wide diversity among the Latino population, the most populous being Dominicans, Mexicans, Ecuadoreans and Colombians.

Omar Minaya (Dominican), General Manager of the New York Mets, and movie actor and comedian John Leguizamo (Puerto Rican/Colombian), hail from Corona. Famous nonLatinos that lived in Corona include: Estée Lauder, Louis Armstrong, Dizzie Gillespie, Martin Scorcese and Madonna.

The NYTimes Real Estate section has a nice write-up on this most dynamic and ever changing community. Here's the link: Living In Corona, Queens: Where Every Day Is Moving Day

Links:
Corona, Queens - Wikipedia
City Living: Corona, Queens
Forgotten NY Neighborhoods: Corona
The Crown of Queens, Corona, New York - Right Off the Beaten Path
Changing Face of Corona - video
Corona: A Neighborhood Transformed - photos/audio

Julissa Ferreras vs Francisco Moya in Queens D21 Special Election

2009-02-16T22:47:00.006-05:00

Corona, Queens is represented in state legislature by newly elected Senator Hiram Monserrate and Assemblyman José R. Peralta. The vacancy in the New York City Council created by the elevation of Monserrate will be filled in a special edlection next week, February 24th, 2009. Vying to fill the seat by two Latinos: Julissa Ferreras (endorsed by 1199SEIU) and Francisco Moya (endorsed by Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez).

In addition to Corona, the district (21) includes East Elmhurst, Elmhurst and Jackson Heights -- all communities with high concentrations of Latinos.

Related:
Corona candidate steps up to plate
Council Candidates Both Cite Early Service
Francisco Moya Endorsed by Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez
Council Candidate Moya Gets the Obama Crowd

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand Chats w/Mark Green

2009-02-15T11:12:00.012-05:00

Mark Green talks policy with New York's junior senator Kirsten Gillibrand:

Here's the q&a on the economic stimulus and immigration:

GREEN: In your view, is the Stimulus/Recovery bill good enough for New York -- or, if you were on the Conference Committee, what would you have tried to get back in good for NY?

GILLIBRAND: Well, I would've been advocating for more funding for education. It's one of the areas that the senate took out. And those dollars would've been very, very valuable to New York state, because, obviously, education is the gateway for the American dream. And I think it's so important that we're investing in our kids by giving them, not only the resources to have the best education possible, but opportunities for early childhood education and for college tuition. So, having more of those dollars in education funding, I think, would've been a long term economic stimulative effect that really can't compare to anything else. Because when you educate a child, and you give them the opportunity to achieve their God given potential, that child will then excel and they will go on to high school and go on to college. And when you have a college education, you know, you can earn much more money. The average high school diploma earns you about $25K, but the average college diploma is closer to $45K. And that means you can provide more for your family and invest more in our economy. That's an effect that's long-term economic growth.

GREEN: If a version of the Kennedy/McCain bill came up on the Senate floor -- creating a "pathway to citizenship" by the payment of fines, learning English, waiting 12 years -- could you support a version of that, or would you continue to view it as "amnesty"?

GILLIBRAND: Well, the Senate bill had a lot of flaws. So, we need a lot of work on a comprehensive immigration strategy. One of the biggest flaws of the bill was that it accepted that, for family reunification, an eight year backlog was acceptable. To me, that's outrageous. Why would you say you're doing immigration reform and not solve that issue? What you should have is to hire the right number of lawyers and caseworkers, have infrastructure in place so you can get that backlog done within six months. Immigration is part of our nation's heritage. Our country was built on immigrants. We have so much richness in our culture and in our traditions because of our immigrant populations. Family reunification is a core value of America, and it's something that we should solve.

The second issue that I felt was very problematic was if we're going to have a guest worker program, then you need to have one that is going to work. Immigrant communities are very vibrant and essential for our economy and for many, many industries. I happen to know a lot about farming. So, in that regard, we need to right-size immigration. We need to know how many visas we need in this country and have the right number and have a system that actually allows for an immigration system that works, and works for everyone. So, I will work with the President on a comprehensive immigration plan... Whether it's similar to what the Senate bill had, whether it's learning English, paying back fines, paying back taxes, having a job training opportunity, whatever the President wants to do, I will work with him in that regard. I think we do need t o solve the problem in a comprehensive way so that we can have a system that works and works for everyone.

Obama’s Agenda for Remaking America: A Long Island Town Meeting - 2/19/09 @ Shelter Rock

2009-02-14T13:56:00.004-05:00

OBAMA’S AGENDA FOR REMAKING AMERICA:
A LONG ISLAND TOWN MEETING

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 2009 @ 7:30 PM

At Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock,
48 Shelter Rock Road, Manhasset

“[Obama] should figure out what is wrong with America and the world, honestly and directly communicate his findings to the public, do his best to fix things and then let the results speak for themselves. It’s a very simply prescription – but light-years away from anything that has been tried in the United States for a very long time.” Jonathan Shell, The Nation

PANEL I:
Matthis Chiroix, Iraq Veterans Against the War
Mary Dewar, LI Coalition for a National Health Plan
Tara Keenan-Thomson, Nassau New York Civil Liberties Union
Jean Kelly, Interfaith Nutrition Network
Michael LaFemina, Hofstra Progressive Students Union
Luis Valenzuela, LI Immigrant Alliance
Cheryl Wertz, Peace Action NYS

Panel II:
Sergio Argueta, STRONG
Mac Bica, LI Veterans for Peace
Ed Ciaccio, LI Alliance
Saajad Chowdhry, Islamic Center of LI
Moderator: Margaret Melkonian, LI Alliance for Peaceful Alternatives

Directions to UUCSR: From LIE, exit 35 north (from east) or 36 (from west). North 1 ½ miles on Shelter Rock Rd. Entrance on left by white fence. From Northern Blvd., go South ½ mile on Shelter Rock Rd. Entrance on right.

For information: Long Island Alliance for Peaceful Alternatives, 38 Old Country Road, Garden City NY 11530 * 516-741-4360 * www.longislandpeace.org

Lydia Cacho's Los Demonios del Edén (The Demons of Eden) - The Documentary

2009-02-11T17:21:00.013-05:00

Lydia Cacho: My Life Under the Gun - 3/11/09 @ Shelter Rock

Los Demonios del Edén (The Demons of Eden) is the story of Lydia Cacho, a courageous writer and feminist who is confronting powerful businessmen and politicians protecting a child pornography ring operating in Cancun and the United States.

Lydia narrates her confrontation with those powerful forces since she was kidnapped and incarcerated for a couple of days. She reveals her motivations and emotions, and the paradoxes that emerge when she investigates and publishes her book entitled Los Demonios del Edén.

The following is the Spanish language documentary companion to Lydia's book:

Segment 1

Segment 2

Segment 3

Segment 4

Segment 5

Segment 6

Segment 7

Segment 8

Lydia Cacho Ribeiro: My Life Under the Gun - 3/11/09 @ Shelter Rock

2009-02-09T15:32:00.016-05:00

The UUCSR Shelter Rock Forum presents

MY LIFE UNDER THE GUN

Lydia Cacho

Wednesday, March 11, 7:30 p.m.

Unitarian Universalist Congregation
@ Shelter Rock
48 Shelter Rock Road, Manhasset

Mexican journalist Lydia Cacho, who also runs a shelter for battered women and children in Cancun, has exposed a web of business and political elites behind a child pornography ring there. She has been detained and harassed by authorities, received numerous death threats and survived to win international human rights prizes from Amnesty International, UNESCO and the U.S. State Department. Since her expose the list of her enemies has grown to include some of the most powerful men in Mexico. In the last eight years at least 21 reporters in Mexico have been killed. Her international visibility has kept Cacho alive.

Cacho is donating her speaking fee to her shelter for battered women and Children, CIAM Cancun (www.CIAMcancun.org/eng)

Suggested donation $5

Click here for directions

For more information: UUCSR Shelter Rock Forum 516-627-6560, ext 122

Co-Sponsors: UUCSR Women’s Group, UUCSR Men’s Group, Amnesty International USA Group 74, Great Neck SANE/Peace Action, LI Alliance for Peaceful Alternatives

Links:
The Demons of Eden/Los Demonios de Eden - The Documentary (see following post for the film)
los demonios del eden el documental's Flicker photostream
Mexico's Most Wanted Journalist - MotherJones
lydiacacho.net - Blog in Spanish
Lydia Cacho on LibertadLatina.org
lydiacacho - MexicoReporter.com
Lydia Cacho on the dangers for journalists in Mexico - MexicoReporter.com YouTube Interview
Horror Story: Lydia Cacho's Exposé of Pedophilia Has Her Critics Up in Arms -Washington Post
Attempted assassination of prominent Mexican human rights defender - Frontline
Honoring Lydia Cacho - Amnesty International
Defender of Women and Children against Trafficking - Every Human Has Rights

Worker Safety Protest Rally in Memory of Facundo Gonzalez - Southampton 2.8.09

2009-02-09T00:55:00.007-05:00

Three dozen demonstrators rallied for immigrant workers' rights in memory of fallen construction worker Facundo Gonzalez, who died January 5 in Southampton Village at a job site. The video capture shows Suffolk County legislator Vivian Viloria-Fisher addressing the demonstrators.

Links:
Demonstrators rally for worker safety
Video of the Protest
Vigil & Rally To Protest the Death of Facundo Gonzalez - 2.8.09, 1pm, Southampton

Healing & Improv Theatre in Patchogue

2009-02-07T01:39:00.004-05:00

To Heal in Patchogue: Having a Say and Seeing It Come to Life Playback Threatre Troup performed recently in the Village of Patchogue as part of an effort to promote better understanding between Latinos and non-Latinos in the area following the killing last November of Marcelo Lucero.

Vigil & Rally To Protest the Death of Facundo Gonzalez - 2.8.09, 1pm, Southampton

2009-02-06T15:28:00.004-05:00

Vigil & Rally

To Protest the Death of Facundo Gonzalez

Sunday, February 8

1:PM

232 North Sea Road, Southampton

Facundo Gonzalez, killed on January 5 at a Southampton construction site, was the third worker killed on LI in several months. He is the second Long Island immigrant worker killed at work in two months.

Nationally, unsafe conditions or negligence kills 1,000 immigrant workers on the job each year. Over 5,800 U.S. workers die on the job yearly. Hundreds of thousands more are sickened or seriously injured.

Join Us To:

Remember Facundo Gonzalez and other workers who are killed, injured or made sick on the job.
Raise public awareness about this often hidden side of the sacrifices made by immigrant workers on Long Island.
For more information: 516-565-5377 or 631-435-1857.

Sponsored by: The Long Island Immigrant Alliance, The Immigrant Worker Occupational Health and Safety Committee of the Workplace Project, NYCOSH ( New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health), East Hampton Anti-Bias Task Force, Organizacion Latino Americano of Eastern Long Island, Jobs With Justice, and the Southampton Anti-Bias Task Force.

Film on Rights Struggle of Colombia's Indigenous - Huntington's Cinema Arts Centre 2/15/09

2009-02-04T11:51:00.011-05:00

WE ARE RAISED WITH THE STAFF OF AUTHORITY IN HAND
Somos Alzados En Bastones De Mando

An award-winning documentary produced by the Indigenous Councils of Northern Cauca, about the resistance of the indigenous population of Colombia to repression.

Sunday, February 15

Brunch: 10:30am/Introduction, Film, Discussion: 11:30am

Speakers: Mario Murillo, host of WBAI's Wake Up Call and Assoc. Prof. of Communications, Hofstra Univ.; Tiokasin Ghosthorse (Lakota), Host of WBAI’s First Voices: Indigenous Radio

Help bring Colombian radio station Radio Payu-mat back on the air!

Tickets for this benefit: $25

Advance tickets available online, or call 800-838-3006 and ask for event 54041, or at CAC box office

CINEMA ARTS CENTRE - a not-for-profit film arts organization
423 Park Avenue, Huntington, NY 11743 * 631-423-7611 * Fax: 631-423-5411 * For show times, call 631-423-FILM (3456).

Taino Roots on Native America Calling - 2.5.09

2009-02-03T13:49:00.001-05:00

Before it was Puerto Rico, it was known to the Taino people as Borinquen – “land of the brave noble lord.” Many of today’s Puerto Ricans, both those born on the island and in the states, trace their indigenous roots to Taino ancestors.

One geneticist discovered 3 out of 5 native Puerto Ricans have remnants of Taino DNA streaming through their blood. As the legacy of the Taino people of the Caribbean is rediscovered, what is turning Puerto Ricans back to their Borinquen roots?

Native America Calling's Special Guest: Roberto Mukaro Agueibana Borrero, President and Chairman of the United Confederation of Taino People.

Thursday, February 5, 2009, 1-2pm EST

To participate: call 1-800-996-2848, that's 1-800-99-NATIVE

TO LISTEN ONLINE:

KNBA-FM 90.3 Anchorage, Alaska

NV1 Albuquerque, NM

KISU 91.1 FM Pocatello, Idaho

KUNM-FM 89.9 FM Albuquerque, New Mexico

KSJD 91.5 Cortez, Colorado

KSUT-FM 91.3 FM Ignacio, Colorado

KSFC 91.9 FM Spokane, Washington

WOJB-FM 88.9 FM Hayward, Wisconsin

KGVA-FM 88.1 Fort Belknap, Montana

Staff Sgt Edwin Gomez Surprises Angelica

2009-02-02T00:15:00.006-05:00

“Daddy!”

Six-year-old Angelica Gomez looked up to see her father, Staff Sergeant Edwin Gomez, standing at the entrance of her kindergarten classroom. “I told ya,” she offered as an aside to her classmates as she rushed across the room and into her father’s arms.

Staff Sgt. Edwin Gomez reunites with his daughter Angelica in her kindergarten class at Southampton's Tuckahoe Common School.

Links:
Video
Photo series
Father reunites with his daughters after a year in Afghanistan - 27east

Suffolk's Festering Anti-Latino Hate Crimes Problem

2009-01-31T10:00:00.008-05:00

WNYC's Amy Eddings talks with Newsday's court reporter Eric German about the latest allegations that the gang that attacked and killed Ecuadorian immigrant Marcelo Lucero last November, had been on a year-long rampage against Latinos.

Links:
Teenagers Charged In Hispanic Man’s Death Accused Of At Least Eight Other Attacks On Latinos - Feet in 2 Worlds
Alleged LI hate crime victim wonders what became of police probe - Newsday

Intel Finalists - Muy Brainy & Diverse

2009-01-30T13:15:00.013-05:00

Once again, New York leads the country with 9 finalists in the prestigious Intel science competition -- that's 22% of the total. Seven of the brainy New Yorkers are from Long Island counties; 1 is from New York County (Manhattan); and 1 is from Westchester County.

New York also had the most semi-finalists with 114 (or 38% of the total 300 semi-finalists); California with 22 was a second.

LI region finalists:

Kings County
Adam Benjamin Sealfon (Stuyvesant High School)

Nassau County
Chelsea Lynn Jurman, Roslyn (Roslyn High School)

Queens County
Josepher Li, Flushing (Bronx High School of Science)
Anissa Yuenming Mak, Oakland Gardens (Stuyvesant High School)

Suffolk County
Preya Shah, Setauket (Ward Melville High School)
Christine Lee Shrock, Setauket (Ward Melville High School)
Patrick Jeffrey Abejar, Smithtown (Smithtown High School West)

Each finalist receives a $5,000 in scholarship, a new laptop computer and an expense-paid trip to the finals at the National Academy of Sciences in Washington, DC this March. They'll also visit Congress. Previous finalists have met with the president or vice president and congressional leaders — including in a recent year when then-Sen. Barack Obama introduced himself.

The big prize: $100,000; with $75,000 for the runner-up and $50,000 for third place.

Photo by Tony Jerome: (L to R) Christine Lee Shrock, Preya Shah, Patrick Jeffrey Abejar, Chelsea Lynn Jurman

Link:
Intel Science Talent Search 2009 Finalists

Latinos in College - A New Guide to Success by Mariela Dabbah

2009-01-27T10:00:00.006-05:00

Mariela Dabbah has a new book, Latinos in College, a guide to help Latino junior and senior high school students and college freshmen navigate the college system. The Argentina-born Mariela is a prolific author, speaker and consultant with a single purpose: to help Latinos Crack the American Code® so they can achieve great success.

Links: MarielaDabbah.com
Dr. Shirley Strum Kenny's Stony Brook University
Hispanic College Fund Call for Applicants
Dr. George Sanchez's Smart Moves for Briarcliffe College

Dr. Shirley Strum Kenny's Stony Brook University

2009-01-26T09:34:00.004-05:00

Links:
Dr. Shirley Strum Kenny (official bio)
Stony Brook University president Shirley Strum Kenny to retire in 2009
A Response to Newsday Article: A Crisis at LI Campus

Inauguration is lesson plan at Obama Elementary

2009-01-21T10:43:00.007-05:00

Inauguration is lesson plan at Obama Elementary
Emily Thomas, left, 9, Wendy Lopez, second from left, 10, Tiara Henry, second from right, 10. and Esta Thomas, 10, students at Barack Obama Elementary School, cheer as they watch television during the inauguration ceremony for President Barack Obama, Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2009 in Hempstead, N.Y. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Related: Age of Obama - Inauguration
Harlem Village Academies 7th Graders Blog the Inauguration
Obama is an inspiration to a 14-year-old watching from Harlem
Hempstead's Barack Obama Elementary School

Amazing Video of the Ditching and Rescue of US Airways Flight 1549

2009-01-17T01:37:00.005-05:00

The ditching of US Airways Flt 1549 and immediate response by passenger ferries is captured in this incredible 10 minute segment video from a security camera.

Here's what you'll see:

The plane appears to hit water at 3:31:00pm and begins a fairly rapid drift down river.
The camera zooms in at 3:32.39 to find passengers spilling out onto the wings.
The camera pans right and records at 3:32:49 the first ferry steaming towards the plane. It makes contact at 3:35:08.
A second ferry enters the frame from the Manhattan side on the left at 3:36:09, quickly followed by a 3rd ferry from the same direction at 3:36:49.
By 3:38:00 the ferries surround the quickly drifting plane and began pulling people off the wings.
The rescue happens while the plane, 3 large ferries and 150 passengers are pushed downstream by a strong current of the frigid Hudson.

Immigrant advocates hold candlelight vigil in Nanuet Saturday

2009-01-13T22:18:00.004-05:00

The Rockland Immigration Coalition will on Saturday hold a candlelight vigil to protest hate crimes in the area and across the nation.

Organized by the Rockland Immigration Coalition, an immigrant advocacy organization, the vigil will give members of local faith, civil rights and human rights groups the opportunity to join together to commemorate the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and to call attention to the intolerance against immigrants that has been highlighted by the recent murder of two Hispanic men, one on Long Island and the other in Brooklyn.

Link: Immigrant advocates to hold candlelight vigil in Nanuet Saturday

Justice, FBI & U.S. Attorney Launch Probe Into Suffolk's Handling of Anti-Latino Hate Crimes

2009-01-12T14:21:00.008-05:00

The U.S. Department of Justice, the FBI and the U.S. attorney's office for the Eastern District today announced the launching of a joint probe of Suffolk County's handling of hate crimes against Latinos.

The investigation is in response to this complaint filed by the Manhattan-based LatinoJustice in the wake of the hate murder of Marcelo Lucero documenting a climate of hate and neglect towards Latino victims promoted and/or tolerated by Suffolk County officials.

Link: Feds probe handling of hate crimes
Assaults on Latinos Spur Inquiry
Justice Department probes Long Island hate crimes

Latinos Recall Pattern of Attacks Before Long Island Killing

2009-01-09T02:53:00.007-05:00

Reporter Anne Barnard (Latinos Recall Pattern of Attacks Before Long Island Killing, NYTimes, 1.8.09) does a terrific job detailing the pattern of attacks on Latino Immigrants in and around the Village of Patchogue (Suffolk County, New York) as well as the pattern of neglect by Suffolk County officials.

Suffolk officials dismissing the pleas of immigrant leaders allowed an escalation of attacks and the eventual hate murder of Marcelo Lucero in November.

Carlos Orellana, a construction worker from Ecuador, was walking home from work in this small Long Island town on July 14, he said, when about a dozen teenage boys on bicycles knocked him to the ground and kicked and beat him, shouting, “Go back to Mexico.”

-- snip --

Attacks like the one Mr. Orellana reported have drawn new attention since Marcelo Lucero, another Ecuadorean immigrant, was stabbed to death on Nov. 8 near Main Street. Prosecutors say seven 16- and 17-year-old boys, mostly from neighboring Medford, were attacking Mr. Lucero when one of them rushed at him with a knife. The attacks were such an established pastime that the youths, who have pleaded not guilty, had a casual and derogatory term for it, “beaner hopping.” One of the youths told the authorities, “I don’t go out doing this very often, maybe once a week.”

That was not news to Latinos in Patchogue, who say that regular harassment, muggings and assaults have had them living in fear — 11 men told The New York Times of 13 attacks, nine of them in the past two years.
But the Suffolk County police said it was news to them.

Reports of Attacks on Immigrants in Patchogue

Holiday Violence Against Mt. Kisco Latinos

2009-01-01T22:15:00.002-05:00

The Journal News reports that four masked thugs assaulted two Latinos and attempted to rob a Latino business in Mt. Kisco over the Christmas holiday.

Mt. Kisco is an affluent town one hour north of mid-town Manhattan in upper Westchester County, New York. While an estimated 25% of the population is Latino, none of the town's elected or appointed officials is Latino.

While we don't yet have any information on the thugs, what we do know is that Mt. Kisco area Latinos are in the crosshairs of racists. Read some of the comments at the end of the article to glimpse what Latino immigrants in Lower Hudson area are up against.

Mt. Kisco police are 'investigating'. Of course, they have thus far failed to find any of the criminals responsible for the brutal slayings of 6 Latino immigrants over the past few years. Protecting immigrants and bringing anti-Latino criminals to justice just does not seem to be a priority for Mt. Kisco Police.

Photo: Fernando Mateo of Hispanics Across America and Westchester DA Janet DiFiore at a vigil for slain Latino immigrant Rene Perez.

U.S. Justice Meets LatinoJustice re: Suffolk County

2008-12-23T10:11:00.003-05:00

Investigators from the U.S. Justice Department met in New York with LatinoJustice regarding allegations of anti-Latino bias in Suffolk County.

LatinoJustice's complaint charges Suffolk County government officials with violating the equal protection clause in its treatment of Latino residents; stirring up anti-Latino resentment, indulging bigots and promoting hate speech through its anti-Latino immigrant proposals -- culminating in the hate killing of Marcelo Lucero in Patchogue.

While the DOJ has not yet launched a formal investigation, their presence last week in New York is reassuring.

As for the response from Suffolk officials, the usually ultra chatty Steve Levy has gone silent--as have his co-conspirators in the legislature. However, the county police are said to welcome any investigation--although spokesman Tim Motz claims that Suffolk's "hate crime statistics are essentially the same" as in other jurisdictions.

In addition to insulting the intelligence of county residents, the Long Island Latino community, the memory of Marcelo Lucero, as well as most U.S. counties without official campaigns against Latino immigrants, Mr. Motz misses an essential point: that the county's numbers are totally out-of-whack with reality -- reflecting the possibility of a systemic failure to protect Latinos residents.

Recommendation for Mr. Motz: Read the LatinoJustice complaint to learn about what's really happening in Suffolk County.

Moreover, the concern is not that hate crimes only happen in Suffolk County. No one is saying that. The concern for Latinos in Suffolk is that authorities are actively fomenting anti-Latino hostility. And it's not just the county. DOJ should also look at the embedded biases in the code enforcement, provision of services, staffing, and policing practices of a number of towns and villages--often in coordination with the county.

So, Mr. Motz and Mr. Levy should also welcome more 'sanctuary' sessions of the sort held at the church in Patchogue in which residents can step forward and tell the truth without fear, right? At least 20 hate victims came forward in Patchogue. How many more are out there that the bright lights of Suffolk County don't know about?

And while they're at it, perhaps DOJ should look closely at the embedded practices and attitudes which systematically undermine the rights of racial "minorities". For example, why are at-large election districts which ensure African American and Latino political under representation allowed? Why are racially segregated and unequal public schools condoned? How is it that Long Island manages to remain one of the most segregated places in the country even though people of color are a significant portion of the overall population?

Southampton Town Staffer Benched for Racist Threats

2008-12-17T22:34:00.007-05:00

A Town of Southampton staffer is on unpaid leave for allegedly sending other town employees racist and threatening messages related to the election of Barack Obama to the U.S. presidency. Town Supervisor Linda Kabot confirmed the case and that the U.S. Secret Service is involved.

Link:
Southampton Town employee suspended for sending racist messages

Gov. Paterson on Diffusing Hate on LI

2008-12-16T12:02:00.004-05:00

Governor David Paterson has been working behind the scenes to diffuse tensions on Long Island in the aftermath of the hate murders of Marcelo Lucero in Patchogue and Jose Sucuzhañay in Bushwick.

Working through his Commissioner of Human Rights Commissioner Galen Kirkland, Paterson who sought to facilitate dialogue through a newly formed unity council.

Paterson's focus is clearly on touching the hearts and minds, i.e., changing the culture, so that healing and peace can take root in troubled families and communities. His prescription includes:

A focus on youth.

"Most of the uprisings are from younger people who are taking the antagonistic words of their elders and manifesting them in violence. Adults, you see, are grown-ups. They've got jobs... and for the most part they don't have time to swing baseball bats at each other because this is not going to be productive."

A call to parents to watch what they teach the children.

"There are citizens who are good citizens, but who may have contributed to the problem in the privacy of their own homes. They are spawning contempt and bias with some very loathsome things they have to say to their family members."

And a call on the community to resist the destructive influences of hate.

"People have to realize that they are ... getting a reputation, like a Skokie. Hate is not good for the economy, not good for the quality of life, not good for our home values, not good for our children."

Link: Guv lends support to Island anti-hate measures

Photo: Gov. Paterson's spring visit to Hempstead High School.(Audrey C. Tiernan, Newsday)

Bushwick Vigil for José Sucuzhañay

2008-12-15T00:47:00.006-05:00

This photo is from Boy in Brooklyn's multimedia coverage of the December 14th Vigil in Bushwick, Brooklyn for slain José Sucuzhañay.

Less than 24 hours after news of José Sucuzhañay's death broke, people from across the city gathered in Bushwick to pay tribute to the Ecuadorian immigrant and to demand an end to hate and bias-motivated hate crimes. New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn [D-Chelsea], City Councilwoman Diana Reyna [D-Bushwick], Congressman Anthony Weiner, Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, state Sen. Tom Duane [D-Chelsea], New York City Comptroller Bill Thompson and representatives from various Ecuadorian, LGBT and Latino advocacy organizations were among those who gathered at Grove Street and Myrtle Avenue. And several hundred people subsequently marched to hold vigil on the corner where four men in an SUV viciously beat Sucuzhañay with a baseball bat and bottles early on Dec. 7.

The Nativity Story with Josh Groban

2008-12-14T20:35:00.001-05:00

Lenina Nadal: A Suburican Writer Searches for Home

2008-12-13T22:04:00.000-05:00

Being a woman of color writer is a process of self-definition and a constant search for community. Though still searching, it seems to me that nothing touches my soul more than the lyrics of those who challenge the political and cultural boundaries of American society.

"Suburican" is a Boricua raised in the suburbs, in other words, me. I was socialized in a racially segregated, relatively conservative city in Long Island, Long Beach, NY. While there was always a shallow acceptance or "tolerance" of others, the school's tracking system, housing patterns, and areas of employment revealed a town that was narrowly divided around race and class.

While progressive English teachers incorporated " The House on Mango Street" and "Down These Mean Streets" into the curriculum, I only knew of Latino literature as reflecting the immigrant experience and talking about "growing up." So instead of relating to author Piri Thomas as a validator of my existence, I was mostly intrigued by the lives of Henry David Thoreau, Walt Whitman, George Elliot, James Baldwin and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Like these authors, I felt alienated from my community because I saw past the "we are all the same" agenda pushed and crammed into our brains by every teacher that uttered the word diversity. Even after a 100 person race riot in our high school's cafeteria, we were still not allowed to have our own clubs based on ethnicity or talk about blatant divisions. It seemed that any time we spoke of race as an issue, we were encouraged to believe it was an illusion.

This frustration led to me to adopting the style and demeanor of the non-conformist, I was a woman poet, Puerto Rican Beatnik, my religion, transcendentalism, my music, alternative and classic rock. Reading Nuyorican poetry opened my eyes to a type of Latino literature where the poet was symbiotic with a social movement, living in another dimension, testing boundaries.

More

Marga Gomez: Long Island Iced Latina

2008-12-12T01:22:00.004-05:00

In this clip of her recent SF show, Marga Gomez talks about the emotional high of Barack Obama's election followed by the low of the California Gay marriage ban. She knows how to turn pain into laughter. It's what good comics do.

The daughter of Cuban comedian Wilfredo Gomez (aka, Willy Chevalier) and Puerto Rican dancer Margarita Estremera, Marga was raised in the extremes that are Manhattan and Massapequa. She loved Manhattan. Massapequa was torturous. Aside from the Gomez stage gene, it was her experience as a lonely and only Latina at the Massapequa High School that really drew her to comedy.

It's those formative years trying to survive in the hometown of Jessica Hahn and Joey Buttafuoco that provides material for Marga's upcoming comedic venture -- Long Island Iced Latina. Here's the blurb:

Gomez continues to workshop this intoxicating comedic memoir of her awkward adolescence in Massapequa, Long Island, mixing equal parts cultural confusion, chronic virginity, mother-daughter instability and a splash of polyester fashion to paint a sardonic picture of her uprooted life as the new brown girl in a white high school.

January 8 – January 17, 2009
Marga Gomez’s
LONG ISLAND ICED LATINA
The Marsh Theatre
1062 Valencia
San Francisco, California
Two weeks of Workshop Performances
Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 8 pm
Tickets $15-$50

Links:
Marga Gomez - MySpace
Marga Gomez Videos
The Marsh's new Winter-Spring season
Marga Gomez -Wikipedia
Marga Gomez -Answers
From Miss Gomez to “jaded lesbian,” Marga Gomez grows up?

For the record: I have friends and family members that live in Massapequa--and its a fine place.

The War on Latino Immigrants Escalates: Jose Osvaldo Sucuzhañay Slain in Bushwick

2008-12-10T13:00:00.015-05:00

Another Latino has been murdered in the glacial moraine known as Long Island.

Jose Osvaldo Sucuzhañay and his brother Romel were savagely attacked early Monday morning by a gang wielding beer bottles and bats. Jose was pronounced brain dead yesterday. The attack occurred in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn (Southwestern Long Island).

As in the killing of Marcelo Lucero a month earlier in Patchogue, Long Island, and the earlier slaying of Luis Ramirez in Shenandoah, PA, the attackers were a hate-filled pack of thugs prowling the night in search of victims. In all three cases, the gangs zeroed in on Latino immigrants walking home.

Unlike the other murders, the attackers in Bushwick were Black and they escaped in an SUV. In addition to using anti-Latino slurs, the attackers used anti-gay slurs in the mistaken belief that the brothers were a gay couple.

The domestic war against Latinos escalates with Jose and the Sucuzhañay family as its latest victims. But while nativists focus like a laser beam in waging their ugly war, the larger community of decent Americans are asleep at the switch. The result is that it's literally open season on Latinos--especially on the most vulnerable working late hours and travelling on foot or bicycle.

Photo: Diego Sucuzhañay, brother of Jose, addressing the media

Related:
Attack on Ecuadorean Brothers Investigated as Hate Crime
Brooklyn victim of bias attack Jose Sucuzhanay taken off life support
Task force hunting Brooklyn thugs in hate attack on immigrant

Keeping Latino Immigrants Safe in Patchogue

2008-12-08T19:13:00.007-05:00

At the invitation of businessman and activist Fernando Mateo, Curtis Sliwa's Guardian Angels have begun patrolling the streets of the Village of Patchogue - site of the hate murder of Marcelo Lucero. The red-capped civic brigade will add a measure public safety through their presence and vigilance. Appropriately, a number of the Angels are bilingual.

However, Sliwa's commitment to Patchogue is likely temporary -- as well as it should be. So it's incumbent upon Village government, civic associations and public safety officials to formulate solutions for keeping the streets safe for all of its residents.

Revealed: Scores of Suffolk County Immigrants Victims of Hate Attacks

2008-12-05T01:42:00.032-05:00

Reverend Dwight Lee Wolter put out the word that last night (i.e., Wednesday) the Congregational Church of Patchogue would serve as a safe space -- a Sanctuary -- for victims of hate crimes to tell their stories.

This video is shocking evidence that County Executive Steve Levy's claim that hate crimes against Latinos have fallen dramatically under his tenure is, well, NOT TRUE! Pure fiction. BS.

Some 30 immigrants gave accounts of the hate crimes committed against in just the last year and a half. And those are just the cases organizers had time to document, in a few hours, in a small corner of a sprawling county.

Imagine what would happen if opened in every community across Suffolk County! Stay tuned to the one day story with legs.

An Evening for Marcelo's Mom in Patchogue - Friday, December 12, 2008

2008-12-05T01:08:00.005-05:00

EVENING FOR MARCELO’S MOM

IN PATCHOGUE
Friday, December 12, 2008

This evening is dedicated to the spirit of community healing and unity in the wake of the tragic death of Marcelo Lucero and in particular to his mother, Rosario. All donations collected will go directly to Rosario Lucero in Ecuador.

Schedule of Events
Solemn Candlelight Procession & Vigil – 6:30 p.m.
Gather at Railroad Ave./Sephton St., near the site where Marcelo died.
Process to Congregational Church of Patchogue (95 E. Main St.)

No Signs Please • Group Banners Welcome • Rain or Shine

Congregational Church of Patchogue – 7 p.m. - 9 p.m. Candlelight Prayer/Reflection • Performances by Musicians, Singers, Poets • Art Exhibit Courtesy of Projecting Art • LI WINS Table • Free Will Offering for Rosario Lucero Fund Concert to Benefit Rosario Lucero at Blue Point Brewing Co. – 8:30 p.m. Featuring Jack’s Waterfall, Jay Scott and others. Tickets $40. Call 631-475-6944 for information/tickets.

Satellite Events
BrickHouse Brewery (631-447-2337) and Once & For All (631-447-0519) will be raising money for the Rosario Lucero Fund the night of December 12.

On December 11, The Katie Pearlman Band, Jordan Hope, Cathy Kreger & Jack Licitra perform Live in the Lobby at the Patchogue Theatre (71 E. Main St.). Musicians will donate a portion of their CD sales to the Rosario Lucero Fund. Tickets $10.

For further information about An Evening for Marcelo’s Mom,
Contact: oceanofjoy129@aol.com

WE ARE ALL ONE!
¡Somos todos uno

Co-Sponsors (as of Dec. 3) : The Incorporated Village of Patchogue • Jack’s Waterfall Live in the Lobby at the Patchogue Theatre
• Blue Point Brewing Company • Alianza Ecuatoriana Internacional • Congregational Church of Patchogue
• BrickHouse Brewery • Once & For All • South Country Peace Group • LI WINS • Projecting Art • WUSB Radio • WRCN Radio • Patchogue Business Improvement District • North Country Peace Group • Patchogue Arts Council • St. Joseph the Worker Pax Christi • Little Portion Friary • Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Stony Brook • Long Island Friends of WBAI • Christopher Collaborative Incorporated • Temple Beth El of Patchogue • Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Bellport • The American Jewish Committee, Long Island Chapter Latino/Jewish Council of Long Island • Greater Patchogue Foundation • Greater Patchogue Chamber of Commerce • United Methodist Church of Patchogue

ECUADOR MOURNS PHOTO SERIES - NEWSDAY

Los Alegres 3, December 7th, 3-9pm, Portugues American Center, Brentwood

2008-12-03T08:56:00.006-05:00

Patchogue Church as Safe Space for Latino Hate Victims - 12/3, 6-9PM

2008-12-02T09:47:00.008-05:00

PRESS STATEMENT OF THE REVEREND DWIGHT LEE WOLTER

The Congregational Church of Patchogue
95 East Main Street
Patchogue, New York, 11772
churchonmainstreet.org
631.891.9908

People who believe they are the victim of hate, harassment, injury, or attack simply because they are Latino, have the right to tell their story in a safe and supportive environment. But if such persons are afraid, for whatever reason, to report the incident to the police or other agencies, or if they did report the incident, but their statement was not accurately recorded; then the need for an alternative place and method of reporting becomes apparent.

That is why the Congregational Church of Patchogue has offered to be a sanctuary church where people are encouraged to come and be heard on Wednesday, December 3rd between 6 and 9PM at the Congregational Church of Patchogue, the site of the funeral of Marcelo Lucero.

Many who come may lack evidence or witnesses that could result in legal action. But simply telling their story, and feeling listened to, often results in an experience of healing that may never be found in a court of law. Even so, we will advocate for those who come seeking accountability and justice.

-----------

The spirituality of peace and reconciliation must have an equal seat at the table of justice. May we continue with the many good things about us, face and accept the bad ~ and may we become a powerful example of a community transformed by tragedy into a place of peace and justice, so that Marcelo Lucero will not have died in vain.

Sincerely,
Rev. Dwight Lee Wolter
Congregational Church of Patchogue

Inspector Aristedes Mojica Takes Over The 5th Precinct

2008-12-01T22:40:00.011-05:00

Inspector Aristedes Mojica, 50, has assumed command of the 5th precinct in a shake-up intended to re-establish Latino community trust in the Suffolk County Police. The 5th Precinct includes the Village of Patchogue where Marcelo Lucero was murder by a youth gang looking to assault Latinos. It's also home to Farmingville where an immigrant family's home was fire-bombed. There have been numerous other incidents -- reported and unreported -- in the precinct.

A veteran police official, Mojica is the County's highest ranking Latino officer. His parents and grandparents were from Puerto Rico. He spoke briefly to CW11 about his new assignment.

Link: Hispanic Officer to Lead Troubled Suffolk County Precinct

Action Center for Justice for Marcelo Lucero

2008-11-25T05:44:00.005-05:00

Action Center for Justice for Marcelo Lucero seeks an end the scapegoating of immigrants by the Suffolk Legislature and County Executive Steve Levy and the enactment of meaningful measures to bring the county's 200,000 immigrants into full inclusion in Suffolk's life.

Created by Patrick Young, it's an information and mobilization center on the LIWins website for channelling the public's outrage over the hate killing of Marcelo Lucero into actions for change.

In its Legislative Action are these items:

Rally and Speak Out for Justice for Marcelo Lucero at the Suffolk Legislature on Tuesday Dec. 2 at 8:30AM

Ask County Executive Steve Levy and Suffolk County legislators to:
1. End the cynical rhetoric demonizing immigrants;
2. Stop introducing legislation that results in profiling immigrants;
3. Create a 5-year plan to integrate immigrants in Suffolk County.

Other site offerings include:
Upcoming Events
What You Can Do To Help
The Background to Tragedy
Condolences Page
Collected Blogs

Hempstead's Barack Obama Elementary School

2008-11-24T18:27:00.003-05:00

On Thursday night, the Hempstead School District in Long Island voted to rename Ludlum Elementary School, Barack Obama Elementary School. The school is diverse with a large Latino and African American student body and the students and staff requested the name change to honor this diversity and the election of the first African American president. Before the election, the students had mock debates and a mock election.

The board and staff of this under-performing school district must now ensure a quality education for all of its children. That's the only honest way to honor its mission and the name of President-elect Obama.

Seven National Civil Rights Groups Denounce the Hate Murder of Marcelo Lucero

2008-11-24T15:59:00.003-05:00

Seven of the nation's leading civil rights organizations gathered today in Washington, DC to collectively condemn the hate killing of Marcelo Lucero, and to denounce the recent wave of brutal hate crimes against communities of color.

The groups include: the National Council of La Raza (NCLR), the Asian American Justice Center (AAJC), the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (LCCR), the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), the National Urban League,the NAACP and the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF). The groups attribute a spike in hate crimes to the “climate of hate” created by nativist politicians, radio "shock jocks" and anti-immigrant groups.

Click here for their joint statement and here for the video of the press conference.

L.I. Nativists On Display (in more ways than one)

2008-11-22T19:59:00.013-05:00

Long Island nativists protest not the killing of Marcelo Lucero, but a newspaper's coverage of that hateful act.

Twisted, right?

To them it's unAmerican for the newspaper -- Newsday -- to give more than cursory coverage to an act which repulsed all decent Americans and whose fallout will be felt for some time to come.

But what Newsday's coverage -- and the angry protestations it's provoked from racists and nativists -- reveals a bit of Long Island's dark side: a legacy of racism with its tribal impulse to scapegoat the weak and powerless.

Shamelessly, these nativists wrap themselves in the American flag -- as so many hatemongers before them have done. If only today's protesters really cared about the protections and safeguards written into the U.S. Constitution and the U.S. Bill of Rights. If only they could just once put down their pitchforks.

But it's clear from their tantrums, anonymously comments and threats, haters love to hate but they prefer to do it clandestinely. Of course, in the light of day they're "patriots".

The following are just some of the ill-informed, hateful and distorted views posted on Newsday.com by those angered by the newspaper's excellent reporting on the Marcelo Lucero hate killing:

It's ok that when whites kill a minority, newsday gives the victim 3 pages a day, but 25 Americans a day are killed at the hands of illegal aliens in this country due to drunk driving, murder and job accidents but that never gets mentioned.

Buy the way..you can't walk the streets here during the DAY or NIGHT, due to the fact that there are PACKS of hispanics walking the streets here in Patchogue…

If the THOUSADNS of AMERICANS killed by Illegal Aliens each year got this much attention it would be all we read !!!

Non-white Americans are being taught to hate Whites under the guise of tolerance.
I have no intentions of ever setting foot on LI again- and sadly, much of the rest of this country is fast turning into the same kind of slum- and just wait till the water-melon rinds and chicken bones start flying from the White House windows come January!

This violence is the tip of the iceberg and the only ones that will be to blame are the illegals and our weak ass backstabbing government.

This has led to much violence from both sides. The citizens are being preyed upon by the illegals and our officials look the other way.

I am tired of hearing about illegal aliens coming to the U.S. and trying to make a better life for themselves and their families back home. don't succumb to anti-immigration activists.

I think newsday's continued front page rehashing of this story is inciting a riot type of mentality.

The Newsday commissars constantly tell you that…Diversity and multiracialism is grand. Find the pamphlet "Who Rules America" on the web and take the info from there to expand your reawakening.
People are sick and tired of their neighborhoods being turned into third world countries…

take a look at the wall of shame.....ok, look at least 60% of the people on there are illegals. 28 of 117 (24%) Latino; zippo info on immigration status

Only a person with the last name Martinez, would write such BULL. Believe me if I could move out of this town today I WOULD!

The best thing that happened to this Newspaper and these sleazy pro-Illegal pro - Welfare groups, was this murder, they revel in it. It's a huge gift for them!

this hasn't stopped for over a week now and the more you are printing this everyday the more you are not letting anyone heel. it is making things worse in the schools and the community, on both sides!!!!!!

Why is it ok for them to break the law. Why is ok for them to take over towns and making them look like the third world country they are running from.

My problem is that ILLEGAL immigrants are bringing their oppressed 3rd world behavior into my country and think their ENTITLED for the red carpet treatment. They should be GRATEFUL!!! But their not.

The Retrieval and Funeral of Marcelo Lucero

2008-11-21T08:52:00.010-05:00

Video-Journalist Ana P. Gutierrez captures the Lucero and Gualaceo's deep sorrow of the retrieval and funeral of the martyred Marcelo.

The arrival of the body of Marcelo Lucero in Ecuador.

Marcelo's funeral in his hometown of Gualaceo.

Aljazeera on the Murder of Marcelo Lucero

2008-11-21T02:04:00.002-05:00

The Hispanic Coalition of LI Responds to the Hate Killing of Marcelo Lucero

2008-11-20T22:37:00.002-05:00

The following is a translation of The Hispanic Coalition of Long Island's opinion piece (Coalición responde a muerte de Lucero) published in today's El Diario.

En Español
It is with deep sorrow and renewed determination that The Hispanic Coalition of Long Island responds to the recent brutal and racially motivated murder of an innocent man, the Ecuadorian immigrant Marcelo Lucero.

The act is still more horrendous when we consider that it was perpetrated by children…a group of adolescents…that, for complex reasons, felt that hunting people who looked "Mexican" was viable option. In a society we believe to be civilized, where is that the children learn that hatred, racism, and violence are options? How sad that an innocent life has been taken without cause, that so many lives have been permanently damaged, and that in the process, the youths have done great harm to themselves, their families, and their community.

Above all, our coalition desires to extend our sincere condolences to the Lucero family and to offer our support and services to them in their hour of need. We also give thanks to all of the leaders that have fought for justice over the years, advocating for the many voiceless immigrants.

We give thanks to community leaders and elected officials that have responded to this tragedy by attempting to build bridges of understanding and acceptance, instead of settling for mere tolerance, and community for all, instead of the exclusion and marginalization of some.

The Hispanic Coalition of Long Island represents the majority of the professional human services that are provided to the fast-growing Hispanic populations of Nassau and Suffolk counties. Our mission is to promote the advancement of the Hispanic community, with a focus on economic betterment, political empowerment, and strengthened public commitment towards improving the quality of life for all of Long Island's families and children.

Suffolk County needs a new, realistic and humane direction. It needs a new approach that recognizes the changes that have taken place, and that provides a compassionate and just solution to the challenges of a diverse society. History has taught us that change cannot be prevented. It teaches us as well that social and economic marginalization, and the exploitation of a group of people, always ends in violence.

Our coalition is opposed to any legislation and policies that marginalize immigrants and promote the abuse of immigrants and their children (our new citizens). We oppose any politician who lacks compassion and who fails to support policies that seek to promote understanding and equality.

Additionally, it is the belief of the members of the coalition that racism is based on ignorance and fear, which children are taught at home – subtly or not so subtly. Parents and other adults need to be educated on diversity and the complex reality of today's world. We recommend that schools work to educate parents on multicultural communications, diversity and acceptance, so that they, in turn, will be better prepared to provide their children with a timely perspective, guidance, and solutions to the challenges caused by differences and societal changes.

María Elisa Cuadra, President, Hispanic Coalition of Long Island and Executive Director, COPAY Inc. Great Neck.
Gil Bernardino, Executive Director, Círculo de la Hispanidad, Long Beach and Hempstead.
Pascual Blanco, Executive Director, La Fuerza Unidad, Glen Cove.
José Calderón, Vice President, The Hispanic Federation New York, NY and Washington, DC.
Miriam García, Executive Director, Adelante of Suffolk County, Brentwood.
Margarita Grasing, Executive Director, Hispanic Brotherhood, Rockville Centre.
Nadia Marín-Molina, Executive Director, Workplace Project, Hempstead.
Gladys Serrano, Executive Director, Hispanic Counseling, Bayshore and Hempstead.
George Siberon, Executive Director, Hempstead Hispanic Civic Association.

Immigrant Advocates to Suffolk County Legislature: Change Your Tone

2008-11-18T14:24:00.015-05:00

As the nation -- and, indeed, the world -- has begun to understand, immigrants in Suffolk County have been targets of an ugly nativist war. A multi-front war that's included:

-a firebombing
-escalating threats and assaults
-racial profiling
-a flurry of anti-immigrant codes
-forced separations
-detentions
-deportations
-attempted murder
-and most recently, the slaying of Marcelo Lucero for being Latino.

In their continued fight on behalf of immigrants, civil and human rights advocates went to the Suffolk County Legislature's 1st public session post the killing. Their demands were for Suffolk to cease its politics of scapegoating Latino immigrants, and instead, take a stand against hate.

While too soon to gauge the impact of recent developments (including the Marcelo killing, discovery of a rash of other bias crimes, a Steve Levy apology of sorts, and global condemnation), the stoic expressions of the nativist pandering caucus was not reassuring.

Hope I'm wrong. After all, nativism is a political loser when exposed to the full light of day.

Nonetheless, the courageous band of advocates stood tall as they continued a tradition of speaking truth to power. As they have so often these last few very troubling years, they spoke eloquently and passionately on behalf of the Suffolk's hardworking, yet much maligned, immigrant workers.

- Patrick Young of the Central American Resource Center raked the county administration for its ludicrous propaganda that bias crimes against Latinos are down 93% in the past four years.

- Catherine Carballerri and Sonia Palacio-Grottola, of the National Association of Puerto Rican & Hispanic Social Workers, also questioned Suffolk's bias crime data when their profession sees a spike. They also warned about the trauma immigrant children are suffering.

- Lisa Tarrant Votino of Long Island Wins offered to partner with the legislature in formulating a more constructive approach to immigrants. She also charged that there's a difference between debating immigration policy and dehumanizing a whole people.

- Michael O'Neil of the East Hampton Anti-Bias Task Force admonished the legislature for ignoring the pleas, recommendations and warnings of Latino and immigrant leaders. He recommended that the County engage the leaders of Latino and immigrant residents when formulating proposals affecting their communities.

- Dr. Luis Valenzuela of the LI Immigrant Alliance called on the Legislature to stop its unwise intrusion into immigration policy, and instead, support the passage of national comprehensive immigration reform. He said that Suffolk could and should become a national model for suburban diversity and civility.

- Charlotte Koons and Andrea Callan, of the Suffolk chapter of the New York Civil Liberties Union, challenged Suffolk to 'legislate and educate the hate away.'

Related: Pleas to heal community directed at Suffolk legislators
Latino community asks legislature to listen. Just listen!

Top photo: (L-R) Lisa Tarrant Votino, Andrea Callan, Charlotte Koons, Dr. Luis Valenzuela, Michael O'Neil
Bottom photo: Patrick Young speaking to a reporter

LIIA to Steve Levy: Change Suffolk's Immigrant Policies

2008-11-18T01:18:00.010-05:00

“My brother left a message, a legacy in this country, one of unity and appreciation.” – Joselo Lucero, brother of slain Ecuadorian immigrant Marcelo Lucero.

Statement of Luis Valenzuela, Executive Director, Long Island Immigrant Alliance:

The senseless murder of Marcelo Lucero, a good and decent man who lived in Suffolk County for sixteen years, has brought the Suffolk community together to grieve and demand an end to hate.

When Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy delivers an address on race and tolerance on Tuesday, he has an opportunity to distance himself from the divisive rhetoric and policies he and other Suffolk politicians promoted in the past.

Out of this tragedy, there is a chance for Mr. Levy to lead Suffolk toward more practical policies that reduce tensions and build a stronger community.

To start with, it’s time to stop the divisive legislation and instead Mr. Levy and the legislature must seize the opportunity to act on serious proposals that can improve the situation here in Suffolk.

This horrendous crime and other recent attacks on immigrants make it clear that Suffolk police need to formally adopt a confidentiality policy to reassure crime victims and witnesses that they can reach out to Suffolk police without fear of deportation.

Marcelo Lucero need not have died in vain. We can honor his life by ensuring that his legacy is in forging unity and finding solutions.

The Long Island Immigrant Alliance stands ready to work with Mr. Levy and the county legislature on more inclusive policies that promote the well-being of all Suffolk residents.

Rosario Lucero and Gualaceo Mourn

2008-11-17T13:10:00.009-05:00

Speaking from her home in Gualaceo, Ecuador, Rosario Lucero -- the grieving mother of the Long Island hate murder victim Marcelo Lucero -- spoke to video-journalist Ana P. Gutierrez.

Ms. Gutierrez captures the dignity, faith and sorrow of the people of Gualaceo in mourning.

Vigil for Marcello Lucero -- A LI Latino Awakening?

2008-11-15T10:11:00.022-05:00

I joined 1,000 or so of my fellow Longer Islanders at last night's outdoor vigil in in Patchogue for Marcello Lucero.

It was a diverse crowd, young and old, Latino and nonLatino. They came from the Latino precincts of the Patchogue area, as well as from communities across the length of Long Island, including Astoria, Jackson Heights, Sunset Park, Corona, Elmont, Hempstead, Long Beach, Glen Cove, Freeport, Amityville, Huntington, Brentwood, Central Islip, Southampton, Montauk. Some travelled from New Jersey and points further west.

The crowd though was comprised mostly of Latino immigrants -- most I suspect from Ecuador.

The vigil was held at the very site of Marcello's murder, on a street along side the Patchogue commuter rail station. It's the back and poorly lit side of the rail station, so one can easily see why the thugs would chose to do their evil work there.

Under a steady drizzle one mourner said were 'tears from heaven', the vigil included prayers, chants, speeches and songs offered in Spanish, English and sometimes in both. Many in the audience held flickering candles. Many held home-made signs protesting Marcello's murder or demanding an end to hate. A lit shrine with a large photo of Marcello, religious artifacts, messages and flowers drew a wall of bereaved a hundred deep.

Especially touching was that a two other vigils were held simultaneously last night: One in Marcello's hometown in Ecuador and another in Nanuet, New York. The proceedings in Patchogue were heard by Marcello's mother via cellphone.

People speaking from the podium included a number of politicians:

- State Senator Malcolm Smith of Queens who promised to use the full weight of the state to protect New York's immigrant communities.

- Patchogue Mayor Paul Pontieri who spoke about his family's own immigrant origins in a small town in Italy and how the death of Marcello has wounded the community he loves and has lived in all of his life.

- Assemblyman Phil Ramos condemned the murder of Marcello and the pattern of anti-Latino immigrant violence that has been a shameful part of Suffolk life. He spoke about his experience as a former Suffolk police officer in which he responded to several horrific acts of racist violence against Latino Immigrants.

There were labor leaders who rallied the crowd with chants of 'Justicia', 'Yes, We Can!' and 'Un Pueblo Unido No Puede Ser Vencido!'.

A number of Latin American nations sent their representatives, including Ecuador's Ambassador to the United Nations, embassy officials from Venezuela, El Salvador and others.

There were religious leaders including the Imam of Long Island's Muslim community who offered prayers and solidarity.

Marcello's younger brother spoke again about the need to stop the violence against immigrants who he described as good people, hardworking people.

Latino and immigrant leaders addressed the mourners, including Dr. Luis Valenzuela who called for Suffolk County politicians to stop bashing immigrants. Another noted that Lucero means 'bright star' in Spanish and that Marcello was shining a light towards a better place from his perch in heaven.

Finally, one very animated speaker--whose name and role I didn't get--opened his comments with 'good morning' even though it was night. It wasn't a mistake. His point was that Long Island's Latino community has been asleep for too long, reluctant to stand up for itself. But that last night's large turn out was a sign to him that the community has awakened.

Video: Newsday
Photos: Gerry Vazquez

Patchogue Press Conference & Rally Against Hate - Video & Photos 11/12/08

2008-11-13T13:39:00.002-05:00

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.

Headlines: The Murder of Marcello Lucero in Suffolk County - 11/12-11/13/08

2008-11-13T13:38:00.005-05:00

Spanish-Language Media Decries Long Island Hate Crime - New American Media 11/13/08

A Killing in a Town Where Latinos Sense Hate - NYTimes 11/13/08

It happened again — Another Latino immigrant killed by white teens! - LatinoPoliticalBlog 11/13/08

Levy’s plan to fight hate - LI Biz Blog 11/13/08

Steve Levy: Leaderless in Suffolk? - SpinCycle-Newsday 11/12/08

Levy must be bolder - HartfordCourant-Newsday 11/13/08

Mother mourns Patchogue stabbing victim - Newsday 11/13/08

It happened again — Another Latino immigrant killed by white teens! - Latinopoliticalblog 11/13/08

Town Still Torn Over Immigrant Murder - CBS Evening News 11/13/08

Racial, sexual graffiti found on cars near Mastic homes - HartfordCourant 11/13/08

Hate Runs Wild: Race Woes Plague LI Nabe Where Teens Became 'Killers' - NYPost 11/13/08

Much Work Left To Do - Southampton Press 11/13/08

Residents Denounce Murder Of Immigrant, Protest "Anti-Latino" Bill - Guanabee 11/12/08

Levy walking fine line in reaction to immigrant death - Newsday 11/12/08

Speakers denounce attack on immigrant, urge tolerance - Newsday 11/12/08

Ku Klux Klan literature dropped at Islip Terrace homes - Newsday 11/12/08

Vigilia para Marcello Lucero: 14 de Noviembre - Intutive Intertexuality 11/12/08

Latinos Increasingly Targeted For Hate Crimes - NPR 11/12/08

Uncle Of Accused Patchogue Gang Member Fires Back - WCBSTV 11/13/08

Advocates say rhetoric fuels anti-Hispanic crime - Huffington Post 11/12/08

Editorial: Suffolk’s big mess - LI Business News 11/12/08

Hate Speech Has Consequences - It happened again, another Hispanic/Latino murdered, lynched? - El Rinconcito de Aurora 11/12/08

Patchogue stabbing victim's mother mourns - Newsday 11/12/08

An Island of racists? - LIBizBlog 11/12/08

Harvest of hatred - Impre.com 11/12/08

Levy remains under seige - LIBizBlog 11/12/08

Anti-Immigrant/Anti-Latino Hate Claims Another Vida: Marcello Lucero - VivirLatino 11/12/08

LI Lynch Mob Murders Ecudorian Immigrant Marcello Lucero - Gangbox: Construction Workers News Service 11/11/08

Hate Crime Against a Latino - iHispano 11/11/08

Hudson Valley Latinos: Franky Perez

2008-11-13T12:43:00.003-05:00

The Poughkeepsie Journal's series, What life is like for valley Hispanics, gives its Hudson Valley readers a glimpse into the region's expanding Latino community.

This week they feature a piece on Franky Perez, 40, a guidance counselor in the local high school whose of Dominican heritage.

Very nice.

Poughkeepsie High School guidance counselor Franky Perez was born in Brooklyn to parents who had emigrated from the Dominican Republic and never spoke English at home while he was growing up.

Perez, 40, is the youngest of nine children - the only one not born in the Dominican Republic - and is married to a woman of Irish descent. Like two of his siblings, he attended college. However, he is the only one in his family to receive a master's degree. Actually, he has two of them.

Perez, of New Paltz, maintains strong connections to his heritage.

"Knowing that my parents were immigrants, knowing that they came here for a better life, it helped in shaping me," he said. "I needed to do the best I could in school and make sure I was getting ready for my life in America, understanding what my parents had come from."