Thread: NY:Lawmakers urged to create hate crimes task force

Lawmakers urged to create hate crimes task force
Panel would study history of attacks on Latinos

BY REID J. EPSTEIN | reid.epstein@newsday.com
3:21 PM EST, February 3, 2009

Immigrant advocates and Hispanic activists urged Suffolk legislators Tuesday to create a hate crimes task force to study the county's history of attacks on Hispanic people.

The vote on the task force, scheduled for Thursday afternoon, is expected to pass, but speakers implored lawmakers to make its approval unanimous to send a message that Suffolk County is serious about combating crimes against immigrants, including the killing of Marcelo Lucero, an Ecuadorean immigrant beaten and stabbed to death in Patchogue Nov. 8.

The proposal comes as the Justice Department's civil rights unit and the U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of New York are investigating allegations of bias-motivated crimes against Latinos in Suffolk County.

The task force would have a $5,000 budget, and be required to hold at least four public hearings and submit a written report to legislators within a year. County Executive Steve Levy "has no problem with" the task force, said his spokesman, Dan Aug.


"The task force will help us understand how and why the recent violent attacks occurred," said Lillian Claymar of Port Jefferson. "I urge you to produce a unanimous vote on the establishment of the task force."

Sonia Palacio-Grottola, representing the National Association of Puerto Rican and Hispanic Social Workers, urged lawmakers to approve the task force to send a message to Spanish-speaking immigrants that Suffolk County is looking out for them.

"These families are going to turn on the television Â… and know that you've actually done something today," she said. "They need to know that Suffolk County has a human side to it and cares for all of its residents."

Omar Henriquez, representing the Labor Council for Latin American Advancement, said the task force is necessary to combat the perception that Suffolk is unfriendly to Hispanic people.

"The creation of the task force," he said, "would only help heal the wounds of intolerance of hate sometimes caused by ill-conceived and ill-advised political posturing."

The speakers included a group of Hispanic women from East Hampton who said they are often frightened to walk down streets in their own community.

"This is a desperate cry for help," said Arlette Flores. "I think we should definitely take a better look and open our eyes. This is something that has been going on for a long time."

There was only one dissenting voice during the three hours of public comment on the hate crimes bill. Evan Esposito of Port Jefferson, said the task force is unnecessary.

"We have a major problem in the county where Mexican and El Salvadorian people gather on the streets looking for work," Esposito said. "And as far as hate, we have to look at the underlying cause. . . . I want illegal immigration stopped."

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Go ahead....and we'll see where it where it comes from. They will be truely surprised to find that "hate speech" ends up being nothing more than disagreeing with someone, saying excuse me because they block your way and exagerating any and all behavior to make up an excuse to complain.

The speakers included a group of Hispanic women from East Hampton who said they are often frightened to walk down streets in their own community.

So if it's their own community, it's there own they are afraid of. I hope they finally bring this to light to see that all the hate they think is out there is in their imagination....brought on by excessive guilt from knowing they are breaking laws and wondering when the boom will happen.

Suffolk County Residents pay some of the highest taxes in the U.S., our Police Force alone is the highest paid in the nation. We have watched our beloved county overruned by MS-13 gangs, our Social Service Systems are almost broke due to Illegal Immigration. Suffolk County Residents are fed up. Task Force? Try spending the money on getting rid of the MS-13 gangs that are infesting the South Shore first. We are fed up period. The Anti-Illegal Alien sentiment is very high here and always will be no matter what they do.

Do we continue to put up with illegals that take our money and send it to their foreign lands?
Do we continue to take care of people who would never fight to defend this great land?
Do we continue to let illegal workers lower the high standards our American born workers has fought for over the past century?
Do we let our laws continue to hurt Americans and protect illegals?
Do we allow our elected officials to care more about votes then our quality of life?

I shall not have my forefathers turn in their graves this veterans day..

I honor them and say
WE SHALL NEVER BEND OR BREAK OUR AMERICAN WAY

LONG LIVE THE USA