November 13, 2008
Dear Friends,
Those of you who know me, know I’m heavily involved in activism. I try not to be preachy and usually send emails that contain more information than any sort of action or donation request.
This one is different. I am asking you for something. Something very important…one night of your life.
Last weekend, 7 teenage punks murdered Marcello Lucero, because they wanted to go get a “spic.” It didn’t matter who or what or where. It didn’t matter that they ended an innocent man’s life. It didn’t matter that they were throwing their whole lives away. They were apparently consumed with hate and Marcello, an Ecuadorian immigrant, who was on his way to his friend’s house to watch a movie, was what they decided to take their hate out on.
Marcello’s Father passed away when he was a young boy and he took over the role of the man of the house. He moved to the United States 16 years ago. His brother and sister live on Long Island and his mother and younger sister live in Ecuador.
I have spent my week in Patchogue at press conferences and small rallies in memory of Marcello. I have come to know many of the local community people and they are petrified to leave their house without a group of people. I also know that the Patchogue Librarian said she had many calls from her ESOL students saying they weren’t coming to class, that they were to afraid to walk there.
And as if this tragedy isn’t enough….there are two other hateful incidents this week in Suffolk County. Forty cars were vandalized in Mastic with racial slurs including threats against President-elect Barack Obama. In Islip Terrace, the KKK did an information drop, leaving their newsletter at peoples’ doorsteps and mailboxes and also leaving the newsletter on car windshields at the train station.
It is time for all of us, no matter who you are or what you are, to come together and show that these crimes, do not represent us. Tomorrow night, Friday, November 14th at 7:00pm, people from all across Long Island will be holding a candlelight vigil in honor of Marcello Lucero, to say NO to HATE. We will be meeting at the scene of the crime, behind the west side of the Patchogue train station.
If you have plans, consider cancelling them. It has never been more important with these three crimes that we say enough is enough. This is not who we are. This is not what we do. And we want everyone to live healthy and happy lives in Suffolk County.
Many have asked about the weather….hate knows no weather…..and neither do we! The rally will be held rain or shine.
If anyone has any questions, please call or email me. If you are looking for up-to-the-minute news and thought on everything that is happening, visit where I blog, www.longislandwins.com.
Lisa Votino-Tarrant
Blogger/Online Organizer
Long Island WINS
www.longislandwins.com
Cell: (631) 383-1066
Work: (516) 304-5644
lmvotino@optonline.net
