The complete East End Report is at www.eastendrep.blogspot.com
In this week's report: [ click on any of the bold headers below ]
Bridge the Gaps
Peace Activists Meet Senator Schumer
Affordable Housing
Peace & Justice Calendar
Suffolk Peace Vigils
Democracy Now! onTV Channel 20 in Southampton/Southold/Shelter Island/Riverhead
Also see the Suffolk Progressive Vision web site for links to the Suffolk Peace Network Counter Military Recruiting Committee, Brookhaven Public Access TV and much more.
______________________________________________
Listen to Bill McNulty's"Lunch on Thursday" for more events on Long Island.
12 Noon - 2 pm Thursdays on WUSB Stony Brook 90.1 FM and WUSB dot FM _______________________________________
The East End Report is compiled by Tony Ernst.
Comments and corrections may be sent to: eastendreport@yahoo.com
Commentary: Bridge the Gaps which Separate Us
by Michael O'Neill
Two years ago, the East Hampton Anti-Bias Task Force invited the police departments from Southampton and East Hampton to a viewing of the acclaimed film, “Farmingville” and to hear from then Farmingville Police Chief Kenneth Rau, Det. Sgt. Robert Reecks of the Suffolk Anti-Hate Crime Unit, and Joseph Rizzo, Special Agent of Homeland Security (the old INS) who had been dispatched to communities having notable difficulties between racial or ethnic groups to help calm potential hot spots and discuss policies of municipal policing that could facilitate resolution of conflict.
A Year + Surveillance
Chief Rau had stationed an officer near the scene of the day laborers' shape-up site in an unmarked car after recording complaints that men were urinating in the open, making lewd comments to female passers-by, threatening people, fighting and littering " the exact same charges cited by the mayor of the East Hampton Village and repeated to the newspaper as true.
He made it a habit of stopping by for 10 or 15 minutes every morning for a year and a half before the outbreak of turmoil that made Farmingville synonymous with nativism opposing immigrants.
He told the South Fork police that he had initially accepted the charges as true, but after many months he saw clearly that the charges were false, completely fabricated.
Quite the opposite, the accused men were the object of racist curses, had objects tossed at them, and had cars swerve as if to run them down. Hostile individuals photographed them or drivers who stopped to hire them.
Time Breeds Respect
Over time he grew to respect these men who were only trying to earn a living lawfully. He and his officers found them respectful and cooperative. In fact, the police attention helped stopping the robbery of these men that had been occurring frequently. They were instrumental in settling disputes between employers and day laborers, going after one person in particular who had cheated several men of wages. He noted that even with the police mediation these men always got the short end of the stick. He added sometimes problems did arise with the workers, but then they helped, including bringing in a culprit accused of stealing something from a job site.
Lessons from Other Areas
Agent Joseph Rizzo gave added examples from communities in NJ, NY, CT and PA. He reported that planned policies for the new immigrants reduced the tensions and helped deal with strains in the fabric of social cohesion, but he said the police can not be expected to do the work of elected officials, churches, schools and other institutions bridging the gaps of separation between different elements of the community.
Bridge the Gaps
The South Fork sorely needs its churches and other institutions to bridge the gaps which separate us. We need the kind of bold vision that Nassau County Executive Suozzi demonstrated in Glen Cove when he was supervisor there. Against the very same fabricated complaints, he showed the imagination and common sense to provide a work center for day laborers in Glen Cove who also had no where to go but on the sidewalks, curbs and streets. Opening a work center here makes good sense for all parts of our community.
Michael O'Neill is Chair of the East Hampton Town Anti-Bias Task Force
Two years ago, the East Hampton Anti-Bias Task Force invited the police departments from Southampton and East Hampton to a viewing of the acclaimed film, “Farmingville” and to hear from then Farmingville Police Chief Kenneth Rau, Det. Sgt. Robert Reecks of the Suffolk Anti-Hate Crime Unit, and Joseph Rizzo, Special Agent of Homeland Security (the old INS) who had been dispatched to communities having notable difficulties between racial or ethnic groups to help calm potential hot spots and discuss policies of municipal policing that could facilitate resolution of conflict.
A Year + Surveillance
Chief Rau had stationed an officer near the scene of the day laborers' shape-up site in an unmarked car after recording complaints that men were urinating in the open, making lewd comments to female passers-by, threatening people, fighting and littering " the exact same charges cited by the mayor of the East Hampton Village and repeated to the newspaper as true.
He made it a habit of stopping by for 10 or 15 minutes every morning for a year and a half before the outbreak of turmoil that made Farmingville synonymous with nativism opposing immigrants.
He told the South Fork police that he had initially accepted the charges as true, but after many months he saw clearly that the charges were false, completely fabricated.
Quite the opposite, the accused men were the object of racist curses, had objects tossed at them, and had cars swerve as if to run them down. Hostile individuals photographed them or drivers who stopped to hire them.
Time Breeds Respect
Over time he grew to respect these men who were only trying to earn a living lawfully. He and his officers found them respectful and cooperative. In fact, the police attention helped stopping the robbery of these men that had been occurring frequently. They were instrumental in settling disputes between employers and day laborers, going after one person in particular who had cheated several men of wages. He noted that even with the police mediation these men always got the short end of the stick. He added sometimes problems did arise with the workers, but then they helped, including bringing in a culprit accused of stealing something from a job site.
Lessons from Other Areas
Agent Joseph Rizzo gave added examples from communities in NJ, NY, CT and PA. He reported that planned policies for the new immigrants reduced the tensions and helped deal with strains in the fabric of social cohesion, but he said the police can not be expected to do the work of elected officials, churches, schools and other institutions bridging the gaps of separation between different elements of the community.
Bridge the Gaps
The South Fork sorely needs its churches and other institutions to bridge the gaps which separate us. We need the kind of bold vision that Nassau County Executive Suozzi demonstrated in Glen Cove when he was supervisor there. Against the very same fabricated complaints, he showed the imagination and common sense to provide a work center for day laborers in Glen Cove who also had no where to go but on the sidewalks, curbs and streets. Opening a work center here makes good sense for all parts of our community.
Michael O'Neill is Chair of the East Hampton Town Anti-Bias Task Force
Peace Activists Meet Senator Schumer
Long Island peace activists from the lay Catholic organization Pax Christi, the American Friends Service Committee and LI Alliance for Peaceful Alternatives met last week with Senator Chuck Schumer.
They urged the Senator to take the lead in bringing the war in Iraq to an end. The activists told him that US presence in Iraq was provoking terrorism, that the war is immoral, is driven by the need to control oil resources and that the majority of Americans do not support it. They said that the administration has proven that it is not to be believed on its reasons for going to war.
Senator Schumer spoke about "bad people doing bad things" and about standing up against "terrorism". In relation to the assertions of the activists about permanent bases and US control of Iraq's oil, Schumer said that the tide is turning against plans to occupy Iraq indefinitely and to control the oil resources.
The Senator did not agree that a majority wanted to end the war. He thinks they are confused but that "if things continue continue as they are now" that in three to six months the public will be ready to denounce the war. He intends to press the administration for an exit plan.
This report was prepared with the help of Sheila Croke.
Week of November 24, 2005
The complete East End Report is at www.eastendrep.blogspot.com
In this week's report: [ click on any of the bold headers below ]
Activists Meet Senator
Affordable Housing
Peace & Justice Calendar
Suffolk Peace Vigils
Democracy Now! onTV Channel 20 in Southampton/Southold/Shelter Island/Riverhead
Also see the Suffolk Progressive Vision web site for links to the Suffolk Peace Network Counter Military Recruiting Committee, Brookhaven Public Access TV and much more.
______________________________________________
Listen to Bill McNulty's"Lunch on Thursday" for more events on Long Island.
12 Noon - 2 pm Thursdays on WUSB Stony Brook 90.1 FM and WUSB dot FM _______________________________________
The East End Report is compiled by Tony Ernst.
Comments and corrections may be sent to: eastendreport@yahoo.com
In this week's report: [ click on any of the bold headers below ]
Activists Meet Senator
Affordable Housing
Peace & Justice Calendar
Suffolk Peace Vigils
Democracy Now! onTV Channel 20 in Southampton/Southold/Shelter Island/Riverhead
Also see the Suffolk Progressive Vision web site for links to the Suffolk Peace Network Counter Military Recruiting Committee, Brookhaven Public Access TV and much more.
______________________________________________
Listen to Bill McNulty's"Lunch on Thursday" for more events on Long Island.
12 Noon - 2 pm Thursdays on WUSB Stony Brook 90.1 FM and WUSB dot FM _______________________________________
The East End Report is compiled by Tony Ernst.
Comments and corrections may be sent to: eastendreport@yahoo.com
Peace & Justice Calendar: Starting November 25
For details on the following events scroll down:
* November 25 (Friday): Demonstrations Against War and War Toys in Smithtown 1 - 3 pm
* November 27 (Sunday): Monthly Candlelight vigil in Patchogue from 5:30-6:30 pm
* December 8 (Thursday): POSTPONED to Monday Jan 9 Visit with Rep. Tim Bishop in Southampton at 7pm
* December 10,11 (Saturday, Sunday): Winter Festival at Shinnecock Museum from 11 am to 4pm
* December 11 (Sunday): Bread for the World - "Global Dining" in Water Mill at 6 pm
Repeating Events:
* Thursday evening Book Study Group in Water Mill at 6:30
* "Herstory" Writing Workshops in Spanish and English:
Mondays in Farmingville 3 to 5 pm
Thursdays in East Hampton at 7 pm
* Writers Guild of America East Strike in Wainscott, Mon-Fri 10am-4pm
Details follow:
___________________________________________________
November 25(Friday): Demonstration Against War and War Toys in Smithtown 1 - 3 pm
Join members of many peace and social justice organizations across Long Island as we stand on Black Friday, November 25 from 1 to 2 pm making a powerful visual statement for peace in Iraq. The demonstration will include the Fallen Hero Exhibit prepared by North Fork People of Conscience and a display of coffins representing the dead provided by the War Resistors League.
Join the demonstration near Houlihan's on the south side of Route 25 in Lake Grove directly across from the main entrance to Smith Haven Mall.
Following this demonstration we will be leafleting against the purchase of War Toys at the Toy R' Us store, in the same area from 2 to 3pm.
For more information Suffolk Peace Network at 689-2132. ___________________________________________________
November 27 (Sunday): Monthly Candlelight vigil in Patchogue from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
The montly vigil against the Iraq war will be at Main Street and North Ocean Ave. in Patchogue from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. The names of those killed in the war will be read. For more info: 631-286-5879 or email dmu7@optonline.net
___________________________________________________
December 8 (Thursday): POSTPONED - See Monday January 9
Visit with Rep. Tim Bishop in Southampton at 7pm
___________________________________________________
December 10,11 (Saturday, Sunday): Winter Festival at Shinnecock Museum from 11 am to 4pm
Join us in welcoming winter. Shinnecock artists will display their native crafts. There will be baked goods, bead work, candles, games and more. The Cultural Center and Museum is at 100 Montauk Hway at West Gate Road, Southampton. Phone 631-287-4923 for more information.
___________________________________________________
December 11 (Sunday): Bread for the World - "Global Dining" in Water Mill at 6 pm
A dinner at the Incarnation Lutheran Church at Hayground Road and Montauk Highway between Water Mill and Bridgehampton. We Feed You to Help us Feed Them. Donation $25 ... proceeds go to Bread for the World
For more information call 631 537-1187
http://www.thewelcomeplaceonline.com/
___________________________________________________
January 9 (Monday): Visit with Rep. Tim Bishop in Southampton at 7pm
(POSTPONED from Dec 8)
Congressman Tim Bishop will discuss local and national issues and take questions from the audience at the Rogers Memorial Library on Windmill Lane in Southampton on Monday Januar 9 starting at 7pm. Reservations are required. Phone the library at 283-0774 ext. 523
___________________________________________________
Repeating Events:
Thursday evening Book Study Group in Water Mill at 6:30 pm
The group meets at the Lutheran Church at Hayground Road and Montauk Highway on Thursdays at 6:30pm
Contact Pastor Vita at 631-537-1187 or pastorvita@verizon.net
* November 25 (Friday): Demonstrations Against War and War Toys in Smithtown 1 - 3 pm
* November 27 (Sunday): Monthly Candlelight vigil in Patchogue from 5:30-6:30 pm
* December 8 (Thursday): POSTPONED to Monday Jan 9 Visit with Rep. Tim Bishop in Southampton at 7pm
* December 10,11 (Saturday, Sunday): Winter Festival at Shinnecock Museum from 11 am to 4pm
* December 11 (Sunday): Bread for the World - "Global Dining" in Water Mill at 6 pm
Repeating Events:
* Thursday evening Book Study Group in Water Mill at 6:30
* "Herstory" Writing Workshops in Spanish and English:
Mondays in Farmingville 3 to 5 pm
Thursdays in East Hampton at 7 pm
* Writers Guild of America East Strike in Wainscott, Mon-Fri 10am-4pm
Details follow:
___________________________________________________
November 25(Friday): Demonstration Against War and War Toys in Smithtown 1 - 3 pm
Join members of many peace and social justice organizations across Long Island as we stand on Black Friday, November 25 from 1 to 2 pm making a powerful visual statement for peace in Iraq. The demonstration will include the Fallen Hero Exhibit prepared by North Fork People of Conscience and a display of coffins representing the dead provided by the War Resistors League.
Join the demonstration near Houlihan's on the south side of Route 25 in Lake Grove directly across from the main entrance to Smith Haven Mall.
Following this demonstration we will be leafleting against the purchase of War Toys at the Toy R' Us store, in the same area from 2 to 3pm.
For more information Suffolk Peace Network at 689-2132. ___________________________________________________
November 27 (Sunday): Monthly Candlelight vigil in Patchogue from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
The montly vigil against the Iraq war will be at Main Street and North Ocean Ave. in Patchogue from 5:30 to 6:30 pm. The names of those killed in the war will be read. For more info: 631-286-5879 or email dmu7@optonline.net
___________________________________________________
December 8 (Thursday): POSTPONED - See Monday January 9
Visit with Rep. Tim Bishop in Southampton at 7pm
___________________________________________________
December 10,11 (Saturday, Sunday): Winter Festival at Shinnecock Museum from 11 am to 4pm
Join us in welcoming winter. Shinnecock artists will display their native crafts. There will be baked goods, bead work, candles, games and more. The Cultural Center and Museum is at 100 Montauk Hway at West Gate Road, Southampton. Phone 631-287-4923 for more information.
___________________________________________________
December 11 (Sunday): Bread for the World - "Global Dining" in Water Mill at 6 pm
A dinner at the Incarnation Lutheran Church at Hayground Road and Montauk Highway between Water Mill and Bridgehampton. We Feed You to Help us Feed Them. Donation $25 ... proceeds go to Bread for the World
For more information call 631 537-1187
http://www.thewelcomeplaceonline.com/
___________________________________________________
January 9 (Monday): Visit with Rep. Tim Bishop in Southampton at 7pm
(POSTPONED from Dec 8)
Congressman Tim Bishop will discuss local and national issues and take questions from the audience at the Rogers Memorial Library on Windmill Lane in Southampton on Monday Januar 9 starting at 7pm. Reservations are required. Phone the library at 283-0774 ext. 523
___________________________________________________
Repeating Events:
Thursday evening Book Study Group in Water Mill at 6:30 pm
The group meets at the Lutheran Church at Hayground Road and Montauk Highway on Thursdays at 6:30pm
Contact Pastor Vita at 631-537-1187 or pastorvita@verizon.net
_________________________________________________________________________
"Herstory" Writing Workshops in Spanish and English:
Mondays in Farmingville:
Herstory Writers Workshop meets every Monday afternoon at the Farmingville branch of the Workplace Project from 3 to 5. Both English-speaking and Spanish-speaking women come together to share and shape their life experiences through memoir writing. The workshop is conducted in both English and Spanish. Call 631-723-0150 for more information and directions to the center.
Thursdays in East Hampton:
Every Thursday women come together to share their writing with one another and receive feedback on how to structure and shape their lifewriting.The East Hampton workshop is open to East Hampton Town residents. It meets every Thursday, 7-9 p.m., at the Senior Citizens Center, 128 Springs-Fireplace Road.
___________________________________________________
Writers Guild of America East - Strike in Wainscott, Mon-Fri 10am-4pm
The Writer's Guild is on strike against Big Big World Productions in East Hampton.They are picketing from Monday through Friday, 10 to 4 pm at 75 Industrial Road, Wainscott
More Info at www dot wgaeast dot org
___________________________________________________
Send event listings for next week's report by 5pm Tuesday to eastendreport@yahoo.com
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