April 15, 2008 7:09 PM
Professor Mariano Torras states that immigrants make-up close to 17% of the population on Long Island.
Matthew Crosson believes anything done on the local level should not pit one group against another. Elected officials, community leaders, religious leaders should all work together to educate people to prevent hatred.
David Verduin said Riverside as a community wasn't involved in bringing everyone together until this law was proposed. On June 28th, in Riverside, they will be having Junefest, which is a big Brazilian holiday, and they are inviting Americans to learn Brazilian folk dancing at the local Lutheran church....he points out things like do not come about by passing laws.
Our moderator, Andrea Batistia Schlesinger, just asked who needs to step-up on Long Island.
Matthew Crosson thinks it is labor, businesses, and religious leaders that need to take the lead. He points out that eight years ago when two Mexicans were kidnapped and beat almost to death, no elected officials stood-up for them. Obviously we can not count on our elected officials to be leaders.