November 12, 2008 3:09 PM
Jack Eddington is the Suffolk legislator representing Patchogue and part of Farmingville. He is one of the most anti-immigrant legislators in Suffolk. Eddington has sponsored or supported virtually every piece of anti-immigrant legislation introduced since he was elected to office. He has consistently fanned the flames of discord in the county.
Earlier this year, he asked two men who testified against an anti-Latino bill what their immigration status was. Several other people testified that day. He asked no Whites about their legal status.
Eddington is now going around deploring the hate crime that took place down the block from his office. He is seeking redemption without repentance. Suffolk's embattled immigrants need your help. Please do the following before the next victim is claimed:
Contact Jack Eddington today or tomorrow and demand that he issue a statement acknowledging the contributions of Suffolk's 200,000 immigrants and announcing that he will never again author or support legislation targetting immigrants.
Phone: (631) 854-1400
Fax: (631) 854-1403
Email:
Jack.Eddington@suffolkcountyny.gov
Please come to these events marking the passing of Marcelo Lucero
Leg. Eddington is no longer a WFP member. He has changed his party affiliation to Independence Party.
By Brian November 12, 2008 05:32 PM
Now you must realize how much harm your racist posturing has caused. Please make a statement to the press acknowledging the contributions made by immigrant workers and the right to safety and protection afforded every person in this country.
By Helen Fitzgerald November 12, 2008 06:22 PM
My letter to Mr. Eddington,
Hello sir,
I am a concerned citizen of Suffolk County studying Law at John Jay
College of Criminal Justice. I want to thank you for speaking out
against the horrific murder of Marcello Lucero. However, I can't help
but believe that a lot of the legislation that targets undocumented
immigrants in Long Island has backfired and has created a divide between
Whites and Latinos, citizens and non-citizens.
It is extremely important in the upcoming days that your office release
a statement discussing the contributions that immigrants (legal and
illegal) make to our community. It is also necessary to investigate
legislation involving undocumented immigrants and the possible
consequences of these laws. Crimes against immigrants have been
happening all over the Northeast in the past few years, and many Latinos
in Suffolk County are now afraid to walk the streets at night. As
residents of Suffolk County, their safety must be protected.
Thank you for your time, and thank you for your service to Suffolk County.
By AJ November 13, 2008 01:00 AM
As a member of the Legislature you have used your voice to minimize the value and humanity of Latino immigrants. This tactic may win you votes but it also fuels the ignorance and rage that accompanies racism. Those who are influenced by your strong anti-immigrant stance need to hear more than regrets.
Eleanor Oakley - November 13, 2008
By Eleanor Oakley November 13, 2008 07:46 AM
I urge you to hold a rally or a march in NYC regarding this we need more media attention on this horrible tragedy we have to unite and stand up this is actually not that surprising being a native long islander
By Latinofrom nyc November 13, 2008 10:58 AM
i think that this is a form of racism just because a person appears to be spanish does not make them illegal the fact that he did not ask the white people there legal status is a form bias he is favoring them and that is not what the justice system is about.
By alyssa November 18, 2008 07:11 PM
The response I got from Mr. Eddington:
The murder of Marcelo Lucero was a heinous act that neither I nor any
civilized person can condone or rationalize. My heart goes out to the
Lucero family for their great loss, to the Patchogue-Medford community
whose image has been irreparably harmed by the actions of these young
men, as well as to their families, who are also suffering.
After a series of incidents at Patchogue-Medford High School
two years ago that saw groups of white and Hispanic students fighting, I
took action to intervene in a positive way. Immediately, I contacted
Sergio Argueta, executive director of S.T.R.O.N.G., an anti-violence
group, and District Attorney Thomas Spota with whom I secured funding to
bring to the Patchogue-Medford School District a program called Council
for Unity. It is another highly successful program that promotes
inter-group relations and works to reduce violence in schools and
communities. Last year was the first full year of operation in the high
school.
I have tried to provide programs to promote open dialogue and
find solutions for the difficult situations that exist in our
communities. But I need the help of residents to not only to develop
new programs and address problems and concern, but to help me
communicate more effectively. For this reason, I am in the process of
forming a Hispanic Advisory Group to be comprised of residents that I
represent in the 7th Legislative District. I have already spoken with
Francisco Hernandez, a resident of Patchogue Village, to be a member of
the group. I will work with the members of this group to help me better
interact and communicate with the Hispanic community.
I am also participating in the recently formed Unity Task Force that
will be working with the assistance of the New York State Human Rights
Commission. I will be joining residents, students, community leaders
and other elected officials to work jointly to develop a positive action
pan to help bring unity in this community.
The goal is to be proactive, to listen and work with everyone so that
what happened in Patchogue Village on November 8 never happens again. I
am hopeful that together we can build bridges with the immigrant
community whereby we can inform and educate them about our culture and
they can teach us about theirs. It is only through dialogue and personal
interaction that we can truly heal and attain the common goals of peace
and harmony so cherished by all.
We are at an important juncture. Now is the time that we must work
together to cross the cultural divide that exists in our community.
Sincerely,
Jack Eddington, L.C.S.W.
County Legislator, 7th L.D.
By AJ December 10, 2008 03:13 PM