Home > Our Blog > Our Statement on the Jeffrey Conroy Verdict

Blog Post

Our Statement on the Jeffrey Conroy Verdict

Posted April 19, 2010 by Ted Hesson
Categories: Hate Watch

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press Contacts:
Luis Valenzuela
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Maryann Slutsky
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Justice for Marcelo Lucero

A joint statement from the Long Island Immigrant Alliance and Long Island Wins regarding the recent conviction of Jeffrey Conroy, who was found guilty of first-degree manslaughter in the November 2008 hate attack on Ecuadorian immigrant Marcelo Lucero. For more info on the trial, click here.

Riverhead, N.Y.—“We are relieved that today’s verdict has delivered a measure of the justice that Marcelo Lucero deserves. We are relieved that Jeffrey Conroy will not breathe free air for a long, long time. And we say “thank you” to all those involved in bringing Mr. Conroy to justice.
We accept today’s good news with heavy hearts. We continue to grieve for Marcelo Lucero, and for the family who has shown such incredible devotion to him even in his passing.

Also, there is so much more work to be done.

We must finish the task of bringing Marcelo Lucero’s other killers to justice.

And we must finally take on the climate of fear that continues to grip our community.

The Southern Poverty Law Center’s report on violence against Latino immigrants in Suffolk County has detailed the widespread nature of attacks on our immigrant neighbors. It details how indifferent much of Suffolk County law enforcement has been to these acts of harassment and violence. And it details just how much Suffolk County elected officials have contributed to this climate of fear.

All Long Islanders of goodwill must work together to undo the culture of hate from which these attacks sprang. We’re pleased with the verdict, but our work is just beginning.”

###

Long Island Wins (http://www.longislandwins.com) is a communications and organizing campaign focusing on immigration issues and working towards immigration solutions. Representing all Long Islanders of goodwill, we are concerned about the growing climate of fear among the immigrant community, and we aim to shift the debate about immigrants and immigration policy on Long Island in a more positive direction, towards sensible solutions that work for and will benefit everyone.

The Long Island Immigrant Alliance (LIIA) provides support to all Long Island immigrants and seeks to facilitate the creation of an inclusive and welcoming society. We are Long Island’s population, and as such we look to create and promote innovative programs and practical solutions for all Long Island residents regardless of nativity. For more information, visit http://www.longislandimmigrantalliance.org.

Tags : hate crimes, jeffrey conroy, marcelo lucero, suffolk

Permalink Comments