After immigrant killed in NY, others tell of abuse

It has a year since youths in a night of “beaner hopping” beat to death Ecudoran immigrant Marcelo Lucero in Patchogue, New York.  AP’s Frank Eltman reports on the climate of fear among Latinos that remains on Long Island.  According to the report,

“There had been other high-profile attacks on a growing Hispanic population on eastern Long Island before Ecuadorean immigrant Marcelo Lucero was stabbed to death a year ago Sunday on a street corner. But it wasn’t until the seven teens accused in the killing told police of the attacks – and Hispanic residents who had been long silent about hate crimes came forward to confirm the stories – that officials began to realize what they were dealing with. The year since the Lucero slaying has put a national spotlight on race relations and has seen the U.S. Justice Department launch a probe of hate crimes and police response to them. . . .  On Saturday, dozens of people, including Lucero’s mother, brother and sister, held a candlelight vigil where he died, singing, holding hands, and praying there wouldn’t be another such killing. Many victims said they had always been reluctant to contact police, fearing they would be asked about their immigration status.” (emphasis added).

KJ