Public Forum Kicks Off Immigrants' Rights Campaign

March 31, 2011 -- On Monday night in Manhasset, the Nassau and Suffolk County chapters of the NYCLU kicked off a Long-Island-wide immigrants' rights campaign with a public forum that encouraged the community to break myths about immigrants. The Unitarian Universalist Congregation at Shelter Rock's Social Justice Committee co-sponsored the event.

Suffolk Chapter Director Amol Sinha (far right) with NYCLU members and volunteers.

From Nassau to the North Fork: Immigrants' Rights on 21st Century Long Island was led by the co-chapter Immigrants' Rights Activist Task Force, a group of volunteers of all ages that creates curriculum and events to engage the public in advocacy and educate the community about the constitutional rights of immigrants.

Activist Task Force member April Winecke (second from left) leads a small group discussion about the effects of racial profiling.

Volunteers led group discussions, coordinated a lively presentation, and used their personal stories to put human faces on immigrants' struggles. Participants enjoyed wonderful spread of various ethnic foods, including Indian Samosas, Salvadoran Pupusas, and Kosher knishes.

The Long Island chapters will continue their campaign throughout Suffolk County in April.

The next public forum will be on Monday, April 11th, 7:00 p.m. at Touro Law School, 225 Eastview Drive, Central Islip, NY.

Another event in Suffolk will follow later in the month. Questions or volunteer inquiries? Email emansfield@nyclu.org
 

The groups discuss immigrants' rights on Long Island in small group discussions.

Erin Mansfield, NYCLU community organizer for Long Island (middle), with Activist Task Force members April Winecke and Omar Henriquez.

Activist Task Force member Stephanie Siegel checks people in.