Long Islanders Rally For Comprehensive Immigration Reform

Nassau Chapter director Samantha Fredrickson and Suffolk Chapter director Andrea Callan

March 4, 2010 -- The Nassau and Suffolk Chapters joined the Long Island Immigrant Alliance at a rally to call on Sen. Charles Schumer to introduce a comprehensive immigration reform bill that protects everyone's rights. About 50 Long Islanders gathered along Pinelawn Road in Melville and marched to the senator's office, calling out "Immigration -- The story of our nation!" and "What do we want? Immigration reform! When do we want it? Now!"

Leaders from several local immigrants' rights groups spoke about the need for comprehensive immigration reform. The group urged the senator to introduce workable legislation that supports a path to citizenship, provides due process protection for immigrants, prohibits the use of biometric ID cards, creates humane standards in detention centers and ends local enforcement of federal immigration law.

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Suffolk County Chapter Asks SCPD to Reconsider Taser Policies

The Suffolk County chapter has sought to open a dialogue with the Suffolk County Police Department regarding its current use of Tasers and the Department's intention to equip a large majority of SCPD officers with the potentially deadly weapon.

Our letter followed press comments made by Suffolk County Police Commissioner Richard Dormer in which he asserted that Tasers "are used many times without adverse effects."

This statement by Commissioner Dormer came just days after the fourth Taser-related death in Suffolk occurred, taking the life of 43-year-old Coram resident Darryl Bain.

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