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| DECEMBER 2022 NEWSLETTER |
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The Anti-Bias Task Force (ABTF) is a non-partisan group formed by residents of
Long Island in conjunction with the Suffolk County Anti-Bias Task Force. It is made
up of concerned clergy, community representatives and lay persons who work together to
address the issues of intolerance, prejudice, discrimination and racism.
Please call 911 with suspected bias incidents
You can also call the SCPD Hate Crimes Unit at
631-852-6323
Table of Contents
-- 2nd Precinct SCPD Report
-- Social Justice Ambassadors Program
-- Not in Our Town Northport
-- ADL Programs & Reports
-- Diwali Ceremony at Town Hall
-- Nov 2022 ABTF Meeting Summary
-- Town of Huntington News
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2nd Precinct SCPD Report
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By Inspector William Scrima
Since the last newsletter, there were two significant incidents in the Second Precinct
that were reported to have elements of bias:
- 10/06/22 - A juvenile female was assaulted at the Huntington train station by a male who used racial slurs.
The male was arrested and charged with Assault 3rd degree as a hate crime and Endangering the Welfare of a Child.
- 10/07/22 - Ethnic slurs were written on a building at 290 Spagnoli Rd. in Melville. Hate Crimes Unit is
investigating.
Click here to check out 2nd Precinct News on Twitter
Click here for the 2nd Precinct Community Meeting Schedule
For more information, please visit the 2nd Precinct department
Website at www.suffolkpd.org.
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Social Justice Ambassadors Program
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by Jane Pashman
The Huntington Social Justice Ambassadors Program unites high school
students and empowers them with the tools and knowledge to be
leaders and agents of positive change in their schools and communities.
Each school designates one staff advisor and recommends 6 to 8 students to participate
in the program. Advisors meet with students on a regular basis in
their schools and attend an orientation session and student workshops.
Ambassadors meet for a series of 6 workshops to explore topics of bias,
identify resources and strategies to combat bias, and work collaboratively
to develop tangible projects that enable them to share their knowledge
with their school and community.
The 2022 Social Justice Ambassadors Program currently has 5 schools participating:
- John Glenn HS (Elwood)
- Harborfields HS
- Huntington HS
- Northport HS
- Walt Whitman HS (South Huntington)
Funding through the Suffolk Y JCC has been appoved for all aspects of the program.
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Not in Our Town (NIOT) Northport
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by Meghan Saporita
On October 16, Not In Our Town Northport held its annual "NIOT in the Park" in Northport Village. We are a local chapter
of a national non-profit which stands together against hate, intolerance, and bullying. This year's theme was commUNITY
as a celebration of what we have come together to accomplish in the past 3 years since NIOT Northport's founding and all
of the positive impacts we can have moving forward when we come together. Many community groups including the HABTF,
LI Pride PTSA, the Northport Native Garden Initiative, Youth Directions and Alternatives, the Northport-East Northport
Public Library, the Northport Historical society, Ink'd Art Studio, ArtPop, and local sustainable brazilian jewelry
boutique Raizes had tables at the event and engaged with members of the community. Local children's authors Bill Kiley
and Valerie Goldstein also had tables selling their books, "Hope and Freckles" and "Violet's Victory," respectively.
Children made beaded bracelets at a table run by members of Northport Middle School's 5th grade, contributed to a
mural drawn by Clark Ruggieri of Ink'd, as well as small paintings on canvas with Tiffany Assadourian of ArtPop.
Sprinkling of Coco generously donated themed cookies for this event with all proceeds going to NIOT. The Northport
Police Department, Village, Town, School District and State officials were also present in support at this
community-building event.
To see the photo album of NIOT Northport in the Park, click https://photos.app.goo.gl/GtXX5NL9WE4RE5eG6
Click here to read more > >
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ADL Programs and Reports
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by Scott Richman
ADL Director: New York & New Jersey
ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913, its timeless mission is to stop
the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all. Today, ADL continues
to fight all forms of antisemitism and bias, using innovation and partnerships to drive impact. A global
leader in combating antisemitism, countering extremism and battling bigotry wherever and whenever it happens,
ADL works to protect democracy and ensure a just and inclusive society for all.
ADL provides numerous programs and reports to the community to fulfill its mission:
For more information, click www.adl.org
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Diwali Ceremony at Huntington Town Hall
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by Helen Boxwill
On October 14, 2022, the Town of Huntington held its first annual celebration of Diwali, a festival of lights,
celebrated by millions of Hindus, Sikhs and Jains globally every year. It was hosted by Town Supervisor Edmund J Smyth
and Town Attorney Deborah N. Masir. This lovely event was attended by many local officials from our town
and from other towns, county and state officials, as well as representatives from the Embassies of India
and Guyana and many youth and adults from the community.
Attendees enjoyed a wonderful candlelight ceremony, talented and beautiful youth presenting traditional and modern
dances, lovely singers sharing folk and other songs. The talent and dedication of the many young performers was a
joy to see. There was also delicious food and chai tea for all the guests.
This wonderful celebration was an opportunity for those in our area who participate in the Diwali festival to come
together to share their gifts and culture. It was a tremendous chance for the greater community to learn and
appreciate the importance and beauty of this holiday. Thanks especially goes to our town attorney Deborah N. Masir
for the incredible organizing to bring so many people together and giving us all an inspiring evening.
Click here for video of DIWALI dance > >
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November ABTF Meeting Summary
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by Bette Schneiderman
Opening --
Helen Boxwill opened the meeting and welcomed all. In attendance were representatives from
the Suffolk County Police Department Second Precinct, the K-12 school district staff, the clergy,
the Suffolk County Interfaith Anti-Bias Task Force Chair, Meghan Dolan of the Village of
Northport Board of Trustees, various leaders and participants of organizations in the
community, and three of the Huntington Town Councilpeople and their representatives
Councilpeople Bennardo, Cergol, Ferro.
Annual Huntington Interfaith Service --
Helen and Susan Dewey-Hammer spoke of the 51st Annual Huntington Interfaith Service at St.
John s Church the previous evening at which 17 local religious groups joined together in a
moving service with music and prayers. The themes were giving thanks and working together.
Helen and Susan highly recommend attending next year for a touching and contemplative
experience
As the service began, a land acknowledgement, crafted with the help of Chief Reggie, our guest at the Anti-Bias meeting,
was read. Let us acknowledge that this place. . . and our lands are all on the traditional territory of the Matinecock Indians,
the original nations of Huntington and 12 other tribes who owned farms and lived here before the European settlers stole their
land. Let us commit ourselves to honoring these indigenous people and to support justice for them and to encourage their self
determination
Click here to read more > >
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Huntington News
African American Advisory Task Force
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by David Pinkowitz
In an effort to strengthen, build partnerships with community leaders, in addition to enhancing communications to
deliver governmental services and programs, The African American Task Force will serve as a direct link between the
African American community and the Town Board.
In order to meet this goal, the Town Board re-established this Task Force to advise and assist the Board in
formulating a plan to strengthen, and provide solutions and inclusions for African American participation in
Town affairs and processes.
The five (5) members of the African American Advisory Task Force will serve as a liaison for valuable community input
and feedback that is crucial in assisting the Town Board in bringing awareness, and solutions to the needs of the
African American Community it services.
Click here to read more > >
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