November 2009

In This Issue

• DOJ investigates Suffolk County
• Hate Crime Hotline
• Law Day 2009
• Come to our Gala

DOJ opens formal investigation into Suffolk County Police Department

The United States Department of Justice (DOJ) has opened a formal investigation into possible discriminatory practices by the Suffolk County Police Department. The investigation comes after LatinoJustice PRLDEF and other community groups asked the federal agency to look into the matter.

For the last nine months, the DOJ has been reviewing the policies and practices of the Suffolk County Police in order to evaluate whether the Police Department has treated Suffolk County's Latino community in a discriminatory manner.

LatinoJustice PRLDEF first asked DOJ to undertake such a review by letter in late November 2008, and in a follow up meeting with DOJ officials a few weeks later.

As we had urged them to do, DOJ has now decided that there is sufficient evidence to justify opening a formal investigation into the matter.

"We think this is an appropriate step," said LatinoJustice PRLDEF Senior Attorney Foster Maer. "Based upon their interactions with the Suffolk County Police, Latinos have long believed that the police have been hostile or indifferent to them and do not treat them as they treat white residents."

Last year Ecuadorian immigrant Marcelo Lucero was brutally beaten to death in the Suffolk County town of Patchogue. LatinoJustice PRLDEF's investigation into the matter found that Latinos have been the victim of scores of crimes on a weekly, if not daily, basis in the county. No arrests had ever been made in these cases until Mr. Lucero's murder.

"The investigation by the DOJ will hopefully uncover the reasons for this discriminatory treatment and lead to the steps necessary to remedy the underlying problems," said LatinoJustice PRLDEF President and General Counsel Cesar Perales. "We look forward to a new day on Long Island when Latinos can have full confidence that the SCP are as interested in serving them as they are in serving others."

LatinoJustice PRLDEF establishes hate crime hotline

LatinoJustice PRLDEF has set up a special hotline for people who have experienced or witnessed crimes against Latinos, especially hate crimes. Callers can also report if police did not adequately respond to their complaints. If you or someone you know would like to report an incident, please call our anonymous hotline at 1-800-328-2322.

27th Annual Law Day a tremendous success

Over 200 students considering a career in law attended LatinoJustice PRLDEF's 27th annual Law Day this fall.

Law Day provides workshops that give special insight into the law school application process and offers a law school recruitment fair so that students can compare different programs at different schools.

Both components of the event cater to the unique needs of prospective students who are Latino, or are from other minority backgrounds. While Latinos make up over 14 percent of the U.S. population (according to the most recent census), they make up less than 4 percent of the nation's lawyers.

Over 91 different law schools and organizations presented at this year's event. Additionally, more than 50 high school students from the New York City area who are considering studying law in the future attended.

Law Day 2009 ended with a student panel where participants asked candid and insightful questions of current second and third year law students. The panel was moderated by Barbara Atwell, Director of the Diversity Task Force at Pace Law School.

Many current lawyers and law students cite our Law Day as the first step on their way to a legal career.

Mark your calendar and join us at our Gala

LatinoJustice PRLDEF will hold its annual gala on Nov. 17 at the Hilton Hotel in New York. Honorees include Verizon Communications and its General Counsel, Randy Milch; P. Alex Vasquez, Associate General Counsel of Wal-Mart Stores; the law firm of Latham & Watkins; and The Workplace Project. Buy your tickets now.