Anti-Bias Project To Promote Unity Launched In Town Of Huntington

HUNTINGTON, NY — A new project, titled "Hate Has No Place in Huntington," was launched by the Town. It will aim to promote unity and highlight the inclusive nature of the Huntington community. Supervisor Chad A. Lupinacci, members of the Town Board and Town officials were joined by the Town’s Anti-Bias Task Force, Vision Long Island, Suffolk police, representatives from local business, and community volunteers on Friday at Heckscher Park.

Vision Long Island produced a collection of signage for Town of Huntington businesses to display, spreading messages of tolerance and inclusiveness with headlines such as, "Hate Has No Business in Huntington" and "All Are Welcome Here" in multiple languages.

The Anti-Bias Task Force collected donations from the community for the production of lawn signs, available to residents free of charge, displaying the message, "Hate Has No Home in the Town of Huntington."

"Huntington prides itself on being a step ahead of other communities in business, our relationship with law enforcement, education, creativity, culture and inclusiveness – Huntington really is a slice of everything America is and should be," Lupinacci stated. "Make no mistake about it, hate has no place in Huntington and we are grateful for the generosity of Vision Long Island, our youth volunteers and generous contributors who love their Town and are helping us spread this message of inclusiveness and unity. Participants will help remind Huntingtonians and anyone willing to listen that we cannot survive as a divided community, state or nation."

Those wishing to donate for the production of lawn signs may write a check, payable to the Huntington Human Services Institute, Inc., with "Lawn Signs" in the memo area, and mail it to Town of Huntington, Department of Human Services, Huntington, NY 11743. The Huntington Human Services Institute, Inc. is a not-for-profit corporation and the charitable arm of the Town’s Department of Human Services.

The youth volunteers are helping to distribute the business and lawn signs, which can be requested by calling the Town’s Department of Human Services at 631-351-3304 or by emailing humanservices@huntingtonny.gov.

"I am proud of the Town of Huntington’s Anti-Bias Task Force’s hard work on the initiative; Hate has No Business or Home in Huntington, which features posters and lawn signs that pledges respect for refugees, people of all faiths, backgrounds and genders," stated Councilman Eugene Cook, who also sent his regrets as he was unable to attend the ceremony. "Huntington has a proven history of diversity, which is why many families call it home and others travel to enjoy the varying cultures and communities that our hamlets have to offer, and one of the reasons I decided to call Huntington home, myself. These posters and lawn signs are away to celebrate and embrace the differences in our communities, while making a clear statement that discrimination will not be tolerated by Huntingtonians."

Those representing the Town at the ceremony included Lupinacci, Councilman Mark Cuthbertson, Councilwoman Joan Cergol, Councilman Ed Smyth, Receive of Taxes Jillian Guthman, Superintendent of Highways Kevin S. Orelli, Department of Humans Services Director Carmen Kasper, Division of Minority Affair Director Kevin Thorbourne, Anti-Bias Task Force Chairperson Helen Boxwill and members Dr. Eve Krief, Dr. Richard Koubek, Denise Han, and Susan Dewey-Hammer.

"A reverse paradigm is happening, it’s time to listen to the young people of our Town," Cuthbertson said. "They are educated and they know that hate has no place in our town, our message is clear, we can and we must continue to do better every day."

Also in attendance were Inspector William Scrima and Officer Claudia Delgado of the Suffolk County Police Department, 2nd Precinct, Dr. Richard Koubek also represented Vision Long Island, Randy Paul and Sandra Jimenez of the Leaders of the New School, and Ellen O’Brien of the Huntington Chamber of Commerce.