November 10, 2008 – Jericho, New York – The American Jewish Committee (AJC) Long Island Chapter is outraged by the brutal murder of Marcello Lucero. According to police sources, Lucero and a friend were attacked over the weekend by a group which was looking for a Hispanic to beat up.

“We extend our deepest sympathies to the families of the victims, and our concern to our brothers and sisters in the Hispanic community, for whom this vicious crime must be especially painful,” said Caroline Levy, executive director of AJC’s Long Island Chapter. She praised law enforcement for the swift arrests of suspects in the crime.

AJC will sponsor a community rally on Wednesday in Patchogue, which will be addressed by community and regional leaders. The rally will take place at 9 AM at the American Legion Hall, 215 S. Ocean Avenue.

“AJC calls on Long Islanders to stand together at this time of tragedy and raise their voices against the hateful words and climate that contributed to Lucero’s senseless murder,” said Levy. “We cannot simply go on with our normal lives as long as anyone among us can be singled out for attack based simply because of who we are.”

AJC Long Island, a regional leader in advancing intergroup relations, sponsors the Latino-Jewish Coalition of Long Island.