“We will not let menacing outside influences from South Carolina, Virginia or any other state decide who will represent Long Island”

(Long Island, N.Y.) Members of the community led by Assemblyman Phil Ramos, Patchogue Mayor Paul Pontieri, State Senator Diane Savino, Annette Levinson of Congregation Beth El, David Kilmnick, CEO of Equality Long Island, Shahid Khan, President of Pakistani-American Association, and concerned Long Islanders spoke out against Lee Zeldin’s extremist campaign of fear, hate and bigotry.

The community members organized today’s press conference to condemn the actions of Zeldin supporters at Saturday’s “Women for Foley” rally.  His supporters protested the Women’s Rally by waving the Confederate battle flag, a symbol of division and hatred, along with pro-Zeldin and pro-Carl Paladino signs. Protesters made obscene gestures at women entering the rally while yelling anti-Brian Foley, anti-Andrew Cuomo rhetoric. 

Assemblyman Phil Ramos: “We are standing here today to reject the politics of racism and extremism that we are seeing on Long Island. We will reject individuals who want to stir negative emotions and fear in order to gain political ground.  The politics of Zeldin and Paladino do not belong in this community or any community in the United States.”

State Senator Diane Savino: “I was shocked at the behavior of Mr. Zeldin’s supporters at the rally on Saturday.  Lee Zeldin refuses to take responsibility for the appalling behavior of his supporters.  Like it or not Lee Zeldin’s owns the actions of his supporters and we will not tolerate it.  We will reject the hate, we will reject the intimidation and we will not allow this disgusting behavior to go unchecked.  We deserve better and we are better.”

Annette Levinson, representing Congregation Beth El: “Over the past few months we have seen outsiders come into our community, spreading lies about Senator Foley, encouraging bigotry and just this past Saturday waving a flag that is a symbol of racial violence and oppression.  We are here today demanding decency and equality for all people.”  She continued: “I am here to tell Lee Zeldin and his extremist supporters that intimidation won’t work in our community.  We will not sit by while you and your supporters spread hate and disgrace.  You do not represent Long Island and you will not represent Long Island.”

Patchogue Mayor Paul Pontieri: “All I have to say to Mr. Zeldin is, if this is the company that you keep, I do not want to be in your company. And I do not want you to be my leader in the Senate, and I do not want you to make determinations about what happens in my community.”

David Kilmnick, CEO of Equality Long Island: “This past week we have seen the offensive  actions of the Zeldin campaign.  Across Long Island we must reject this politics of hate and tell Zeldin and Paladino to stop hiding behind their supporter’s message of bigotry.  What we have to do on Long Island is make sure that these wannabe politicians are sent packing.  We need to support people like Brian Foley, who stands up for all New Yorkers, not just a small group of fringe people who reject unity and equality.”