Latino leaders plan youth summit in Brentwood

Latino leaders gathered Wednesday at Timberline Park in Brentwood, the site of several recent gang-related shootings, to promote what they are billing as the region's first-ever youth summit.

Though being promoted by Latino and immigrant advocates, the event - to be held at the park on Sept. 19 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. - is open to all youths, organizers said.

"We're always talking about children and our future, and yet we don't listen to them," said Luis Valenzuela, executive director of the Long Island Immigrant Alliance.

"The answer's always because you don't vote," he added. "But you know what, we're going to change that. We're going to get all the youth of Long Island activated, mobilized to participate in civic life.

Ed Roldan, a community organizer for the alliance, said the event would feature music performances and art displays and information booths on issues including health, education and civil liberties, along with advocacy groups.

Timberline Park was chosen to symbolize that the community lays claim to the park, not the gangs that have threatened it, organizers said. The park has been the site of several shootings. In June, a 13-year-old was shot by an alleged gang member when authorities say he was mistaken for a rival gang member.

"We were here tragically before because this is the spot where young Wilson Batista was shot," said Legis. Ricardo Montano (D-Brentwood). "He lays still in the hospital with brain injuries. Within the last several of weeks, we've had a number of gang-related . . . shootings in this community involving our young people. I think we've reached a point where we as a community say enough."

Roldon said gang activity would not be a topic at the summit. "Everything's going to be positive," he said. "Everything going to focus on education."

The event will also highlight the Development, Relief, and Education for Alien Minors Act, commonly known as The DREAM Act. The federal bill would give undocumented immigrants who graduate from a U.S. high school and meet certain criteria the right to receive some types of aid and join the military; it would also grant them a path to citizenship after completing two years of college or military service.