Memorial set for hate crime stabbing victim Marcelo Lucero

Supporters of immigrant rights will hold a vigil Sunday in Patchogue to mark the fourth anniversary of the killing of Ecuadorean immigrant Marcelo Lucero in a hate incident that outraged many in the community.

Lucero, 37, was attacked by seven young men who authorities said had set out to look for Latino immigrants to attack on Nov. 8, 2008. Six of them are serving sentences ranging from 5 to 8 years while Jeffrey Conroy, convicted in Lucero’s fatal stabbing, is serving a 25-year sentence.

The annual event, postponed this year due to the superstorm Sandy, seeks to foster understanding, acceptance and respect of cultural differences among diverse groups in the village and Suffolk County.

Joselo Lucero, the victim’s brother and now an immigrant-rights advocate, said his aim is to remind politicians, activists and citizens alike of the need to continue working for fair treatment of immigrants in the region.

“We have seen that many of the local politicians have changed the tone of their words toward the immigrant community and we hope that will continue changing for the better,” Lucero said. “We want to transform this tragedy into an opportunity to generate positive changes.”

The vigil will start at 1:30 p.m. at the United Methodist Church, 10 Church St. in Patchogue. Following the vigil, participants will walk together to the Railroad Avenue intersection where Lucero’s life ended to observe a moment of silence.