Letter: Dramatizing youth cuts
Motivational speaker Amory Sepulveda, left, executive director Rahsmia Zatar, and project coordinator Beria Camargo, center, of Strong Youth Inc., in Uniondale with children who used to participate in the group's programs. (Aug. 8, 2012) Credit: Barry Sloan
STRONG Youth Inc.'s approach to protesting Nassau County's cuts to human services funding is not radical, it is rational ["The extreme team," News, Aug. 20]. The gang-prevention group has organized young people who are outraged by the decimation of youth services to participate through a symbolic funeral, street theater and a candlelight vigil. Its tactics are well-planned, intergenerational events that capture the imagination of the public and media.
STRONG has taken effective steps to motivate change. The public should embrace the group for its peaceful protests, which represent the best of our democracy and enable young people to move from apathy to activism.
Andrew Malekoff, Long Beach
Editor's note: The writer is the executive director of the North Shore Child and Family Guidance Center.
