Recognizing Juneteenth, Catholics helping migrants, Jor'Dynn Duncan

Declare Juneteenth holiday in Nassau

I call on our Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman and our entire Nassau County Legislature to stand up against the double standard of economic racism in Nassau County and vote in the affirmative to make Juneteenth an official Nassau County paid holiday [“Union backs Juneteenth bill,” News, June 10].

Black lives must be respected in Nassau County, and Black history must be respected as American history. In specific terms, that respect must be demonstrated by recognizing Juneteenth as an official paid holiday throughout Nassau County.

Juneteenth commemorates the final enforcement of freedom for formerly enslaved African Americans and stands as one of the most significant milestones in American history. It is not merely a Black holiday; it is an American holiday that celebrates freedom, justice, human dignity, and the ongoing pursuit of equality for all people.

The failure to recognize Juneteenth as an official paid holiday sends the wrong message to Black residents, workers, families, taxpayers, and voters throughout Nassau County. Equality must not be selective. Respect must not be conditional. Recognition must not be delayed.

— Pastor Arthur L. Mackey Jr., Roosevelt

The writer is the senior pastor at Mount Sinai Baptist Church Cathedral.

Catholics must act to help immigrants

Thank you for your June 8 article “LI Catholic group: Do more on deportation” News, June 8]. Once I was proud to be an American; but somewhere along the way, we forgot the words inscribed on the Statue of Liberty: “Give me your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free . . .” Those of us who are Christian have heard the words of Christ in the Scriptures saying basically the same thing: “Come to me all you who are heavy burdened and I will give you rest.”

Our country once welcomed the suffering, stood up against evil and injustice, and only waged war as a last resort. Now, everyday, we hear about situations where U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is destroying families by jailing innocent people and deporting others unlawfully. The government refers to these people as violent criminals. Having open borders is not the answer, but this is cruelty.

I am so happy to hear that some Catholic laypeople, priests and bishops are taking a stand against the evil that is being perpetuated by ICE and by the government. These good men and women are taking seriously the Gospel message of love. I hope that many people hear and follow their example.

— Anne Boyle, Smithtown

The present immigration policy does not address the concern that most people have: the arrest and deportation of violent criminals. We have repeatedly seen hardworking people who contribute positively to our community arrested, placed in horrible conditions, transferred far away from their families, and not given access to legal assistance. This isn’t justice, this is an insult to every “American,” as we are all from immigrant roots and all the while facing societal prejudices, most never feared that they could be picked up off the street, at work, at school or at religious gatherings, jailed, treated like an animal, and sent back to a land that did not offer hope and a future. It is up to us to respond to the calls of Pope Leo XIV, the United States bishops, and our New York State bishops to provide support for those who are not being treated justly. As the article also indicated, Bishop John Barres has written to parish pastors, expressing his support for a more humane policy that respects the dignity and worth of each person.

For fidelity to the principles of justice, in respectful honor of our immigrant grandparents and foreparents, for welcoming of the newest to our shores in the hopes of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, now is the time for action.

— The Rev. James-Patrick Deegan-Mannion, Shoreham

While I understand the delicate balance that clergy have to navigate, as Catholics I believe we are called to help those less fortunate than ourselves, and I would like to see clergy take a more active role in speaking out and assisting migrants. Though ICE denies it, I am disheartened when I hear stories of harsh or inhumane treatment of migrants.

I wonder if those who support this treatment have taken the time to investigate the extreme, dangerous, and unlivable conditions many of these migrants have sought to escape, and think about what they would do if they were in that same position.

It always feels good to do what one feels is right, even if one has to face some repercussions.

We sometimes sing a hymn in church, “whatsoever you do to the least of my brothers, that you do unto me.” I can feel God’s tears when we don’t try to help those in need.

— Carol Raab, Wading River

Could school district have done more?

As a former school attendance supervisor, I have some questions and concerns about the case of Jor’Dynn Duncan [“DA: Alleged abuse hidden by lies from caretaker,” News, May 30]. Why was the child allowed to be absent for 40 days? Did the school social worker or attendance teacher visit the home to see her? Did the school district send a written request to the guardian for medical reports from her doctor? Did the school request the child be examined by the school nurse?

The New York State Education Department Law states that a school district is responsible for the education and well-being of a registered student.

This child was a student at Academy Street Elementary School in the Bayport-Blue Point School District. After trying to get the child back into school, did the district consider going to Family Court? Did it ask Child Protective Services for assistance? In other words, the school district can be the first line of assistance to the child. We need to know if it could have done more.

— Robert Svoboda, Wading River