6 hours agoLife in a city where the notorious MS-13 gang operates
Periskopi(8 years ago)
(8 years ago)Long Island, at a short distance from New York City, is the focus of President Trump's pledge to wipe out the band known as Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13. The notorious gang is known mainly for its cruel forms of murder, rather than the number of those killed. But in a city affected by this [...]
Long Island, at a short distance from New York City, is the focus of President Trump's pledge to wipe out the band known as Mara Salvatrucha, or MS-13. The notorious gang is known mainly for its cruel forms of murder, rather than the number of those killed. But in a city affected by this gang, residents are sceptical that the group operating on the eastern coast for almost 40 years could easily disappear without damaging the large immigrant community.
MS-13 expanded from California in the early 1990s to take refuge in the resort town of Freport in New York State's Long Island area.
“Trumpi came to the White House and there's been all this euphoric noise for the gang, when people have been dying in the hands of MS-13x1>
Cory Breer, who grew up in the town of Freport, recalls several known killings of the MS-13 gang since 2000. In October, the remains of the last victim from this town were found in a nearby park, disturbing residents of Nasau County. Patrick Ryder heads the police department in Nassau County, reports VOA.
A year ago, MS-13 killed six young men in the Nassau County. One of the victims was shot in the face, the other in the back of the head, while the other four were stabbed with choppers. They buried them in shallow graves throughout the country of”.
At a working meeting with New York state officials in Long Island, President Trump used a controversial phrase to members of the MS-13 gang for the third time in a week.
They're not human, they're animals. So we must be very, very tough”
Supporters in Long Island say they are concerned about the immigrant neighborhoods that have usually been the object of violence, even though they may not be afraid of themselves. Patricia Dwyer lives in Long Island.
“come here with the thought that they are safe and will work and obtain citizenship. The gang is terrorizing its communities. The immigrants didn't come here to experience the same things as where they came from. America isn't like this”
Others question the sincerity of Trump's intention to secure their communities. Gabriela Andrade is a community organizer.
I don't understand why people don't worry about murder. Is it about race? I think so. Is it because we're Latin and have brown skin?
In the town of Freport, some residents remained skeptical about resolving the situation by the president, or at least without causing damage to the larger community. Dave Pinero lives in Long Island.
If anything gets done, then God's blessing. But I don't know how anyone can stop this from happening”.
Another Long Island resident, Cory Brewster, says:
For me this is another way to justify intervention in other people's privacy. See if you can get someone out of the country”.
Javier Lechuga of Colombia has been living in Freport for 26 years. He argues that in recent years the MS-13 has become less dangerous within the town. A relief to the father of a 17-year-old. He welcomes the idea of gang extinction.
When immigrants do bad things, I think every country takes precautions. I don't think America makes an exception”.
But Javier Lechuga raises the question of how a violent group can be eliminated without damaging the law - enforcement people, such as his family. He sees his son as an example of the success that comes from working immigrant families.
My son is distinguished in school. An honorary certificate holds the signature of President Trump. This makes me proud because if it's about my community, my son is an example of good and not the reputation sometimes attributed to immigrants”.
Lechuga says that others share similar ideas to contribute to society. While those who do not excel in school, he says, what they often need is help.
