STOP HATE CRIMES! Sunday Marks One Year Anniversary of Marcelo Lucero's Murder!

The FBI has reported Hate Crimes against Latinos have increased by over 40 percent. It is critical we hold the perpetrators of these crimes accountable. My blog's mission in 2009 is to bring attention to these hate crimes so we can stop them from occurring. There are several Hate Crimes that occurred over the last year that I am focusing on until the perpetrators are held accountable.
These Hate crimes are:
1. Kick in the Head Murder of Luis Ramirez - Shenandoah, PA
2. Beaner Jumping of Marcelo Lucero - Patchogue, NY
3. Student Murderers of Chilean Students by Dannie Baker - NW Florida
4. Murder of 9 year old Brisenia Flores and her Dad by MM Leader Shawna Forde -Arivaca, AZ

Sunday, November 8, marks the one year anniversary of the brutal murder of Marcelo Lucero, a 37-year-old Ecuadorean immigrant, who was stabbed to death after he and a friend were attacked by seven Patchogue-Medford High School students. Police said the suspects admitted they regularly sought out and attacked Hispanic immigrants. They targetted Hispanics during weekly attacks they termed "Beaner Jumping." During these attacks, the frequently took souveners to show off at school. Yesterday, the first defendant was in court and pled guilty for his role in Marcelo Lucero's death.
Newsday reports:
In a barely audible voice, a Medford teenager stood before a Suffolk judge and recounted the events that culminated in the death of Marcelo Lucero last year as he pleaded guilty Thursday in connection with the case. Nicholas Hausch, 18, his slight frame appearing hunched in a dark suit and blue tie, told Judge Robert W. Doyle and prosecutors how he and six other teens had set out the night of Nov. 8 determined to attack Latinos, or "beaner hopping," as the defendant called it.

In the Lucero case, Hausch pleaded guilty to first-degree gang assault and fourth-degree conspiracy. He also pleaded guilty Thursday to second-degree assault as a hate crime and second-degree attempted assault as a hate crime in connection with two other attacks earlier that day. Responding to questions from Assistant District Attorney Megan O'Donnell, Hausch detailed the confrontation with Lucero.

Hausch said the group spotted two Latino men and called them ethnic slurs. "Surround him," Kevin Shea, one defendant, yelled after punching Lucero, Hausch said. Hausch said he was in the outer circle and began to walk away when another defendant, Jeffrey Conroy, passed him. "He told me we had to get out of here," Hausch said. "Jeff told us he stabbed the guy," Hausch said. At that point he said the other defendants called Conroy "an idiot," and told him to "throw away the knife." "He said no, 'I washed it off in a puddle,' " Hausch said.
Recounting an event earlier that night, Hausch detailed chasing a Latino man and taking his hat to show off to his friends later. Asked O'Donnell, "Now did you and Jordan Dasch or Anthony Harford take any property from that male Hispanic?" Hausch answered, "Yes. I took his hat." O'Donnell: "Why?" Hausch: "I guess because, just to show my friends . . . " O'Donnell: "Is it fair to say you took that hat as a trophy?" Hausch: "Yes."

Prosecutors did not recommend a sentence, and Hausch - who has been out on bail for most of the year - won't be sentenced until prosecution of the other six defendants is complete. Hausch faces 5 to 25 years in prison on the top charge. As part of his plea, Hausch agreed to continue to cooperate with authorities, including possibly testifying at the trials of his co-defendants.
Other Blogs Remembering Marcelo Lucero this weekend:
Marcelo Lucero Memorial - Long Island Wins
Long Island Wins - Patrick Young
Vivir Latino - Mamita Mala
Standing Firm
Imagine2050.org Remembering Marcelo Lucero