Manuel Moscoso was waiting for his ride to work early on May 10 when he was shot to death by outside the Supremo supermarket at Front Street and Roosevelt Avenue. He had been a client of El Centro Hispanoamericano since 2000, said Randy Schaeffer, chairman of the agency's board of trustees. The board voted unanimously to hold a peaceful vigil Saturday in memory of Mr. Moscoso, who is survived by his wife and five children.
"In all things, we have to place the value of human life first," he said, urging everyone to take on the responsibility to "stop the violence here in Plainfield." The city has seen several unprovoked attacks on Hispanic working men, causing Mayor Sharon Robinson-Briggs to revive a "take back the streets" initiative and to offer personal safety counseling.
El Centro Hispanoamericano is located on the lower level of the church at 525 East Front Street. It has a 27-year history of helping immigrants become productive members of the community. The agency is always in need of volunteers. Click here to learn of volunteering opportunities.
--Bernice
No mention of Robinson-Briggs attendance at this event. I will assume she was not present and if she wasn't, why not?
ReplyDeleteShe was front and center when Plainfielders came out to support the family of Trayvon Martin - a senseless murder that captured national attention, however, it was about 1,200 miles away; yet, the senseless murder of an innocent man in our own community did not seem to elicit the same outcry from Robinson-Briggs, her administration and/or her constituents.
I'm curious as to why this would be the case. This was a very sad and unfortunate incident that affects the entire city.
It would be helpful to have some other residents make some thoughtful and constructive comments on this matter.
With all due respect, not every expression of concern needs the mayor's presence to validate it. You do raise a number of very sensitive issues however and I hope others will indeed come up with thoughtful and constructive comments.
DeleteI appreciate your reply to my comment Bernice and I understand that she doesn't need to be present to validate an expression of concern; but, unlike many other unfortunate situations in this city, this incident seemed to be one of bias, whereby it would require a little more sensitivity by the administration, considering the demographic makeup of Plainfield.
DeleteI'm sure that Mr. Morosco's friends would have appreciated a showing by Robinson-Briggs or a member of her administration to demonstrate support. Considering that the organizers planned with the police department, I'm certain that Robinson-Briggs knew of the march.
Sometimes you have to make choices and I feel that the right choice would have been for a member of the administration to be physically present to show support of the latino community.
Thank you.
In response to "Keeping it Real" --
DeleteOur intention was to reach out to the Plainfield community on a spiritual level and to call for all of us to work together in ending the violence that plagues our city.
Our only contact with the city was to apply for a parade permit and to give a heads up to the Police Department. We were are pleased and grateful for the response shown by the city. It was appropriate. We have no complaint in that regard.
To "Keeping it Real" -- I appreciate your concern. If you would like to give of your time, energy, and creativity in helping El Centro, I would be very happy to speak to you about how you can get involved. I know at least a dozen ways you can help make a difference.
Thanks very much,
Randy Schaeffer
Bernice --
ReplyDeleteThank you for including our vigil on your blog.
As you mention, Mr. Moscoso, was a client at El Centro over the course of the past few years. His death was yet another reminder of how violence effects everyone in our city. Our vigil was our way of expressing our hope that we can all work together toward greater safety and security for all.
Our vigil was indeed a spiritual, rather than a political, expression of those who participated on Saturday. As Reverend Aloyo, pastor of the United Presbyterian and Nuevas Fronteras congregations, reminded us, all life is precious.
Silvia Hernandez, El Centro's executive director, and I want to thank the city and Martin Hellwig for the police department's help. An officer helped us with traffic at each cross street so our march could proceed safely and with a minimum of disruption to traffic on busy Front St.
Thank you,
Randy Schaeffer
There are many events not publicized in this city. We are sorry for this family's loss. I'm sure if others, blacks included, had known of this march there would have been better participation. Please forgive the ignorance of the mayor and her adminstration for not being sensitive to this tragedy and not letting the public know. If it were not for Bernice, Dan or Olddoc posting information on there blogs many things would go unnoticed.
ReplyDelete