Light in the Darkness: Watch Web Extras

[1]

After Marcelo Lucero's murder in 2008, the Not In Our Town film crew captured many stories during a two-year period in Patchogue, NY. Here you will find extended or extra scenes from our film, Light in the Darkness, showcasing how this Long Island village came together after the tragedy.

Web Video Extras:

Light in the Darkness Opening Sequence

This is the opening sequence for Not In Our Town: Light in the Darkness, a powerful new documentary special about a town in New York standing together to take action after anti-immigrant violence devastates their community and thrusts them into the international media spotlight.

Patchogue-Medford Library: A Place for Dialogue and Healing

In Not In Our Town: Light In the Darkness, the Patchogue-Medford Library plays a pivotal role as a safe haven for the local immigrant community. In Fall 2008, librarian Jean Kaleda and librarian assistant Gilda Ramos learned that people were afraid to attend evening ESL classes at the library for fear of being attacked while walking the streets at night. The librarians were in the process of organizing a public meeting with local officials to address their concerns. A week later, Marcelo Lucero was murdered and the library became a place for healing and dialogue. Spanish-speaking police officers, Patchogue Mayor Paul Pontieri, and local leaders met with community members to address the concerns of the Latino population in Patchogue. A group of quilters worked in the basement of the library as they stitched "Healing Hands, Mending Hearts," a quilt they later presented to Joselo Lucero, Marcelo's brother.

Patchogue Library's Gilda Ramos: A Voice for Her Community

Librarian assistant Gilda Ramos became a translator for the Lucero family who came to Patchogue from Gualaceo, Ecuador as the community gathered to honor Marcelo Lucero. Ramos also translated for Latino residents at community events and meetings that were held at the library, the Patchogue Theatre, vigils and rallies. Like libraries across the country, the Patchogue-Medford Library is a place where people come together and feel supported and safe.

Mosaic: No One Walks Alone

After a series of anti-immigrant attacks by local teenagers ended with the hate crime killing of local immigrant Marcelo Lucero, art students at Patchogue-Medford High School wanted to do something positive for the Lucero family and spread a message of peace. Over the course of a year, students gathered after school to create We Are All United: No One Walks Alone, a mosaic dedicated to Marcelo Lucero.

Mayor Pontieri: We Are All Immigrants

Patchogue, New York Mayor Paul Pontieri reflects on his family's history of immigration, his love of his hometown, and how his life has influenced his policy of inclusion for all Patchogue residents.

Ana Maria Caraballo: Local Radio's Connection to the Community

Local radio host Ana Maria Caraballo of La Fiesta WBON becomes an important connection for the community after the murder of Marcelo Lucero. On her radio call-in show, Ana Maria's switchboard lights up with calls from local residents who share stories, ask questions to local police about immigration issues, and seek information about their rights.

Joselo Visits Newcomers High School

The students of Newcomers High, a school for newly arrived immigrants, reached out to Joselo Lucero with letters of sympathy when his brother Marcelo was killed in 2008. Two years later, Joselo visits the school to speak to the students about what he learned from the loss of his brother, his experiences as an immigrant, and the difficult process of forgiveness.

Gualaceo and Patchogue: Two Towns United by Tragedy

When Patchogue Mayor Paul Pontieri and Deputy Mayor Stephen McGiff were invited to visit Gualaceo, Ecuador, Marcelo Lucero's hometown, the community welcomed them and shared stories and concerns about relatives and friends living in the United States. While the two towns are linked by the tragedy of Marcelo Lucero, Mayor Pontieri vowed to make Patchogue safer for everyone in the future.

Embracing Differences

When Patchogue Mayor Paul Pontieri suggested that South Ocean Middle School Principal Pickford host an art exhibit called “Embracing Our Differences,” she agreed that art was a great medium to explore diversity, immigration, inclusion and respect. Pickford mounted the collection of banners on the front lawn of her school. On the one-year anniversary of Marcelo Lucero's death, his brother Joselo visited South Ocean Middle School and spoke to the students about his experiences and his hopes for the future.

Joselo's Journey Part 1 & 2

Since the killing of his brother, Marcelo, in November of 2008, Joselo Lucero has worked tirelessly to share his brother's story and raise awareness about anti-immigrant violence. Now one of the seven teens charged in the killing is standing trial, and Joselo will be attending court every day until a verdict is reached.

Raising the Curtain on Unity

After the killing of Ecuadorian immigrant Marcelo Lucero, concerned community members of Patchogue, NY, formed the Unity Coalition, and hosted an evening of performances dedicated to unity and inclusiveness. Local high school students performed alongside a leading cast member of the Broadway production "In the Heights."

Return to the Light in the Darkness homepage [1]

Support for this program is provided by PBS and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting; the Einhorn Family Charitable Trust; the Reva and David Logan Foundation; and the Public Welfare Foundation.