December 18, 2006 Long Island, New York
The New York Times published an article yesterday about day laborers living and working in Mamaroneck, Farmingville and other communities in New York and Connecticut. Recently, a judge ruled in favor of a group of day laborers in Mamaroneck who sued the village saying that its police officers harassed them because they are Hispanic. The judge gave town officials until January 5, 2007 to offer a solution, and many local governments in surrounding areas are watching to see what they decide to do.
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November 13, 2006 Long Island, New York
Louise, one of the characters in the film, has founded a local residents' group to try
and breach the local divide. Read more about it in this Newsday article.
July 27, 2004 Long Island, New York
The New York Times reports on the arrest of a Long Island man who had been posing as a contractor, picking up Mexican day laborers in Farmingville, driving them to remote locations, and robbing them at gunpoint. Read more about the arrest. (article available free for 7 days from publication and archived after that)
May 2004, Long Island, New York
Since completion of the film in November, 2003, little has changed on Farmingville's streets. The men still gather on the corners. Residents still protest, although the protestors are down to a handful of SQL stalwarts. The situation can best be described as lying somewhere between an uneasy stand-off and frustrated resignation.
Eduardo has been joined by his wife and son, reflecting the general trend of more women coming to Farmingville, more families reuniting and establishing roots. Human Solidarity's soccer league is reportedly up to 25 teams, with 25 players per team.
Brookhaven Citizens for Peaceful Solutions continues its work, offering services to the immigrants.
As a result of her appearance in the film, Louise has met with Legislators Tonna and Foley. She is increasingly committed to promoting the middle voice in the community.
As part of a national engagement campaign, numerous groups-- from the Brookings Institute to grassroots organizations across the country - are screening the film to shed light on challenges created by new immigrant communities in suburbs and small towns. This campaign is being organized and implemented by Active Voice, a sister company of POV For more information on "The Farmingville Campaign" visit activevoice.net.
The film itself has garnered extraordinary acclaim and attention. It was the subject of an editorial in The New York Times and one in Newsday, which hailed it as "required viewing for every decision-maker and local official in the State of New York."
"Farmingville" has won numerous awards including: Special Jury Prize Sundance 2004; Best Documentary CineFestival and San Diego Latino Film Festival; Human Rights Award RiverRun Film Festival. Farmingville is one of five films chosen to represent the United States at INPUT 2004 (the International Public Television Conference), held in Barcelona, Spain.
— Carlos Sandoval and Catherine Tambini