On 5/16/21, members of AYLUS Syosset embarked on its first steps in spreading love, unity and action in their community.
The AYLUS Syosset Branch (and Long Island Laboring Against COVID, LILAC) co-organized an event that took place at the North side of Syosset Train Station for legislators, congressmen, students and senators to speak on behalf of promoting change and acceptance of all cultures and races. With the support of the Chinese American Association of Syosset (CAAS), the Long Island Chinese American Association (LICAA), and the Long Island School of Chinese (LISOC), along with contributors/youth groups from Students Combat Corona (SCC), Syosset Brothers and Sisters In Christ (BASIC), Tai Chi Youth Group (TCQGAA), Chinese Cultural Society (CCS), Long Island School of Chinese Student Government Association (LISOC SGA) and members from the AYLUS Princeton and Manhasset Branch, the rally ended up gaining the attention of 400-500 people. A show-mobile was rented for all of the band members (from ISchool of Music), guest speakers and public figures to speak/perform on. Each public figure took 3-5 minutes per speech and each student around 2-3 minutes.
(Public figures included Joseph Saladino (Supervisor of the Town of Oyster Bay), Laura Curran (Nassau County Executive), Josh Lafazan (Nassau County Legislators) , Grace Meng (US representative), Jim Gaughran (NY State Senator), John Liu (NY State Senator), Kevin Thomas (NY State Senator) , Chuck Lavine (NY State Assemblyman) , Arnold Drucker (Nassau County Legislator) , Tim Lau (Co-president of CAAS) , Farrah Mozawalla (Executive Director of NC Office of Asian American Affairs), Dr. Thomas Rogers (Superintendent of Syosset Central School District) , and Fang Tao Jiang (Soprano Opera Singer) and student speakers included Sabrina Guo, Michael Chu, Alan Huang, Elizabeth Huang, Abigail Wu, Matthew Yang, Brian Gao, Trinity Liang, Ryan Leung, Jasmine Chen and Leo Cheng.)
Four sets of tables and chairs were placed at the back of the parking lot, one for reception and volunteer hour tracking, one to provide PPE such as masks and hand sanitizer (provided by LILAC) and two to make posters and banners to visually spread our message.
We hope to make Syosset a true No Place for Hate. The effects of discrimination and racism have persisted for centuries, and it will continue to unless action is taken. Though the progress will be slow and gradual, every effort helps.
Participants included Alan Huang(8 hours), Ryan Leung(5 hours + 2 hours working on the website, https://www.longislandforjustice.com), Jasmine Chen(5 hours), Leo Cheng(5 hours), Elizabeth Huang, Advisor Francina, Sean Kane(4 hours), Si Yue Jiang (4 hours), Stephen Chang(4 hours), Elvis Li(4 hours), Abigail Wu(4 hours), Matthew Lee(4 hours), Jonathan Lee(4 hours), Ashlee Lin(4 hours), Matthew Yang(4 hours), Robert Meng(3 hours)Michael Chu(3 hours), Trinity Liang(3 hours) and Brian Gao(3 hours).
