STATEMENT BY COUNCIL SPEAKER QUINN

“No verdict will ever bring peace to the family and friends of Jose Sucuzhanay. However, last night we received justice in the form of a guilty verdict of murder as a hate crime against Keith Phoenix.

On December 8, 2008, Keith Phoenix, along with fellow defendant Hakim Scott, brutally attacked and murdered Jose Sucuzhanay as he walked home with his brother. The two perpetrators committed their acts of unprovoked violence with a broken bottle and metal baseball bat while shouting ant-gay and anti-Latino epithets.

I am grateful that this senseless and tragic crime has been unequivocally condemned, sending the message that New Yorkers will not stand for such hatred and inhumanity in our communities. I want to thank the members of the jury, the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force, and the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office for their attention and diligent, focused work on this case.”

STATEMENT BY COUNCILMEMBER REYNA

“While I am deeply encouraged by last night’s guilty verdict of murder as a hate crime against Keith Phoenix, my thoughts and prayers continue to go out to the family, friends and community that Jose Sucuzhanay’s murder left behind.

This verdict sends a strong message to our communities that, in a just society, crimes committed out of hate cannot and will not be tolerated.”

STATEMENT BY ANA MARIA ARCHILA OF MAKE THE ROAD NEW YORK

“On December 8th, 2008, our city woke up to the sad news that anti-immigrant and homophobic hatred had taken another precious life away. The murder of Jose Sucuzhanay reminded us all that you do not have to be gay to be the victim of homophobia, and you do not have to be undocumented to be the victim of anti-immigrant violence.

Although nothing will ever restore the life of Jose Sucuzhanay, this verdict will bring some measure of peace and justice to the family and the community. We must now continue to work together to eradicate violence from our streets, and to promote public policies that respect and honor the humanity of LGBT and immigrant communities.”

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