First Farmingville Food Share confronted by racists, yet still a success!

On Thursday, June 25th, Long Island Food Not Bombs conducted it's first Food Share in Farmingville and it was an awesome success. Needless to say, each Thursday at 6:30pm, from here on out, the Farmingville chapter of Long Island Food Not Bombs will be sharing free vegetarian/vegan groceries and other necessities at the small public space located near Horseblock Rd. and Granny Rd.

That said, we also had some problems namely by some hate mongering racists and a confused police officer who threatened to shut us down.

Here's what happened... Just after we set up the tables, and before we could share food with anyone, a woman and man pulled their car in front of our table. They came out to talk to us under the guise of being interested in what we were doing. We explained who we were and shared a couple of bags of groceries with them.

After they took the food into their car the woman asked if we also "feed the illegals" too which one FNB volunteer replied "we share food with everyone, regardless of race, class or belief." Looking annoyed she went back into her car and sat in front of our Food Share table for 10 minutes while making phone calls. What ensued when she came out was an hour long berating of threats, insults, hate mongering bigotry and ignorance (from her directed at our table).

At this point we realized that she wasn't just a passer by, but in fact was waiting for us. Her name was Margaret Bianculli and she was the head of Sachem Quality of Life's Farmingville branch, a neo-Klan hate group that disguises itself as a civic organization. Needless to say Margaret's history is very colorful and includes actions like protesting peace vigils after two day laborers were brutally beaten... ya, i know, scumbag.

After it became clear that we weren't threatened by her or her pals she left and called the cops on us. A few minutes later a police car rolled up and an officer threatened to shut us down because he was told we were selling goods without a permit. After we explained that we weren't selling anything he apologized and actually thanked us for what we were doing in the community.

After the police left, the racists returned shortly to tell us that they'd return with "their friends" a clear threat to us and the people at the Food Share table. United as one we responded with smiles on our faces that we'd be sharing food off Horseblock Rd. every Thursday and there was nothing they could do to stop us. Too this the racists drove off.

Onlookers who saw the confrontation came up to ask us questions and became interested in what we were doing. At this point lots of people started to come to the table to get some food. In a funny way, this racist woman united us all and showed the people in the neighborhood that we were in solidarity with them against the hate-mongers who threaten the Farmingville community every day.

Solidarity is why we started this Food Share, because Farmingville is an area that we want to be in solidarity with. To make it clear Long Island Food Not Bombs does not believe any living being can be illegal. All people have the essential right to improve their lives and the lives of their families and that in itself is a fundamental fact that has created this country.

People who come to our Food Share tables trying to deny others food will not tolerated. Their hate will not be tolerated. We don't get intimated, we stand in solidarity and we invite you to come down this Thursday to stand with us.

Love & Liberation,
JonSTeps

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