Former Gov. David Paterson claimed he was discriminated against and blocked from admission because he supported opening a casino near Hofstra University, the Long Island law school’s alma mater.
Patterson, who now works at Sands Casino, alleges that Hofstra even blocked the nonprofit from using campus facilities over its support for the gaming facility at its Nassau Coliseum site. However, the school strongly opposes this.
Patterson also said the members of the group Hofstra abused happened to be majority black.
“These were all black events,” Patterson, the state’s first black governor, raged to the Post. “They are [Hofstra] I crossed the line. ”
Mr. Patterson said he was asked to participate as a panelist in the Congressional debate, but Hofstra did not allow him because he was defending Mr. Sands.
He said he had no intention of lobbying on behalf of the Sands while attending unrelated community events on campus.
“That’s my day job,” he said.
The university successfully filed a lawsuit in court to block Sands’ agreement with the Nassau County government.
The Post reached out to Hofstra about the allegations.
Tracy Edwards, the NAACP Long Island director who works for Patterson and Sands, said in bombshell statements that Hofstra restricted access to campus and blocked nonprofits that received donations from casinos. he claimed.
“In recent conversations, Hofstra University staff have reportedly stated that our access to Hofstra University grounds is not unconditionally permitted because Sands employs us. ,” the letter to board chair Daniel Schaefer said. “This is outrageous on many levels.
“This is a clear and blatant act of discrimination against one of our most distinguished alumni and a regional leader of the NAACP New York State Convention, an organization that fights for equality and inclusion for all people,” they said.
The pair went further and said that groups funded by Sands were also being punished by Hofstra.
“The fact that Hofstra is issuing an ultimatum that if it accepts sponsorship from the Sands, it will strip non-profit organizations of the use of Hofstra facilities for events is despicable,” the letter states. “One would hope that institutions of higher education would behave better than schoolyard bullies.
“This is nothing short of heartbreaking,” the letter continued. “We have both fought for equal rights for all communities on Long Island, and we have both fought for equal rights for all communities on Long Island. I will not stand by and watch the president’s actions.”
Patterson and Edwards said the board president should “insist that any discrimination is contrary to Hoftra’s stated mission.”
“While Hofstra’s continued acts of discrimination may target us, your actions have no impact on your brand, as well as the community members that Hofstra strives to promote and support. and we have a responsibility to protect,” the letter said.
“Let me be clear: We know our employer is Sands, but who we work for is who we are as individuals and leaders in the fight for justice and equality. It should not be a reason to discriminate against or silence us,” he added. “Bigotry against anyone is bigotry against all of us, and these types of intolerable actions and comments create a dangerous environment for Hofstra University students, alumni, and community members alike, and the Hofstra University Trustees The Society should not tolerate this.”
