"Back The Blue" Rally In Hauppauge

By Pat Biancaniello

The Suffolk County H. Lee Dennison Building was the backdrop for a “Back the Blue” rally in Hauppauge Sunday, October 4th. More than 1,000 people, some masked and some not, gathered to show their support for police and to show support for the reelection of Donald Trump in November. 

Before the politics began, a very courageous young woman, Genesis Villella spoke about the horror of having her mom “assassinated” because she wore a police uniform. Genesis Villella is the daughter of NYPD Detective Miosotis Familia, the mother of three children, who was shot and killed while sitting in her police car on July 5, 2017.

“It is so important for me to be here to talk about my mother and what she meant to me and my siblings. My mom was my very best friend  and it is so important to talk about who she was as a person, especially since all these violent attacks taking place around the country on innocent police officers because of their uniforms, just like my mother was targeted. It is so important to support all the police officers across the country and in NY to let them know that we have their backs and will always be here to support them.” 

Genesis VillellaIf there ever was a message that would resonate with everyone, regardless of political affiliation, it was Ms. Villella’s message. It was heartbreaking.

Also speaking was Suffolk County resident retired police officer Kathleen Vigiano, president of Survivors of the Shield and widow of Detective Joseph Vigiano. Detective Vigiano wasKathleen Vigiano killed in the line of duty on September 11, 2001. Ms Vigiano addressed the crowd and challenged the press to report the numbers and challenges police officers face every time they make a radio run or put their lives on the line taking illegal guns off the street. She encouraged the audience to do more than “Back the Blue”, telling the audience to make sure they vote for candidates who support safe communities and the police who patrol them. Vote for DA’s who prosecute criminals and politicians who will give police officers the tools needed to do their jobs.

But this was a political event. This was a Police Benevolent Association (PBA) sponsored event and Democrats were the enemies. President of the PBA Noel Di Gerolamo hit the Dems hard, blaming them for creating an abyss. “It’s gonna get political.” “People who wear the blue uniforms, they’re not from any particular party, but we saw one party over the last six months totally abandon every single member of law enforcement, did nothing but vilify the people who went out day after day. They sheltered in place but guess what? They’re the enemy now. Because blue is gonna paint this state red.”