On the first day of school this year, three students at the Finley Middle School in Glen Cove played hooky and then falsely accused four minority girls of attacking them as an excuse for their absence from school. According to Carl LaPointe, school principal and Frank DeLuca, superintendent, they do not believe the incident was racially motivated (Newsday 9/24/98). If this was not a racially motivated incident, why didn't the accuser accuse non-minority students of their attack?

Thank God Sgt. Frank Lo Viglio suspected the accusers had fabricated their story.

Mr. LaPointe, Mr. DeLuca, this cannot be looked at as a minor incident.

Are you aware that this could have caused a serious racial disturbance?

It is inexcusable to blame minorities or anyone for a crime they did not commit. I feel the accused as well as their parents deserve a public apology from the accusers and school officials.

Bertha Adams
Program Coordinator
Project Recapture