More than a year after their story first made city headlines, the Gounden family of Howard Beach claim they are still being harassed by neighbors in what they charge are racially motivated efforts to get them to leave the neighborhood.

`Our lives have become more endangered than ever before,` said Kris Gounden, an aircraft technician who moved to a waterfront property on Howard Beach, Queens, in July 2006. Since then he`s been subjected to racial insults, outright threats, and defacement of his property while, he says, local police turn a blind eye.

Gounden also alleges that community bureaucrats have saddled him with thousands of dollars in fines for what he claims are trumped up property violations in an attempt to run him and his family out of the neighborhood. He`s currently challenging the violations in court.

`This is blatant discrimination,` said Gounden. `We have a number of neighbors calling us the N-word, telling us we don`t belong here.`

Gounden said his family now lives in a prison-like environment. The NYPD`s Hate Crimes Unit has posted security cameras around their property and Gounden has installed a huge, heavy gate in front their drive-way.

`It fell on my wife and she sprained her ankle one time,` said Gounden, `But this is how we live.`

Gounden said while he fears for the safety of his family, its difficult for them to leave because they have a lot invested in the house, including two mortgages.

He`s been pleading in vain for help from city officials and community activists. But he`s gotten sympathy, advice and little else. Gouden has decided to take matters into his own hands in what he calls a grassroots effort to get people to listen to his plight.

He`s going to tour college campuses, radio stations, `wherever people are listening,` towing the little yellow garden wagon he was given a `ridiculous` citation for. It now has a license plate to comply with regulations that don`t seem to apply to his neighbors. He`s also gathering the photos, videos and documents that chronicle his experience to post them online.

Things came to a head in August last year, when a 19-year-old neighbor, Michael Hussey, charged on to the Gounden`s property while they were entertaining guests. Brandishing a baseball bat, He shouted obscenities and the N-world, and threatened to kill those present.

Officers from the 106th Precinct responded to Gounden`s call for help but they refused to arrest Hussey. He was only taken into custody after Gounden complained to higher ups. Hussey was subsequently freed when a grand jury declined to prosecute. Gounden charge state attorneys with not aggressively pursue the case.

Since then things have not gotten better for the Goundens, who include Gounden`s wife Cheryl, his stepdaughters Vena, 15, and Mena, 12, son Kristopher, two, and daughter Krista, one.

Ratcheting up a pattern of harassment that started when the family first moved in, neighbors stand in front their home, blocking their driveway, and all manner of things are dumped on their property, including, Gouden said, dog feces, women`s underwear and beer bottles.

`This is blatant discrimination,` said Gounden. `We have a number of neighbors calling us the N-word, telling us we don`t belong here.`

`People say I`m brave,` he added. `I don`t know if I`m brave, but I have to stand up.` - By Erline Andrews/CWN/NY

quote:

Gounden has installed a huge, heavy gate in front their drive-way.

`It fell on my wife and she sprained her ankle one time,` said Gounden, `But this is how we live.`

What kind of cheap construction job is duh?

if he so scared, he should move...lots of better places to live

quote:

Originally posted by raymond:
if he so scared, he should move...lots of better places to live

Ray, it's the principle.

The sad thing is the duck curry organizers are busy currying favour with Addabbo who had a hand in this. Where's the sense of community?

quote:

Originally posted by Petal29:

quote:

Originally posted by raymond:
if he so scared, he should move...lots of better places to live

Ray, it's the principle.

The sad thing is the duck curry organizers are busy currying favour with Addabbo who had a hand in this. Where's the sense of community?

Your own safety should come before principle. You can't change people! He should choose his battles wisely!

principles go out the window when there is potential harm for family...too stessful in this day and age when there are better alternatives available

maybe Gouden likes the attention

Agreed especially when you have children that there are better alternatives but when you are right it’s hard to back down…seems like the entire system is against him and after the original stance the community forgot about him.

Wouldn’t you prefer to fight this battle so your children won’t have to?

quote:

Originally posted by Petal29:
Agreed especially when you have children that there are better alternatives but when you are right it’s hard to back down…seems like the entire system is against him and after the original stance the community forgot about him.

Wouldn’t you prefer to fight this battle so your children won’t have to?

well, fighting alone isn't going to help...is it? THis fella has no support as you can see...

Petal, its a good battle for the principle but its better to walk away and live another day! to win the war while loosing a few battles my 2 cents

Hey Nips, good to see you around

I think if our community were stronger it wouldnt be so hard. But when they turn their backs on Gouden and fete Addabbo what can you expect?

quote:

Originally posted by Terry Ishmael:

quote:

Gounden has installed a huge, heavy gate in front their drive-way.

`It fell on my wife and she sprained her ankle one time,` said Gounden, `But this is how we live.`

What kind of cheap construction job is duh?

bettuh questan, wuts wid GY and Iok wuk fences n gates

thanks Pets,

quote:

Originally posted by raymond:

quote:

Originally posted by Petal29:
Agreed especially when you have children that there are better alternatives but when you are right it’s hard to back down…seems like the entire system is against him and after the original stance the community forgot about him.

Wouldn’t you prefer to fight this battle so your children won’t have to?

well, fighting alone isn't going to help...is it? THis fella has no support as you can see...

Now, if he was a fulla...chief woulda get on the case and all hell break loose...

quote:

Originally posted by Petal29:
Hey Nips, good to see you around

I think if our community were stronger it wouldnt be so hard.

which community?

quote:

Originally posted by Terry Ishmael:

quote:

Originally posted by Petal29:
Hey Nips, good to see you around

I think if our community were stronger it wouldnt be so hard.

which community?

carifesta

quote:

Originally posted by Petal29:

quote:

Originally posted by raymond:
if he so scared, he should move...lots of better places to live

Ray, it's the principle.

The sad thing is the duck curry organizers are busy currying favour with Addabbo who had a hand in this. Where's the sense of community?

Petal,

You are absolutely correct; including Taj Rajkumar, Frank Singh, Ram Jodha, Romeo Hitlall, to name a few.

These traitors should be exiled from the Guyanese community

I dont know what is it with some of us Coolies, but a few are really STUPID, IGNORANT and ILLITERATe, The Gouden Family and everyone else has a God Givr\en Friggin RIGHT to live where ever they want to. These Appeasers and ASS Kissers are our problem!!!!!

quote:

These Appeasers and ASS Kissers are our problem!!!

quit bein suh harsh on Raymond