By STEVEN FERRARO
A new interactive Donald Trump mask was unveiled in front of Trump Tower on Thursday.
The “Trumpism Randomizer Mask”, one that will be able to recognize users’ voices while being worn, will activate when users say words that have become more or less catch phrases for Trump on the campaign trail and the first month of his Presidency. When words like “huge”, “terrific”, or “wrong” are spoken, the mask produces longer phrases in a Trump-like voice.
“We thought it would be funny to create a mask for people who love Donald Trump and people who hate him,” said Andy Wiseman, CEO of RedwoodVentures, the company behind the idea.
The mask will be the company’s first novelty toy and is unlike anything they’ve ever done before. Along with sounding close to the way Trump speaks, the mask has an authentic look to it. It is a large, almost flabby, version of President Trump’s face. The hair is bright yellow and flowing, and the face—as many would expect — orange.
Wiseman extravagantly predicted the mask “is going to be the best selling toy of all time. It’s going to be (Trump voice) huge.”
Wiseman may have kept a neutral, playful attitude towards the current political climate, but others did not.
“I hate these opportunists that want to make money off the election,” said Paul Rossen who has been selling anti-Trump buttons in front of Trump Tower since the spring and was there for the unveiling of the new mask. Rossen is the son of a German immigrant and firmly opposes President Trump and all of his policies. He also did not feel so warmly about the Trump Randomizer mask.
The mask was scheduled to be showcased to the public at the American International Toy Fair this weekend at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. It will be available for purchase in time for Halloween.
By LOGAN WILBER
Hillary Clinton made a rare public appearance on Thursday participating in the unveiling of Forever Stamps honoring Dominican-born fashion designer Oscar de la Renta, who the failed presidential candidate made a point of reminding her listeners “was an immigrant”.
The late de la Renta was honored by The Postal Service as it revealed 11 Forever Stamps exalting both de la Renta and ten of his famous evening gowns, at Vanderbilt Hall in Grand Central Terminal.
“Oscar de la Renta was an immigrant…and aren’t we proud and grateful that he was,” Clinton said. “In the corner of these striking stamps it says USA Forever. Let us remember what is durable and lasting about Oscar’s legacy.mWhat a fitting person to be chosen by the Postal Service…and its choice of this immigrant, who did so much for our country, his country, truly is what it means when we say USA Forever. Who we are, what we stand for, and let there be many, many more immigrants with the love of America that Oscar de la Renta exemplified every single day.”
“When you are a friend of Oscars,” she added, “you are a friend in good times and dark times… and we all did our best to be that for him.”
Postal Service vice president of corporate communications Janice Walker and former mayor of New York City Michael Bloomberg, also told stories and sentiment of de la Renta. “His power to uplift, his power to empower” Walker said, is one of the many reasons the Postal Service chose to pay homage to the designer.
Former Mayor Michael Bloomberg described de la Renta as “one of the most kindest, and most generous people I have ever met.” The former mayor said. “Oscar had a big heart and a great sense of humor and he was always willing to lend a hand to make our city and our country a better place.”
Additional forever stamps released this month include activist Dorothy Height and president John F. Kennedy.
By AHMED JALLOW
An East New York man was sentenced to 18 years in state prison on Tuesday in the 2014 beating death of a 26-year-old man inside the victim’s apartment on St. Marks Avenue in Brownsville.
Delvin Garcia, 31, was sentenced by Justice Neil Firetog at State Supreme Court in Brooklyn after the defendant pleaded guilty on Jan. 30 to first-degree manslaughter in the death of Anthony Freeman, 26. Garcia was also ordered to serve five years’ post-release supervision.
Through his lawyer, Garcia offered his condolences to the victim’s family before Firetog sentenced him. Garcia declined to speak.
“I’m glad its over. I forgave him already. Had I not forgiven him I wouldn’t have moved on,” said the victim’s aunt, Beverly Williams, who was in court with other family members.
Kamel Freeman, 31, the victim’s brother, said he had little to say but that “justice is served.”
Authorities said that Garcia bludgeoned Freeman with a 13-inch television and beat him with one of Freeman’s crutches, causing the victim to die of blunt trauma to the head. The items, both blood-splattered, were found next to the victim after the slaying on Sept. 2, 2014, and were later matched to Garcia through a fingerprint left on the television, according to a statement from Acting District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. In addition, he said, the victim’s girlfriend identified Garcia as a man she’d seen riding a bicycle in the vicinity.
“This defendant, who attacked the victim in his own home and left him to die, deserves to spend many years in prison for taking a young man’s life,” Gonzalez said in the statement.
By JESSICA MARQUEZ
The Nationalmuseum of Sweden and the Morgan Library & Museum on Thursday held a press preview of a dazzling array of 75 Old Master paintings and drawings — including ones by Raphael, Rembrandt, Ghirlandaio, van Dyck and many others — to be exhibited from Feb. 3 to May 14.
Morgan Museum director, Colin B. Bailey and curator John Marciari, gave reporters a mini-tour of the collection of masterpieces first assembled in the 18th Century by Count Carl Gustaf Tessin, a Swedish diplomat and avid art collector.
Bailey called the exhibit “a great opportunity for New York”.
The collection is being displayed in New York as the Nationalmuseum was closed for renovation.
Among the fourteen paintings, all in their original frames, were such standouts as François Boucher’s “The Triumph of Venus” and Jean-Baptiste Oudry’s “The Dachshund Pehr with Dead Game and Rifle” a painting of the collector’s dog. The artwork can be found in the Morgan Stanley Gallery of the Morgan Museum, in the East and West rooms.
Tessin began his collection when stationed in Paris from 1749 to 1742.
The Count came into contact with the top artists during that time and commissioned work from them. He eventually became friends with these artists, especially Boucher, Jean-Siméon Chardin, and Oudry.
Tessin also obtained some of his collection from old master paintings and drawings sale, where he was considered an active buyer.
By the end of his stay, Tessin was heavy in debt due to spending on his art collection. He sold most of his collection to Swedish King Fredik I.
By DEREK NORMAN
The courtroom face-off between ACLU lawyers and the U.S. government continued in Brooklyn federal court Thursday, as the judge ordered an extension of the temporary restraining order against Trump’s executive travel ban until Feb. 21.
The case that has garnered national attention, was expected to stretch out to the coming weeks as both sides present their briefings to Judge Carol B. Amon, in the case of two Iraqi immigrants who entered the U.S. following the internationally contentious travel ban. The two Iraqi men, Hameed Khalid Darweesh and Haider Alshawi, were granted re-entry into the country at JFK airport on authority of their green cards and Judge Ann M. Donnelly’s stay order last Saturday.
“I don’t want to rush the party’s discussions,” said Amon of her decision to extend the order. “There might be aspects where you can reach agreement. But I don’t want to leave this issue in limbo.”
The government lawyer Samuel Go pointed out that nobody was being detained at the airport now. But ACLU lawyers expressed fear that it would not remain that way and incoming immigrants from the marked countries might risk mistreatment.
“We would like the government to provide the names of people who have been removed or detained since Saturday night,” said ACLU advocate Lee Gelernt. “People are still coming in right now and there is no way of knowing if they are being detained.”
The rights lawyers also voiced suspicion that other immigrants were being removed under the executive order and without notice or record; government attorneys countered that nowhere in Justice Donnelly’s ruling mentioned that the federal government must provide updated lists. The plaintiffs’ side noted several cases in California of customs agents falsely telling immigrants once they reach the U.S., that their only option was to voluntarily return to their country or risk legal consequence.
“There needs to be noone deported,” insisted Gelernt. “There needs to be a stay. We don’t see this as a standard TRO, but we see this is a removal. I practice a lot of immigration cases and I know this one is different. But, in immigration cases this is called a ‘state of removal.’ And this may be different, but there needs to be no removals.”
The case was scheduled to resume sometime next week.
By ISRAEL SALAS-RODRIGUEZ
Several immigrant-led coalitions took to City Hall on Thursday to criticize Mayor Bill De Blasio and New York Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill’s broken window policing in minority neighborhoods, contending it would endanger undocumented immigrants in the current political climate.
The large crowd voiced their criticism towards the officials, accusing them of lacking concern towards neighborhoods with high police presence. The activists said that these neighborhoods are home to many undocumented immigrants who are fearful of being stopped by law enforcement.
“This is no sanctuary if you live in fear while walking down the street. Everyone is a victim by this policing,” said Karina Garcia.
On another progressive front, Education and Outreach coordinator Tania Mattos of UnLocal Inc. spoke on their efforts to convince Mayor De Blasio to ensure New York City becomes a complete sanctuary city, even to those immigrants with criminal records.
“He very purposely and very clear said that there are instances where they voluntarily give the immigrants information to ICE, (Immigration and Customs Enforcement),” said Mattos. The activists said that anyone who is arrested and fingerprinted was in danger of being tracked by ICE because of the relationship among law enforcement agencies.
“Right now there are 170 convictions that are on the list that they will willfully give to immigration and he’s talking about expanding that list,”added Matos. ” In Trump era it’s not the time to expand that list.”
The activists focused not only on undocumented persons but also for people who have a green card. “People in Mexico are scared to travel even if their residents,” said Mattos.
Claudia Palacios of ICE Free NYC described what her organization was doing to fight the problem. She said, “We’re building a network of sanctuary bases where if there’s an emergency and ICE comes to your door there’s a response that occurs.”
By BRIAN BONILLA
Chuck the Staten Island Groundhog took a trip to Times Square on Thursday.
After not seeing his shadow, predicting an early spring (unlike Punxsutawney Phil who did see his shadow), Chuck visited Ripley’s Believe it or Not! In Times Square, as they celebrated their 10-year anniversary by opening a new exhibit featuring the original New Year’s Eve centennial countdown ball.
The exhibit which allows visitors to experience News Year’s Eve any day of the year can be seen as an Ode to the movie Groundhog Day. While the movie doesn’t star New York City’s favorite groundhog, Chuck did get the star treatment at Ripley’s event as he was greeted with applause. Chuck was never removed from his glass case, however to the disappointment of some of the people in attendance.
“Ripley’s was excited to have Chuck here. Chuck was supposed to come out of his cage, so I’m sad he didn’t do that, but I guess he had a busy day,” Stacy Shuster, Director of Marketing and Sales for Ripley’s, said.
This could be a precaution taken because of the incident Mayor De Blasio had in 2014 when he dropped Chuck’s granddaughter, Charlotte, during his first groundhog ceremony. Charlotte died a few days later and while some attribute this to De Blasio’s accident the Staten Island Zoo had denied those claims. De Blasio chose not to attend the Zoo’s ceremony this morning for the second year in a row despite not having any schedule conflicts.
De Blasio isn’t the only New York City mayor who has had issues on Groundhog Day. In 2009, Chuck bit former mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Chuck may not be a big fan New York City Mayor’s but an early spring would surely be welcomed by all New Yorker’s alike.
By LOGAN WILBER
The 17th annual Armory Track Invitational is ready and set to go this Friday and Saturday at The New Balance Track & Field Center. Elite indoor runners are gathering from 50 colleges nationwide, 10 Canadian colleges, with additional teams from France, Jamaica, numerous high schools and professional running clubs, organizers announced on Thursday.
Armory foundation President & CEO, Norbert Sander remarked on the talented field year after year, but said he would like to see a greater city-wide presence. Columbia University is the only collegiate program from New York City participating in the event this year. Sander hopes for participation from his alma mater Fordham University, as well as CUNY schools in coming years.
While the ATI may be short on local participants, it is by no means short on big time talent. Olympians Lalonde Gordon (2012 Bronze Medalist – 400m, Trinidad & Tobago), Sage Watson (2016, Canada) and Robby Andrews (2016, USA) will be racing this weekend. Andrews and his teammates from Main Street Elite will be chasing the indoor world record in the Men’s 4x800m race. “We’re going to run our best” Robby casually said. “If a record falls, that’s great.” Drew Hunter, who recently signed with Adidas will be competing in the 3000m. Hunter holds the high school indoor record for the indoor mile (3.57.81).
Jamaica is returning to the ATI and will have their men’s team racing in the four runners in 200 meter international relay, Saturday at 2:50 p.m. Armory Director of Track and Field, Bassett Thompson, says the relay is his favorite indoor event. Anytime sprinters can run on what is widely considered the “fastest indoor track, it’s exciting.” Thompson exclaimed.
A native of Jamaica, Thompson moved to New York when he was 15, loves sprint races, and explained most Jamaican runners “didn’t know events over 800 meters existed.” Last year the Jamaican men took gold in the 4×200 and the coaching staff says their team feels comfortable in New York, which in some way is an “extended state of Jamaica”, with its large Caribbean and Jamaican population.
The Arizona team is still adjusting to the cold weather. “It was 75 degrees, yesterday” Sage Waston said. Despite the cold, and participating in the 2016 Olympic games in Rio, competing in The Armory Track Invitational is important to Watson. “This event brings athletes of all levels together” she explained, “to experience this with my team… being in New York City itself, it’s special.” Sage, who competed in the 400m Hurdles in Rio this past summer will be racing in the Women’s 500m on Saturday.
Race events are scheduled Friday from noon – 9 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Event coverage will be televised on NBC Sports, Saturday, February 4 from 4 to 6 p.m. Tickets to The Armory Track Invitational are still available for both days. General admission can be purchased at the door – adults $20, teens $10 and children under 3 feet, 6 inches tall for free. Reserved seating can be purchased at amorytrack.com and Eventbrite.
Photo by LoganWilber. 2016 Olympian Sage Watson, third from the left, and her Arizona teammates showing Wildcat pride.
By ASHLEY MATOS
The National Women’s Soccer League and A+E Networks announced on Thursday a partnership that includes a three-year deal, in which a league game will be broadcast on Lifetime, a move that raised the eyebrows of some soccer fans.
“In a time that could not be any more significant and important for women, not only in our country, but worldwide,” said Nancy Dubuc, President and CEO of A&E Networks. “So I’m looking forward to our partnership, not only to promote soccer and the NWSL, but to also show girls and women around the world how to think about themselves and their place in this world differently.”
“We’re about to continue the growth of the game, and what better way than to do it than to have a game once a week where the fans can connect and be a part of this,” Christie Rampone, Sky Blue FC defender. “It’s exciting to move forward and have young girls and boys have the opportunity to be able to watch professional sports, especially on the female side. So it gives these girls the opportunity to someday aspire to be in our footsteps”
The decision to broadcast the NWSL Game of the Week on Lifetime was questioned by some women’s soccer fans. Lifetime has not aired live sports, since a decision in the early 2000s to move away from live sports event coverage.
“We’re not in the game of the week business, necessarily, we’re investing in NWSL in addition to broadcasting. The Game of the Week is one part of that,” said Dubuc
Sunil Gulati, U.S. Soccer President, said that part of the goal is to make the players bigger stars. “This is about the league, about long term development of the league and, as Nancy and Jeff both said, it’s more than just broadcasting 20-plus games.”
The money put in by A&E goes to helping the League and the players. “It shows that they believe in us as players,” said Rampone
Lifetime, mostly known for it’s female-targeted programming, wants to create a more rounded experience for it’s viewers. “Sports are great dramatic stories, and if those sports stories are served up in an entertaining and relatable way, and in a passionate way, women crave those authentic stories of aspiration, of competition, of drive and determinations, agony and defeat, to use the phrase,” said Dubuc.
By BRENNEN JOHNSON
Assemblyman Nick Perry shook his head in discontent when asked about Donald Trump’s victory in the presidential race.
Seated in his office in a burgundy chair in front of the American flag, the Jamaica-born legislator expressed deep concern about the nation’s welfare, especially for Caribbean-Americans, who have clustered in his East Flatbush district.
“They think he’s a change agent,” Perry, a Democrat, said of Trump. “Caribbean people around the world realize the change he’s talking about is the change we’ve been fighting to stop.”
Trump’s victory has left a deep disappointment in Brooklyn’s Caribbean immigrant community, the largest in the country, coupled with disbelief and distrust in the American political system.
Although exit polls show that Clinton won nearly 9 out of every 10 black votes, Perry lamented that some black youth backed Trump.
“My granddaughter sends tweets about politics to her peers on Twitter, and I can’t believe how some of these young minority African American youth were inspired to support Trump,” Perry said, referring to Roc Nation recording artist Justine Skye.
The disbelief of Jamaican and Haitians residents here reflected the low morale not only in the Brooklyn immigrant community, but in Caribbean communities across the globe.
Local Caribbean newspapers have carried reports of leaders and former leaders in the West Indies who expressed reservations about Trump’s victory. For example, the Caribbean Life newspaper reported that while former Jamaican Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller congratulated Trump on his victory, she quickly pointed out the concerns people have with him.
“Trump must recognize the influence the United States has on global affairs. In the weeks ahead we look forward to hearing and seeing how the Trump’s administration will take shape,” Miller added. “We have some concerns, since Jamaicans are a big part of the immigrant community in the U.S.” ht
In Trinidad, Vice Chairwoman Camille Robinson-Regis showed her disappointment with Clinton’s defeat.
“What I find truly amazing is that a country as liberal and advanced like the U.S. took 200 years to have a woman on the ballot of one of the major political parties,” Robinson-Regis said, echoing region-wide disappointment with the result. “My brother, who lives in the key swing state of Florida, had been campaigning for Hillary and canvassing for votes for her. I told him if Hillary didn’t win I’ll blame them squarely. My brother and cousins in New York, who are all registered Democrats, were among millions of early voters.”
Jermaine Richards, 32, a dollar van driver from Kingston, Jamaica, spoke in his native patois about how he despised Trump’s immigration policies, quickly pausing the conversation about Trump to pick up passengers along Flatbush Avenue between Avenues R and S. Richards stopped inside of Caribbean soul food hotspot, Island Express, to eat a plate of his favorite meal, oxtails with white rice and cabbage, just as night fell and his second shift of rounds was soon set to commence.
“My wife and daughter are back home” in Jamaica, Richards said, between bites at the table. “Everyday I roll up on the road back and forth from Kings Plaza Mall down to Flatlands just to provide an honest income to send back for them. Trump said he wants to build a wall for keep me little girl and her mother away from me. Man must reconsider cause Jamaicans compose of a bulk of the immigrant community here and we’re not satisfied with them plans.”
Jamaica native Stephanie Burke, 46, an early childhood home daycare provider, said she was outraged at America’s choice for commander-in-chief due to what she sees as a lack of leadership qualities and contradictory behaviors.
“Trump displays a racist attitude toward immigrants, prides himself on being a nationalist but entirely contradicts ideals intended to protect its citizens, that were put forth by the founding fathers of the United States,” Burke said.
Burke said an advisor at the U.S. Citizen Immigration Services office had helped her after she lost her birth certificate and passport in a home invasion. “At that point in my life I wanted to give up but the immigration service advisors helped restore my hope and walked me through the steps of the citizenship application process,” she said. But it was too late to vote. “I tried to get everything together in time for the election so I could vote, although neither candidate interested me,” she said. “But the voter registration deadlines derailed my efforts.”
During the campaign, Caribbean immigrants observed warily as Trump offered such policy solutions as construction of a wall along the Texas-Mexican border and mass deportations.
But there were also grievances in the Caribbean community against the Clintons, and Trump sought to take advantage of that.
Trump visited the Little Haiti neighborhood in Miami and praised Haitians for their contributions to the United States. Haitian-born columnist Joel Dreyfuss wrote in the Washington Post of how Trump maneuvered the resentment Haitians have toward the Clintons to sway the vote.
The situation stems from grievances over President Bill Clinton’s handling of Haitian immigrants, which included jailing some in the Guantanamo Bay prison.
Registered Democrat Karrine Sylvan, 27, a dental assistant from Mill Basin, was aware of her Haitian relatives’ dismay toward the Clintons but decided against Trump due to what she saw as his misogynistic attitude. Sylvan was disappointed that the United States was not ready to become the 45th country to choose a female head of state.
“Trump’s derogatory remarks about sexually assaulting women really upset me. Clinton led a positive campaign that inspired young women around the world but at the end of the day she only lost because he is a man,” Sylvan said.
Photo: Karrine Sylvan shares the dismay within Brooklyn’s Caribbean community over the election of Donald Trump as president.
