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  The Road is Long for the ‘Dreamers’

  15 Feb 2018 by journalism / No Comments

  By KURTIS RATTAY

  Eleven Dreamers and 15 supporters embarked on a 250-mile “walk to stay home” from New York City to Washington D.C. on Thursday in response to the Trump Administration’s threat to end Obama-era protections for undocumented children.

  The group met at Battery Park overlooking the cloud-covered Statue of Liberty to say why they are walking. The group demands Congress pass legislation to protect undocumented children and their families. They also denounced the rescinding of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals—commonly known as DACA—which protected so-called Dreamers from deportation.

  Terminating DACA “put 800,000 lives in limbo,” said Hector Martinez, one of the Dreamers who will be walking to the Capitol. “The only crime we are guilty of is the crime of dreaming. And if for that crime my life is at stake I will fight, because I am not a criminal.”

  The 15-day walk will pass through New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland before reaching Washington D.C.. Along the way, the walkers will meet with community organizations, marches and rallies.

  Supporters met the group with signs reading “True patriots condemn racism” and “DACA si! Trump no!.” For a few minutes one man heckled in the distance, pointing while forcing laughter.

  “The Trump Administration has used the immigrant community as a tool to push its hateful agenda,” Martinez said while soon-to-be marchers held a banner and held their fists in the air. “But we as a community have stood with each other saying no, we do not believe what you are saying and we have taken to the streets.”

  The group’s walk comes the day after a bipartisan group of senators agreed on a rewrite of immigration laws that would strengthen the nation’s borders while offering undocumented children a chance of citizenship.

  The multi-state expedition was organized by the Seed Project to highlight the need for a “clean dream act” which would protect the 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States. The Seed Project fights for protection for all undocumented immigrants in the country.

  “Our families are being torn apart,” Martinez said. “A clean dream is what will grant protection to undocumented youth and DACA recipients. But we will not take that at the expense of our parents.”

  But the White House said President Trump would “veto any bill that doesn’t advance his common-sense immigration reforms.”

  “What concerns me most is whether or not this will touch the hearts of those who haven’t decided that undocumented youth need a clean dream act, because that is what we need—permanent protection,” said Miriam Nunez in a press release. Nunez came to the United States with her parents when she was six months old.

  The group—many sporting brand-new running shoes—stepped off in the early afternoon Thursday on the trek. The first stop was Newark.

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  Win a Candy Bar for Your Worst Commute

  15 Feb 2018 by journalism / No Comments

  By THUYA KYAW

  A New York City group, which fights for reliable and affordable public transit, launched their weekly “Worst Commute of the Week” competition on Thursday — hoping to get Gov. Cuomo to increase the budget on the city’s public transportation system.

  The submissions, which are expected to be personal stories on struggles with commuting in 100 words or less, are to be sent to the group’s Facebook page by Friday night every week.

  The winners will be announced the following week, and will receive a chocolate bar with a metro card logo on it via mail.

  Danny Pearlstein, the policy and communications director of The Riders Alliance, said the group will hold the competition until improvements are made towards the public transportation system.

  “We are committed on doing this until we see a sustainable long-term fix in the state budget,” he said. “We hope that is the end of it when the state budget for the fiscal 2019 comes out, but that is remained to be seen.”

  The group alleged during the press conference that New York’s subway system is 65 percent lower than any other system from major cities around the world, and the current service is slower than the one from 1950.

  Signal problems, sick passengers, and mechanical problems are some of the main reasons subways are delayed every day, causing inconvenience to commuters.

  Pearlstein said he had to ride his bike from his home to the press conference, which was by the corner of Canal Street and Sixth Avenue, because the A train was consistently delayed.

  “We need a long-term plan because we have signals from the 1930s that barely get up in the morning, we have cars from the 1960s with serious door problems and other problems that break them down constantly,” he said.

  The group will use media to get the message to Gov. Cuomo, as well as having legislative leaders to directly discuss about this issue in Albany.

  “We had a busload of members in Albany on Monday where we met with dozens of legislators, we had a press conference in the state capital itself,” Pearlstein said.

  “We are using all the avenues available to us to communicate with our government and say we need this problem solved.”

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  Academy Trainer Testifies at Trial of Police Sgt.

  09 Feb 2018 by journalism / No Comments

  By RADHIKA VISWANATHAN & ALAIN GAILLARD

  The police academy trainer who had trained the police sergeant charged with the murder of a schizophrenic woman testified Thursday that the defendant had followed protocol allowing officers to fire a weapon at an emotionally disturbed person in self-defense.

   Lt. Robert Tillwitz, squad commander of recruit training, had trained the defendant, Sgt. Hugh Barry, from the summer of 2008 to January 2009. Tillwitz recalled an incident from one of their classes in which Barry was quizzed about how to respond if an emotionally disturbed person threatened his life.

  The right answer in the training quiz was to shoot.

   But Tillwitz also emphasized that the officer must first properly evaluate the situation. “Time is critical,” Tillwitz said. “Use time to assess the situation, to get to know the background, to speak to any family members.”

  Though the witness was called by the prosecution his testimony appeared to bolster the defense case that the officer was in fear of his life when he pumped two bullets into the victim Deborah Danner, 66, as she clutched a baseball bat in her Bronx bedroom during the confrontation on October 18, 2016.

  The prosecution arguses that Barry should have cooled the situation by withdrawing from the confrontation and waiting for a team of police experts trained in defusing violent threats from disturbed persons.

   Barry has been on trial for murder and manslaughter since Jan. 30 in Bronx  Supreme Court. His killing has sparked a controversial debate over police treatment of emotionally disturbed persons.

   The trouble began when officers received calls about an emotionally disturbed person in the midst of a psychotic episode, holding a pair of scissors. Officers first  convinced her to put the scissors down. She then retreated to her bedroom after Barry arrived and picked up a baseball bat, menacing the officer and prompting him to shoot.

   Members of Danner’s family have filed a lawsuit against the city, arguing a violation of civil rights; they believe that all possible precautions were not taken before Barry decided to fire.

   The case has a racial veneer because Barry is white and Danner was both black and mentally ill. As a result, Black Lives Matter activists have been protesting for Barry to be convicted since October 2016. Mayor Bill de Blasio and Police Commissioner James O’Neill have  denounced Barry, saying his actions did not follow police guidelines.

   

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• 

  Domestic Violence ‘Hides in Plain Sight’

  08 Feb 2018 by journalism / No Comments

  By ARIANA MIGLINO Brooklyn DA Eric Gonzalez on Thursday branded domestic violence as a “silent killer”, adding that fatalities connected to the problem have held steady despite efforts to combat it. According to Gonzalez, there are more than 10,000 cases of domestic violence in Brooklyn every year. His comments came during a press conference held at the Manhattan Family Justice Center by First Lady of New York Chirlane McCray, announcing NYC Hope “the first of its kind” program to help victims gain access to information and resources. “Domestic violence is not a women’s issue, it’s an everyone issue,” said McCray, “Too long, too many members of our society have participated in a pattern on shaming the survivor and protecting the abuser.” NYC Hope is a web-based portal providing a hotline, addresses and phone numbers to the Family Justice Centers, neighborhood services which provides a search engine to narrow your borough, services needed, and the language you speak, and additional information to what domestic violence is defined as. Members of this organization have pinned domestic violence as an issue that has been pushed to the side in New York, which is why McCray as well as the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human services Dr. Herminia Palacio have pushed for this campaign. “This is a problem that often hides in plain sight, but it’s everywhere, and so many people still don’t talk about it.” Palacio said. “When we have a federal administration attacking immigrants, transgender individuals, and people of color, making so many people feel unsafe about stepping forward for help.” Across all five boroughs, at least 1/3 of the city shelter population have experienced domestic violence, according to McCray. These shelters do provide limited services, which is why McCray continues to advocate for a place for victims to go in times of crisis. Photo of Chirlane McCray by Ariana Miglino

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  Queens Gangsta Killer Sentenced to Unlucky Number

  08 Feb 2018 by journalism / No Comments

  By THUYA KYAW

  A reputed gang member charged with a 2015 murder in Jackson Heights was sentenced to 13 and a half years in prison on Thursday.

  Raul Zamora, believed to be a member of the Sureños 13 gang, was first arrested in 2015 for second-degree murder, first-degree gang assault, and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon in the death of 38-year-old Jorge Manzanarez in what police portrayed as a gang-related slaying.

  The Sureños,  Spanish for southerners, represent groups of loosely affiliated gangs mainly found in Southern California but also have a strong presence in the US military, with gang members found in both local and overseas bases.

  Zamora, 36, pleaded guilty of all charges last week, and was also given five years of post-release supervision.

  The incident occurred on May 5, 2015 and according to the criminal complaint, Zamora along with two other men went up to Manzanarez in the corner of 93^rd Street and Roosevelt Avenue and shot him once in the chest.

  Police believe the shooting was gang-related and the two groups had been having verbal fights prior to the incident.

  However, Zamora’s girlfriend Stephanie Cortez claimed in the Queens courthouse that he wasn’t the one who shot Manzanarez, and backs her claim with a video that shows someone, whom she believes is Zamora, hanging out at a bakery with two other men during the time of shooting

  “It’s not fair, I know for a fact he didn’t do it,” Cortez said regarding her boyfriend’s sentence. “We paid the lawyer money for nothing, he didn’t even present the evidence.”

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  City Councilwoman Raps CUNY Leadership Search

  08 Feb 2018 by journalism / No Comments

  By DYLAN CAMPBELL

  The chairwoman of the City Council Committee on Higher Education on Thursday criticized the CUNY search for chancellor and college presidents as shrouded in “a cloak of secrecy”, leading to a lack of diversity in the leadership of the largest public university in the nation.

  “Do you think it’s important the community have some kind of input or involvement in this process? We are in an age now where people are talking about being transparent. That’a a big word now, transparency,” Councilwoman Inez Barron asked witness Mahlet Tsegaye’s, Director of Executive Search for CUNY.

  “I guess maybe that would be a good thing,” said Tsegaye, stressing that it was only her opinion.

  The issue of transparency has created controversy in CUNY after a recent report that City College interim president, Vincent G. Boudreau, a white man, would take on the post permanently, motivating 20 elected officials and community leaders from the Harlem neighborhood surrounding City College to protest, saying their “input, insight and influence” was ignored. The outcry delayed his ultimate appointment and brought into question the way CUNY recruits its leaders.

  Tsegaye defended the confidentiality of the search. She said that though that she did not make the rule, she understands it to be a source of protection for candidates applying from high-level positions at other universities.

  “I think CUNY has the results that it has because it has not, in my opinion, invested enough time and energy,” Barron said. “As my colleague has said, there are black candidates that are out there and for us to have not found them, I think speaks to the fact that CUNY is not being zealous enough to go out and pursue that and be able to do that.”

  The diversity of the student body contrasts strongly with the diversity of the leadership. As of Fall 2016, 25 percent of the CUNY student body were African-American, 30 percent Hispanic, 25 percent Asian or Pacific Islander and 15 percent white. But all seven chancellors since 1960 were white and only one was a woman. Out of the 11 senior college presidents six are white, three are African-American and two are Puerto Rican while four of the seven community college presidents are white.

  “These numbers beg us to ask what is preventing CUNY from hiring chancellors and college presidents that reflect the diversity of its outstanding student body,” said Barron.

  “I do feel that this country, the bedrock documents of this country, on what still governs this country and those bedrock documents do not treat African Americans as full people. We are three-fifths, ain’t never changed it,” said Barron. “So we are looking to have a chancellor that understands the importance of a CUNY education.”

   

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  State Senate Wannabes Want Sex Harass Protections to be Stronger

  08 Feb 2018 by journalism / No Comments

  By KURTIS RATTAY A group of Democratic state Senate hopefuls on Thursday demanded fixes in the way leaders in Albany deal with in-government sexual harassment cases, charging that present policies protected perpetrators while costing taxpayers millions on out-of-court settlements. The group, which gathered on the steps of City Hall, especially focused on the shortcomings of the New York Senate’s attempted overhaul of a 10-year-old sexual harassment policy. “I think I speak for everybody here today in saying I can’t believe its 2018 and we have to have a press conference to talk about sensible sexual harassment policy,” said Jessica Ramos, candidate for the Queens district now represented by Sen. Jose Peralta. Over 1,000 people have complained of sexual harassment in state government since 2012, according to a Politico investigation that cites “court filings, payment records and official figures.” The state paid out about $6.4 million in those harassment settlements, the news site reported. “If you pay taxes in this state, pay attention to what is happening,” said Alessandra Biaggi, candidate for the district now represented by renegade politician Jeffrey Klein, leader of a group of Democratic lawmakers who caucus with the Republicans and who himself has been accused of sexual misconduct. “You are paying for men in suits to do as they see fit, putting their staff in unwanted situations and charging you for the bill.” The candidates demanded it be made easier for victims to come forward, and for the State Senate to believe workers who suffer under the current policy.  “The State Senate leadership, John Flanagan and Jeff Klein—who was recently accused of forcibly kissing ex-staffer—failed to update the Senate’s sexual harassment policy,” Biaggi said. “Instead we got a comment intended to further silence and intimidate victims.”  The updated policy, which came out in early January, warns to those coming forward that “reporting a false complaint is a serious act.” Those making false accusations are subject to disciplinary actions or termination, the policy said.  However, the policy did broaden the definition of harassment and include more class of people protected against discrimination.  “A strong sexual harassment policy is one that includes women in leadership such as Andrea Stewart Cousins,” Ramos said. “Instead we got a rushed policy written by republicans behind closed doors. We shouldn’t be surprised that the policy is tone deaf because it includes an intimidating warning for victims, and because none of the victims or women in leadership helped write it.”  The candidates’ demands come during the #MeToo movement, which has given sexual harassment victims a voice and touched most institutions in the country. Photo of Alessandra Biaggi by Kurtis Rattay

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• 

  A Hint of Spring at Citi Field

  02 Feb 2018 by journalism / No Comments

  By THUYA KYAW

  The New York Mets celebrated their annual spring training sendoff event on Thursday by inviting fans to Citi Field, where they were given a tour of the team’s clubhouse, a chance to win raffle prizes, and witnessed the packing of the equipment truck.

  This is the third time the Mets have organized a spring training sendoff event, which started in 2016 to celebrate the team’s first World Series appearance in 15 years.

  The Mets’ General Manager Sandy Alderson was also there for a Q&A session, and talked aboutthe team’s preparations for the upcoming season.

  “We brought in a number of players, free agents, former players, and some others,” Alderson

  said. “We started preparation for this season at the end of last season.”

  The raffles were drawn after the session with Alderson was over, with prizes including the team

  gear and free tickets to the games.

  One lucky fan, Matt Toy, won an all expenses paid trip to Port St. Lucie, Florida – where he will

  have an opportunity to witness the Mets’ spring training in action.

  “I’m excited, I can’t wait,” Toy said. “My parents were ticket holders for the ’86 season actually

  so ever since then, I was born into it.”

  He also expressed his excitement for the Mets’ upcoming season, despite their failure to make

  the playoffs in 2017.

  “I think bringing Jay Bruce back was big,” he said. “I’d like to see them make maybe one or two

  other moves but as long as everybody stays healthy we can make the playoffs.”

  Bruce, a three-time All-Star, played with the Mets for a year before being traded to Cleveland

  back in August. He resigned with the team back in January for a three-year, $39 million deal.

  Former Mets player Edgardo Alfonzo was also at the event for meet and greet, where he took

  photos with the fans and engaged in brief conversations.

  Alfonzo played for the Mets from 1995 to 2002, and is currently the manager of the minor league

  baseball team, the Brooklyn Cyclones.

   Of his job as Cyclones manager Alfonso said, “It’s good, I’m liking what I’m doing right now. As a former player, I can relate to the players more.”

  Photo of Mets GM Sandy Alderson by Thuya Kyaw

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• 

  Gitmo Protest at Grand Central Station

  01 Feb 2018 by journalism / No Comments

  By RADHIKA VISWANATHAN

  It’s not everyday you see people wearing orange jumpsuits lining the walls of Grand Central Station’s main terminal. It’s even more rare to hear them singing in chorus.

  On Thursday afternoon, protesters from human’s rights organizations such as Amnesty International, Witness Against Torture, World Can’t Wait donned faux prison apparel in opposition to President Trump’s executive order to keep the controversial prison open.

  “A lot of people were brought [to Guantánamo Bay] who were innocent of any wrongdoing or hostility towards the United States,” said Jeremy Varon, a member of Witness Against Torture and one of the organizers of the protest. “The government claims the right to indefinitely detain people without charge or trial, which we think is illegal and unconstitutional.”

  Trump referred to his executive order during his State of the Union speech on Tuesday night, in which he said Defense Secretary James Mattis would “re-examine our military detention policy and to keep open the detention facilities in Guantánamo Bay.”

  Several human’s rights organizations have condemned this decision, and most notably, the Center for Constitutional Rights has issued a lawsuit against the policy. The arguments against keeping the prison open are two-fold: that there is no administrative process by which prisoners can be released or given their due process, and that the decision is based in unconstitutional prejudice and racism.

  “Trump’s policy is rooted in racism and Islamophobia, much like the Muslim Ban,” Varon said. “This is a cheap and cynical way to look like a tough guy while running roughshod over the rule of law.”

  The primary purpose of the protest was to bring awareness of the human’s rights abuses happening at the prison. Currently, 41 men are imprisoned, 26 of whom have not been charged nor had a trial. In addition, five of the prisoners have already been cleared for release by the US government.

  “In the case of Guantánamo, most people don’t even know what’s happening there,” said Stephanie Rugoff part of the organization World Can’t Wait. “Most people in this country really do not like Trump, do not like his policies. I think if we can continue to get huge numbers out, like the women’s march, we could create policy change. That’s my optimism.”

  As the protesters marched around the station, they were mostly ignored and derided, eliciting several “Boos” and “F- you’s!” from commuters who had to maneuver around the crowd. One onlooker approached a protester, called her a vulgar name and said, “I’m proud to be a white man.”

  Another bystander rolled her eyes, saying, “Yeah, just let all the terrorists out.”

  Varon said that Gitmo was not necessary for national security, as many believe. “Credible terror suspects can be effectively held in federal prisons and tried by normal processes,” he said. “The majority of men who have been held there have been guilty of nothing. Feel ashamed that your country tortured innocent people.”

  As the protesters walked through the various terminals, their voices rang in unified song: “We’re gonna build a nation that don’t torture no one. But it’s gonna take courage for that change to come.”

  Photo by Radhika Viswanathan

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  Convicted Gun Runner Gets Slap on Wrist

  01 Feb 2018 by journalism / No Comments

  By DYLAN CAMPBELL

  A South Carolina mother of two was sentenced on Thursday to time served of just one day for making false statements to acquire firearms as a link in a gun trafficking chain that a prosecutor said could be connected to the death of a New York City police officer.

  Alexis Morris, 35, was one of eight persons indicted in Brooklyn Supreme Court as participants in a gun trafficking system bringing weapons from South Carolina to New York, a route nicknamed “the Iron Pipeline” for the number of guns transported along the route. Morris bought her gun in Morris, South Carolina, the same town that, according to the prosecutor, a gun that killed a police officer was traced to.

  “What you did wasn’t severe. It was extremely severe because you enabled Mr. Clark and Mr. Grant to bring guns into New York,” said Judge Pamela K. Chen, referring to Morris’s co-defendants. “Those guns ended up in the hands of gang members.”

  Curtis Clark, 22, was sentenced to 45 months, almost 4 years, for unlawful transport and sold guns to the “Brooklyn Customer,” according to court documents.  Jonathan Grant, 22, was sentenced to 3 years for recruiting six women to buy guns for Clark.

  The sentencing came after Morris plead guilty and accepted a plea deal, reducing her total offense level. She faced the judge, shaking after being flown in from South Carolina. When the judge asked if she was ok, Morris said she was still nervous after her first flight.

  The defendant expressed contrition.

  “I would like to say I apologize for being up caught up in all this,” Morris said when asked if she had comment. “Honestly, it was just being a follower.”

  The judge pressed her to consider the consequences of what she did. When the judge asked how the event has changed her she said, “It just made me want to do better. To be to myself. Not to be a follower.”

  Judge Chen said that despite the seriousness of the crime, the defendant’s clean record before this event, her having children to care for and her “minor or minimal role” in the gun trafficking scheme played a role in her decision.

  “Try to stay out of trouble and take care of your family,” said the judge.

   

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