civil rights

Dinowitz Introduces Bill to Combat Concealment of Identity During Public Protests

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81) has introduced a new bill (A.10057A) to curb identity concealment in lawful assemblies, unlawful assemblies, or riots. According to Dinowitz, the bill addresses a concern that individuals hide their identities during public gatherings, evading accountability for their actions. He said the proposed legislation specifies exemptions for wearing personal protective equipment during declared public health emergencies, and attire worn for religious observance or customs.

South Bronx: Gibson Delivers 2nd State of the Borough Address at Cardinal Hayes High School

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson delivered her 2nd Annual State of the Borough Address at Cardinal Hayes High School in the auditorium named after Bronx legend and Bronx Walk of Fame inductee Regis Philbin, on April 18, 2024. The borough president outlined major accomplishments that include an investment of over $35 million in education and over $8.9 million in capital allocations to public and private health facilities. 

UPDATE Op-Ed: A Plea for a Path to Peace

By VIRGINIA KROMPINGER
I recently traveled to Israel as a member of the Bronx delegation of Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15), sponsored and masterfully organized by the United Jewish Appeal Federation of New York (UJA). The purpose was to send a message of solidarity to Israel. Torres is the strongest supporter of Israel in Congress, certainly on the Democratic side of the aisle.

UPDATE Sparks Fly at Bronx Community Board 7 April General Board Meeting

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Bronx Community Board 7 board members were the target of a stream of vulgar insults during last month’s general board meeting held at Scott Towers on April 23, when Norwood resident, AJ Ramos, berated the board, using profanities, and alleging they had not addressed matters he had raised at previous meetings.

Op-Ed: Urgent Action Needed to Restore Peace & Security to Woodlawn

By WILLIAM MURRAY
The Woodlawn community is facing an urgent issue with repeated and disruptive street parties, particularly on Jerome Avenue and near 233rd Street, escalating into more severe criminal activities. This behavior, once peripheral, now threatens our neighborhood’s safety, with a noticeable increase in crimes such as vehicle theft and disturbances during daytime hours, affecting residents’ daily lives and sense of security.

Some Jewish Constituents Call Out Torres on Gaza Again

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The latest demonstrations seen on the country’s college campuses are a reminder that many New Yorkers continue to vehemently oppose U.S. military support for Israel in the ongoing Israel-Hamas War. As of May 1, according to Al Jazeera’s live tracker, 1,139 people have been killed in Israel since Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas carried out a terrorist attack in southern Israel and took around 240 Israelis hostage, some of whom have since been released.  

UPDATE Fordham University Student Sit-in for Gaza Commences on Bronx Campus, Rally also Held Outside

By SÍLE MOLONEY
As ongoing student demonstrations in support of Gaza and Israel on New York City and other college campuses continue to dominate the nation’s television screens, along with what some see as controversial crackdowns on such protests by the NYPD and other police departments, around 20-30 people were seen rallying in support of Gaza outside the gates of Fordham University’s Bronx campus on Friday evening, May 3, at around 7 p.m. One attendee informed us that a sit-in by Fordham students had commenced earlier that day inside the walls of the college’s campus and was seemingly still ongoing.