civil rights

COVE Block Party Returns in Tribute to Lyn Pyle

By DAVID GREENE
The Community Organized with a Vision of Excellence (COVE) and “Dare to Revitalize Education through Arts” (DREAM), two local Norwood-based nonprofits that merged in 2017, held their first block party in 10 years in Norwood on Saturday, Aug. 10. It was an occasion for both groups to honor DREAM founding member, longtime community activist, and Norwood resident, Lyn Pyle, who, as reported, died on Oct. 13, 2023, aged 83.

Mayor, UFT React to Retirement of Schools Chancellor David Banks amid Federal Probe & City Hall Storm

By SÍLE MOLONEY
New York City Mayor Eric Adams, the United Teachers Federation (UFT), and others have shared their reactions to the announcement on Tuesday, Sept. 24, by New York Public Schools Commissioner David Banks that he will be retiring effective Dec. 31, this year. The news comes on the back of a slew of other resignations by top Adams administration officials as the mayor gears up for a second term in office, and as he battles to retain the confidence of New Yorkers and strives to maintain calm amid the latest political storm.

Robert Tucker Sworn in as 35th Fire Commissioner of New York City

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Robert Tucker was appointed as the new fire commissioner of the FDNY and was sworn in on Aug. 12. He is the 35th person to hold the position. City officials said, previously, Tucker worked for the Queens DA’s office and was CEO of a private security and cyber intelligence company, T&M Protection Resources. They said he also worked at the FDNY, though never as a firefighter, served as secretary of the FDNY Foundation, and was also a past honorary fire commissioner. “I can think of no higher calling than serving as the fire commissioner for the City of New York,” he said.

South Bronx: Angellyh Yambo Foundation Partners for Back-to-School Giveaway

By ARIEL PACHECO & SÍLE MOLONEY
A back-to-school giveaway was held at La Central YMCA on Saturday, Sept. 7, in partnership with the Office of the Bronx Borough President, the Angellyh Yambo Foundation, Metroplus Health, RomoGIS, The Hub Third Avenue Business Improvement District (BID) and the NYPD Community Affairs Bureau. Families were invited to bring along their kids for a day of fun, games, and of course a backpack giveaway to coincide with the start of the school year. 

Op-Ed: Project 2025 – The Bronx Fights Back

By SILVIA BLUMENFELD  
Folks in The Bronx are fighters. We care about all the issues that affect our lives and shape our communities. Healthcare, housing, justice, and education are top priorities, but some of the pundits would have you believe that threats to democracy itself are less important to our citizens. Nothing could be further from the truth.

Elections 2024: Will Immigration Decide the Upcoming Presidential Election? Bronx Voters Weigh In

By SHERICA DALEY
“I will not demonize immigrants!” said U.S. President Joe Biden as part of his March 8th State of the Union speech during which he addressed the global migrant crisis, exacerbated by both the wars in Ukraine and in the Middle East. Biden made immigration one of the central issues of his presidential re-election campaign as had his opponent, former U.S. President Donold Trump.