UPDATE: De Blasio Signs “Rikers Relief Plan,” Hochul Announces Release of 191 Inmates & Transfer of 200 to State Facilities

A number of Bronx and other elected officials were taken on a tour of Rikers Island on Monday, Sept. 13. Their aim was to highlight what they said are illegal and unsafe conditions at the jail. Among the group were State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi (S.D. 34), Congressman Jamaal Bowman (NY-16), Assembly Member Kenny Burgos (A.D. […]

Bronx Elected Officials Share Messages of Goodwill on Jewish Holy Day

Bronx elected officials shared various messages to acknowledge the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur. According to the website, hebcal.com, this year, Yom Kippur began on Wednesday, 15 Sept. and ends at nightfall on Thursday, 16 Sept.    Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year for the Jewish […]

UPDATE: Bronx Legislators, Activists Call Out City Plan to End “Solitary Confinement”

When Melania Brown, 33, heard that New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio had publicly vowed in June 2020 to end solitary confinement, Brown hoped she might finally make good on a promise she, herself, had made to her deceased sister.   Brown’s younger sister, Layleen Polanco, 27, a transgender woman, died a preventable death […]

Congress Designates August 11 “Hip Hop Celebration Day”

Congressman Jamaal Bowman (NY-16) and Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer announced Thursday that the Senate unanimously passed a resolution designating Aug. 11, 2021 as “Hip Hop Celebration Day,” August 2021 as “Hip Hop Recognition Month,” and designating November 2021 as “Hip Hop History Month.” Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) joined Bowman as an original co-sponsor of […]

Congress Approves AOC’s Funding Request for Jacobi Hospital’s Cure Violence Program, Among Others

  Congress has approved nine out of ten funding requests for community projects put forward by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), the congresswoman’s office confirmed on July 30. The various requests for the 2022 fiscal year included additional funding for Jacobi Hospital’s anti gun-violence initiative which Ocasio-Cortez, Rep. Jamaal Bowman, and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck […]

The Legal Aid Society Calls on State Lawmakers to Extend New York’s Eviction Moratorium

The Legal Aid Society called on Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Andrew Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, and other Albany lawmakers, on Monday, to extend New York’s eviction moratorium which is set to expire in just a few weeks on Tuesday, August 31, 2021, and protect New Yorkers against the highly contagious Delta variant. […]

Consecration of African Burial Ground at Van Cortlandt Park on Juneteenth

  In gratitude for the sacrifice of the African Ancestors who built what is now Van Cortlandt Park, the African Burial Ground located within the park, was consecrated during a special, live-streamed Juneteenth ceremony on June 19.   Cultural consultant, Peggy King Jorde, hosted the proceedings. According to newjersey.com, King Jorde has been involved in […]

D11 City Council Primary: Mino Lora Releases Statement following latest RCV Tabulation Results

Mino Lora, executive director and founder of the People’s Theater Project, who finished as first runner-up in the District 11 City Council primary race on June 22, released a statement on Friday, July 9, following the publication of the latest RCV tabulation results of the primary election on Tuesday, July 6, by New York City […]

Pelham Parkway: Muslim Community Holds BBQ, Toy Giveaway & Car Rally for Mark Eid

  ICNA Relief/Muslims for Humanity, the NYPD, Smiles through Cars, the Muslim & Immigrant Coalition for Justice, Bronx Community Council for Unity, Faith & Humanity, the Chaplain for the State of New York, and Empire Blue Cross, Blue Shield joined forces for an Eid celebration on Sunday, May 16, at 2141 Bronx Park East, in […]