Plea for the Fifth

What Started When Hundreds of Islanders Marched To Save The Graniteville Wetlands

Photographs from one of Staten Island’s most visible struggles for climate justice: The march to save the Graniteville wetlands. Photographs by Stephen Obisanya

May

May in Review

PFT5 stands in solidarity with the people of Palestine as they endure the current oppressive occupation of their land at the hands of the state of Israel. Below are our May publications: Free PalestineWritten by Editorial Committee Illustration by XioWe are an organization that supports indigenous sovereignty both domestically and

Free Palestine

Plea for the Fifth stands in solidarity with the people of Palestine as they endure the current oppressive occupation of their land at the hands of the state of Israel. We are an organization that supports indigenous sovereignty both domestically and abroad. Since its creation in 1948, the state of

Education

Utilizing a Strength-based Approach to Teaching Students with Disabilities in Staten Island Schools

A Staten Island special education teacher describes how she utilizes a strength-based approach to teach students with disabilities.

Newsletter

April In Review

In anticipation of the June 22 primary, last month was very politics-focused for PFT5: A District-49 City Council Candidates Forum, the battle to save the Graniteville Wetlands, and more. Below are our April publications A Last Stand for The WetlandsWritten by Jacqueline Caruso PC Paul Moakley for Plea For The

A Last Stand for The Wetlands

Between a march and looming litigation to stop construction of a big box store, activists are urgently calling to save Graniteville wetlands

College of Staten Island

A Year Later: How COVID-19 Has Changed Life at CSI

CSI students, like all CUNY students, have been learning virtually since last March, but the pandemic threatens the campus in unique ways.

Council District 49

City Council D-49 Candidates Forum

Join us on Monday April 19, 2021 as we speak with the candidates vying to represent the North Shore in the city council now represented by the term-limited Councilwoman Debi Rose.

Follow the Money (D-51): Entry 1

The South Shore (City Council District 51) is going to be a one-on-one race to see who will represent the City’s southernmost district.

Muslim Americans

A Coalition of Muslim Staten Islanders Meet with Eric Adams and Other Mayoral Candidates

NYC Mayoral candidates have begun courting a growing demographic of reliably Democrat-leaning Staten Island voters: Muslims. Arabs, in particular, are one of Staten Island’s fastest growing ethnic groups. From 2000-2011, the population increased by 113 percent. The statistic mirrors upward Muslim immigration trends across the nation. US wars and

Newsletter

March In Review

Join Plea For The Fifth as we celebrate women and genderqueer histories, struggles, and futures. Below are our March publications. The Socialist History of International Women's Day and Why it Must Be RememberedWritten by Alia Danilo, Candy Mantilla Uncover the roots of a holiday that was created by and for

Follow the Money (D-49): Entry 2

It’s been about two months since our last entry, and more money, and new candidates have entered the City Council District 49 race.

LGBTQ+

St. Pat's for Everyone: How LGBTQ+ Staten Islanders are Creating More Inclusivity

The Pride Center of Staten Island's St. Pat's for Everyone event is hoping to break up the exclusive legacy of Forest Avenue St. Patrick's Day Parade.

Fascism

Trump is Gone, Fascist Trends are Not (Subscriber Bonus)

In an extra for our paid subscribers, our producer speaks to Sean about fascist flyers on the Island.

Follow the Money [D-49]: Entry 1 (Subscriber Bonus)

In an extra for our paid subscribers, our producer speaks to Chad about the first in our Follow the Money series.

International Women's Day

Commentary: The Socialist History of International Women's Day and Why it Must Be Remembered

What is the value of celebrating the few women who break the glass ceiling if the other 99 percent are hurt by shattered glass in the process? Especially when this day was created by and for working-class women.

How a Staten Island HBCU Fair Is Giving the Borough’s Students More Options

A volunteer committee adapts Staten Island’s eleventh annual HBCU Experience to a virtual platform to serve students despite the pandemic.

Martin Luther King Jr.

MLK Tried to Tell Us (Subscriber Bonus)

In an extra for our paid subscribers, our producer speaks to Danny about MLK's legacy.

COVID Relief

A Collective Demand for Pandemic Relief (Subscriber Bonus)

In an extra for our paid subscribers, our producer speaks to Sean about COVID relief.

New York City Budget

Recent City Budget Cuts Threaten Staten Island's Youngest Workers

Cuts to the Learning to Work and Summer Youth Employment Program could impact future job development for the next generation of students.

Leticia Remauro

Local Power Broker for Borough President traveled to D.C. on Day of Capitol Insurrection

Leticia Remauro, a GOP candidate for Staten Island Borough President with a history of racist remarks, was among a busload of Islanders who traveled to Washington D.C. on January 6. In screenshots from a now-deleted Facebook Live video, Remauro – a 30-year power broker in the borough – broadcast herself from

Audre Lorde

An Unseen Photo Album Preserves Life of Audre Lorde

Victoria Munro, director of The Alice Austen House shares an excerpt from the exhibition focused on the legacy of the author and activist.

Council District 49

Follow the Money (D-49): Entry 1

The North Shore (City Council District 49) leads off our series on campaign financing for Staten Island’s City Council races.

Fighting Fascism

Commentary: Trump is Gone, Fascist Trends are Not

'Trumpism' is only the most recent name for far-right, authoritarian, ultranationalist movements that first came to prominence a century ago, during economic hardships triggered by the Great Depression. Countering fascism, however, remains just as important now that Trump has left office.

Martin Luther King Jr.

Commentary: MLK Tried to Tell Us

While it is true that King championed nonviolent, direct action, and that his methods required great character, solidarity, and composure, Americans have, instead, reduced his legacy to one of compromise. King, however, was not compromising at all.