# Plea for the Fifth > Grassroots independent journalism on NYCs forgotten borough. Staten Island is forgotten no more. Public Ghost content for AI and LLM tooling. This file includes a bounded export of public pages first, then recent public posts. Append `.md` to any post or page URL to get the content in Markdown (for example, `/example-post.md`). ## Pages ### Tell Us About You URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/tell_us_about_you/ Last updated: 2024-12-15T21:39:13.000Z We really appreciate your eyes on our pieces -- they make our borough memorable, not forgotten. As with most endeavors, this is a community effort, and we need your support to continue to amplify your voices and elevate your stories. We understand that these are incredibly uncertain financial times for many people in our community, so as we begin this journey with you -- our readers -- we want to ask you how exactly you would like to financially support our work. We believe that community synergy is crucial in making this project sustainable for the long haul. If you're interested in seeing our work continue, and making our borough feel even more like home, please fill out the short questionnaire below. Loading… ### About Us URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/about/ Last updated: 2024-12-15T21:38:34.000Z A hundred years ago we had [eight news](https://sites.google.com/historicrichmondtown.org/si-newspapers/s-i-papers?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) sources covering Staten Island, but until our founding there was one. Then and now, other boroughs have had multiple news outlets. In recent decades, Staten Island's diversity and population has only grown, while our local news media has concentrated, and disconnected from grassroots issues. However, we can tell the stories they don't tell. Our narratives won't be changed, and our stories won't be excluded if we get them directly to our audiences. # Why *Plea for the Fifth*? Our coverage is akin to testimony - or a plea - for our communities on Staten Island, the fifth and often forgotten borough. We can ensure our borough is forgotten no more. Support community journalism. [Write with us](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/contribute), organize with us. # Our Principles 1. We strive for journalism that empowers Staten Island. 2. We believe in ethical news coverage that reflects the neglected in our communities namely black, indigenous, people of color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+, immigrants, people with disabilities, youth, and the elderly. 3. We will strive to reflect the audience we cover, to build skills in one another, and to expand our ranks into an investigative community. 4. We are concerned with the conditions that affect low-income members of our community. 5. We believe in workplace democracy, every member has a voice in our work environment. 6. We believe the climate crisis is existential, and halting its impacts is the most urgent concern for our moment – as exemplified in our own community by Hurricane Sandy. 7. We believe that housing scarcity is one of the most pressing and manufactured moral failings of our time. As such, we'll produce reporting to uncover unfair housing practices that impact the most vulnerable in our community. 8. We believe that systemic racism does incalculable harm to our community. As such, we'll provide reporting that dissects the complex and insidious nature of systemic racism on Staten Island. The urgency of this need for resistance has been highlighted following the death of Eric Garner, by police officer Daniel Pantaleo, in 2014. 9. We believe in the good intentions of our team members, but recognize the fallible nature of our own humanity. As such, we'll hold each other accountable while providing space for collective and individual growth. Contact [us](mailto:sean@pleaforthefifth.com) to help us achieve our vision. ### Contribute URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/contribute/ Last updated: 2024-06-07T12:30:45.000Z ## Our Mission Through independent grassroots journalism, Plea For the Fifth strives to empower Staten Islanders whose stories have been previously erased, ignored, or forgotten, namely Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), immigrants, members of the LGBTQ+ community, people with disabilities, youth, and the elderly. We encourage all submissions related to specific struggles or the state of work and life in Staten Island. We particularly encourage pieces that connect individual struggles to big picture questions about systemic power and the state of our Island. ## Submission Guidelines ***Please write with us!*** We are currently accepting pitches for articles from freelance journalists who believe they have a story that highlights an often under-reported Staten Island story. Pitches should be no more than 250 words, and contain the following information: - What is your prospective story about, and what story are you planning to tell? - How would you categorize your story? *(e.g. healthcare, environmental justice, education, transit, etc.)* - Why does this story matter, and why should this piece be written now? - How do you plan on doing the reporting for, or have done the reporting, for this piece? *(e.g. who are you planning to talk to?; what information are you planning to use?; etc.)* - How long do you expect the piece to be? *(Note: Our pieces often range from 850 to 1200 words)* Email pitches with “\[Pitch\]” in the subject line to [us](sendto:editor@pleaforthefifth.com). While we’re excited to look through the brilliant story ideas, we cannot respond personally to every pitch we are sent. You will receive an auto-reply email saying we received your pitch. If you don’t hear from us again within about two weeks, you can assume that we have decided to pass on your pitch. While we hope to one day offer competitive freelance rates, we are currently operating on a volunteer basis. Because of this we will be flexible in working with you to find a manageable deadline. ***New to Journalism?*** If you’re not a freelance journalist or don’t have publishing experience, but are still interested in pitching us a story – or writing with us, generally – please reach out to [us](sendto:editor@pleaforthefifth.com). Please put “\[New Writer\]” in the subject line, and indicate your writing experience (Casual, Recent College Grad, Literary, etc.) in the body of the email, along with your pitch or inquiry. ### Live Updates URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/liveupdates/ Last updated: 2020-12-21T02:00:27.000Z Follow us on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/pleaforthefifth/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/PleafortheFifth), and [Twitter](https://www.twitter.com/PleafortheFifth?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). --- [Tweets by pleaforthefifth](https://twitter.com/pleaforthefifth?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) ### Podcast URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/podcast/ Last updated: 2020-12-21T01:53:03.000Z Listen to us on [Anchor](https://anchor.fm/pleaforthefifth?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/show/19jBO32zwGFeJI8kAtZzt7?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/plea-for-the-fifth/id1542805725?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [Google Podcasts](https://www.google.com/podcasts?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy80MjYyYzQ4Yy9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw==&ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [Breaker](https://www.breaker.audio/plea-for-the-fifth?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [Castbox](https://castbox.fm/ch/3607748?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [PocketCasts](https://pca.st/0j7v20mi?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [RadioPublic](https://radiopublic.com/plea-for-the-fifth-6VaJmb?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), and [more](https://anchor.fm/s/4262c48c/podcast/rss?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). ### Terms & Conditions URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/terms-conditions/ Last updated: 2021-02-06T19:38:10.000Z # Terms and Conditions Last updated: February 06, 2021 Please read these terms and conditions carefully before using Our Service. # Interpretation and Definitions ## Interpretation The words of which the initial letter is capitalized have meanings defined under the following conditions. The following definitions shall have the same meaning regardless of whether they appear in singular or in plural. ## Definitions For the purposes of these Terms and Conditions: - **Affiliate** means an entity that controls, is controlled by or is under common control with a party, where "control" means ownership of 50% or more of the shares, equity interest or other securities entitled to vote for election of directors or other managing authority. - **Account** means a unique account created for You to access our Service or parts of our Service. - **Country** refers to: New York, United States - **Company** (referred to as either "the Company", "We", "Us" or "Our" in this Agreement) refers to Plea for the Fifth LLC, 29 Clawson St, Staten Island, NY 10306. - **Content** refers to content such as text, images, or other information that can be posted, uploaded, linked to or otherwise made available by You, regardless of the form of that content. - **Device** means any device that can access the Service such as a computer, a cellphone or a digital tablet. - **Feedback** means feedback, innovations or suggestions sent by You regarding the attributes, performance or features of our Service. - **Free Trial** refers to a limited period of time that may be free when purchasing a Subscription. - **Promotions** refer to contests, sweepstakes or other promotions offered through the Service. - **Service** refers to the Website. - **Subscriptions** refer to the services or access to the Service offered on a subscription basis by the Company to You. - **Terms and Conditions** (also referred as "Terms") mean these Terms and Conditions that form the entire agreement between You and the Company regarding the use of the Service. - **Third-party Social Media Service** means any services or content (including data, information, products or services) provided by a third-party that may be displayed, included or made available by the Service. - **Website** refers to Plea for the Fifth, accessible from - **You** means the individual accessing or using the Service, or the company, or other legal entity on behalf of which such individual is accessing or using the Service, as applicable. # Acknowledgment These are the Terms and Conditions governing the use of this Service and the agreement that operates between You and the Company. 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You agree that the original English text shall prevail in the case of a dispute. # Changes to These Terms and Conditions We reserve the right, at Our sole discretion, to modify or replace these Terms at any time. If a revision is material We will make reasonable efforts to provide at least 30 days' notice prior to any new terms taking effect. What constitutes a material change will be determined at Our sole discretion. By continuing to access or use Our Service after those revisions become effective, You agree to be bound by the revised terms. If You do not agree to the new terms, in whole or in part, please stop using the website and the Service. # Contact Us If you have any questions about these Terms and Conditions, You can contact us: - By email: Editor@pleaforthefifth.com ### Social URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/social/ Last updated: 2021-02-06T19:54:51.000Z [Follow @pleaforthefifth](https://twitter.com/pleaforthefifth?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/CIQ2ONVhvqJ/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Plea for the Fifth (@pleaforthefifth)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CIQ2ONVhvqJ/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) ### Thank You! URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/thanks/ Last updated: 2021-03-20T11:12:34.000Z Thank you for becoming a paid monthly subscriber. Your support allows us to continue this work, and expand our local coverage. For becoming a paid subscriber at $7/month you have unlocked bonus audio commentary for each article. If you have questions about your subscription, [contact us](mailto:sean@pleaforthefifth.com). [A Collective Demand for Pandemic Relief (Subscriber Bonus)In an extra for our paid subscribers, our producer speaks to Sean about COVID relief.![](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/favicon.png)Plea for the FifthSean Ghazala![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/02/Copy-of-Political-Cartoon--1-.png)](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/a-collective-demand-for-pandemic-relief-2/) [MLK Tried to Tell Us (Subscriber Bonus)In an extra for our paid subscribers, our producer speaks to Danny about MLK’s legacy.![](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/favicon.png)Plea for the FifthDanny O.Z.E![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/03/Copy-of-Political-Cartoon--1-.png)](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/mlk-tried-to-tell-us-subscriber-bonus/) [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.![](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/favicon.png)Plea for the FifthChad Small![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/03/Copy-of-Political-Cartoon--1--1.png)](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/follow-the-money-d-49-entry-1-subscriber-bonus/) [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.![](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/favicon.png)Plea for the FifthSean Ghazala![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/03/Copy-of-Political-Cartoon--1--2.png)](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/trump-is-gone-fascist-trends-are-not-2/) ### Privacy URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/privacy/ Last updated: 2021-03-06T19:46:11.000Z # Privacy Policy Last updated: March 06, 2021 This Privacy Policy describes Our policies and procedures on the collection, use and disclosure of Your information when You use the Service and tells You about Your privacy rights and how the law protects You. We use Your Personal data to provide and improve the Service. By using the Service, You agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. # Interpretation and Definitions ## Interpretation The words of which the initial letter is capitalized have meanings defined under the following conditions. The following definitions shall have the same meaning regardless of whether they appear in singular or in plural. ## Definitions For the purposes of this Privacy Policy: **Account** means a unique account created for You to access our Service or parts of our Service. **Business**, for the purpose of the CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act), refers to the Company as the legal entity that collects Consumers' personal information and determines the purposes and means of the processing of Consumers' personal information, or on behalf of which such information is collected and that alone, or jointly with others, determines the purposes and means of the processing of consumers' personal information, that does business in the State of California. **Company** (referred to as either "the Company", "We", "Us" or "Our" in this Agreement) refers to Plea for the Fifth LLC, 29 Clawson St, Staten Island, NY 10306. For the purpose of the GDPR, the Company is the Data Controller. **Consumer**, for the purpose of the CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act), means a natural person who is a California resident. A resident, as defined in the law, includes (1) every individual who is in the USA for other than a temporary or transitory purpose, and (2) every individual who is domiciled in the USA who is outside the USA for a temporary or transitory purpose. **Cookies** are small files that are placed on Your computer, mobile device or any other device by a website, containing the details of Your browsing history on that website among its many uses. **Country** refers to: New York, United States **Data Controller**, for the purposes of the GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), refers to the Company as the legal person which alone or jointly with others determines the purposes and means of the processing of Personal Data. **Device** means any device that can access the Service such as a computer, a cellphone or a digital tablet. **Do Not Track** (DNT) is a concept that has been promoted by US regulatory authorities, in particular the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC), for the Internet industry to develop and implement a mechanism for allowing internet users to control the tracking of their online activities across websites. **Facebook Fan Page** is a public profile named Plea for the Fifth specifically created by the Company on the Facebook social network, accessible from **Personal Data** is any information that relates to an identified or identifiable individual. For the purposes for GDPR, Personal Data means any information relating to You such as a name, an identification number, location data, online identifier or to one or more factors specific to the physical, physiological, genetic, mental, economic, cultural or social identity. For the purposes of the CCPA, Personal Data means any information that identifies, relates to, describes or is capable of being associated with, or could reasonably be linked, directly or indirectly, with You. **Sale**, for the purpose of the CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act), means selling, renting, releasing, disclosing, disseminating, making available, transferring, or otherwise communicating orally, in writing, or by electronic or other means, a Consumer's personal information to another business or a third party for monetary or other valuable consideration. **Service** refers to the Website. **Service Provider** means any natural or legal person who processes the data on behalf of the Company. It refers to third-party companies or individuals employed by the Company to facilitate the Service, to provide the Service on behalf of the Company, to perform services related to the Service or to assist the Company in analyzing how the Service is used. For the purpose of the GDPR, Service Providers are considered Data Processors. **Third-party Social Media Service** refers to any website or any social network website through which a User can log in or create an account to use the Service. **Usage Data** refers to data collected automatically, either generated by the use of the Service or from the Service infrastructure itself (for example, the duration of a page visit). **Website** refers to Plea for the Fifth, accessible from **You** means the individual accessing or using the Service, or the company, or other legal entity on behalf of which such individual is accessing or using the Service, as applicable. Under GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation), You can be referred to as the Data Subject or as the User as you are the individual using the Service. # Collecting and Using Your Personal Data ## Types of Data Collected ### Personal Data While using Our Service, We may ask You to provide Us with certain personally identifiable information that can be used to contact or identify You. Personally identifiable information may include, but is not limited to: Email address First name and last name Usage Data ### Usage Data Usage Data is collected automatically when using the Service. Usage Data may include information such as Your Device's Internet Protocol address (e.g. IP address), browser type, browser version, the pages of our Service that You visit, the time and date of Your visit, the time spent on those pages, unique device identifiers and other diagnostic data. When You access the Service by or through a mobile device, We may collect certain information automatically, including, but not limited to, the type of mobile device You use, Your mobile device unique ID, the IP address of Your mobile device, Your mobile operating system, the type of mobile Internet browser You use, unique device identifiers and other diagnostic data. We may also collect information that Your browser sends whenever You visit our Service or when You access the Service by or through a mobile device. ### Tracking Technologies and Cookies We use Cookies and similar tracking technologies to track the activity on Our Service and store certain information. Tracking technologies used are beacons, tags, and scripts to collect and track information and to improve and analyze Our Service. The technologies We use may include: - **Cookies or Browser Cookies.** A cookie is a small file placed on Your Device. You can instruct Your browser to refuse all Cookies or to indicate when a Cookie is being sent. However, if You do not accept Cookies, You may not be able to use some parts of our Service. Unless you have adjusted Your browser setting so that it will refuse Cookies, our Service may use Cookies. - **Flash Cookies.** Certain features of our Service may use local stored objects (or Flash Cookies) to collect and store information about Your preferences or Your activity on our Service. Flash Cookies are not managed by the same browser settings as those used for Browser Cookies. For more information on how You can delete Flash Cookies, please read "Where can I change the settings for disabling, or deleting local shared objects?" available at [https://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/disable-local-shared-objects-flash.html#main\_Where\_can\_I\_change\_the\_settings\_for\_disabling\_\_or\_deleting\_local\_shared\_objects\_](https://helpx.adobe.com/flash-player/kb/disable-local-shared-objects-flash.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com#main%5FWhere%5Fcan%5FI%5Fchange%5Fthe%5Fsettings%5Ffor%5Fdisabling%5F%5For%5Fdeleting%5Flocal%5Fshared%5Fobjects%5F) - **Web Beacons.** Certain sections of our Service and our emails may contain small electronic files known as web beacons (also referred to as clear gifs, pixel tags, and single-pixel gifs) that permit the Company, for example, to count users who have visited those pages or opened an email and for other related website statistics (for example, recording the popularity of a certain section and verifying system and server integrity). Cookies can be "Persistent" or "Session" Cookies. Persistent Cookies remain on Your personal computer or mobile device when You go offline, while Session Cookies are deleted as soon as You close Your web browser. You can learn more about cookies here: [All About Cookies by TermsFeed](https://www.termsfeed.com/blog/cookies/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). We use both Session and Persistent Cookies for the purposes set out below: **Necessary / Essential Cookies** Type: Session Cookies Administered by: Us Purpose: These Cookies are essential to provide You with services available through the Website and to enable You to use some of its features. They help to authenticate users and prevent fraudulent use of user accounts. Without these Cookies, the services that You have asked for cannot be provided, and We only use these Cookies to provide You with those services. **Cookies Policy / Notice Acceptance Cookies** Type: Persistent Cookies Administered by: Us Purpose: These Cookies identify if users have accepted the use of cookies on the Website. **Functionality Cookies** Type: Persistent Cookies Administered by: Us Purpose: These Cookies allow us to remember choices You make when You use the Website, such as remembering your login details or language preference. The purpose of these Cookies is to provide You with a more personal experience and to avoid You having to re-enter your preferences every time You use the Website. **Tracking and Performance Cookies** Type: Persistent Cookies Administered by: Third-Parties Purpose: These Cookies are used to track information about traffic to the Website and how users use the Website. The information gathered via these Cookies may directly or indirectly identify you as an individual visitor. This is because the information collected is typically linked to a pseudonymous identifier associated with the device you use to access the Website. We may also use these Cookies to test new pages, features or new functionality of the Website to see how our users react to them. For more information about the cookies we use and your choices regarding cookies, please visit our Cookies Policy or the Cookies section of our Privacy Policy. ## Use of Your Personal Data The Company may use Personal Data for the following purposes: **To provide and maintain our Service**, including to monitor the usage of our Service. **To manage Your Account:** to manage Your registration as a user of the Service. The Personal Data You provide can give You access to different functionalities of the Service that are available to You as a registered user. **For the performance of a contract:** the development, compliance and undertaking of the purchase contract for the products, items or services You have purchased or of any other contract with Us through the Service. **To contact You:** To contact You by email, telephone calls, SMS, or other equivalent forms of electronic communication, such as a mobile application's push notifications regarding updates or informative communications related to the functionalities, products or contracted services, including the security updates, when necessary or reasonable for their implementation. **To provide You** with news, special offers and general information about other goods, services and events which we offer that are similar to those that you have already purchased or enquired about unless You have opted not to receive such information. **To manage Your requests:** To attend and manage Your requests to Us. **For business transfers:** We may use Your information to evaluate or conduct a merger, divestiture, restructuring, reorganization, dissolution, or other sale or transfer of some or all of Our assets, whether as a going concern or as part of bankruptcy, liquidation, or similar proceeding, in which Personal Data held by Us about our Service users is among the assets transferred. **For other purposes**: We may use Your information for other purposes, such as data analysis, identifying usage trends, determining the effectiveness of our promotional campaigns and to evaluate and improve our Service, products, services, marketing and your experience. We may share Your personal information in the following situations: - **With Service Providers:** We may share Your personal information with Service Providers to monitor and analyze the use of our Service, for payment processing, to contact You. - **For business transfers:** We may share or transfer Your personal information in connection with, or during negotiations of, any merger, sale of Company assets, financing, or acquisition of all or a portion of Our business to another company. - **With Affiliates:** We may share Your information with Our affiliates, in which case we will require those affiliates to honor this Privacy Policy. Affiliates include Our parent company and any other subsidiaries, joint venture partners or other companies that We control or that are under common control with Us. - **With business partners:** We may share Your information with Our business partners to offer You certain products, services or promotions. - **With other users:** when You share personal information or otherwise interact in the public areas with other users, such information may be viewed by all users and may be publicly distributed outside. If You interact with other users or register through a Third-Party Social Media Service, Your contacts on the Third-Party Social Media Service may see Your name, profile, pictures and description of Your activity. Similarly, other users will be able to view descriptions of Your activity, communicate with You and view Your profile. - **With Your consent**: We may disclose Your personal information for any other purpose with Your consent. ## Retention of Your Personal Data The Company will retain Your Personal Data only for as long as is necessary for the purposes set out in this Privacy Policy. We will retain and use Your Personal Data to the extent necessary to comply with our legal obligations (for example, if we are required to retain your data to comply with applicable laws), resolve disputes, and enforce our legal agreements and policies. The Company will also retain Usage Data for internal analysis purposes. Usage Data is generally retained for a shorter period of time, except when this data is used to strengthen the security or to improve the functionality of Our Service, or We are legally obligated to retain this data for longer time periods. ## Transfer of Your Personal Data Your information, including Personal Data, is processed at the Company's operating offices and in any other places where the parties involved in the processing are located. It means that this information may be transferred to — and maintained on — computers located outside of Your state, province, country or other governmental jurisdiction where the data protection laws may differ than those from Your jurisdiction. Your consent to this Privacy Policy followed by Your submission of such information represents Your agreement to that transfer. The Company will take all steps reasonably necessary to ensure that Your data is treated securely and in accordance with this Privacy Policy and no transfer of Your Personal Data will take place to an organization or a country unless there are adequate controls in place including the security of Your data and other personal information. ## Disclosure of Your Personal Data ### Business Transactions If the Company is involved in a merger, acquisition or asset sale, Your Personal Data may be transferred. We will provide notice before Your Personal Data is transferred and becomes subject to a different Privacy Policy. ### Law enforcement Under certain circumstances, the Company may be required to disclose Your Personal Data if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g. a court or a government agency). ### Other legal requirements The Company may disclose Your Personal Data in the good faith belief that such action is necessary to: - Comply with a legal obligation - Protect and defend the rights or property of the Company - Prevent or investigate possible wrongdoing in connection with the Service - Protect the personal safety of Users of the Service or the public - Protect against legal liability ## Security of Your Personal Data The security of Your Personal Data is important to Us, but remember that no method of transmission over the Internet, or method of electronic storage is 100% secure. While We strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect Your Personal Data, We cannot guarantee its absolute security. # Detailed Information on the Processing of Your Personal Data The Service Providers We use may have access to Your Personal Data. These third-party vendors collect, store, use, process and transfer information about Your activity on Our Service in accordance with their Privacy Policies. ## Analytics We may use third-party Service providers to monitor and analyze the use of our Service. **Google Analytics** Google Analytics is a web analytics service offered by Google that tracks and reports website traffic. Google uses the data collected to track and monitor the use of our Service. This data is shared with other Google services. Google may use the collected data to contextualize and personalize the ads of its own advertising network. You can opt-out of having made your activity on the Service available to Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics opt-out browser add-on. The add-on prevents the Google Analytics JavaScript (ga.js, analytics.js and dc.js) from sharing information with Google Analytics about visits activity. For more information on the privacy practices of Google, please visit the Google Privacy & Terms web page: [https://policies.google.com/privacy](https://policies.google.com/privacy?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) ## Email Marketing We may use Your Personal Data to contact You with newsletters, marketing or promotional materials and other information that may be of interest to You. You may opt-out of receiving any, or all, of these communications from Us by following the unsubscribe link or instructions provided in any email We send or by contacting Us. We may use Email Marketing Service Providers to manage and send emails to You. **Mailchimp** Mailchimp is an email marketing sending service provided by The Rocket Science Group LLC. For more information on the privacy practices of Mailchimp, please visit their Privacy policy: [https://mailchimp.com/legal/privacy/](https://mailchimp.com/legal/privacy/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) ## Payments We may provide paid products and/or services within the Service. In that case, we may use third-party services for payment processing (e.g. payment processors). We will not store or collect Your payment card details. That information is provided directly to Our third-party payment processors whose use of Your personal information is governed by their Privacy Policy. These payment processors adhere to the standards set by PCI-DSS as managed by the PCI Security Standards Council, which is a joint effort of brands like Visa, Mastercard, American Express and Discover. PCI-DSS requirements help ensure the secure handling of payment information. **Stripe** Their Privacy Policy can be viewed at [https://stripe.com/us/privacy](https://stripe.com/us/privacy?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) # GDPR Privacy ## Legal Basis for Processing Personal Data under GDPR We may process Personal Data under the following conditions: - **Consent:** You have given Your consent for processing Personal Data for one or more specific purposes. - **Performance of a contract:** Provision of Personal Data is necessary for the performance of an agreement with You and/or for any pre-contractual obligations thereof. - **Legal obligations:** Processing Personal Data is necessary for compliance with a legal obligation to which the Company is subject. - **Vital interests:** Processing Personal Data is necessary in order to protect Your vital interests or of another natural person. - **Public interests:** Processing Personal Data is related to a task that is carried out in the public interest or in the exercise of official authority vested in the Company. - **Legitimate interests:** Processing Personal Data is necessary for the purposes of the legitimate interests pursued by the Company. In any case, the Company will gladly help to clarify the specific legal basis that applies to the processing, and in particular whether the provision of Personal Data is a statutory or contractual requirement, or a requirement necessary to enter into a contract. ## Your Rights under the GDPR The Company undertakes to respect the confidentiality of Your Personal Data and to guarantee You can exercise Your rights. You have the right under this Privacy Policy, and by law if You are within the EU, to: - **Request access to Your Personal Data.** The right to access, update or delete the information We have on You. Whenever made possible, you can access, update or request deletion of Your Personal Data directly within Your account settings section. If you are unable to perform these actions yourself, please contact Us to assist You. This also enables You to receive a copy of the Personal Data We hold about You. - **Request correction of the Personal Data that We hold about You.** You have the right to to have any incomplete or inaccurate information We hold about You corrected. - **Object to processing of Your Personal Data.** This right exists where We are relying on a legitimate interest as the legal basis for Our processing and there is something about Your particular situation, which makes You want to object to our processing of Your Personal Data on this ground. You also have the right to object where We are processing Your Personal Data for direct marketing purposes. - **Request erasure of Your Personal Data.** You have the right to ask Us to delete or remove Personal Data when there is no good reason for Us to continue processing it. - **Request the transfer of Your Personal Data.** We will provide to You, or to a third-party You have chosen, Your Personal Data in a structured, commonly used, machine-readable format. Please note that this right only applies to automated information which You initially provided consent for Us to use or where We used the information to perform a contract with You. - **Withdraw Your consent.** You have the right to withdraw Your consent on using your Personal Data. If You withdraw Your consent, We may not be able to provide You with access to certain specific functionalities of the Service. ## Exercising of Your GDPR Data Protection Rights You may exercise Your rights of access, rectification, cancellation and opposition by contacting Us. Please note that we may ask You to verify Your identity before responding to such requests. If You make a request, We will try our best to respond to You as soon as possible. You have the right to complain to a Data Protection Authority about Our collection and use of Your Personal Data. For more information, if You are in the European Economic Area (EEA), please contact Your local data protection authority in the EEA. # Facebook Fan Page ## Data Controller for the Facebook Fan Page The Company is the Data Controller of Your Personal Data collected while using the Service. As operator of the Facebook Fan Page , the Company and the operator of the social network Facebook are Joint Controllers. The Company has entered into agreements with Facebook that define the terms for use of the Facebook Fan Page, among other things. These terms are mostly based on the Facebook Terms of Service: Visit the Facebook Privacy Policy for more information about how Facebook manages Personal data or contact Facebook online, or by mail: Facebook, Inc. ATTN, Privacy Operations, 1601 Willow Road, Menlo Park, CA 94025, United States. ## Facebook Insights We use the Facebook Insights function in connection with the operation of the Facebook Fan Page and on the basis of the GDPR, in order to obtain anonymized statistical data about Our users. For this purpose, Facebook places a Cookie on the device of the user visiting Our Facebook Fan Page. Each Cookie contains a unique identifier code and remains active for a period of two years, except when it is deleted before the end of this period. Facebook receives, records and processes the information stored in the Cookie, especially when the user visits the Facebook services, services that are provided by other members of the Facebook Fan Page and services by other companies that use Facebook services. For more information on the privacy practices of Facebook, please visit Facebook Privacy Policy here: # CCPA Privacy This privacy notice section for California residents supplements the information contained in Our Privacy Policy and it applies solely to all visitors, users, and others who reside in the State of California. ## Categories of Personal Information Collected We collect information that identifies, relates to, describes, references, is capable of being associated with, or could reasonably be linked, directly or indirectly, with a particular Consumer or Device. The following is a list of categories of personal information which we may collect or may have been collected from California residents within the last twelve (12) months. Please note that the categories and examples provided in the list below are those defined in the CCPA. This does not mean that all examples of that category of personal information were in fact collected by Us, but reflects our good faith belief to the best of our knowledge that some of that information from the applicable category may be and may have been collected. For example, certain categories of personal information would only be collected if You provided such personal information directly to Us. **Category A: Identifiers.** Examples: A real name, alias, postal address, unique personal identifier, online identifier, Internet Protocol address, email address, account name, driver's license number, passport number, or other similar identifiers. Collected: Yes. **Category B: Personal information categories listed in the California Customer Records statute (Cal. Civ. Code § 1798.80(e)).** Examples: A name, signature, Social Security number, physical characteristics or description, address, telephone number, passport number, driver's license or state identification card number, insurance policy number, education, employment, employment history, bank account number, credit card number, debit card number, or any other financial information, medical information, or health insurance information. Some personal information included in this category may overlap with other categories. Collected: Yes. **Category C: Protected classification characteristics under California or federal law.** Examples: Age (40 years or older), race, color, ancestry, national origin, citizenship, religion or creed, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, sex (including gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy or childbirth and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, veteran or military status, genetic information (including familial genetic information). Collected: No. **Category D: Commercial information.** Examples: Records and history of products or services purchased or considered. Collected: Yes. **Category E: Biometric information.** Examples: Genetic, physiological, behavioral, and biological characteristics, or activity patterns used to extract a template or other identifier or identifying information, such as, fingerprints, faceprints, and voiceprints, iris or retina scans, keystroke, gait, or other physical patterns, and sleep, health, or exercise data. Collected: No. **Category F: Internet or other similar network activity.** Examples: Interaction with our Service or advertisement. Collected: Yes. **Category G: Geolocation data.** Examples: Approximate physical location. Collected: No. **Category H: Sensory data.** Examples: Audio, electronic, visual, thermal, olfactory, or similar information. Collected: No. **Category I: Professional or employment-related information.** Examples: Current or past job history or performance evaluations. Collected: No. **Category J: Non-public education information (per the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (20 U.S.C. Section 1232g, 34 C.F.R. Part 99)).** Examples: Education records directly related to a student maintained by an educational institution or party acting on its behalf, such as grades, transcripts, class lists, student schedules, student identification codes, student financial information, or student disciplinary records. Collected: No. **Category K: Inferences drawn from other personal information.** Examples: Profile reflecting a person's preferences, characteristics, psychological trends, predispositions, behavior, attitudes, intelligence, abilities, and aptitudes. Collected: No. Under CCPA, personal information does not include: - Publicly available information from government records - Deidentified or aggregated consumer information - Information excluded from the CCPA's scope, such as: - Health or medical information covered by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) and the California Confidentiality of Medical Information Act (CMIA) or clinical trial data - Personal Information covered by certain sector-specific privacy laws, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FRCA), the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA) or California Financial Information Privacy Act (FIPA), and the Driver's Privacy Protection Act of 1994 ## Sources of Personal Information We obtain the categories of personal information listed above from the following categories of sources: - **Directly from You**. For example, from the forms You complete on our Service, preferences You express or provide through our Service, or from Your purchases on our Service. - **Indirectly from You**. For example, from observing Your activity on our Service. - **Automatically from You**. For example, through cookies We or our Service Providers set on Your Device as You navigate through our Service. - **From Service Providers**. For example, third-party vendors to monitor and analyze the use of our Service, third-party vendors for payment processing, or other third-party vendors that We use to provide the Service to You. ## Use of Personal Information for Business Purposes or Commercial Purposes We may use or disclose personal information We collect for "business purposes" or "commercial purposes" (as defined under the CCPA), which may include the following examples: - To operate our Service and provide You with our Service. - To provide You with support and to respond to Your inquiries, including to investigate and address Your concerns and monitor and improve our Service. - To fulfill or meet the reason You provided the information. For example, if You share Your contact information to ask a question about our Service, We will use that personal information to respond to Your inquiry. If You provide Your personal information to purchase a product or service, We will use that information to process Your payment and facilitate delivery. - To respond to law enforcement requests and as required by applicable law, court order, or governmental regulations. - As described to You when collecting Your personal information or as otherwise set forth in the CCPA. - For internal administrative and auditing purposes. - To detect security incidents and protect against malicious, deceptive, fraudulent or illegal activity, including, when necessary, to prosecute those responsible for such activities. Please note that the examples provided above are illustrative and not intended to be exhaustive. For more details on how we use this information, please refer to the "Use of Your Personal Data" section. If We decide to collect additional categories of personal information or use the personal information We collected for materially different, unrelated, or incompatible purposes We will update this Privacy Policy. ## Disclosure of Personal Information for Business Purposes or Commercial Purposes We may use or disclose and may have used or disclosed in the last twelve (12) months the following categories of personal information for business or commercial purposes: - Category A: Identifiers - Category B: Personal information categories listed in the California Customer Records statute (Cal. Civ. Code § 1798.80(e)) - Category D: Commercial information - Category F: Internet or other similar network activity Please note that the categories listed above are those defined in the CCPA. This does not mean that all examples of that category of personal information were in fact disclosed, but reflects our good faith belief to the best of our knowledge that some of that information from the applicable category may be and may have been disclosed. When We disclose personal information for a business purpose or a commercial purpose, We enter a contract that describes the purpose and requires the recipient to both keep that personal information confidential and not use it for any purpose except performing the contract. ## Sale of Personal Information As defined in the CCPA, "sell" and "sale" mean selling, renting, releasing, disclosing, disseminating, making available, transferring, or otherwise communicating orally, in writing, or by electronic or other means, a consumer's personal information by the business to a third party for valuable consideration. This means that We may have received some kind of benefit in return for sharing personal information, but not necessarily a monetary benefit. Please note that the categories listed below are those defined in the CCPA. This does not mean that all examples of that category of personal information were in fact sold, but reflects our good faith belief to the best of our knowledge that some of that information from the applicable category may be and may have been shared for value in return. We may sell and may have sold in the last twelve (12) months the following categories of personal information: - Category A: Identifiers - Category B: Personal information categories listed in the California Customer Records statute (Cal. Civ. Code § 1798.80(e)) - Category D: Commercial information - Category F: Internet or other similar network activity ## Share of Personal Information We may share Your personal information identified in the above categories with the following categories of third parties: - Service Providers - Payment processors - Our affiliates - Our business partners - Third party vendors to whom You or Your agents authorize Us to disclose Your personal information in connection with products or services We provide to You ## Sale of Personal Information of Minors Under 16 Years of Age We do not knowingly collect personal information from minors under the age of 16 through our Service, although certain third party websites that we link to may do so. These third-party websites have their own terms of use and privacy policies and we encourage parents and legal guardians to monitor their children's Internet usage and instruct their children to never provide information on other websites without their permission. We do not sell the personal information of Consumers We actually know are less than 16 years of age, unless We receive affirmative authorization (the "right to opt-in") from either the Consumer who is between 13 and 16 years of age, or the parent or guardian of a Consumer less than 13 years of age. Consumers who opt-in to the sale of personal information may opt-out of future sales at any time. To exercise the right to opt-out, You (or Your authorized representative) may submit a request to Us by contacting Us. If You have reason to believe that a child under the age of 13 (or 16) has provided Us with personal information, please contact Us with sufficient detail to enable Us to delete that information. ## Your Rights under the CCPA The CCPA provides California residents with specific rights regarding their personal information. If You are a resident of California, You have the following rights: - **The right to notice.** You have the right to be notified which categories of Personal Data are being collected and the purposes for which the Personal Data is being used. - **The right to request.** Under CCPA, You have the right to request that We disclose information to You about Our collection, use, sale, disclosure for business purposes and share of personal information. Once We receive and confirm Your request, We will disclose to You: - The categories of personal information We collected about You - The categories of sources for the personal information We collected about You - Our business or commercial purpose for collecting or selling that personal information - The categories of third parties with whom We share that personal information - The specific pieces of personal information We collected about You - If we sold Your personal information or disclosed Your personal information for a business purpose, We will disclose to You: - The categories of personal information categories sold - The categories of personal information categories disclosed - **The right to say no to the sale of Personal Data (opt-out).** You have the right to direct Us to not sell Your personal information. To submit an opt-out request please contact Us. - **The right to delete Personal Data.** You have the right to request the deletion of Your Personal Data, subject to certain exceptions. Once We receive and confirm Your request, We will delete (and direct Our Service Providers to delete) Your personal information from our records, unless an exception applies. We may deny Your deletion request if retaining the information is necessary for Us or Our Service Providers to: - Complete the transaction for which We collected the personal information, provide a good or service that You requested, take actions reasonably anticipated within the context of our ongoing business relationship with You, or otherwise perform our contract with You. - Detect security incidents, protect against malicious, deceptive, fraudulent, or illegal activity, or prosecute those responsible for such activities. - Debug products to identify and repair errors that impair existing intended functionality. - Exercise free speech, ensure the right of another consumer to exercise their free speech rights, or exercise another right provided for by law. - Comply with the California Electronic Communications Privacy Act (Cal. Penal Code § 1546 et. seq.). - Engage in public or peer-reviewed scientific, historical, or statistical research in the public interest that adheres to all other applicable ethics and privacy laws, when the information's deletion may likely render impossible or seriously impair the research's achievement, if You previously provided informed consent. - Enable solely internal uses that are reasonably aligned with consumer expectations based on Your relationship with Us. - Comply with a legal obligation. - Make other internal and lawful uses of that information that are compatible with the context in which You provided it. - **The right not to be discriminated against.** You have the right not to be discriminated against for exercising any of Your consumer's rights, including by: - Denying goods or services to You - Charging different prices or rates for goods or services, including the use of discounts or other benefits or imposing penalties - Providing a different level or quality of goods or services to You - Suggesting that You will receive a different price or rate for goods or services or a different level or quality of goods or services ## Exercising Your CCPA Data Protection Rights In order to exercise any of Your rights under the CCPA, and if You are a California resident, You can contact Us: - By email: editor@pleaforthefifth.com Only You, or a person registered with the California Secretary of State that You authorize to act on Your behalf, may make a verifiable request related to Your personal information. Your request to Us must: - Provide sufficient information that allows Us to reasonably verify You are the person about whom We collected personal information or an authorized representative - Describe Your request with sufficient detail that allows Us to properly understand, evaluate, and respond to it We cannot respond to Your request or provide You with the required information if We cannot: - Verify Your identity or authority to make the request - And confirm that the personal information relates to You We will disclose and deliver the required information free of charge within 45 days of receiving Your verifiable request. The time period to provide the required information may be extended once by an additional 45 days when reasonable necessary and with prior notice. Any disclosures We provide will only cover the 12-month period preceding the verifiable request's receipt. For data portability requests, We will select a format to provide Your personal information that is readily useable and should allow You to transmit the information from one entity to another entity without hindrance. ## Do Not Sell My Personal Information You have the right to opt-out of the sale of Your personal information. Once We receive and confirm a verifiable consumer request from You, we will stop selling Your personal information. To exercise Your right to opt-out, please contact Us. The Service Providers we partner with (for example, our analytics or advertising partners) may use technology on the Service that sells personal information as defined by the CCPA law. If you wish to opt out of the use of Your personal information for interest-based advertising purposes and these potential sales as defined under CCPA law, you may do so by following the instructions below. Please note that any opt out is specific to the browser You use. 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You are advised to review this Privacy Policy periodically for any changes. Changes to this Privacy Policy are effective when they are posted on this page. # Contact Us If you have any questions about this Privacy Policy, You can contact us: - By email: editor@pleaforthefifth.com ### Happy Black History / Future Month! URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/newsletter1/ Last updated: 2021-03-07T15:23:46.000Z # This February, our articles center Black history, present, and futures along with our broader Staten Island news. Check out our articles below. **[Recent City Budget Cuts Threaten Staten Island's Youngest Workers](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/recent-city-budget-cuts-threaten-staten-islands-youngest-workers/)** Written by [Valeriana Dema](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/valeriana/) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/03/e035d94a-2fb9-409d-9f85-350c4a2814e2.jpg) Cuts to the Learning to Work and Summer Youth Employment Program could impact future job development for the next generation of students. --- **[An Unseen Photo Album Preserves Life of Audre Lorde](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/an-unseen-photo-album-preserves-of-life-of-audre-lorde/)** Written by [the Plea For The Fifth Editorial Team](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/editorial/) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/03/0246fde5-c32c-4e00-9054-cfd80e62ab5d.jpg) Victoria Munro, director of The Alice Austen House, shares an excerpt from the exhibition focused on the legacy of author and activist, Audre Lorde. --- **[Local Power Broker for Borough President traveled to D.C. on Day of Capitol Insurrection](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/local-power-broker-for-bp-traveled-to-dc/)** Written by [Jacqueline Caruso](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/jacqueline/) and [Sean Ghazala](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/sean/) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/03/3fb00d4c-a1a9-4b86-a6ff-456800e94950.jpg) 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 --- **[Follow the Money (D-49): Entry 1](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/follow-the-money-d-49-entry-1/)** Written by [Chad Small](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/chad/) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/03/84cc7f04-e6b9-461f-a926-77a31ce85711.jpg) The North Shore (City Council District 49) leads off our series on campaign financing for Staten Island’s City Council races. --- **[Commentary: Trump is Gone, Fascist Trends are Not](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/trump-is-gone-fascist-trends-are-not/)** Written by [Sean Ghazala](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/sean/) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/03/21edc11d-d422-43c2-9269-9216e0cc03cf.jpg) '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. --- - [Commentary: MLK Tried to Tell Us](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/mlk-tried-to-tell-us/) by [Danny O.Z.E.](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/daniel/) - [How This New App Can Teach You About Forgotten Histories](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/how-this-new-app-can-teach-you-about-forgotten-histories/) by [Chad Small](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/chad/) - [Sandy Ground and the Continued Gentrification of Staten Island's Communities of Color](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/sandy-ground-and-gentrification/) by [Chad Small](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/chad/) --- **Say Hello To Kasson, One Of The PFT5 Team Members** ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/03/18b1f80b-5196-47fc-85c8-98c90b9f225e.jpg) Kasson Colon-Mangin, born in Staten Island is an American film producer. He is an alumni of Curtis high school, BMCC and City College of New York. He has served as a media specialist for the National Park Service. He has also worked as a communications director for political campaigns throughout New York City. He is currently on the communications team of Plea for the Fifth. --- # **[Write With Us!](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/contribute/)** We accept pitches for articles from freelance journalists and those that don’t have publishing experience, but are interested in pitching us a story or writing with us. We want to hear from those who believe they have an under-reported Staten Island story. Currently, we are accepting op-eds. You can find out more information about contributing to Plea For The Fifth [here](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/contribute/), or email us at [editor@pleaforthefifth.com](mailto:editor@pleaforthefifth.com). ## Posts ### UPS Will Not Deliver to the Doors of Nearly 1,500 Units URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/ups-will-not-deliver-to-the-doors-of-nearly-1-500-units/ Last updated: 2026-07-07T13:05:51.000Z When residents of the Fox Hill and Park Hill Apartments in Clifton order online, or are sent a gift they hold their breath until they know what delivery company will be delivering their parcel. Amazon comes to their doors, so does DHL, FedEx and the U.S. Postal Service. UPS, however will not, pointing to an incident that happened four decades ago in [1985 where a delivery driver was assaulted](https://citylimits.org/unpackaging-a-lack-of-serviceups-delivers-to-public-housing/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Instead, a UPS truck will park outside of 240 Park Hill Avenue for 45 minutes to two hours a day for residents of the surrounding eleven buildings to line up and pick up their packages. The Fox Hill Apartment complex consists of three, six-story buildings on Vanderbilt and Park Hill Avenues. Originally built in 1965, the complex consists of 362 apartments. The Park Hill Apartments complex consists of eight, six-story buildings also along Park Hill Avenue. The Park Hill Apartment complex contains 1,100 units and were also privately developed in the 1960s. Both complexes experienced steadily increasing crime in the early-1970s through the late-1980s, but crime has steadily decreased in the area since the late 1990s. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2026/07/Map-2.png) The three buildings of the Fox Hill Apartments and eight of Park Hill Apartments share one pick-up location on Park Hill Avenue. Seniors housed at 320 Vanderbilt Avenue walk a third of a mile to pick-up their UPS packages. (Plea for the Fifth, 2026) The UPS truck arrives at 10:30 AM most mornings. Residents line up, no matter the weather, and wait their turn. When they are called they must provide the identification of the person receiving the package, so folks often carry the ID of a relative who is at work, or an elder incapable of walking then waiting in line. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2026/07/PXL_20260703_154036403.MP.jpg) Gordon Flowers, a resident of Fox Hill Apartments, has organized various efforts to change UPS' policy. (Plea for the Fifth, 2026) Gordon Flowers has a catch phrase "what you're not changing, you are choosing." He moved to Park Hill in 2011, but later moved to the Fox Hills Complex after an injury necessitated a walker, and a more accessible apartment. Flowers began ordering more online after his injury, and only became aware of UPS' policy when packages weren't arriving to his door. Unwilling to accept UPS' treatment of him and his neighbors, he resolved to make change. He began with circulating a [petition](https://www.silive.com/news/2023/08/go-down-to-meet-the-truck-ups-delivery-a-grueling-hassle-for-these-nyc-residents.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) to Fox Hill and Park Hill residents to demand door-to-door delivery service, collecting 175 signatures. When Park Hill residents began coordinating a Tenants Association to organize for the maintenance needs in their units, Flowers again began to raise the challenges around UPS deliveries and built more relationships in the community. Those efforts led to a class-action lawsuit Flowers filed in 2024, [seeking](https://www.silive.com/news/2026/05/staten-island-building-tenants-lawsuit-against-ups-gains-national-attention.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) to end the practice that lawyers claim discriminates against the predominantly non-white residents of the apartment complexes. According to [*The New York Times*](https://www.nytimes.com/2026/04/28/nyregion/ups-staten-island-packages-lines.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com): > In October 2024, Mr. Flowers became the main plaintiff in the lawsuit filed in Brooklyn, which claims that UPS’s practice discriminates against residents of the buildings, 99 percent of whom the suit says are not white. The company delivers to other similarly sized apartment buildings in northeastern Staten Island with higher proportions of white residents, according to the filing, violating state and city laws. > > The lawsuit seeks compensation and that UPS provide the same services that it gives to other multifamily buildings on the island. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2026/07/PXL_20260703_153920142-1.jpg) A resident provides their identification to receive a package. (Plea for the Fifth, 2026) "It's annoying," says Salvatore DiPaola who has lived in the complex for 41 years, now at 350 Vanderbilt Avenue, "It's not easy for me, when you go there is a line, you have to stand in the rain, in the cold.. it's crazy." Flowers has reached out to all his elected officials on this issue, but thus far many are unwilling to fight UPS on behalf of their constituents. State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, and District Attorney Michael McMahon led a press conference on [June 16](https://www.silive.com/news/2026/06/da-mcmahon-calls-for-ups-boycott-over-unjust-staten-island-delivery-practices.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) in support of the residents' battle with UPS. Senator Charles Schumer, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Assemblymember Charles Fall, and Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis have not yet returned Flowers' calls or e-mails. Flowers asserts that when he recently approached Councilmember Kamillah Hanks at a community event to shake her hand and request her support, Hanks withdrew her hand and replied "Black people need to be educated on who does what." The Councilperson's office declined to comment on Hanks' position on the residents' fight, or her alleged remarks to Flowers. Flowers is undeterred by the political apathy he's witnessed on this important issue. In recent years, UPS has handled about [25 percent of all packages](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/25/business/economy/ups-teamsters-contract-strike.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) that are shipped daily across the United States. Aware of the stakes if he is victorious, he and his neighbors continue the struggle for justice. Until then, Fox Hill and Park Hill residents of all ages and abilities will be waiting outside in the extreme heat and elements. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2026/07/PXL_20260703_152435346.jpg) FedEx enters the buildings to deliver each unit. (Plea for the Fifth, 2026) ### Free Public Health Vending Machines Open on SI URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/free-public-health-vending-machines-open-on-si/ Last updated: 2026-07-02T16:17:26.000Z On June 29, two public health vending machines were opened on Staten Island providing free health and harm reduction supplies 24/7\. The machines were unveiled by Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, the New York City Health Department and Partnerships for Community Wellness outside Community Health Action of Staten Island in Port Richmond, and The Village by A Chance in Life in West Brighton. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2026/07/Image_20260630_174424_462-1.jpeg) Ribbon Cutting for Public Health Vending Machine (Partnerships for Community Wellness, 2026) Brooklyn and Queens received the first [four vending machines](https://www.nyc.gov/phvm?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) in New York City in 2023\. They have been used over 73,000 times, dispensing naloxone 6,600 times. Naloxone, commonly known as Narcan, is a [safe medicine](https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/naloxone?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) used to restore breathing after an opioid overdose. Naloxone blocks the effects of opioids for 30 to 90 minutes. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2026/06/1hemyz091lq91v75.webp) Naloxone Kits Provided by NYC Health Department (Fox5NY, 2023) The vending machines can be used by anyone freely, by entering a New York City Zip Code before selecting their supplies. “Public health vending machines expand access to lifesaving supplies, reduce stigma, and make it easier for New Yorkers to protect their health and the health of those around them" said Chair of the New York City Council’s Committee on Health Lynn Schulman. Supplies include naloxone, hygiene kits, fentanyl test trips, safer sex supplies, and even socks. The machines are funded through $12 million in opioid settlement dollars New York City allocated in 2023 to expand Staten Island's prevention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery services. The City intends on appropriating over [$480 million](https://www.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/basas/opioid-settlement-funds-report-06032026.pdf?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) to behavioral health services across the five boroughs by fiscal year 2029\. Thus far, the City has allocated a large portion of funding to NYC Health + Hospitals in the other four boroughs, but Staten Island's lack of a public hospital has necessitated more involvement of community-based public health organizations. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2026/07/PXL_20260701_143324704.jpg) Instructions on Using the Public Health Vending Machine. (Plea for the Fifth, 2026) Opioid settlement funding is making a difference. Overdose deaths among Staten Island residents [fell 49% between 2023 and 2024](https://www.nyc.gov/assets/doh/downloads/pdf/epi/databrief150-unintentional-drug-death-2025.pdf?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). "Just two years ago, Staten Island had the second highest overdose death rate citywide, a disparity that reflects the persistent health infrastructure gaps residents face here” said Adrienne Abbate, Executive Director, Partnerships for Community Wellness. “As we continue to tackle the overdose crisis, these new vending machines will help us begin to close those gaps, giving every community member free, 24/7 access to lifesaving Narcan and other essential wellness supplies." ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2026/07/Image_20260630_175144_267.webp) Public Health Vending Machine being filled. (Partnerships for Community Wellness, 2026) Opioid settlement payouts globally are expected to [total about $58.58 billion](https://www.opioidsettlementtracker.com/globalsettlementtracker?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) over nearly two decades, paid by 20+ companies that made or distributed prescription painkillers, including Johnson & Johnson, Walgreens, Walmart, and Purdue Pharma - which manufactured OxyContin. Although it's a large sum, it's dwarfed by the size of the crisis opioids wrought, making each dollar that's spent critical. ### Commentary: Repoliticizing Puerto Rico on the Biggest U.S. Stage URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/commentary-repoliticizing-puerto-rico-on-the-biggest-u-s-stage/ Last updated: 2026-02-10T18:13:06.000Z Moments of mass joy and cultural recognition are directly related to our political life as people of the global south. When Caribbean artists including Bad Bunny affirm their cultural and historical consciousness on a mass scale, they help create shared identity across language, memory, belonging, generations and diasporas. This article highlights the many layers of Puerto Rican socio-political symbolism woven throughout [Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6FuWd4wNd8&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) The performance opens in sugarcane fields with a campesino, a Latin American Indigenous farm laborer, dressed in white clothing and a straw hat, traditional garb of those working under the sun. This image centers Puerto Rico’s working class and agricultural roots. For much of its history, Puerto Rico was a majority agricultural economy with a huge reliance on sugar cane farming. In 1947, Operation Bootstrap, imposed by the U.S. government, fundamentally shifted Puerto Rico’s economy from a majority agricultural one to industrial to attract U.S. corporations. U.S. companies were offered tax exemptions, land, and access to low-wage labor. While this strategy brought factories to Puerto Rico, particularly pharmaceutical and pesticide companies, it devastated local industries, especially agriculture, and increased Puerto Rico’s dependency on U.S. imports. As rural employment disappeared, many Puerto Ricans were pushed into cities like San Juan to work in factories, while others were forced to migrate to the U.S. mainland. This migration also served to vacate land for further U.S. economic use. Pesticide companies conducted field trials across the archipelago, contaminating land and water and contributing to increased cancer rates, fertility issues, pregnancy complications, birth defects, and developmental disorders. From this grounding, the performance transitions into scenes of daily life. Multiracial, intergenerational elders play dominoes, centering respect for elders, particularly working-class elders, and the importance of shared public space. Street vendors and cart workers pass through the frame, including a coconut seller, highlighting Puerto Rico’s relationship to land, food, and informal economies. Women appear getting their nails done, emphasizing the value placed on beauty and Puertorriqueña femininity as part of everyday life rather than luxury. Piraguas, shaved ice with syrup sold on the street, signal working-class joy and familiar street food. Boxing, a major sport in Puerto Rican culture, appears as a marker of discipline, endurance, and pride rooted in working-class neighborhoods. Puerto Rican musical genres including Salsa, Bomba, Plena, and Reggaetón structure the entire performance narrative. Bomba and Plena emerged as Afro-Puerto Rican musical traditions rooted in communal rhythm, storytelling, and resistance across the archipelago. Salsa developed later through Puerto Rican and Caribbean diasporic life in New York, carrying these traditions forward into a global sound shaped by migration, labor, and collective memory. The performance then situates Reggaetón within this longer musical continuum. Reggaetón is a genre shaped through Black Caribbean and Latin American working-class cultures, with deep roots in Panamanian music that emerged under U.S. imperialism and globalization. Black Panamanian communities adapted Jamaican reggae during the era of U.S. military control of the Panama Canal, and through migration, port cities, military routes, and diasporic networks, this sound circulated across the Caribbean and Latin America. Puerto Rico became a key site of transformation when Puerto Rican youth, DJs, and producers encountered Panamanian reggae in Spanish and reworked it locally, blending it with hip-hop, Puerto Rican Spanish, and Afro-Puerto Rican musical traditions. Through this creative exchange, Reggaetón took shape on the archipelago as a distinctly Puerto Rican expression. The performance samples foundational Puerto Rican reggaetoneros including Tego Calderón and Don Omar, grounding the genre in Black Puerto Rican history and honoring its lineage. Bad Bunny brings in Karol G and Cardi B, signaling Latin American and Caribbean solidarity across borders and diasporas. Cardi B’s presence acknowledges her role as a major Caribbean diasporic figure shaped by Dominican and Trinidadian heritage and by Caribbean and Puerto Rican New York. Nueva York appears repeatedly as a central site of Puerto Rican life shaped by colonialism and forced migration. Iconic Nuyorican small businesses that have been fighting to stay open during extreme gentrification fill the performance, including bars, barbershops, food vendors, and social clubs. Tonita’s Bar (and Tonita herself!) in Williamsburg, Brooklyn is featured as a real, working-class cultural institution where music, memory, and community converge. The iconic pink house from Bad Bunny’s album [*Debí Tirar Más Fotos* ](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL4iSbgi3WlCpYTmW8fQxdRkvIEt%5F1DcLe&si=VniXczLtfeW8t18k&ref=pleaforthefifth.com)appears as a modest but vibrant working-class home, complete with a satellite dish. It is colorful, creative, and lived-in, pointing to a celebration of ordinary life. Family scenes recur throughout the 15 minute performance. People gather around the TV. Children fall asleep at loud family parties, a familiar joke across Puerto Rican and broader Latin culture. These moments show intergenerational life as continuous and communal. At one point, Bad Bunny hands his Grammy to a Puerto Rican child, which some interpret as representing Bad Bunny as a child. A pickup truck appears as a practical tool of agricultural and working-class life, bringing us back to the sugarcane fields and reinforcing the connection between labor and land. A full Puerto Rican orchestra enters, led by a conductor wearing a lapel pin of the flor de maga, Puerto Rico’s national flower, reflecting common Puerto Rican reverence for nature and national identity. Lady Gaga later appears also wearing the flor de maga, signaling respect for Puerto Rican culture as she sings a Salsa version of her song. A wedding scene follows, referencing popular Nueva York style Puerto Rican wedding traditions and reinforcing diasporic continuity. One of the most visible examples of this is Valencia Bakery, a Puerto Rican–owned bakery with locations in the Bronx and Brooklyn. Valencia Bakery was first featured in the music video for [NUEVAYoL](https://youtu.be/KU5V5WZVcVE?si=DLdGWlAsnCMFnDjW&ref=pleaforthefifth.com), where a custom “Benito Cake” appeared onscreen. Following the video’s release, the cake went viral, drawing widespread attention to the bakery and significantly increasing demand. That same bakery was later featured again during the Super Bowl performance, extending this moment of visibility from a music video to one of the largest televised stages in the world. By repeatedly uplifting Valencia Bakery, the performance highlights how Puerto Rican small businesses function as cultural anchors across generations and geographies. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2026/02/gettyimages-2260613710-6989fb1405f8a.jpg) Bad Bunny and crew wave flags of The Caribbean, North, Central and South American nations. (Kevin Mazur for Getty Images, 2026) The performance then turns explicitly political with [*El Apagón*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TCX%5FAqzoo4&ref=pleaforthefifth.com), addressing Puerto Rico’s ongoing electricity crisis and situating it within labor struggle and colonial extraction. The imagery of electrical workers climbing sparking electrical poles reflects daily reality under privatization, particularly following Hurricane Maria, when disaster was used as an opportunity to dismantle public infrastructure rather than repair it. When Bad Bunny originally released El Apagón in his 2022 album Un Verano Sin Ti, he did more than drop a music video. He released a 20-plus-minute mini-documentary titled [Aquí Vive Gente](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TCX%5FAqzoo4&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) (“People Live Here”), directed by Puerto Rican journalist [Bianca Graulau](https://biancagraulau.substack.com/) and visually tied to the song. The project blends the song’s rhythms with reporting on recurring blackouts, privatization of energy infrastructure, gentrification, and displacement across the Puerto Rican archipelago, using real footage, community voices, and investigative framing to connect the music to ongoing social and economic struggles on the ground. By choosing to pair the song with this documentary form, Bad Bunny extended the artistry beyond cultural symbolism, insisting that the issues the song names are not abstract. At the center of this struggle is UTIER, Puerto Rico’s long-standing public-sector electrical workers’ union. UTIER has faced sustained attacks from the U.S. government precisely because it cannot be easily co-opted. As privatization expanded, UTIER workers have been pushed out of their jobs, denied benefits, and subjected to defamation campaigns. Contracts were written to weaken the union, including clauses forcing workers to join U.S.-based unions including IBEW instead. Electric bills continue to rise, with many Puerto Ricans spending over half of their income just to maintain basic service. Meanwhile, mainland U.S. electrical workers affiliated with IBEW were brought in and paid more than local workers, despite lacking the same knowledge of the archipelago’s grid and terrain. UTIER members have faced surveillance, intimidation, and harassment, including police threats and federal interference. By visibly including electrical workers during *El Apagón*, the performance places the crisis where it belongs, at the intersection of labor, privatization, and colonial control. Electricity is framed as a public necessity and the workers who maintain it are shown as essential. The performance continues with regional solidarity. Latin American and Caribbean flags fill the stage. Puerto Rico’s light blue flag is raised, which carries a distinct political history. While the red, white, and blue flag is widely recognized today, the light blue variation has long been associated with the independence movement. Under U.S. colonial rule, expressions of Puerto Rican nationalism were actively repressed, and beginning in the late 1940s, U.S.-imposed laws criminalized the display of the light blue version of the Puerto Rican flag and other symbols of self-determination. This light blue flag came to signify resistance to U.S. control and a rejection of imposed assimilation, marking a lineage of anti-colonial struggle rather than aesthetic preference. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2026/02/puerto-rico-flag-beach.png) Light Blue Flag of Puerto Rico, displayed on one of its many pristine beaches. (Mappr.co) Caribbean nations are named and represented, including flags of the least recognized and known countries including Haiti, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Martinique, Saint Lucia, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago emphasizing shared history and unity. Bad Bunny also explicitly names Cuba despite its demonization by the U.S. government due to its socialist and anti-imperialist project. The performance explicitly names Puerto Rico’s relationship to other colonized archipelagos. At one point within the performance, Ricky Martin is featured singing Bad Bunny’s [*Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawaii*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvfDaZ4ZT80&ref=pleaforthefifth.com), honoring Martin’s influence on Puerto Rican music and global recognition. Bad Bunny’s *Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawaii* situates Puerto Rico within a broader history of U.S. colonial control. A guineo, or banana, tree stands behind him as he sings, grounding the moment in land and extraction. The song draws a direct parallel between Puerto Rico and Hawaii, warning against displacement, land theft, and the slow erasure of culture under U.S. rule. The lyrics name what colonization consists of in practice. Communities are pushed out. Elders are forced to leave. Neighborhoods are taken. Beaches and rivers are privatized. The song repeats a clear warning not to let Puerto Rico become as harmed as Hawaii, a former colony and current U.S. state where tourism, corruption, and political control hollowed out Indigenous life and local sovereignty. The chorus insists on holding onto the flag and remembering who you are. This is a refusal to forget land, language, and community in the face of displacement. Through this 15 minute performance, Puerto Rico is being placed within a global pattern of colonial exploitation. Bad Bunny has said that he wrote the song thinking directly about Puerto Rico and was struck by how people across Latin America and beyond recognized their own experiences in the song. That response reflects the song’s clarity. The performance closes with the phrase “we’re still here,” echoing Indigenous survival and signaling resistance to displacement, policing, and ICE. Bad Bunny ends with his song [*Debí Tirar Más Fotos*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9T%5FMGfzq7I&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) and closes by referring to Puerto Rico as “*mi patria”*, naming Puerto Rico explicitly as a country rather than a U.S. territory or “Commonwealth”. This performance was a collage of Puerto Rican life, history, and Latin American and Caribbean solidarity. For decades, the United States has worked to depoliticize Puerto Rican identity, reducing it to culture without history, celebration without power, and representation without self-determination. Puerto Ricanness has been recast as something folkloric and entertaining, stripped of its political context and disconnected from the conditions that shaped it. This is precisely what makes the performance artistically significant. **By rooting joy in historical memory, labor struggle, and cultural lineage, Bad Bunny reasserted Puerto Rican identity as political*,*shaped by colonialism, resistance, and survival, and carried that consciousness onto one of the largest stages in the world. ### Let's Take Back St. George URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/lets-take-back-st-george/ Last updated: 2026-02-02T13:00:02.000Z Think back to your childhood. Where did you spend most of your time outside of school and family? Personally, I remember countless *Kids on Stage* rehearsals at Cromwell Center and Walker Park, our hard work culminating in grand productions at Snug Harbor’s Chapel and annual Borough Hall holiday performances. This free, city-funded program changed my life and saved me from isolated, boring summers. Kids growing up on Staten Island today don’t have these options. The organizations and programming are there, but we always come back to one issue: lack of space. Since the September 2012 [announcement](https://newrepublic.com/article/153348/rise-fall-new-york-wheel?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) of the NY Wheel, our borough is changing. Numerous high rises and luxury housing centers have sprung up overnight. Under our last administration, former Mayor Eric Adams aided Councilwoman Kamillah Hanks’ [North Shore Action Plan](https://edc.nyc/project/staten-island-north-shore-action-plan?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). The plan sought development along two-miles of Staten Island’s waterfront in Stapleton, Tompkinsville, and St. George, all gilded with promises of fruitful economic investments that would finally level the playing field for Staten Island. With each new development, they proved to us that they do not understand who they are building for. On June 16, 2025, New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) and City Council held a public engagement forum at the empty Empire Outlets space. This meeting was advertised on June 4, 2025 via [Councilwoman Hanks’ Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/KamillahMHanks/posts/nyc-edc-will-be-hosting-a-public-workshop-for-the-st-george-waterfront-on-monday/1258841666251393/). With such short notice on a limited platform, civic groups scrambled to notify community members. I remember speaking to the Take Back St. George (TBSG) co-founder, Jenno Snyder, saying, “Are we really going to allow them to waste the space again? I can’t hear another 30 years of, ‘they should have put a grocery store there” (a common complaint of my neighbors). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2026/01/518807837_17978951231854392_5962210171744479129_n-1.jpg) Community Members at Every Thing Goes Book Cafe for TBSG's first forum July, 10, 2025\. ([Staten Island Locals](https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=122215154942170312&set=pcb.122215154966170312), 2025) We held a follow-up forum to the June 16th meeting on July 10 at Every Thing Goes Book Cafe. We were shocked at the response – over 60 people of all ages, backgrounds, and zip codes filled the bookstore, stooping on stairs and stools. In all of my years of organizing, it was the most beautiful display of community that I’ve seen. People finally felt heard and empowered. We discussed gaps in space access and our next steps: keep the conversation going to reach more people and create a survey to identify the top needs of the neighborhood. And with that, [Take Back St. George](https://www.instagram.com/takebackstgeorge/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) was born. Our second forum was held on Thursday, July 24 at [Everything Goes Book Cafe](https://www.etgstores.com/bookcafe?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), a crucial community hub on Staten Island’s north shore for over 20 years. People again voiced concerns about empty promises and uninformed development. We all agreed that we need community space – for art, for music, for children. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DPERkH7jd0f/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by @takebackstgeorge](https://www.instagram.com/p/DPERkH7jd0f/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) TBSG, along with over 100 artists, musicians, nonprofit leaders, and residents, attended NYCEDC’s second and final public engagement meeting which was held on September 25, 2025\. The meeting consisted of more blank maps paired with post-it notes to place important community structures, like a waterfront park. They also had vision boards of other NYCEDC projects, such as [SPARC Kipps Bay](https://edc.nyc/project/sparc-kips-bay?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), where attendees were asked to vote for their choices through circle stickers. By October 2025, TBSG had demonstrated the community’s preference for our process, we had collected over 1,100 survey responses and were having regular conversations with the NYCEDC. Our Progress - Top 5 responses of our survey includes: (1) Music venue/performance space (2) Grocery store (3) Community operated farm & market (4) Local bars and restaurants (5) Teen/Youth Recreation Center for afterschool and weekend programming. - Secured partnerships with Marker Park Radio, MarkerSpace NYC, St. George ThinkTank, and Forgotten Foods. - October 2025: Made a formal request to NYCEDC for community-appointed Advisory Board - November 2025: Made a formal request to NYCEDC to foster community space in the currently 70% vacant Empire Outlets, such as a rooftop garden. What’s Next? 1. Publish survey results 2. Prepare in-depth collaborative proposal for the art/community space 3. Continued collaboration with City Council and NYCEDC to make our proposal a reality St. George and the wider North Shore community’s best chance to achieve our space needs are during the NYC Department of City Planning’s [Uniform Land Use Review Process](https://www.nyc.gov/assets/planning/download/pdf/applicants/applicant-portal/lur.pdf?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) (ULURP), which has a public comment period. We will also have a chance to get public comments during the Environmental Impact Review (EIR), which is a process by which city agencies assess, disclose, and make plans to mitigate environmental impacts of development projects. The city has funded projects of this caliber before. In December 2025, NYCEDC announced plans for [MADE Bush Terminal](https://edc.nyc/press-release/nycedc-public-records-partner-new-music-arts-venue?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), their newest public-private partnership (PPP) with Public Service, the creative studio of Public Records. It sparked many comments and criticisms from Island artists and musicians who have been advocating for a venue and art/music space for years. Many local institutions have proven they have the expertise and community reach to sustain a space like this. The community has done its part; we’ve made our needs known and followed the City’s public input process. If they intend to deliver on promises of proactive development, appealing to residents instead of tourists, and moving away from past mistakes, then they must honor that through amplifying established organizations and finally give them a seat at the table. It’s time for NYCEDC and the City Council to invest in a plan that genuinely reflects the community’s priorities—not just on paper, but in action. ### SI Musician kidnapped in International Waters URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/si-musician-kidnapped-in-international-waters/ Last updated: 2025-10-06T12:12:56.000Z _No content available._ ### New Rules Prohibited Staten Island High School Graduates' Free Expression URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/new-rules-prohibited-staten-island-high-school-graduates-free-expression/ Last updated: 2025-09-30T21:55:03.000Z In June of 2024, Curtis High School senior Sabra Aiyash approached her graduation stage carrying more than just four years of academic achievement, she carried her identity as well. Yet moments before crossing the podium, administrators confiscated her stole, deeming the Arabic script of her name "inappropriate." During this year's graduations, students didn't get the chance to make that walk with their cultural symbols intact. Multiple high schools across Staten Island implemented sweeping bans on custom graduation stoles, flags, and cultural displays, a move seen as a thinly veiled crackdown on pro-Palestinian expression disguised as "neutrality." This policy shift arrives amid a national reckoning over student protests in support of Palestine, from Columbia University's encampments to CUNY's heated debates. While university administrators grapple with balancing free speech and campus safety, Staten Island's public high schools appear to have chosen preemptive suppression. The new rules, which prohibit all non-distributed graduation accessories, ostensibly aim to prevent disruptions. ## The Ban on Stoles: What’s Happening & Why? Across District 31, senior assemblies have delivered a clear message: Only school-issued regalia will be permitted at graduation ceremonies. No stoles celebrating cultural heritage, no flags, no symbols of activism. Administrators frame the policy as a neutral measure to maintain decorum, but students see a glaring contradiction. The NYC Department of Education declined to comment on whether they issued a rule around graduation ceremony regalia. The timing of these restrictions raises red flags. The bans follow a school year marked by student-led protests against Israel’s military campaign in Gaza, with walkouts and demonstrations spreading from college campuses to K-12 schools, including [Susan Wagner High School](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/hundreds-walkout-of-wagner-high-school-prote/). In this climate, symbols like keffiyehs and Palestinian flags have become flashpoints and students note a double standard in enforcement. “I’ve seen some students get away with bringing in other heritage symbols such as the Mexican flag, while others who just have Arabic writing are targeted,” said a McKee High School student echoing the sentiment, noting a double standard: "It’s completely unfair. Kids have worked hard for four years and want to show pride in their heritage." “I do believe this ban disproportionately targets certain students, particularly those of Arabic identity,” said one Curtis High School staff member, “It was common for students to represent their heritage and identity without facing significant pushback. However, following recent events in Palestine, there’s been a noticeable shift.” On Staten Island, a politically conservative enclave with stark divides over Israel-Palestine, the tension is especially felt. Elected officials have historically [aligned ](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/constituents%5Fspeak%5Fout%5Fon%5Fcouncilperson%5Fkamillah%5Fhanks%5Ftravel%5Fto%5Fisrael/)with pro-Israel policies, and the school district’s crackdown mirrors broader national trends conflating Palestinian solidarity with antisemitism. ## Sending a Message of Sterility For many students, these bans represent not only a restriction on attire, but signify the suppression of quiet resistance. Graduation stoles have long served as vehicles for cultural pride and political statements "Cultural stoles at graduation are not only used to show patriotism but also as a method of silent protest," One Curtis student added. "By taking this away, it sends a message of sterility and silence." The policy’s impact extends beyond Palestine-related expression. By broadly prohibiting all non-approved symbols, the district avoids explicitly targeting any one group while effectively silencing dissent. This approach mirrors tactics seen in other conservative-leaning areas, where vague "neutrality" policies are deployed to curb progressive activism. Despite this, inconsistencies in enforcement undermine the district’s claims of impartiality. A New Dorp High School student noted: “Even though \[stoles were\] banned at graduation, at the most recent graduation I attended, someone had a stole showing Mexican pride.” Such selective tolerance suggests the real concern isn’t disruption, it’s the content of the message. ## The Myth of Neutrality When pressed for comment, Staten Island school administrators declined to explain why stoles are now deemed disruptive. The lack of transparency has only supported suspicions that the ban is less about decorum and more about controlling dissent. New York isn’t alone. Across the U.S., schools and legislatures are clamping down on pro-Palestine speech under the guise of "neutrality.” Texas lawmakers recently passed a law requiring public universities to discipline students for "antisemitic speech," which has been used to suppress Palestine solidarity protests. "This isn’t just about Staten Island, it's part of a bigger effort to silence dissent," said another Curtis senior, "They’re scared of us speaking up, whether it’s about Palestine or our own identities." ## The Bigger Picture Some students acknowledge the administration’s stated concerns about avoiding conflict but argue that blanket censorship is a misguided solution. "I see both sides," admitted the New Dorp student. "Of course, we’d love to respect all perspectives, but the world doesn’t work that way. Still, students shouldn’t fear being proud of their culture." Others challenge the premise that cultural representation is inherently disruptive. “I believe that, for many administrators, the decision to ban stoles is less about maintaining neutrality and more about avoiding controversy or public criticism. It seems like an effort to shield the school and its leadership from backlash, rather than genuinely fostering an inclusive environment,” says the Curtis staff member. ## A Milestone Muted Graduation is a rare moment where students can visibly celebrate their identities alongside their achievements. But for the Class of 2025, the stage was stripped of those very symbols that define them. The implications stretch far beyond one issue. If a name in Arabic or a piece of cloth is "too political," what does that mean for free speech within our schools? “I want school officials to recognize in light of the ongoing violence and injustice in Palestine, it’s more important than ever for Palestinian and all students form marginalized and oppressed communities to have the right to represent their identities,” said a DOE staff member. As tensions over free speech and political expression continue to simmer in schools nationwide, one thing is clear: For students who’ve spent the past four years working to be seen, the message from administrators is painfully loud, even if their stoles are now silent. ### Local Musician Aboard International Effort to Break Starvation Siege on Gaza URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/local-musician-aboard-international-effort-to-break-starvation-siege-on-gaza/ Last updated: 2026-02-18T15:45:40.000Z Local musician and activist [Leila Hegazy](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/tag/leila-hegazy/) has joined one of the boats of the [**Global Sumud Flotilla**](https://globalsumudflotilla.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). This fleet is the largest civilian aid convoy since Israel’s war on Gaza escalated in October 2023\. It set sail from Barcelona carrying humanitarian aid and international solidarity to break Israel’s 18-year siege on Gaza, which has pushed the Palestinian enclave into a man-made famine. “It felt like history,” Hegazy told *Plea for the Fifth* in a conversation just hours after departure. “There were thousands of people at the port chanting *Free Palestine* in so many languages. I’ve never experienced anything like it.” Hegazy is not the first Staten Islander to put their body on the line to break this blockade. Just weeks ago, Chris Smalls former Amazon Labor Union president joined the Handala, another flotilla carrying baby formula, food, and medicine. The Israeli military intercepted the vessel in international waters, detaining and physically assaulting Smalls before deporting him. Despite his national prominence, major U.S. outlets ignored the story. Plea for the Fifth covered it in depth; [you can read that report here](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/amazon-union-leader-chris-smalls-detained-beaten-by-israeli-military-but-us-media-ignores-it/). Both Smalls and Hegazy’s participation underscores Staten Island’s place in an international movement of resistance and solidarity. The **Global Sumud Flotilla** is a coordinated fleet of mostly small vessels sailing from ports across the Mediterranean. It unites a coalition of international participants, including those involved in previous land and sea efforts, like the **Freedom Flotilla Coalition, Maghreb Sumud Flotilla, and Global Movement to Gaza.** Importantly, this action is legal under maritime law, in which civilian vessels carrying humanitarian aid or engaging in peaceful protest in international waters are protected. By contrast, Israel’s nearly 20-year blockade of Gaza constitutes collective punishment, a violation of the Geneva Conventions, and therefore illegal under international law. Hegazy shared: “We’re the ones following international law. The siege is illegal. We’re sailing to end it.” Israel enforces a total siege by land, sea, and air. Aid entering Gaza through land crossings is restricted, delayed, or turned into deadly traps by the Israeli military and its U.S.-backed partners. By sea, international activists can confront the blockade directly. The flotilla relies on small-to-mid-sized vessels due to their agility, legal viability, and difficulty to obstruct. Unlike large, slow-moving ships that can be easily detained, the flotilla’s model allows hundreds of smaller boats to carry aid and messages of solidarity. Each is overseen by a regional delegation including legal, nautical, and logistical support. Participants undergo **vetting and safety preparation**. The risks are real. Israel has bombed previous flotillas, killing civilians. But organizers emphasize that “the greater danger lies in allowing Israel and its allies to carry out genocide with impunity.” For Hegazy, joining the flotilla is about more than aid delivery. It is about accountability. “I’m from the United States, and my government is complicit in this genocide. It could stop it with a phone call, and it refuses to,” she said. “If our governments won’t act, the people will.” The flotilla is designed to be both symbolic and practical: to directly challenge the blockade while opening a corridor for aid. Participants include public figures, journalists, and everyday people from across the globe. The organizers deliberately placed public figures on each boat as a safety strategy, ensuring that those with platforms could amplify events in real time and help shield fellow passengers from unaccountable violence or disappearances. Hegazy underscored the stakes: “Past flotillas have been intercepted in international waters. Activists have been kidnapped, jailed, and killed. It’s piracy. It’s a war crime. But every time, people have said: *We’ll be back, bigger next time.* This fleet is the biggest ever.” When asked how Staten Islanders are connected to the siege of Gaza, Hegazy didn’t hesitate. “Staten Islanders are workers. Our tax dollars are funding the genocide. We’re paying for bombs instead of affordable housing, child care, or climate resilience in the U.S. New York City is the capital of Zionist institutions outside D.C. Meanwhile, Staten Islanders face a crushing affordability crisis. The connection is direct.” She also pointed to the role of local representatives. In Smalls’ case, despite his brutalization, there was silence from Staten Island’s own Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis. “We are her constituents. Whether or not she acts, she should feel pressure to protect us,” Hegazy stressed. “Staten Islanders need to make noise,” Hegazy urged, “We are their constituents.” Hegazy’s call to action was clear: break the media blockade along with the naval one. - Amplify: Share flotilla updates widely. “The more visibility the mission has, the less Israel can get away with,” she said. - Demand accountability: [Contact](https://malliotakis.house.gov/contact?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) Congressperson Malliotakis' Office to pressure Nicole to protect a Staten Islander abroad conducting a humanitarian mission. - [Keep focus on Gaza: “We’re not saviors. We’re here in solidarity. The real focus has to stay on Palestinians and what they’re facing daily under siege.”](https://www.uscpraction.org/action-alerts/letaidin?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) To follow developments, Hegazy pointed readers to the flotilla’s [**Linktree**](https://linktr.ee/globalsumudflotilla?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaejTk2bNDxmyBFlGe%5F9uceXGZnyqUUv19TSobrhex2-pjo7E1dueI4zojFRsg%5Faem%5FkBFIVOQaNyCZ6U4QiuAEkw&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) and public [**Telegram channel**](https://t.me/globalsumudflotilla?ref=pleaforthefifth.com)**.** The mission is called *Sumud*, the Arabic word for perseverance. Days into the journey, the flotilla already faced rough seas, with several smaller boats forced to turn back. But organizers insisted the effort continues.[“We won’t be intimidated by weather, we won’t be intimidated by threats,” Hannah Smith told Middle East Eye after the storm. ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOGLb1ijasM/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOEkllvDcMX/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Leila Hegazy (@leilahegazy)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOEkllvDcMX/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) The remaining vessels are pressing forward, while those that turned back resailed a few days later. Staten Island’s struggles against housing insecurity, racialized policing, and climate catastrophe are not separate from global struggles against war and occupation. When Staten Islanders like Leila Hegazy risk their lives to stand with Palestinians, they remind us that solidarity is not abstract. It is about where our tax dollars go and whose lives are valued. In Hegazy’s words: “Worldwide accountability starts with local accountability.” > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOJVbPZiPa-/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Leila Hegazy (@leilahegazy)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DOJVbPZiPa-/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) ### The Largest Massacre of Journalists and Media Workers in Modern History URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/the-largest-massacre-of-journalists-and-media-workers-in-modern-history/ Last updated: 2025-08-21T13:22:32.000Z As freelance journalists it is impossible to ignore the largest massacre of journalists and media workers *ever-in-history* has occurred over the last 684 days-and is ongoing. Israel is systematically eliminating Palestinian journalists because their news coverage will be used in international tribunals to demonstrate the rampant genocidal war crimes they were victim to. The statement that follows was originally posted by the [National Writers Union](https://nwu.org/the-largest-massacre/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). --- [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2025/08/TNGGAZA.jpg)](https://nwu.org/newsguild-nwu-statement/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) (National Writers Union and NewsGuild-CWA, 2025) On August 12, 2025, two days after Israel committed a targeted attack on a journalist tent inside the compound of Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, we [published a joint statement](https://nwu.org/newsguild-nwu-statement/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) with the NewsGuild-CWA condemning the assassination of four Al Jazeera journalists and our colleagues, including Anas al-Sharif, Mohammed Qreiqeh, Ibrahim Zaher, and Mohammed Noufal, as well as freelancers Moamen Aliwa and Mohammed Al-Khaldi. These brazen killings are the latest in the [largest massacre of journalists and media workers](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/11/here-are-the-names-of-the-journalists-israel-killed-in-gaza?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) in modern history, and therefore the most dangerous attack on the ideal of a free press in the modern era. Because of Israel’s genocidal attack on a free press, the mortality rate for journalists in Gaza [is higher](https://www.ifj.org/media-centre/news/detail/article/ifjblog-gazas-journalists-are-far-more-likely-to-die-than-combat-soldiers?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) than U.S. soldiers in World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Gulf War combined. We have watched as the same journalistic institutions that protested the killing of Charlie Hebdo workers and the murders of Daniel Pearl and Jamal Khashoggi now stay silent while unspeakable atrocities are committed against our Palestinian colleagues. We are also disgusted, but unsurprised, by news outlets that entertain increasingly nonsensical propaganda advanced by Israeli officials to justify their crimes. Those officials [published a kill list](https://x.com/idf/status/1849088691450339461?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) claiming Anas Al-Sharif and five others were militants in October 2024\. The [Committee to Protect Journalists](https://cpj.org/2025/08/israel-kills-al-jazeera-journalists-in-targeted-gaza-city-airstrike/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2025/8/11/live-israel-claims-responsibility-for-murder-of-al-jazeeras-al-sharif?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), and the [United Nations](https://www.un.org/unispal/document/gaza-un-expert-denounces-serious-threats-by-israeli-army-against-al-jazeera-correspondent/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) rejected those claims as unfounded. Israel controls movement into Gaza and has barred foreign reporters from entering. **We join international media organizations in speaking out against this ban.** But we do not need international reporters to confirm what we’ve been shown by Palestinian journalists in video, audio, and eyewitness testimony, as well as public statements from Israeli officials: Israel is conducting a brutal genocide against a starved civilian populace for the purpose of ethnic cleansing of the Gaza Strip. **We** [**echo the call**](https://www.ifj.org/fileadmin/user%5Fupload/Draft%5FConvention%5FJournalists%5FE.pdf?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) **of the International Federation of Journalists for a binding convention of United Nations member states** to provide threatened journalists with access to material protection, investigate the targeting of journalists, and bring all perpetrators to justice. Further, **we call on all journalistic institutions and allies of democracy to donate to the IFJ’s Safety Fund** to support our sibling union, the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate. Donations can be made through NWU’s nonprofit, [NWUSO](https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/donate-to-support-and-protect-palestinian-journalists?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Donations protect Palestinian reporters from Israel’s violence and support efforts to ensure a thriving Palestinian media in the future. Israel’s attacks on a free press reverberate across the world and will have a chilling effect on journalism and democracy for years to come. As long as Israel is allowed to target journalists with impunity, it will continue to do so, cutting off Palestinian voices from the world and ushering in a more violent, illiberal, and anti-democratic future. Fostering a world that values the freedom to report will not be easy. We look to the bravery of our Al Jazeera colleagues and all Palestinian journalists as we imagine a way forward. “[The Largest Massacre of Journalists and Media Workers in Modern History](https://nwu.org/the-largest-massacre/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com)” by National Writers Union ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2025/08/INTERACTIVE_Journalists_killed_Gaza_Israel_war_March25_2025-1754903798.webp) (Al Jazeera, 2025) ### Amazon Union Leader Chris Smalls Detained & Beaten by Israeli military, But US Media Ignores It URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/amazon-union-leader-chris-smalls-detained-beaten-by-israeli-military-but-us-media-ignores-it/ Last updated: 2025-07-29T16:22:57.000Z On June 26, [the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) boarded and seized the second Gaza-bound vessel in 2 Months.](https://www.commondreams.org/news/israel-gaza-freedom-flotilla?ref=paydayreport.com) The *Handala*, a ship associated with the [Flotilla Freedom Coalition](https://freedomflotilla.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), carried a shipment of critical humanitarian aid for Palestinians in Gaza, including baby formula, diapers, food, and medicine. All cargo was non-military, civilian, and intended for direct distribution to a population facing deliberate starvation and medical collapse under Israel’s illegal blockade. "At 23:43 EEST Palestine time the Occupation cut the cameras on board Handala and we have lost all communication with our ship" writes Hay Sha Wiya of the Freedom Flotilla Coalition. Among those on the ship was Chris Smalls, who gained fame when he led a successful [union drive](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/amazon-under-pressure-the-movement-to-unionize-a-workforce/) at Amazon in Staten Island in 2021, founding Amazon Labor Union (ALU). President Biden invited Smalls to [meet at the White House](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/biden-amazon-union-christian-smalls-b2072602.html?ref=paydayreport.com) to strategize on union organizing in 2022. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2025/07/FSBPeCeXMAInqnR.jpeg) President Biden meeting with Amazon union leader Chris Smalls in 2022 (White House) On Monday June 28, details emerged that not only was Smalls detained, but he was physically beaten by the IDF. He was the only Black member of the Freedom Flotilla on the Handala. “The Freedom Flotilla Coalition confirms that upon arrival in Israeli custody, U.S. human rights defender, Christian Small, was physically assaulted by seven uniformed individuals,” [wrote the Freedom Flotilla Coalition on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/p/DMrNsBiMTOj/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==). “They choked him and kicked him, leaving visible signs of violence on his neck and back”. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/DMrNsBiMTOj/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Freedom Flotilla Coalition (@gazafreedomflotilla)](https://www.instagram.com/p/DMrNsBiMTOj/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) Still, despite Smalls having been profiled by [every major media outlet in the U.S. when he successfully led the union drive at Amazon](https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/06/12/chris-smallss-amazon-uprising-fight-second-warehouse/?ref=paydayreport.com), not a single major media outlet has covered his violent detention by the IDF three days ago. In 2022, *The New York Times* even ran a [Style section profile on his fashion choices](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/06/style/christian-smalls-style-amazon-union.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) among more than a dozen pieces that they ran on his organizing efforts, but the paper has not said anything about the detention and beating of a high-profile labor activist at the hands of the IDF. Thus far [*Zeteo*](https://zeteo.com/p/breaking-israeli-forces-intercept?ref=paydayreport.com), [*The Grio*](https://thegrio.com/2025/07/28/obama-no-justification-for-starvation-in-gaza/?ref=paydayreport.com), [*Jezebel* ](https://www.jezebel.com/another-boat-carrying-life-saving-aid-for-starving-palestinians-was-intercepted-by-israel?ref=paydayreport.com)and [PayDay Report](https://paydayreport.com/amazon-union-leader-chris-smalls-detained-beaten-by-idf-but-us-media-ignores-it/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) covered it. "As a union, we are demanding the immediate release of Chris Smalls and all captured activists," [said the 29,000-member California Faculty Association in a statement late Monday. ](https://x.com/CFA%5FUnited/status/1949964617465110557?ref=pleaforthefifth.com)"We further call for an immediate end to the engineered famine and deliberate starving of the people in Gaza, labor complicity with genocide, and all US military aid to Israel". Other unions are expected to denounce the beating & detention of Smalls by the IDF. Teamsters union President Sean O'Brien, has stayed silent on the detention of of the Amazon Labor Union founder, which is now an affiliate of the Teamsters. The *Handala* carried 21 civilians representing 12 countries, including parliamentarians, lawyers, journalists, labor organizers, environmentalists, and other human rights defenders. The crew includes: ### Human Rights Defenders Aboard *Handala*, by country: **United States**: Christian Smalls – Amazon Labor Union founder; Huwaida Arraf – Human rights attorney (Palestine/US); Jacob Berger – Jewish-American activist; Bob Suberi – Jewish U.S. war veteran; Braedon Peluso – Sailor and direct action activist; Dr. Frank Romano – International lawyer and actor (France/US). **France**: Emma Fourreau – MEP and activist (France/Sweden); Gabrielle Cathala – Parliamentarian and former humanitarian worker; Justine Kempf – Nurse, Médecins du Monde; Ange Sahuquet – Engineer and human rights activist. **Italy**: Antonio Mazzeo – Teacher, peace researcher, journalist; Antonio “Tony” La Picirella – Climate and social justice organizer. **Spain**: Santiago González Vallejo – Economist and activist; Sergio Toribio – Engineer and environmentalist. **Australia**: Robert Martin – Human rights activist; Tania “Tan” Safi – Journalist and organizer of Lebanese descent. **Norway**: Vigdis Bjorvand – 70-year-old lifelong justice activist. **United Kingdom / France**: Chloé Fiona Ludden – Former UN staff and scientist. **Tunisia**: Hatem Aouini – Trade unionist and internationalist activist. ### Journalists Aboard *Handala* **Morocco**: Mohamed El Bakkali – Senior journalist with Al Jazeera (based in Paris). **Iraq / United States**: Waad Al Musa – Cameraman and field reporter with Al Jazeera. The attack on *Handala* is the third violent act by Israeli forces against Freedom Flotilla missions this year alone. It follows the drone bombing of the civilian aid ship *Conscience* in European waters in May, which injured four people and disabled the vessel, and the illegal seizure of the *Madleen* in June, where Israeli forces abducted twelve civilians, including Greta Thunberg, and a Member of the European Parliament. Shortly before their abduction, the *Handala*‘s crew affirmed that they would be hunger-striking if detained by Israeli forces and not accepting any food from the Israeli Occupation Forces. Israeli officials have ignored the International Court of Justice’s binding orders that require the facilitation of humanitarian access to Gaza. The continued attacks on peaceful civilian missions represent a grave violation of international law. “Israel has no legal authority to detain international civilians aboard the *Handala*,” said retired United States Army colonel Ann Wright a member of the Freedom Flotilla’s steering committee. “This is not a matter of internal Israeli jurisdiction. These are foreign nationals operating under international law in international waters. Their detention is arbitrary, unlawful, and must end.” ### Commentary: 1 in 5 Registered Voters in City are Excluded from Partisan Primaries URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/commentary-1-in-5-registered-voters-in-city-are-excluded-from-partisan-primaries/ Last updated: 2025-04-23T16:07:32.000Z *Mayor Eric Adams* [*announced*](https://www.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/916-24/mayor-adams-new-charter-revision-commission-continue-important-work-tackling?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) *the formation of a Charter Revision Commission (CRC) late last year, shortly after the City Council adopted* [*a revised version of his “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity”*](https://citylimits.org/2025/01/06/the-blocks-strips-and-neighborhoods-carved-out-of-city-of-yes/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) *plan, which updates zoning rules to make it easier to build new homes across the city. The CRC was tasked with reviewing the entire city charter to ensure that the city’s municipal government works efficiently and remains responsive to all New Yorkers. More specifically, Mayor Adams asked the CRC to focus on how the charter can combat the city’s generational housing crisis, including a* [*1.4 percent rental vacancy rate*](https://www.nyc.gov/site/hpd/news/007-24/new-york-city-s-vacancy-rate-reaches-historic-low-1-4-percent-demanding-urgent-action-new?utm%5Fmedium=email&utm%5Fname=&utm%5Fsource=govdelivery#/0)*.* --- I attended the Charter Revision Commission hearing on government reform that was held on Staten Island on [Wednesday evening, April 9, 2025](https://youtu.be/PYwFCOCWuPk?si=NQEh%5F-lg4W5pHlU5&ref=pleaforthefifth.com). There was testimony provided by invited experts and members of the general public. While a number of worthy (and wonky) topics were covered, it was encouraging that the overwhelming majority of the impassioned statements made by both in-person and virtual attendees addressed one critical issue that deserves the appropriate response and action by the CRC - and that is the closed partisan primary election system that we are unfortunately still saddled with here in New York City. To quote part of the description of this hearing, “After a review of the entire Charter, the CRC may recommend changes intended to help City government work more efficiently and better serve all New Yorkers.” That’s the part that brought me to the hearing: better serve *all* New Yorkers. I’m one of the 1.1 million registered voters in our city who, because of my choice to not affiliate with a political party, is completely shut out of our primary elections. This effectively omits the preferences of voters like me throughout the city who are otherwise ready and willing to participate meaningfully in our ongoing process of self-governance, but who aren't interested in joining a political party. Twenty-five percent of all registered voters on Staten Island are independents - the highest percentage of independents within the five boroughs. It is currently primary season, and recently I was out for a walk on the waterfront down by the ferry. I could see someone handing out flyers and talking to people. A few moments later, they approached and questioned me directly as many of us have experienced. “Are you a registered Democrat?,” they asked. In an instant, they vanished as soon as I told them I was an independent voter. There was no attempt or interest in introducing their candidate to me - what they stand for, why they are running, how their leadership might benefit me, or our city. Perhaps this is poor electioneering. But it’s deeper than that. This behavior is in fact a sad and logical result of a contorted system. In this instance - because I’m not a registered Democrat - I, like so many others in this city, am relegated to a second-class status, or one could even say a non-status. Not only can voters like me not vote in our publicly-funded primary elections, but so profound and insidious is the dynamic that has been created over decades that has normalized excluding independent voters from the process that even speaking with an unaffiliated voter on the street is seen as futile. The system we have says to independent voters: You don’t matter. You don’t exist. Talking with you is worthless and pointless. It was incredible and affirming to hear our own former NY State Senator, Diane Savino - who is serving as a member of the CRC and previously served as Executive Director in 2024 - respond to the wave of testimony on the topic, when she admitted the current system “effectively disenfranchises unaffiliated voters because as we all know for the most part the Democratic primary is the equivalent of the general election in this city. Decisions are made in June, and everybody else is stuck with whoever the Democratic candidates are that are chosen in that party’s primary.” Savino added, “we have seen the deterioration of the body politic, and largely because of the bitter partisanship that exists between the two major parties that essentially control our election process.” New York is often referred to as the greatest city in the country, or world. We must finally join the other great cities and states in our country that have open primaries, where people can vote without the condition of identifying themselves with a political party. Let us *all* show up - as New Yorkers - and vote in the primaries. Written by: *Danny Battista, St. George resident* ### Working Families Party Endorses North Shore Candidate for City Council URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/working-families-party-endorses-north-shore-candidate-for-city-council/ Last updated: 2025-04-15T14:05:39.000Z *How would you engage local communities, and in that process balance district-level needs with citywide needs?* **Sarah Blas:** As a Staten Islander and dedicated community advocate, I understand that meaningful engagement starts by showing up, listening, and creating feedback loops that honor community voices. I would hold regular listening sessions, partner with grassroots organizations, and use participatory tools—like community mapping and budget assemblies—to ensure residents feel ownership over the decisions impacting their neighborhoods. Balancing district and citywide needs requires transparency: I will advocate fiercely for Staten Island's unique concerns, while collaborating with fellow Council Members to craft policies that build a stronger, more resilient New York City for all five boroughs. *How would you balance the need for more housing (and more affordable housing) with the city’s growing climate risk?* **Sarah Blas:** We can’t talk about housing without talking about sustainability. I support investments in affordable, climate-resilient housing—especially in flood-prone and historically disinvested communities. This means upgrading infrastructure before new development, prioritizing green building standards, and co-designing with impacted communities to avoid displacement. In Staten Island, I’ll fight to ensure new housing doesn't come at the cost of safety or equity, particularly in neighborhoods vulnerable to sea-level rise. I have been awarded the 2024 City and Staten Trailblazer in Clean Energy. I am a co-founder of the Staten Island Environmental Justice Coalition. I have had a huge impact with very little resources, in a City Council seat this work will only be amplified. *Do you feel recent budgets have adequately addressed climate and nature (ex. open space, parks, green infrastructure)? If not, what specifically would you change?* **Sarah Blas:** No, recent budgets have not adequately invested in climate or nature. Staten Island, despite being the borough most affected by Superstorm Sandy, still sees inequitable investment in coastal infrastructure and green spaces. I would push for more funding toward shoreline protection, green jobs, park maintenance, and expanding urban farming and community gardens. Green infrastructure isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity for public health, youth engagement, and long-term resilience. *What are your two to three top priorities to enhance resilience in NYC, and how would you achieve them?* **Sarah Blas:** 1. **Coastal Protection** – Expand nature-based solutions (like living shorelines) and fast-track stalled resiliency projects, especially around Staten Island’s North Shore. We are a waterfront community and we should invest like we are. 2. **Green Workforce Development** – Invest in job training for solar installation, green construction, and park maintenance—especially for youth and low-income communities. 3. **Climate Justice Infrastructure** – Increase access to cooling centers, energy-efficient public housing, and emergency preparedness education, prioritizing neighborhoods with seniors and frontline workers. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2025/04/Screenshot_20250414_173054_Canva-2.jpg) NY Working Families Party has endorsed Sarah Blas for City Council District 49 (Sarah Blas for Staten Island, 2025) *How does climate change affect the district you are running in? What concerns have you heard from community members, and who is most impacted?* **Sarah Blas:** In District 49, climate change is personal. We live with flood warnings, storm surges, mold in NYCHA buildings, and heat waves that disproportionately affect our seniors and low-income families. Community members are concerned about the lack of progress on resiliency infrastructure, illegal dumping, air quality, and the absence of reliable public transit—especially during storms. Black, brown, and immigrant communities bear the brunt of these impacts due to years of underinvestment. *What are two to three specific steps you'll take to address resilience issues in your district and citywide?* **Sarah Blas:** 1. **Strengthen the Staten Island Climate Resilience Task Force** to bridge city agencies, residents, and scientists around localized solutions. 2. **Secure funding for green infrastructure**—like permeable sidewalks, bioswales, and expanded green space—to mitigate flooding and heat. 3. **Expand energy assistance and retrofitting programs** for working families living paycheck-to-paycheck to reduce emissions and lower utility costs. *Given that federal funding is in question, how would you prioritize resilience in the budget?* **Sarah Blas:** I would work to codify resilience as a cross-cutting priority in all budget categories—from housing to transportation to education. That includes re-allocating capital funds to frontline communities, building multi-sector coalitions for grant funding, and increasing transparency and community input on environmental expenditures. Resilience shouldn’t be an afterthought—it must be embedded in how we build and govern. Written by: *Sarah Blas, Candidate for City Council* ### Two-Year Old Doing 'Exceptionally Well' Following Open-Heart Surgery URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/two-year-old-doing-exceptionally-well-following-open-heart-surgery/ Last updated: 2025-01-13T21:34:21.000Z Two-year-old Taya is recuperating with family on Staten Island after recently undergoing open-heart surgery. Taya suffered from congenital heart disease (CHD). CHD occurs when the heart or blood vessels near the heart don't develop normally before birth, and is the [most common](https://www.chop.edu/conditions-diseases/congenital-heart-disease?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) birth defect in the United States, but Taya was born in Gaza, Palestine. Unable to receive the surgery in her native country, Taya and her family were evacuated from Gaza, via Egypt to New York. Cardiac surgeries have been performed in Gaza [since 2010](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S014067361360207X?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), but their health infrastructure has faced deliberate and repeated attacks over the previous 465 days. The United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Dec. 31 [report](https://www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/12/pattern-israeli-attacks-gaza-hospitals-raises-grave-concerns-report?ref=pleaforthefifth.com#:~:text=The%20Israeli%20military's%20first%20major,complete%20ruin%20by%201%20April.) studied Israel's attacks on hospitals. > The UN Human Rights Office found that Israel’s pattern of deadly attacks on and near hospitals in Gaza, and associated combat, pushed the healthcare system to the brink of total collapse, with catastrophic effect on Palestinians’ access to health and medical care. > The attacks, documented between 12 October 2023 and 30 June 2024, raise serious concerns about Israel’s compliance with international law. Taya, her sister, and mother [arrived](https://pix11.com/news/local-news/we-care-2-children-from-gaza-arrive-in-nyc-for-lifesaving-medical-care/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) in September with support from humanitarian organization [Kinder Relief](https://www.kinderrelief.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Kinder Relief self-describes as a foundation of dedicated individuals from all corners of the globe who are working tirelessly to extend support, facilitate temporary evacuation and provide vital resources to critically-injured children and their families. In the last 465 days, Kinder Relief has "evacuated over 110 children, providing them with the critical medical care they urgently need" notes Nadia Ali, Executive Director. The family is staying with a host family on Staten Island. Taya is recuperating with mom and sister on the Island, and Ali confirms she is doing exceptionally well. Kinder Relief facilitated Taya's treatment to occur at NYU Langone. "Our support extends beyond medical evacuations, as we continue to sustain families currently traveling for treatment while delivering vital relief to displaced families facing the most dire circumstances," says Ali. Ali is the cofounder, starting the group with other concerned mothers from around the world. Vanessa Barganza, a former case manager at Kinder Relief and law student at Columbia University spoke to PIX11 in September about their work saying,“these children, if we don’t help them, no one will, and there needs to be as much attention on these kids as possible. This is a purely humanitarian thing, and it’s about how much we care about each other as human beings.” Kinder Relief relies on donations. You can contribute to one of their causes [here](http://www.kinderrelief.org/donations?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). ### RUMC Notifies Federal Regulators They Were Hacked 18 Months Ago URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/rumc-notifies-federal-regulators-they-were-hacked-18-months-ago/ Last updated: 2025-01-10T19:49:38.000Z An unauthorized individual gained access to the network of Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC) on or around May 6, 2023 accessing patient records as part of a ransomware attack that disrupted their IT system for three weeks. RUMC reported the data breach in a Dec. 19, 2024 [notice](https://www.rumcsi.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Richmond-University-Medical-Center-Notifies-Potentially-Affected-Individuals-of-Information-Security-Incident32482687.1.pdf?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) to federal regulators. Following the attack, RUMC contracted with cybersecurity consultants to conduct an investigation. RUMC maintains that patient's electronic health records were not accessed, but files containing personal identifiable information of patients were. > On December 1, 2024, the manual review process determined that at least one of those files contained personal information, including full names and one or more of the following: Social Security numbers, dates of birth, driver’s license numbers or state identification numbers, other government identification numbers, financial account information, credit or debit card information, biometric information, user credentials, medical treatment/diagnosis information, and/or health insurance policy information. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) [Breach Notification Rule](https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/breach-notification/index.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) requires entities such as RUMC to provide notification to affected individuals within 60 days of discovering a protected health information compromise and to also report such incidents affecting 500 or more people to federal regulators within that same timeframe. A recent [report](https://www.ibm.com/reports/data-breach?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) by IBM found that data breaches take an average of 292 days to identify and contain. The *Cost of a Data Breach Report 2024* also found that 46% of breaches involve customer personal data. Individuals with questions for RUMC concerning this incident may call a dedicated line at 888-326-0991. ### Music as Solidarity and Resistance URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/music-as-solidarity-and-resistance/ Last updated: 2025-01-03T20:43:19.000Z Rapper and actor Clifford Smith, Jr. - better known as Method Man- was raised in the Park Hill neighborhood, and attended [New Dorp High School](https://hitsdailydouble.com/news&id=336506&title=THE-IMPROBABLE-ADVENTURES-OF-WU-TANG-CLAN?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) in the 1980s. His 1994 debut solo album *Tical* was a critical and commercial success, reaching number four on the US Billboard 200, and number one on the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums. The lead single *Bring the Pain* was released, along with *P.L.O. Style*. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/12/Tical.jpg) Method Man's **Tical* Album (Def Jam Recordings, 1994) *Tical* was released on November 15, just 64 days after the first of two Oslo Accords were signed between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). The Oslo Accords were a pair of [interim](https://www.palquest.org/en/historictext/9686/declaration-principles-interim-self-government-arrangements-oslo-i-accord?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) agreementsaimed at achieving permanent peace within five years. As [Omar Karmi](https://electronicintifada.net/content/palestinians-were-never-table/25531?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) wrote on the Accords' 25th anniversary, specifics around Palestinian freedom and self-determination on their own territory, > would be addressed over five years of negotiations that were to culminate in 1998\. It was hoped that during this time, mutual trust and confidence-building measures would generate enough momentum to ensure that a final settlement would be unstoppable. > Not only did it not happen, it all turned out to be unworkable subterfuge. > Largely, the problem was the negotiating part. The process was deliberately set out with no sense of what a final agreement would actually look like... and it served only the stronger party \[Israel\]. In a [video](https://youtu.be/nhOQ19IQxeA?si=9aNjmBd6zQqUzGsT&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) from 2015, writer and producer Sama'an Ashrawi spoke with Method Man on the origins of his song *P.L.O. Style*. Method Man explains that in the early 1990s, he frequented a neighborhood deli in Staten Island and studied the photos of children from Palestine's [First Intifada](https://www.palquest.org/en/highlight/29773/first-intifada-1987-1993?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) that were taped to the walls. The First Intifada, from 1987-1993 was a spontaneous uprising of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank following the shooting death of seventeen-year-old Hatem al-Sisi in the heart, by an Israeli soldier. Photos of young children facing down one of the most powerful armies in the world, by throwing rocks at tanks inspired the rapper. “They \[are\] freedom fighters, and we felt like we were fighting for our freedom every day, too, where we lived at,” [adds](https://youtu.be/nhOQ19IQxeA?si=Rqcu2Q05iNfM896Z&t=33&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) Method Man, making connections between the systemic oppression of the Palestinian people and police brutality against Black communities on Staten Island. During the Intifada, Israeli colonel Yehuda Meir, after being accused of ordering soldiers to break the limbs of resisting Palestinians [testified during his defense in 1990](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-06-22-mn-431-story.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), that the brutality was “part of the accepted norm in that period.” St. George-based Leila Hegazy released her album [*We Are the Resistance*](https://leilahegazy.bandcamp.com/album/we-are-the-resistance?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) November 1, 2024, nearly thirty years to the day after *Tical*. Hegazy created the album as a gift to the Palestinian liberation movement. "The image of children in Gaza holding a press conference outside Al-Shifa Hospital will stay with me forever," says Leila Hegazy, "something that I have struggled to fathom is how starkly different children’s realities are based where they are born. I watch friends in the US raise their children in comfort, while the children of Gaza plead with the world to simply let them survive. When I attend actions in New York, I think of these kids from Gaza, begging for the right to live. They are the heart of the resistance, because they are the future of Palestine. Everything we do in the worldwide Palestinian liberation movement is for them." ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/12/a3645003832_10-1.jpg) Leila Hegazy's **We Are the Resistance* Album (Leila Hegazy, 2024) The 12-track album features some of her [Tik Tok](https://www.tiktok.com/@leila.hegazy?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) viral Palestine covers, as well as original tracks calling out imperialism, the [War Machine](https://leilahegazy.bandcamp.com/track/war-machine?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), and more. Hegazy's favorite song to perform "is an original called [*Catastrophe*](https://leilahegazy.bandcamp.com/track/catastrophe?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) which is about the 1948 Nakba \[Arabic for Catastrophe\] that made Palestinians refugees. Since it’s about the violent founding of the Zionist entity, you’d think it’s a depressing song, but it’s actually about the right of return, and hope for future generations. The last line of the song is 'inshallah you’ll be the one to tell your children yes', and I think that line speaks to the immense faith Palestinians have in God, and their own future freedom." Initially released exclusively to [Bandcamp](https://leilahegazy.bandcamp.com/album/we-are-the-resistance?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), Hegazy pledged all proceeds directly to the Palestine Children's Relief Fund (PCRF). To date, *We Are the Resistance* has raised and donated in excess of $15,000 for PCRF. *We Are the Resistance* is now available on [all](https://leilahegazy.fanlink.tv/album?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAab%5FGc7aDp6dK2eI9RwVU-71LRrKmk6UtIk2PXY47R7s7WoXklrAFXaGTp4%5Faem%5F06EgFpNQEPKN%5FvO-LOEykw&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) streaming platforms. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2025/01/signal-2025-01-03-142605_002-1.jpeg) Staten Island Musician Leila Hegazy (Brandon Perdomo, 2024) Leila adds, "Resistance takes many forms. Music is the way that I resist, and I believe art is a powerful tool for shifting public consciousness. I’m not always physically able to be out on the streets, so I use what I have. We all have a responsibility to figure out where we have leverage or influence in society. That’s how change happens from the ground up." Leila and her twin sister Omnia also perform as a duo named [HEGAZY](https://www.instagram.com/hegazyband?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), honoring their late father's surname, and have performed for Plea's [online concert series](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/hegazy/). ### Workers at Island's Largest Employer Authorize a Strike if the Company Continues Refusing Contract Negotiations URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/workers-at-islands-largest-employer-authorize-a-strike-if-the-company-continues-refusing-contract-negotiations/ Last updated: 2024-12-17T20:03:54.000Z Workers on Staten Island made history in April 2022, as the first union to win certification at an Amazon facility in the United States. Amazon JFK8 at 546 Gulf Ave is the Island's largest employer with 8,325 employees, as of the 2022 [National Labor Relations Board ballot count](https://www.nlrb.gov/news-outreach/region-29-brooklyn/region-29-brooklyn-announces-results-of-jfk8-amazon-ballot-count?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). The [Amazon Labor Union](https://www.amazonlaborunion.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters in 2024 to become ALU-IBT, allowing a new phase of growth and strategy. 💡 For additional background on local workers' early efforts to establish collective power at Amazon on Staten Island, read our [previous coverage](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/amazon-under-pressure-the-movement-to-unionize-a-workforce/). Since the Union's certification in 2022, ALU-IBT Local 1 has focused on building collective power in the warehouse, developing worker leaders inside the warehouse. “We’ve spent the past few months building a real structure and support system inside JFK8,” said Wajdy Bzezi, a shift lead steward and key worker-organizer. “This isn’t just about winning a vote—it’s about empowering all of my coworkers to stand up for their rights and take collective action to demand what we deserve.” Amazon, however, has refused to bargain with workers' elected representatives, flagrantly violating federal labor laws and committing Unfair Labor Practices (ULPs). Despite its public claims of valuing employees, Amazon has spent millions on union-busting consultants and legal maneuvers to delay negotiations and suppress organizing efforts. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/12/P9A8885-michaelJARECKI-1730x1153.webp) Amazon Delivery Drivers Demand an end to Amazon's Illegal Union Busting While on Strike in Skokie, Illinois (International Brotherhood of Teamsters, 2024) With a strike imminent, JFK8 workers are calling on the community to stand with them in any way they can, including: - **Donate to the Solidarity Fund:** Help workers sustain their fight by contributing to the [strike fund](https://www.amazonlaborunion.org/strike-fundraising?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). - **Show Up on the Picket Line:** Join workers at JFK8 to demonstrate solidarity and hold Amazon accountable for their illegal refusal to negotiate a union contract. - **Spread the Word:** Use social media and local networks to raise awareness about the workers’ struggle and the importance of their fight for justice at Amazon. - **Sign the Petition:** [Stand with Amazon workers and demand that Amazon guarantee a safe return to work](https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/demand-amazon-come-to-the-bargaining-table-2/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), free of harassment and retaliatory disciplinary action, to all workers participating in protected collective action. - **Contact Elected Officials:** Urge representatives to publicly support JFK8 workers and pressure Amazon to negotiate in good faith. New York State Senator Jessica Ramos, who represents the 13th District and is the Labor Chair for the New York State Senate, has rallied in support of ALU-IBT efforts in Queens. Ramos told a crowd in October, [gathered outside](https://pavementpieces.com/whats-outrageous-poverty-wages-amazon-labor-union-elected-officials-rally-in-maspeth/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) of Amazon's DBK4 warehouse in Maspeth, Queens, “Let today be a warning that these Amazon workers are not alone, they have the Teamsters behind them, they have community organizations behind them, they have elected officials at every level of government behind them, and we’re going to fight, not only until they get recognition of their union, but until they get the fair contract they deserve.” ## Silence from Island's City and State Elected Officials Staten Island elected officials thus far, remain silent on the strike authorization. City Council Members Kamillah Hanks (D-49), David Carr (D-50), and Joseph Borelli (D-51) as well as Borough President Vito Fossella did not respond to a request for comment on ALU-IBT's strike authorization when contacted by Plea for the Fifth. Sarah Blas, challenging Kamillah Hanks for Council District 49 in 2025, stands with "Amazon workers demanding fair pay, safety, and respect. These workers keep our Island running while Amazon rakes in billions and refuses to negotiate—it’s outrageous. My first job in hospice care, was with 1199 \[SEIU\] right here on Staten Island, this is where I learned that workers’ rights are non-negotiable. Staten Island deserves leaders who will hold corporations accountable and fight for the dignity of every worker." At the State level, NY State Senators Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (SD-23), Andrew Lanza (SD-24), as well as State Assembly Members Charles D. Fall (AD-61), Michael Reilly (AD-62), Sam Pirozzolo (AD-63), and Michael Tannousis (AD-64) similarly did not respond to a request for comment. ### Reports Reveal South Shore's 10312 Most Surveilled Zip Code Within Borough; NYC 5th Most Surveilled City in the Nation URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/reports-reveal-south-shores-10312-most-surveilled-zip-code-within-borough/ Last updated: 2024-12-05T19:49:51.000Z A report from [Comparitech](https://www.comparitech.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) released early this year finds New York City ranked fifth among the [most surveilled cities](https://www.comparitech.com/blog/vpn-privacy/us-surveillance-camera-statistics/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com#:~:text=New%20York%20City%2C%20New%20York%20%E2%80%93%2070%2C882%20cameras%20for%20300.38%20square%20miles%20%3D%20236%20cameras%20per%20square%20mile) in the Nation. Comparitech focuses on consumer-oriented research on cybersecurity and internet privacy in the United States and United Kingdom. Their research identified 70,882 cameras among the 300.38 square miles of New York City, averaging 236 cameras per square mile. The report by Comparitech builds upon prior research by the [Surveillance Technology Oversight Project](https://www.stopspying.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) (S.T.O.P.), an advocacy organization and legal services provider. The mission of S.T.O.P. is to litigate and advocate for privacy, working to abolish local governments’ systems of mass surveillance, with particular focus on New York City and State. "It’s unsurprising that New York is among the most surveilled cities in the country, but it’s deeply unnerving all the same," said S.T.O.P. Communications Director Will Owen. "Based on our own previous research at S.T.O.P., surveillance cameras heavily sweep all five boroughs, with one of the most surveilled zip codes on the South Shore of Staten Island." S.T.O.P. conducted a five-borough [surveillance census](https://www.stopspying.org/2021-hikvision?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) in 2021, mapping out by zip code all internet-enabled cameras from one surveillance camera manufacturer, Hikvision. While many companies conceal the location of their surveillance equipment, Hikvision allows geolocating by providing a public IP address for cameras. S.T.O.P. identified 16,692 cameras citywide, and 1,411 on Staten Island alone. As of 2021, the 10312 zip code which includes neighborhoods of Eltingville, Woodrow, Annadale and Arden Heights were the most surveilled on the Island with 306 cameras. S.T.O.P. published an [interactive map](https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?mid=12-p7Al4lR9Ltff85tN--7-y60pUNJnou&usp=sharing&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) of camera locations, embedded below. ## Automated Discrimination Hikvision cameras, as well as many competitors' prodcuts, can be enabled to conduct facial recognition. Facial recognition technology is error-prone, invasive, and replicates bias in our society by disproportionately impacting Muslim Americans, immigrants, and communities of color. Owen adds, "These cameras do nothing to prevent crime, simply capturing footage for the evening news. When paired with facial recognition, they are a civil rights nightmare, exacerbating the over-policing of \[Black, Indigenous, and people of color\] BIPOC New Yorkers through digital stop-and-frisk tactics.” S.T.O.P. notes facial recognition software is most inaccurate for darker-skinned BIPOC individuals, particularly Black women. The technology has led to numerous false arrests, and it can be easily weaponized to suppress protests, religious activity, and even access to reproductive healthcare. The Comparitech report also dispels the assumption that surveillance cameras dissuade crime, finding hardly any correlation between higher camera figures and lower crime index in cities measured. A scatter plot visualizing the correlation is embedded below. ### SIers Lambaste POTUS on Friendsgiving Visit URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/siers-lambaste-potus-on-friendsgiving-visit/ Last updated: 2024-12-03T15:41:42.000Z Monday, November 25th - President Joe Biden visited Staten Island for a “Friendsgiving” dinner with Coast Guard veterans at Fort Wadsworth. The White House's Press Secretary [announced](https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/press-briefings/2024/11/21/press-briefing-by-press-secretary-karine-jean-pierre-74/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com#:~:text=Okay.%C2%A0%20So%2C%20on,New%20York%20City.) with four-days' notice the President and First Lady's visit to the U.S. Coast Guard Sector New York - the largest military presence in New York City with over 500 active-duty members. The short notice may have been intended to minimize the protests and discontent the President and his administration has received for the ongoing genocide, and occupation of the Palestinian people. An Al Jazeera [investigation ](https://www.aljazeera.com/program/newsfeed/2024/10/24/how-us-and-uk-military-airlifts-have-supported-israels-war-on-gaza?ref=pleaforthefifth.com)by its Sanad monitoring and verification agency has revealed that the United States and United Kingdom have provided military support to Israel by creating an air bridge of non-stop cargo planes. By October 24, 2024, over 6,000 cargo planes delivered war weaponry to Israel, arriving on average every 16 hours in the first 384 days of genocide - making the US & UK cobelligerents. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/12/1000013520.jpg) Islander Waves the Flag of Palestine as Part of a Protest to President Biden's Visit to the Island (Brandon Collins, 2024) Staten Islanders organizing with [Staten Island 4 Palestine](https://www.instagram.com/statenisland4palestine/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) (SI4P) and [The Party for Socialism and Liberation](https://www.instagram.com/nycpsl/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) (PSL) worked together to coordinate an emergency rally despite the busy Monday workday, short notice, last hour location/time changes, road closures, and attempted interference by the NYPD. Over 20 Staten Island residents stood together in solidarity outside Seaside Plaza holding banners, waving flags, and chanting to protest the President’s passing motorcade. *“From Palestine to Turtle Island, occupation is a crime and we have a responsibility to show up everywhere that they go,”* said Salma. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DC2el7jyGei/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by NYC PSL (@nycpsl)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/DC2el7jyGei/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) As the evening progressed many more Staten Islanders of conscience joined the group, some after seeing it shared on social media while others came from the nearby apartment complex; proving that over a year into this fight to liberate Palestine, the movement is still growing on the Island and in every corner of the world. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/12/1000013519.jpg) Community Members Protesting President Biden's Visit to the Island (Brandon Collins, 2024) Despite the chilly weather, the President received a very clear message, *"Genocide Joe thinks he can hide on Staten Island and we're here to say you cannot hide when you are committing genocide,"* said Vanessa-Renne Mical. ### Paratransit Business Warns 150 Local Employees of February Lay Offs URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/paratransit-business-warns-150-local-employees-of-february-lay-offs/ Last updated: 2024-11-22T17:13:36.000Z MV Transportation, Inc., a Dallas, Texas-based business in the transportation industry, has announced plans to lay off over 250 workers statewide - nearly 84% of its New York State workforce. Nearly 60% of MV Transportation's layoffs will impact workers based on Staten Island. The New York State Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act (NYS WARN), mandates private employers with 50 or more full-time employees in New York State to provide at least 90 calendar days advance written notice for plant closings, mass layoffs, relocation, or other covered reductions in work hours to all affected employees, employee representatives, the Department of Labor, and Local Workforce Development Boards. In a November 11 [notice](https://dol.ny.gov/system/files/documents/2024/11/warn-mv-transportation-inc.-region-new-york-city-date-posted-11142024-notice-date-11112024.pdf?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) posted to the New York State Department of Labor's WARN Database, MV Transportation, Inc. has declared its intention of laying off 80% of their workforce at 1957 Richmond Terrace in Port Richmond due to the conclusion of a paratransit contract. 150 of MV Transportation's 186 Staten Island employees will be laid off effective February 10, 2025\. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/11/011921_access_ride_3-scaled-1.webp) A man lowered by an Access-A-Ride vehicle operated by MV Transportation. (Jose Martinez for THE CITY, 2021) MV Transportation oversees paratransit services for public transit agencies - like MTA's [Access-A-Ride](https://new.mta.info/accessibility/access-a-ride?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) Paratransit - and has the largest privately-owned passenger transportation contracting firm in the United States. MV Transportation is also laying off 114 employees based in Harlem. Workers at MV Transportation are represented by the Amalgamated Transit Union ATU Local 1181-1061, after a successful 2011 [union election](https://www.nlrb.gov/case/29-RD-001137?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Carolyn Rinaldi, Chief of Staff at ATU Local 1181-1061, when contacted for comment, indicated the Union is "*saddened to hear about the developments with MV. Our members are highly trained and dedicated professionals who are well-informed and committed to their work. While the Union cannot prevent the layoffs, we are actively collaborating with other companies to ensure a smooth transition for our members, with minimal disruption to their current contracts.*" Rinaldi continues, "*as a transportation union, we recognize that transportation is not a luxury but a necessity. Given the current challenges facing the industry, including the nationwide shortage, we strongly encourage our members to stay connected - together, we can explore alternative solutions and opportunities for the future. We are here to support our members through this transition and beyond.*" ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/11/img18-1-1-1.jpg) Undated former recruitment flyer to drive for MV Transportation (MV Transportation) 120 MV Transportation employees in Hyattsville, Maryland represented by ATU launched a one-day strike in May 2021\. An ATU [press release](https://www.atulocal689.org/press/press-release-strikes-work?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) at the time quoting Raymond Jackson, President Business Agent for ATU Local 689 notes, "*paratransit workers have been left behind for too long. Our union won’t stop until we’ve turned paratransit jobs into a pathway to the middle class. Our paratransit workers, whether they’re dispatchers, reservationists, or drivers, are an essential part of keeping this region moving forward and it's time their paychecks reflected that.*" ### Staten Island Votes for President URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/staten-island-votes-for-president/ Last updated: 2026-02-18T15:42:44.000Z As the dust settles on the 2024 Presidential Election and the NYC Board of Elections tallies the final results, Plea for the Fifth looks back on how the 2024 unofficial election night results compare with the 2020 results. Staten Island's four New York State Assembly Districts are sub-divided into over 250 Election Districts. Plea for the Fifth compared votes across Election & Assembly Districts, but it is an approximation because of district boundary changes since the most recent census. The Center for Community and Ethnic Media at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism has its own interactive [NYC Election Atlas](https://www.electionatlas.nyc/maps.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) tool, if you are interested in a more granular analysis. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/11/Screenshot-2024-11-13-151839.png) Staten Island's Assembly Districts as of 2020 Census ([NYS GIS Clearinghouse](https://data.gis.ny.gov/datasets/sharegisny::nys-assembly-districts/explore?location=40.576994%2C-74.133995%2C11.94&ref=pleaforthefifth.com), 2022) Note: To simplify the data, votes cast for President along the Republican Party & Conservative Party were combined, as well as for the Democratic Party & Working Families Party. Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a New York State Campaign Finance law in 2020 that put higher ballot access thresholds for third parties into the state budget. As the [Gotham Gazette](https://www.gothamgazette.com/state/9301-new-york-smaller-minor-political-third-parties-new-ballot-thresholds?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) wrote at the time, > One of the more controversial aspects of the law is the amendment of political party ballot access provisions. Previously, in order to gain an automatic ballot line, a political party had to have its nominee for governor receive 50,000 votes each four-year cycle. The new law significantly increased that requirement to 2% of votes or 130,000, whichever is greater, every two years, in gubernatorial and presidential elections. > Additionally, statewide candidates seeking to get on the ballot must gather 45,000 petition signatures from registered voters, up from 15,000 previously. The impact of the Law by the 2024 elections was the loss of ballot lines of the [Green Party](https://www.gp.org/gp%5Fcondemns%5Fcuomo%5Fplan?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), Libertarian Party, and Independence Party. The borough cast an additional 1,288 votes for the Republican Party from 2020 to 2024, a 1% increase. Votes in the borough for the Democratic Party decreased by 25,278 or 28%, and 2,296 more Staten Islanders wrote-in their candidate for President an increase of 377% from 2020 to 2024\. Total ballots cast for President dropped 25,197 or 12%. ### Local Synagogue holds Discriminatory Sale of Homes to Expand Occupation URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/local-synagogue-holds-discriminatory-sale-of-homes-to-expand-occupation-2/ Last updated: 2026-02-18T15:45:05.000Z A demonstration took place Monday, November 4 outside Young Israel of Staten Island in Willowbrook, as an event inside promoted the sale of homes in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Demonstrators gathered across from the synagogue along Forest Hill Road with chants including *While you’re shopping, bombs are dropping* to express their outrage at the attempt to enlist Jews from Staten Island and other local communities as accomplices in expanding Israel’s settler-occupation of Palestinians. "As the daughter of Holocaust survivors, I have been heartbroken to see Israel do to Palestinians exactly what was done to my family in Europe - steal their land, take their homes, destroy their livelihood, herd them into camps, and during this last year commit Genocide against them," said Susan Lob of Tompkinsville. Lob continues, "I cannot stand by and let this happen. '*Never Again'* means never again to anyone. I am especially outraged that a Synagogue on Staten Island would sponsor the sale of this stolen land." West Bank settlements are widely deemed illegal under international law and continue in contravention of the International Court of Justice’s recent Advisory Opinion. 💡 [**International Court of Justice*](https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/186/186-20240719-pre-01-00-en.pdf?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) *July 19, 2024* **In its* [**Advisory Opinion*](https://www.icj-cij.org/sites/default/files/case-related/186/186-20240719-adv-01-00-en.pdf?ref=pleaforthefifth.com)**, the Court responds to the questions posed by the* \[United Nations\] **General Assembly by concluding that:* **\- the State of Israel’s continued presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is unlawful;* **\- the State of Israel is under an obligation to bring to an end its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory as rapidly as possible;* **\- the State of Israel is under an obligation to cease immediately all new settlement activities, and to evacuate all settlers from the Occupied Palestinian Territory;* **\- the State of Israel has the obligation to make reparation for the damage caused to all the natural or legal persons concerned in the Occupied Palestinian Territory;* The sale at the Orthodox Synagogue was convened by real estate brokerage My Israel Home, whose [blog](https://www.myisraelhome.com/post/rabbinic-love-and-guidance-during-war?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) posts delight that the current genocide "is truly a national effort, bringing out the best in our rabbinic leadership, soldiers and civilians." Attendance to the home sale was open only to persons of the Jewish faith. [NorthJersey.com](https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/2024/03/15/israeli-real-estate-event-legal-complaints-escalate/72970499007/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) reports that legal complaints against the same brokerage have been filed with attorneys general and real estate licensing authorities in New York and New Jersey for previously holding discriminatory sales of real estate that exclude all persons not of Jewish descent, contrary to local, state, and federal housing discrimination laws. Young Israel of Staten Island, and My Israel Home did not respond to our request to dispute the demonstrators' allegations. The [New York City Commission on Human Rights](https://www.nyc.gov/site/cchr/about/inside-cchr.page?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), which enforces local [Human Rights Law](https://www.nyc.gov/site/cchr/law/chapter-2.page?ref=pleaforthefifth.com#8-203) related to [housing discrimination](https://www.nyc.gov/site/fairhousing/about/what-is-fair-housing.page?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) did not respond to our request for comment on the exclusionary sale. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/11/Screenshot-2024-11-07-093402-1.png) A sign reading **Free Beepers Inquire Within* hangs at the synagogue's entrance on Nov 4 (Roxanne Mustafa, 2024) Attendees of the discriminatory sale, and their supporters gathered out front of the synagogue to jeer and intimidate community members in opposition to the sale. "It was extremely shocking and sad how outwardly racist they were being," said Palestinian-American [Roxanne Mustafa](https://www.instagram.com/mustrock/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) whose family is from the West Bank. Supporters' comments ranged from the Anti-Arab/Anti-Palestinian, Islamophobic, as well as a common conflation that opposition to an exclusionary ideology - Zionism - is opposition to [Judaism](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/wherever%5Fwe%5Flive%5Fis%5Four%5Fhomeland/). Mustafa continues, "I felt like I was at a Trump rally. I saw signs that said 'Jews for Trump' and 'Trump 2024'. They were taunting us like we were at a Superbowl." One sign reading *Free Beepers Inquire Within* hung on the synagogue’s entrance, intimating to Israel’s exploding pagers simultaneously across Lebanon on September 17, resulting in the death of at least 12, including two children and two health workers, and injuring over 2,800\. While [local corporate media](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/19/podcasts/the-daily/pagers-explosion-lebanon.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) heaped praise upon Israel for its ‘audacious plot’ which harmed Lebanese indiscriminately, former CIA director Leon Panetta appropriately labeled it a form of terrorism. “I don’t think there’s any question that \[the pager attack was\] a form of terrorism,” [Panetta said](https://thehill.com/policy/international/4893900-leon-panetta-lebanon-explosions-terrorism/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) on *CBS News Sunday morning*. > [@rockmustrock](https://www.tiktok.com/@rockmustrock?refer=embed&ref=pleaforthefifth.com "@rockmustrock") Zionist are looking more and more like depraved fascists. [#statenisland](https://www.tiktok.com/tag/statenisland?refer=embed&ref=pleaforthefifth.com "statenisland") [♬ Wake Up - Llunr](https://www.tiktok.com/music/Wake-Up-7307430528486213634?refer=embed&ref=pleaforthefifth.com "♬ Wake Up - Llunr") Genna Goldsobel of Sunnyside joined the demonstration because she is, "exhausted by how our Jewish identity is often used to justify the actions of the Israeli government. I am tired of our collective historical trauma being leveraged over the past 75 years as a justification for violence and oppression. Our trauma is real, and it’s valid — but we cannot allow it to be used to legitimize genocide. We can be Jewish without being bound to a land that was taken from others. Our faith is about justice, compassion, and spiritual connection, not political domination." Tamer Mahmoud of St. George joined the demonstration with feelings of, "outrage and disgust over the fact that these illegal land sales are taking place - land that never belonged to them but to Palestinians." Members of [Bay Ridge Solidarity](https://www.instagram.com/bayridgesolidarity?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fbutton%5Fshare%5Fsheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==), the [Party for Socialism and Liberation](https://www.instagram.com/nycpsl?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [Staten Island 4 Palestine](https://www.instagram.com/statenisland4palestine?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fbutton%5Fshare%5Fsheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==), [PAL-Awda](https://www.instagram.com/palawda/?hl=en&ref=pleaforthefifth.com), and [Mamas 4 A Free Palestine](https://www.instagram.com/mamas%5F4%5Fafreepalestine?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fbutton%5Fshare%5Fsheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==) demonstrated the sale. Police detained a teen boy for starting a fire in a public area after immolating a design meant to resemble the flag of Israel. The burning of the United States flag has been [upheld](https://www.uscourts.gov/educational-resources/educational-activities/facts-and-case-summary-texas-v-johnson?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) repeatedly as symbolic speech protected by the First Amendment by the US Supreme Court, noting *society's outrage alone is not justification for suppressing free speech*. The NYPD, when contacted for comment, indicated no one was arrested but three individuals at the demonstration were issued summonses, and released. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/11/FB_IMG_1731068671070.jpg) Flier distributed for the Nov. 4 demonstration (PAL Awda, 2024) Young Israel of Staten Island Synagogue also caused a neighborhood stir in 2019, after quietly installing PVC pipes to neighborhood utility poles [without approval](https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2019/05/09/staten-island-residents-express-concern-over-religious-boundary?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) from Con Edison, Verizon, or the Transportation Department. The pipes were meant to create an [eruv](https://www.yisi.org/community/eruv-map/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), a symbolic fence that figuratively extends the boundaries of Jewish households allowing activities in public on the sabbath. Many were later taken down. ### Campaign for Island to Brooklyn Fast Ferry Route Expands URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/campaign-for-island-to-brooklyn-nyc-ferry-route-expands/ Last updated: 2024-10-07T18:28:03.000Z Staten Island residents held a rally at Borough Hall late in September to demonstrate the increased support for expanding transportation options on the Island. Advocates are campaigning for fast ferry service from St. George in Staten Island to Bay Ridge in Brooklyn for the benefits it would provide to quality of life, and the environment. “An average of 200,000 vehicles cross the Verrazzano bridge daily. Those are 200,000 vehicles adding congestion to our streets, exhaust to our air, and noise to our neighborhoods” said Rose Uscianowski, a St. George resident and Organizer for Transportation Alternatives in Staten Island and South Brooklyn. Uscianowski, also a member of the Ferry Riders' Committee for St. George Civic Association (SGCA) continues, “If ferry service were to offset just a fraction of those trips, it would offer our communities physical and mental health benefits for generations to come while making streets calmer and safer.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/10/image1.jpeg) St. George resident and Organizer for Transportation Alternatives Rose Uscianowski speaks to rally-goers. (Lindy P. Crescitelli, 2024) The NYC Economic Development Corporation (EDC) owns the City’s ferry network, NYC Ferry, and contracts with Hornblower Cruises to operate. NYC Ferry currently operates a dock at either end of the proposed route. The St. George-W39th St route launched in 2021, and the South Brooklyn route serves Bay Ridge at the American Veterans Memorial Pier - prioritizing transporting commuters back & forth to Manhattan over connections between outer boroughs. 💡 For previous coverage of the Island’s gap in public ferry transportation read [Commentary: New NYC Ferry Service Must link Staten Island and Brooklyn](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/new-nyc-ferry-service-must-link-staten-island-and-brooklyn/) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/10/System-Map_5-20-2024.png) NYC Ferry System Map (NYC Ferry, 2024) Organizations advocating for the new fast ferry line include the SGCA, New Brighton Civic, Staten Island Chamber of Commerce, Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Gardens, and Waterfront Alliance. “Staten Islanders suffer from some of the longest commutes in the country and few transportation options. A simple commute to Brooklyn, right across the bay, can take over an hour by private vehicle or public transit” said Tamer Mahmoud, Chair of the Ferry Riders' Committee for SGCA. Mahmoud continues, “Resurrecting ferry service to Brooklyn cuts that travel time drastically and allows greater ease of access to Brooklyn and the rest of NYC.” The call to connect Staten Island to Long Island via Brooklyn, would actually restore a ferry connection between the boroughs that [ended](https://www.nytimes.com/1964/11/20/archives/staten-island-ferry-to-end-brooklyn-runs-displaced-by-bridge-over.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) six decades ago. The municipal ferry operated along a 1.5-mile route for 75 years from 69th Street in Brooklyn and St. George, Staten Island. The municipal ferry carried 27 million passengers and 1.8 million cars between Brooklyn and Staten Island in 1963, the ferry’s final full year of operation. Despite the millions in ridership the City Board of Estimate voted 20 to 2 on Nov. 19, 1964, two days before the opening of Verrazano‐Narrows Bridge, to discontinue municipal ferry service within the week. Albert V. Maniscalco, then Staten Island Borough President, voted no anticipating ‘the inconvenience to commuters, including many schoolchildren.’ Beyond the severing of the Bay Ridge and St. George communities, the ceasing of ferry service laid off 140 workers. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/10/1912eaglead-ferry.png) **Municipal Ferry Ad From the Brooklyn Eagle, 1912* Proponents of the new fast ferry line also recognize the vessels as a means to bring new visitors to the Island. "We are a city of islands and we need a system that connects them via our waterways. I love the NYC Ferry system, I want to be able to take it from the Staten Shores to Brooklyn and up to the 'boogie down' Bronx” said John Kilcullen, a Tompkinsville resident and member of the Ferry Riders' Committee for St. George Civic Association. Kilcullen continues, “I want residents from the Bronx, Brooklyn, and beyond to experience all that Staten Island's north shore has to offer by boat as well.” Lindy P. Crescitelli, President of the New Brighton Civic cherishes “having opportunities to take the NYC Fast Ferry and encouraging others to do so as well.” Crescitelli continues, “A route connecting us to Brooklyn and the rest of the NYC Ferry system will present new vital transportation alternatives for many more awesome inter-borough economic and cultural opportunities for us all.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/10/image0.jpeg) Rally-goers call for NYC Ferry Expansion Saturday Sept 28 at Staten Island Borough Hall (Lindy P. Crescitelli, 2024) City Councilmembers Kamilah Hanks and Justin Brannan, Borough President Vito Fossella, Assemblymember Charles Fall, and State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton have all voiced their support for Ferry expansion, as well as Mayor Eric Adams at a [Community Conversation](https://www.youtube.com/live/NUub-MUStqQ?si=cGXZYikCrlcw5amc&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) in Woodrow. Councilmember Brannan joined the rally-goers at Borough Hall to further demonstrate his support for expansion. Councilmembers Joseph Borelli and David Carr have thus far not publicly expressed their positions, and did not respond to Plea’s repeated requests for comment. Despite NYC Ferry docks in use at either end of the proposed route and the broad support for expansion, NYC EDC officials said in 2022 that NYC Ferry expansion was on hold because of financial issues. Just one year later, in September 2023, NYC EDC announced the [Staten Island North Shore Action Plan](https://edc.nyc/sites/default/files/2023-09/NYCEDC-Staten-Island-North-Shore-Action-Plan.pdf?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). NYC EDC's $400-million public investment in Staten Island's waterfront neglected to include plans for NYC Ferry, which they own and manage. The fiscal scrutiny of public transportation improvements is largely absent when contrasted with roadway for cars, such as the recent announcement by the NYC Department of Transportation to invest [$24-million](https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2024/08/08/vision-zero-city-will-widen-staten-island-roadway-to-appease-drivers?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) in narrowing sidewalks to widen Amboy Road along a 0.4-mile stretch - at $11,364/foot. NYC EDC provided a statement in response to Plea’s request for comment that suggests NYC Ferry expansion still remains on hold. *'NYC Ferry plays an important role as a transit option, and we welcome New Yorkers' advocacy and excitement about NYC Ferry and the recognition about the critical part it plays in our communities. While we are not actively pursuing expansion options, our focus is on making our current service more accessible, equitable, and financially sustainable through the Adams administration's Ferry Forward plan.'* ### SIers Travel to D.C. Capitol to Obstruct Visit of War Criminal URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/siers-travel-to-d-c-capitol-to-obstruct-visit-of-war-criminal/ Last updated: 2024-08-05T19:44:11.000Z Staten Islanders journeyed to Washington D.C. on Wednesday, July 24th in righteous indignation at Benjamin Netanyahu's speech before a joint session of Congress. They joined tens of thousands of pro-Palestinian activists and organizers in shutting down the streets of D.C. to make it clear that people of conscience are the red line against genocide, and to issue a notice of a citizen’s arrest upon Netanyahu. "There are times when I have to bear witness to what I know is deeply wrong. Seeing the Congress invite Netanyahu to speak, basically condoning the Gaza Genocide was one of those moments for me," shared Sally Jones, a member of [Peace Action Staten Island](https://www.peacesi.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). The Israeli Prime Minister was [invited](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-congressional-leaders-invite-netanyahu-address-joint-meeting-congress-2024-05-31/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) by leaders of the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives from both the Republican and Democratic Parties. The May 31st letter, which included the signature of New York's senior Senator Charles Schumer, invited Netanyahu "to share the Israeli government’s vision for defending democracy, combating terror, and establishing a just and lasting peace in the region." The invitation to Netanyahu came just eleven days after the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) initiated an application for arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu, and Yoav Gallant, the Minister of Defense of Israel. 💡 [**International Criminal Court (ICC) Prosecutor Statement*](https://www.icc-cpi.int/news/statement-icc-prosecutor-karim-aa-khan-kc-applications-arrest-warrants-situation-state?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) On the basis of evidence collected and examined by my Office, I have reasonable grounds to believe that Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, and Yoav Gallant, the Minister of Defense of Israel, bear criminal responsibility for the following war crimes and crimes against humanity committed on the territory of the State of Palestine (in the Gaza strip) from at least 8 October 2023: ● Starvation of civilians as a method of warfare as a war crime contrary to article 8(2)(b)(xxv) of the Statute; ● Willfully causing great suffering, or serious injury to body or health contrary to article 8(2)(a)(iii), or cruel treatment as a war crime contrary to article 8(2)(c)(i); ● Willful killing contrary to article 8(2)(a)(i), or Murder as a war crime contrary to article 8(2)(c)(i); ● Intentionally directing attacks against a civilian population as a war crime contrary to articles 8(2)(b)(i), or 8(2)(e)(i); ● Extermination and/or murder contrary to articles 7(1)(b) and 7(1)(a), including in the context of deaths caused by starvation, as a crime against humanity; ● Persecution as a crime against humanity contrary to article 7(1)(h); ● Other inhumane acts as crimes against humanity contrary to article 7(1)(k). On the eve of Netanyahu’s address, [seven national unions](https://www.labornotes.org/blogs/2024/07/unions-representing-six-million-workers-demand-end-all-us-military-aid-israel?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) representing 6 million workers in the United States, issued a call on the President to end all military aid to Israel. The letter signed by unions representing the Flight Attendants (AFA-CWA), Postal Workers (APWU), Painters (IUPAT), National Education Association, Service Employees (SEIU), the Auto Workers (UAW), and the Electrical Workers (UE) demonstrated that the Nation's working class stood with the outraged in the streets, and not with the U.S. Congress which applauded Netanyahu [79 times, 58 of which were standing ovations](https://www.dailysabah.com/opinion/columns/a-standing-ovation-to-genocide?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Reception to Netanyahu's arrival was radically different in the streets surrounding the Capitol. Kailey Essa traveled from Staten Island to protest, "not only the US’ complicity in genocide but also its reprehensible decision to invite a war criminal to address Congress. When ordinary Americans fail to resist, we effectively signal to the ruling class that we condone these atrocities and send a stark message to Palestinians that their suffering is met with indifference." ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/08/signal-2024-07-26-204944_018-1.jpeg) People of conscience form the People’s Red Line Against genocide around the Capitol building (Brandon Collins, 2024) Staten Islanders, undeterred by his address occurring on a weekday, recognized the importance of showing up to the Capitol. “I felt that I couldn’t sit idly by while my own government invited a known war criminal to speak. It was important for as many people as possible to be in D.C, to demonstrate that our leaders’ interests are not in line with ours. The U.S. ruling class needs to see that the general public is aware, and aware of the horrors that they’ve allowed Israel and Netanyahu to commit with our tax dollars," said Leila Hegazy, a solo musician and a member of the duo band [HEGAZY](https://www.instagram.com/hegazyband?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fbutton%5Fshare%5Fsheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==). Leila continued, "we’ve seen too many videos of bloodied children to allow them to continue their imperialist business as usual. We needed to show up in D.C, to let U.S. officials know that we will keep making noise until they change course, and they will be unseated if they don’t end their unconditional support for Israel’s murderous regime.” Staten Islanders attending were steadfast that they will continue to speak out in their communities, and all across the country until the genocide comes to an end, and Palestine is free. Brandon Collins of St. George shared, "it was very important to me to travel down to DC. Congress giving a platform to a war criminal is unacceptable and every person with the ability should be mobilizing to challenge this injustice." Collins continued, "beyond that it was an incredible chance for community building and connection with other people supporting Gaza. It’s incredible to see how many people were there and we will continue to show up until Palestine is free.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/08/signal-2024-07-26-204944_017-1.jpeg) People of conscience march towards the Capitol building (Brandon Collins, 2024) Gamal A. was compelled to make the trip to D.C. in part by his faith, citing the [Hadith](https://sunnah.com/nawawi40:34?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) \[Islamic Oral Tradition\] "Whosoever of you sees an evil, let him change it with his hand; and if he is not able to do so, then \[let him change it\] with his tongue; and if he is not able to do so, then with his heart — and that is the weakest of faith." “Biden, Congress, and the other powers that be must be made to understand that they cannot invite the cruel leader of a pariah state to give remarks at our Capitol without facing rightful public backlash and condemnation. In standing beside my fellow Staten Islanders, I wanted to drive this point home,” said [Paul Medvetsky](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/wherever%5Fwe%5Flive%5Fis%5Four%5Fhomeland/). "We must not be silent," said Jones to fellow Staten Islanders, "let's find our voices and take a stand." The July 24th nationwide pro-Palestine mobilization was the fourth in just the previous 300 days, and came just six weeks after members of the Staten Island community journeyed to Washington to form “The People’s Line” surrounding the White House. Despite prior warnings that an Israeli invasion of Rafah would be a ‘red line,’ President Biden has continued to supply Israel with weapons and funding for its genocide in Gaza. The June 8th mobilization drew an estimated [100,000](https://mondoweiss.net/2024/06/peoples-red-line-surrounds-the-white-house-to-demand-end-of-gaza-genocide/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) from across the country. ### 'Nothing WikiLeaks ever printed was false, fake, or inaccurate' [Video] URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/nothing-wikileaks-ever-printed-was-false-fake-or-inaccurate-video/ Last updated: 2024-11-22T21:51:00.000Z Lee Camp speaks on Julian Assange's long-deserved freedom. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### 'Nothing WikiLeaks ever printed was false, fake, or inaccurate' [Transcript] URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/nothing-wikileaks-ever-printed-was-false-fake-or-inaccurate/ Last updated: 2024-07-20T20:34:55.000Z [Lee Camp](https://linktr.ee/leecamp?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) is the former host and head writer of Redacted Tonight, the host of the podcast Moment of Clarity, and The Lee Camp Show as well as co-host of Government Secrets with Graham Elwood, and Common Censored with Eleanor Goldfield. Camp is the author of titles such as *Moment of Clarity*, *Bullet Points and Punch Lines*, and most recently *Dangerous Ideas*. He co-manages the news platform [RadIndieMedia.com](https://radindiemedia.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), and his newest show [America Inc. with Lee Camp](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwZtBKjGSMzWUEm1VkXTDLhTp48i43LUE&si=5Gu16BtbCj-jVM1U&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) is on Breakthrough News. Camp had a wide-ranging conversation with Plea for the Fifth, that will be published in four parts. The fourth and final in our series focuses on Julian Assange's long-deserved freedom. Watch the video of this segment [here](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/nothing-wikileaks-ever-printed-was-false-fake-or-inaccurate-video/), and the rest in our series with Lee Camp [here](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/tag/lee-camp/). **Sean Ghazala:** Well, and as we begin to close out, I wanted to invite you to talk about Julian Assange. Folks might know he's the Australian editor, publisher and activist who founded WikiLeaks. He was free about three weeks ago, after agreeing to a plea bargain with the US Department of Justice, and received the sentence of 62 months in British prison while he awaited extradition, I know that you've been very outspoken on his ordeal. And I just wanted to invite you to share that with our audience, your reaction to what he's been through, but also what might be in his future now. **Lee Camp:** Yeah, I think he's one of the most important and pivotal figures in my lifetime. I mean, people, partly by design, people have forgotten how powerful and influential WikiLeaks was. It was definitely responsible for a lot of the spark the power behind things like the Arab Spring, and Occupy and so many other efforts to change our world for the better. And if it had been allowed to continue, it would have brought in a new time of transparency, of anti-corruption. But of course, the corrupt don't want to allow that. So instead, they very carefully dismantled and attacked every facet of WikiLeaks, they viewed it as more dangerous than a gun or a missile, to make sure that that Assange and WikiLeaks were destroyed. And part of that plan was to come up with false charges against Julian Assange, and make sure he could not do his work. It was to make sure WikiLeaks could not get any funding PayPal cut them off, all the credit cards cut them off. It was also to go after various board members and other figures at WikiLeaks. And they largely succeeded. They especially succeeded at destroying Assange his life, and he was in essentially solitary confinement 23 hours a day in Belmarsh prison for seven years, and essentially all the time in the Ecuadorian Embassy where he was basically had one to two rooms that he could walk around in, in the Ecuadorian Embassy. And this is what we do to someone who reveals the truth, who reveals the crimes of the US Empire, nothing WikiLeaks ever printed, ever, not a sentence was proven false or fake or inaccurate. And that is the polar opposite of every news source. You can name the mainstream media, they often have retractions, they admit themselves. Many times they don't admit them, and they are proven wrong over, and over, and over, and over, and over again. And yet the guy who's getting it right, the guy who's actually speaking the truth, he's tortured in prison. Now, in terms of the plea deal, I If I were him, and as a supporter of him, and his life and what he's achieved, I absolutely think he should have taken a plea deal. He should be a free man; he had been tortured enough. I don't care what the plea deal said, I think he should be free. But - and he knows this as well - the plea deal is a joke, acknowledging - they forced him to acknowledge that, basically, he's guilty of violating the Espionage Act - but you know for a few reasons that's ridiculous. One is freedom of speech should allow you to speak freely about the truth, which this was all the truth. Another is that for the first several years that WikiLeaks was printing these things, they were working with mainstream media, Guardian, Reuters, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, were all printing their articles, were all using these as major stories. And then once the US government said, 'Oh, no, we're going to attack the person doing this', all of those cowardly, pathetic, pro Empire outlets turned and abandoned him and basically just let him hang. But then another reason we did this is because Julian Assange is not a US citizen. He never operated for the United States, WikiLeaks was never in the United States. It's basically the US setting a precedent where we can prosecute and attack any journalist for saying things we don't like or revealing secrets we don't like, which is a horrifying precedent for journalism, or press in any regards, but especially for non-US citizens who have nothing to do with the US and now all of a sudden, they got to think 'Oh, I could be prosecuted by the US for revealing the truth.' ### Efforts to Stop Third Parties Would be a Major Story in Any Other Presidential Election- if Candidates Weren't Getting Shot at. [Video] URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/efforts-to-stop-third-parties-would-be-a-major-story-in-any-other-presidential-election-if-candidates-werent-getting-shot-at-video/ Last updated: 2024-07-19T18:24:42.000Z Lee Camp speaks on the 2024 presidential election, and the current state of our democracy. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Efforts to Stop Third Parties Would be a Major Story in Any Other Presidential Election- if Candidates Weren't Getting Shot at. [Transcript] URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/efforts-to-stop-third-parties-would-be-a-major-story-in-any-other-presidential-election-if-candidates-werent-getting-shot-at-transcript/ Last updated: 2024-07-19T18:25:00.000Z [Lee Camp](https://linktr.ee/leecamp?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) is the former host and head writer of Redacted Tonight, the host of the podcast Moment of Clarity, and The Lee Camp Show as well as co-host of Government Secrets with Graham Elwood, and Common Censored with Eleanor Goldfield. Camp is the author of titles such as *Moment of Clarity*, *Bullet Points and Punch Lines*, and most recently *Dangerous Ideas*. He co-manages the news platform [RadIndieMedia.com](https://radindiemedia.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), and his newest show [America Inc. with Lee Camp](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwZtBKjGSMzWUEm1VkXTDLhTp48i43LUE&si=5Gu16BtbCj-jVM1U&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) is on Breakthrough News. Camp had a wide-ranging conversation with Plea for the Fifth, that will be published in four parts. The third in our series focuses on the 2024 presidential election, and the current state of our democracy. Watch the video of this segment [here](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/efforts-to-stop-third-parties-would-be-a-major-story-in-any-other-presidential-election-if-candidates-werent-getting-shot-at-video/), and the rest in our series with Lee Camp [here](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/tag/lee-camp/). **Sean Ghazala:** Fans of your comedy might know you're the manager of the [Yard Rock 2024](https://yardrock2024.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) campaign, and Yard Rock has a strong platform. Yard Rock has - Never supported or defended Israel's genocidal campaign against Palestinians. - Never supported a war (and never will) - Never supported an increase in pentagon spending (and never will) - Did not support the global war on terror that's killed roughly 6 million .. and much more. And as an aside, I think I may have run into Yard Rock on the campaign trail in my local forest, but you know, when we look at the 2024 race, we have incumbent President Biden with increasingly obvious cognitive decline. We have the former President's fascism-on-steroids after surviving his assassination attempt. We have RFK Jr, pro-genocide and has had a brain worm. But there are third party candidates like Jill Stein, Cornel West, and Claudia de la Cruz, that are speaking out against status quo politics, including being against this mass murder. So I wanted you to share what has struck you about this election cycle or what you're keeping your eye on over the next three, four months. **Lee Camp :** I mean, in a lot of, in a lot of ways, this election cycle is utterly insane. But at the same time, I guess it's not that different from the insanity that the US political theatrics has become. Yeah, the fact that I even as cynical as I am, I never thought we'd see a day where we'd see a debate between one guy who can't say a whole sentence without just lying. But lying in such a - it's not like he says, I did pretty well on helping Americans - he'll say, I helped Americans more than anyone has ever helped Americans, it's totally ridiculous lies. So that's one guy. And then the other guy literally can't complete a whole sentence without getting confused and falling asleep halfway through. So I never thought we'd see that. But it is a lot of the similar things in terms of the military industrial complex runs the same, the big oil runs the same, big banks run the same. Capitalism continues to gut our environment and destroy the world around us. And all of that continues pretty similarly, no matter what these two clowns say. We are seeing continued efforts, successful efforts to make sure that no third parties can have much influence on at least the voting results, I think third parties can have an influence on the issues that are brought up. But many, many of the issues that you or I might support that the Democrats have kind of gotten behind, or at least talked about, came from the Green Party, you know, if you're talking about universal health, universal health care, or Medicare for all, if you're talking about green New Deal $15 minimum wage, many of these things were first supported by the Green Party, and then the Democrats, you know, latched on to them, and then bastardized them. But the efforts to stop third parties are - in any other cycle where you know, the presidential candidates aren't getting shot at and stuff - it would be a major story that, you know, RFK Jr, who I will not support as long as he loves genocide. But he absolutely should have been on that debate stage, if you just look at the rule, what the rules used to be. The rules used to be if you're on a certain number of ballots, and you have if you're polling above a certain percent, which he easily was. Instead, they changed, they moved the debates much earlier. And they made it so that, you got to be on some crazy number of states' ballots. But many of those states have Democratic governments that are refusing basically to count the signatures and put them on the ballot. So, they're refusing to tell RFK he's on the ballot, because that would allow him to get on the debate stage. So, they have a million techniques to make sure no one's on these debate stages. Back when I lived in New York, I performed at a Jill Stein event in 2012\. She then tried to attend the debate between Obama and is that McCain, Mitt Romney or McCain can't remember, but she was arrested for just trying to attend and just trying to be on the debate stage like and she didn't rush the stage, she was trying to go into the venue. And they arrested her she was on the ballot 85% of the country, and yet she was locked in a room handcuffed to a chair for eight hours until they released her without a charge. I mean, that's Democracy in America. That's, the free and fair democracy we get. ### 'Israel is actually harmful to the Jewish people. It makes people think that Israel's actions are the actions of all Jews.' [Video] URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/israel-is-actually-harmful-to-the-jewish-people-it-makes-people-think-that-israels-actions-are-the-actions-of-all-jews-video/ Last updated: 2024-07-19T18:16:30.000Z Lee Camp speaks on the Palestinian genocide, anti-Zionism, and anti-semitism. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### 'Israel is actually harmful to the Jewish people. It makes people think that Israel's actions are the actions of all Jews.' [Transcript] URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/israel-is-actually-harmful-to-the-jewish-people-it-makes-people-think-that-israels-actions-are-the-actions-of-all-jews-transcript/ Last updated: 2024-07-19T19:20:35.000Z [Lee Camp](https://linktr.ee/leecamp?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) is the former host and head writer of Redacted Tonight, the host of the podcast Moment of Clarity, and The Lee Camp Show as well as co-host of Government Secrets with Graham Elwood, and Common Censored with Eleanor Goldfield. Camp is the author of titles such as *Moment of Clarity*, *Bullet Points and Punch Lines*, and most recently *Dangerous Ideas*. He co-manages the news platform [RadIndieMedia.com](https://radindiemedia.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), and his newest show [America Inc. with Lee Camp](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwZtBKjGSMzWUEm1VkXTDLhTp48i43LUE&si=5Gu16BtbCj-jVM1U&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) is on Breakthrough News. Camp had a wide-ranging conversation with Plea for the Fifth, that will be published in four parts. The second in our series focuses on the Palestinian genocide, anti-Zionism, and anti-semitism. Watch the video of this segment [here](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/israel-is-actually-harmful-to-the-jewish-people-it-makes-people-think-that-israels-actions-are-the-actions-of-all-jews-video/), and the rest in our series with Lee Camp [here](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/tag/lee-camp/). **Sean Ghazala:** You mentioned The Lancet Journal. So, we'll use that as a pivot point to talk about day 285 of this genocide in Palestine. As you likely know, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is going to be visiting Washington D.C. next week, and is expected to speak to a joint session of Congress for the fourth time - more than any other foreign leader, including Winston Churchill. So, we can presume he's coming to rally more support, more funding, more weaponry for this genocide against Palestinians. But, a silver lining is there are buses being [arranged](https://www.answercoalition.org/arrest%5Fnetanyahu?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) from across this country, including from [Staten Island](http://bit.ly/si2dc?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), to go down to DC and surround the Capitol and intervene in this craziness that's happening. But locally on Staten Island, we have had city council people visit Israel in the last nine months, express sympathy for Israelis killed on October Seventh, and then returned to their district and ghost Arab, Muslim and Palestinian constituents that are experiencing incredible sorrow and begging for facetime. So, let's talk about how you see this genocide impacting Americans if you think it is, because from my vantage point, I see Zionists returning to the same talking points, day after day after day. But I see anti-Zionists, anti-imperialists and others becoming increasingly radicalized by what they're seeing. So how are you seeing all of this? **Lee Camp:** Yeah, great question. And just to go back to the Lancet Medical Journal, I just want to let people know the reason you said that's a segue is because they recently came out with the [article](https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736%2824%2901169-3/fulltext?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) showing that likely 186,000 have been killed in Gaza by Israel since October 7, it is not the number 40,000 or close to it. 40,000 is not counting those killed by disease, and lack of medical systems, and lack of food. So ,it is likely nearing 200,000 which is just so horrific. But yeah, getting to your point about Zionists, I think time will tell. I am not sure as to how this is changing the paradigm in the United States, both for activists and for non-activists. I do know a lot of people are upset about this. I mean, a very large percentage of people have kind of been woken up to just how disgusting and aggressive the State of Israel is. And a lot of people had no idea what was going on, had no idea that Gazans are not allowed to come and go as they see fit, are not allowed to get the food and water they need. I'm talking even pre-October 7\. And so, it is waking just tons of people up, you know, maybe especially people under 30 are waking up to this. And, you know, another fact I hope a lot of people are starting to wake up to is that Zionist does not mean Jew, I am Jewish, and I'm an anti-Zionist. I've been to Israel multiple times when I was younger, back when I supported Israel because I didn't know better. I hadn't studied it really or anything. And there are millions of anti-Zionist Jews across this country. There's actually a group \[[Neturei Karta](https://nkusa.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com)\] in New York City, I think in Brooklyn or Queens, that's very anti-Zionist. And they are Orthodox Jews, that know that Israel is actually harmful to the Jewish people because it makes people anti-semitic. It makes people think that Israel's actions are the actions of all Jews, which is not true. And there are also more Christian Zionists across America than there are Jews in the world. Christian Zionists are the number one Zionists across America, millions and millions of them. And a lot of people do not understand these things, but they're important factors. And so it's very important that people not conflate being Zionist with being Jewish. But it's the reason people do conflate it, is because Israel has tried to create that. Israel has created loads of propaganda that says, if you criticize Israel, if you criticize Zionism, you are anti-semitic, you are criticizing Jews. So, they have done everything they can to conflate, to confuse people millions and billions of people around the world into thinking that Israel equals all Jews, or Jews in general. So yeah, I put that that blame squarely on Israel. But another point in terms of people waking up around the world, I read something recently that [one out of every three](https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/one-three-people-are-boycotting-brands-over-israels-war-gaza-poll-finds?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) people globally, are boycotting one corporation or another due to their connection to Israel. And that's an amazing number, because it means that at minimum, one out of every three people understand that Israel is committing genocide right now. And it's obviously probably a lot more than that, because those one out of three are the activists, those are the ones who have said, I'm going to at least stop buying these products because they connect to Israel. So I do think there's a large awakening growing up. And I think that in a lot of ways Israel, at least in its current manifestation of an oppressive apartheid regime that will just murder children at whim, et cetera. I think the writing's on the wall like Israel has written their own ending by committing this genocide and by defining themselves as this. As opposed to being an actual equal state with equality and justice and allowing all people, all rights. You know, that is the way things need to go and Israel, I think, this oppressive apartheid regime is just writing their own ending. ### Ten Years since Eric Garner's Murder [Video] URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/ten-years-since-eric-garners-murder-video/ Last updated: 2024-07-19T16:41:21.000Z Lee Camp speaks on Eric Garner's killing by police, and larger trends of police killings increasing year-after-year. _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Ten Years since Eric Garner's Murder [Transcript] URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/ten-years-since-eric-garners-murder/ Last updated: 2024-07-19T16:49:19.000Z [Lee Camp](https://linktr.ee/leecamp?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) is the former host and head writer of Redacted Tonight, the host of the podcast Moment of Clarity, and The Lee Camp Show as well as co-host of Government Secrets with Graham Elwood, and Common Censored with Eleanor Goldfield. Camp is the author of titles such as *Moment of Clarity*, *Bullet Points and Punch Lines*, and most recently *Dangerous Ideas*. He co-manages the news platform [RadIndieMedia.com](https://radindiemedia.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), and his newest show [America Inc. with Lee Camp](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwZtBKjGSMzWUEm1VkXTDLhTp48i43LUE&si=5Gu16BtbCj-jVM1U&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) is on Breakthrough News. Camp had a wide-ranging conversation with Plea for the Fifth, that will be published in four parts. The first in our series focuses on the ten-year anniversary of Eric Garner's killing by police. Become a Plea for the Fifth subscriber to [watch the interview](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/ten-years-since-eric-garners-murder-video/). **Sean Ghazala:** Lee top of mind when I reached out to you was yesterday's somber anniversary. Yesterday marked 10 years since the killing of Eric Garner. And just to remind our audience, July 17, 2014, NYPD officers approached Eric Garner on Bay Street here on Staten Island on the suspicion of selling individual cigarettes from packs or what New Yorkers call Loosies. He was a 43-year-old African American man and was killed by Officer Daniel Pantaleo in a prohibited chokehold while he was being arrested. And the video generated widespread I mean locally, but nationally outrage and maybe was one of the first times we watched an officer kill a black American on a cell phone video. **Lee Camp:** Yeah, I think so. **Sean Ghazala:** Garner was heard saying I can't breathe 11 times laying down on the sidewalk, and was the was the father of children and grandchildren. So, Lee talk to us about your view of police, the killing of Eric Garner and the countless others since then, and the lack of any meaningful reform we've had in these past 10 years. **Lee Camp:** Great question. Yeah. Eric Garner. I think you might be right maybe the first time we saw a police officer murder a black person on camera, like you said, doing hardly anything selling loose cigarettes. Apparently, they knew him well as someone who would stand there and do this. So, this was also not like some oh my god moment. On top of that we later learn that Pantaleo, I think his name was, had a history where he'd used these illegal chokeholds before, you know, and been lightly reprimanded, like a slap on the wrist type thing. On top of that. We know that the guy who took the video, I think his name was Ramsey \[Orta\] was chased by the police. I don't mean like, physically, but I mean, like they, they basically made sure to find a reason to prosecute him and go after him and ultimately served a lot of time in prison, you know, technically not for videotaping them. But that's really what it was, it was them putting a target on him because he had revealed to the world their behavior. But then you broaden that out beyond just Eric Garner. We know that there's been no decrease in police murder of innocent people across this country. It has not decreased, it's only increased. Last year, I believe, was the largest ever on record, with, you know, more than 1,200 murders by police. But believe it or not, that is roughly half of the actual number. We learned from the [Lancet Medical Journal](https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs/journals/lancet/PIIS0140-6736%2821%2901609-3.pdf?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) that most in their research most something like 55% of all murders by police are not actually written down and reported as murders by police. They're, you know, reported as a heart attack or, you know, inability to breathe or something. And they don't actually get written up as murders by police. So, the 1,200 is the ones where they actually call it a police murder, whereas you double that if you want the actual number of people killed by police. And I always like to point to other countries and say, 'well, what are other countries doing?' Well, Denmark, and Switzerland, for example, often have years where their police kill zero. Not a single person is often murdered by Denmark or Swiss police. But then you have a country like Iceland, where from their founding, they've had one person murdered by their police. This is just not a common thing in other countries, in a lot of the countries. In the US it is so aggressively common and it has to do with a completely racial racist and fascist police system and you know, right wingers would say right now, would yell 'What do you mean racist? More white people are killed by police than Black people!' Well, yes, but if you look at first of all, the percentage of black people in this country, far more percentage wise are killed by police than white people. But beyond that, if you look at the stories behind these people that get killed by police, most of the white people are waving a gun. That's the white people that get killed by police. Most of the black people are not waving any weapon, they're reaching for their wallet or nothing at all, or being choked for selling cigarettes. So, it's a very different situation. But yeah, it has to do with an impressively racist - I mean, our policing system, which is rather unique, some other countries have adopted our insane policing system, but rather unique originated from slave patrols. I mean, before slave patrols, there was not this idea of 'Oh, in order to have a society, you need to have guys with guns on most corners, ready to shoot people.' And with slave patrols, it was basically any white person in the town who has their own gun, because we can't supply them, you come with your own gun, and you can just find black people and either arrest them or shoot them. And that then slowly evolved over the years to this. You know, it was insane back then. And it's insane now. This insane policing system that's largely unaccountable to people, these police commit violations over and over and over again. And yet worse, they get moved around from department to department, but often they just get a slap on the wrist. And you know, nothing's changing. I mean, I just did a segment on my livestream the other day about, or yesterday, about body cameras and how if you actually look into what body cameras have achieved over the past 10 years, it's essentially nothing. Because the push for body cams largely came from the surveillance state, and police. That footage is never revealed, or rarely revealed. And it's largely just used for the police to use it for their means. It's rarely used for the public to actually prosecute a police officer. And even in the Derek Chauvin, George Floyd killing. Well, that wasn't a body cam that we found, we saw the video that went viral that created Black Lives Matter that was cell phone footage, so yeah, body cams were pushed by the surveillance state and they're largely bullshit. ### From the Ocean to the Harbor, Staten Island is Quiet no Longer URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/from-the-ocean-to-the-harbor-staten-island-is-quiet-no-longer/ Last updated: 2024-07-19T13:05:13.000Z On July 15th, a muggy Monday morning, as commuters were boarding the 8:00 AM Dorothy Day ferry to Manhattan, a group of Staten Islanders took over several balconies in solidarity with Palestine. These organizers represented groups like the [Party for Socialism and Liberation](https://www.instagram.com/nycpsl?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), the [Shut it Down for Palestine](https://www.shutitdown4palestine.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) coalition, and [Staten Island 4 Palestine](https://linktr.ee/Si4Pali?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9fCm0WuaRJ/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by NYC PSL (@nycpsl)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9fCm0WuaRJ/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) The action was appropriate considering the vessel's namesake, as [SIFerry.com](https://siferry.com/current-vessels/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) notes, 'Dorothy Day was an American journalist, social activist, and anarchist who, after a bohemian youth, became a Catholic Christian without abandoning her social and anarchist activism.' Community members brandished banners reading “Arrest Netanyahu, War Criminals are not Welcome Here”, “Free Palestine, From the River to the Sea”, and “From the Ocean to the Harbor, Staten Island is Quiet no Longer”. As Staten Islanders boarded below, they were welcomed by chants of “Free, Free Palestine”, a speech by [Leila Hegazy](https://www.instagram.com/leilahegazy/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), and an invitation to march in DC for the Arrest Netanyahu protest on July 24 with the Staten Island 4 Palestine coalition. ![](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXdLFPma8nRajL2N18-I4LtnV1eqtv8CqWoYJut83HSOd-RrWze2mU5G04hlSoywTRPw1nB8BMZJE24t0pYDEJVBRVYTGti3yQMgP2pTawJNoodALppEds_ROumnQcugP2B48y4fTxlvv40lVCewD6Xe-2Oh?key=dWt4LKvGZ8N6iEx58dKqHQ) July 24 National Mobilization to Surround the Capitol & Arrest Netanyahu [http://bit.ly/si2dc](http://bit.ly/si2dc?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) ([Staten Island 4 Palestine](http://bit.ly/si2dc?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), 2024) On July 24th Americans, including [Staten Islanders](http://bit.ly/si2dc?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) outraged by the mass murder continuing in Palestine, will converge on the Capitol Building to hold the war criminal Benjamin Netanyahu as he addresses a joint session of congress for the fourth time - more than any other foreign leader, including Winston Churchill. 💡 **“Over the past 9 months: the zionist state of Israel has been murdering Palestinians with your tax dollars . \[The\] killing of 40,000 Palestinians, including over 16,00 children. We need everybody on the streets of D.C. on July 24th!”* **\-Leila Hegazy* Despite a ferry worker attempting - and failing - to snatch one of the banners, organizers held their agitation as the morning crowd boarded. Eventually activists were kicked off of the vessel by NYPD, claiming the ferry captain had requested they leave, and that their continued presence was trespassing. This was in stark contrast to activists' June 6 banner drop on the ferry where they were allowed to remain so long as they did not interfere with the ferry announcements, suggesting Staten Island Ferry staff and police were more prepared for the action the second time around, or that free speech rights are up to the whims of each vessel's captain. ![](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXfsc6X9l2pHMQJRi9oQhBuq4TqRxoZC8nIS9IB0nJbWwbh2IPNOpY_kAFSTXVD25WerVfk2ylap10hfgLvJ1QlRvXqEK65doK5r5A9gvZ9ABUMzNn_-eh12FAbmmVHzl7zKYEex6_VDSS152npoDERwF5Iy?key=dWt4LKvGZ8N6iEx58dKqHQ) Staten Islanders dropping three banners at the entry terrace to the Staten Island Ferry terminal. (G. Grinwald-Alves, 2024) Members' spirits were not broken by the NYPD setback, as they pivoted to a second location over the ferry terrace with renewed enthusiasm. Thousands are expected to attend the July 24th Arrest Netanyahu demonstration. You can find a bus near you [here](https://www.answercoalition.org/arrest%5Fnetanyahu?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). ### Celebration of Local Young Adults' Achievements URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/celebration-of-local-young-adults-achievements/ Last updated: 2024-06-26T17:27:41.000Z Seven young adults from the sixth grade to graduate school were recognized for their exceptional achievements across their fields at the Staten Island Youth Awards (SIYA) held on Tuesday, June 25 at the Snug Harbor Cultural Center. The third annual award ceremony convened by [TYSA](https://sipcw.org/tysa/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), a Staten Island Behavioral Health Coalition, is a response to a lack of community spaces that affirm young adults' identities, foster connections, and celebrate achievements in safe, supportive, and sober environments. TYSA, established in 2011 as [Staten Island Partnership for Community Wellness](https://sipcw.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com)’s cornerstone project, is a coalition that seeks to reduce youth and young adult substance use, and improve mental health outcomes. The Coalition recognized each young adult with an award package, and allowed them to provide remarks to the audience, followed by a reception and food for awardees and their families. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/06/IMG-20240625-WA0043-1.jpg) Alecia credited Curtis High School's nursing program, and her mother for her achievements. (Xin Yan Zhu, 2024) "Last year, I was honored to receive a Staten Island Youth Award," shares Vincent Lepani, Chair of the TYSA Youth Consultant Workgroup and a college student. Lepani continues, "I appreciate how it uplifts young people and the various works we do.” Results from the most recent NYS Youth Development Survey - a biennial survey of thousands of middle and high school students across the State - revealed 40% of youth in the borough indicated that they were experiencing depression and sadness in 2022\. The award ceremony is one of many strategies deployed as the Coalition recognizes that factors influencing young people's emotional wellness are complex. "It’s inspirational to see youth do these actions out of their heart. I hope to see them continue, ” says Danielle Guzman a TYSA Youth Consultant, "I’m not originally from Staten Island, and I’ve only been a part of TYSA for a few months, but I loved being introduced to the SIYA ceremony." ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/06/IMG-20240625-WA0070.jpg) Savannah thanked SIYA for recognizing their advocacy for safe spaces for young adults. (Xin Yan Zhu, 2024) # 2024 SIYA Awardees - **Arts & Culture:** Gabriella Miller (she/her) is a 6th grader at I.S. 72, and excels in performative arts, particularly music and acting. Through prevention classes at United Activities Unlimited, she has found a creative outlet to hone her talents and deepen her understanding of culture. - **Climate Advocacy:** Oscar Contreras (he/him) is a rising sophomore at the College of Staten Island. For the last three years, he has worked at Snug Harbor where he has worked on projects related to water quality, urban farming, and food waste reduction as a way of improving environmental sustainability. - **Community Organizing & Activism:** Chace Olsen (he/him) is a rising junior at Port Richmond High School. He is the founder of [Never Lose Hope](https://never-lose-hope.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), an organization committed to providing care packages for individuals battling cancer and managing chronic illnesses. - **Education:** Jason Jiang (he/him) is a senior at New Dorp High School. He is a youth leadership team member at New York City Teens Connection, where he has provided consent presentations and sexual health education to help people — particularly BIPOC/LGBTQ+ folks — gain autonomy and build healthy relationships. - **Equity & Allyship:** Savannah Margarita Rodriguez (they/them) is a graduate of Guttman Community College with an associate degree in Human Services. They are a counselor at United Activities Unlimited, advocating for safe spaces where all children can thrive, regardless of their background. - **Health & Well-being:** Alecia Watson (she/her) is a student at Curtis High School. She actively educates peers on reproductive, mental, and physical health. She has represented her school at the Capitol, advocating for the importance of school health centers. - **Media & Journalism:** Brian Chan (he/him) is a rising senior at Staten Island Academy. He is the founder of [House of Poetry](https://www.houseofpoetry.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), an international literary journal that gives youth around the world a platform to express their poetry, prose, journalism, and visual art. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/06/IMG-20240625-WA0066-1.jpg) Brian thanked his mentors, and encouraged young adults to write. (Xin Yan Zhu, 2024) ### Open Letter to SI Jewish Community URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/open-letter-to-si-jewish-community/ Last updated: 2024-06-10T12:00:04.000Z We write today as Jewish members of the [Staten Island 4 Palestine](https://www.instagram.com/statenisland4palestine?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fbutton%5Fshare%5Fsheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==) Coalition. In the past few months, we have seen the growing protests across college campuses, with students demanding their universities divest from companies and institutions that collaborate with Israel’s ongoing genocide in Palestine. The news media and politicians have gone to great lengths to defame the protests as “anti-Semitic violent mobs” in need of arrest and expulsion. The Jewish students who have taken part in this protest tell a different story. In the encampments, Muslim and Jewish students prayed side-by-side. Jewish protesters held Seders and Shabbats, with volunteers from numerous Jewish communities and organizations providing them with food and supplies. Meanwhile, both Jewish and non-Jewish protestors were met with brutal violence at the hands of police and Zionist agitators, with thousands being arrested for exercising their First Amendment rights. Throughout Passover, Jewish people of conscience held Seders in the streets across the city to demand an end to this genocide, and to fight the media’s erasure of our voices. In Staten Island, we held a Passover Seder that included Jews and non-Jews across generations. We had elders who participated in the student protests against Vietnam, which was met with similar repression by the police. We know now, as they knew then, that we stand on the right side of history. We are the voices of the growing body of Jewish resistance against Israel and its crimes being conducted in our name. But many in our community still stand in direct support or, worse still, direct collaboration in this ethnic cleansing of Palestine. Over the past few months, multiple synagogues across the city and country have hosted land sales by Israeli real estate organizations, doling out parcels of land brazenly stolen from Palestinian families. These land sales, crop burnings, and increasing settler violence and pogroms against Palestinians in the West Bank are not only a violation of international law, but also Jewish values. We as a people are tasked with *tikkun olam* \- repairing the world, and the pursuit of *tzedek* \- justice. You cannot repair the world with mass graves, man-made famines, and bombs. And you cannot pursue justice by standing with the unjust. The use of our religious and cultural institutions to promote and fund genocide and ethnic cleansing is an affront to all Jewish people. No synagogue must ever house illegal land sales and fundraising for mass murder. The most recent horrific massacres in Rafah, coupled with continued bombings in the north of Gaza and violent attacks by the IDF and Israeli settlers in the West Bank, put into perspective who this “war” is really against. It is clear the only plan Israel has for Palestinians is death and displacement. We call on our Rabbis, who we have always looked to for moral guidance and leadership, to take a stand against these crimes. We ask them to prioritize inconvenient truths over comfortable lies. We, as Jews of conscience in Staten Island, ask our wider Jewish community on the Island to speak to their Rabbis. To let them know that we deserve moral clarity from our leaders. We need them to do the following: 1\. Publicly call for an immediate, permanent ceasefire and the return of all hostages, including Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. 2\. Refrain from hosting or promoting any land sale of stolen Palestinian land in your synagogue. 3\. Begin channeling money to organizations providing famine relief in Gaza. Only in this way can we begin to repair the world and pursue justice. We call upon our Jewish community in the forgotten borough to never forget that “never again”, means never again for anyone. Written by: *Staten Island 4 Palestine - Jewish Contingent* ### Teen Dances Out of Staten Island Hospital After Three Months of Burn Treatment URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/dancing-out-of-northwell/ Last updated: 2026-02-18T15:44:13.000Z 17-year-old Sarah danced her way out of Staten Island University Hospital's Jerome L. Finkelstein, MD, Regional Burn Center on May 30, after three months of painful treatment. Sarah successfully recovered from injuries and extreme burns covering 60% of her body after her home in Gaza, Palestine was bombed by Israel in December 2023. [HEAL Palestine](https://www.healpalestine.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) raised funds to fly Sarah by medical plane to New York City in March, and provide her medical treatment. HEAL Palestine was founded by [Steve Sosebee](https://www.instagram.com/stevesosebee?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fbutton%5Fshare%5Fsheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==), who was present for Sarah's release from SIUH. Sosebee founded the [Palestine Children's Relief Fund](https://www.pcrf.net/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) in 1991, with a mission to provide medical and humanitarian relief collectively and individually to children throughout the Levant, regardless of their nationality or religion. Sosebee launched Heal Palestine this January to be more of a holistic organization. HEAL Palestine’s mission is to transform the lives of Palestinian youth by providing essential healthcare, educational support, humanitarian aid, and leadership development opportunities. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7olySCujil/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by @women.for.palestine](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7olySCujil/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) Sosebee credited Sarah's recovery on her "determination to live, and the amazing care she got from the doctors and nurses through the support of Northwell." In a video that appeared on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7olySCujil/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==), SIUH staff clapped Sarah on as she exited the burn unit. Despite her physical recovery, there is no doubt Sarah will require additional care, including mental health care. The Israeli attack on Sarah's home killed two of her brothers. Israel has killed at least 15,971 Palestinian children in just the last 247 days. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/06/image-1.png) A banner image on HEALPalestine.org highlights Sarah's recovery. ([HEAL Palestine](https://www.healpalestine.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), 2024) ### Hundreds Rally for Divestment & to Reject Intimidation by CSI Public Safety URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/hundreds-rally-at-csi/ Last updated: 2026-02-18T15:47:25.000Z Approximately 200 protestors gathered at the main gate to the College of Staten Island, calling out CUNY's obstinance to demands for divestment by students and their families, as well as the actions of CSI Public Safety towards civil disobedience at the Commencement Ceremony. Attendees included members of [College of Staten Island Students for Justice in Palestine](https://www.instagram.com/sjp%5Fcsi/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) (SJP), [Peace Action Staten Island](https://www.peacesi.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), the [Party for Socialism and Liberation](https://www.instagram.com/nycpsl?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), and [Staten Island 4 Palestine](https://www.instagram.com/statenisland4palestine?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fbutton%5Fshare%5Fsheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==). During the College of Staten Island's May 23 Commencement, graduates and their families walked out of the ceremony in support of Palestine, and against CUNY’s complicity in the genocide of Palestinians. The CSI students' five demands were: - CUNY to divest its $8.5 million from weapons and surveillance technology - CUNY to institute an academic boycott of Israeli universities - CUNY to end the repression and retaliation of pro-Palestine CUNY students and workers, and express solidarity with the Palestinian resistance struggle - CUNY to demilitarize its campuses - CUNY to return to being a fully funded, tuition-free people’s CUNY that offers a fair contract to all of its workers. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7UdoTfsP2Y/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Lambert ت (@lambertlau.photo)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7UdoTfsP2Y/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) The five demands echoed those that have arisen across the CUNY system. The rally's endorsers reflected the Citywide sentiment including [Not in our Name CUNY](https://x.com/NIONCUNY/status/1544742223559897088?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) \- a coalition of anti-Zionist Jewish students, staff, faculty, and alumni - as well as [FIT SJP](https://www.instagram.com/fit.sjp/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [Lehman College SJP](https://www.instagram.com/sjplehman/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [John Jay College SJP](https://www.instagram.com/johnjaysjp/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [City Tech SJP](https://www.instagram.com/citytechsjp/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [Cornell University SJP](https://www.instagram.com/sjp.atcornell?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fbutton%5Fshare%5Fsheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==), [Brooklyn College Muslim Students Association (MSA)](https://www.instagram.com/brooklyn.msa?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fbutton%5Fshare%5Fsheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==), [City Tech MSA](https://www.instagram.com/citytechmsa?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fbutton%5Fshare%5Fsheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==), [Queens College MSA](https://www.instagram.com/queenscollegemsa?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fbutton%5Fshare%5Fsheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==), [CUNY for Palestine](https://www.instagram.com/cuny4palestine/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [Within Our Lifetime](https://wolpalestine.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), and the [Palestine Solidarity Alliance of Hunter College](https://www.instagram.com/psahuntercollege?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fbutton%5Fshare%5Fsheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/06/Isreal-is-Burning-People-Alive-in-Gaza-Ceasefire-Now.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/06/5.28-Rally-3.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/06/Cops-off-Campus.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/06/CSI-Rally-Gate.jpg) Rally-goers at the Rally for Gaza at the College of Staten Island (Plea for the Fifth, 2024) In response to the walkout led by graduates and their families, at least two CUNY staff - including a public safety officer - began menacing and verbally intimidating students and families. In the first, and more infamous of the two, Public Safety Officer Sgt. Donald Girard 281 appears on [video](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7UpDVlO9ls/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fbutton%5Fshare%5Fsheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==). A Commencement attendee, as they record, shouts "You support genocide," and Sgt. Girard responds "Yes, I do." In case there was ambiguity, Girard adds "I support killing all you guys, how about that?" As the crowd begins to shame Girard for their avowed support for murder of graduates and their families, Girard tells a commencement attendee to "Fuck his mother." > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7UpDVlO9ls/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by College of Staten Island SJP (@sjp\_csi)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7UpDVlO9ls/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) The second staff member, [Joseph D'Alessandro](https://www.facebook.com/joseph.dalessandro.5/), appeared on [video](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7ae0oBtItG/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fbutton%5Fshare%5Fsheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==) verbally intimidating and physically assaulting students and their families. D'Alessandro is recorded telling [Abdullah Akl](https://www.instagram.com/abdullahakll?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fbutton%5Fshare%5Fsheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==) \- the Advocacy Director of the [Muslim American Society Staten Island](https://www.instagram.com/massicenter?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fbutton%5Fshare%5Fsheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==) Chapter and member of Within Our Lifetime - to "Get Off \[his\] Campus!" D'Alessandro then assaults a second attendee, knocking a phone from their hand stating, "Jerk Offs, that is what you are - ruining a fucking graduation." D'Alessandro then attempts on video to trip attendees as they walk out. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7ae0oBtItG/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by College of Staten Island SJP (@sjp\_csi)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C7ae0oBtItG/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) CSI President Lynch released a [statement](https://csitoday.com/2024/05/a-message-from-president-lynch-may-24-2024/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) the following day that purported to be clear by condemning one officer's language, while not actually providing clarity on where the College stands in response to the five student demands that were the proximate event leading up to this hate speech and intimidation by staff. The NY Daily News later confirmed Girard's language led to his suspension, pending an investigation. President Lynch's Office did not respond to Plea for the Fifth when asked why Sgt Girard's language resulted simply in a suspension and not termination. The Office also did not respond when asked what counseling or support services would be provided to Palestinians, Arab Americans, and Muslims on campus when Sgt Girard returns to campus so that they feel safe from him. As of publishing, it appears Joseph D'Alessandro has escaped any repercussions for his intimidation and ethnocentric speech to students and families. CSI and the President's Office did not respond to Plea for the Fifth's inquiry as to whether he would. Rally goers demonstrated they were wholly unsatisfied with CSI's inaction. In video included below, protestors are calling out Donald Girard and Timothy Lynch by name, as well as CSI and Public Safety. ### A Call to Action: The People's Conference for Palestine and the Fight for Freedom URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/peoples-conference-for-palestine/ Last updated: 2024-06-05T17:32:56.000Z On the 230th day since the onset of ‘Israel’s’ genocide on Gaza and the intensified siege on the West Bank, a coalition of organizations convened the first [People's Conference for Palestine](https://peoplesconferenceforpalestine.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) in Detroit, Michigan, from May 24 to 26, 2024\. These organizations included the [Palestinian Youth Movement](https://palestinianyouthmovement.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), the [US Campaign for Palestinian Rights](https://uscpr.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [Healthcare Workers for Palestine](https://www.instagram.com/healthcareworkersforpalestine/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), and [Al-Awda: The Palestine Right to Return Coalition](https://al-awdapalestine.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). The conference drew over 3,500 attendees - including at least seven Staten Islanders - uniting supporters from multiple generations of the Palestinian liberation movement. The Palestinian people have been fighting for their freedom for over 100 years, and are committed to continuing generation after generation, until victory. Elder organizers of the 1970s and members of the first Palestinian liberation institutions, including the General Union of Palestinian Students, joined current youth activists from [Students for Justice in Palestine](https://nationalsjp.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) and the Palestinian Youth Movement, creating a powerful intergenerational dialogue and solidarity. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/06/signal-2024-05-30-092804_022-1-1.jpeg) Members of Staten Island 4 Palestine at the People's Conference for Palestine (Hope Ghazala, 2024) Conference organizers utilized this time to strengthen relationships, strategies, tactics, and unity for the continued struggle for a free Palestine. Sessions supported participants in building a shared assessment of the moment and charting the next phase of the struggle. Through various panels, participants were encouraged to engage in the [next phase of the movement](https://peoplesconferenceforpalestine.org/welcome?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) for a free Palestine —getting organized and joining political organizations; understanding our role in the heart of the U.S. empire to expose and dismantle the Zionist project; and strengthening and uplifting a grassroots movement in North America that brings people across all sectors of our society. While the Biden administration has committed at least [$41 billion ](https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/2024-04-20/ty-article/.premium/u-s-passes-26-billion-in-emergency-israel-aid-most-significant-step-since-oct-7/0000018e-fbdd-db42-a99f-ffffe9760000?ref=pleaforthefifth.com)of U.S. tax dollars to ‘Israel’ since October 7, 2023, conference speakers addressed their roles in various sectors to stop supporting this genocide. Journalists, Google tech workers, students, Starbucks employees, healthcare workers, and more shared their roles and responsibilities in stopping this U.S.-funded apartheid. ![Alt Text: Black and white illustration shared in the Resistance/Liberation Art for Palestine Exhibition during the Conference. The illustration depicts a plane labeled 'Pay Medical Bills, Fund Schools' dropping bombs. The text above reads, 'It is our money buying the bombs. Money that can grow food, pay medical bills, fund schools.' Below the plane, there are abstract figures and the text 'We see the power of the Palestinian.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/06/resize-poster-b-and-w.jpg) A graphic from the Resistance/Liberation Art for Palestine Exhibition during the People's Conference for Palestine (Hope Ghazala, 2024) The innovative and flexible nature of the People's Conference for Palestine reflected the adaptability and creativity needed to sustain the Palestinian liberation movement. Notable figures joined virtually, including Palestinian surgeon Ghassan Abu-Sittah, who worked at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza during the early weeks of the genocide. He provided a first-hand account of the brutal ‘Israeli’ aggression against the Palestinian people and shared reports from medical workers on the ground in Rafah, where ‘Israel’ is waging a relentless offensive. Palestinian Youth Movement organizer Mohammed Nabulsi highlighted the significant challenges faced by Sanaa' Daqqa, an activist, journalist, and the wife of the martyred Palestinian prisoner Walid Daqqa, in obtaining a visa to attend the event. Despite these difficulties, she managed to arrive directly from the airport to deliver her speech on the second day of the conference. This underscores the broader context of the obstacles many Palestinians encounter, with several being denied U.S. visas or interrogated at customs. In her first speech at the People's Conference for Palestine, Sanaa' Daqqa delivered a deeply moving address about her late husband, Walid Daqqa, who spent 38 years as a political prisoner before being martyred in an ‘Israeli’ prison on April 7, 2024\. She highlighted the cruelties inflicted upon him by ‘Israeli’ authorities, including the denial of conjugal visits and the blocking of his attempts to start a family. She mentioned the ongoing battle to release Walid's body from ‘Israeli’ custody so that he could be buried in his homeland. She criticized the ‘Israeli’ state for maintaining possession of the dead bodies to prevent families from mourning, describing it as a country that sanctifies death over life. She urged attendees to continue raising their voices, filling the streets, and demonstrating against the Zionist entity, stressing that their resistance is what roots them in their struggle and that they will not capitulate, asserting that it is either victory or death. Sanaa' also shared the story of her daughter, Milad, who was conceived through smuggled sperm while Walid was in prison. Milad symbolizes hope and resilience for the Palestinian people facing forced separation and imprisonment by the ‘Israeli’ Occupation. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/C7aI9UmApyV/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Palestinian Youth Movement (@palestinianyouthmovement)](https://www.instagram.com/p/C7aI9UmApyV/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) During her second speech at the conference, Sanaa' focused deeply on the movement for political prisoners, a key aspect of Palestinian political life. Before October 7, 2023, ‘Israel’ held [5,200 Palestinian political prisoners](https://peoplesdispatch.org/2023/11/14/how-palestinians-in-israeli-prisons-experience-the-war/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), including 170 children and 1,264 detainees held without trial or charge. Today, approximately [9,500 Palestinians](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/dec/21/more-than-8000-palestinians-in-israeli-jails-rights-groups-say?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) are currently in ‘Israeli’ custody. Around 3,660 are being detained under administrative detention, meaning they are detained without charge or trial. As of March 31, 2024, ‘Israeli’ forces are detaining [194 Palestinian children](https://www.dci-palestine.org/israeli%5Fforces%5Fdetain%5Frecord%5Fnumber%5Fof%5Fpalestinian%5Fchildren%5Fwithout%5Fcharge?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), with 61 of them held in administrative detention. Sanaa’ shared, “Into the late ‘80s and '90s, the prisoners’ movement played a crucial role during the First Intifada. Much of the First Intifada was administered from within the ‘Israeli’ prisons themselves. … We have to be proud of being part of a people that brings out a prisoner movement like this and creates heroes and fighters like ours,” Daqqa affirmed. “The prisoners decided to create life from a life sentence.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/06/4-1-1702015872.png) The catalyst of the First Intifada was the killing of four Palestinians. ([Al Jazeera History Illustrated](History Illustrated), 2023) This was one of many messages of revolutionary hope shared that weekend. Speakers Lara Sheehi and Lina Assi spoke of ‘Cultivating and Sustaining Revolutionary Optimism’, defining it as a conscious political commitment and duty within the context of struggles for liberation, particularly Palestinian liberation. They emphasized the importance of maintaining hope and resilience in the face of ongoing oppression and genocide. The weekend concluded with a decisive call to action, unveiling a new transnational campaign titled '[Mask Off Maersk](https://www.maskoffmaersk.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com)' during the 'Arms Embargo Now!' panel. This campaign targets Maersk, one of the world’s largest shipping companies, responsible for transporting 68% of ‘Israel’s’ weapons from the U.S. The Palestinian Youth Movement plans to engage multiple sectors of society within this campaign, including labor, media, and college campuses, to pressure Maersk to sever its ties with ‘Israel’. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/06/image.png) Maersk, one of the world’s largest shipping and logistics companies, directly facilitates the weapons trade. ([Palestinian Youth Movement](https://www.maskoffmaersk.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), 2024) ### Commentary: I Won't Be Silent Any Longer URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/commentary-i-wont-be-silent-any-longer/ Last updated: 2024-06-05T13:17:40.000Z I am an Egyptian-American, born and raised here on the North Shore of Staten Island, but Palestine has always been of major importance to me ever since I came of age in the late 1990s/early 2000s. I was first exposed to the issue of Palestine with the killing of 12-year-old Muhammad Al-Durrah, as he was [hiding behind the arms of his father](https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2020/9/30/behind-the-lens-remembering-muhammad-al-durrah?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). It was an image that has been ingrained in me ever since then. I always wondered how can anyone kill an innocent young child mercilessly when he did absolutely nothing to merit such a horrible end. To this day, I still don’t get it and maybe I never will. 💡 For additional background on the ethnic cleansing and genocide in Palestine, see our [previous commentary](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/tag/free-palestine/). ![](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXc2diKcbG-vMQzfM9DesM2tXQQ53PnHLPr37Y_82neQEEFQ9qdryv3abMgnjoNcSQF6P0IuFaiVasXeyreV2Qkbsl9NpM_x6Dc_HY18GDSTq4s2gRCqSH_8Oxcnac4ObO8Or5EbD4H9qeJOufls64Uqock?key=zoRmxQ5ii4Bmk2pqCTpH3g) Jamal al-Durrah trying to protect his son, Muhammad, on September 30, 2000 in Gaza \[Talal Abu Rahma for France 2/AFP\] Around that time, I recall Arab musicians coming together to put out a song called “[The Arab Dream](https://youtu.be/fw3ac4X-UQE?si=xflBnq35DuHQleQr&t=62&ref=pleaforthefifth.com)” on the unity of the Arab people. For a moment in my early teens, I thought that maybe, we can unite, put aside our regional differences and come together as one to put a stop to this madness and bring back dignity to the Palestinian people. I was wrong on so many levels. Hindsight has shown me that I was thinking in an idealistic manner, with perhaps some naivete. Nearly a quarter of a century later, our very own Arab regimes are violently and ruthlessly suppressing their own people for speaking up about Palestine, no different from how the NYPD is violently and brutally trying to silence us here. We’ve witnessed student encampments in Columbia and CCNY get raided and violently suppressed by the NYPD’s SRG, a response that our very own Mayor Adams praised during his May 1st, [Town Hall at I.S.75](https://www.youtube.com/live/NUub-MUStqQ?si=K77aa5o2vET873HY&t=1067&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) on Staten Island, that was not highly publicized to ensure little to no protest. We’ve also seen the NYPD ruthlessly arrest and abuse Nerdeen Kiswani, Director of [Within Our Lifetime](https://wolpalestine.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), at the Brooklyn Museum. All of this is being done on purpose to quiet us, prevent us from asserting ourselves and asking for divestment of taxpayer funds that are invested in the military-surveillance complex, a denunciation of the murderous acts committed, and a permanent ceasefire. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/06/nypd-arrests-students-campus-columbia-80302198_aaf124.webp) NYPD arrested 108 protesters at Columbia University on April 18 (Robert Miller, [NY Post](https://nypost.com/2024/04/25/us-news/top-nypd-cop-schools-aoc-after-she-rants-about-columbia-campus-chaos-and-violent-police-units/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com)) For years ever since, I’ve tried to advocate for Palestinians in the social space, but in a limited fashion, for fear of persecution/intimidation. I always thought that I was the only supporter of Palestine on Staten Island, especially in the neighborhood where I live. Hence, I always kept my thoughts and opinions on the matter on the down low, especially given Staten Island’s conservative tendencies. The events of 9/11 certainly didn’t help and I faced various difficulties because of my Arab identity. That too complicated things as I knew saying anything could potentially be used against me as well as be misconstrued. I continued to periodically share content and post about Palestine intermittently, not because I didn’t care, but because I was afraid of something happening to me. I slowly realized that anti-semitism could be weaponized against any criticism made that I may have had against the Zionist regime of Israel. Spoken words or social media posts could cost me personally and professionally. That was a risk at the time, I couldn’t afford to take. Then came the events of October 7th. In the aftermath of it, I saw the return of Islamophobia and discrimination towards Arabs resurge. It was like post 9/11 all over again and I was forced to stay silent and tread cautiously once more, as I witnessed colleagues and many others lose their jobs just for speaking out against the genocide that was just beginning and I have two elderly parents that I am responsible for. It was a risk that I was afraid to take, despite the fact that I knew I had so much to convey in terms of feelings and thoughts on what was transpiring. It never started on October 7th, but as far back as the Balfour Declaration in 1917\. For over 76 years, Palestinians have been subjected to illegal evictions, oppression, victimization, and subjective torture and killings as a result of the ethnic cleansing and illegal occupation of Palestine. Generations have been wiped out while seeking to reclaim their homeland, which was illegally and forcefully taken away from them. Take a moment and contemplate how it would feel if you watched your entire family get killed in front of your eyes or your home be demolished to make way for illegal settlements? I saw many of my Arab and non-Arab friends use their platform to speak out against the genocide and state their perspectives. I cheered them on whilst staying on the sidelines, silent. Now I can’t stay on the sidelines any longer. My Arab pride and dignity, and years of pent-up emotions, won’t allow for that! I have no extensive experience whatsoever in activism, organizing, or social justice work. Nor am I famous or influential or profess to be well connected across Staten Island and beyond like many others in the space - but I do have the power of the pen and my voice to deliver the message that needs to be sent, which is a permanent and lasting ceasefire and the restoration of human rights to all Palestinians. 70 U.S. cities have passed ceasefire resolutions, including Chicago and Seattle. This does not include New York City, a city with a population of 8.3 million people, 118,494 of them of Arab descent, according to 2022 American Community Survey Data from the U.S. Census and according to the Public Religion Research Institute, approximately 4% of Staten Island’s population is Muslim. It is rather shameful that a City within a State that has the 3rd highest population of Arabs at 304,739 (as of the 2020 U.S. Census) in the country, has not passed a ceasefire resolution to date! What are we waiting for? How many more Palestinians must die or suffer in order for us to take action? I can’t afford to stay silent when innocent children and babies are being burned alive and beheaded. They are God’s precious gift that must be appreciated and valued! Approximately 15,000 children are dead in Gaza. Tens of thousands more are injured. None of them have a future that they know of or can imagine. In the words of [Najla Khass](https://www.instagram.com/lady%5Fnajla80?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fbutton%5Fshare%5Fsheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==), Refugee Coordinator for ICNA Relief and who emigrated from Palestine in the 1980s and resides on Staten Island, “every child in Gaza has a dream” and they want to “fulfill their dreams and think of the future”. She is absolutely right! What makes a Palestinian child different from everyone else? They have dreams and aspirations and they are equally entitled to the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness as stipulated in the Declaration of Independence that we seem to take for granted these days. I can’t afford to stay silent when those who I know are living in constant fear for their loved ones back home. I can’t afford to stay silent when the students are out there building encampments and putting their academic and professional futures at stake. If an average person like myself can still go out and do something, then so can anyone else on Staten Island! I’ve received criticism for me being a bit too over active. How can I not be? Anyone with an ounce of morality and humanity should be doing what I am and perhaps even more. The time for staying silent, being reluctant, and being afraid is over! I urge you to contact your elected representatives, who have consistently voted to send more weapons to continue this atrocity, to demand that they push for a lasting and permanent ceasefire resolution that benefits the Palestinians, withhold US taxpayer funding to subsidize the Zionist regime, pledge to rebuild Gaza, and end all illegal settler/colonial activity in the West Bank. Contact your District’s City Council Person: **District 49 - Kamillah Hanks** District Office 130 Stuyvesant Place 6th Floor, Room 602, Staten Island, NY 10301 718-556-7370 phone 718-556-7389 fax [District49@council.nyc.gov](mailto:District49@council.nyc.gov) email **District 50 - David Carr** District Office 900 South Avenue, Suite 403, Staten Island, NY 10314 718-980-1017 phone 718-980-1051 fax [DCarr@council.nyc.gov](mailto:DCarr@council.nyc.gov) email **District 51 - Joseph Borelli** District Office 2955 Veterans Road West, Suite 2, Staten Island, NY 10309 718-984-5151 phone 718-948-1592 fax [Borelli@council.nyc.gov](mailto:borelli@council.nyc.gov) email Written by: *Tamer Mahmoud, Member of* [*Staten Island 4 Palestine*](https://www.instagram.com/statenisland4palestine/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) *Coalition* ### Wagner HS Walkout for Palestine URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/wagner-hs-walkout-for-palestine/ Last updated: 2025-10-06T12:15:30.000Z _No content available._ ### Activists March from Borough Hall to FerryHawks Stadium URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/activists-march-from-borough-hall-to-ferryhawks-stadium-2/ Last updated: 2025-10-06T12:14:33.000Z _No content available._ ### Commentary: Wherever we Live is our Homeland URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/wherever_we_live_is_our_homeland/ Last updated: 2026-02-18T15:43:54.000Z My Zionist education began at a young age, nearly from the moment I was born in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. My parents and their families came to the United States in 1992 from Kishinev - today Chișinău - in Moldova, following the collapse of the USSR. Kishinev used to be one of the urban centers of Eastern European Jewry, and as such was the site of some of its most devastating pogroms. The days of the 1903 Kishinev Pogrom were long over by the time my grandparents were born, but I remember being struck by the story my great-grandfather told me of having rocks thrown at him by passers-by as he walked to a synagogue. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/05/Victims-of-the-Kishinev-Pogrom.png) Victims of the Kishinev Pogrom, 1903 (The Imperiia Project) I was fortunate enough to have never experienced this “classic” anti-Jewish hate from the Old World, but my upbringing on Staten Island instilled a deep sense that the Jewish experience was different from everyone else. This sense of difference was derived not only from my Jewish identity, which itself was qualified by the secularism I inherited from my Soviet parents, but also from my position as a son of immigrants in a community of people who have lived here for generations. I constantly felt like I had to prove my belonging: I learned English at the expense of Russian; I felt compelled to prove my patriotism so I joined Boy Scouts and espoused conservative views; I aspired to join the military. This combination of a willingness to belong and a wish to preserve my identity was fertile ground for Zionism. At the time, it all seemed natural: there was a state in the world that embodied my political beliefs and aligned with my ethnic and spiritual identity. The vilification and criticism leveled against this state, Israel, was always portrayed as unfair and undeserved. My great-grandfather, one of the last people embodying our family’s connection to Judaism, passed away as I became a young adult. His death catalyzed my interest in the religion, as I felt the need to recapture his spirituality. This interest in Judaism aligned with my entry to college, where I sought out Jewish leadership and guidance from religious teachers to set me in the right direction for re-learning this faith. By the time I got to college, I had gained a lot of critical thought and education and was able to escape conservatism, growing a more compassionate and progressive view of the world. Even so, I felt unshakeable in my connection to Israel, despite having never visited and having very few relatives living there. In seeking Jewish leadership and guidance, I was almost immediately pointed to Zionist student groups; I was not aware of any other groups. But the more educated I became, the less comfortable I felt in those spaces. The turning point for me was in 2021 during the [Sheikh Jarrah ethnic cleansing](https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/campaigns/2022/02/israels-system-of-apartheid/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). This was a crucial moment during which I stepped back and reassessed my perceived connection to Israel. I realized I had been misled for several years. I was incensed by the notion that such a state could conduct such evil while thinly veiling itself in Judaism. This kicked off several months of research, learning, and painful reflection. This was the first time I had seriously read into events like the [Nakba](https://www.un.org/unispal/about-the-nakba/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), and the subsequent oppression and dispossession of Palestinians by the Israeli state. Having confronted this history and connected it to the ongoing events being documented, I realized that I had to question the very ideological foundations of Zionism and my personal connections to it. The first thing I felt was a palpable shame for having been so ignorant and dismissive of all the suffering this ideology caused to millions of people over several decades. Learning the history and revisiting my Zionist upbringing was only the first step for me: the second was to begin reclaiming my own Jewish identity from Zionism and transforming it into something that had meaning without requiring the violent oppression of a state. I embraced [doikayt](https://momentmag.com/jewish-word-doikayt/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), “hereness,” a Yiddish word used by Bundists to express the idea that “wherever we live is our home,” in opposition to the idea that my Judaism would somehow be elevated by moving to Palestine and displacing an innocent family in the process. Before I began my journey into anti-Zionism, I was not aware of any current Jewish voices speaking out against the Zionist entity; the presumption was that all Jewish people implicitly supported the state of Israel, and therefore all of Israel’s opponents must be anti-Semitic. To voice any doubts, let alone anti-Zionist sentiments, would for me be yelling into a void at best and inviting ruthless ostracism at worst. Unfortunately, this is the case for many young Jewish people throughout the world. I write this testimony not only to add my voice to the resurgent Jewish anti-Zionist movement, but also as a lifeline to someone who may be in the position I was years ago; anyone holding their doubts and misgivings to themselves, who may be afraid to confront the intolerance of the Zionist communities to which they belong. Today, Zionists must confront the fact that the tide is turning, and Jews in all corners of the world are waking up to the immense damage Zionist ideology has done to our faith and identity. I wish for my journey and my voice to add to this tide. Written by: *Paul Medvetsky, Member of* [*Staten Island 4 Palestine*](https://www.instagram.com/statenisland4palestine/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) *Coalition* ### Hundreds Walkout of Wagner High School Protesting Climate of Anti-Palestinian Sentiment URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/hundreds-walkout-of-wagner-high-school-prote/ Last updated: 2024-06-07T13:58:40.000Z Students led a walkout from Susan E. Wagner High School, and met with community supporters on Friday, March 15 characterizing an anti-Palestinian climate within the school. The student action was supported by the [Palestinian Youth Movement](https://palestinianyouthmovement.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [Palestinian Assembly for Liberation](https://www.palassembly.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [PAL-AWDA Mothers' Committee](https://www.instagram.com/palawdamotherscommittee/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), the NYC Branch of the [Party for Socialism and Liberation](https://www.instagram.com/nycpsl?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [PAL-AWDA NY/NJ](https://www.instagram.com/palawda/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), and [Neturei Karta](https://www.aa.com.tr/en/middle-east/we-are-crying-with-palestinians-jewish-anti-zionist-group/3038245?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), a Jewish anti-Zionist group. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/C4tAcp3xBc0/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by STATEN ISLA 👐🏻👐👐🏽👐🏾👐🏿 (@statenisla)](https://www.instagram.com/p/C4tAcp3xBc0/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) The students, once gathered along Brielle Ave, distributed copies of their [grievances](https://www.instagram.com/p/C4tAcp3xBc0/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) with Wagner HS to the crowd. "I first want to start off by saying how proud I am of every single one of you, for having the courage to come out and speak for what you believe in," said a student during the rally. She continued, "I am a student here just like all of you, but primarily I am a Muslim Palestinian and I am proud of that regardless of who tries to take that away from me." Students pointed to a rule that was issued in the days following October 7 banning all flags on school premises. They claim that family inquiries to Wagner's administration pointed them to the NYC Department of Education as issuing the rule. The NYC Department of Education declined to comment on whether they issued a rule around flags, and if not, if they had reminded schools explicitly of student's right to express themselves [except](https://www.schools.nyc.gov/school-life/school-environment/dress-code-guidelines?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) where the dress is dangerous, interferes with the teaching and learning process, or violates the DOE’s anti-discrimination policy. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/03/434106727_741962488029708_960856467072200440_n.jpg) Students march to SI JCC ([Wagnerstudents4Palestine](https://www.instagram.com/p/C4zOmPQOdyz/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink), 2024) While Wagner students were made to swipe out as they exited the school for attendance purposes, the school was de facto monitoring participation in the walkout. The seemingly anti-Palestinian/anti-Arab climate being fostered at Susan Wagner HS includes: - Reports that faculty member, Rachel Monaco faced counseling after claims to students that keffiyehs - traditional Palestinian square scarves - were "disgusting" and that, "supporting Palestine is supporting terrorism." - Since October 7, members of Wagner's Arab Student Association have claimed they are receiving increased monitoring, with a representative from the principal's office now attending all meetings, in addition to the typical faculty advisor. - Wagner High School partnered with the local Staten Island Jewish Community Center to raise funds in solidarity with Israel, after declining to allow a fundraiser for Gaza. After initially denying the claims, Wagner ultimately relented and shut down the fundraiser. > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4lFqnwO80E/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by NYC PSL (@nycpsl)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4lFqnwO80E/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) In a comment that seemingly disregards trauma-informed mental health practice, students spoke of an incident where Principal David Cugini told students he couldn't understand "why you need to bring what's happening in your country into school." The DOE's press office declined to comment on whether students are encouraged to compartmentalize their experiences and leave them at the property line of the DOE. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/03/434087882_1136205430845310_6179798764195254201_n.jpg) The Grievances of Wagner Students ([Wagnerstudents4Palestine](https://www.instagram.com/p/C4zOmPQOdyz/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink), 2024) A group of Zionist sympathizers in the single-digits countered the student action, across the street from the school, shouting profanity at, and even assaulting some students. Students at New Dorp High School similarly [led a walkout](https://www.silive.com/news/2024/03/pro-palestinian-demonstration-held-outside-new-dorp-high-school.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) on Friday, March 22 in support of Palestine. ### Empire Outlets Terminates Tenant's Lease Eight Months Early URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/empire-outlets-terminates-tenants-lease-eight-months-early/ Last updated: 2026-02-18T15:42:33.000Z [BADASS BOOTCAMP](https://www.instagram.com/thebadassbootcamp/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) self-describes as a sanctuary for individuals looking to find holistic remedies, workshops, and resources for the mind, body, and soul. Tucked away in a quieter corner of Empire Outlets' second floor, the establishment's owner [Hala Maroc](https://www.instagram.com/halamaroc/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) is Egyptian & Moroccan-American. Maroc has made such a name for her brand in the North Shore that she moved from a kiosk to an enclosed space at [Empire Outlets](https://www.empireoutlets.nyc/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) (EO) in Late 2021. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/03/IMG_2392.JPG) Customers at a BADASS BOOTCAMP event. (Hala Maroc, 2024) The woman-of-color owned small business BADASS BOOTCAMP was founded six years ago. It was inspired by her experiences, four months after landing her dream job in the entertainment industry, she was laid off. "It was a roller coaster and that's kind of where my mental health and wellness journey began and I started to pay attention to it," shares Maroc. She continues, "in that moment I recognized all around me that there was a plenty of other creatives and other dreamers and on-the-go individuals in New York City that just don't pay attention to their selves and their self-care either and so I started doing all these workshops, pop-ups, events and finding resources that surround that." Maroc was recently informed that BADASS BOOTCAMP's lease will be terminated at the end of this month - eight months earlier than agreed to in her lease. Maroc claims her attorney was informed by EO that the lease would be terminated because a prospective tenant offered more for the space. EO did not respond to a request to dispute that claim. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/03/Empire-Outlets-Vacancies.png) There are at least forty vacancies currently at Empire Outlets (Plea for the Fifth, 2024) Maroc expressed skepticism that an establishment was eager for her particular space, particularly with over three-dozen other empty spaces surrounding BADASS BOOTCAMP. "It's not a secret that it's been a revolving door of tenants in here, it's not like it's like a popular demand, so to me it's weird that you would say that you have someone who's ready to pay more for this space but there's a million other open spaces you could offer to them, or me," says Maroc. There are at least forty vacant spaces currently at EO, as it operates at less than 30% of the capacity of the originally planned 100 retailers. The former rooftop bar and food destination, MRKTPL Culinary Market, is currently closed. EO, which cost $350 million to build, was [sold](https://ny1.com/nyc/staten-island/news/2023/09/21/empire-outlets-sold-to-goldman-sachs-for--10-million-in-auction?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) to Goldman Sachs for $10 million in a Sept. 2023 auction, after entering foreclosure. EO did not respond to a request to disclose the new tenant eager to displace BADASS BOOTCAMP for their retail space, or whether they attempted to persuade the higher bidder to consider an empty space. In light of the lack of demand for space at EO, Maroc attributes their actions to her advocacy for Palestine. "The Palestine issue has been a part of the backdrop of my life forever, I'm an Afro-Middle Eastern woman," says Maroc. A recent event she held brought wellness to a group of women and mothers that are Palestinian advocates. "They're out there on the front lines, putting their life on the line every day they're going out and representing for a cause," Maroc says of the activists. Speaking of the women, she continues "for them to really find their voice in this and use it so powerfully and still not feel like they're being heard, and that it even makes a difference - it's hurtful. They have families, mothers, husbands, kids, and other things to take care of in the home and they're finding themselves have to juggle that, and be outside." ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/03/2365EE35-C5FD-4688-9C03-15D819E6D99F.jpg) BADASS BOOTCAMP owner Hala Maroc in her shop at Empire Outlets. (Hala Maroc, 2024) Maroc is undeterred by EO's actions, and will continue her work. "We do a lot of programming with schools and organizations not just here but in the whole tri-state area so I'll be focusing on that, and in creating an ecosystem of other wellness advocates and entrepreneurs. We're just gonna keep trying to make a difference in that way, and keep using my voice however I can," says Maroc. ### Constituents speak out on Councilperson Kamillah Hanks' Travel to Israel URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/constituents_speak_out_on_councilperson_kamillah_hanks_travel_to_israel/ Last updated: 2024-03-20T17:27:06.000Z Councilperson Kamillah Hanks, representing Council District 49 on the North Shore, visited Israel with other New York state and city officials on a three-day solidarity trip in late February as 29,313 Palestinians and 1,723 Israelis were [confirmed](https://mondoweiss.net/2024/02/operation-al-aqsa-flood-day-138-u-s-vetoes-another-un-resolution-calling-for-ceasefire-in-gaza/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) dead by their respective national ministries. Despite the death toll, her comments to the press on the trip spoke strictly of the fear experienced by Israeli settlers. [Staten Island 4 Palestine](https://www.instagram.com/statenisland4palestine/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), a coalition of local grassroots groups including Staten Island DSA, Peace Action Staten Island, Staten Island Against Racism and Police Brutality, About Face, Al Awda, Mamas for a Free Palestine, and the Party for Socialism and Liberation organized a speak out on March 8, at Councilperson Kamillah Hanks district office, to condemn her visit as not in line with constituents' desires. "We know that their loyalty is being bought, and they are not beholden to us, they are beholden to AIPAC \[American Israel Public Affairs Committee\]," commented [Omnia Hegazy](https://www.instagram.com/omniahegazy/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) on Councilperson Hanks and Assemblymember Charles D. Fall representing Assembly District 61. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/03/CD49-March-8-Speakout.jpeg) Speak out at Councilperson Kamillah Hanks District Office (Staten Island 4 Palestine, 2024) Hanks leveraged her Staten Island upbringing on the visit to Kibbutz Kfar Aza as she provided comment to the [Jewish News Syndicate](https://www.jns.org/new-york-officials-tour-gaza-border-areas-devastated-on-oct-7/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) stating "I come from a rough neighborhood in Staten Island so I know a little about living in fear, but nothing like this." At the speak out [Najla Khass](https://www.instagram.com/lady%5Fnajla80/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), a Palestinian-American from Gaza, called upon the Councilperson to "talk to a Gazan child and a Palestinian mother to understand the real fear of living, the real fear of trying to survive." The Councilperson's office declined to comment on Hanks' stance on the fear and controlled famine experienced by 2.3 million Palestinians collectively being punished to rescue 159 Israeli captives. The visit was the Councilperson's second in three years to Israel. The Councilperson's first visit in November 2022, freely provided and organized by the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York was initially not disclosed to the New York City Conflicts of Interest Board until Hanks' office was [contacted by reporters](https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2023/06/some-nyc-council-members-didnt-disclose-their-free-tour-israel/387391/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). The Councilperson's office declined to comment on whether her most recent trip was also in an official capacity as Councilperson of CD 49. "We've been trying to talk to Councilmember Hanks, to let you know how this issue affects us - there is no reason we should be picketing here to ask you to do your job" said Palestinian-American [Roxanne Mustafa](https://www.instagram.com/mustrock/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) whose family is from the West Bank. Councilperson Hanks did not make herself available, nor did anyone from their office attempt to engage with the constituents present. When contacted, her office declined to comment on why that decision was made. ### HEGAZY URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/hegazy/ Last updated: 2024-06-07T12:36:10.000Z The St. George-based duo [HEGAZY](https://www.instagram.com/hegazyband?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) are Egyptian-Italian twin sisters [Leila](https://www.instagram.com/leilahegazy/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) and [Omnia Hegazy](https://www.instagram.com/omniahegazy/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). The Staten Islanders performed a three-song set as part of Plea for the Fifth’s Online Concert series. Each act in Plea for the Fifth’s Online Concert series was selected and interviewed by a different Plea for the Fifth member with the goal of showcasing a diverse range of artists. Check out previous performances from the series by [Queen Blizzy](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/queen-blizzy/), [Justy](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/justy/), [Mayer](https://pleaforthefifth.com/mayer/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), and [Lil Z](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/lil-z/). Omnia Hegazy spoke to Plea for the Fifth about their influences, and what's next on their horizon. *What inspires the music HEGAZY creates?* **Omnia:** We write songs about anything we are feeling, and songwriting is our mechanism of processing our emotions and the world around us. As Arab and Muslim women living in the States, the personal is political for us, so in this moment we are very moved to write music for Palestine and reflect the times. We have written about everything from our cats to feminism, US imperialism to interpersonal relationships - nothing is off limits! *What are you both working on next?* **Omnia:** We are in the process of recording our next batch of singles to be released later in the year! Leila is also recording a protest album for Palestine to raise funds for \[[Palestine Children's Relief Fund](https://www.pcrf.net/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com)\] PCRF, which I will collaborate on and lend instrumentation to. *What is your closing message to readers?* **Omnia:** We express our solidarity with all oppressed people from the Congo, to Sudan, to Palestine, and we encourage everyone to show up to the movement however they are able! Together we can win. Leila in a recent appearance of *Rania Khalek Dispatches* on [BT News](https://www.youtube.com/@BreakThroughNews?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), emphasized "If \[performers\] have a platform, they have a privilege" and that when they fail to leverage their platform to speak on Israel's genocide upon Palestinians, the status quo harm continues. *This is the fifth and final installment of a five-part online concert series. This project was made possible (in part) by a DCA Premier Grant from Staten Island Arts, with public funding from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs*. ### Desperate Acts of Protest URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/desperate-acts-of-protest/ Last updated: 2024-08-02T17:57:44.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/03/Self-Immolation.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/03/Th-ch-Qu-ng---c.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/03/Alice-Herz-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/03/Norman-Morrison-1.png) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/03/Aaron-Bushnell-1.png) Self-Immolation is a desperate act of protest designed to arouse public outrage. U.S. Air Force serviceman Aaron Bushnell set himself on fire in front of the Israeli embassy this past Sunday, while condemning the U.S.-backed Israeli genocide being carried out against the people of Gaza. He made the ultimate personal sacrifice to end a genocide that the entire world has been witnessing for the past months. This was an act of martyrdom by a U.S. service member who was outraged by the actions of a government that speaks in his name. Aaron said as he set himself on fire, “I will not be complicit with genocide”. We send our sympathy and solidarity to Aaron Bushnell's family and loved ones. ### Commentary: Cognitive Dissonance from the Wagner College Holocaust Center URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/cognitive_dissonance_from_wagner_holocaust_center/ Last updated: 2024-06-07T13:56:38.000Z 💡 For additional background on the humanitarian catastrophe in Palestine, see our [previous commentary](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/tag/free-palestine/). The [Wagner College Holocaust Center's](https://wagner.edu/holocaust-center/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com#:~:text=Our%20mission%20is%20to%20empower%20future%20generations%20in%20empathy%2C%20courage%2C%20and%20ethical%20decision%2Dmaking%0Ain%20order%20to%20combat%20antisemitism%2C%20racism%20%26%20all%20forms%20of%20prejudice.) mission professes “to empower future generations in empathy, courage, and ethical decision-making in order to combat antisemitism, racism & all forms of prejudice,” but their rhetoric since October 7 disguises the ongoing Israeli genocide upon Palestinians in the Gaza Strip by falling victim to long-standing settler-colonial portrayals of Black & Brown people as brutes. 💡 Gen·o·cide *noun* **\-* Deliberate killing of a large number of people from a particular nation or ethnic group with the aim of destroying that nation or group. 💡 Hol·o·caust **noun* \- Destruction or slaughter on a mass scale Readers who bristle at comparisons between this war and World War Two with terminology such as ‘genocide’ or ‘holocaust’ fail to consider the intentionality and impact of Israel's military and government leaders. ### Intentionality towards Palestinians The current Israeli cabinet under the regime of Benjamin Netanyahu, pictured above, openly declare their deliberate aim to destroy the Palestinian people. - Benjamin Netanyahu, **Prime Minister** - **“** *You must remember what Amalek has done to you, says our Holy Bible — we do remember*.” Referring to the ancient enemy of the Israelites. [28 Oct 2023](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/15/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-war-rhetoric.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) - Isaac Herzog, **President** - “*It’s an entire nation out there that is responsible. This rhetoric about civilians not aware, not involved, it’s absolutely not true. They could’ve risen up, they could have fought against that evil regime.*” [15 Oct 2023](https://news.yahoo.com/israeli-president-says-no-innocent-154330724.html?guccounter=1&guce%5Freferrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce%5Freferrer%5Fsig=AQAAAMZQsIlC-%5FJsC2SZMu6d05G5xSDLcS2UXUkEsXrfBQg599w838saSKZCkOLkW%5F%5FaZSv3%5FK8LAb7ipF2MglnzjD4YKppExaixkPIuLCeMSQvETLnCXoGNXcM1cCUj4nqNcK9qKcvMUkZ0P50nGSl6WiazbzNFsyGwGzbQ0iRjwPZf&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) - Yoav Gallant, **Minister of Defense** - *“We are imposing a complete siege on Gaza. No electricity, no food, no water, no fuel. Everything is closed. We are fighting human animals, and we will act accordingly.”* [9 Oct 2023](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/oct/16/the-language-being-used-to-describe-palestinians-is-genocidal?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) - Bezalel Smotrich, **Minister of Finance** - *“The Palestinian people are an invention from the past century. There is no such thing as Palestinians because there’s no such thing as the Palestinian people."* [20 Mar 2023](https://x.com/QudsNen/status/1637736970016137220?s=20&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) - Galit Distel-Atbaryan, **Minister of Information** - Erase “*all of Gaza from the face of the earth. That the Gazan monsters will fly to the southern fence and try to enter Egyptian territory, or they will die, and their death is evil. Gaza should be erased.*” [1 Nov 2023](https://t.co/KzI7nBjThu?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) - Amihai Eliyahu, **Minister of Heritage** - Captioned a video of an armored bulldozer downing a telephone pole “*Gaza Strip, more beautiful than ever, blow up and flatten everything, delightful. After we are done, we allocate the lands of Gaza to the soldiers fighting and the settlers who lived in Gush Katif.*” [1 Nov 2023](https://fb.watch/pgg4sDMlZx/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) - Itamar Ben-Gvir, **Minister of National Security** - Convicted of Incitement to Racism on [25 Jun 2007](https://www.reuters.com/world/eu-israel-cancels-europe-day-event-over-far-right-ministers-participation-2023-05-08/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) in Israel for carrying signs that read ‘*Expel the Arab enemy.*’ - Eli Cohen, **Minister of Foreign Affairs** - *“Israel will continue the war against Hamas, with or without international support.”* [13 Oct 2023](https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2023/12/14/fzck-d14.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) - Nir Barakat, **Minister of the Economy** - Hostages and civilian casualties will be secondary to destroying Hamas, Economy Minister Nir Barakat told ABC News, "*even if it takes a year.*” [19 Oct 2023](https://abcnews.go.com/International/live-updates/israel-gaza-live-updates/israeli-military-has-green-light-to-move-into-gaza-official-says-104133249?id=104049894&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) Intentions are clear with calls for collective punishment upon Palestinians, and the erasure of all who live in Gaza. ### Impact on Palestinians ![](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/LOSouiGVkFaq2Bi3Vj4agl-xiqgnSlZftaBnr-6e0CkYc1s6MB1migWfsvNuNmsXEIV6Drlw5Pykyqc6iuFpALdA70TNWMrKGn_TkCHfCL7ICkIt86V-zmj9MUKAKIdXjkHZhrmLm9EuiWuV7gQxNao) Consequences of Israel's continued war in Gaza. (Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor, 2023) There are 2.3 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, the entirety of whom are under threat of [famine](https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/entire-gaza-population-facing-hunger-crisis-famine-risk-un-backed-report-2023-12-21/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) for the killing of 1,200 Israelis 85 days ago. Estimates by the [Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor](https://euromedmonitor.org/en?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) based in Geneva, Switzerland as of December 30 are hair-raising. - More than 1 in 100 of Gaza’s inhabitants have been killed. - 20% of the Palestinians killed were women - 40% of the Palestinians killed were children - 92% of the Palestinians killed were civilians - More than 1 in 50 of Gaza’s inhabitants have been injured. - More than 8 in 10 of Gaza’s inhabitants are displaced from their homes. “Gaza is one of the most intense civilian punishment campaigns in history,” said United States military historian Robert Pape in an interview with [The Associated Press](https://apnews.com/article/israel-gaza-bombs-destruction-death-toll-scope-419488c511f83c85baea22458472a796?ref=pleaforthefifth.com#:~:text=%E2%80%9CGaza%20is%20one%20of%20the%20most%20intense%20civilian%20punishment%20campaigns%20in%20history%2C%E2%80%9D%20said%20Pape.%20%E2%80%9CIt%20now%20sits%20comfortably%20in%20the%20top%20quartile%20of%20the%20most%20devastating%20bombing%20campaigns%20ever.%E2%80%9D). “It now sits comfortably in the top quartile of the *most devastating bombing campaigns ever*” \[emphasis added\]. ### The Response to Destruction & Slaughter The Holocaust Center released three statements on their [website](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwagner.edu%2Fholocaust-center%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR1yHTF754zKBx2XDOP7GOoYxqrADiQr-Aw9IsrWB%5FY6mn1V8wCU7UKbdjY&h=AT1hHt1guEPBiRD-tYJAiGvizMTtXkM9365iAJZItkjeltXBWyIk%5FW3jMYOdkO1wys8C6xn8vqOaSuhhTj6KoawdhFzFMacwJVtknp-JI8A3%5FsvkZWYz8f46EYUpSCnw2A&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) since October 7, including one in the immediate aftermath in solidarity with Israeli victims. On day 39, the Holocaust Center released a second [statement](https://wagner.edu/holocaust-center/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com#:~:text=The%20Wagner%20College,Nov.%2014%2C%202023) urging the Israeli military and “government leaders to continueto do all it can to prevent further suffering and death among non-combatant Palestinians,” despite the [casualty count](https://mondoweiss.net/2023/11/operation-al-aqsa-flood-day-39-health-official-says-israel-sentencing-al-shifa-hospital-to-death-as-doctors-dig-mass-grave/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) then standing at 11,180 killed by Israel - 41% of which were children. On day 61 as the casualty toll climbed further to 15,899 Palestinians killed - 38% of which were children, the Center released an update to their [statement](https://wagner.edu/holocaust-center/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com#:~:text=On%20December%206,at%2Dthe%2Dun/) simply quoting an Israeli blog, that alleged sexual assault of Israeli victims on October 7. ### The Brute Caricature Claims that appeal to racist notions of inherently violent and cruel Palestinians draw on racist notions that have previously manipulated emotions in the United States. The infamous lynching of 14-year-old Emmett Till in 1955 was in response to the accusation of offending a White Mississippi woman. These claims fit "in with a long history of colonizers portraying colonized or enslaved people as savage brutes predisposed to sexual violence against White or settler women," as the [Electronic Intifada](https://electronicintifada.net/blogs/ali-abunimah/watch-debunking-israels-mass-rape-propaganda?ref=pleaforthefifth.com#:~:text=this%20is%20a,or%20settler%20women.) (EI) writes. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2023/12/beastsleeps.jpeg) The brute caricature as seen in **How Sleeps the Beast* (Jim Crow Museum) As the Jim Crow Museum [observes](https://jimcrowmuseum.ferris.edu/brute/homepage.htm?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), the longstanding "brute caricature portrays Black men as innately savage, animalistic, destructive and criminal – deserving punishment, maybe death." The crime most often mentioned in connection with the Black brute was rape, specifically the rape of a White woman. The Museum adds, "at the beginning of the 20th century, much of the virulent, anti-Black propaganda that found its way into scientific journals, local newspapers and best-selling novels focused on the stereotype of the Black rapist." These stereotypes justified state violence against, and control of, Black people and "soothed White consciences." Local institutions dusting off brutish characterizations scant with evidence that paint an entire people broadly, whether wittingly or unwittingly ultimately serve one purpose. "Its purpose is to demonize \[Palestinians\] and soften up public opinion to tolerate or support Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza,” observes [EI](https://electronicintifada.net/blogs/ali-abunimah/watch-debunking-israels-mass-rape-propaganda?ref=pleaforthefifth.com#:~:text=Its%20purpose%20is%20to%20demonize%20them%20and%20soften%20up%20public%20opinion%20to%20tolerate%20or%20support%20Israel%E2%80%99s%20ongoing%20genocide%20in%20Gaza.). As time passes, the focus of community institutions such as Wagner College's Holocaust Center remains affixed to the acts of slaughter within the 24-hour window of October 7\. Grassroots activists, by contrast, point to a context that led up to that day, and the horrors committed since then, through actions in solidarity with Palestinians such as the recent [Staten Island car caravan](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1P368KxNUT/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fweb%5Fcopy%5Flink&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==). > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1P368KxNUT/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by Omnia Hegazy (@omniahegazy)](https://www.instagram.com/reel/C1P368KxNUT/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) ### Shut it Down for Palestine URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/shut-it-down-for-palestine/ Last updated: 2024-06-07T13:55:27.000Z Two and a half years after our [previous statement](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/free-palestine/), the genocide in Palestine is reaching depraved vengeful levels. As we go to press, forty-three days have passed since Palestinian resistance factions broke through the Gaza prison walls and launched the October 7 surprise attack killing 1,200 Israelis. Israel has since officially declared a state of war against Palestinians, engaged in broad airstrikes, and a ground operation in the Gaza Strip. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2023/11/gazapalestine-map-1967-en.jpg) A Map of the Gaza Strip (Palestine Land Society, 2008) The United Nations Relief and Works Agency estimates [2.1 million](https://www.unrwa.org/where-we-work/gaza-strip?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) Palestinians live in the Gaza Strip - an area two and a half times the size of Staten Island - which is under complete blockade by both Israel and Egypt. Gaza’s land borders, as well as airspace and maritime borders, are all under the control of the Israeli military, meaning that it is virtually impossible for Gazans to leave the territory. Since Israel’s declaration of war, their Military has cut electricity, and water, as well as imposed severe limits to fuel. Further, they have attacked hospitals, and killed at least 11,470 Palestinians - [one out of every 200 people](https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/interactive/2023/gaza-rising-death-toll-civilians/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) in Gaza. After six weeks, 4,707 of the casualties are children, a staggering [41%](https://mondoweiss.net/2023/11/operation-al-aqsa-flood-day-42-communications-blackout-obscures-full-picture-of-israels-devastation-in-gaza/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) of the Palestinian dead as of November 16\. In contrast, [as of June 1, 2023](https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/06/1137237?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) approximately 535 Ukrainian Children had been killed by the Russian Military sixteen months into their conflict. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2023/11/C959834E-5CEF-41CD-83E9-B21EA24AF3CD.jpeg) A District-Level Map of the Palestinian Gaza Strip (The Palestine Academy, 2023) The genocide of Palestinians is not continuing without [local outrage](https://www.cbsnews.com/amp/newyork/news/crowd-gets-contentious-during-staten-island-rally-calling-for-end-to-violence-in-gaza/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) where many [hundreds](https://www.silive.com/politics/2023/11/stop-this-genocide-massive-pro-palestinian-rally-draws-hundreds-outside-borough-hall.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) flooded the streets of St. George in opposition to Israel’s actions. Plea for the Fifth supports the growing global movement for a free Palestine, and has signed onto the call to [Shut it Down for Palestine](https://www.shutitdown4palestine.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Read the international call to action below, and links to additional resources to become better informed. 💡 There is a growing global movement for a Free Palestine. Across the world, millions of people are engaging in demonstrations and organizing major marches in solidarity with Palestine. Our demands for an immediate ceasefire, cutting all aid to Israel, and lifting the siege on Gaza have broader support than ever. On November 4th, over 150,000 gathered in Washington DC for the largest march in recent times to stand in solidarity with Palestine. Protests with half a million people erupted on the streets of London, constituents across Canada occupied over 17 MP offices from coast to coast, and Belgian dock workers' unions have refused to transport weapons by plane or sea that are destined for Israel. We must keep building momentum and increase the pressure with more marches, walk-outs, sit-ins, and other forms of direct action directed at the political offices, businesses, and workplaces that fund, invest, and collaborate with Israeli genocide and occupation. NOW is the time for our mobilizations to grow in size, frequency, and focus; building a political climate that makes Israel’s business of genocide unsustainable. Further reading: - [The Palestine Academy](https://www.thepalestineacademy.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) - [Within Our Lifetime](https://wolpalestine.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), Palestinian-led liberation movement in NYC - [Palestine Land Society](https://www.plands.org/en/home?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) - *On the history, meaning, and power of “From the River To the Sea”* [Mondoweiss](https://mondoweiss.net/2023/11/on-the-history-meaning-and-power-of-from-the-river-to-the-sea/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) - *Canadian lawyers warn Justin Trudeau they will seek genocide prosecution* [The Electronic Intifada](https://electronicintifada.net/blogs/nora-barrows-friedman/canadian-lawyers-warn-justin-trudeau-they-will-seek-genocide-prosecution?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) - [*‘We are all Palestinians’ in the face of colonial fascism*](https://mondoweiss.net/2023/10/birzeit-university-union-we-are-all-palestinians-in-the-face-of-colonial-fascism/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), an open letter from the labor union representing professors at Palestinian Birzeit University - [Palestinian Youth Movement](https://palestinianyouthmovement.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) - [National Students for Justice in Palestine](https://nationalsjp.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) - [ANSWER Coalition (Act Now Stop War End Racism)](https://www.answercoalition.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) - [The People’s Forum](https://peoplesforum.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) - [International People’s Assembly](https://ipa-aip.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) - [Al-Awda (NY)](https://al-awdapalestine.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) - [Palestinian American Community Center (NJ)](https://www.paccusa.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) ### Commentary: New NYC Ferry Service Must link Staten Island and Brooklyn URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/new-nyc-ferry-service-must-link-staten-island-and-brooklyn/ Last updated: 2024-05-22T13:45:37.000Z A response in support of *Brooklyn Paper*’s March 22nd Op-ed [*New Ferry Service should link Brooklyn and Staten Island*](https://www.brooklynpaper.com/op-ed-ferry-service-brooklyn-staten-island/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com)**.** Long Island City, Brooklyn Army Terminal, East 34th Manhattan, and Far Rockaway - the common denominator in these four locations? These are NYC Ferry stops that Staten Islanders cannot directly access as part of the so-called 'citywide' fast ferry service. Currently the only stops accessible via the St. George Ferry launch are Battery Park City and Midtown West, at W 39th Street-Pier 79\. No direct transfers exist at the system’s main hub at Wall St/Pier 11. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2023/04/System-Map_WinterMap_Greenpoint_closed.jpg) NYC Ferry System Map as of March 8, 2023 (NYC Ferry, 2023) Those most vocal on the gap in transportation infrastructure are frequent riders of the St. George-W39th St route, as well as members of the [St. George Civic Association](https://www.stgeorgecivic.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) (SGCA). The Civic Association is largely dedicated to issues surrounding our connection to the city’s waterways. The service to West Midtown and Battery Park city is fantastic, but provides Staten Islanders limited disembarkation points, and conversely, residents of Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx cannot directly access the St. George route. Despite repeated calls from [former Borough President Oddo](https://www.dnainfo.com/new-york/20170418/st-george/fast-ferry-st-george-to-midtown-borough-president-james-oddo-ny-waterways/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), and other elected officials to expand the system, even as a start, to Manhattan’s eastside, or our neighboring borough of Brooklyn, these pleas have fallen on deaf ears. The [New York City Economic Development Corporation](https://edc.nyc/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) (NYCEDC) takes the lead on building new ferry landings, renovating existing landings, and managing the contract with the operator, [Hornblower](https://www.hornblowercorp.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). While Hornblower and NYCEDC claim the system needs to be fiscally stable before considering expansion, they recently launched *another* route - their eighth - from Brooklyn to Wall St. Senior citizens and persons with disabilities looking to apply for the [Ferry Discount Program](https://www.ferry.nyc/ticketing-info/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) need to go in person to the NYC Ferry ticket booth at Wall St./Pier 11, which is another slight to Staten Islanders as it is not even reachable via their St. George route. It requires a trip via the Staten Island Ferry and a walk up to Wall Street, hardly part of the 'One City' system. Despite these hardships, ridership continues to grow on the current Staten Island route and would undoubtedly increase with expanded citywide routes. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2023/04/20230329_165513.jpg) NYC Ferry Landing at St. George (John Kilcullen, 2023) With the City looking to [reduce traffic](https://new.mta.info/project/CBDTP?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) citywide, congestion, and lower greenhouse gas emissions, expansion of the NYC Ferry system would allow Staten Islanders to reach these growing outer borough economic and business hubs. Staten Islanders live in the most transit-deprived borough. It would enable other city residents to reach our borough’s businesses and this wonderful cultural hub while achieving these environmental goals. The expansion of the NYC Ferry from Staten Island citywide needs to become a priority for the NYCEDC, Hornblower, and City officials. The infrastructure is in place and ready to go. There should be no excuses. Written by: *John Kilcullen, SGCA Ferry Riders Committee* With support from: *Dominique Hood, SGCA Vice President* ### 'End our neglected borough status' calls Coalition at Legislative Breakfast URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/annual-legislative-breakfast-calls-for-end-to-neglected-borough-status/ Last updated: 2024-11-22T21:43:19.000Z On Friday, February 24, community stakeholders convened a breakfast with elected representatives to advocate for increased support for behavioral health needs on Staten Island. The legislative breakfast at the Hilton Garden Inn was held by the TYSA Coalition. Sponsored by Northfield Bank, the breakfast was attended by Assemblymember Sam Pirozzolo representing Assembly District 63, State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton representing Senate District 23, staff of other state and federal legislators, and the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office. The purpose of this breakfast was to advocate for legislative reforms that will strengthen the behavioral health systems on Staten Island and improve the lives of people impacted by an addiction and/or living with a mental illness. “What are you going to do about Staten Island’s No. 1 public health problem - Drug Misuse?” asked Luke Nasta, CEO of Camelot Counseling. Nasta issued a challenge to the legislators, “what will you do differently? A business-as-usual approach to gaining control over a deadly epidemic doesn’t work. The governor’s flat substance use disorder budget is malignant neglect resulting in escalating deaths and a spreading contagion.” In its 11th year, [TYSA](http://sipcw.org/tysa/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) is a group of professionals, community members, health providers across the continuum, and young people working together to build resilient communities that are better prepared to prevent and respond to addiction and mental health related crises on Staten Island. TYSA centers equity and inclusion to advance health outcomes for youth and young adults on Staten Island. Plea for the Fifth is an active member organization within the TYSA Coalition. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2023/03/2.png) Attendees at the Feb 24 TYSA Legislative Breakfast at Hilton Garden Inn (SIPCW, 2023) One major point of advocacy at the breakfast drew attention to the fact that Staten Island programs received no dollars from the Opioid Settlement Funding secured for New York City, by New York Attorney General Letitia James from [settlements](https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2021/attorney-general-james-reaches-11-billion-agreement-big-three-distributors-treat?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) with [different manufacturers](https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2022/attorney-general-james-secures-523-million-top-opioid-manufacturer-teva-bringing?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) and distributors of opioids. Mayor Adams’ [announcement](https://www.nyc.gov/office-of-the-mayor/news/457-22/mayor-adams-how-opioid-settlement-fund-dollars-will-lay-pathbreaking-way-forward-for?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) funneled dollars to three city agencies - programs at the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the NYC Office of Chief Medical Examiner, but primarily to programs at NYC Health + Hospitals (H+H), and Staten Island does not have an H+H hospital in the borough. “The TYSA coalition finds \[the lack of a Staten Island H+H hospital\] unacceptable, as many people who are struggling with an opiate addiction do not have the means to travel to another borough to obtain services," said Ashley Owen, Behavioral Health Manager at Staten Island Partnership for Community Wellness, and a coordinator of the TYSA Coalition. As a result, the TYSA coalition called for Staten Island-based programs to receive between 6 and 8% of the total settlement amount, as advocates estimate Staten Islands’ opioid overdose deaths account for that amount of total overdose deaths Citywide. Another major point of advocacy focused on the current workforce shortage in behavioral health programs. Provider’s salaries in the human service sector are dependent on the government funding and reimbursement rates from insurances. Both of these funding sources fall extremely short of providing treatment centers with the revenue that they need to hire and retain quality clinicians and staff. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures the percentage change of prices, there has been [a 6.4% increase in expenditures](https://www.bls.gov/charts/consumer-price-index/consumer-price-index-by-category.htm?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) across all categories in the previous 12 months. Despite those increased costs, programs are only funded with the means to offer a 2.5% cost of living adjustment (COLA) raise to staff who were already making low salaries in comparison to the education and experience that they bring. As a result, the TYSA coalition is asking for all programs that offer public substance misuse and mental health services to receive an 8.5% COLA increase and to permanently budget for COLA increases that reflect the CPI measures on cost of living moving forward. Other points of advocacy focused on the need for more widespread affordable housing, increases in voucher allocations that reflect the high cost of housing, and more money specifically allocated toward affordable housing for people transitioning out of inpatient funding. "39 years ago, when I started Project Hospitality, the City subsidy for a single person to rent a room was $195/month," said Rev. Terry Troia, Executive Director of Project Hospitality. "Today, \[the subsidy\] is $215 if you become homeless, and enter the homeless system, such as our drop in center in St. George" Troia continued. Increased resources for prevention funding were mentioned, as the amount of funding for prevention services has remained stagnant for 20 years, despite ballooning costs. Several representatives of local treatment and diversion programs provided moving testimonies of how people are struggling to get the help they need. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2023/03/3-1.png) Rev. Terry Troia, Executive Director of Project Hospitality speaks to attendees at the TYSA Legislative Breakfast (SIPCW 2023) “This event was incredible, not only did I learn new things about the issues faced by our recovery family on Staten Island, I saw every recovery organization come together to advocate for the help people affected by the disease of addiction need,” said Andrew Fairley, Project Manager at Project Hospitality, and Chair of the TYSA Continuum of Care Workgroup. Fairley is in recovery, so his involvement provides him personal satisfaction, "it has truly been an honor to witness and participate in this decade-long movement to save lives, heal families, and improve access to recovery services on Staten Island.” Overall, the theme of this event was one of urgency. The advocates who spoke effectively conveyed the importance of addressing these concerns as soon as possible. There was strong cross-sectoral unity regarding what the priorities were for decreasing substance misuse or mental health related deaths on Staten Island. It is the TYSA coalitions’ hope that the legislators who were present for this event will use their power to incorporate the advocates’ suggestions into future legislation that improves the local behavioral health infrastructure and saves lives. The annual legislative breakfast was Vincent Lepani's first. Vincent is a Youth Consultant with the Coalition and Chair of the Youth Consultant Workgroup "It was inspiring to hear how our elected officials are all committed to combating drug misuse among Staten Island youth." As Youth Consultant, youth and young adults initiative and lead campaigns around issues including community violence, behavioral health impacts of food insecurity, and vaping. "It's great that TYSA welcomed youth to attend the event, since we are the ones closest to the issue, " Vincent continues, "while it was clear that there is a significant amount of work to do in this area, seeing support from various aspects of our community made me feel hopeful." *The author, Sean Ghazala, is a coordinator with the TYSA Coalition.* ### Lack of Fresh and Healthy Food has become the Focal Point of Building a Hub for Neighborhood Solidarity URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/a-lack-of-fresh-and-healthy-food-in-the-mariners-harbor-section-of-staten-island-has-become-the-focal-point-of-building-a-hub-for-neighborhood-solidarity/ Last updated: 2024-11-22T21:46:58.000Z A shelter with a roof of corrugated steel, a refrigerator, and an open pantry sits atop a plywood platform just off the busy corner of Amity Place and Forest Avenue. The collectively made structure is adorned with messages painted prominently on each side. One above the refrigerator reads *Be Considerate. Take what you need… Give what you can* in English and Spanish. The refrigerator and its neighboring shelves of canned goods, grains, and produce are an opportunity for visitors to intentionally give and receive from their community. The Forest Avenue COMEunity Fridge was launched in Summer of 2020 to address a want for fresh and healthy food in the Mariners Harbor section of Staten Island, while building a hub for neighborhood solidarity. “I feel like part of what’s missing in Staten Island is community in a way that is out there, in a public view,” said Alexandra Shoneyin, one of the organizers who founded the Forest Avenue ComeUnity Fridge. Maintained and utilized by a network of volunteers and community members, many of whom are young adults from the surrounding community. The Fridge has become the centerpiece of a burgeoning grassroots local food system founded upon the principles of [mutual aid](https://www.mutualaid.coop/what-is-mutual-aid/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Mutual aid groups organize from the grassroots, emphasize solidarity over charity, require no in-take process, nor documentation proving one’s need. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/07/unnamed-1.jpg) Angela Nouvertne, a student at John Jay School of Criminal Justice, stocks the pantry at the Forest Ave ComeUnity Fridge during the 9/11 food drive. (OIga Ginzburg, 2021) Danielle DiCanio, a Graniteville resident now active with the ComeUnity Fridge, started seeing posts talking about the fridge in the summer of 2020 on Instagram from fellow Gaynor McCown Expeditionary Learning School alums that were a year younger. “I just showed up wanting to take part in supporting the project,” Danielle said, adding “I missed that feeling of giving back.” Called “a beam of sunshine on Staten Island” by one participant, Carolyn Devito, the Fridge depends on the continued effort of volunteers, donors, and those for whom it provides an essential good: food. Food finds its way to the fridge from a multitude of sources; individual contributions, community organizations, and regional farms, including the nearby [Mariners Harbor Houses Farm](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/mariners-harbor-houses-farm/). Organizers connect scout troops, and high school students in need of community service hours with opportunities to maintain and clean the fridge. The Fridge has given individuals like Carolyn “a renewed sense of hope that Staten Island can successfully engage in mutual aid efforts and come together as one community to support each other.” Local establishments are also supportive, donating food, space, and materials. “Whenever we come in \[Mama Rosaria's Pizza & Restaurant\] and ask them for something, they’re always willing to give it,” said Alexandra. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/07/unnamed--1-.jpg) Members of the Forest Ave ComeUnity Fridge, along with volunteers, stock the fridge and shelves on 9/11/2021, the day of a big food drive. (Olga Ginzburg, 2021) Food contributed is regularly screened for suitability to consume to ensure it is not only unexpired, but appetizing and nutritious. Community users' selections show a preference for fresh produce. Fridge volunteers regularly visit the corner to ensure the fridge is stocked and clean, both within and in the area surrounding it. Fridge volunteers provide a community face that seeks to destigmatize food insecurity exhibited elsewhere. “I think our biggest focus was not attaching a stigma to \[using the fridge\], but also promoting healthier habits through food because there’s a lot of food insecurity,” said Danielle. The first community fridge in New York City began in February, 2020 in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Since then over 150 have sprung up in the NYC metro area, according to [NYC Community Fridge](https://nycfridge.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). The Forest Avenue ComeUnity Fridge operates within the aforementioned mutual aid model. The reciprocal exchange of resources for communal benefit is distinct from the traditional food pantry structure. To receive food assistance from New York City’s Emergency Food Assistance Program (EFAP), one must establish eligibility and provide personal information to the [NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA)](https://access.nyc.gov/programs/emergency-food-assistance/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Community members active with the Fridge stress that distinction from food pantries for good reason. “I think sometimes those pantries can be a little transactional, you can get food if you provide information about you so that we can get funding which makes sense, but it’s that give and take relationship,” said Alexandra. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/07/unnamed--2-.jpg) A woman holding fresh produce from the just-stocked fridge and pantry. (Olga Ginzburg, 2021) The Fridge is open to all to use. There is no need to show identification, or provide evidence of need, as is the case with most food pantries. Cofounders characterize a vision that goes beyond simply providing nourishment, “the motive is we want to rebuild our community, and we want to uplift what mutual aid means,” Alexandra adds. Today the fridge and other local mutual aid efforts are even more critical as state and federal pandemic relief programs expire. Enhanced federal unemployment payments offered during the pandemic [ended in September](https://dol.ny.gov/fedexp?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) 2021, while expanded monthly Child Income Tax Credits ended in December 2021\. Adding further financial pressure, New York’s eviction moratorium expired in January 2022, removing protections that have kept tens of thousands of renters in their homes. These collective challenges threaten the health and safety of Staten Islanders. A project like the ComeUnity Fridge attempts to address just one area of need, transforming lives and helping build a network of mutual aid efforts along the way. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/07/unnamed--3-.jpg) Alexandra Shoneyin, one of the organizers who founded the Forest Avenue ComeUnity Fridge, sits at her front window looking out. (Olga Ginzburg, 2022) Adding to the financial pressures Staten Islanders are facing, rising food prices nationwide are further exacerbating food insecurity. The price for food-at-home, purchased from a grocery store or supermarket, is now [11.9% higher than in May 2021](https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/food-price-outlook/summary-findings/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) nationwide, and the USDA forecasts them to increase between 8.5 and 9.5 percent further in 2022 across all categories. Poultry prices are predicted to increase between 13.0 and 14.0 percent, and egg prices are predicted to increase between 19.5 and 20.5 percent in 2022\. Spending on food is often an elastic expense for households, meaning individuals often make sacrifices on their grocery budgets to ensure they pay other key essentials such as rent, utilities, and transportation. Organizers like Danielle and Alexandra remain involved but are increasingly sharing the responsibilities with tens of other organizers. “It’s emotional because it’s so personal to each one of us - the same relationship that you would have with a child, but at the same time you know you have to let the child grow up,” said Alexandra. As the ComeUnity Fridge approaches its second year anniversary, the Fridge has indeed grown, including a partnership with College of Staten Island social work students to expand their offerings to include clothing swaps. Importantly the community continues to show up to make sure the neighborhood is healthy and fed, indicating their mission is addressing a critical need. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2022/07/_66A5597-2.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2022/07/_66A5599.jpg) Members of the community using the fridge on 9/11, the day of a big food drive. (Olga Ginzburg, 2021) ### Mariners Harbor Houses Farm URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/mariners-harbor-houses-farm/ Last updated: 2022-07-25T14:57:41.000Z _This post is for subscribers only._ ### Local Youth Create Zine with their New Awareness of the Risks of Vaping URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/local-youth-create-zine-with-their-new-awareness-of-the-risks-of-vaping/ Last updated: 2024-05-22T13:45:02.000Z In early 2022, the [Staten Island Partnership for Community Wellness](https://sipcw.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) (SIPCW) facilitated weekly discussions with youth between the ages of 16 and 20 to uncover the health risks of vaping. The objectives of these meetings often focused on the marketing tactics of the industry, which highlighted intentions to target youth to create life-long product consumption and nicotine dependency. Vaping has become a commonality amongst young people; 2 in 5 Staten Island high schoolers reported using an e-vapor product at least once in their life (2019 YRBS), the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene funded this project which allowed youth – with support from SIPCW – to create a zine that’ll educate more young people on the harms of vaping. During the weekly meetings with SIPCW staff, including myself, youth uncovered the truth behind how companies target advertisements to young people. A 2013 study from the CDC showed that most youth who use e-cigarettes first start with a flavored variety, and flavors are the primary reason youth report using e-cigarettes. The onset stages of this project were identifying what areas of life the tobacco industry is trying to connect itself to. Oftentimes, these companies market their products with aesthetics that will attract younger audiences and manipulate human desires. This can mean creating vape oils that are flavored like some of the most popular children's cereals – Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Frosted Flakes, and Cocoa Pebbles – or creating advertisements that feature young people vaping at a party. “\[The tobacco companies\] know what they’re doing,” said Sean Ghazala, the Behavioral Health Manager at SIPCW. “They know the connections young people have with childhood favorites. Cereal, candy, and even manipulating human desires are all ways they try to get to youth.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2022/06/unnamed.png) A page from the zine **Don’t Vape Yourself Away*, on the health risks of vaping (TYSA 2022) The process of creating [*Don’t Vape Yourself Away*](https://www.flipsnack.com/sipcw/tobacco-control.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) began in March of 2022\. In total, SIPCW held seven zoom sessions. The first few meetings focused on educating the young people about tobacco use and the risks that the industry doesn't warn about. Myths such as, ‘vaping is less harmful than other tobacco products have been proven to be false. Vaping is especially dangerous for youth because nicotine can harm the developing brain, create memory problems, and increase depression. Other short-term problems can include wheezing, coughing, sinus infections, nosebleeds, shortness of breath, and asthma. Once the group acquired some of this knowledge, they began forming a plan on what they wanted the final product to look like. Some of the important factors that shaped the final product were pop culture references, and the inclusion of LGBTQ+ targeted advertising. One such targeted advertising topic that was discussed was pinkwashing, an advertising tactic used by companies to specifically target LGBTQ+ individuals by giving the appearance of being an ally. This idea, as well as subliminal messaging in music videos, and celebrity endorsements were all explored too. The risks tobacco companies don’t tell you about is the irreversible damage that vaping can have on your body. Some of the risks of youth using e-cigarettes are/include nicotine dependency, a higher likelihood of smoking in adulthood, the inhalation of toxic metals, and many more. Vaping also causes economic stress and has a negative impact on the environment. The Truth Initiative reported that “E-cigarette waste is potentially a more serious environmental threat than cigarette butts since e-cigarettes introduce plastic, nicotine salts, heavy metals, lead, mercury, and flammable lithium-ion batteries into waterways, soil, and to wildlife.” An important aspect the young people wanted in the Zine were their personal experiences/encounters with vaping. One student shared their encounter with vaping at school, uncovering a problem within our school system that helped inform potential next steps for change. Some out-of-order bathrooms or less frequented hallways were used as smoking zones by students, and adults often took smoke breaks in close proximity to the school building which in turn could signal to young people that smoking is okay. This anecdote inspired a section in the zine called ‘Point of View’ (POV). In April of 2022, SIPCW held a series of media literacy workshops for young people to further spread awareness. This workshop highlighted the importance of having media literacy to combat the tobacco industry's tactics. Youth at the Pride Center of Staten Island learned about the manipulation tactics and marketing strategies big tobacco companies use to hook young people. These companies play off of nostalgia and the ‘fear of missing out’ (FOMO), and by doing this they're able to reach younger audiences and create deeper connections with consumers. The media literacy workshop showed vaping ads and the various marketing strategies used to appeal to young people. Variables like colors, product flavors, the types of graphics used, and where advertisements are displayed are all ways tobacco companies like to target young people. After showing the youth a few examples of vaping and alcohol ads, they added their perspective to how a beer ad showed the attractive parts of being an adult. “It’s kind of glamorous,” said Nadyah Ibrahim, a 19-year-old college student on Staten Island. “...Young people would be attracted to this because they’d want to emulate that.” ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/caqFqVA5re8iZc7t5meH080uS6ceC16M-2ArVqJ7n6RyZjZW35M5qEJcuWvUb7mJPnGE4XToqSos09ZOnMACUMJYuq8jA7SHcIiAFZ-13n5QYHD9JOdnk4B39-L073SBTX2A2yYQCwaDxuLTrg) Vincent Lepani, a TYSA youth consultant, with copies of youth created zines (Courtney Oliver/ TYSA, 2022) After watching TIME’s video, [*“How JUUL Hooked Kids & Ignited A Public Health Crisis”*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=%5FiAg2%5FPQ9o4&ab%5Fchannel=TIME&ref=pleaforthefifth.com), Ibrahim commented, “20 years from now, if vaping does a lot of irreversible damage to people, what are these companies going to do about it? …are people going to finally take it serious\[ly\]?” Ibrahim’s question draws parallels to the recent [Opioid Settlements](https://ag.ny.gov/opioidsettlement?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) conducted by pharmaceutical companies, acknowledging the harm their products inflicted upon users, years after the damage caused. With the youths’ creativity and observations, the final product illuminated the truth behind vaping. A video showcasing the final Zine was created and a few young people volunteered to narrate the POV stories. By doing this, the group hoped it would be more accessible to a broader scope of people and presented more ways to distribute it. Since the completion of this project, SIPCW has partnered with local members of the TYSA coalition to distribute the zine to local schools, community centers, libraries, and more. SIPCW hopes to continue offering Media Literacy training to partners looking to educate more young people on tobacco awareness. ### Mayer URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/mayer/ Last updated: 2024-03-07T18:50:16.000Z [Mayer](https://soulspazm.ffm.to/20blunts?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), a hip-hop artist entrenched in Staten Island’s music scene, performed a set for Plea for the Fifth’s Online Concert Series. Each act in the series was selected and interviewed by a different Plea for the Fifth member with the goal of showcasing a diverse range of artists. Plea for the Fifth videographer, Kasson Colon-Mangin, asked Mayer about his ties to the music industry, his performance preparation, and the Staten Island artists that inspire him. Check out previous performances from the series by [Queen Blizzy](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/queen-blizzy/), [Justy](https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1atyNvCHsB4ttc0d0sEJ2kgjjEC3y2uPboR4gvWpR0mg/edit?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), and [Lil Z](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/lil-z/). **Interview Highlights** **Plea for the Fifth:** How did you get into music and what is your connection to the music industry? **Mayer:** My family's been in the music industry for forever. My dad will tell me stories about how he tried to hit on Big Daddy Kane's girlfriend and that's why he kind of got blacklisted from the industry. But it's okay, it taught me how to address things professionally. You never never know who could be connected to whoever. My brother \[[William Starda Perry](https://www.instagram.com/1starda/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com)\] has been doing this for a long time. He's been keeping his head screwed on streets, and he has some businesses that he runs, [WeJustWorkin](https://www.instagram.com/wejustworkin/?hl=en&ref=pleaforthefifth.com). So I see the profitable aspect of it. For me, I just love the fact that since my family's been so in depth in music since Rakim. My dad and uncles would hangout with him. That's my connection to the music industry. And that's a big thing for me to not get starstruck, since I've met a lot of famous people already. It's like, you're just a regular person, just like me, and I’ll get there one day. **Plea for the Fifth:** How do you prepare for performances? **Mayer:** I wasn't the greatest performer in the beginning. So what my team would do \[in rehearsals\] is they would just talk, not paying attention to the set, to see if I would get any distractions to stop my song, so I stay on task. They’ll be like, “Boo! He sucks!” and throw pillows to throw me off, so I mess up a lyric. And that taught me to get better in my performance aspect. I appreciate the guys doing that. We do it for anyone who’s about to have a big performance. **Plea for the Fifth:** How has the pandemic affected you? **Mayer:** The pandemic is a positive and a negative. Positive because those are the moments where I'm very introverted. I got to do more things that are very personal songs. The negative is, I don't get to do those club songs that more people would appreciate. Some people that are your true fans appreciate the personal stuff from you. But fans want what fans want to a certain degree. So not being able to go out and party everyday and absorb the feelings of partying and then putting it into my lyrics. It kind of halted those kinds of songs from being made. But I appreciate the time for giving me the personal songs to be made because that’s what makes great albums in my opinion. **Plea for the Fifth:** What are your opinions on music in general today? **Mayer:** Quality is very, very important. So when you're just freestyling, you don't have a theme, you don't have so many good aspects that make a song connect. I hear so many songs where the ending of a verse doesn't click into the hook, so it just seems like they're two worlds apart, and I hate that about music. If it doesn't connect for me, I truly don't listen to it no matter how popular that song may be. My process is I sit down, I listen to a beat. If it makes me feel good, or if I'm having a sad day, and {the beat\] makes me feel that I can just pour myself out into \[the music\].When I actually hear the beats, I'll chop up five or six flows and I'd be like, “This one fits the best. What’s the theme? What’s the words that fit the flow?” **Plea for the Fifth:** Is there anyone you want to shout out? **Mayer:** Just had an event, Eddy I, dope, music portfolio is phenomenal. Family, [Tyrone Briggs](https://open.spotify.com/artist/1sLkS9C3zNRvdh5N2huwDp?autoplay=true&ref=pleaforthefifth.com), wrote the craziest flow schemes. My brother Starda is super dope. All the music content, for the years he’s been making music, I can bump to it to this day. Let's start on the rock bands because rock bands play a big part on Staten Island. [Giffords Lane](https://www.youtube.com/user/GiffordsLane/featured?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), super dope. Producers, A.R. young, super dope. Back to artists, [Stacks](https://www.instagram.com/therealdjstacks/?hl=en&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) is nice; I give him hella credit. Snoop, all the [Demon Low](https://www.demonlowstudios.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) people, Balagio, love you guys, the energy is always real. Paul Mars, I could go on about Staten Island about artists that are really, really dope that deserve their flowers. Even Hause, he’s an engineer, but his tracks are crazy. I give all the credit to the people, so that’s my list so far. There’s more, we know you’re out there. **Plea for the Fifth:** Where can we find your music? **Mayer:** If you really want to get into what I'm doing, merch is on the way. Follow me on Instagram, [Mayer\_PCXTC](https://www.instagram.com/mayer%5Fpcxtc/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) you know it already if you already follow me but for the newcomers definitely tune in to what I'm doing. You know, just ride along with me for the process. *This is the fourth installment of a five-part online concert series. Stay tuned as we release the remaining performance and interview. This project was made possible (in part) by a DCA Premier Grant from Staten Island Arts, with public funding from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs*. ### Lil Z URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/lil-z/ Last updated: 2024-03-07T18:47:50.000Z Lil Z, a young and upcoming Staten Island artist, spoke to Plea for the Fifth about the challenges and opportunities he faced while working on his EP[*Moving On*](https://music.apple.com/us/album/moving-on/1557964534?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) during the pandemic. His musical performance for Plea for the Fifth’s Online Concert series demonstrated his openness about mental health and his wide range of musical influences, from emo to R&B and Gen Z rappers like Juice WORLD. Each act in Plea for the Fifth’s Online Concert series was selected and interviewed by a different Plea for the Fifth member with the goal of showcasing a diverse range of artists. Check out previous performances from the series by [Queen Blizzy](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/queen-blizzy/) and [Justy](https://docs.google.com/document/u/0/d/1atyNvCHsB4ttc0d0sEJ2kgjjEC3y2uPboR4gvWpR0mg/edit?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). *This interview was edited for length and clarity.* **Plea for the Fifth:** Your album was completely written and produced during the pandemic. Can you talk about what that process was like? **Lil Z:** I'm the type of person that needs to live before I write, and I wasn't really living \[during the pandemic\]. I was just in a room, and I started realizing I have bad anxiety sometimes, and I'm a really bad overthinker. When it came to music, I wrote about these flings that would happen during COVID and then completely dropped. I'm a real sensitive guy sometimes, so all these kinds of things affected me. But it wasn't only that, it was the fear of going outside, the fear of being alone because I hate being alone. I'm a very social person. For example, when it came to writing songs, such as [Drowning](https://music.apple.com/us/album/drowning/1557964534?i=1557964686&ref=pleaforthefifth.com), one of the lines goes, “I'm used to my friends killing me, blood washed away by the rain”. To me that was seeing all these people I used to hang out with, not even reach out to me, not even really give a damn about what's going on. For the album, down to the order of the tracks, it's like a story. It starts off real sad and then it gets a little angrier and then at the end it has an I don't give a fuck attitude because I am not going to keep giving a fuck and messing myself up with trusting these other people. So yeah COVID definitely had a big influence on the album, good and bad. **Plea for the Fifth**: How did the pandemic financially impact you as an artist? **Lil Z:** When COVID hit obviously I've lost my normal day job. It felt like a blow because I would get paid and immediately go to the studio that day right after I got my check. I had to find different ways to obtain money, keep money, and really be conservative with what I needed to spend it on. I was blessed to have one of my really good friends help me make this music and helped me engineer all of it. **Plea for the Fifth**: What genre do you consider your music? **Lil Z**: Music, as a whole, is like a single language. To put a genre on top of it, excludes possibilities that people who probably don't listen to this kind of music could feel. I guess to answer your question, I wouldn't put myself in a genre right now. But if I could relate to a genre, I guess it would be more melodic, like emo-ish kind of music, but that's what other people categorize it as, so I am going to just roll with that. **Plea for the Fifth**: What are some of your musical influences? **Lil Z**: I grew up in the early 2000s so, Simple Plan, Skillet, but also classic rock like R.E.M. and Led Zeppelin and R&B. It's because of these influences, I'm very versatile when it comes to music. Like a specific instrumental that has a certain vibe, I can pick up on that really quick and then add onto it with my kind of finesse. Rock bands, emo rock, punk pop, and rap like Tupac, Biggie. Believe it or not, Nellie, and Chris Brown, all these artists influenced me. You listen to people like Juice WORLD, Lil Peep, XXXTentacion, unfortunately they passed away, but these people, they have cult followings. It wasn’t just because they were cool, it was because their energy was something you could really vibe to. Their level of relatability struck a chord in a lot of people. In my eyes, that's exactly what it needs to be. It shouldn't be about the money. The more you chase a bag, the more it runs away from you. It should just be about chasing the passion and making sure that you put 110% into your craft. Because if it's dope, real recognizes real. Shout out to all of them and rest in peace for sure. **Plea for the Fifth**: Are there also any Staten Island acts you want to shout out? **Lil Z:** [Michael Raguso](https://www.instagram.com/mike%5Fraguso/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [Boi-Bert](https://www.instagram.com/boiibertt/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [Boy Floss](https://www.instagram.com/boy%5Ffloss/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) again, [William Starda Perry](https://www.instagram.com/p/CTNGQFlrETY/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [Only Sibling](https://www.instagram.com/onlysibling/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Shout out to [Only Sibling](https://www.instagram.com/onlysibling/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) and [Eterna ](https://www.instagram.com/itseterna/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com)and [Katrina](https://www.instagram.com/cash.rina/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). All those people are phenomenal artists, phenomenal people, phenomenal energy. I hope you guys check them out. **Plea for the Fifth**: What’s your plan for the rest of 2021? How can fans support you? **Lil Z:** My plan really is to be able to do more performances, put myself more out there because I feel like I took it for granted before COVID. I realized I really need to step up and do my stuff. The way \[fans\] can support is just being along for the journey. I don't want your money, I just want to give and receive energy. If we can vibe together, then we're no less than family in my eyes. So if they want to support just, kick back, relax and just try to relate as much as you possibly can. And stream *Moving On*; it’s on [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/album/3951UjxpwzNAWouIpVP3Iy?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [Apple Music](https://music.apple.com/us/album/drowning/1557964534?i=1557964686&ref=pleaforthefifth.com), all that good stuff. *This is the third installment of a five-part online concert series. Stay tuned as we release the remaining three performances and interviews. This project was made possible (in part) by a DCA Premier Grant from Staten Island Arts, with public funding from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs*. ### August in Review URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/august-in-review/ Last updated: 2024-01-02T16:11:18.000Z This month [PFT5](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/) celebrates the creation of art. PFT5's Online Concert Series gives a platform to musical artists making waves here on Staten Island. Our new Small Business Spotlight series discovers a local business selling homemade crochet items. Below are our August publications: # PFT5's [Online Concert Series presents: **Justy**](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/justy/) The Second performer in PFT5's Online Concert Series is [Justy](https://justymusic.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). [Watch ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEiPKUA6Yp8&ab%5Fchannel=PleafortheFifth&ref=pleaforthefifth.com)the jazz-hop artist's exclusive live performance followed by an interview with PFT5's affiliate, Hope Ghazala, on PFT5's [YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX4tSsGcBWPSZnrIFQr0AHA?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) channel. Concert produced by [Valeriana Dema](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/valeriana/); videographer: [Kasson Colon-Mangin](https://www.instagram.com/kasson%5F/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com); audio engineer:[ Kenneth Paul Graham](https://www.instagram.com/kennethpaulmedia/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) Article written by Hope Ghazala & [Valeriana Dema](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/valeriana/) [![A female on the left wearing a mustard yellow shirt and a male on the right weaing a black Ramones band t-short, both with large smiles.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/09/Screenshot--28-.png)](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/justy/) Photograph of [Justy ](https://www.instagram.com/justymusic/?hl=en&ref=pleaforthefifth.com)& [Hyo-won Nakashio](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Finstagram.com%2Fhyowonnakashio%3Futm%5Fmedium%3Dcopy%5Flink%26fbclid%3DIwAR0Uks3vLQkfhgY8zFEk7AQcUdLJbTEovseIQHGiQtetV3u5tEz%5F-DhcRP0&h=AT0Rcg68bey4VKz8oHNdvWYDiQHhLMwa9Wx3fCFGOesv8c6CjKaAEu3euuQaXPkiXLnAfU-p3akHvwQPEHVHwLlRcGEBmdExaNuYoiOmmTD2HHTYru-qSrZPD8326uDpfkkzYQ&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) during the interview with Hope Ghazala. [Justy](https://www.instagram.com/justymusic/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), joined by guitarist [Hyo-won Nakashio](https://www.instagram.com/hyowonnakashio/?utm%5Fmedium=copy%5Flink&fbclid=IwAR0Uks3vLQkfhgY8zFEk7AQcUdLJbTEovseIQHGiQtetV3u5tEz%5F-DhcRP0&ref=pleaforthefifth.com), performed several songs from her debut album [*Pain with Benefits*](https://open.spotify.com/album/28RnreijkHFDiNufgKqaCi?ref=pleaforthefifth.com)*,* including the single [The Last Love Letter](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlQMzGvhPKg&ab%5Fchannel=Justy&ref=pleaforthefifth.com), for PFT5's Online Concert Series. In her interview, Justy discussed some of her major influences, including her Jamaican heritage and the Verrazzano Bridge, which connects Staten Island and Brooklyn. Justy, raised in Staten Island, is inspired by the city that watched her grow and hopes to inspire others with her music which has largely been influenced by the pains of life which she describes as ["...](https://justymusic.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com)[*complex, sometimes disheartening, sometimes beautiful, \[and\] dynamic"*](https://justymusic.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com)[ ](https://justymusic.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) on her [website](https://justymusic.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Justy released two visual projects, “[Rinse, Repeat, Regress](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RYExFFigmA&ref=pleaforthefifth.com)” and “[123](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhfzpTpI6M4&ref=pleaforthefifth.com),” both were shot at Staten Island's [Clove Lakes](https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/clove-lakes-park/history?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/09/Screenshot--21-.png)](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/justy/) Jazz-hop artist Justy performing at Hub 17 NYC in Staten Island for PFT5. # [**Small Business Spotlight: Triple A Stitches**](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/small-business-spotlight-triple-a-stitches/) Written by [Jacqueline Caruso](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/jacqueline/) The first installation in PFT5's new Small Business Spotlight series, [Jacqueline Caruso](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/jacqueline/) highlights [Triple A Stitches,](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/small-business-spotlight-triple-a-stitches/) a business based in Staten Island. [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/09/IMG_6795.jpg)](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/small-business-spotlight-triple-a-stitches/) Photograph of Sasha's yarn inventory. Photograph by [Jacqueline Caruso](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/jacqueline/) Sasha "Avi" Rodriguez has been crocheting for eight years and has shared her skills with her nieces since they were young. In April 2021 the trio started selling homemade crochet items for humans and their pets. [![A clothes rack holding several crochet items in all different colors. Behind the clothes rack there is a white desk with a notebook and a plant.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/09/IMG_6803-2.jpg)](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/small-business-spotlight-triple-a-stitches/) Sasha’s apartment is the main production and storage area for Triple A Stitches inventory. Photos by [Jacqueline Caruso](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/jacqueline/) The designs are heavily influenced by the Trio's Trinidadian culture, seen in the colorful patterns. They share the responsibility of running a business while also bonding, skill-sharing, and found inspiration in YouTube videos. # **Queen Blizzy: an artist and unapologetic activist** Written by [Danny O.Z.E.](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/daniel/) & [Valeriana Dema](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/valeriana/) In a conversation with PFT5 member, [Danny O.Z.E.](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/daniel/), [Queen Blizzy](https://music.apple.com/us/artist/queen-blizzy/1154341437?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) discussed her work as a Hip Hop artist and her activism related to Eric Garner and police brutality. Queen Blizzy is the first performance in PFT5's Online Concert Series. [Check out her full live performance now!](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/queen-blizzy/) [![Photograph of a black women dressed in all black wearing a durag and a do-rags and glasses. The photograph is duplicaed on the poster with a shrinking and fading effect, The word Queen in written in yellow on the top-left corner of the illustration and Blizzy is written in the same font and color on the bottom right-hand corner. ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/09/QBLIZZY_B--1--1.png)](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/queen-blizzy/) Poster of Queen Blizzy for PFT5's Online concert series. Illustration by [Xio](https://www.instagram.com/xprexions/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) Each July 17th, [The Legacy Eric Garner Left Behind](https://www.facebook.com/LegacyGarner/), founded by [Jewel Miller](https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/18/nyregion/eric-garner-death-anniversary.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) and Queen Blizzy, alongside a coalition of several grassroots organizations, takes the streets of Staten Island to commemorate the anniversary of [Eric Garner](https://www.democracynow.org/topics/eric%5Fgarner?ref=pleaforthefifth.com)'s murder and demand uncompromising justice for his murder. On this date in 2014, Garner was murdered by NYPD officer Daniel Pantaleo in one of the countless acts of violence against black lives. Queen Blizzy wrote the song [*Killer Cops*](https://www.instagram.com/p/CRbuhT%5FHOrE/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) the day after Garner's murder. Each year the rapper performs the single at the militant event. In her interview with PFT5, Queen Blizzy discusses how she entered the world of unapologetic activism, the [elements of Hip Hop](https://hgs-ny.org/five-pillar-of-hip-hop?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), and her revolutionary sound and influences. ## Did you miss it? In her [interview](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZsQ7rM0BfQ&ab%5Fchannel=PleafortheFifth&ref=pleaforthefifth.com), Queen Blizzy shouts out several organizers, including [Aunt Shirley](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhSXBAV7B%5FA&ab%5Fchannel=HotIndieMedia&ref=pleaforthefifth.com), a well-known local activist on Staten Island. Head over to our YouTube channel to [watch ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdGaqMVk0ho&ab%5Fchannel=PleafortheFifth&ref=pleaforthefifth.com)Aunt Shirley's speech from this year's July 17th event. ![A women wearing yellow pants and a purple and black leopard print shirt in the middle of speaking. There a several buttons pinned to her t-shirt and she is wearing a headwrap.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/09/Screenshot--32--1.png) Local Staten Island activist, Aunt Shirley delivers her speech on July 17, 2021, on Bay Street, the same block where Eric Garner was murdered. Video captured by [Jacqueline Caruso](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/jacqueline/) ***Don't miss it!*** Be sure to [FOLLOW US](https://www.instagram.com/pleaforthefifth/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) on Instagram. [LIKE & SUBSCRIBE](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX4tSsGcBWPSZnrIFQr0AHA?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) to our YouTube channel for more content from PFT5! ### Our images are alt text enabled to better serve our visually impaired readers. ### Justy URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/justy/ Last updated: 2024-03-07T18:47:39.000Z [Justy](https://www.instagram.com/justymusic/?hl=en&ref=pleaforthefifth.com), a jazz-hop artist from Staten Island, performed a set from her debut album accompanied by guitarist, [Hyo-won Nakashio](https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Finstagram.com%2Fhyowonnakashio%3Futm%5Fmedium%3Dcopy%5Flink%26fbclid%3DIwAR0Uks3vLQkfhgY8zFEk7AQcUdLJbTEovseIQHGiQtetV3u5tEz%5F-DhcRP0&h=AT0Rcg68bey4VKz8oHNdvWYDiQHhLMwa9Wx3fCFGOesv8c6CjKaAEu3euuQaXPkiXLnAfU-p3akHvwQPEHVHwLlRcGEBmdExaNuYoiOmmTD2HHTYru-qSrZPD8326uDpfkkzYQ&ref=pleaforthefifth.com), as a part of Plea for the Fifth’s Online Concert Series. Each act in the series was selected and interviewed by a different Plea for the Fifth member with the goal of showcasing a diverse range of artists. Plea for the Fifth affiliate Hope Ghazala spoke to Justy about the release of her first album, how her identity influences her music, and her love for Staten Island. Justy performs exclusive music from her album Pain With Benefits, out now at justymusic.com **Interview Highlights** *When did you first become interested in music?* **Justy**: I first got into music because of a Hannah Montana episode. In this particular episode, she was forming a band, and I remember calling up my best friend at the time and being like, “Hey, girl, we're gonna start a band, and I'll see you tomorrow.” So that was actually my start. But I always was surrounded by all this really great music when I was younger like Stevie Wonder and Luther Vandross. *Does your Jamaican heritage influence your music?* I remember listening to these reggae records that you could get; you'd fill them out in the little pamphlet, you'd mail it in, and then you get your CD back. And I remember listening to those CDs and trying to pick out the instruments in every track, like, “Oh, I hear bass here, or I hear synth here.” Listening to reggae, listening to dancehall, it's very lively. Everything sounds rich. And I always aim for my music to sound rich as well. So it definitely plays a part in it. *How did the pandemic impact your musical career?* The album is titled [*Pain with Benefits*](https://open.spotify.com/album/28RnreijkHFDiNufgKqaCi?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). At the start of the pandemic, I got dumped, and then everything went into lockdown, so it was kind of like I was forced to literally sit in my misery. In life, you've got to go through a lot of pain sometimes to reap a lot of your success or a lot of the goodness in life. It's a record that touches on going through your process-- healing, finding self-love, appreciation, and working through your pain, as opposed to just going over it. *Do you have a favorite song on the album?* I think I'm most excited about this track that we have titled [“The Last Love Letter”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XlQMzGvhPKg&ref=pleaforthefifth.com). As an artist, I gravitate towards writing about love. But this is one track that is about the state of the world at the time, in the heat of the pandemic, and it's a way of connecting with people on a level besides just love or that sort of safe topic. It was me pushing myself outside of my comfort zone as a writer. So I'm looking forward to sharing that and showing everyone that I enjoy writing about worldly topics as well. *How do aspects of your identity inform your music?* Definitely being a queer artist of color is major in my artistry because there's not a lot of representation for that. And the representation that is out there, it's never really mainstream. If it is mainstream, it's very, very small. So for me, I feel like a complete anomaly. I am a queer artist of color from Staten Island. I really think that's my edge in a way because you're not gonna find another artist like me, per se, with this exact identity. So I use it as empowerment, and I use it for representation, that's like the biggest part of my music. I know seeing certain artists, just seeing that it was possible, allowed me to continue to push forward. And I want to do the same thing for someone else. *What are some of the things you like about being from Staten Island?* There's so many benefits. My two visuals, “[Rinse, Repeat, Regress](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RYExFFigmA&ref=pleaforthefifth.com)” and “[123](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhfzpTpI6M4&ref=pleaforthefifth.com)” we're both shot on Staten Island, shout out [Clove Lakes](https://www.nycgovparks.org/parks/clove-lakes-park/history?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). It's less populated, so there's less traffic. And when it comes to things like shooting a visual, it's so much easier to shoot here than to find a spot in Manhattan. I found for myself, just going to a park and writing music, there's less of that noise. I have the city experience without being in the heart of the busyness. I look outside my window and I can see the bridge and that inspires me to write. *Is there anything else you’d like to add?* I'm super excited for my debut album to be released, [*Pain with Benefits*](https://open.spotify.com/album/28RnreijkHFDiNufgKqaCi?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Last year I know has been really hard on everyone, but I have really been able to find a lot of my creative power in the year that was pretty slow for all of us as artists and musicians. So I'm excited to share it more and to give more back to my community because like you said I rep Staten Island a lot, and I know that there's a lot of light and energy behind it. So I'm looking forward to that-- more of that. *This is the second installment of a five-part online concert series. Visit our site throughout the summer as we release the remaining performances and interviews. This project was made possible (in part) by a DCA Premier Grant from Staten Island Arts, with public funding from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs*. ### Small Business Spotlight: Triple A Stitches URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/small-business-spotlight-triple-a-stitches/ Last updated: 2021-08-13T11:00:00.000Z ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/0AJBraJ78Eo4PmWIsRFQlMSst6e_zJVhIZmG4Dt8MNoN5ysz6bfHEjxI46g3b60XEORc9u-xdlSUNEZ_zbV2ZHJmzy0n3Gv0sPEsGdkq_5lWflAzIatJZVJknMae_ee3vuzvY2HE) Sasha Rodriguez, founder of Triple A Stitches poses with a bag she made recently. Each square takes about 30 minutes to complete. Photo courtesy of Sasha Rodriguez, August 2021. Six or seven episodes of *The Bernie Mac Show* is all the time it takes to crochet a mid-length A-line grandma-square skirt. An hour and a half into a bout of insomnia generates a bucket hat between nimble and fast-working hands. Each time she sits down to make a piece, whether it be a trendy halter top or an ornate sling bag, Sasha Rodriguez knows that the end result will be one of-a-kind. [Triple A Stitches](https://www.instagram.com/triple.astitches/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) is the brand under which Sasha sells her handmade creations, but she’s not the only artisan creating these unique pieces. In fact, it’s Sasha, also known as Avi, and her nieces, Aniya age 14 and Adriana age 17 who put the Triple A in their name. Since April of 2021, the trio has been selling their wares and developing their business model through daily meetings and constant experimentation with their craft. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/4JQ5JvW_lPCtQhX0jLyB3XAs36_Fpnt32xmpSPi354_vmKqbQIGqQqBHgQ4_RLuQ4WcPWQcoC44tmgIO-v14q-kGlF3potwnQMCDTxKrDSBrEBSdqe-f2SspFmIh_DgcM-kwjU1v) *Cousins Adriana and Aniya, co-founders of Triple A Stitches, model their creations. Photo courtesy of Sasha Rodriguez, August 2021.* Sasha first began crocheting about eight years ago and has shared her skills with her nieces since they were young. However, it was earlier this year when they started to transition their shared hobby into a business, toying with more marketable designs such as halter tops, water-bottle holsters, Carnival and festival-wear, etc. “I would send \[Adriana and Aniya\] a text and say ‘Here, try this!’ YouTube videos and stuff, and suddenly we started creating all these amazing little pieces,” Sasha said. This opportunity to teach her nieces about the responsibility of running a business while also bonding, skill-sharing, and being creative together is a series of wins for the mother of three who balances a full time job while pursuing her craft. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/08/IMG_6803-2.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/08/IMG_6795.jpg) Sasha’s apartment is the main production and storage area for Triple A Stitches inventory. Photos by Jacqueline Caruso for Plea for the Fifth, August 2021. Sasha works as a Commercial Liaison for [Health First](https://healthfirst.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), connecting small businesses to affordable health care options. Through this role she was able to learn about small business herself, as well as finding resources through the [U.S. Small Business Administration](https://www.sba.gov/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) “I started to research how to get an LLC, and the website connected me with different agencies to learn about small business.” Working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic has also allowed Sasha the time and space to pursue this venture, though previously she would crochet during her commute to work. The appeal of Triple A Stitches clothing and accessories is not just in their stylish and unique designs, Sasha explained “It’s not a machine made item. It’s very special,” she continued “there’s a niche for people that appreciate something that’s handmade, beautiful, and made with love.” Some pieces are pastel-colored, or rainbow, or representing the bold colors of West Indian flags. Sasha moved to the United States at age 15 from Trinidad and brings her culture into her work. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/08/unnamed--1-.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/08/unnamed.jpg) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/08/IMG_6833.jpg) Products available for purchase from Triple A Stitches on [Etsy.com](https://www.etsy.com/shop/TripleAStiches?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) or in person this Saturday, August 14th at Snug Harbor’s Cottage Row Curiosities. Photos by Jacqueline Caruso for Plea for the Fifth, August 2021. The U.S. Chamber of Congress reported earlier in June that during the Covid-19 pandemic, U.S. shopping trends have increasingly leaned toward [“hyper-local commerce and smaller brands.”](https://www.uschamber.com/co/good-company/launch-pad/post-pandemic-consumers-demand-smaller-brands?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) For consumers Triple A’s artisanal products also provide an alternative to [fast fashion](https://www.vox.com/the-goods/2020/2/3/21080364/fast-fashion-h-and-m-zara?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), a global industry that runs on exploited labor and produces harmful amounts of waste to make a high volume of trendy items at low costs. Read more about the increasingly [fast pace of the global fashion industry’s destructive cycle](https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2021/03/ultra-fast-fashion-is-eating-the-world/617794/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Many garment workers who are mostly women around the world today are subjected to unsafe conditions and poor wages. At one point the garment industry [employed more in New York City than any other sector](https://www.gothamcenter.org/garment-industry-history-project?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Immigrant workers, especially women, in the late 19th and early 20th century New York City [were subjected to similar abuses still happening in the U.S. and around the world today](https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/politics/a35696959/garment-workers-international-womens-day/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/bUCtrS5dqRtvgWCFxr9VDA3E7Vr1lPj11kvVfVnYmORXjWl_eQ9I6T0fv7Rouix5_ZGGjnqBZsoE1_NyrGww8WAYxbfTPUdeEowufFbHUt1QU9PtEZIhaWQUcsL9cYEyWLPgdrL0) ”I’m inspired by women from all over the world,” Sasha flips through a book of photographs of women working in different cultures and time periods. This page of [*Dress Like a Woman: Working Women and What They Wore* (2018)](https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/gallery/2018/feb/19/a-century-of-women-at-work-in-pictures?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) features Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama. Photo by Jacqueline Caruso for Plea for the Fifth, August 2021. When asked about what’s next for Triple A, Sasha tells me “It’s all about seasonal wear,” and that while she has some bookings left for the summer, she will soon be shifting her focus to cardigans and cold-weather accessories. Look out for Triple A Stitches this Saturday, August 14th at Snug Harbor from 12-6PM. ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/pQxAjIb1WVl9lEfvUMC0BbS7klfNMgNVGzLL5SgLhNp2VF4XFtqjhZAo3uXYuWpGRAy8zgvI58szqKzegCC0xtZfIVR76j1US8GJTY4nYUm1VlDlBiBxmqbxSVj_vP3t_Mw8b2VW) Adriana, Avi (Sasha), and Aniya who put the Triple A in Triple A Stitches vending at Maker Park Saturday Sessions, a summer concert series. Photo courtesy of Sasha Rodriguez, Saturday July 31 2021. ### Queen Blizzy URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/queen-blizzy/ Last updated: 2024-03-07T18:47:30.000Z Rapper [Queen Blizzy](https://music.apple.com/us/artist/queen-blizzy/1154341437?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) performed a four-song set as a part of Plea for the Fifth’s Online Concert Series. Each act was selected and interviewed by a different Plea for the Fifth member with the goal of showcasing a diverse range of artists. Plea for the Fifth reporter, [Danny O.Z.E.](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/daniel/) sat down with Queen Blizzy to discuss her work as a Hip Hop artist and her activism related to Eric Garner and police brutality. **Interview highlights** **Plea for the Fifth:** How did you go from Ty Black to the name Queen Blizzy? **Queen Blizzy:** Queen Blizzy is the well-rounded, finished product. I originally started off as Ty Black. People just started calling me \[Queen Blizzy\] in Brooklyn, East New York where I'm from. And at that time, it was very raw, like a very freestyle battle, gangsta rap mostly with some [Knowledge](https://hgs-ny.org/five-pillar-of-hip-hop?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). I noticed that Ty Black was a common name. A lot of people from Brooklyn or even other hoods have that name, so I wanted to go with something more unique, and put my crown on, so that's how I came to Queen Blizzy. **Plea for the Fifth:** What genre would you classify your music? **Queen Blizzy:** When you listen to my music, you hear a wide range. You hear some street records; then you hear some get fly, have fun records. Then you hear your revolutionary records, or the ones that blend in between. So when I take a step back as like out of body, I think it's pretty dope. I'm very proud of the outcome of my artistry. **Plea for the Fifth**: Can you describe your connection to Hip Hop? **Queen Blizzy:** For me, [the elements of Hip Hop](https://hgs-ny.org/five-pillar-of-hip-hop?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) are important for the culture to be really authentic. Hip Hop is a culture, and it’s \[a culture\] that was created out of necessity. Because people of indigenous background—unfortunately, we were stripped of our culture. Because our culture was snatched, we created one. And I think that it is very important to hold on to those principles, so that you can keep the culture going. It keeps us well-grounded, the principles that were put into play. **Plea for the Fifth**: How does activism influence your music? **Queen Blizzy:** I am originally from Brooklyn; you can say I grew up in an activist mode. But when I actually started putting my boots on the ground and organizing was 2014\. And this was from some incidents that took place in my neighborhood in East New York. One was not related to police brutality, and the other one was. After I read [Assata Shakur’s book](https://www.akpress.org/assata.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), which is how I learned how to get out and start organizing, is in the midst of when Eric Garner was murdered, so I was in full speed. That was my year of really just diving into activism prior to his murder. So when it happened, I immediately wrote the [Killer Cop](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZk6nuo-Imc&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) record like the next day. And I came to Staten Island for big protests. And then I started networking with people because I guess it was what I wore. I had a custom-made Nefertiti hat that I wore for the [“Who taught you to hate yourself”](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fQZd3r9tEc&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) video, so I was in queen mode. And then people would network with me, and I was networking with them, and that’s how I started to come to Staten Island. Once I put it \[Killer Cops\] out, The New York Times mentioned it in a [post with Alicia Keys and Uncle Murda](https://www.nytimes.com/2014/12/05/nyregion/alicia-keys-with-garner-anthem-we-gotta-pray-pleads-for-peaceful-protests.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com); they had songs on the issue too. It was just like, on an underground movement level, we come in well respected. That's when I started to meet [Jewel \[Miller\]](https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/18/nyregion/eric-garner-death-anniversary.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), and that's when I learned of Legacy \[Eric Garner’s youngest daughter\] because originally, the way it was portrayed, [she wasn't included in that](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6iMry-KN30&ref=pleaforthefifth.com). So I didn't even know she exists, which a lot of people didn't. And I really felt for that because I can identify with that. My father was murdered, right before I turned one, so I identify with young girls and mothers going through something of that nature. It can be very political with the movement, especially what you see on TV. I felt that was even more of an injustice for her having to be on the backburner and having no voice or no presence and the whole world was saying “I can't breathe.” So that's when I started working with Jewel. And we started the [Legacy Eric Garner Left Behind](https://www.facebook.com/LegacyGarner/). We have a couple of things that we do annually. We do July 17 \[the anniversary date of when Garner was murdered\]. We also do the back to school give back on his birthday annually. And then we have other stuff in between it. **Plea for the Fifth**: Is there anyone you want to shout out? **Queen Blizzy:** I would definitely like to shout out [Shaolin Rising](https://www.instagram.com/shaolin%5Frising/?hl=en&ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Plea for the Fifth, they've been on the ground as well. I would shout out to [Spirit Child](https://xspiritmental.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). [Jasi Robison](https://www.silive.com/politics/2021/06/community-leader-and-candidate-jasmine-robinson-wants-to-redefine-the-role-of-district-leader.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), she's been a consistent, great supporter. Aunt Shirley, if you're from Staten Island, you know, Aunt Shirley. Even if you're not from Staten Island, you might know Aunt Shirley. Caption: Aunt Shirley, Local Activist Speaking on July 17, 2021 CREDIT: Jaqueline Caruso | Plea for the Fifth What we do is, especially on July 17, is we form a coalition with grassroots organizers, and we're very glad that each year some people decide to come across the water, so I’d like to shout them out too— [Why Accountability](https://www.facebook.com/WhyAccountability/?ref=page%5Finternal). They’re from the Bronx, every year they support. Also, [Peter Eliscu](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkrDlEJyEwSimHGtsvyk8zQ/videos?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), he films and documents the movement. Definitely have to shout him out because he's always been there to record and show support for Legacy every birthday. Hopefully I didn't miss anyone that definitely, definitely deserved it. But I will say those are my top people that I will salute in the movement right now. *This is the first installment of a five-part online concert series. Visit our site throughout the summer as we release the remaining performances and interviews. This project was made possible (in part) by a DCA Premier Grant from Staten Island Arts, with public funding from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs*. ### July in Review URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/newsletterjuly2021/ Last updated: 2024-01-02T16:10:02.000Z ## Our [online concert series](https://www.instagram.com/p/CQQ702FhWT1/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) is here! Queen Blizzy is the first performer of [PFT5's online concert series](https://www.instagram.com/p/CQQ702FhWT1/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) featuring six amazing local artists. Produced by [Valeriana Dema](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/valeriana/); Videographer: [Kasson Colon-Mangin](https://www.instagram.com/kasson%5F/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com); Audio Engineer:[ Kenneth Paul Graham](https://www.instagram.com/kennethpaulmedia/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) [![A women wearing all black wirh a leopard print headwrap and gold scarf singing to a girl in a pink t-shirt. PFT5's logo in partially visible in the background.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/08/Screenshot--14-.png)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZsQ7rM0BfQ&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) Queen Blizzy and Legacy Garner, Eric Garner's youngest daughter performing [**Killer Cops*](https://www.instagram.com/p/CRbuhT%5FHOrE/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) live for PFT5. Watch Queen Blizzy's complete live performance followed by an intimate interview on our [Youtube channel](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZsQ7rM0BfQ&ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Head over to our [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/pleaforthefifth/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) page to watch [Queen Blizzy's](https://www.instagram.com/tyblizzy/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) live performance of her song [*Killer Cops*](https://www.instagram.com/p/CRbuhT%5FHOrE/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). The song was inspired by the murder of [Eric Garner](https://www.democracynow.org/topics/eric%5Fgarner?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) on Bay Steet in Staten Island on 7/17/2014\. Garner was murdered by NYPD's Danny Pantaleo in one of the countless acts of police-sanctioned violence against black lives. [![A black women wearing a black shirt with a leopard print headwrap and golden scarf.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/08/Screenshot--15-.png)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZsQ7rM0BfQ&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) Photograph of Queen Blizzy from her interview with PFT5. Don't miss it! Be sure to [FOLLOW US](https://www.instagram.com/pleaforthefifth/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) on Instagram. [LIKE & SUBSCRIBE](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX4tSsGcBWPSZnrIFQr0AHA?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) to our Youtube channel! ## Allow us to introduce ourselves: **PFT5 is a grassroots news and media outlet based out of Staten Island, N.Y. The organization is a cooperative(co-op). At its inception, PFT5 founder** [**Sean Ghazala**](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/sean/) **envisioned it as a tool for making change possible in existing conditions – for its readers and its workers.** [![A man in a red t-shirt and cardigan embracing a child, his nephew on a couch. The child is wearing a black shirt and is holding a loptop. ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/08/signal-2021-04-30-204819.jpg)](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/sean/) Sean Ghazala with his Nephew. ## PFT5 member [Candy Mantilla](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/candy/) further discusses the co-op with founding member [Sean Ghazala](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/sean/). **Candy:** Hi Sean, thank you for speaking with me. What is Plea for the Fifth and how was the project born? **Sean**: Hey Candy,... The site went live on [December 1, 2020](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/launch/), with the objective of building a platform for delivering different coverage of local Staten Island stories than what’s seen on mainstream media outlets. I think it’s imperative that we educate our people in order to overcome oppression and news and media should be tools for this process. We want our readers to feel energized and ready to act. Not scared and helpless. **Candy**: Can you describe one event that shaped your conviction to establish PFT5? **Sean**: During [Occupy Wall Street](http://occupywallst.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) (OWS) I was working as a Park Ranger at the [African Burial Ground National Monument](https://www.nps.gov/afbg/learn/historyculture/index.htm?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). For me, it was difficult to separate the two. The oppressive force of a racist capitalist system made possible the largest black burial site in the world and those same forces fueled the OWS movement. **Candy**: What is [grassroots](https://streetcivics.com/grassroots-activism-and-how-it-really-works/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com)? What is a [co-op](https://ncbaclusa.coop/resources/what-is-a-co-op/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com)? How do PFT5's values align with each of these concepts? **Sean**: As I see it, grassroots is an attempt to become organized but tends to be very disorganized because a lot of the work happens individually. There are people who do good groundwork but if it’s not documented people can act like it didn’t happen. Our grassroots looks like creating a space where the scattered groundwork can be organized. It was important that PFT5 be established as a co-op, its member-owned and member-controlled. Our members are people of the communities we are writing about and for. This structure allowed us to collectively form principles around what we care about as an organization and residents of Staten Island. **Candy**: Discuss some of the challenges you’ve faced while building PFT5 and some of the lessons learned in the process. **Sean**: It’s difficult to develop an entity that tries to oppose capitalistic values in a capitalistic state and there isn’t a blueprint we can follow. We’re doing our best but things cost money and each member has their own responsibilities outside of Plea. ...Sometimes you set expectations and it's tough to recognize when they’re not realistic. We’re adapting as we go because we have to be able to make changes and continue to forge this much-needed space under the existing conditions. *This interview has been edited for length and clarity.* Check out Sean Ghazala's full interview [here](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/meet-plea-for-the-fifth-and-founding-member/). ## Consider supporting [us](https://paypal.me/PleafortheFifth?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). You can help us to continue producing content like these articles below: ## [Justice or Pacification: One Year After Staten Island's Largest Protests for Racial Justice](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/justice-or-pacification/) Written by Zeta [![A very large crowd of people raise their fists in solidarity in front of a police station during a demonstration . Many of the demonstrators hold uo signs.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/06/George-floyd-protest.jpg)](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/justice-or-pacification/) Protestors gather outside the 123rd Precinct in Tottenville, Staten Island on June 7, 2020\. Photograph by [Paul Moakley](https://www.instagram.com/paulmoakley/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) A year ago, in response to George Floyd’s murder, Staten Islanders marched for Black lives in some of the largest demonstrations the Island has ever seen. Two demonstrations – on either side of Staten Island – for Black lives featured similar remarks from those in positions of leadership: respect the police. These same leaders neglected to encourage law enforcement to reciprocate that respect. # [**Amazon Under Pressure: The Grassroots Movement to Unionize a Workforce**](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/amazon-under-pressure-the-movement-to-unionize-a-workforce/) Written by [Sean Ghazala](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/sean/) [![ Black and white photograph showing two men distributing union authorization cards on a road in front of large buildings.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/06/Amazon_Workers_Union_04Chris_Smalls_-2.jpg)](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/amazon-under-pressure-the-movement-to-unionize-a-workforce/) Gerald Bryson and Christian Smalls, both former supervisors who were fired from jobs at Amazon's at JFK8, distribute information about the ALU (Amazon Labor Union) outside of Amazon sort center in Staten Island, June 1st, 2021\. Photograph by [****Stephen Obisanya**](https://www.stephenobisanya.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) for Plea for the Fifth Amazon fired [Christian Smalls](https://www.instagram.com/chris.smalls%5F/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) during the pandemic, and now he’s leading a nonstop protest to unionize workers in Staten Island. Daily, from 4 AM to 9 PM, [Christian Smalls](https://www.instagram.com/chris.smalls%5F/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) and the other Amazon Labor Union organizers sit along 5th Street, between Amazon’s fulfillment and sort centers, to collect signed union authorization cards at their table. Some workers can be wary of approaching [ALU](https://amazonlaborunion.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com)’s table, fearful that Amazon officials may be observing them. To encourage fearful signees, organizers periodically hold cookouts with free food to draw workers over, and open conversation. # [**Free Palestine**](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/free-palestine/) Written by [Editorial Committee](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/editorial/) [![Illustration by Xio. A spray bottle labeled Ethnic Cleansing, Established 1948, Backed by the USA spraying blood on the map of the State of Palestine in the color scheme of the Palestinian flag.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/05/Palestine_Israel_page_001-1.jpg)](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/free-palestine/) Illustration by [Xio](https://www.instagram.com/xprexions/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) 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. # [**Commentary: MLK Tried to Tell Us**](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/mlk-tried-to-tell-us/) Written by [Danny O.Z.E](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/daniel/) [![Black and white photograph of MLK sprawled across the police desk being restrained by two police officers as his wife and others look on. ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/05/MLK-arrested.jpg)](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/mlk-tried-to-tell-us/) MLK at the police station in Alabama upon being arrested for loitering, 1958. 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. ### Our images are alt text enabled to better serve our visually impaired readers. ### Extended: Meet Plea for the Fifth founding member Sean Ghazala URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/meet-plea-for-the-fifth-founding-member/ Last updated: 2025-10-06T12:16:32.000Z **Read** [**Sean Ghazala**](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/sean/)**'s extended interview below.** **PFT5 is a grassroots news and media outlet based out of Staten Island, N.Y. The platform is a cooperative(co-op). At its inception, PFT5 founder Sean Ghazala envisioned it as a tool for making change possible in existing conditions – for its readers and its workers.** **Candy**: Hi Sean, thank you for speaking with me. What is Plea for the Fifth and how was the project born? **Sean**: Hey Candy, work for PFT5 started in September 2020\. The site went live on [December 1, 2020](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/launch/), with the objective of building a platform for delivering different coverage of local Staten Island stories than what’s seen on mainstream media outlets. I think it’s imperative that we educate our people in order to overcome oppression and news and media are tools for this process. We want our readers to feel energized and ready to act. Not scared and helpless. People in our communities need a better sense of what’s going on. Mainstream media spreads an alternate reality of the world and I don’t often hear stories that I hear people in my community talk about. With PFT5 we hope to challenge that. **Candy**: Can you describe one event that shaped your conviction to establish PFT5? **Sean**: During [Occupy Wall Street](http://occupywallst.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) (OWS) I was working as a Park Ranger at the [African Burial Ground National Monument](https://www.nps.gov/afbg/learn/historyculture/index.htm?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). For me, it was difficult to separate the two. The oppressive force of a racist capitalist system made possible the largest black burial site in the continent and those same forces fueled the OWS movement. Although slavery has been abolished, these oppressive forces persisted through other practices, such as the criminalization of an action with the stroke of a pen. You start to see a constant and recognize that if you don't do something, it will keep happening. **Candy**: What is [grassroots](https://streetcivics.com/grassroots-activism-and-how-it-really-works/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com)? What is a [co-op](https://ncbaclusa.coop/resources/what-is-a-co-op/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com)? How do PFT5's values align with each of these concepts? **Sean**: As I see it, grassroots is an attempt to become organized but tends to be very disorganized because a lot of the work happens individually. There are people who do good groundwork but if it’s not documented people can act like it didn’t happen. Our grassroots looks like creating a space where the scattered groundwork can be organized. PFT5 doesn’t replace this organizing work, but it’s a space to amplify what is happening. It was important that PFT5 be established as a co-op, its member-owned and member-controlled. Our members are people from the communities we are writing about and for. This structure allowed us to collectively form principles around what we care about as an organization and residents of Staten Island. Nothing is imposed on us and any hierarchy is one that we choose. This also means that much of PFT5 content is produced by our own members. While these liberties are refreshing compared to capitalistic standards that put profit above all else, it comes with its own challenges. **Candy**: Discuss some of the challenges you’ve faced while building PFT5 and some of the lessons learned in the process. **Sean**: It’s difficult to develop an entity that tries to oppose capitalistic values in a capitalistic state and there isn’t a blueprint we can follow. We’re doing our best but things cost money and each member has their own responsibilities outside of Plea. The platform came into existence during the COVID-19 pandemic, many of our members were working remotely and there was little to do outside. Collectively we had more time for activism. With things returning to some sort of normalcy many of our members have resumed commuting to work and worrying about childcare etc... All of these things eat into our day creating several challenges for Plea as our members are the power behind the content production. Along these same lines, sometimes you set expectations and it's tough to recognize when they’re not realistic. We’re adapting as we go because we have to be able to make changes and continue to forge this much-needed space under the existing conditions. ### June in Review URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/june2021newsletter/ Last updated: 2024-01-03T17:40:15.000Z ## PFT5 commemorates Juneteenth with an exploration of grassroots movements happening in Staten Island. [Christian Smalls](https://www.instagram.com/chris.smalls%5F/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) has an intimate discussion with PFT5 on his fight for workers' rights despite Amazon's retaliation and intimidation tactics. PFT5 member Zeta reflects on the June 2020 marches in Staten Island sparked by the murder of George Floyd by police. Below are our June publications: # [**Amazon Under Pressure: The Grassroots Movement to Unionize a Workforce**](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/amazon-under-pressure-the-movement-to-unionize-a-workforce/) ### Amazon fired [Christian Smalls](https://www.instagram.com/chris.smalls%5F/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) during the pandemic, and now he’s leading a nonstop protest to unionize workers in Staten Island. Written by [Sean Ghazala](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/sean/) [![ Black and white photograph showing two men distributing union authorization cards on a road in front of large buildings.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/06/Amazon_Workers_Union_04Chris_Smalls_-2.jpg)](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/amazon-under-pressure-the-movement-to-unionize-a-workforce/) Gerald Bryson and Christian Smalls, both former supervisors who were fired from jobs at Amazon's at JFK8, distribute information about the ALU (Amazon Labor Union) outside of Amazon sort center in Staten Island, June 1st, 2021\. Photograph by [****Stephen Obisanya**](https://www.stephenobisanya.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) for Plea for the Fifth On April 19, 2021, and with the support of [The Congress of Essential Workers](https://twitter.com/TCOEW?s=20&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) (TCOEW), Amazon workers from the Amazon fulfillment center in Bloomfield announced their intention to unionize as [Amazon Labor Union](https://amazonlaborunion.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) (ALU). Daily, from 4 AM to 9 PM, [Christian Smalls](https://www.instagram.com/chris.smalls%5F/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) and the other Amazon Labor Union organizers sit along 5th Street, between Amazon’s fulfillment and sort centers, to collect signed union authorization cards at their table. Some workers can be wary of approaching [ALU](https://amazonlaborunion.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com)’s table, fearful that Amazon officials may be observing them. To encourage fearful signees, organizers periodically hold cookouts with free food to draw workers over, and open conversation. # [**Justice or Pacification: One Year After Staten Island's Largest Protests for Racial Justice**](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/justice-or-pacification/) ### A year ago, in response to George Floyd’s murder, Staten Islanders marched for Black lives in some of the largest demonstrations the Island has ever seen Written by Zeta [![A very large crowd of people raise their fists in solidarity in front of a police station during a demonstration . Many of the demonstrators hold uo signs.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/06/George-floyd-protest.jpg)](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/justice-or-pacification/) Protestors gather outside the 123rd Precinct in Tottenville, Staten Island on June 7, 2020\. Photograph by [Paul Moakley](https://www.instagram.com/paulmoakley/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) Two demonstrations – on either side of Staten Island – for Black lives featured similar remarks from those in positions of leadership: respect the police. These same leaders neglected to encourage law enforcement to reciprocate that respect. In the borough where “I can’t breathe” first became a rallying call, the argument that we should peacefully protest and unify with law enforcement was, and is, inapt. It was infuriating to see speakers focus on the possibility of violence from protestors while ignoring the root cause of that violence: continued state-sanctioned murders and assaults on Black people. # [**Follow the Money (D-49): Final Entry**](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/follow-the-money-d-49-final-entry/) Written by [Chad Small](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/chad/) In Plea for the Fifth’s [first edition](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/follow-the-money-d-49-entry-1/), we discussed how campaign financing can create more opportunities for community engagement and advertising resources. With this election cycle coming to a close, we can take a look at the total amount of money donated in this primary. # [**What Started When Hundreds of Islanders Marched To Save The Graniteville Wetlands**](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/coming-together-to-save-the-wetlands/) ### Photographs from one of Staten Island’s most visible struggles for climate justice: The march to save the Graniteville wetlands. Photographs [![Black and white photograph of demonstrators marching on a street, Some are holsing signs, others have their hands raised in the air. ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/07/Graniteville_Wetlands_Stephen_Obisanya_01.jpg)](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/coming-together-to-save-the-wetlands/) Demonstrators marching on April 24, 2021\. Photograph by [Stephen Obisanya](https://www.stephenobisanya.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) View the photo essay by Stephen Obisanya [here ](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/coming-together-to-save-the-wetlands/) Check out coverage of the 4/24/2021 march by [Jacqueline Caruso](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/jacqueline/) [here](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/a-last-stand-for-the-wetlands/). # **Say Hello to** [Stephen Obisanya](https://www.stephenobisanya.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) PFT5 member [Candy Mantilla](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/candy/) caught up with photography contributor [Stephen Obisanya](https://www.stephenobisanya.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Obisanya collaborated on "[Amazon Under Pressure](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/amazon-under-pressure-the-movement-to-unionize-a-workforce/): The Grassroots Movement to Unionize a Workforce", capturing the grassroots struggle for worker's rights happening here on Staten Island. Obisanya also composed a [photo essay](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/coming-together-to-save-the-wetlands/) of the march to save the Graniteville Wetlands. The independent photographer – born in Nigeria and residing on Staten Island since 2001 – got started on his creative path in 2014, a few years after dropping out of a Pre-med college program his senior year. ![Black and white side portrait of a man](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/07/Stephen-Obisanya-1-2.jpg) PFT5 contributor [Stephen Obisanya](https://www.stephenobisanya.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) **Q: How has your work developed since your early days of photographing?** A: The process has been a self-teaching journey. At first, my goal was just to learn how to make photographs with a film camera and to make it look thoughtfully composed. By 2016, I was making work as a street photographer but that quickly felt detached and lacking in purpose. I slowly pivoted toward learning how to tell impactful stories with my photographs and stumbled into documentary-based work. **Q: One such issue is the black and brown-led grassroots movement to unionize Amazon workers here on Staten Island. Can you speak about your experience photographing the movement?** A: Christopher Small's experience and journey thus far are worth documenting. It’s momentous. Smalls took matters into his own hands to advocate for worker's rights at Amazon. That type of grassroots struggles to unionize workers represents the type of stories that I'm interested in—those that often go unnoticed or aren’t given a deserved spotlight. I aim to produce work deeply rooted in adversarial journalistic efforts. I believe this path provides the opportunity to continuously wield my work in service to the people and stories that I care about while educating myself on current issues that I'm deeply curious about. *This interview has been edited for length and clarity.* ### Our images are alt text enables to better serve our visually impaired readers. ### City Council D-49 Candidate's Forum [Video] URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/city-council-d-49-candidates-forum-video/ Last updated: 2024-06-10T12:11:05.000Z Monday April 19, 2021 we spoke with the candidates vying to represent the North Shore in the city council's 48th district now represented by the term-limited Councilwoman Debi Rose. **SG** (00:02:34): Good evening! My name is Sean Ghazala. I live in the 50th District, I work with a local community organization, and I am a cofounder of Plea for the Fifth. We would like to inform our panelists, and our audience, that we are recording this session. Plea for the Fifth is Staten Island’s source for grassroots independent journalism. We are a group that launched in December 2020 under nine principles. Among them: We strive for journalism that empowers Staten Island and believe in ethical news coverage that reflects the neglected in our communities namely black, indigenous, people of color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+, immigrants, people with disabilities, youth, and the elderly. We are concerned with the conditions that affect low-income members of our community. We believe in workplace democracy, that the climate crisis is existential, and that housing scarcity is one of the most pressing and manufactured moral failings of our time. We believe that systemic racism does incalculable harm to our community. We release written pieces weekly, and record a podcast, we’re on social media, our handle is our name pleaforthefifth - all one word- we're on IG, Facebook, and Twitter. Our cooperative recently launched premium memberships, at $7/month to expand our coverage, and offer our supporters extra content. If you’ve liked our local coverage since launching, and the alternative in narrative we have provided Islanders we hope you will consider becoming a premium subscriber. I want to shout out the incredible team at Plea that worked behind the scenes to bring this event to the District. I also wanna wish tonight’s producer Danny a happy birthday, and thank him for being with us tonight. Plea for the Fifth recognizes the traditional occupiers of the land on which we are today - commonly referred to today as the Munsee Lenape. We pay our respects to their elders past and present and any indigenous elders of other communities who may be tuning in. We stand in solidarity in their struggle towards decolonization and landback. The New York City primary is Tuesday June 22nd and with the crowded field we are looking forward to a spectrum of views. This year New Yorkers can rank-choice their vote - meaning you can rank up to five candidates in order of preference: so your first choice candidate first, second choice next, and so on. NYC council members play an important role in local governance, but the scope of their powers are not always understood. The elected city council member will be able to weigh-in on local land development, and the allocation of the city’s budget in services from schools, to parks, Rikers Island to the NYPD. Because of the unique responsibilities of the city council there are issues we aren't delving into tonight - like immigration, universal healthcare, or taxation of the wealthy - not because they are unimportant, but because they are often outside city councilors’ responsibilities. Many in New York City including other elected officials seldom visit New York City, and so the winning candidate in many instances will be who Democratic officials consult with to ‘understand Staten Island’. The current council member Debi Rose was the first African American to represent Staten Island in elected office, is term limited and unable to run for reelection. Council members are now limited to two four-year terms. We’re glad to see the size of the race, and the many folx who would like to step up to advocate for the North Shore in the City Council but because of the size of our panel tonight, I need to emphasize we will ask for succinct responses. We asked the candidates to provide a brief background of themselves and their campaign. You will find backgrounds on six of the nine candidates with us tonight on pleaforthefifth.com With us tonight is: \- Amoy Barnes the Staten Island Director of the Education Transition and College Access Center at the New York City Department of Education \- Selina Grey former campaign manager to our incumbent city councilwoman Debi Rose \- Kamillah Hanks President & CEO of the Historic Tappen Park Community Partnership \- John McBeth Deacon at St. Philip’s Baptist Church \- Troy McGhie teacher and basketball coach \- Ranti Ogunleye director of the Gerard Carter Cornerstone of Staten Island’s Jewish Community Center \- Kelvin Richards public defender at the Legal Aid Society \- Aidan Rivera Shift Supervisor at G4S International Employment Services \- Michael Schanll Vice President of Government Relations and Community Investment at NY Road Runners We welcome the nine of you, and thank you for time tonight. We will ask the candidates to respond in alphabetical order of last name, and the first to respond will rotate in alphabetical order. So for instance, on our first question we will invite Amoy Barnes to respond first then Selina Grey, and our second question Selina Grey, while Amoy Barnes will respond last after Michael Schanll - and so on. For each question I will identify the next to respond among our panelists - in case our panelists or viewers at home lose track. Let's get right into it. For this first section we will ask a question, and each of you will have an opportunity to respond. Each candidate will have 90 seconds to answer. Our producer will provide a ten second time warning, please wrap up your thoughts at the time warning. Our producers will mute you if you do not make space for others within a timely period. The development of a BJ’s Wholesale store and gas station at the Graniteville Wetlands is currently a hot button issue. Despite concerns from the community, the development was supported by Debi Rose, who called concerns from environmentalists “scare tactics,” and passed by City Council in a 45-1 vote in 2017\. In 2021 Staten Islanders are still pushing back against the destruction of this ecologically sensitive site. The Save Graniteville Wetlands march this Saturday April 24th at noon aims to raise further awareness for the cause. The Coalition for Wetlands and Forests is suing the State Department of Environmental Conservation. The Graniteville project is just one example of concerns regarding overdevelopment, gentrification, industrialization and corporatization of the North Shore. The North Shore - which does not receive the same kind of funding for preserving green spaces as the South Shore - and is blacker and browner than our South Shore, is more at risk to the dangerous effects of climate change. Given our nickname as the borough of parks, why is climate change, one of the most dire existential crises we face, and the environment not a core issue in your campaigns? If we’re mistaken on its omission, what is the most urgent item in your campaign that addresses climate change? We invite Amoy Barnes to answer first **AB** (00:13:47): Thank you so much for that question and thank you so much to Plea for the Fifth and my fellow candidates for having me today and for all those who are watching. One of the things that I always like to say is that everything is connected. Nothing lives in a silo so when my platform talks about transportation we're talking about climate change because if we're able to get people out of their cars and put people in public transportation that makes our climate better. When we're talking about housing we're talking about climate change because if we're able to put people in good sustainable affordable housing and making sure that housing is built sustainably that is climate change and that is successful. When we're talking about education and we're talking about making sure all schools are community schools we're talking about keeping our communities healthy we're talking about better lifestyles better living even maybe even turning our school yards into green markets on the weekend that's climate change because we're keeping people healthy and we're making sure that people have access to good food and fixing the food insecurity issue when we're talking about um access to public spaces we're talking about climate change so one thing that i always say is that there is nothing on my platform that does that does not include climate change because it all works together and when we really look to facilitate and fix all these issues it improves our climate situation one of the things i say all the time is when you look at our waterfront and how inaccessible it is it looks like sandy hit it just yesterday really what we should make sure that we do is understand that everything is connected to climate change and when we improve all these issues we work to improve our climate issue **SG** (00:15:32): Thank you Selina invite you to go next **SGr** (00:15:36): Thank you, thank you very much. Climate change has been one of - a major part of - my platform. I'm part of the New York State Nurses’ Association, so I will be participating in that march, along with the New York State Nurses’ Association, and with Citizens Action because I am a member of Citizens Action here on Staten Island so that is part of my platform. So when we talk about green spaces, when we talk about overdevelopment of Staten Island we need to look at it holistically and also the big picture. Zoning is a big issue here we can't continue to piecemeal zoning when it comes to a project we need a city council member, a borough president, and everybody to get involved community board to get involved with rezoning that is how we will address the over development of Staten Island when we talk about historical districts we need to rezone those districts to be historic that will defeat a lot of the development that goes on. When I look out my window I live on Lake Avenue I look on Housman Avenue, I have a big storage unit going up there's four of them going up in a two mile radius of each other on Richmond Terrace. I don't really hear anybody talking about that - why are we not addressing that? That is going up in black and brown communities all the way from Elm Park to St. George. That is a problem. Do we need four storage units? I don't think so and they're right on our waterfront that could be a space for affordable housing so I am addressing climate and actually development in my platform thank you. **SG**: Thank you Selina, John McBeth we invite you to go next **JM** (00:17:20): Yes. Good afternoon and thank you for having me. Climate change of course is important to all Staten Islanders. This project in particular has been on my radar since well before 2017 when it was first introduced, and when the developer specifically sued the state for access to buffer zones of the isolated wetlands it did create a circumstance under which people had some minor misunderstanding about what was actually going on. That said, one of the things that I’m specifically looking forward to changing is I want to be more proactive. One of the things that came up in this discussion regarding these particular wetlands as well as other projects and development around Staten Island is we tend to be the last ones as the people on the ground to know about what's going on and it just simply shouldn't be that way. I don't know who knows first but I know who will know second and that is the constituents in my district if i'm elected city council person. Climate change is obviously important. We have the highest rates of asthma. We have high rates of cancer from the pollution coming over from Jersey. Every tree is going to matter to us, and it's vitally important that we do our best to save every single one of them, as much as humanly possible. I too will be at that march representing myself of course, as well as making sure that we continue to be the borough of parks and a safe place for kids to play, and where oxygen exchange between trees and humans can continue unabated and actually better. Thank you. **SG**: Thank you John, Troy we invite you to go next **TM** (00:19:14) : Thank you Sean, and thank you to Plead the Fifth for putting this forum together and having us be able to share our views. So you touch on a very important point; climate change, and like Amoy says, everything is climate change, it's on my platform. I specifically talk about education and preparing our students for the jobs that are going to be there in the future, and the jobs that are going to be there in the future are clean air jobs. We need to be able to bring these clean air energy jobs to the forefront so that we can have an impact on climate change. We also need to put in legislation that makes sure that we protect our future generations and make sure that we have sustainable living environments for our kids, but with that being said, I want to touch on the BJ's. We're in a totally different time in space right now with Covid-19 than we were back in 2017\. and with that being said I see no reason at all why a big box store needs to be developed and put into that space when we need to be taking care of our small businesses and making sure that our small mom and pops get back on their feet. Think about it, anything you can get at BJ’s a lot of people can get online right now there's no need for a big box store to be going into those wetlands. So we need to really take a deep dive and look into the necessity of a BJ's going in on those wetlands and developers. Here's my thought: for every tree that comes out you need to, and I will make sure, that you're planting two or more for every one you take out. **SG**: Thank you Troy, Ranti we invite you to go next **RO** (00:21:36): When I think about my platform and climate change, I think it's something that's near and dear to me. I was transformed from a trip to Vienna, Austria that was focused on sustainability. And I tell this story all the time: I didn't even know how to spell the word. And that was a key moment in my life because I realized it was up to me to look at the world as a global citizen and use the lens of human rights to take action. And if you look at my platform and everything that I've done: I've started a Bee-U University, where students can learn about how the bees affect the environment and our ecosystem, so we can begin to educate young people to have healthy understandings of their environment and how they actually are connected to the environment. Because if you teach them young, then you won't need to have all these situations where you have to get community members to understand how important climate change is, because it is something that will be ingrained into them from young. So this is why we need someone like me, who has been posed to educate young people about their environment. In terms of the BJ’s fighting against this, it's also about leadership having the foresight to understand that community members were screaming for other things, they weren't screaming just for jobs, right? I understand that is important, but understanding how sustainability works, we need to make sure that our community is structured so our children's children can have better access to resources. Having a BJ’s is just short-term. We're not thinking about the long-term effects of the environment. I'm not just going to be participating in those BJ’s marches, I'm one of the actual organizers. And this is what I've done all my community work: involving the community, getting people to understand how important their role is in climate change, and then acting. And acting through not only policy, but bringing the community together. Because we know that the community is best positioned to solve their own issues, we just need to give them the resources to do so. **SG**: Thank you Ranti, Kelvin we invite you to go next **KR** (00:23:51): Thank you to Plea for the Fifth for having us; thank you to my fellow colleagues. Yes, listen, climate change is very important. I think we need to expand and protect our wetlands and our open spaces. It's something that is very dear and near to me. I think we need to educate our people about renewable uses and so forth - but when it comes to the BJ's, again, it's something that we have to actually have community involvement. You know, I'm someone that if a developer is going to come to the North Shore and make a proposal, I'm going to first have community involvement. I understand the BJ’s might bring a few jobs, but again, it's not just about BJ's; it's about how can you protect and expand our wetlands and our green spaces on the North Shore. So addressing the issues that have to do with overdevelopment you actually say “how can we tackle overdevelopment on the North Shore.” It's a holistic approach. You have to consider the transportation system on the north shore - because if you have overdevelopment it is going to filter into transportation; you have to address housing, affordable housing and so forth- that's also going to factor in. So there's a lot of things we could do on the North Shore to actually help the climate but it's also going to help with traffic, it's going to help with congestion, and it's going to help with our mental health and our physical health. So my platform actually addresses climate change in a holistic approach; it's not just in isolation and it's something that I'm willing to tackle. **SG**: Thank you Kelvin, Aidan we invite you to go next **AR** (00:25:48): Hi, well thank you for having me, and thank you for everyone that's here right now. I really just want to take a moment to say that I'm really proud that personally one of the main things that I mentioned on my website from the beginning of my campaign has been the environment and how much it matters. I think back to my past, and how growing up as a little kid I would spend time at the Greenbelt and High Rock park as a young naturalist and just learn about how nature and everything is interconnected. And then during high school for a couple years I worked with my hands maintaining the land at Serpentine art nature Commons right by Park Hill. And it really just gave me a better appreciation for, like you said ,the fact that we are the borough of parks. And that is a sense of pride that we should take and that there's something that we should preserve, and that is our green space because once it's gone we don't get it back and there's something very valuable specifically about the Wetlands which is somewhere that that development does not need to be built. If you look at the safety around it. The fact that the surrounding area will be flooded if there is any heavy rains. If there is anything close to what we experienced with Hurricane Sandy, and we know how bad things like that could be. You think about the health benefits that we're losing the clean air, the air quality. Somewhere for the youth to enjoy. Somewhere for all of us to enjoy, especially during Covid. And if people care so much about money, you have to realize the bottom line that also impacts that area in that community there's food deserts that aren't addressed. But we have a BJ's being dropped there. The fact that the gas station which will be connected to it conflicts with other gas stations that are already in the neighborhood and those aspects which have not been considered and I personally would consider, so thank you. **SG**: Thank you Aidan, Michael you close us out. **MS** (00:27:45): All right, thanks for having us.Ii really appreciate it. Great to see all my colleagues here. So as a former New York City parky, green flows through my blood, so trees-- I’m a proud tree hunger. What i will say on the wetland issue is Protectors of Pine Oaks Woods is the oldest environmental group on Staten Island between them and New York State DCE many years ago they stopped the developer from building what Selena was talking about those large empty warehouses there and they stipulated the 10 acres of protected wetland that was not part of the as of right development. So I would encourage everyone to go back and talk to Protectors of Pine Oak Woods, read the research that they did, and they're actually going to probably come out with a statement at some point, reinforcing the work that was done there. But I will also say that that wetland project is a canary in the coal mine, and we should be very careful that we're focused just on that one and not on everything else that's coming down the pike. I had involvement with protecting Reed's Basket Willow Swamp Park and sued a homeowner who encroached upon that property and got the city to mitigate-- get mitigated damages from that homeowner. I've also worked with encroachment on parkland and I've also worked on increasing our tree canopy, and I'll say that we need to look at what's out there and what the potential next wave of encroachments are. The deforestation issues and all the other things coming down the pike. One last thing I want to mention that trees coming down-- I drafted and got passed and signed into law by Mayor Bloomberg, a local law 3 of 2010 which dictates how trees are removed on city parkland and the steep, steep fines and costs involved with those tree removals. Unfortunately, on this property I believe because it's private, there's less of a steep a penalty for tree removal, so I would encourage and work with the next group of council members to draft legislation to improve our protections on private trees. **SG** (00:29:42): Historically economic development projects in NYC have frequently left out or inadequately employed vulnerable populations such as: LGBTQ+ individuals, Black and Brown folk, Women, and individuals with disabilities. Youth WINS, the coalition of Staten Island youth workforce development organizations, recommends that we increase funding for bridge programming which helps young people develop the essential skills and acquire the credentials that they need to successfully transition into a career with a family sustaining wage. Plea has previously reported on cuts to the Learning to Work and Summer Youth Employment Program and the impact it has on future job development for the next generation of students. What will you do in terms of funding, and to improve the system which lacks a centralized department for workforce development? **SGr** (00:31:03) Thank you, so one of the things that I've always spoke about and since i love the unions and I've worked for one was the lack of jobs available to our black and brown students because everyone is not college bound a lot of them want to go into the workforce but they need jobs with a living wage or prevailing wage even and also with benefits so they can actually move out of my house because I have a daughter that thank god she moved out, but a real prevailing wage job. I think that if like we have ROTC in our high schools, why can't we have the unions come in and bring those type of programs and they do do it but not on a larger scale and one of the things that i do support and i do advocate for is that our unions come in and teach our children's trades if it's the iron workers if it's even welding those type of jobs where they can really make prevailing wages because there's not enough of our black and brown children afforded those opportunities to get into those really good prevailing wage jobs so i would actually put funding into the board of education to actually do those collaborative type partnerships to expand on it because it is done but not on the large scale that is my vision. **SG**: Thank you Selina, John we invite you to respond next **JM** (00:32:31): Sure, thank you. In my initial campaign announcement, one of the things I specifically mentioned was a return of vocational schooling and vocational programs here on Staten Island. As a product of a vocational school, when mckee was both a vocational and technical school, i actually had the opportunity to experience both sides, both the vocational side and printing and the technical side in architectural drafting, and the benefit is obvious right. We'll produce a workforce that is almost ready to hit the ground running.Yes, we can get some cooperation from nearby businesses and unions. It was a program that i actually started with my supervisor way back in 2004 where we started to try and launch a program where we would take high school students directly out of mckee and give them the sufficient skills that they would need to enter the workforce at a wage that wasn't a minimum wage, that was a sustainable wage that the unions currently enjoy over there at Davis Avenue. One of the other things, one of the more important things, is that bringing back vocational schools will also give me the opportunity to allow adults to retrain for new types of careers in case their sector dies. **SG**: Thank you John, Troy we invite you to respond next **TM** (00:34:06) Thank you. Well, as an educator I can speak very heavily to this point, and what we need to do is create partnerships with businesses. Partnership with leaders in the community, partnerships with different unions, and partnerships like the ones that we had when the old co-op program was in the schools. So envision our future where we could have students do one week on the job as an apprentice, be it in construction, be it in a law firm, be it in a hospital. Even better as a teacher and another week in the school learning and then at that week that they're out getting hands-on skills they could be learning remotely or asynchronously so they would still be keeping up with their studies, but they would be out there getting living life skills on the job in an area that they had an interest in. You could have someone working on sound boards and being in music; you could have someone out learning how to be an electrician; you could have someone going through the process learning how to become a teacher, and have our black and brown students get a leg up and move into getting living wages so that when they get out of school or when they get out of college they already have the skill set that they need to go further in life and not be on the sidelines watching. So I think that it's very very important and I would promote and I would have a coalition in the Council to bring back the partnership model or the co-op model in this day and age so that students would be able to one have a week where they could be working and getting on the job skills and be be asynchronous and still learning, and then have that other week where they're in school and getting in-person instruction. That would be my plan. **SG**: Thank you Troy, Ranti you're up next. **RO** (00:36:19): I think when you think about education it's about reimagining what education looks like. I was transformed from an opportunity outside the classroom, so what happens outside the classroom has to apply to what happens in the classroom. My transformation process happened through travel; someone's transformation process might come through a carpenter apprentice program. So we need to strengthen the programs that already exist. There are NYCHA tech programs that exist. We need to make sure that the city is allocating enough funding so that it can be more comprehensive and more young people can access it. We're talking about our most vulnerable community members. I think about my role as the director of the Gerard Carter Center: I work hand in hand with Jobs Plus and the NYCHA tech programs, these training programs that will not just give kids a job, but will actually give them a career and increase their chances for upward mobility. That's what we're actually talking about, and we need a city council member who's going to fight at every level. What we have here is a lot of people who you know are close to the seat, so what happens is it's from a top-down model. You need someone who actually understands and has opposed what's actually really going on. Again my Bee program is a prime example of the innovation that you're going to need to inspire young people, young people learning different facets. But we have to be creative, and it starts with not just talking about it: it starts with actually doing it. So you see my Bee program is one thing we think about, the vocational programs as well, but there are already programs like NYCHA tech programs and other things. Also we need to incentivize businesses that do businesses with training programs that hire from NYCHA. Right, this is how you actually make it work for the community members get NYCHA involved. But say hey, you know what? We can work within the community. Let's also get these community-based organizations involved, because they're the ones that are actually filling those gaps that the government has. This is how you increase the availability for our young people to move up upward while reimagining what education looks like. **SG**: Thank you Ranti, Kelvin we invite you to go next **KR** (00:38:40): Yeah, thank you. I mean for me this issue is very critical because I have a lot of clients- young people 16, 17, 18 year-olds - in the criminal justice system that as part of their parole or probation they have to have work and I always refer them to the workforce. And again, we have to increase the resources and the funding so these young people have access, but I agree with my colleagues- everybody's not built to go to law school or medical school. Some people are just built to just have a vocational education and I think it's something that I support and I want to actually expand. I'm a fan of Curtis High School where you have young people in Curtis High School who actually get their Nurse Practitioner license while they're in high school. Think about it, you could go to Curtis High School when you graduate from high school you could already be a nurse. I mean, you're not a registered nurse- you're a licensed nurse practitioner- you're an LPN. That actually introduces our young people to jobs and several career opportunities at a younger age. For me, you also spoke about the summer youth program, that's very critical. Ninety percent of my young clients normally have contact with our criminal justice system in the summertime. Why? because we don't have adequate summer programs to get them involved and engaged. They say an idle mind is the devil's playground. We need to have our young people involved, engaged, and participating in summer programs so they would stay off the streets, so they could have something positive to do and not get involved in the criminal justice system. So for me it’s a whole approach with the summer program and the workforce and I want to actually expand on resources to have these things running and I'm never going to support a budget cut to our summer programs. Thank you **SG**: Thank you Kelvin, Aidan we invite you next. **AR** (00:40:44): Alright, thank you. So this is a really great topic and I'm glad that we're touching upon it, because like you mentioned, there's a lot of marginalized communities and at-risk populations which aren't going addressed. That includes the youth, LGBTQ community members, non-english speakers, and more. So as a young person myself I’ve experienced and I know friends that have experienced; even if you have a degree you may have a problem job hunting. So what's important is we have a problem where Mckee is a great technical school and you could learn vocation and a trade, but we also have to focus on co-op programs where students can learn and work at the same time. They can work part-time and make use of that. We also have to have programs like child care programs so that working class, maybe single mothers could have childcare and work at the same time. We need job readiness resources; We need ESLl courses for non-english-speaking members of the community so that they can get into the job field. It's mutually beneficial for everyone so we really just need to invest in programs that are being defunded or not funded enough. Then we need to create programs that we don't have already to address this, and that's what I would hope to do. Thank you. **SG**: Thank you Aidan, Michael I invite you to respond. **MS** (00:42:14):All right well I'll say first immediately, during the pandemic and post-pandemic the city and state has to remove any and all obstacles to rehiring, so if we can't get folks back into the careers that they had and they lost during the pandemic I think we we lose an opportunity to get folks back where they're comfortable. And the folks that we that cannot get rehired, we need to let consider some job route training programs-- one very similar to some of the other folks are saying career and technical education programs are key and I would reintroduce trades programs in the high schools, woodworking, metal shop, auto shop were the three most influential things that I had at Susan Wagner High School, and they were gone within a few years after my graduation to make room for more testing rooms for state tests. I think that's horrible. We need to require all local developments to hire local labor. We cannot allow them to escape from those requirements by crying poverty. We need to grow and expand the Grow NYC youth markets which employ our high school kids to run fresh food markets on street corners and underserved neighborhoods. I think it's a critical learning skill for them to understand how to get a supply chain set up and do their own finances and it'll put them in a better place post high school. Two commitments to when I get into the council-- one I will pay my interns, that's critical and it makes a huge impression on young people when you pay them for the value that they're giving to you and two that the council office will support numbers and numbers of nonprofits. Non-profits make up 20 percent of the employable workforce in New York City, so I think we need taxpayer dollars that those nonprofits are employing people at a living wage, and they're doing it in a sustainable way and they're keeping and they're teaching them critical skills that they can then move from that non-profit and do other great things for our city. **SG**: Thank you Michael, Amoy we invite you to close us out **AB** (00:44:13): thank you so this is something that's very close to my heart because I work as the Staten Island director of the transition college access center. My office is specifically tasked with supporting students with IEPs to help them transition from high school to college or career readiness. One of the things that I've seen and that I've learned throughout my tenure in this position is that a lot of times we forget to talk about our vulnerable populations especially our students with disabilities and our adults with disabilities they fall through the cracks. A lot of businesses and organizations aren't sure how to sometimes support and work with individuals with disabilities so i think there's a lot of opportunity to there to provide small businesses and businesses with trainings and supports on how to take in and support individuals with disabilities and also making sure that we're connecting people with the resources and services that already exist in government. A lot of times I always say we need to stop reinventing the wheel we know what works we know what's out there and the role of your elected officials is to connect people with the resources and services that are already out there to the people so we have ACCES-VR which has the 54 A program that helps individuals with disabilities get a civil service job without taking a civil service exam there's all these opportunities and we have yet to really see them prosper the way they can. A lot of times I've also said the civil service test is an amazing opportunity to connect young people and many people adults as well into jobs and opportunities I'm endorsed by DC37 the largest union here in the city and all too often one of the things that i find is a disadvantage is that our young people don't even know how to take civil service exams so one of the things i would love to do is be able to put those civil service exams in our schools and make them more accessible and allow people to be able to take them as much as possible adult and students alike and also thinking about our lgbt community our drop-in centers our drop-in centers can be also places for workforce development at the end and i also agree with my fellow colleagues we need to look at more co-op programs when i went to curtis high school a lot of my friends were in the LPN program but a lot of my friends were in the co-op program and that is no longer at curtis high school anymore i had friends who were working at american express at 17 years old and then they got a job straight out of straight out of high school and then also making sure we have access to our apprenticeship programs apprenticeship programs are amazing opportunities to introduce our young people into the trades but also it's a great way to also introduce people into transitional supports and transitional workforce opportunities so once again all these things that we've just mentioned already exist or have existed before we just need to make sure that as city council we do the work to connect people to those resources and services because that's what elected officials are there for they're the conduit and the liaison to those resources that our tax paying dollars paid for **SG**: In response to gun violence and drug use at the Tompkinsville Park, the 120 Precinct has recently announced that two NYPD officers will be stationed at the park from 7am-midnight. Given that Eric Garner was killed across from Tompkinsville park in 2014 because of over-policing and the relationship between the police and Black and Brown communities on Staten Island, do you think this is an effective solution? Yes or No. If elected District 49 city council representative how will you work to tackle this issue? **JM** (00:48:03): The issue in Tompkinsville Park is not a new issue to Staten Island. As a matter of fact, it's kind of a transplanted issue before it was in Tompkinsville Park, it was another area and it eventually got pushed out of that area. So, utilizing police to push people out of the area while it seems great on the surface is not the actual solution. The solution I actually presented previously to the council member i've been asking a lot of questions about implementing it and how we can get it implemented here on Staten Island as soon as possible before i come into office and that solution is is to have a high impact mobile drug treatment center that can come to the people find them where they're at. Incentivize them to treatment utilizing things like vouchers and things of that nature. This program has seen great successes in other areas and I think it will see great success here. We cannot just keep pushing this problem around. Secondly, obviously, we can't as I said many times before, we cannot arrest ourselves out of this situation. The issue with drugs is real. It's going to be with us for quite some time until we decide that we're going to put forth the resources, the time, the energy, and the effort to do the hard work of actually helping people to recover. Thank you. **SG**: Thank you John, Troy we invite you to respond next **TM** (00:49:31): Yes, the issue that we have at Thompsonville park is an issue that we have in many locations on the North Shore of Staten Island. I’m going to echo what John just said; we need to get to the underlying root of the issue. Yes, part of it is drug issues; part of it is mental health issues, but we need to be able to treat those issues and give people opportunities to come out on the other side from those issues with jobs, with a better sense of self, with a better mental health than they have now. This pandemic has shown us a lot of things and mental health issues here on Staten Island is one of them, and I am a big proponent, and one of the issues on or my priorities on my campaign is mental health services. And I don't have to tell you Sean, I don't have to tell anyone on this forum that Staten Island has one of the lowest mental health inpatient services both for adults and for adolescents in the city, so we need to be able to champion issues like that, and I will do that as our next City Council member. I will also give programs that will benefit people with mental health issues and drug addiction. I think that that is the underlying route to the issues that we have at that location and many others, and I think that we need to get to the underlying issues and not put a band-aid and over-police it. Thank you. **SG**: Thank you Troy, Ranti we invite you to respond **RO** (00:51:14): Mental health issues have plagued the North Shore for many years because we have an ill-equipped structure for healthcare. We don't have a healthcare infrastructure. And when we think about prisons, they have become the new mental health facilities. Let's be honest with ourselves, you have 10 times the amount of people that are locked up with mental health issues than in mental health facilities. You know why? Because there's no mental health facilities; that's why there's over-policing. When government fails, what do we do? We call in the police because we know that the structures are failing us, so we compensate these issues by putting the police there when we know that intervention and prevention is how you actually address what we've been seeing plaguing, not just Tompkinsville Park, but right in my catchment area where I work in Stapleton where community members are suffering. One of my students Josiah lost his life, he committed suicide. Because when we think about wrap-around services that don't exist in our communities, this is what exactly happens when we keep getting lip service and not actually what we really need. It's not even a band-aid. We know policing has been decimating communities of color: it's been hypocritical, it's been vicious, and it is not a way that we are going to address the plague that we see in our communities. What we need to do is stop treating addiction and poverty like it's a crime; that's what we need to first stop doing. The way we think about mental health and the way we think about drug addiction, once we begin to change that, now we begin to think about a comprehensive plan that looks like building up our health care infrastructure. This is how we're going to be able to mitigate the issues that we see around mental health, so we're not just continuing to brutalize these communities that are already being affected by these issues. We want to support them, and we support them with real resources and no longer lip service. **SG**: Thank you Ranti, Kelvin invite you to respond **KR** (00:53:23): Yeah, thank you. The issue at the park is more of a mental health issue than a police issue you know. You cannot arrest everybody and lock them up in Rikers Island. Even if you arrest someone for possession it's a misdemeanor and the maximum time you do for a misdemeanor is one year; you do two thirds of the time it’s eight months. So what we have to address is the core issue, the crux of the issue- which is mental health and substance abuse. Once you address mental health and substance abuse then you will get to the core of the issue. Again, I have a lot of clients who frequent the park. We have a lot of homeless people at the park. We also have to address housing issues- permanent housing. We have to address shelters, housing, mental health and substance abuse. Again we need resources. A lot of my clients that I’m representing in criminal court that have mental health issues or substance abuse issues, I have to actually send them to Manhattan to find beds. For instance, I took a plea a few weeks ago and my client needed some kind of mental health and substance abuse counseling. There wasn't a bed available here on Staten Island; I had to get my social worker to transport that person to Manhattan to the program there. I think we need to invest more here on Staten Island to address this issue because the issue is not just people at the park in the summertime, on the benches using drugs and so forth. You want to reduce the amount of exposure that these people have with the police. We understand sometimes things go south when people with mental health issues interact with the police because the police are not well equipped to handle these situations and it could lead to death. We have cases wheresomeone has an episode, where the NYPD, where the police were involved and that person ended up dead. We have to actually address mental health issues, the police and how the police can actually understand that these people need help. They're victims and I think it's sad for them to be placed in the position where they will be arrested, exposed to the criminal justice system and then put in jail. Thank you. **SG**: Thank you Kelvin, Aidan I invite you to respond. AR (00:55:41): Hi. Thank you so much for this, these two issues are something that's really near and dear to me, both gun violence and police use of force. I was a victim of gun violence at only 15\. On the way home from Curtis High school, sitting at a bus stop, I was shot, and that really gave me a different point of view on this issue. I’m lucky enough and blessed that I'm here today. A lot of people aren't, and all too often you see people who are my peers my age being shot and killed in senseless acts of gun violence, or you will see an unintended target getting shot just on a street somewhere. And immediately after that happened to me I worked with Debi Rose then on two initiatives to combat violence in general, and gun violence, and then when I went to college and I studied criminal justice at Pace University. One of my favorite topics to study was community policing, and how police can interact better with the public, and the communities that they're supposed to protect and serve. And then afterwards, I interned shortly at the United Nations with a non-governmental organization called the International Action Network on Small Arms and that gave me a perspective because I worked with small local groups from across the world to create a network that they could then use to communicate on ways to combat gun violence in their communities. And we need to do that by acting proactively not reactively, which the solution that the police are using right now is great to solve gun violence in that one park at those hours. But what happens down the street or when that police presence ends, it's what you get when you react to a symptom, but not the root cause. And we need to address that and we need to address that with not over policing not facial recognition programs. We need to address that with community-led programs and people and people interactions so that's how I would face that. Thank you. **SG**: Thank you Aidan, Michael **MS** (00:57:51): It's a case of whack-a-mole. I mean you're moving people from one park, to another park, to another park, it's not addressing the root causes like many of my colleagues have said. When i was the chief of staff for New York City parks when Eric Garner was murdered, we met with NYPD to talk about having a greater police presence in the park during the day to sort of manage what was going on to figure out who the people were that kept going back and and committing the sort of the criminal acts in the park. They refused to get involved, and many years later I'm happy to say that that commanding officer Kinsella has allocated police officers but not just police officers in a vehicle, they're actually walking the park and walking the neighborhood, and I think that makes a big difference in terms of the perceptions of the neighborhood to those police officers. They get to know who they are. They get to see them from outside of their vehicle, and I think it'll go a long way. But like many of my colleagues have said, the homeless situation in the area it's unabated and actually Mayor de Blasio is probably piling on way more than the neighborhood can handle at this point. Those folks are walking the neighborhood with no programs to go to, no job training, no permanent home placement, nothing. What I've done when I lived there, I lived on St Paul's Avenue for 14 years, started the Tompkinsville restoration project with my neighbors. We brought positive programming to parks. We partnered with Everything Goes to bring St. George Day to the park. We did holiday lighting events. We did other holiday events, and we work with the local businesses, and it's always true and every parky will tell you that positive experiences of parks brings positive people and pushes out the negative, so I would encourage the Staten Island Urban Center and others to continue to do the things they're doing to bring back a more positive perception of Tompkinsville Park and work to start programming so that our homeless population can find things during the day to do that are helpful for them to reintegrate into our our society. **SG**: Thank you Michael, Amoy we'll invite you to respond next **AB** (00:59:53): So unfortunately what we see in Tompkinsville Park is various issues: mental health issues, housing, a violence crisis. We really are dealing with a crisis in our community that requires the need for more social workers the need for more drop-in centers the need for more supportive housing the need for more social workers the need for more workforce development all these resources and services we have to make sure we're connecting them to the people that need them but we're providing a space a safe space to connect those individuals with the resources a lot of times those individuals are leaving the drop-in homeless shelter that is up the block and they're congregating in that park because they have nowhere to go because they don't know where to get services and resources. I cannot stress this enough. We have those services and resources we know where those services and resources come from, we need to make sure that those services and research are in our community, we need to make sure that we give those individuals who need those services or resources. All too often I cannot stress this enough and I'll keep on saying this government is supposed to be the entity that is connecting those who are most disenfranchised in our community to those resources and services I cannot stress this enough so at the end of the day we know how to fix these problems we do we know how to fix them we just need to fund them accordingly and that is what your elected officials and city council members are supposed to do and that is what i want to go to city council and do it's a fight to make sure we get the appropriate funding especially here on the north shore that has consistently disproportionately dealt with a lot of these issues especially in black and brown communities. **SG**: Thank you Amoy, Selina we invite you to close us out **SGr** (01:01:56) :thank you so what we see in Tompkinsville Park the homeless issues the mental health issues and we do know that we don't have enough inpatient mental health beds here in Staten Island we talk about resources the resources are not here nor do we have the funding we know that the city has a deficit we also know that the state has a deficit and how do we make up that deficit one of the things that i know we can do is reallocate money from the NYPD putting two police officers in the park is not going to solve the issue we actually need social workers in those parks we actually have a great program like Tru2life we can partner with organizations like that they can go in there and speak to the people in the park to provide those mental health resources and support services because we don't have the services here and the way we can get that is reallocating money get more social services. They want to put another 100 room men's shelter here do we need that shelter there and not that I say we can't provide shelter for homeless people, but where's the transitional housing where's the permanent housing we're already we're placing more homeless people in an area was already struggling for social services so until we can combat that issue in our own community we can't take on any more it's like a wet paper towel and you put bricks on top of it it's going to break we need to find the money allocated to the proper resources yes to police officers but supportive services are more important we need social workers in those parks we need organizations like Tru2Life to partner with the police officers and make sure that we have those those actual services there for people in need and not more homeless shelters and in our communities because that's not what's needed right now we need to help our residents that are living here that are struggling that's what we need to do and that's what i'll do as your next city councilwoman SG **Thumbs up/thumbs down section**: **Q1:** In late 2018 on Staten Island the Retail Wholesale Department Store Union (RWDSU) attempted to unionize Amazon warehouse workers, but the effort petered out. In March of 2020, Amazon infamously fired an assistant manager on Staten Island named Chris Smalls for organizing fellow employees around their inattention to COVID-19 protocols. In the summer of 2020, the House Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust took historic action with its, “Investigation of Competition in Digital Markets,” and identified Amazon as a powerful, predatory monopoly. Just last month, the National Labor Relations Board conducted an election for Amazon employees in Bessemer, Alabama on whether to unionize that ultimately failed. Today, Amazon is this borough’s largest employer with three fulfillment centers. Our first question is Do you believe in workplace democracy and that the unionization of workers at the Amazon fulfillment centers here on Staten Island would have a net benefit to the Island? **AB**: Yes **SGr**: Yes **KR**: Yes **RO**: Yes **MS**: Yes **AR**: Yes **TM**: Yes **JM**: Yes Audience: 93.3% yes, 6.7% no **Q2:** The City Council is on the brink of recognizing a new union for staff workers of city councilmembers - once recognized, the Association of Legislative Employees will be America’s largest legislative staff union. If your campaign staffers were to unite, would you recognize their right to collectively bargain in a union? **AB**: Yes **SGr**: Yes **KR**: Yes **RO**: Yes **MS**: Yes **AR**: Yes **TM**: Yes **JM**: Yes Audience: 95.1% yes, 4.9% no **Q3:** A nationwide study published by the ACLU in 2019 stated that “there is no evidence that police in schools improve school safety” and that students with disabilities and Black students were arrested at a rate three times that of white students and students without disabilities. Many scholars and activists argue that school safety agents are a major contributor to the school to prison pipeline. NYC’s 2019 Department of Education records show that Black students were restrained by school safety agents more than any other race in 3 of 4 of Staten Island’s NYPD precincts. Data also shows New York City schools have twice as many school safety agents as they do school counselors. Do you support reallocating Department of Education school safety agent funding for counseling services for students? **AB**: Yes **SGr**: Yes **KR**: Yes **RO**: Yes **MS**: No **AR**: Yes **TM**: Yes **JM**: Yes Audience: 93.3% yes, 6.7% no **Q4:** When Bayley Seton Hospital closed, North Shore residents lost access to a medical hub. The COVID-19 pandemic has further increased the need for medical services, especially for Black and Latinx Staten Islanders who have been reported to have higher mortality rates from the virus. Private hospitals like Richmond University Medical Center are overwhelmed; the hospital’s emergency room was built to serve around 25,000 people but has 60,000 to 65,000 patients annually. Staten Island is currently the only borough without a public hospital. Will you support a public hospital on the Island? **AB**: Yes **SGr**: Yes **KR**: Yes **RO**: Yes **MS**: Yes **AR**: Yes **TM**: Yes **JM**: Yes Audience: 97.7% yes, and 2.3% no **SG** (01:16:12) : Thanks for indulging us on that so for this final section we go to our audience for what they'd like to ask my Plea team members have been collecting questions submitted by our audience throughout the forum we've also in the lead up to the event this evening done some social media campaigns where we've encouraged community members to submit questions to us in advance so similar to our first section each candidate will have an opportunity to respond but in this section we'll we'll ask that um candidates limit themselves to about a minute and our and our producer will keep us honest I'll go to so our first question is on Staten Island there are over 10 theater companies yet there exists no affordable venues for smaller presentations for smaller audiences than the St. George theater CSI or snug can accommodate given that New York City is virtually the theater capital of the united states why aren't there more performance venues in the borough how would you address this on Staten Island and we will start with John McBeth **JM** (01:17:54) Listen, the arts are vitally important to the well-being of the citizenry, of everybody who lives here on Staten Island, and it's vitally important that we continue to fund the arts as much as humanly possible through city programs and grants and things of that nature. Snug Harbor is building an expansion to their theater which is going to be a boon, and there are other spaces in Snug Harbor that should be easily convertible to open theater space or usable theater space. That said we would encourage the arts to expand as much as they would want to as much as they could provide capacity for, and we would also encourage some of those high-end venues to offer space at a discount to those smaller theater companies and give them an opportunity for some of the off time to provide theater. Not to mention with all of the versatile uses coming to the Ballpark, I could easily see putting up a band shell, a theater stage, and having that be a venue as well for a reuse or repurposing of the park. **SG**: Thank you John we'll hand it to Troy to respond next **TM** (01:19:09): So the arts and culturals are close to my heart. And I'll tell you why; my son is an actor and I've throughout his career, be it middle school high school college. He went to NYU for performing arts. I’ve sat in those seats and been in the small theaters and wondered why there were better venues. So here's my plan, and my platform calls for the North Shore of Staten Island to have a sports and entertainment complex right on our waterfront. So where they were going to put up that wheel, that may never go up, we could have sports venues soccer fields, football fields, an indoor pool that New York City has been promising us for years, can go right on that location, along with a state-of-the-art theater that all of our theater companies in the wings. Harbor lights had to close down because they were not getting enough following. There were no venues that they could rent out to put on performances. We could have a city owned city finance, and get partners to come in and have that right on our waterfront make our waterfront a destination so that now people are coming there and spending money because, guess what, when you come to a performance you go out to dinner and we could now put a a our revenue into our economy in the North Shore right down by the waterfront. **SG**: Thank you Troy, Ranti we invite you to respond next **RO** (01:20:57): I think this goes with everything that I've been saying in terms of how we reimagine leadership and how we reimagine education, how we reimagine this infrastructure to provide these spaces for arts initiatives and arts programs. We also need to make sure that we're eliciting community voice. We're talking about not enough spaces in our community, so I don't just think providing one state-of-the-art art center is gonna actually be the end-all. We need to be creative on how we do this; we need to look at non-profit organizations like Central Family Life Center that has a stage. How can we actually incentivize them and actually give them more resources so they can actually build a theater program? How can you work with nonprofits like the JCC that has a big stage at the Gerard Carter Center, things that are already there that we can actually now reimagine? Through the pandemic we see that we can actually bend and use these resources to actually outfit things that are already there. We need to make it more accessible. Just having one big state-of-the-art \[place\] at the ferry is not going to make it more accessible for community members. I was actually talking to one of my community members who is an artist, in terms of space spaces he said it should be the government that's actually incentivizing these businesses to support these art spaces, so we need to get the community involved but we also need to think about (time cut-off). **SG**: Thank you Ranti, Kelvin we invite you to respond next **KR** (01:22:38): Yes, I do agree with my colleagues: I think art and culture are very important. I think we need to support and expand arts on the North Shore. We have to actually provide the resources to our young people during college and in high school. We have to encourage them to actually participate, but again, you talk about spaces- I do agree you have something near the ferry and that's just one location. Like Ranti was saying, we need to actually re-imagine how we use all the spaces that are already there to actually improve and make use of them because in certain communities our young people are not exposed to performances, music culture, and so forth. Once we support these organizations that actually promote art and culture we will actually expand on the art and the culture on the North Shore and it's something that I'm looking forward to once I'm privileged to be your next city council person. **SG**: Thank you Kelvin, Michael invite you - I'm sorry Aidan forgive me **AR** (01:23:59): It’s all right. Thank you. Well I was just gonna say on top of what everyone else said, which is already great, we definitely need to, I'm on board with using what we already have which means the St George theater. which is an amazing historical site, which is utilized for a lot. And you mentioned that this is really almost sort of like an entertainment capital of the nation and it's great that we have Manhattan just a boat ride away, and I believe that with the City Council having such close ties to the public school system we could possibly add additional funding to public school arts programs, which would mean elementary school, middle school, high school, but most importantly high school because it's a huge outlet for kids. For a lot of people it's a reason to go to school, and not just that, but for people that are concerned about money it could possibly lead to a great career which is like a booming industry in New York City. Whether it be in the arts, on stage, which is what we're discussing, but in the arts with any sort of physical medium and any other type of art really. So I would just-- **SG**: Thank you Aidan, Michael. **MS** (01:25:20): Thanks to the Sue family for this question. She might be the only one that knows on this group that I married into the von Trapp family. When I first got married my in-laws had a Neverland theater company which had many different homes, but what a lot of people don't realize is that running a theater company is very expensive, and there is almost no profit in it, so it is very difficult, and so I would encourage that we don't keep building more theater companies, but we make them sustainable and profitable. They so that they can keep doing what they're doing and they’re doing it well. We have many venues that are-- I'm not going to say anything more. We have many venues that exist. I've been to all of them. Some of them are very small black boxes. Some of them are huge like the St. George Theater and everything in between, so we have to encourage adaptive reuse. I will also say that it is an incredible pathway to careers 15% of the New York City economy is derived from our theater sector, so it is a great place for folks to get a taste of stagecraft, theater craft, building things, acting, and all those things, and the best place to do it in the United States is Wagner College. Their theater program is the number one theater program in the country, not just because of the teachers there but because of the proximity to Broadway. **SG**: Thank you Michael, Amoy we invite you **AB** (01:26:36): Thank you so this is also something that's very close to my heart because I learned how to play the cello at IS 27 and continued as a student in Curtis high school and had these amazing experiences playing at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center that I could have never imagined so our music programs and our art education programs in our schools are extremely important and keeping those funded but also making sure once again utilizing the resources that we already have and making sure that all our schools our community schools also make them more accessible to the community to these different arts institutions also using spaces like the amazing Alice Austen house which I'm a proud board member of and using all those different art spaces also one of my biggest things and i it's a pet peeve of mine and I'm just gonna throw it out there I look at empire outlets and i think to myself how wonderful it would have been if we had some space there that was just for the community a public use space that amazing beautiful waterfront that is our waterfront that property is built on public property and anything that is built on public property we should make sure that it's used for public use and that there should be accessible space open public space there that people can utilize **SG**: Thank you Amoy we'll hand it to Selina next **SGr** (01:28:02): I'm not gonna go into how great of a saxophone player I am but but the public spaces are very important when it comes to artists you know the artists have been really struggling due to the pandemic they haven't been able to make money our storefronts have been closed because businesses have gone out of you know have not been able to rent so we have to kind of marry those two together not just our businesses, our community-based community-based organizations but our storefronts as well and bring the artist in not just and give incentivize the businesses to actually open those spaces up to our artists so they can get those spaces at a discount be it a tax cut or however it works out how the city government can work it out but we can negotiate that as elected officials to make those spaces affordable to our artists because right now they don't have the money to pay for those spaces we need to make it affordable to them and we can create that avenue where it is affordable for them and also a cohesive open space which we don't really have right now so we need to make sure that all of our open spaces are open to all of our local artists. **SG**: Thank you thank you Selina it's getting into the evening so it's okay if we make a mistake. our next question from our audience with recreational cannabis now legalized in New York what are the candidates plans to help people get out of jail and have non-violent possession charges dismissed and would you support a dispensary in the 49th district we will start with Troy McGhie. **TM** (01:29:50): So that's a great question. I absolutely would support expunging prior arrests for cannabis and I don't think that one dispensary in the 49th District. I think there should be multiple and my reason for saying that is because this industry, I think in New York City, the 49th District communities of of color should get in on the ground floor and I think that we should be able to benefit from something that has historically kept us down and has been a bone in our black and brown members existence. So I agree I would promote it. I think that it would be a great revenue source for the 49th District. **SG**: Thank you Troy we'll hand it to Ranti to respond next **RO** (01:30:57): Yes I definitely agree with not only recreational use of marijuana, I do agree with it's medicinal purposes. And we do know that this has been one of the ways that communities of color have been targeted. They've been targeted, they've \[the police\] used the laws against marijuana to target our communities. Actually the NYPD have invested over a million dollars in locking up communities of color, targeting drug addiction and specifically marijuana as a way to actually lock up communities. The communities that have been affected the worst should benefit the most, so we need to incentivize black-owned businesses; we need to help them, we need to train them, and give them the incentives to open up storefronts. And definitely not just one dispensary, but communities of color should be able to use this as a way to transition from their pain, from what we know over policing has done, but now use this as a way to reinvest into the community, use this as a way in terms of comprehensive health, use this as a way for holistic approaches to mental health and and drug addiction. There's other ways that we need to think about our community, and this is actually the beginning of how we turn, and then we can also use the funding from the dispensaries to actually, like I said, go back into our communities in terms of education, job readiness, and healthcare. There's so many themes and benefits. **SG**: Thank you Ranti, I'm handing to Kelvin next **KR** (01:32:31): Yeah, this issue is very important. I think we need more dispensaries on the North Shore, but listen, marijuana possession has been one of the tools that the NYPD uses to stop my clients - that's what they established probable cause with. They say well I smell marijuana in your car - that smell leads them to find something in the car; that smell makes them actually charge you with resisting arrest; that smell of marijuana makes them search you. When they find something else it goes up and then you get arrested, you lose your housing, you lose your job, you lose your relationship. Actually it's been sad for our people but I need folks to understand that it's going to be automatic - once you've been charged with possession of one pound of marijuana or selling 20 grams of marijuana, it's automatic- your record will be esponge. Once it's above that threshold- once it’s above one pound or 25 grams - contact me, contact Legal Aid, contact an attorney and it's something we're gonna work on. By law it shouldn't be on your record. When you look for a new job it shouldn't say you've been convicted of marijuana but it's something we have to work for. **SG**: Thank you Kelvin, Aidan **AR**(01:33:44): Hi. Sorry, so I definitely agree with the move to expunge records that have non-violent drug offenses in general, especially for marijuana related offenses and crimes, and I believe that the NYPD is making already making that move. So I’m glad they are, and it means also making sure that in the future no one is stopped, no one is hasseled or harassed for such a thing as the odor or strong odor of weed. And I definitely agree that we should have at least one dispensary here. If not New York City, ran one private business, and like others have said the communities that have been victimized the most related to marijuana should benefit the most. So I definitely agree with moves that have been made to support minority-owned businesses. Having the most small business support from New York State and New York City as far as the City Council could do for that, and Ii know that I've looked into this. There's at least a year probably until we'll see a private dispensary. We have time to do this. We could set this up far in advance, and that's really it. Thank you **SG**: Thank you Aidan, Michael go ahead. **MS** (01:35:04): I'm a big fan of this legalization of marijuana, first because as everyone has said it has targeted Black and Brown communities exponentially more than anyone else. I am supportive of expunging arrest records, yes dispensaries all across the island not just the north shore, and in the state law it requires that folks in Black and Brown communities get first dibs at setting up those dispensaries, so this next council member and their office is going to be critical in working with the state and our city folks to make sure that Staten Island gets them the most that we can in terms of those new small businesses, And I'll take it one step further, I think those taxes that will come from the legalization of Cannabis should support three things-- one the reintegration of folks who have served time back into our society, job training, houses, housing, etc., two drug treatment, and three CUNY-- it should go to supporting free CUNY, go back to what it was when my parents went to CUNY-- free and you're unfettered from student loans, and it will will benefit Black and Brown communities who will be able to access free education from Pre-K to senior year of college. **SG**: Thank you Michael, Amoy **AB** (01:36:22): so yes i want to make sure that my office is accessible as possible and constituent services is the foundation of any elected official's office and so making sure that constituents understand how to access the resources the services or how to expunge their record or access organizations that could assist them that is always a priority but also making sure that my office knows how to connect individuals to how to get access to those dispensary license license license and also the processing license because when you're talking we're talking about the legalization of marijuana there's the dispensary part and there's the processing part and when we're thinking about the future of the marijuana industry we want to make sure that once again communities that have consistently consistently been disenfranchised by the criminalization of marijuana gets first dibs and also making sure that we're creating the financing for those supports because right now the amount of money that it costs to actually get a dispensary license is exponential and the only people have access to them or people have access to capital so how are we making sure that we give minorities disenfranchised communities access to capital to be able to access the dispensary licensing and the processing licenses so that we don't consistently fall into another situation where the those who have are getting access to the future of of of marijuana so in my opinion yes yes yes all the way to legalization and making sure that my constituents reap the benefits of it **SG**: Thank you Selina hand it to you **SGr** (01:38:02): so when we're talking about expunging records I am I would advocate for that but i also want to mention that our d.a has not dismissed misdemeanors yet you know those misdemeanor records have not been dismissed so we also need to address that and when it comes to actual dispensary i am in support and advocate for that because I believe that marijuana could be used for so many other things that can replace that can deal with with a lot of the mental issues that a lot of our young black and brown communities suffer right now so i for the medicinal use for the recreational use and yes i do advocate for actually expunging those records but you know it has to we have to work with our legal team and that would be our DA who hasn't even dismissed the misdemeanors violations yet he's the only DA that hasn't done that so yes i advocate for expansion and more and dispensaries here in in Staten Island yes i do **SG**: Thank you Selina, John if you close us out **JM** (01:39:05): sure more than a year ago long before people started thinking about this the advantage to the series of stories on marijuana and the legalization and as well as what would come of it and before i answer the question on whether or not it should be legalized the first thing i made sure to make sure would happen is that people's records would be expunged so that that was again part more than a year before people started even thinking about a lot of these things with regard to dispensaries i agree with all my colleagues we definitely should have making sure that those who are affected the worst people know that the usage rates are the same across different races whites blacks used at the same level but unfortunately what has proven true is that blacks have suffered more at the hands of enforcement and so i certainly agree that we should also benefit more coming out of this horrible situation that we've created for ourselves effectively thank you **SG**: Thank you John so our next question from our audience i will also drop it in chat here. Can you talk about your specific approach to public capital projects on the North Shore? and we will start with Ranti on this question **RO** (01:40:34): I think that that's really important. I think for community members, they don't have access to the ULURP process and we need to make the process more accessible. When we think about our historic waterfront and when we think about building on public land, it's only a few people that make these decisions. And we need to work with developers and community members that are together, and we only need to work with developers that prioritize the needs of the community first: so working with developers that say, “you know what? Fifty percent of all of the buildings that are built in terms of housing are going to be prioritized for community members that live there,” using media metrics, not federal benchmarks. That's how you actually do that, you make the process more accessible. How do we start to make the process more accessible? We use the community centers, we use Zoom, we use our PTA meetings to make sure that we can elicit community voice. Because when these capital projects happen, what happens is we get community members’ agreement for healthcare infrastructure and then we get a mall instead. When community members are not involved in this process we get a BJ's built on wetlands. We need more sustainable infrastructure, we need to think about how we can make our planet more sustainable for our community members. **SG**: Thank you Ranti, I'm going to hand it to Kelvin next **KR** (01:42:13): Yeah, thank you. Listen, when it comes to developers coming to the North Shore I'm going to have three priorities: first we need to have the community involved- we cannot have people build here projects that don’t have the community at heart; also when they're building I'm going to hold them reliable to have real affordable housing. I have a five point plan: first, I want the AGR?to actually be representative of Staten Island, of the North Shore; second, I want to also create spaces for our homeless folks, to secure permanent housing and have a wraparound service for mental health and substance abuse issues; third, I want to increase funding for our NYCHA buildings to help with repairs; fourth, I want the DA to prosecute landlords that actually harass their attendants; and lastly, I want to expand the right to counsel for tenants who are in housing court - especially after COVID. Once COVID is over you're going to see evictions skyrocketing and I need people to have attorneys once they go to housing court. Also I want the developers to have union jobs - whatever contract I'm going to agree to it has to be union friendly and that's going to be my approach. **SG**: Thank you Kelvin, Aidan hand it to you. **AR** (01:43:41): Hi, thank you, so when we talk about public capital projects it's important to also note that most public capital projects are infrastructure projects. So that includes public transportation, roads, buildings, buildings that could be a public hospital, roads that are in desperate need of repair, public transportation, which means not just what we have but projects for what we can do. Things like whether that be North Shore rapid transit, something like a North Shore railway or working with state and federal level local representatives. Working with them to fight for things like other ferry alternatives or maybe a new bike path across the Verrazano Bridge, which a lot of people have been advocating for. Things like that, and it also means involving the community and seeing what they want that way you always have an ear to the people and listen to what they want and informing people of things like discretionary funds and how they could contribute to the conversation and let you know what they want because that's most important of course. Thank you. **SG**: Thank you Aidan, Michael. **MS** (01:44:53): Hey Sean before you mute us all can you play the music like they do in the Oscars, just letting us know we have our 10 seconds. So Aidan has made a really good point that the public projects that we're talking about like Empire Outlets and the wheel and River North are not public projects, they're private projects. For me I'll just say quickly public benefits always built first before any pilings go on the ground. They must do their infrastructure projects first before any pilings go on the ground, before they even come to my council office they better talk to the community. When I was in the Bloomberg administration, they lobbied heavily to raise the thresholds on the Wicks Law, which then allowed the city to bypass the requirements to hire union labor. I would advocate for lowering the threshold and banning the bifurcation and trifurcation of contracts, so the city must hire union labor when working on public property using taxpayer dollars. Two things-- when I become council member, I will have clear expectations that before these developers even think to come to Staten Island, so they'll never bring a project again that doesn't make sense and that I've requested meetings with the River North folks, and I've yet to hear an answer from them. I think that tells you a lot about who they are. **SG**: Thank you Michael we'll hand it to Amoy **AB** (01:46:09): so thank you so much i just want to say that when we talk about public projects public property used for public use i cannot stress that over and over again i would like to see us do an assessment of public property and how we can better use public property for public use we have so many pieces of parcels of land across the north shore that are underutilized and we can look at how we can possibly use those open spaces and those opportunities to be better used for the community also just making sure that community members are in the room when decisions are being made at the end of the day i don't i don't want to have an office where backroom deals are made and all these things i want to make sure that community members are in the meetings i want to make sure that community members are a part of the conversation a part of the discussion because any at the end of the day what is an elected official but a representative of the community and so to enfranchise engage and empower the community that is the role of an elected official and that is what i want to do and so making sure that people are a part of that conversation when when public projects are being developed and educating them on how that process is done because a lot of times people don't understand or know how that project is being done over and over again i say this all the time elected officials work for the people that is what they do and they're there to make sure and support support and to push projects that the community wants and that people want so that's that's what i want to do and that's you know those are the and if the public wants it i want to make sure that it happens **SG**: Thank you Selina hand it to you **SGr** (01:47:43): so I feel that the ULURP process is very important because that is like the beginning of any project here on Staten Island and when it comes to capital projects we need to actually look to look and see what the environmental impact is not just environmental impact the social impact are we gentrifying a community those things need to be put in place and that should start at the beginning and right now that doesn't happen in all projects community input is very important because we have to see what the community wants you have half of a community that doesn't want these Liberty Towers but we know we don't have affordable housing but we're going to build shelters where is the sense in that there has to be a happy medium here but the community does need to have the input and so it's my commitment i'll advocate to make sure that the ULURP process and environmental study does include do we have an infrastructure in place to support those projects and what's the enviro with the real environmental impact are we harming the community and ensuring that people are at the table when those conversations happen **SG**: Thank you Selina we'll hand it to John McBeth **JM** (01:48:55): Yes, definitely with regard to public projects we definitely want the community on board first. What is somewhat unfortunate is that there have been opportunities in the past for some of these projects for the community to be involved and i look out across the community board meetings, whether it's the one that i chair in Port Richmond/Mariners Harbor or the main community board meeting and the only the most interested who are against the project are the most boisterous. The best community action or reaction to a project I've ever seen was mount manresa. They did a great job of putting on sufficient pressure that really turned around that whole project. So definitely have the community on board first, and I agree with Mike Schnall in reference to making sure that infrastructure is done, before a single piling goes into the ground, before anything changes within any type of public project to make sure that it has sufficient infrastructure support. Thank you. **SG**: Thank you John, Troy if he closes out **TM** (01:50:04): Sure, thank you. I agree with a lot of my colleagues on the call tonight and this comes down to three very simple things for me. First, common sense development. It's got to make sense for us to move forward with a project. Second, and I want to make this perfectly clear, not a shovel goes in the ground until infrastructure is addressed and we've learned that lesson. Look at Empire Outlets. Anybody drive on Richmond Terrace lately? Those streets were supposed to be part of that whole thing taking place, but the streets haven't been worked on because, guess what, the wheel never happened and now the owners of the Empire Outlet don't want to flick the bill for the road to be repaved. All of that needs to be done before a shovel goes in the ground and lastly we got to make sure that our community gets the amenities that they need when we have projects like this, be it a school, be it a community center, be it a area in buildings that go up that have supermarkets in it, and and places for people to go shopping. So we need to make sure that these things are included in deals and that developers can't back out and say oh we don't have enough funding for that to happen so that needs to be done up front and I will do that up front when I'm a City Council Member. **SG** (01:51:40: Thank you Troy so our final question Plea for the Fifth recently published an article highlighting the issues CSI has faced as a result of the covet 19 pandemic particularly in terms of affordability and accessibility while some of these issues have have started during the pandemic the enrollment at CSI has been decreasing for some time how would you address the fact that CSI is bleeding Staten Island students specifically and we will start with kelvin **KR** (01:52:17): Thank you, I think that's a great question. I graduated from CSI myself in 2008 with a BA in International Relations. I know how hard it is to move around campus- especially for folks that are disabled. I know how our black and brown folks that cannot afford or they're not eligible for financial aid cannot go to school. I worked full time overnight as a home health aid. I worked overnight taking care of a guy who was paralyzed and went to school during the day, so I get it. I understand how most of our students from CSI they're black and brown folks because they cannot afford to go to different institutions, so we have to actually invest and give more resources to CUNY. This is not just a CSI issue, I think it's a bigger issue - it’s CUNY. We have to actually stop the bleeding that is happening with CUNY so it's something that is dear to me because I still stay in contact with CSI, I stay in contact with my professors, and I know the funding that is needed to put CSI back on track so as a city councilperson I will advocate for more funding for CUNY. **SG**: Thank you Kelvin, hand it to Aidan **AR** (01:53:43): Hi, thank you. Well, like others have mentioned, we definitely need to, however we can do it in any way shape or form, reallocate funding. Raise funding for city universities. They really are the backbone of New York City if you think about it, especially here on Staten Island. CSI is and other city universities are often underrated and under-appreciated and you have to get rid of a lot of the stigma around going to the city university for people. They offer great programs. great education at a low cost. They have Macaulay Honors programs and they're a great resource for the local community so definitely raise funding, reallocate funding, whatever you can do to help them in any way because they need it and they deserve it. **SG**: Thank you Aidan and it's Michael. **MS** (01:54:38): It's always been my understanding that the most expensive part of a college education is actually the students paying for the capital investment that SUNY and CUNY and every other university has made bringing Starbucks to campus and all these other things that I never had when I went to college, but CUNY I think is suffering from a similar plight they've made great advancements in investments in their campuses, including the St. George campus and you know the building and the campus in Willowbrook.Ii think we need to look at various streams of funding to ultimately make CUNY free which it was once long time ago. We need to have a percentage of the marijuana tax allocated to subsidize CUNY. We need to look at the one percent tax that's being talked about at the city and the state level. Some of that money should be allocated to CUNY, and we need to look at other streams of funding that can help subsidize and ultimately make CUNY more affordable and accessible to all. It was and should be again sort of the poor man's Harvard-- that's what they used to call Brooklyn College back in the 60s and 70s. I think CSI has the potential to be the poor man's, the middle class’s Harvard again, if we can just tamp down those costs, find streams of revenue, and make it accessible. **SG**: Thank you Michael, Amoy **AB** (01:55:52):so half of the attendees at CSI i believe the article said makes less than 30 000 a year i just want to like that to me is just right there shows how important it is to make sure that our education system and our cuny system is affordable and actually free i agree 100 with mike we should be using the millionaires tax to make sure that it's supporting cuny and making cuny affordable and free making sure that people have accessible and good education is essential to changing the lives of some of our most disenfranchised communities immigrant communities black and brown communities our community system is the foundation of building the middle class and at the end of the day it's the responsibility of our government to make sure that it stays sustained and maintained and i'm going to do whatever i can to support legislation and funding to get our program to get our CUNY system funded and the resources that it that we need because at the end of the day as a CUNY graduate I graduated from Baruch with my Masters and i say this all the time if it wasn't for CUNY i wouldn't have been able to get my master's because i was able to pay for it out of pocket because it was so inexpensive but honestly i would have loved it if it was free **SG**: Thank you hand it to Selina **SGr** (01:57:14): well CUNY is facing a whole lot of issues the system as a whole they're laying off adjunct professors at an alarming rate. Children our kids on the CUNY campuses are suffering from depression anxiety food insecurities and they don't even have the supportive services needed to kind of be healthy stay on campus learn and do what they need to do so CUNY yes needs to be free but not just that we need to make sure that we keep our adjunct professors in our CUNY system and to attract quality educators to our system right now because that's not happening and the only way we could do that is reallocating funds to ensure that CUNY stays afloat that our children get that our kids get the supportive services they need because they do not kids on these campuses in CUNY that live on these campuses are are suffering right now and we need to also make sure that we find money not just from a wealth tax but the marijuana and allocating funds from wherever we need to and readjusting the budget and i will advocate to ensure that funds do go into CUNY and that we hire really quality educators not laying them off because we cannot balance the budget on the back of our CUNY system nor black and brown people are poor people we need to make sure that people stay employed and our students have a quality education that they can afford which is free **SG**: Thank you Selina, John **JM** (01:58:40):so really simple short-term services midterm making sure that we're reallocating funds and then long-term is the march towards free college for city university students state university students eventually as well and that's what I intend to do as far as whatever i can do to support and move those things forward in that in that specific order **SG**: Thank you John and to Troy **TM** (01:59:11): Thank you Sean. One of the benefits of going towards the end of this is that you get to hear what everyone says, but with that is the downfall that a lot of things that I was going to say were already said so I’m going to say I agree with a lot of my colleagues. I agree that the millionaire taxes is a way to make CUNY affordable for everyone. I believe that the marijuana tax on that would be a great revenue stream for CUNY, but with that being said. We also have to realize that people need to take an investment into themselves. So I'm not calling for it to be free but I'm calling for it to be affordable and people need to invest in themselves so that they can feel that sense of accomplishment and a sense of worththat they invested in themselves and better themselves. I have a Master's from CSI in education so I know what that's like and like Amoy I paid for it myself. No one helped me out but I think that if we go through those two revenue streams that would be a great way to make CUNY affordable for our black and brown. **SG**: Thank you Troy, Ranti. **RO** (02:00:29): I disagree with Troy McGhie. We must return to the tuition-free model that existed up until 1976, when the majority of students became black and brown. So we know implicit bias and racism was why CUNY tuition became where students have to pay. It impeded access for communities of color, so we know that we need to reverse what this effect has done. We know that communities of color are the ones struggling the most to actually access education, so we need to reverse that by ensuring CUNY has enough resources and funding to make it affordable and free for all participants. I know what it's like. I was an adjunct professor at the College of Staten Island for over seven years and my job was to help first-year students navigate their first year experience, because we know that if you help them in their first year, they have a better chance of being successful. But some of my things that I had to address were housing for students, employment for students, resources for students. It took me outside the classroom to actually address the issues community students were facing so they could actually properly focus on education. So we can't just say “affordable”, it's our duty and our job. It's a human right and our students need access to these resources. We do not need lip service anymore, we've got lip service. We need the community to ensure and that's why our CUNY has endorsed me as their candidate, because they know I'm gonna speak truth to power; they know that I know what's going on in these community campuses. And not only do we need a wealth tax, we need to repurpose funding from the NYPD just like I said earlier, because this is actually how we're going to make CUNY affordable: restore it back to 1976, not just because communities of color are now having an opportunity to access an upward mobility we need \[time cut-off\] **SG** (02:02:33): Thank you Ranti so wanna respect our time we're getting towards our rap I'd like to thank our eight candidates for joining us tonight and I want to invite them to each provide closing remarks for our audience you all will have a minute each and we will begin with Aidan Rivera **AR** (02:03:08): HI. Could you hear me? Thank you. So thank you all so much for coming. Thank you all for listening and being a part of this and thank you for hosting this. I just like to say I've had a lot of people ask me why you? Why are you running? You don't have decades of public experience. You're young. And I just say personally I feel as though because I see myself as an average person with good intentions and to write that off is to write off much of the North Shore community because a lot of what makes the community function is average people with good intentions. Those are the people that start groups, organizations, they host events, they fill in where city organizations can't and they make it happen. And to me that means personally doing as much as I've been able to do in the past speaking back to being a victim of gun violence and immediately working with the City Council member on initiatives a couple months after that Hurricane Sandy happened I was fortunate enough that I wasn't really affected by it but I immediately gathered as much supplies as I could from myself from my neighbors went to the South Shore and got there before the Red Cross and did what i could to help out with my own hands. And it means then working with ayanza at the U.N. to combat gun violence internationally. Now recently I've become a member of DSA locally, Young Democrats in Richmond County also, and just going to whatever events I can, helping organize things wherever I can go to protests. And just if I could translate those good intentions to policy and legislation that would mean helping average people marginalized groups, groups that have been forgotten: middle-class people and low-income people. So thank you, that's what I hope to do. **SG**: Thank you Aidan, Michael **MS** (02:05:04): Again, thank you for this forum. I really like the diversity of questions, more so than I think any forum so far, touched on some great topics. Look, I would encourage everyone here and between now and June 22nd, you have an opportunity to look at nine candidates on the ballot, line us up, look at our experiences, look at what we're talking about, what we want to do, how we're going to do it, the relationships that exist. I will say that my 14 years in government, five years in non-profit have prepared me to hit the ground running on day one. I have had experience on all sides of forming the city budget for many years, and I will tell you that getting the fair share of the money that's New York's-- that Staten Island deserves is always an uphill battle and with the the upcoming budget battles that we'll see, the budgets being smaller and smaller each succeeding year because of a decrease in tax revenue, it is going to be very hard for whoever has this seat with our colleagues in the mid-island and South Shore to fight for all we need. We're going to have to make partnerships across the other boroughs and do really hard work, so please make sure you make your decisions. Rank us one to five, get out there, and vote on June 22nd, and I look forward to seeing everybody. **SG**: Thank you Michael and onto Amoy **AB** (02:06:23): so a healthy democracy has options and so i think it is a statement and a testament to our community that we see so many amazing candidates I like the way Aidan put it we're all well-intentioned community members and i think that's a beautiful thing one of the things that i always like to say is rising tides lift all boats and at the end of the day you know i'm running for office because i truly believe that when you lift up the most in distant franchise in our community you lift up everybody and at the end of the day i want to make sure that people understand that we all pay taxes every single one of us but a lot of times there's been a huge disconnect with how government and those tax paying dollars get back to our community that is the role of your elected officials they work for you they are there to represent you and be your voice and to make sure that we get the services and resources that our tax paying dollars are already funding and all too often we're not seeing those services and those resources come back into our communities and especially the communities that need it which predominantly are black and brown communities which are women which are lgbtq which are people with disabilities and i could go on and on and on again i'm **SG**: Thank you Amoy we'll hand it to Selina **SGr** (02:07:46): Thank you for having the forum tonight was great. I've been in the community for quite some time doing this work and one of the things that this work has shown me is we can always do better there's so much work that needs to be done and given this pandemic we need someone in office that's going to really hit the ground running that has the knowledge and experience and the expertise and the and the the cause this pandemic has exacerbated a lot of the issues that currently exist and now it's worse when we get to the other side of this we need somebody that's going to hit the ground running and get things done. I have the experience, I have the the the actual the tenacity and the energy to hit the ground running on day one I appreciate all of my colleagues on this call tonight this is not easy we're putting ourselves out there and we just hope that you look at all of us and pick your best candidate one through five thank you so much and everybody have a blessed night **SG**: Thank you Selina hand it to John **JM** (02:09:10): My name is John McBeth. I'm a third generation Staten Islander and I want to sit in as the next city council person representing all of us. I've worked with all of the people, most of the people, here on this panel. I have a storied history that I don't want you to believe what i say or what my website says but i want you to google search all of us. I want you to search the advanced pages for all of us and see what we've done over the years and what we've actually come to accomplish. I think that level of accomplishment that my record would stand out as one of the people who really made a difference here on Staten Island and really brought forward a lot of the innovation that's going to be absolutely necessary for the next city council person. We have to be fast thinkers. We can't do things the traditional way. things are going to change dramatically and we have to be ready for that. I'm ready for it. My name is John McBeth. I hope to be your next city council person. **SG**: Thank you John Troy **TM** (02:10:13 ): Thank you, and I want to thank Plea for the Fifth. This was a great forum and you guys should hire yourself out for anybody else wanting to do forums for the rest of this race. But with that being said, I'm a 20-year educator, I'm a mentor, I’'m a high school basketball coach, and I've worked with the current Council Member for the last seven and a half years. I've been in communities, I understand their issues, I see their concerns, and I've been there connecting people and agencies of New York City for the last seven and a half years. I've done the work. I know what it takes, and as your next Council Member I’ll be ready to hit the ground running. I'm going to tell you, there are a lot of qualified people running for this Council seat, and it's about what message people are sending out. I'm telling you right now my message is about unifying the North Shore. My message is about bringing resources to the North Shore and I am going to get it done for everyone on the North Shore. **SG**: Thank you Troy, hand it to Ranti **RO** (02:11:30): Yes and thank you for this amazing event. This is definitely one of the most, I would say, comprehensive forums, so I thank you guys. But here's what's at stake, guys. We're in a watershed moment in our nation's history in Staten Island. This is the moment and we need to meet that moment by reimagining what leadership looks like. It looks like me, someone who's rooted in the community for over 20 years, someone who's not a pop-up activist who doesn't come from the seat or close to the seat of power. And what I have, and I'm not knocking into my colleagues, a lot of my colleagues come from public offices or work near public offices, so they don't truly have the pulse of the community. I filled the gaps in my community that those offices don't, and I've done that for over 20 years. That's why we get a lot of lip service and not enough action. That's why infrastructure hasn't been addressed; housing, healthcare, these issues still are not being addressed. We're talking about you putting police in a park with people who have mental health issues and drug addiction. So now it's time to reimagine leadership and bring people and a person who's going to speak truth to power, and not just a person who's thinking from a city council seat because they're near the seat, but someone who's been rooted in the community and who's going to fight who's going to fight and never give up and make sure that everyone has a seat at the table for the first time. Because even me, as the director of the Carter Center that's providing all these services, I never felt valued. How much more for community members that need to feel valued and need their voices heard? **SG**: Thank you Ranti hand it to Kelvin **KR** (02:13:23): Thank you for hosting us. I guess I'm the last to close it up. Listen, I appreciate you guys having us. I agree with my brother John - my colleague John - google us. You're going to see the work we've been doing- not just because we're running for city council. Go google me - you gotta go back to 2013, 2014\. Ranti- same thing, he said used to work part of \_\_\_. I don't even know what that means, but listen, I'm running for city council because I'm a fighter. You know I've been in criminal court as a public defender now for the past nine years fighting for the voiceless. I don't have to tell you- you know, if you live in certain zip codes, if you’re on the North Shore when you get arrested in criminal court you’re treated differently than when you live on the South Shore. I don't have to tell you - you know this. I'm running because I've been working with limited resources. As a kid I was nine years-old when Ii found myself in a refugee camp in Ghana. My family fled a civil war, I had limited opportunities. I came here after high school with my dad. I live in Park Hill in public housing. I worked overnight and put myself through CSI. Then I got a scholarship and went to law school. I didn't work on Wall Street; I had offers to work on Wall Street - I said no, I will be a public defender and that's what I've been doing. I believe in the North Shore. I believe in our community; I’m a fighter. SI has always been considered the forgotten borough. We have limited resources; I know how to work with limited resources and that's why I'm running. Thank you for hosting us tonight and I hope you rank me number one when you vote on June 22nd. **SG**: Thank you all a final thank you to the candidates once again the New York City primary is Tuesday June 22nd I want to especially thank our viewers for tuning in tonight with us and engaging with us and the candidates if you have not yet we encourage you to read Plea for the Fifth dot com sign up for our email newsletter follow us on social media our podcast is on all the major platforms Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google and others and lastly I want to encourage those who can to support our work by becoming a paid monthly subscriber your support allows us to expand our local coverage and pay subscribers receive extra content so once again thank you for joining us this evening and good night to all thank you. ### Follow the Money (D-49): Final Entry URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/follow-the-money-d-49-final-entry/ Last updated: 2024-01-02T16:14:31.000Z With early voting concluding on Sunday, Tuesday, June 22, is the final day to vote for the Democratic candidate for District 49’s City Council seat. So far, [only 9,081 people](https://twitter.com/BOENYC/status/1406717162363015168?s=20&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) on Staten Island have voted early. While this turnout is low, it actually mirrors citywide early voting turnout, in which 191,197 people have voted before Primary Election Day. With [172,000 people in District 49](http://www.ny4p.org/client-uploads/pdf/District-Profiles-2021/NY4P-Profiles%5FSI1.pdf?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), alone, this election will almost entirely be decided by those who vote on Tuesday. In Plea for the Fifth’s [first edition](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/follow-the-money-d-49-entry-1/), we discussed how campaign financing can create more opportunities for community engagement and advertising resources. With this election cycle coming to a close, we can take a look at the total amount of money donated in this primary. With $334,820 donated to this primary, the 2021 Democratic Primary for District 49 is officially the most expensive primary, or general, election in the [history of the district](https://www.nyccfb.info/VSApps/WebForm%5FFinance%5FSummary.aspx?as%5Felection%5Fcycle=2017&ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Amoy Barnes has received 24 percent of all donations to this race, putting her ahead of all other candidates. Kamillah Hanks and Ranti Ogunleye trail Barnes with 19 and 14 percent of all donations, respectively. Hanks has claimed the most money in donations ($37,355) from Staten Islanders in this race, while Ogunleye has claimed the most individual donations (441) from Staten Islanders. Barnes closely trails Ogunleye in individual donations from the borough with 426\. Between suspensions of campaigns, and eleventh hour endorsements, a lot has affected the financial outlook of this primary as it comes to a close. Both Philippe-Edner Apostol-Marius and Aidan Rivera suspended their campaigns since the [last edition](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/follow-the-money-d-49-entry-2/) of this series. Hanks' campaign has by far seen the most monetary growth since the end of March, bringing in almost $17,000 in donations in two and half months. Michael Schnall has amassed the most new donors since March, adding an extra 106 donations to his campaign. Ogunleye has kept pace by adding 95 new donations of his own. Overall, $54,556, coming from 424 donors, have been donated to this race since the end of March. With the suspension of Apostol-Marius’ and Rivera’s campaigns, Ogunleye officially has the lowest average Staten Island donation ($63.67) of any candidate on tomorrow’s ballot. Hanks has the highest average Staten Island donation with $143.32 (almost $60 more than the average Staten Island donation among all active candidates). Finally, Abou Diakhate has the highest percentage of his donations eligible to be matched by the NYC Campaign Finance Board. This indicates that over 81 percent of Diakhate’s donations from New Yorkers were less than $175\. ***Individual Candidates*** *Amoy Barnes* *Staten Island Director of the DOE Education Transition and College Access Center* Barnes has officially solidified her standing as the top fundraiser in the 2021 District 49 race. Within the last two months, the majority of her large donations have come from her labor endorsements. Barnes’ campaign has received 11 individual $1,000 donations from the following organizations: [The United Healthcare Workers East Union](https://www.1199seiu.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) (1199 SEIU), [International Union of Painters and Allied Trades](https://www.iupat.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) Political Action Together Political Committee, [American Council of Engineering Companies](https://www.acec.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [Council of School Supervisors and Administrators](https://csa-nyc.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [Doctors Council](https://doctorscouncil.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) (SEIU), Local 6 Committee on Political Education, [New York Hotel Trades Council](https://hotelworkers.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [Social Service Employees Union](https://mightyunion.org/elementor-656/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [Transport Workers Union Local](http://www.twulocal100.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), and the [United Federation of Teachers](https://www.uft.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). In addition she also received two individual donations from one individual donor in Staten Island and another donor in Schenectady, New York. Eighteen percent of her donations are coming from outside of NYC. *Abou Diakhate* *Personal Assistant to the Surrogate in the New York State Unified Court System* Of the candidates with over $500 in donor contributions, Diakhate has the highest percentage of his campaign funding coming from Staten Islanders (87 percent). Diakhate’s largest donation ($250) still comes from a single donor in Staten Island. *Selina Grey* *Former Campaign Manager City Councilwoman Debi Rose (D-49)* Grey is still receiving just under 30 percent of her funding from outside of Staten Island. She also has the third highest percentage of her donations coming from Staten Island (72 percent) Her largest donations ($1,000) are coming from a new endorser, [The New York State Nurses Association](https://www.nysna.org/our-campaigns/political-action?ref=pleaforthefifth.com#.YM8ZQPlKhPY), and an individual in Staten Island. *Kamillah Hanks* *President & CEO of the Historic Tappen Park* Hanks has solidified her position as the second-highest fundraiser of the candidates running for this City Council seat. Hanks continues to bring in the most money from the South Shore. Just under nine percent ($3,150) of her Staten Island donations are coming from the 10307 zip code, which includes all of Tottenville. Since March, her campaign has ballooned its number of top donors. The CEO and COO of[ The Angiuli Group](https://designapprovals2.com/angiuli/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), a real estate agency located in Tompkinsville, are still two of Hanks’ top donors, but she has amassed multiple other donations throughout the city coming from local businesses. The president of Polar Trading, an import and export company in Queens, has donated $1,000 four times since March, Additionally, the president and director of operations at [Yourewelx LLC](https://newyork-company.com/co/yourewelx-llc?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), a company in Long Island, have each donated $1,000 to Hanks’ campaign. The [Uniformed Firefighters Association](https://ufanyc.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) has also donated to Hanks’ campaign twice over the course of the election cycle. Additionally, this campaign has also received nine individual $1,000 donations from individuals in Staten Island, Brooklyn, Queens, Long Island, Hoboken, NJ, and Sayreville, NJ. Cumulatively, Hanks’s campaign has received 19 $1,000 donations. *David Hernandez* *Councilwoman Debi Rose’s Director of Constituent Services* Hernandez maintains the lowest percentage of his New York City donation eligible to be matched (31 percent). Additionally, he currently ranks right behind Hanks in terms of highest average donation ($105). Just about a third of his donations are coming from outside of Staten Island, and about 12 percent of his donations are coming outside of the city. He is currently his own largest contributor to his campaign, donating $2,000 to his own campaign. *John McBeth* *Deacon at St. Philip’s Baptist Church* Sixty-eight percent of McBeth’s donations come from Staten Islanders. He’s still his own largest donor contributing $1,000 to his own campaign. *Troy McGhie* *Teacher & Basketball Coach* McGhie receives just under 30 percent of his funding from outside of Staten Island – 21 percent of his funding coming from outside of NYC. His largest donor is still a single individual from Staten Island who has contributed $1,000\. *Ranti Ogunleye* *Director of the Gerard Carter Cornerstone of Staten Island’s Jewish Community Center* Ogunleye has solidified his third place position in fundraising for this election. He’s also second in the number of donations to his campaign. Almost 60 percent of his donations are coming from outside of Staten Island. He’s added one new top fundraiser since March: [Professional Staff Congress (PSC) CUNY](https://www.psc-cuny.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). PSC CUNY, the union representing 30,000 faculty and staff members at CUNY, and five individuals – none of whom live on Staten Island – have donated $1,000 to Ogunleye’s campaign. Two individuals from Queens, one from Roswell, Georgia, one from Chicago, Illinois, and one from Birmingham, Michigan. *Kelvin Richards* *Public Defender at the Legal Aid Society* Richards has the second highest percentage of his campaign funding coming from Staten Islanders (84 percent). His largest donations are now two, $1,000 each, coming from himself. *Michael Schnall* *Vice President of Government Relations and Community Investment at NY Road Runners* Since March, has again seen the greatest increase in the number of new donations (105). Schnall has also increased the number of Staten Island donations to his campaign to a plurality of his donations since March. Currently, 38% of his donations are coming from Staten Island. Schnall has also claimed the third highest number of individual donors (468) for this race. Four individuals from Manhattan, Chicago, Delray Beach, Florida, and Aldie, Virginia have each contributed $1,000 to his campaign. His Manhattan and Chicago contributors are both attorneys working for [Holland & Knight LLP](https://www.hklaw.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). ### Fighting For Power: The Movement to Independently Unionize Amazon (Subscriber Bonus) URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/fighting-for-power-the-movement-to-independently-unionize-amazon-subscriber-bonus/ Last updated: 2021-06-19T10:59:59.000Z In an extra for our paid subscribers, we provide the pamphlet Amazon Labor Union organizers distribute to workers they're organizing. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Amazon Under Pressure: The Grassroots Movement to Unionize a Workforce URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/amazon-under-pressure-the-movement-to-unionize-a-workforce/ Last updated: 2026-02-18T15:46:04.000Z Daily, from 4 AM to 9 PM, Christian Smalls and the other Amazon Labor Union organizers sit along 5th Street, between Amazon’s fulfillment and sort centers, to collect signed union authorization cards at their table. Some workers can be wary of approaching ALU’s table, fearful that Amazon officials may be observing them. To encourage fearful signees, organizers periodically hold cookouts with free food to draw workers over, and open conversation. A day after their first cookout drew over 200 workers, temporary chain link panels were erected obstructing access to open space in the area. Organizers have since shifted their tables a few feet over to an MTA bus stop, which is public land and [cannot be fenced-off](https://twitter.com/Shut%5FdownAmazon/status/1390304468277813249?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pleaforthefifth.com).‌‌ On April 19, 2021, and with the support of [The Congress of Essential Workers](https://twitter.com/TCOEW?s=20&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) (TCOEW), Amazon workers from the Amazon fulfillment center in Bloomfield announced their intention to unionize as [Amazon Labor Union](https://amazonlaborunion.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) (ALU). The ALU’s announcement was a reaction in part to the stinging failure to [unionize the Amazon warehouse](https://www.thenation.com/article/activism/bessemer-alabama-amazon-union/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) in Bessemer, Alabama. "People were just obviously hurt by the results,'' Smalls said. "\[But\], we wanted to go public when the iron was hot." ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/06/Amazon_Workers_Union_04Chris_Smalls_-2.JPG) Gerald Bryson and Christian Smalls, both former supervisors who were fired from jobs at Amazon's at JFK8, distribute information about the ALU (Amazon Labor Union) outside of Amazon sort center in Staten Island, June 1st, 2021\. Stephen Obisanya for Plea for the Fifth ALU is a newly formed, worker-led, independent union that, according to their website, will be “[protection from Amazon’s exploitative business practices and wrongful terminations](https://amazonlaborunion.org/about/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com).” Unlike traditional unions, which would send in paid staffers to organize the workers, ALU is an independent union that organizes in a grassroots fashion. It’s led by current and former workers, and volunteers from the community showing solidarity. Union organizing is providing workers at the Bloomfield distribution center – referred internally at Amazon as [JFK8](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/06/15/us/amazon-workers.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) – an opportunity to build their labor organizing skills, and communicate their dissatisfaction with their lack of bargaining power. ‌‌ “We’re honing in on getting people to also take direct action towards the company while we’re organizing,” Smalls explained. “As little as wearing an ALU mask in the building, or passing out pamphlets outside the building on a break, or when in the breakroom.” Amazon, nationwide, has experienced explosive growth during the pandemic. It is the single largest retailer in the United States, founded by [the wealthiest man in the world](https://www.forbes.com/profile/jeff-bezos/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), Jeff Bezos. On May 13, 2021, the [company announced](https://press.aboutamazon.com/news-releases/news-release-details/amazon-hiring-75000-employees-across-fulfillment-and?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) its intention to hire an additional 75,000 warehouse and delivery workers. JFK8 has now been open for three years, expanding from one Amazon facility in 2018, to three facilities today at the [Matrix Global Logistics Park](http://www.matrixcompanies.com/matrix-global-logistics-center.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com): a 855,000-square-foot fulfillment center, a 450,000-square-foot last mile facility, and a 975,000-square-foot sort center. Amazon is currently the largest employer on Staten Island with approximately 5,200 employees. The site's growth also speaks to its strategic location. The expansive Logistics Park provides easy access to the Goethals Bridge, the West Shore Expressway, and the Staten Island Expressway, allowing Amazon to serve New Jersey, New York City, and Long Island.‌‌ JFK8’s most tenured workers know Smalls; he was one of the supervisors who opened JFK8\. In addition to tapping into those established relationships, Smalls is confident those workers’ experiences will help inform collective bargaining. He noted “a lot of the workers are already vets, are seasoned enough to know the ins and outs of Amazon, and they know what's right and what’s wrong, what’s needed and what’s not needed.” Smalls founded TCOEW to build a movement with these workers. His return to JFK8 comes one year after his organizing of fellow employees around Amazon’s inattention to COVID-19 protocols ended with his high-profile firing on March 30, 2020\. Amazon fired Smalls after he led a walkout of employees at JFK8\. The company claims he violated their 14-day quarantine protocol following contact with an employee who tested positive for the coronavirus. Smalls says the employee who tested positive came into contact with many other workers for longer periods of time, and that he was singled out for pleading with management to sanitize the warehouse and accurately disclose the number of workers who were sick. Notes from a meeting of executive leaders at Amazon [obtained by Vice News](https://www.vice.com/en/article/5dm8bx/leaked-amazon-memo-details-plan-to-smear-fired-warehouse-organizer-hes-not-smart-or-articulate?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) detailed plans to smear Smalls as “not smart, or articulate,” as part of a PR strategy to make him “the face of the entire union/organizing movement.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/06/Amazon_Workers_Union_10Chris_Smalls_-1.JPG) ALU (Amazon Labor Union) Union Drive pamphlets distributed during daily protests outside of the a fulfillment center on Staten Island. Stephen Obisanya for Plea for the Fifth Since his firing, Smalls and TCOEW had a busy 2020\. They led protests at the many homes of Bezos – from [Beverly Hills](https://www.pcmag.com/news/protesters-gather-at-bezos-mansion-to-oppose-amazon-climate-labor-policies?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), to [Washington D.C.](https://www.vanityfair.com/style/2020/08/jeff-bezos-guillotine-protest-amazon-workers?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) and back to [Manhattan](https://www.businessinsider.com/amazon-protest-jeff-bezos-apartment-worker-pay-safety-christian-smalls-2020-8?op=1&ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Their goal was to demand increased workplace safety and challenge the narrative that Amazon was doing enough, by [forgoing billions in profits](https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurendebter/2020/04/30/amazon-first-quarter-earnings/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), to invest in worker safety measures. Smalls explained, “Unfortunately the working class… the ones who actually make him his fortune, we often get faded out.'' ‌‌ In addition to building solidarity with communities, Smalls said the actions have an explicit message for Bezos: “you can’t get away with what you’ve been doing. You should be held accountable, and you need to do better going forward.” A June 1, 2021 analysis entitled [*Primed for Pain: Amazon’s Epidemic of Workplace Injuries*](https://thesoc.org/amazon-primed-for-pain/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) found the company's 2020 injury rate to be 80 percent higher than those of other warehousing industry employers. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/06/Amazon_Workers_Union_02Chris_Smalls_-6.JPG) A man reviews information about the ALU (Amazon Labor Union) during a drive to organize workers on June 1, 2021\. Stephen Obisanya for Plea for the Fifth Connor Spence, an ALU worker organizer who has been with Amazon for over three years, is finding workers already have positive perceptions of unionization. “This is New York, they are already pro-union and they've worked in jobs with unions, or they have family members who are in unions,” Spence said. [Private-sector union density](https://slu.cuny.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/CUNY-SLU-Union%5FDensity-Report-2020pdf.pdf?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) in New York City (13.1 percent) is more than double the national average. Spence cited fear of corporate surveillance as the main barrier organizers have to overcome. “People – even if they are aware that they have a right to join a union – know that Amazon will break the law and still retaliate against them,” he said. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/06/Amazon_Workers_Union_05Chris_Smalls_-4.JPG) Fencing installed outside the Amazon fulfillment center decorated with the ALU (Amazon Labor Union) logo on June 1, 2021\. Stephen Obisanya for Plea for the Fifth They hold cookouts to create spaces for workers to have conversations with one another about conditions. Cookouts have been funded by GoFundMe donations to [The Amazon Labor Union Solidarity Fund](https://www.gofundme.com/f/support-the-amazon-labor-union?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). ALU organizers have welcomed the material support they’ve received as well. “Twenty dollars is a box of doughnuts that we can give out to workers and start a conversation with them. So every little donation really, really does help,” Spence explains. Though the [National Labor Relations Act](https://www.nlrb.gov/guidance/key-reference-materials/national-labor-relations-act?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) makes it illegal for employers to retaliate or interfere with worker efforts to unionize or collectively engage to improve their working conditions, employers often view union avoidance strategies as the cost of doing business. On April 5, 2021, [*The Hill*](https://thehill.com/policy/technology/546463-amazon-illegally-fired-workers-who-spoke-out-on-climate-warehouse?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) reported that the [National Labor Relations Board](https://www.nlrb.gov/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) (NLRB) found Amazon had illegally retaliated against two of its workers when it fired them after they publicly criticized the company’s climate policies and supported co-workers who protested warehouse conditions. The Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU) [alleged, in an objection filed to the NLRB](https://www.rwdsu.info/rwdsu%5Ffiles%5Fnlrb%5Felection%5Fobjections?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), that Amazon sent multiple messages to workers threatening workplace layoffs and facility closure during their union drive in Bessemer. Within three weeks at JFK8, organizers had filled their first clear storage container with signed union authorization cards; organizers declined to comment on how many workers had returned signed cards. If at least 30 percent of workers sign union authorization cards, the NLRB will conduct an election to determine whether workers would be in favor of forming a union. Organizers feel momentum building despite the interference they have so far faced. On May 10, 2021, an anonymous caller [called the New York Fire Department](https://twitter.com/Shut%5FdownAmazon/status/1391895802981888000?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) via 311 claiming that [ALU organizers](https://twitter.com/Shut%5FdownAmazon/status/1391895802981888000?s=20&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) were using a portable generator with fuel storage without a permit. FDNY officials ultimately determined their set up did not require a permit. An Amazon spokesperson [told Motherboard](https://www.vice.com/en/article/g5gq8b/employee-charges-amazon-with-violating-labor-law-at-nyc-union-drive?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) that Amazon did not place the calls or put up any of the new chain link fencing. Amazon claimed that the property's landlord, Matrix Global Logistics, had called the fire department on the organizers, and had also been responsible for installing the fence. Matrix Development Group did not respond to request for a comment. Smalls contended that, “all we are doing out here is handing out doughnuts and barbecues.” Given the interference in forming the ALU, Smalls and TCOEW have begun establishing relationships with local political candidates to strengthen their cause. Smalls has recently started using his newfound platform to support worker-friendly candidates in local elections. His litmus test for an endorsement is whether a candidate is willing to show up for ALU rather than simply issuing a statement in support. Smalls believes that is what will “resonate with workers, when they see these candidates out on the picket lines, or showing up at the barbecue.” He has begun endorsing candidates who both support Amazon unionization efforts and show up to support the Amazon workers. Smalls endorsed [Lorie Honor](https://honorforbp.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) for Staten Island Borough President, and [Dianne Morales](https://www.dianne.nyc/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) for Mayor of New York City. Smalls has since [rescinded his endorsement](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGjAsCz1830&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) of Morales after speaking to [Mayorales Union](https://twitter.com/mayoralesunion?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) organizers who attempted to unionize her campaign. “I have seen everybody I endorsed at my actions,” Smalls said. Lorie Honor has visited Smalls, and the ALU organizers more than any other candidate thus far. “Taking on the task of educating people on what unionization could do for them…I am passionately jumping in to help Christian because I can speak to that,” Honor explained. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/06/Amazon_Workers_Union_09Chris_Smalls_-4.JPG) The LDJ5 Amazon sort center on Staten Island, June 1, 2021\. Stephen Obisanya for Plea for the Fifth She supports the employment Amazon provides for the Island, but insists that they be a pro-union employer. “I want every Staten Islander to experience the peace of mind that unions give and as Amazon is now the leading employer of Staten Islanders, the idea that we have a chance to offer 5,000 families union membership is not just an opportunity, it's like a moral imperative,” she noted. On social media, ALU has [announced plans](https://twitter.com/Shut%5FdownAmazon/status/1403751706643644420?s=20&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) for Juneteenth and Amazon Prime Day, June 21-22, 2021\. They are seeking volunteers who can show up to the table and build solidarity with diverse groups. If they can attract additional local support, they hope to expand their tabling to other locations in the borough. Smalls explained “\[Amazon’s\] desperation is making workers feel more pressured and constrained, they're talking about us silencing voices and harassment, who's really doing the harassment?” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/06/Amazon_Workers_Union_08Chris_Smalls_-4.JPG) Christian Smalls distributes information about the ALU (Amazon Labor Union) during a union drive on June 1, 2021\. (Stephen Obisanya, Plea for the Fifth) ### Justice or Pacification: One Year After Staten Island's Largest Protests for Racial Justice URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/justice-or-pacification/ Last updated: 2024-06-07T13:59:55.000Z A year ago last week, in response to George Floyd’s murder, Staten Islanders peacefully marched for Black lives in [some of the largest demonstrations](https://gothamist.com/news/staten-island-burgeoning-youth-led-movement-social-justice-afoot?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) the Island has ever seen. On June 5, 2020, the South Shore saw almost 2,000 marchers – a mix of Staten Island residents and visitors who came to show solidarity. Five days before, on the North Shore, hundreds began their march in Park Hill where police [killed Ernest Sayon in 1994](https://www.silive.com/news/2020/06/before-george-floyd-and-eric-garner-there-was-ernest-sayon-revisiting-1994-case.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). They passed the site of Eric Garner’s murder and ended their protest at the 120th Precinct on Richmond Terrace. Both demonstrations featured similar remarks from those in positions of leadership. During the South Shore march, City Council District 49 candidate, Amoy Barnes, delivered a speech thanking the NYPD for their presence and urging protesters to respect the police. She neglected to encourage law enforcement to reciprocate that respect. > Amoy Barnes, 34, who is running for City Council, praises the efforts of organizers and those who attended the protest, and urges equal respect for the NYPD. > > “The NYPD is our community.” [pic.twitter.com/Sqz1knVIPu](https://t.co/Sqz1knVIPu?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) > > — Joseph Ostapiuk (@OstapiukJ) [June 7, 2020](https://twitter.com/OstapiukJ/status/1269714579849908226?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) Remarks on the North Shore glossed over police wrongdoing, instead focusing on calling for peace and requesting collaboration with police to “find a solution.” In the borough where “I can’t breathe” first became a rallying call, the argument that we should peacefully protest and unify with law enforcement was, and is, inapt. It was infuriating to see speakers focus on the possibility of violence from protestors while ignoring the root cause of that violence: continued state-sanctioned murders and assaults on Black people. The similarities between Eric Garner and George Floyd’s last words affirmed that despite decades of nonviolent organizing, Black life still didn’t matter. This realization pushed record numbers of people to riot last summer. While both rioters and police were, by definition, “violent,” the meaning of the word is vastly different depending on which group it is applied to. Violence for police is deadly force, while violence for protesters is destroying property. Therefore, the popular argument that “rioters are no better than the police they are rioting against” is misleading and problematic. It implies that destroying property causes the same level of harm as ending a Black life. It also ignores that violence began with the state, and, therefore, violence is justified as a form of self defense and revolutionary resistance. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/06/IMG-7789.jpg) Protestors gather in Tottenville, Staten Island on June 7, 2020. This insistence that Black protesters exclusively use nonviolence, despite its repeated failure to yield justice, calls into question the motive of said insistence. I would argue that framing nonviolence as the only acceptable form of resistance is a tactic used to circumvent outward displays of rage. These displays are considered more egregious than the brutalization and murder we face in this country. Many organizers tend to choose peace for three main reasons. The most commonly cited reason is a distorted version of [Martin Luther King’s message](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/mlk-tried-to-tell-us/). While King did employ nonviolent forms of resistance, he explicitly defined peace as “the existence of justice for all.” Based on America’s history of indigenous genocide and slavery, justice for all never has and never will exist here. This is evident by the continued displacement of indigenous lands and people, as well as by the repackaging of chattel slavery into wage slavery and the slavery of mass incarceration. Martin Luther King’s idea of peace never will exist under these conditions, so invoking his name to prevent Black people from resisting oppression is disrespectful and contrary to his life’s work. Aside from bringing up King, adamant nonviolence is also justified by the belief that it will evoke shame in the oppressor. This belief operates on the misconception that racists can feel empathy for people outside of their demographic. It also fails to consider that guilting oppressors into showing mercy to Black people is not an effective, long-term solution. The goal should be to eliminate any tools that have been, or could be, used to violently facilitate the exploitation of Black people and the working class. The third reason organizers use nonviolence is because their passivity is rewarded. Leadership and power are often given to those who take advantage of political and moral ambiguities by failing to choose a real side. Yes, organizers may be planning the marches and leading the “no justice, no peace” chants, but they have only done so after voiding those words of any meaning. What does “no justice, no peace” mean when you ask the police to escort your marches? What does it mean when you say “no peace” and simultaneously denounce non-peaceful resistance? What does it mean when you take pictures with your fist raised for Black power, but refuse to use it in defense of Black life? It means you value performance over strategy. It means you value white comfort and approval over your own well-being and the advancement of Black liberation. It means that you – though you call yourself an activist – are subtly upholding white supremacy. Used both to obstruct righteous rebellions and to evade radical change is the assertion that Black people should align themselves with law enforcement. It stems from the idea that Black people can “change the system from the inside” by becoming cops. While police are disproportionately white, diversifying police departments will not reduce police violence. A [study done at Rutgers University](https://www.newark.rutgers.edu/news/bad-policing-bad-law-not-bad-apples-behind-disproportionate-killing-black-men-police?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) revealed that nonwhite officers are just as likely as white cops to use deadly force on Black and Brown people. In fact, the likelihood that nonwhite officers use deadly force on Black and Brown people, specifically, increases further because nonwhite officers are more often assigned to patrol communities of color. Policing's increased interaction with people of color, leading to higher numbers of murders by police, indicates that racism is ingrained into the institution of policing – not just a few “bad apples.” The mere presence of police puts the lives of Black and Brown people at risk. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/06/IMG-7792.jpg) Protestors gather in Tottenville, Staten Island on June 7, 2020. Tokenized nonwhite cops are actually instrumental in creating [optics](https://truthout.org/articles/police-attacked-protesters-after-kneeling-for-solidarity-photo-op-activists-say/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) that camouflage the inherently oppressive nature of modern policing. By allowing for Black recruits, police forces can appear inclusive and even sympathetic to the plight of racism. However, it is their job to enable and preserve inequality. At their conception, the police were an [oppressive tool of the ruling class](https://www.lawcha.org/2014/12/29/stop-kidding-police-created-control-working-class-poor-people/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). In the South, police emerged from slave patrols meant to keep Black people in check and protect white people from rebellions. In the North, the rich hired thousands of men to impose order on immigrant workers and prevent them from fighting against wage slavery. Today, police still operate to prevent movements of poor and nonwhite people. With an understanding that police were created to oversee oppressed people, you can see the irony in anyone stating that “we” (police and those protesting policing) need to work together to “find a solution.” It is not in the police’s interests to help the people they have been assigned to control. In addition, to suggest that the solution needs to be “found” is to imply that it is undetected. Had the police actively listened to the protests they were deployed to suppress, they would know the solution is [“Hands up, don’t shoot.”](https://www.cbsnews.com/video/police-shoot-unarmed-man-with-hands-up/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com#x) In other words, stop the use of injurious and deadly force when dealing with situations that involve Black people. This is not a difficult demand to fulfill. Yet, even after it has echoed through the streets countless times, it has not been put into action. Attempting to build relationships between the police and communities they have historically subjugated serves to develop inefficient, incremental reforms that continue the police’s racist and classist behavior in a more covert – more effective – way. This is exemplified by the [George Floyd Justice in Policing Act](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/mar/04/the-george-floyd-act-wouldnt-have-saved-george-floyds-life-thats-says-it-all?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) which, despite its namesake, wouldn’t have stopped Floyd’s murder. Insultingly, it also invests more money into policing, which has been shown to have [little to no effect](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/06/07/over-past-60-years-more-spending-police-hasnt-necessarily-meant-less-crime/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) on crime rates. Protesters have instead advocated for investments in [non-punitive, preventative measures](https://johnjayrec.nyc/2020/11/09/av2020/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) to community violence, such as funding social programs and decriminalizing drugs. The prospect of defunding the police to support these programs, however, is seen as too radical and has been [shut down multiple times](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/dec/02/barack-obama-criticizes-defund-the-police-slogan-backlash?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). The bill does, however, attempt to address police accountability by ending [qualified immunity](https://www.ncsl.org/research/civil-and-criminal-justice/qualified-immunity.aspx?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), which saved Eric Garner’s killer, Daniel Pantaleo, from an indictment. An end to qualified immunity, paired with Derek Chauvin’s conviction, could be considered progress and success for the Black Lives Matter Movement. However, it should be noted that convicting Chauvin was likely done to reduce pressure for abolition or reform. Furthermore, the bill is simply virtue signaling as it's [unlikely to pass in the Senate](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/movement-for-black-lives-opposes-george-floyd-justice-in-policing-act?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) without “compromises” that will make it even more inadequate. This bill would lead to further convictions of cops, but those convictions are the bare minimum. Justice would be acknowledging the presence of, repairing the harm of, and eradicating white supremacy from our institutions. In a [1964 TV interview](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiSiHRNQlQo&ref=pleaforthefifth.com), Malcolm X stated the following: “If you stick a knife in my back nine inches and pull it out six inches, there's no progress. If you pull it all the way out, that's not progress. Progress is healing the wound that the blow made. And they haven't even pulled the knife out, much less heal the wound. They won't even admit the knife is there.” “The knife” here represents white supremacy and the institutions of oppression that have sprung from it. In addition to acknowledging the knife’s presence, recognize that the state put it there purposely and maliciously. Worry more about the damage done by the knife and less about if you consider the way Black people pull the knife out to be respectable. Understand that pulling out the knife completely and healing the wound requires that we abolish and reimagine our current justice system. As long as police murders continue around the country and Black people fear for their lives, there will be no justice and no peace. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/06/IMG-7813.jpg) Protestors outside the 123rd Precinct in Tottenville, Staten Island on June 7, 2020. This commentary was written by **Zeta**, a staff contributor to Plea For The Fifth ### What Started When Hundreds of Islanders Marched To Save The Graniteville Wetlands URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/coming-together-to-save-the-wetlands/ Last updated: 2024-08-04T18:48:40.000Z On Saturday, April 24, two days after Earth Day, marchers gathered on the corner of Forest Avenue and Richmond Avenue to bring awareness to one of Staten Island’s most visible struggles for climate justice: [saving the Graniteville Wetlands](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/a-last-stand-for-the-wetlands/). If the developer, [Josif A LLC](https://www.herrick.com/matters/josif-a-llc-staten-island-retail-development/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), successfully fights [Staten Island Coalition for Wetlands and Forests’](https://www.sicwf.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) (SICWF) recently filed court injunction, construction will soon begin on a BJ’s Wholesale Club store, an accompanying 800 car-parking lot, and gas station. This construction would destroy nearly 20 acres of forested wetland, a move which has been contested for decades by groups like the [Protectors of Pine Oak Woods](https://www.siprotectors.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), SICWF, and now by the burgeoning, grassroots, social media-powered movement to save the Graniteville Wetlands that emerged in late 2020. After months of increasing advocacy, this movement evolved into nearly 500 people who met on the day of the march to voice collective opposition to the development and has continued online with protests on social media. [Some have been part of the fight for a while](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/a-last-stand-for-the-wetlands/); others were just getting involved. Many first time visitors to the area were taken aback by the beauty of the glittering [vernal ponds](https://www.epa.gov/wetlands/vernal-pools?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) and tall just-blooming trees. Some also noticed trash dumped just on the edges of the Wetlands and began a spontaneous clean-up. The group marched down Forest Avenue for about an hour, stopping finally to rally on Morrow Street right between the proposed development and the now [up-for-lease Regal UA theater.](https://www.silive.com/coronavirus/2021/03/si-regal-theater-up-for-lease-according-to-real-estate-listing.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) Marchers blocked traffic on one side of the road, with volunteers working to make sure marchers remained safely in one lane. A handful of NYPD officers and vehicles also created a barrier between marchers and the heavy afternoon traffic. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/06/Graniteville_Wetlands_Stephen_Obisanya_02-1.jpg) Protestors make their way down Forest Avenue as part of the march to save the Graniteville wetlands in Staten Island on April 24, 2021\. [****Stephen Obisanya**](https://www.stephenobisanya.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) for Plea for the Fifth The procession grew as it made its way down Forest Avenue. Observers looked on with curiosity or cheered in support. Upon arriving at the corner of Forest Avenue and Morrow Street, the marchers were greeted by a DJ booth set up by a local station, [Maker Park Radio.](https://makerparkradio.nyc/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) The crowd cheered, danced, and settled into several hours of speeches, performances, and mingling. Photographer [**Stephen Obisanya**](https://www.stephenobisanya.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) documented the day in photographs. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/06/Graniteville_Wetlands_Stephen_Obisanya_03.jpg) Attendees make their way down Forest Avenue as part of the march to save the Graniteville wetlands. Photograph by [****Stephen Obisanya**](https://www.stephenobisanya.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) for Plea for the Fifth ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/06/Graniteville_Wetlands_Stephen_Obisanya_04.jpg) Birth worker and Reproductive Justice activist Somaliah Williams wore a pin that reads “Persist, Insist, Resist” at the march to save the wetlands. Photograph by [****Stephen Obisanya**](https://www.stephenobisanya.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) for Plea for the Fifth ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/06/Graniteville_Wetlands_Stephen_Obisanya_05.jpg) March organizer and environmental activist Aly Stoffo leads the procession from Richmond to South Avenue in Staten Island. Photograph by [****Stephen Obisanya**](https://www.stephenobisanya.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) for Plea for the Fifth ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/06/Graniteville_Wetlands_Stephen_Obisanya_06.jpg) Among the marchers were several candidates for elected office and their staff campaigning at the event. From left to right: activist and candidate for District 61 Assembly Leader Jasi Robinson, City Council District 49 candidate Kamillah Hanks, and City Council District 49 candidate Ranti Ogunleye, as they are photographed by Malcolm Penn of community organization [True 2 Life](https://www.google.com/search?q=true+2+life&rlz=1C5CHFA%5FenUS948US948&oq=true+2+life&aqs=chrome..69i57j35i39j46l2j0j69i60l3.2289j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Photograph by [****Stephen Obisanya**](https://www.stephenobisanya.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) for Plea for the Fifth ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/06/Graniteville_Wetlands_Stephen_Obisanya_07.jpg) A marcher wears a mask promoting Borough President candidate and democrat Cesar Vargas. Many prospective local politicians running for office attended the march and took advantage of the gathering as a campaign opportunity ahead of the Primaries. With many of the Island's community organizations concentrated on Forest Avenue, candidates seized the chance to network and pose for photos. Photograph by [****Stephen Obisanya**](https://www.stephenobisanya.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) for Plea for the Fifth ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/06/Graniteville_Wetlands_Stephen_Obisanya_08.jpg) New York City mayoral candidate, Dianne Morales, gave a speech before the march, stating, “I’m not here as a politician, but as a human being.” Morales is the only mayoral candidate to visit the Wetlands. Some criticized the presence of current and aspiring politicians for local and city-wide office as a distraction because the march was organized by a small contingent of Staten Island-based activists. Photograph by [****Stephen Obisanya**](https://www.stephenobisanya.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) for Plea for the Fifth ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/06/Graniteville_Wetlands_Stephen_Obisanya_09.jpg) Borough President candidate, co-founder of Staten Island Women Who March, and owner of Honor Wines, Lorie Honor, marched with a sign that reads “Protest is Patriotic” at the march to save Graniteville wetlands. Photograph by [****Stephen Obisanya**](https://www.stephenobisanya.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) for Plea for the Fifth ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/06/Graniteville_Wetlands_Stephen_Obisanya_10.jpg) Marchers make their way down Forest Avenue. Photograph by [****Stephen Obisanya**](https://www.stephenobisanya.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) for Plea for the Fifth ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/06/Graniteville_Wetlands_Stephen_Obisanya_11.jpg) Yesenia Matia, executive director of [La Colmena](https://www.lacolmenanyc.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), giving a speech at the rally. Also in attendance was her husband and borough president candidate Cesar Vargas who served as the march’s legal observer. Photograph by [****Stephen Obisanya**](https://www.stephenobisanya.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) for Plea for the Fifth ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/06/Graniteville_Wetlands_Stephen_Obisanya_12.jpg) A sign inspired by Dr. Seuss’s “The Lorax” at the march to save Graniteville wetlands. Photograph by [****Stephen Obisanya**](https://www.stephenobisanya.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) for Plea for the Fifth ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/06/Graniteville_Wetlands_Stephen_Obisanya_13.jpg) Local musicians like Saint Maurice Phillips were among the performers who showcased their talent at the post-march rally on Morrow Street. Photograph by [****Stephen Obisanya**](https://www.stephenobisanya.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) for Plea for the Fifth ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/06/Graniteville_Wetlands_Stephen_Obisanya_14.jpg) A marcher poses with his dog. Photograph by [****Stephen Obisanya**](https://www.stephenobisanya.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) for Plea for the Fifth ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/06/Graniteville_Wetlands_Stephen_Obisanya_15.jpg) Protestors gather at the end of the march. Photograph by [****Stephen Obisanya**](https://www.stephenobisanya.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) for Plea for the Fifth ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/06/Graniteville_Wetlands_Stephen_Obisanya_16.jpg) A marcher holds up a sign that reads “BE LESS TRASHY”. Photograph by [****Stephen Obisanya**](https://www.stephenobisanya.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) for Plea for the Fifth ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/06/Graniteville_Wetlands_Stephen_Obisanya_17.jpg) At the end of Morrow Street and just at the edge of the soon-to-be developed Wetlands, a homemade banner hangs from the “END” sign and reads “We Need Our Trees”. Photograph by [****Stephen Obisanya**](https://www.stephenobisanya.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) for Plea for the Fifth ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/06/Graniteville_Wetlands_Stephen_Obisanya_18.jpg) Participants of the march explored the outer edges of the nearly 30-acre forest and wetland, which is co-owned by the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, the Army Corps of Engineers, and Charles Alpert. Photograph by [****Stephen Obisanya**](https://www.stephenobisanya.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) for Plea for the Fifth ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/06/Graniteville_Wetlands_Stephen_Obisanya_19-1.jpg) As the procession ended, protestors gathered near the large [vernal pond](https://www.epa.gov/wetlands/vernal-pools?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) on the corner of Morrow Street and South Avenue. According to the developer’s site plan, this pond is to be replaced by a gas station and its accompanying underground tank. Ponds like these are one of many seasonal changes that occur at a wetland. This pond will continue to grow throughout the springtime. Photograph by [****Stephen Obisanya**](https://www.stephenobisanya.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) for Plea for the Fifth **Cover photograph:** Activists make their way down Forest Avenue as part of the march to save the Graniteville wetlands in Staten Island on April 24, 2021. [**Photo essay by Stephen Obisanya**](https://www.stephenobisanya.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) for Plea for the Fifth ### May in Review URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/may2021newsletter/ Last updated: 2024-01-02T16:19:44.000Z **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 Palestine**](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/free-palestine/) Written by [Editorial Committee](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/editorial/) [![Illustration by Xio. A spray bottle labeled Ethnic Cleansing, Established 1948, Backed by the USA spraying blood on the map of the State of Palestine in the color scheme of the Palestinian flag.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/05/Palestine_Israel_page_001-1.jpg)](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/free-palestine/) Illustration by [Xio](https://www.instagram.com/xprexions/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) **We are an organization that supports indigenous sovereignty both domestically and abroad.** [**Since its creation in 1948**](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.sup.org/books/title/?id%3D26507&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1621532861062000&usg=AOvVaw1XXV1UZ1k-vJVJAvkm3VFd)**, the state of Israel has worked continuously through acts of genocide to expel Palestinian Muslims, Jews, and Christians from their land and created an** [**apartheid state**](https://www.hrw.org/report/2021/04/27/threshold-crossed/israeli-authorities-and-crimes-apartheid-and-persecution?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) **\-- a crime against humanity under the** [**Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court**](https://www.un.org/en/genocideprevention/crimes-against-humanity.shtml?ref=pleaforthefifth.com)**. Over the last two weeks Israel has committed several war crimes against Palestine including attacking civilians and their homes,** [**attacking the Al-Aqsa mosque**](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/5/7/jerusalem-dozens-of-palestinians-hurt-in-al-aqsa-clashes?ref=pleaforthefifth.com)**, destroying roads to a** [**hospital in Gaza**](https://abcnews.go.com/International/israel-unleashes-airstrikes-gaza-strip-deadliest-single-attack/story?id=77731209&ref=pleaforthefifth.com)**, and attempting to silence journalists by** [**bombing the office building of the Associated Press and Al Jazeera**](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/5/15/palestinian-death-toll-in-gaza-occupied-west-bank-mounts-live-news?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) **under** [**unfounded claims**](https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-israel-business-israel-palestinian-conflict-government-and-politics-abd641af1607fbae7f49e1cce7dbc49e?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) **of terrorist presence within the building.** [![This chart shows the number of Palestinian and Israeli death and injuries in Gaza and the West Bank reported by the UN for 2008 - 2020. In 2020 2,781 Palestinians were hurt/injured; 61 Israeli's were hurt/injured; In 2019: 15,628 Palestinians were hurt/injured; 133 Israeli's were hurt/injured; In 2018: 31,558 Palestinians were hurt/injured; 130 Israeli's were hurt/injured. From 2008 - 2020 5,590 Palestinian's were killed; 251 Israeli's were killed. ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/05/palestine-chart.jpeg)](https://www.statista.com/chart/16516/israeli-palestinian-casualties-by-in-gaza-and-the-west-bank/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) This chart shows the number of Palestinian and Israeli death and injuries in Gaza and the West Bank reported by the UN. # [**Utilizing a Strength-based Approach to Teaching Students with Disabilities in Staten Island Schools**](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/utilizing-a-strength-based-approach-to-teaching-students-with-disabilities-in-staten-island-schools/) Written by [Valeriana Dema](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/valeriana/) In an interview, Plea for the Fifth asks Sela more about the strength-based approach in her book, [*Shifting Focus*](https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shifting-focus-amy-sela/1126024107?ref=pleaforthefifth.com): > There hasn't been a student that I worked with that wasn't capable of doing that, however “low functioning” someone may say that they were. Students have the capability to self-advocate. We just got to give them the power to do so, and switch that power over to them. **Check it out! Our images are alt text enables to better serve our visually impaired readers.** ## Did you miss it? # [Earth Day March on Graniteville Marsh in Staten Island 2021](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpzbW3xwHeQ&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) [![Two people holding either end of a yellow banner that reads Climate JUSTICE Through Racial JUSTICE in front of the stage.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/05/Screenshot--4-.png)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpzbW3xwHeQ&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) Shot by [Jacqueline Caruso](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/jacqueline/) & [Kasson Colon-Mangin](https://www.instagram.com/kasson%5F/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) for PFT5 Head over to PFT5's [YouTube ](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX4tSsGcBWPSZnrIFQr0AHA?ref=pleaforthefifth.com)channel to catch our coverage of the Earth Day March on Graniteville Marsh in Staten Island against development of natural lands by corporations. Also catch PFT5's City Council D-49 Candidates [forum ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XL%5FwhVFiUjs&ab%5Fchannel=PleafortheFifth&ref=pleaforthefifth.com)on our channel. Don't miss notifications of upcoming and exclusive content on our [YouTube ](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX4tSsGcBWPSZnrIFQr0AHA?ref=pleaforthefifth.com)channel. [LIKE, SUBSCRIBE & TELL A FRIEND!](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX4tSsGcBWPSZnrIFQr0AHA?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) **Read about Martin Luther King Jr., an emblem of uncompromising solidarity in this commentary published in January 2021.** # [**Commentary: MLK Tried to Tell Us**](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/mlk-tried-to-tell-us/) Written by [Danny O.Z.E](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/daniel/) [![Black and white photograph of MLK sprawled across the police desk being restrained by two police officers as his wife and others look on. ](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/05/MLK-arrested.jpg)](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/mlk-tried-to-tell-us/) MLK at the police station in Alabama upon being arrested for loitering, 1958. 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. ### Free Palestine URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/free-palestine/ Last updated: 2023-12-30T21:21:25.000Z 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](https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.sup.org/books/title/?id%3D26507&sa=D&source=editors&ust=1621532861062000&usg=AOvVaw1XXV1UZ1k-vJVJAvkm3VFd), the state of Israel has worked continuously through acts of genocide to expel Palestinian Muslims, Jews, and Christians from their land and created an [apartheid state](https://www.hrw.org/report/2021/04/27/threshold-crossed/israeli-authorities-and-crimes-apartheid-and-persecution?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) \-- a crime against humanity under the [Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court](https://www.un.org/en/genocideprevention/crimes-against-humanity.shtml?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Over the last two weeks Israel has committed several war crimes against Palestine including attacking civilians and their homes, [attacking the Al-Aqsa mosque](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/5/7/jerusalem-dozens-of-palestinians-hurt-in-al-aqsa-clashes?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), destroying roads to a [hospital in Gaza](https://abcnews.go.com/International/israel-unleashes-airstrikes-gaza-strip-deadliest-single-attack/story?id=77731209&ref=pleaforthefifth.com), and attempting to silence journalists by [bombing the office building of the Associated Press and Al Jazeera](https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2021/5/15/palestinian-death-toll-in-gaza-occupied-west-bank-mounts-live-news?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) under [unfounded claims](https://apnews.com/article/middle-east-israel-business-israel-palestinian-conflict-government-and-politics-abd641af1607fbae7f49e1cce7dbc49e?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) of terrorist presence within the building. As journalists we want to stress the seriousness of attacks against media and journalists in Palestine, without which many of the atrocities against Palestinians perpetrated by the IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) under the direction of the state of Israel would go under-reported. This is not an issue that warrants a “both sides” argument. Palestine, without a military and occupied by the state of Israel, is unable to comparably defend itself and has suffered an incomparable loss of life at the hands of the IDF. Over the last 13 years, almost 115,000 Palestinians have been injured and over 5,000 others have been killed by the IDF. [![Infographic: The Human Cost Of The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict | Statista](https://cdn.statcdn.com/Infographic/images/normal/16516.jpeg)](https://www.statista.com/chart/16516/israeli-palestinian-casualties-by-in-gaza-and-the-west-bank/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com "Infographic: The Human Cost Of The Israeli-Palestinian Conflict | Statista") You will find more infographics at [Statista](https://www.statista.com/chartoftheday/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) Plea for the Fifth supports the [Boycott, Divestments and Sanctions movement](https://bdsmovement.net/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) and calls for the cessation of the United States’ nearly $4 billion funding to the IDF. Over the course of the last decade [$54.7 million](https://uscpr.org/campaign/government-affairs/resources/how-much-military-aid-to-israel/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) of Staten Island’s tax dollars has funded violence against Palestine. Supporting the movement to free Palestine is not antisemitic, it is anti-Zionist. Though the current situation in Palestine is not a religious clash, the state of Israel has used Zionism to justify its violence against Palestinian people. In condemning the violence perpetrated by the state of Israel we must also condemn the harmful Zionist rhetoric that has been denounced[ by Jewish people and organizations worldwide.](https://jewishvoiceforpeace.org/zionism/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) *Plea for the Fifth is working on a reading list for further education on the history of Palestine and Israel's occupation. We are also working on a piece covering this topic in more depth in the future.* ### Utilizing a Strength-based Approach to Teaching Students with Disabilities in Staten Island Schools URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/utilizing-a-strength-based-approach-to-teaching-students-with-disabilities-in-staten-island-schools/ Last updated: 2021-05-13T03:18:36.000Z *Shifting Focus* by Staten Islander, Amy Sela, is an accessible guide for parents and teachers on how to implement a strength-based approach for children with disabilities. The short book is filled with practical exercises and lessons drawn from Sela’s eleven-year career as a special education teacher and [paraprofessional](https://www.schools.nyc.gov/careers/other-jobs-in-schools/paraprofessionals-and-substitute-paraprofessionals?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) as well as from her experiences as a mother of four. She advocates that special education professionals shift from primarily a deficit-oriented mindset to focusing more attention on identifying and cultivating a child's strengths and interests. [Research reviews on a strength-based approach to teaching](https://www.noodle.com/articles/strengths-based-approach-to-teaching-gives-special-education-students-hope191?fbclid=IwAR0k9RPo034qs7ljwPjSuMY5b-httGZAjnqNjYPxNwlwSQZTjUXzR9pGghQ&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) have shown how the method can improve academic outcomes, builds student confidence, and results in a more hopeful student outlook. In an interview, Plea for the Fifth asks Sela more about the strength-based approach in her book, how she’s adapted that approach to remote learning, and her vision for improved school instruction for students with disabilities. **Students with Disabilities on Staten Island** Approximately 15,000 students, or about one in four students, in [Staten Island’s School District 31](https://data.nysed.gov/enrollment.php?year=2019&instid=800000042056&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) have disabilities, including intellectual disabilities, emotional disturbances, and physical impairments. [According to the latest DOE data](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xClPegLMQxmUn0JmiozHxmUAsOHGC6Y8/view?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), only 50 percent of those students fully received the services they are entitled to during the current school year, a significant drop from previous years. This drop is attributed mainly to barriers caused by remote learning. City officials have commented that [the actual conditions may be better than the reported data](https://ny.chalkbeat.org/2021/2/10/22277334/special-education-coronavirus-nyc?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) because of potential gaps in this year’s data entry. Last summer [a number of rallies](https://www.silive.com/coronavirus/2020/08/si-parents-rally-over-concerns-about-remote-learning-in-special-ed.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) took place on Staten Island to advocate for increasing in-person special education services during the pandemic. At the end of January, [a civil rights class action lawsuit](https://www.thecity.nyc/2021/2/3/22265468/staten-island-special-education-students-sue-nyc-schools?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) filed by three Staten Island children and their mothers argued that the 2,000 students with disabilities in District 75 schools on the Island face segregation and other discriminatory practices. [District 75](https://www.schools.nyc.gov/learning/special-education/school-settings/district-75?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) schools are located in each borough and serve only students with disabilities. In the current [Community Education Council (CEC)](https://www.schools.nyc.gov/get-involved/families/education-council-elections-2021/community-education-councils?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) elections, improving the quality of special education is a major issue on many of the platforms of [Staten Island candidates](https://www.schools.nyc.gov/get-involved/families/education-council-elections-2021/run-for-a-seat-on-a-council/ccec-elections-list-of-candidates-for-all-councils/community-education-council-for-district-31?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). In order to increase equity, this is the first year that any NYC public school parent [can vote](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIyJip0kYlc&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) in CEC elections up until May 11. *\*Plea for the Fifth’s interview with Amy Sela was edited for length and clarity.* ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/05/01_Amy_Sela.jpg) Amy Sela's book Shifting Focus. **[Photograph by Olga Ginzburg](https://www.instagram.com/ginzburgphoto/?hl=en&ref=pleaforthefifth.com)** for Plea for the Fifth **Plea for the Fifth:** How has being a [paraprofessional](https://www.schools.nyc.gov/careers/other-jobs-in-schools/paraprofessionals-and-substitute-paraprofessionals?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) helped you understand your students better as a special education teacher? **Amy Sela:** When I was first hired to become a para, I knew that I was going to help a student with a disability. But it wasn't until after a couple of weeks later that I realized all the strengths and abilities that that student was holding. I don't think I would have figured that out as a teacher. Teachers usually have 8 to 12 students if it's in a [self-contained class](https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007%2F978-1-4419-1698-3%5F84?ref=pleaforthefifth.com#:~:text=Definition,but%20within%20a%20neighborhood%20school.). But in the [Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT)](https://www.yourcpf.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Information-for-Families-about-ICT.pdf?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) class, we have 33 or 35 kids. You're not going to be able to get to know that child with a disability as well. But they're bright kids in their own way. I remember being able to highlight them, throughout those classes— the strengths they were good at, so that they felt that confidence. They're already being seen as they can't do it. But if you start highlighting their strengths, it gives them motivation that they need, so that when they do go to that class that they are not that good at, they have that ability to try. **Plea For the Fifth:** How do you use the strength-based approach you encourage in your book with [Individualized Education Programs (IEPs)](https://www.schools.nyc.gov/learning/special-education/the-iep-process/the-iep?ref=pleaforthefifth.com)? **Amy Sela:** The way that our IEPs are written are basically deficit-based. A child can’t do this, a child has trouble doing that, this child is not up to the seventh grade standards. I've been starting to initiate professional developments to teach teachers how to write strength-based IEPs by using the child's strengths as leverage to help them with their weaknesses. It could be anything—say that child works well on their own. Sometimes we as teachers are forced to group students or forced to make them work independently. Sometimes a child with disabilities can't do those things. Why are we forcing them to? We could set those abilities in the IEP instead of just talking about the standards that they can’t reach. Instead we can ask, “How can they reach those standards?” These are little things that you can use to help the child build that motivation inside them, build that fuel, that fire, to help them become successful every day. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/05/15_Amy_Sela.jpg) Amy Sela and her daughter at home May 6\. **[Photograph by Olga Ginzburg](https://www.instagram.com/ginzburgphoto/?hl=en&ref=pleaforthefifth.com)** for Plea for the Fifth **Plea for the Fifth:** Can you talk about how [common core standards](http://www.corestandards.org/about-the-standards/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) can actually be used as a tool to [differentiate](https://resilienteducator.com/classroom-resources/examples-of-differentiated-instruction/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) and support students with disabilities? **Amy Sela:** We all follow standards everyday through our daily lessons. I used to have these on my desk every day \[holding up common core standards\]. And then the students would be familiarizing themselves with that standard. And they could see what level of work they could do every single day. At the end of the lesson, they would then self-assess themselves. It's used as what we would call a set of success criteria. They will look at their work and see which standard they hit. If they were at a level one, they would try to see how they could get to a level two and then two to three. But maybe it was a question that they were especially interested in that day, and they will probably get a three and then can move on to a four. So every day you would kind of get something different, but then it will kind of average out to a standard that they were close to reaching for that year or for that unit. So not only are you supporting your students that are struggling, you also allow your higher level students to advance to a higher level. You're supporting both— you're supporting the general population as well as your special ed. population or just anyone who's falling behind. Example Success Criteria: **Plea For the Fifth:** In schools, a big part of learning is the [social and emotional aspect](https://www.edutopia.org/blog/why-sel-essential-for-students-weissberg-durlak-domitrovich-gullotta?ref=pleaforthefifth.com); it’s really important for creating a positive and inclusive learning environment. How do you support students with disabilities with socializing, so they’re not isolated from general education students? **Amy Sela:** I started a club called Social Corner for my school because I noticed how my self-contained students had a difficult time adjusting in the lunchroom. They would come back to class stressed and frustrated from the noise and behaviours. So I had my self-contained students play board games with the general ed population in the lunchroom. It was a simple idea. I didn't realize what it was going to become. I started noticing my special ed students mingling with my gen ed students, having conversations laughing, and having a good time. They began to socialize and pick up social cues and behaviors that they normally were not used to. During the lunch period it became so successful that other teachers opened up their doors to have their kids come in their rooms to play board games too. You'd be surprised with kids these days, they're very empathetic, which is a nice thing to see. If a student is struggling or having a bad time, which I noticed when they were playing board games, they were supporting those students. I think that we shouldn't really have self-contained classes. I feel like students with disabilities should be placed in the general population with support from the special ed teachers. We've come so far that we have all these service providers, but I feel like the placement in a self-contained environment that we put our kids in right now is not giving them that opportunity to grow socially. Why can't they learn together with a special ed teacher on the side there in the classroom like an [ICT setting](https://www.yourcpf.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Information-for-Families-about-ICT.pdf?ref=pleaforthefifth.com)? **Plea for the Fifth:** During the pandemic, there's been a lot of challenges to remote learning and not having the students in the physical space with you. How have you been able to use technology with one of the tips that you give in the book—figuring out students’ interests and then connecting them to the lesson plan? [Universal Design for Learning](http://dyslexiahelp.umich.edu/professionals/dyslexia-school/universal-design?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) shows how methods like this benefit not only students with disabilities but all students. **Amy Sela:** It's a simple survey in the beginning of the year that you can give out to your students, just to try to figure out what their interests are and incorporate them in your daily lessons as much as you can. Interesting thing is, every time I do this, I notice that there's so many commonalities. Kids usually like the same types of things. They're growing up together, watching the same shows, playing the same games. There is going to be a couple of places where you can find a common ground. And you can incorporate that in your lessons. One example is that the kids are so into the game [Among Us](https://www.weareteachers.com/among-us-in-classroom/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). They were playing it like crazy. We started incorporating the game into our lessons. I teach history, so we would use it when it came to figuring out who the Paleo Indians \[the Lithic Peoples\] were, learning different tribes. Or it could be a silly meme that you put up, and then we'll all laugh for five minutes. But it has to be related to the content. Things like that show that you care about them. It works well for students with disabilities, but it's also working for all the students. ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/zWDtSv2Oww-NNQ1awv78gZiwgMmEAvwtC2V1L-LSItDXjHgjwxNyVjLJIe06GyjXSWkCsbIf6csPYWy2-YEbRcSHh6CSpGPKVO5H3z8lLenv3gt5DHYRHJrA74A7Hg) An example of a meme used in Sela's history class ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/n7SQvWRIJ208h-RXTkCXCaZaCyExgfPZQR7mKiBxfg25HXMQfyDNzX2vzOChgC2a1svkN6SdX4xoApkxkRGC01A9GvaDNmJq28x_PSAst9_Eiqjr8i_ZpHLl2eDijg) An example of a meme used in Sela's history class **Plea for the Fifth:** In your book you discuss how [assistive technology](https://www.edutopia.org/article/assistive-technology-resources?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) can be the future for schools. Even though the pandemic has been really challenging, what are some opportunities that you've had to explore how technology can help with individualized instruction and self-directed learning? **Amy Sela:** With this pandemic, [every kid was getting an iPad](https://www.schools.nyc.gov/learning/blended-learning/technical-tools-and-support/ipads-and-laptops/ipad-requests?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), and schools were getting all of these devices too. Whereas in the past, we never had that. Maybe the computer class had technology, but not every department had computers or laptops in the classrooms. This year, students got to learn about technology. Now that we have it available and students have the skills, I feel like it would be an amazing time to purchase assistive technology programs that enable every student to learn at their own pace. Students would get their individual lessons based off of where they're at. And then they could move themselves up to the next levels on their own. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/05/16_Amy_Sela.jpg) Amy Sela in her daughters room at home. **[Photograph by Olga Ginzburg](https://www.instagram.com/ginzburgphoto/?hl=en&ref=pleaforthefifth.com)** for Plea for the Fifth **Plea for the Fifth:** How do you create more positive student teacher dynamics? **Amy Sela:** I just think that we \[educators\] need to change our mindset. Support could be used in other ways to help students become more social, more independent, and more advanced in the areas where they could achieve. You can have students involved as young as second grade and ask them what works best for you? You have the student take ownership. And then when that student goes on to the next grade and meets a new teacher, they can say, “Well, this is something that works best for me. This is how I learned best.” **PIea for the Fifth**: I think that’s really changing the narrative because I feel sometimes when people talk about students with disabilities, they think of them as powerless, and they always need to be advocated for. But what you're really talking about is how these students can speak up for themselves. They have strengths, they are good at things. We just need to support them, and they will let us know what to do. **Amy Sela:** There hasn't been a student that I worked with that wasn't capable of doing that, however “low functioning” someone may say that they were. Students have the capability to self-advocate. We just got to give them the power to do so, and switch that power over to them. As teachers, we understand [supports](https://www.understood.org/en/school-learning/special-services/special-education-basics/the-difference-between-services-and-supports-for-kids-with-learning-and-thinking-differences?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), we understand [differentiation](https://resilienteducator.com/classroom-resources/examples-of-differentiated-instruction/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), and [scaffolding](https://www.edutopia.org/blog/scaffolding-lessons-six-strategies-rebecca-alber?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). But what if we don't understand the kid? Let the kids tell us what they need, they're the expert on themselves. I think that the narrative needs to change in a big way. And it won't just help students with disabilities, it'll help all students because we have so many students falling through the cracks. Not only for students with disabilities but also for students of color and ESL students. How are we going to close the [achievement gap](https://www.edweek.org/leadership/achievement-gap/2004/09?ref=pleaforthefifth.com#:~:text=The%20%E2%80%9Cachievement%20gap%E2%80%9D%20in%20education,rates%2C%20among%20other%20success%20measures.) for all students? Let's use this new narrative for them. Let's make kids know that we believe that they can do it. Let them show us how. Cover photograph: Author and educator Amy Sela photographed in her classroom at I.S. 24 in Great Kills, Staten Island on May 6, 2021\. **[Photograph by Olga Ginzburg](https://www.instagram.com/ginzburgphoto/?hl=en&ref=pleaforthefifth.com)** for Plea for the Fifth *Disclaimer: Plea for the Fifth reporter, Valeriana Dema, and interviewee, Amy Sela, are distant extended family members. The main goal of this article is to share how a strength-based approach can be used as a tool to teach students with disabilities. However, it's also a top priority for Plea for the Fifth to be as transparent as possible about any conflicts of interest.* ### April In Review URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/april2021newsletter/ Last updated: 2024-01-03T17:39:46.000Z 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 Wetlands**](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/a-last-stand-for-the-wetlands/) Written by [Jacqueline Caruso](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/jacqueline/) [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/04/Staten_Island_North_Shore_Wetlands_9.jpg)](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/a-last-stand-for-the-wetlands/) PC Paul Moakley for Plea For The Fifth *On March 24, 2021, a march to bring awareness to the effort to save the Graniteville Wetlands was hosted on the North Shore. Plans to build Wholesale Club store, gas station, and an 838-car parking lot at the site have faced strong opposition in recent years.* --- # [**A Year Later: How COVID-19 Has Changed Life at CSI**](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/covid-19-has-changed-life-at-csi/) Written by[ ](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/sean/)[Chad Small](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/chad/) [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/04/CUNY_CSI_COVID_01.jpg)](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/covid-19-has-changed-life-at-csi/) PC [Maria Rosas](https://mariarosas803.myportfolio.com/home?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) for Plea For The Fifth *Pandemic-led changes to higher education coupled with years of budget cuts and a tuition hikes across the CUNY system are poised to exacerbate longstanding problems for current and prospective students of the College of Staten Island.* --- # [**City Council D-49 Candidates Forum**](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/city-council-d-49-candidates-forum/) Written by[ Sean Ghazala](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/sean/) [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/04/City_Council_Web-1-1.png)](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/city-council-d-49-candidates-forum/) Illustration by [Xio](https://www.instagram.com/xprexions/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) *PFT5 brought District 49 City Council candidates and voters together for policy discussion on the environment, the economy, policing, cannabis and more.* Watch the [forum ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XL%5FwhVFiUjs&ab%5Fchannel=PleafortheFifth&ref=pleaforthefifth.com)now on our [YouTube ](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX4tSsGcBWPSZnrIFQr0AHA?ref=pleaforthefifth.com)channel [LIKE, SUBSCRIBE & TELL A FRIEND!](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX4tSsGcBWPSZnrIFQr0AHA?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) --- # [**Follow the Money (D-51): Entry 1**](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/follow-the-money-d-51-entry-1/) Written by [Nicolette Suberska](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/nicolette/) [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/04/Money-map.png)](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/follow-the-money-d-51-entry-1/) Illustration by [Xio](https://www.instagram.com/xprexions/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) *Entry 1 of our Follow the Money series for District 51 revealed how Republican incumbent Joe Borelli has outraised Democratic newcomer, Olivia Drabczyk by almost $10,000\. But Drabczyk has received approximately 70% more donations than Borelli.* --- # [**A Coalition of Muslim Staten Islanders Meet with Eric Adams and Other Mayoral Candidates**](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/a-coalition-of-muslim-staten-islanders-meet-with-eric-adams-and-other-mayoral-candidates-2/) Written by [Valeriana Dema](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/valeriana/) [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/04/Staten_Island_Muslim_Community_Smit_03-1.jpg)](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/a-coalition-of-muslim-staten-islanders-meet-with-eric-adams-and-other-mayoral-candidates-2/) *Brooklyn Borough President and retired NYPD captain, Eric Adams becomes the first of 2021 mayoral hopefuls to speak with the Staten Island's Muslim community during a virtual meeting in March 2021.* --- ### MORE FROM PFT5'S *FOLLOW THE MONEY SERIES* # [Follow the Money (D-49): Entry 1](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/follow-the-money-d-49-entry-1/) # [Follow the Money (D-49): Entry 2](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/follow-the-money-d-49-entry-2/) ## Both written by [Chad Small](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/chad/) --- ## Say Hello To [Xio](https://www.instagram.com/xprexions/?hl=en&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) My name is [Jovanny Guerrero](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/jovanny/), but I like to use xio because I want to separate my identity with the origin of my name. I was born in Port Richmond, went to Mexico and came back when I was 5, ever since I have been raised in Port Richmond and West Brighton. Through education of my own and several people I picked up Marxist ideology. I come from a working class family, and community. I'm currently organizing locally with [Shaolin Rising](https://www.instagram.com/shaolin%5Frising/?hl=en&ref=pleaforthefifth.com). I studied architecture in NYCCT. I am currently unemployed and free lancing through art gigs. Most of the [art](https://www.instagram.com/xprexions/?hl=en&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) I do for now is graphics. I am getting more into selling paintings and flower pots. I love soccer, although I no longer play it, I now just watch my favorite team or keep up with score boards. I appreciate Plea for giving me the space and platform to show some [illustrations](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/jovanny/). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/05/signal-2021-05-01-105639-1.jpeg) --- # [**Write With Us!**](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/contribute/) We accept pitches for articles from freelance journalists and those that don’t have publishing experience, but are interested in pitching us a story or writing with us. We want to hear from those who believe they have an under-reported Staten Island story. Currently, we are accepting op-eds. You can find out more information about contributing to Plea For The Fifth [here](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/contribute/), or email us at [editor@pleaforthefifth.com](mailto:editor@pleaforthefifth.com). | [![Facebook icon](https://dim.mcusercontent.com/https/cdn-images.mailchimp.com%2Ficons%2Fsocial-block-v2%2Fcolor-facebook-48.png?w=44&dpr=2)](https://www.facebook.com/PleafortheFifth) | [![Instagram icon](https://dim.mcusercontent.com/https/cdn-images.mailchimp.com%2Ficons%2Fsocial-block-v2%2Fcolor-instagram-48.png?w=44&dpr=2)](https://www.instagram.com/pleaforthefifth/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) | [![Twitter icon](https://dim.mcusercontent.com/https/cdn-images.mailchimp.com%2Ficons%2Fsocial-block-v2%2Fcolor-twitter-48.png?w=44&dpr=2)](https://twitter.com/pleaforthefifth?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) | [![Website icon](https://dim.mcusercontent.com/https/cdn-images.mailchimp.com%2Ficons%2Fsocial-block-v2%2Fcolor-link-48.png?w=44&dpr=2)](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/) | [![Email icon](https://dim.mcusercontent.com/https/cdn-images.mailchimp.com%2Ficons%2Fsocial-block-v2%2Fcolor-email-48.png?w=44&dpr=2)](mailto:editor@pleaforthefifth.com) | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ### A Last Stand for The Wetlands URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/a-last-stand-for-the-wetlands/ Last updated: 2024-05-23T14:30:06.000Z On Saturday, April 24 there will be a [march bringing awareness](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/save-graniteville-wetlands-an-earth-day-march-tickets-145802030799?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) to the effort to [save the Graniteville Wetlands](https://linktr.ee/savethegranitevillewetlands?fbclid=IwAR1rLp2IcNKb9ViT-hl4DH14JC1qGssYg-WMXyRrMsr5DuqfDxazzYLkZhY&ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Plans to build a BJ’s Wholesale Club store, gas station, and an 838-car parking lot at the site have faced [strong opposition in recent years](https://www.silive.com/news/2019/08/scott-stringer-urges-dec-to-deny-permits-for-bjs-development-in-wetlands-malliotakis-wants-public-hearing.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). In the past few months, however, many more groups and individuals on the Island have been mobilizing to protect the Wetlands as destruction approaches. In December 2020 the NYC Department of Buildings (DOB) gave the developer [Josif A LLC](https://www.herrick.com/matters/josif-a-llc-staten-island-retail-development/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) – a frequent commercial developer on the North Shore – permission to start clearing the forest, but activists have been exploring litigation to halt the demolition. The BJ’s project, which would remove 18 acres of marshland, could put thousands of homes and businesses at greater flood-risk, threaten local waterways with possible oil spills, and remove thousands of [carbon-absorbing trees.](https://www.milliontreesnyc.org/html/urban%5Fforest/urban%5Fforest%5Fbenefits.shtml?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/04/Staten_Island_North_Shore_Wetlands_2.jpg) Old and new growth along the border between the forest and the wetlands in Graniteville, Staten Island, in April 2021\. The unique area contains broad expanses of both swamp and upland forest, marshes, and creeks. The City Council first gave the greenlight in 2017 after a series of votes to rezone the land, and approved the developer’s special permit request to build a commercial space in a manufacturing zone. Since then, the [Staten Island Coalition for Wetlands and Forests](https://www.sicwf.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) (SICWF), headed by former Park's Department architect [Gabriella Velard-Ward](https://anthropocenealliance.org/stories-gabriella-velardiward?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), has been leading the effort to save the Wetlands. Since the [New York Times](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/28/nyregion/wetlands-staten-island-bjs.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com#commentsContainer) reported on the issue in October 2020, national and local groups have joined in on the effort. The [Anthropocene Alliance](https://anthropocenealliance.org/higherground?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) and [The Sierra Club’s Atlantic Chapter](https://atlantic2.sierraclub.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) have thrown their national and regional [support](https://atlantic2.sierraclub.org/content/staten-island-wetlands-danger?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) behind SICWF. Locally, [Staten Island’s chapter](https://www.facebook.com/statenislanddsa/) of the Democratic Socialists of America has been conducting weekly meetings organizing individuals passionate about the cause. [Citizen Action!](https://citizenactionny.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [Staten Island Women who March](https://www.siwomenwhomarch.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [CWA Local 1102](https://www.cwa-1102.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [SI Pride Center](https://www.pridecentersi.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), and[ others](https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=939793146773956&set=g.265495021800447) have also pledged their support to protect the Wetlands and promote Saturday’s march. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/04/Staten_Island_North_Shore_Wetlands_3.jpg) Dense residential housing developments bordering South Ave are seen through the woods in Graniteville, Staten Island, April 2021\. The land is on the proposed site of a BJ’s Wholesale Club and and 800-car parking lot planned over 18 acres of wetlands. Head of organizing the April 24 march is local horticulturist, Aly Stoffo, better known on social media as forager and businesswoman, [Glam Gardener](https://www.glamgardenernyc.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Stoffo brings much-needed attention to the copious greenspace Staten Island has to offer on Instagram, where she demonstrates foraging for edible plants and mushrooms. Stoffo has also been working on a short documentary about the Wetlands since 2019 to be released in June of this year. Stoffo got involved in grassroots Wetlands advocacy in 2019 when SICWF was [first petitioning](https://gothamist.com/news/plan-turn-staten-island-wetlands-bjs-wholesale-club-moves-forward?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) the [New York Department of Environmental Conservation](https://www.dec.ny.gov/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) (NYSDEC). The group’s request for a public hearing was ultimately denied, but Stoffo stayed committed “I was collecting petitions from the art community while working as a bartender selling my home-grown-mint mojitos in compostable cups,” she recounted. She soon found herself an independent activist becoming more deeply involved in the cause as then a filmmaker and, two years later, an organizer of this Saturday’s march. The march currently has almost three-hundred marchers registered and growing support from [local and regional groups](https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=939793146773956&set=g.265495021800447). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/04/Staten_Island_North_Shore_Wetlands_4.jpg) Gabriella Velardi-Ward, who lives in the neighborhood, leads the Staten Island Coalition of Wetlands and Forests (SICWF), which has been fighting for over three years to stop the development on the 18-acre wetland site. [Velardi-Ward](https://anthropocenealliance.org/stories-gabriella-velardiward?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), a current Graniteville resident, is another unrelenting voice of the cause to save the Wetlands. She regularly gives interviews and lectures about the issue, and [recently spoke](https://click.everyaction.com/k/27532224/280375213/-1139784749?nvep=ew0KICAiVGVuYW50VXJpIjogIm5ncHZhbjovL3Zhbi9QRUFDVC9QRUFDVC8xLzg3MzUzIiwNCiAgIkRpc3RyaWJ1dGlvblVuaXF1ZUlkIjogIjg3ZjcxZDQzLTFmOWItZWIxMS04NWFhLTAwNTBmMjM3YWJlZiIsDQogICJFbWFpbEFkZHJlc3MiOiAiSmFjcXVlbGluZS5nLmNhcnVzb0BnbWFpbC5jb20iDQp9&hmac=Wguu3BbtCkgddKkWYzTule7kAHBDwNrnTwNd6xdXP4g=&emci=634545c4-109b-eb11-85aa-0050f237abef&emdi=87f71d43-1f9b-eb11-85aa-0050f237abef&ceid=293368&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) with [Peace Action Staten Island](http://peacesi.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) at a virtual conference. Central to Velardi-Ward’s campaign to save the Wetlands is reminding folks that there is more at stake here than some trees; this is a microcosm of what is happening around the world. “We’re supposed to be lowering our emissions, not raising them,” Velardi-ward continued “we lose this forest, we lose the ability to sequester carbon, and by cutting them down we will lose that ability and allow emissions to occur.” The site for the proposed development was [previously zoned for manufacturing](https://www.nypap.org/preservation-history/1961-new-york-city-zoning-resolution/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), but after going through the [Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP)](https://www1.nyc.gov/site/planning/applicants/applicant-portal/step5-ulurp-process.page?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) and a series of reviews by other city agencies, it fell to the City Council to make the final decision. [In October 2017 City Council approved a special permit](https://www.citylandnyc.org/council-approves-retail-development-staten-island-wetlands/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) to build a commercial space at the site in a vote 50-1; the lone dissenting vote was cast by Inez Barron of Brooklyn’s District 42, who cited increased flood-risk as her reasoning. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/04/Staten_Island_North_Shore_Wetlands_5.jpg) Fresh markers painted on trees during a land survey run throughout the forest in Graniteville on April 18, 2021\. Ultimately, it was current District 49 City Council Member Debi Rose’s support for the plan that swayed the rest of the Council to follow suit and vote in favor for the development in her district. At the time, Rose characterized concerns from environmentalists, like Velardi-Ward of the SICWF and Tony Rose of the [Environmental Communicators](https://www.facebook.com/StatenIslandECT/), as [“scare tactics](https://www.silive.com/news/2017/10/controversial%5Fbjs%5Fdevelopment.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com).” Land use lawyer and legal representative for Josif A LLC, [Mitchell Korbey](https://www.herrick.com/mitchell-a-korbey/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [suggested in unfounded claims](https://www.silive.com/news/2017/10/conservationists%5Ffighting%5Fto%5Fp.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) that the “project will not only buffer the wetlands and protect them, but it will also improve their functionality.” In 2019 the NYSDEC denied SICWF’s [request for a public hearing](https://takerootjustice.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/TakeRoot-Justice-Comment-Letter-South-Ave-Retail.pdf?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) \- which was supported by 1,700 letters from Staten Islanders - citing insufficient need, [and immediately granted the permit to demolish the area.](https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/permits%5Fej%5Foperations%5Fpdf/southaveretailpermit.pdf?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) This setback did not stop SICWF and Velardi-Ward from continuing to demand justice. In late 2019 the group was ready to file a lawsuit against NYSDEC for granting the construction permit instead of conducting [an ecological investigation](https://www.silive.com/news/2019/01/endangered-turtle-may-slow-progress-of-controversial-bjs-development.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) in a timely manner, not hosting a public hearing, and refusal to provide a sufficient [environmental impact statement (EIS)](https://www.dec.ny.gov/permits/6204.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). However, changes in legal representation and the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic led to delays in the suit’s progress. SICWF still hasn't had their day in court. “In three years, we have not been able to present our merits in a courtroom,” Velardi-Ward recently remarked. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/04/Staten_Island_North_Shore_Wetlands_6.jpg) A bus stop along South Avenue and Amador Street on the border of the wetlands on April 2021. In December 2020, when NYC DOB gave Josif A LLC permission to clear the land, SICWF regrouped. At the beginning of March they appealed a previous ruling and eventually filed for an injunction to pause the demolition of the area. A decision on the injunction is expected no later than May 1. Some see the necessity of the injunction as a result of uneven enforcement by the NYSDEC in determining which areas are and aren’t protected by New York’s [environmental conservation law.](https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/laws/ENV?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) The difficulty of mapping the Wetlands due to their ever-changing nature has led to inconsistent classification of the land. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/04/Staten_Island_North_Shore_Wetlands_7-1.jpg) The remains of one of many old cars dumped in wetlands, April 2021\. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/04/Staten_Island_North_Shore_Wetlands_8.jpg) Geese populate the space between the marshlands and the parking lot of the former Regal UA Staten Island, a 14 screen multiplex on Forest Ave in Mariners Harbor, that’s now up for lease. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/04/Staten_Island_North_Shore_Wetlands_9.JPG) Mixed commercial and residential property at the end of Morrow St. in Graniteville is reflected in the marshes and creeks that closely boarder the neighborhood in April 2021. “It’s very important to be mapped, and it’s very important to be publicly owned,” noted Velardi-Ward when asked about how wetlands are classified. The federal Fishing and Wildlife Service [only designates some parts](https://www.fws.gov/wetlands/data/mapper.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) of the Graniteville Wetlands area as wetlands – notably, not the privately-owned portion. For decades the landowners (first Joseph, and now Charles Alpert) [have been fighting to develop their land commercially](https://www.kramerlevin.com/images/content/6/1/v2/61601/705019-2020-GABRIELLA-VELARDI-WARD-v-GABRIELLA-VELARDI-WARD-ORDE.pdf?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). In 2012, NYSDEC approved the Alperts’ claim that 18 acres of their nearly 30 acre property – some of which was previously classified as “within and adjacent” to the Graniteville Freshwater Wetland – was now suitable for development. Although NYSDEC [acknowledges that](https://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/wildlife%5Fpdf/wetart24b.pdf?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) “wetland boundaries are likely to change over time, and the law provides for amending the maps to reflect these changes,” Velardi-Ward wishes that rule could be enforced now. In November 2020, she noticed a previously uncharted body of water in the area slated for the BJ’s. Based on the NYSDEC rule, discovery of this new body of water should trigger a new investigation to reclassify some parts of the area. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/04/Staten_Island_North_Shore_Wetlands_10.jpg) Robins can be seen in the wetland along with Redwing blackbirds, American woodcocks, and many different species. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/04/Staten_Island_North_Shore_Wetlands_11.jpg) A broken mirror sits with piles of trash illegally dumped along the banks of the swampland and the former movie theater in Mariners Harbor. The situation at the Wetlands is just one example of concerns regarding overdevelopment, gentrification, industrialization and [corporatization](http://empireoutlets.nyc/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) of the North Shore. A new wave of development in recent years spearheaded by multinational corporations like [Amazon](https://maketheroadny.org/amid-building-boom-amazon-faces-complaints-from-warehouse-workers/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [Ikea](https://chainstoreage.com/real-estate/ikea-opens-million-sq-ft-fulfillment-center-on-staten-island?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), and BJ’s is reducing the last remaining greenspace in favor of large warehouses and stores, as well as increasing commercial traffic. This has led to disproportionate increases in environmental hazards. In contrast, the South Shore is the beneficiary of [huge investments from the city](https://www.silive.com/news/2020/10/construction-of-75m-mid-island-bluebelt-to-begin.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), including funds from the city’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), to protect and expand greenspace while providing [better flood protection and water management](https://www1.nyc.gov/site/dep/news/20-035/-75-million-expansion-mid-island-bluebelt-underway?ref=pleaforthefifth.com#/0). There are some who worry that if the injunction fails, the Wetlands could only be saved by being purchased by the city, state, or another entity and [rezoned](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/15/nyregion/breaking-down-the-citys-rezoning-process.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) as a park. Though unlikely, it's clear that many in the area want developers, environmental groups, and state and city leaders to protect one of the most significant greenspaces in the most industrial corner of the Island: the last forest on Forest Avenue, and now a prominent symbol of Staten Island’s climate movement. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/04/Staten_Island_North_Shore_Wetlands_14.jpg) The Graniteville Swamp seen at dawn contains mostly marshland, filled with cordgrass and common reed useful in the absorption of water from storms. **Photographs by** Paul Moakley for Plea For The Fifth ### A Year Later: How COVID-19 Has Changed Life at CSI URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/covid-19-has-changed-life-at-csi/ Last updated: 2024-05-23T15:49:39.000Z It’s been just over a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, and the effects have been dire. New York is reeling from nearly 50,000 deaths accompanied by an unemployment crisis. In better times, higher education would be the go-to economic stabilizer. The pandemic, however, has completely transformed – largely worsening – how colleges and universities function. Years of budget cuts combined with the [state’s budget shortfall due to the pandemic](https://gothamist.com/news/cuny-grapples-with-devastating-budget-cuts-people-are-freaking-out-or-getting-fired?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) have led to[ tuition hikes across the CUNY system](https://diverseeducation.com/article/178588/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) which has long been responsible for the city’s social mobility. For Staten Islanders in particular, pandemic-led changes to higher education (most severe for public universities) are poised to exacerbate longstanding problems for current and prospective students. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/04/CUNY_CSI_COVID_02.JPG) The doors outside of the biology and science building at the College of Staten Island on April 16, 2021\. CREDIT: [Maria Rosas](https://mariarosas803.myportfolio.com/home?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) for Plea For The Fifth The College of Staten Island (CSI), as the borough’s only CUNY institution, is tasked with conferring both two-year and four-year degrees for Staten Islanders. As a CUNY institution, one of CSI’s core missions is to provide a high quality, affordable education. History professor Michael Batson noted that “more than half of \[CSI\] students are coming from [households making less than $30,000](https://www1.cuny.edu/mu/forum/2015/11/06/cuny-students-go-for-the-value/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com).” The affordability of CSI has made it attractive to many prospective students – and in some cases can be the only affordable option when compared to the borough’s more expensive, private options: St. John’s University and Wagner College. Presently, the CUNY fee hike currently stands at $320 – or close to 10 percent of[ CSI’s tuition](https://www.csi.cuny.edu/admissions/paying-college/tuition-and-fees?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Increasing prices to attend CSI could compromise its ability to attract students, leading to further budget cuts. “Enrollment the previous five years had seen a pattern of downs, and it was having a big impact on our budget,” explained George Emilio Sanchez, Chairperson of the Department of Performing and Creative Arts and Vice Chair of the Executive Committee of the College Council. “Because of the austerity funding from the state, a campus’ enrollment is really important” Because CUNY funding is tied to enrollment, a pandemic that makes higher education more difficult for both students and professors could potentially create a death spiral for the system. Many students (notably undergraduates, which represent [92 percent of CSI’s student body](https://applications.csi.cuny.edu/Institutional%5FProfile/SemesterEnroll%5FProfile.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com)) find online learning to be subpar. Janyah Mercedes, a CSI freshman, lamented that remote learning – a necessity for safe learning in the pandemic – has been both socially and academically isolating. CSI has largely been closed to students and faculty since March 2020, with few exceptions. This has stopped students, like Mercedes, from meeting and interacting with each other in person. Some courses are small enough that Zoom could facilitate connections with classmates, but that’s seldom the case. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/04/CUNY_CSI_COVID_03.JPG) The entrance to the library at the College of Staten Island on April 16, 2021\. CREDIT: [Maria Rosas](https://mariarosas803.myportfolio.com/home?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) for Plea For The Fifth “It \[is\] just so important for freshmen to make a new class of friends, and from what I can tell that is really difficult to do in the Zoom environment,” said Associate Professor and Chair of Psychology, Dan McCloskey. “How do you run into somebody in between classes that you know from your freshman psychology class \[if\] you're in class and maybe your camera is on? Probably it's not.” This social breakdown is also present between students and professors. Mercedes said that professors were more likely to “ignore” students during remote instruction. She mentioned that at times she felt like professors, “forget that you're there, and \[do\] not answer your emails.” Oscar Chan, a second year Masters student in neuroscience, echoed Mercedes sentiments on student-professor communication. While Chan has felt very much supported by McCloskey, his research advisor, he’s had a more difficult time connecting with the chair of his department and some other faculty. “When it's in person we see our chair, but during COVID I think I saw him like once a semester,” Chan recounted. “He'll hold a five-minute meeting once or so in the beginning of semester, \[answering\] any questions for 15 minutes, and then it's like you never see him ever again.” Chan was also worried about COVID's impact on professional development at CSI. The pandemic has prevented students pursuing advanced degrees from interacting at career development events, like resume workshops. “I think the stress levels could be very high for some grad students to try to figure out what the expectations of the job market are going to look like if you didn't produce as much as the student who graduated the year before you,” McCloskey explained. In lieu of conventional hands-on, lab experience, McCloskey has Chan and other students in his research group reading research papers, and analyzing pre-recorded data. While this isn’t comprehensive, graduate research experience, Chan maintains that he still appreciates this guidance. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/04/CUNY_CSI_COVID_04.JPG) The path to the dining hall at the College of Staten Island on April 16, 2021\. CREDIT: [Maria Rosas](https://mariarosas803.myportfolio.com/home?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) for Plea For The Fifth Mercedes said her undergraduate professors have been less diligent with their direction. This has created a particularly difficult situation for her as a physics major, because hands-on lab courses are required for her degree. “In person, you can get your data right away, \[and\] you can get a synopsis of what the lab is about,” she explained. “When you're at home, you're kind of lost, and when you have a lab professor that doesn't explain, you have to do all this research on your own.” Home living situations have also exacerbated issues with remote learning. Batson highlighted that the pandemic has forced many CSI students (some who live in multigenerational households) into spaces not ideal for learning. He recalled being “on calls with students who are sharing a computer with two or three other siblings.” The switch to remote learning has also exposed inequities in access to technology. “I contacted \[a\] student, \[and\] found out they didn't have access to a computer so they were literally writing the homework out, then taking a picture of it with their phone, and then sending that in to me,” he said. Since March of last year, the CUNY system has attempted to make computers available to students who need them, but this initiative alone is not enough. It’s also no substitute for stable Wi-Fi – a necessity for online learning. These stressors are compounded by the threat of the deadly virus itself. “I have a lot of empathy for students dealing with a health crisis, a pandemic, people getting sick, if not dying, and then you're not leaving the house, \[and\] you don't have work,” Emilio Sanchez said. “It's a challenge and some professors’ methodologies haven't adjusted to the new format.” For much of CSI’s teaching staff, remote learning is as much uncharted and undesirable territory for them as it is for students. Converting courses to hybrid or totally remote learning is [difficult and time consuming](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s42438-020-00155-y?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), and professors can struggle to discern student comprehension of material. “I don't think I know any professors that prefer teaching like this,” McCloskey said. “None of us were trained to teach in an online environment.” The effects of the pandemic and remote learning have burnt out and disheartened both faculty and students. The frustration of students, however, has the most catastrophic potential for CSI. Last fall, Areba Ghafoor, a senior at Port Richmond High School, dual enrolled in two college level courses at CSI. Her experience was less than stellar and has made her reconsider CSI. “This professor, she didn't get back to me, and I was doing my best trying to work through the kinks with [Blackboard](https://www.cuny.edu/about/administration/offices/cis/core-functions/cuny-blackboard/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com),” Ghafoor said. “The professor was really understanding of that, but I couldn't even get in touch with anyone \[to ask,\] ‘Hey, how am I supposed to fix this?’” Lack of support while working through technical issues – a common feature of remote instruction – is one of the reasons Ghafoor is no longer considering CSI for college. She has also witnessed the struggles her cousin, a current CSI student, is going through during the pandemic. Ghafoor is still considering other CUNY schools like City College, Brooklyn College, and Baruch College. While issues like ones that Ghafoor, Mercedes, and Chan mentioned have been happening at other CUNY institutions, the singularity of CSI as the borough’s only affordable, public higher education option makes these issues more dire for Staten Islanders and the college itself. While those in other boroughs might have multiple public options in nearby – or a short train ride away – Staten Island students do not. In an environment where remote learning is an option Staten Island students can enroll at other, similarly priced CUNY schools across the city, to determine if they may have a better experience. Some prospective Staten Island students are also foregoing higher education, temporarily or permanently. Mercedes also indicated that while many of her peers from her time at New Dorp High School are considering CSI, some are choosing to take gap years and semesters off before enrolling. The loss of Staten Island applicants, in particular, could pose deep budgetary issues for CSI. Although total enrollment at CSI didn’t decline significantly from fall 2019 to fall 2020, the number of new students from Staten Island did. CSI enrollees from Staten Island fell by over five percent – the largest single year-to-year since 2015\. With 66 percent of the student body coming from CSI’s home borough, losing Staten Islanders could imperil future funding. Some faculty believe that CSI should be utilizing its 204-acre park-like campus to create opportunities for socially distanced, outdoor learning. This solution is limited by weather and the fact that some courses require materials like Smartboards for comprehensive instruction. Ruth Silverberg, an Education professor and Director of the Community-Based Leadership Doctoral Program, also noted that staffing issues might make outdoor learning difficult to implement. Over the course of the pandemic, many of CSI’s public safety officers resigned, and a [CUNY hiring freeze](https://www.gothamgazette.com/state/9905-cuny-leaders-pressed-layoffs-adjuncts-professors-city-council?ref=pleaforthefifth.com#:~:text=CUNY%20instituted%20a%20hiring%20freeze,has%20saved%20CUNY%20%2433%20million.) makes it impossible to quickly rehire needed staff. Both students and faculty are looking forward to the possibility of in-person instruction this upcoming fall semester as New York’s vaccination program is soon[ opening to all New Yorkers](https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-new-yorkers-30-years-age-and-older-will-be-eligible-receive-covid-19?ref=pleaforthefifth.com#:~:text=Beginning%20March%2030%2C%20all%20New,House%2C%22%20Governor%20Cuomo%20said.). Many in the CSI community are hoping that a repopulation of campus will save the school both financially and culturally. As McCloskey noted, CSI is a campus that thrives as students are able to “communicate with one another” and “make a new class of friends,” two things that have been impossible over the last year. --- **Cover Photo:** Health and safety signage at the entrance to the Center for the Arts building at the College of Staten Island on April 16, 2021. **CREDIT:** [Maria Rosas](https://mariarosas803.myportfolio.com/home?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) for Plea For The Fifth ### City Council D-49 Candidates Forum URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/city-council-d-49-candidates-forum/ Last updated: 2021-04-17T17:56:34.000Z Plea for the Fifth's City Council D-49 Candidates Forum will be held Monday from 7 PM to 9 PM, in a three-part format of short answer, quick fire, and closing with questions from the audience. Confirmed candidates participating include Amoy Barnes, Selina Grey, Kamillah Hanks, John McBeth, Troy McGhie, Ranti Ogunleye, Kelvin Richards, Aidan Rivera, and Michael Schnall. The free event will be held via Zoom webinar. I will be moderating. Reserve your ticket on Eventbrite to attend. [City Council District 49 Candidates ForumPlea for the Fifths first ever City Council Candidate’s Forum begins with the crowded race for District 49.![](https://cdn.evbstatic.com/s3-build/perm_001/477279/django/images/favicons/favicon-194x194.png)Eventbrite![](https://img.evbuc.com/https%3A%2F%2Fcdn.evbuc.com%2Fimages%2F127442619%2F516968849561%2F1%2Foriginal.20210227-221928?w=1000&auto=format%2Ccompress&q=75&sharp=10&rect=0%2C578%2C1622%2C811&s=39eca2f1d4f801d27ede7a1459d8d021)](https://www.eventbrite.com/e/city-council-district-49-candidates-forum-tickets-142585748813?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) Read below for a brief background on participating candidates who responded to our request in time for publication. - Amoy Barnes - Kamillah Hanks - Ranti Ogunleye - Aidan Rivera - Kelvin Richards - Michael Schnall ## Amoy Barnes Amoy has called Staten Island my home since she was four years old. Her mother, like many before her, took a leap of faith and immigrated with her young daughter to America. She believed in the promise of a better future and the limitless opportunities of the American dream. After serving at the State, Federal and Municipal level Amoy believes that people deserve: service, transparency and dignity when interacting with government. With an engaged constituency and the right leadership: government can work. Amoy is a proud member of the: Staten Island Democratic Club, Young Democrats of Staten Island, Staten Island Women Who March, NAACP, Staten Island National Council of Negro Women, and an Alumna Peace Corp volunteer. Amoy is committed to uplifting the North Shore by supporting small businesses, demanding more accessible Healthcare, promoting community schools and addressing the scarcity of affordable housing. Amoy believes that we deserve state of the art infrastructure and investment; as your City Council Member Amoy will fight tirelessly to secure them. Amoy's endorsements include:‌‌ UFT, ‌‌CSA, ‌‌WFP, ‌‌DC37, ‌‌Unite Here Local 100‌‌, SEIU 1199, ‌‌21 in 21, ‌‌Women of Color for Progress, ‌‌32BJ, ‌‌Central Labor Council, ‌‌Community Voices Heard, ‌‌Make the Road Action, ‌‌Road to Justice NYC‌‌, CWA District 1, ‌‌CWA Local 1101, ‌‌CWA Local 1102‌‌, AFLCIO - HTC‌‌, NY State Senator Jessica Ramos‌‌, NY State Senator John Liu‌, ‌Jim Owles Club‌‌, & Run For Something. ## Kamillah Hanks Born and raised in Park Hill, Kamillah Hanks is a native Staten Islander and proud mother of four who has been a leader and advocate for positive economic development in the North Shore of Staten Island for nearly two decades. Kamillah attended LaGuardia High School of Music & Performing Arts and studied marketing and finance at the College of Staten Island. Kamillah has over 20 years of experience in both the public and private sectors. In 2012, Kamillah founded the Historic Tappen Park Community Partnership, where she works with civic leaders, community groups, and local schools to boost cultural and economic development in Stapleton and surrounding neighborhoods. Kamillah pioneered Staten Island’s first YouthBuild program, which provides a pathway for out of school, out of work young adults with advanced vocational education, leadership development, job training and valuable life skills. In 2018, YouthBuild Staten Island was one of two organizations in NYC to receive $1.1 million from the U.S. Department of Labor. For her efforts during the pandemic, Ms. Hanks was awarded with the honor of being named a 2020 Woman of Achievement for creating a training program at the height of the pandemic that produced over 5000 face shields for firefighters, first responders and medical professionals. In August 2020, Kamillah founded the Minority Women in Business Association to advocate for women of color to become MWBE certified and receive government contracts. Her advocacy earned her a place as an honoree for the Young, Gifted and Black Entrepreneurial awards in February of 2021. As a Council Member, Kamillah will create a master plan that integrates a solid infrastructure and encourages sensible development that benefits the residents of the 49th District, while preserving our rich historic districts and neighborhoods. She will create educational initiatives that build career pathways through union apprentice programs and advocate for truly affordable and quality housing for people earning minimum wage as well as working and middle-class residents. Kamillah will bring good paying, quality jobs to the district, and provide funding and resources that improve our district’s healthcare, transportation, and school systems. ## Ranti Ogunleye Ranti Ogunleye is a dynamic community leader, youth advocate, and educator. Raised in Park Hill and Stapleton by hardworking Nigerian immigrants, Ranti’s commitment to helping others was fostered by their values and his early experiences. Ranti is a lifelong member of the North Shore community. Ranti grew up playing at the Cromwell Center and attended Curtis High School, where he eventually became an Educator. At Curtis, he taught our students how to be global citizens and showed them how their struggles were connected to the global ones for economic opportunity, and global peace. Ranti has served his community as the Director of the Urban League on Staten Island, providing resources to our most vulnerable. Ranti has also supported the growth of hundreds of youth as an Adjunct Professor at the College of Staten Island. For over 20 years, he has poured his heart and soul into the North Shore. But leadership isn’t just preparing for the future, it’s about protecting our present. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ranti stood up for the North Shore. As the Cornerstone Director of the Carter Center, Ranti secured thousands of COVID-19 tests. Ranti has worked with our families to make sure they have mental health care, daycare and afterschool programs to get them through the pandemic. Ranti’s commitment to improving the lives of those who have been underserved and had their voices ignored is at the core of who he is. His hand and heart has always been on the pulse of how communities develop and thrive, and he is committed to making certain that all of the North Shore is represented in City Hall. From Arlington to Rosebank, from Port Richmond to Sunnyside, we need to build power from within. The Northshore is our home, and we need leaders who come from the people, not politicians. Now, it’s time City Hall knows us. Ranti is ready to serve as your councilman and fight alongside you to secure our future to build a North Shore for all. ## Aidan Rivera Aidan Rivera is a young Staten Island native from the North Shore. Growing up in a working class household he was no stranger to worrying about heat in the winter or visiting a local food pantry. It was through his family’s struggle that he learned what can be accomplished when the community comes together. In high school Aidan became aware of the importance of local politics. At 15 he was the victim of gun violence. He immediately wanted to do something to make a change. He worked with local representatives and then City Councilmember Debi Rose on a couple of initiatives, the Safe Zones Program and the Ceasefire Initiative, to combat gun violence and violence overall. He also became a certified Peer Mediator, helping his peers resolve conflicts peacefully. In college he became a delegate competing in several Model United Nations conferences. This taught him about issues we all face, and how to successfully negotiate and connect with people. Then, he was lucky enough to intern with local City Council Member Debi Rose. Some of his best memories include interacting with constituents face to face and solving their concerns. Next, he spent time at the United Nations working with a Non Governmental Organization, IANSA, to combat small arms violence internationally. This showed him how important civil society and grassroots movements really are. He learned how true change comes from the ground up, with everyday people, fighting for what we believe in and what we need. If elected, he plans on using his skills and passion to enact necessary change. His platform seeks to address the needs of average people. Aidan will fight gun violence and income inequality and advocate for small businesses, LGBTQIA+ issues, gender equality, the immigrant population, and more. This means redefining what is considered "affordable housing" and creating more of it. It means increasing opportunities for small businesses and aiding existing businesses. Aidan will work with local, state, and federal law enforcement to curb gun violence. He will also ensure that New York City protects the civil rights of all person's. ## Kelvin Richards Kelvin Richards is a public defender who has dedicated his life to fighting for justice and standing up for those without a voice on the North Shore. Now, Kelvin is ready to bring his experience to the Council to fight for an equitable recovery from this pandemic and build a stronger, more just future here for his children and all our kids. As a child, Kelvin and his family fled the Liberian Civil War and lived in a refugee camp for five years. After witnessing the horrors of civil war and the passionate work of the UN volunteers, he was inspired to dedicate his life to helping others. He came to the U.S. as an asylum seeker and moved to Staten Island after high school. He experienced systemic racism for the first time as he was unconstitutionally stopped and frisked by the NYPD more than 20 times. Our communities here on the North Shore have been underserved and overlooked for far too long. Kelvin will fight to ensure that all North Shore residents have equal access to truly affordable housing, high quality healthcare, a world-class education, and good-paying jobs. On top of fighting for relief for our small businesses and working families, Kelvin will fight to address the underlying disparities that COVID-19 has uncovered, from economic inequality to the digital divide to unequal healthcare access. Kelvin has served as the Staten Island Liberian Community's (SILCA) youngest Vice President, the General Counsel for the African Community Association of Staten Island (ACASI), and a committee co-chair for New York State Bar Association's Task Force for Racial Injustice and Police Reform. Kelvin has been active in his community, leading the fight for safer streets and improvements to local parks. He and his wife are raising their two children in New Brighton. ## Michael Schnall A 14-year veteran of New York City government, Mike started his career with the NYC Council working as a Legislative Financial Analyst, and then running the City Hall legislative office of an NYC Council Member. Later, he served as NYC Parks' Director of Government Relations, and then the Staten Island Chief of Staff, for almost ten years during the Bloomberg administration. Most recently, Mike served as Vice President of Government Relations & Community Investment for New York Road Runners. He led the non-profit’s efforts to strengthen community engagement strategies around health and wellness. He oversaw a robust community investment portfolio that invested in parks and partnered with other non-profits, and Mike secured funding from City and State elected officials in support of youth, senior and community programming. In his 20 years of working in government and with non-profits, Mike has worked on all sides of the City’s budget battle and is deeply knowledgeable about how to secure the funding Staten Island’s north shore needs. Mike will work to protect and improve our quality of life, with a focus on a responsive Council office that ensures constituents receive the City services they deserve. He will fight to cut bureaucratic red tape for small businesses, ensure a steady supply of COVID-19 testing and vaccines, secure more healthcare options including services provided by Health + Hospitals, and secure the dollars needed to address the inequities in our education system. A product of the New York City public school system, Mike lives in the West Brighton/Sunset Hill neighborhood of Staten Island with his wife and two daughters. --- If you liked this piece and want to see more like it, please subscribe. ### Follow the Money (D-51): Entry 1 URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/follow-the-money-d-51-entry-1/ Last updated: 2024-01-02T16:15:03.000Z Staten Island has more than a handful of political seats up for grabs and an assortment of candidates hoping to fill them. Though for City Council District 51 on the South Shore, incumbent Councilman Joseph Borelli faces no opposition from within his own party in his reelection bid. Borelli has held the seat since winning a special election in November 2015 and is running unopposed for the June primary. In the general election, he'll face a newcomer, Democratic candidate, Olivia Drabczyk, a public school special education teacher who is running a grassroots campaign in the deeply conservative district. District 51 is Staten Island's southernmost City Council district spanning from Great Kills through Tottenville. Forty-two percent of registered voters in the district are registered Republicans, while 30 percent are registered Democrats. Borelli, a former state assemblyman and ardent Donald Trump supporter, is the heavy favorite. For Drabczyk to tie or beat Borelli in November, she would need at least 43 percent of registered voters unaffiliated with either Republican or Democratic party to vote for her – assuming everyone else votes along party lines. ***Donations at a Glance*** So far, District 51 has amassed a total of $54,436 in donations between both candidates. Of that total, $47,606 were donations from New York City donors, with $35,828 coming from Staten Island donors. There were 758 total donors for this City Council race; 669 of the donors live in New York City, and 526 live on Staten Island. Drabczyk’s campaign has approximately 70 percent more donors than Borelli’s campaign. She’s attracted 477 individual donors, with some living in more left-leaning parts of the Island outside of the district. For example, Drabczyk is receiving 12 percent of her Staten Island donations from ZIP code 10301 – located mostly in District 49\. In District 49, [58.9 percent of registered voters are Democrats and just 15.4 percent are Republicans](https://vote.nyc/sites/default/files/pdf/vote/2021/CityCouncil%5FActive%5FInactive%5FFeb21%5F2021.pdf?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Borelli has attracted 281 individual donors, but has outraised Drabczyk by almost $10,000 thanks to much larger contributions. The average donation received by Councilman Borelli from Staten Island donors was $114.20, almost 2.5 times more than the $46.85 average donation received by Drabczyk. Candidates in New York City can qualify for the [Matching Funds Program](https://www.nyccfb.info/program/how-it-works?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), which matches raised contributions eight-to-one for eligible candidates. This can help political newcomers without access to wealth or donor networks run viable, functional campaigns. For City Council candidates to qualify for this program, they must collect at least 75 individual donations of at least $10 from within the district in which they are running. Additionally, each contribution is only matched between $10 and $175, for a maximum of $1,400 in public funds per contribution. There are, however, a [few other caveats](https://www.nyccfb.info/program?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) for what counts as an eligible contribution (like demonstrating compliance with requirements of the program and Board rules). Almost 90 percent of Drabczyk’s contributions were eligible to be matched, meaning the majority of her donations were $175 or less. A significant number of Councilman Borelli’s contributions qualified as well, but at a significantly lower margin, with 64 percent of funds matched. ***Individual Candidates*** *Joseph Borelli* *City Councilmember D-51* Over two-thirds of Councilman Borelli’s donations were from Staten Island, and are concentrated in ZIP codes 10312, 10309 and 10307, all of which are part of District 51, where 41.9 percent of registered voters are Republicans. Councilman Borelli’s highest contribution is $1,000, with 8 donors contributing that amount. Of those donors, four are individuals all located on Staten Island, one of which is a chief in the FDNY. Three unions, [the Correction Officers Benevolent Association](https://www.cobanyc.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [Uniformed Fire Officers Associations,](https://www.ufoa.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) and [Transport Workers Union Local](http://www.twulocal101.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), and one PAC, the [Rent Stabilization Association](https://rsanyc.net/membership-application.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), are the remaining four donors. After contributions were matched with public funds, Councilman Borelli’s campaign budget totals $136,376\. *Olivia Drabczyk* *Public High School Special Education Teacher* Drabczyk’s contributions from Staten Island are spread throughout the Island, but most are concentrated in ZIP codes 10312, 10308, 10306 and 10301\. The average donation each of these four zip codes was less than $50\. Drabczyk’s highest donation is $1000, from one donor: the [Professional Staff Congress](https://www.psc-cuny.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), a local labor union for CUNY faculty and staff. After contributions were matched with public funds, Olivia Drabczyk’s total campaign budget totals $106,426. ***Things to Consider*** This piece will be updated in a follow-up article to reflect the next campaign finance figures in May. If you’re interested in the state of campaign financing in Staten Island’s other districts, read our [companion pieces](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/follow-the-money-d-49-entry-2/). --- **Cover Photo:** Illustration by [Xio](https://www.instagram.com/xprexions/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) ### A Coalition of Muslim Staten Islanders Meet with Eric Adams and Other Mayoral Candidates URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/a-coalition-of-muslim-staten-islanders-meet-with-eric-adams-and-other-mayoral-candidates-2/ Last updated: 2021-04-02T15:45:21.000Z 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 foreign policy in the Middle East](https://www.brookings.edu/blog/order-from-chaos/2020/04/03/how-foreign-policy-factors-for-american-muslims-in-2020/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) have contributed to Muslims making up a majority of the world’s displaced people. Unlike many communities on Staten Island, NYC’s Republican stronghold, Muslims tend to vote blue. Brooklyn Borough President, Eric Adams became the first candidate in a wide field of 2021 mayoral hopefuls to speak with the Island's Muslim community during a virtual meeting last month. Participants made up a multi-ethnic coalition of over 30 Arab, South Asian, Black, and Eastern European Muslims. Local organizations present included [Bait-ul Jamaat](https://www.baituljamaat.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [Muslim Sisters of Staten Island](https://muslimsistersofsi.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [ICNA Staten Island](https://icnany.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), and [Muslim American Society Staten Island](https://www.masnewyork.org/centers?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Adams attempted to use his background as a retired Black NYPD officer to relate to Muslims, who are still wary of the agency's unlawful surveillance campaigns targeting them. “When you speak with the Muslim brothers and sisters here in Brooklyn, they're going to tell you about the days when I stood up when your mosques were been infiltrated by police departments,” said Adams. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/04/Staten_Island_Muslim_Community_Smit_04.jpg) Men pray at the Albanian Islamic Cultural Center in Tompkinsville.‌‌ CREDIT: Photograph by [Gareth Smit](http://www.garethsmit.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) The Albanian Islamic Cultural Center in Tompkinsville was one of hundreds of NYC mosques that have been under surveillance by the NYPD’s Demographics Unit. [A police report](https://www.ap.org/about/awards-and-recognition/highlights-of-aps-pulitzer-prize-winning-probe-into-nypd-intelligence-operations?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) botched basic information about the community, such as the country most worshipers immigrated from. Eventually, the unit was [disbanded](https://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/16/nyregion/police-unit-that-spied-on-muslims-is-disbanded.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), but [similar NYPD surveillance programs](https://www.aclu.org/other/factsheet-nypd-muslim-surveillance-program?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) still exist. Adams first became determined to change the NYPD from within after experiencing police brutality as a teenager. Over his 22-year police career, he often publicly criticized the department for its poor relationship with Black and Latinx communities. In a [recent interview with the City](https://www.thecity.nyc/2021/2/15/22284716/eric-adams-nyc-mayoral-candidate-shooting-nypd?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), Adams described various ways he believes he was retaliated against. When moderator Ahmad Naser questioned his position on defunding the police, he said he didn’t subscribe to using “bumper stickers or slogans” but added, “I believe every agency in this city must do their job correctly without wasting taxpayer dollars and that includes the police department.” Adams outlined three ways he would decrease the police budget if elected—lessen the need for overtime by enabling officers to testify at court hearings via Zoom, hiring civilians to perform the NYPD’s clerical duties, and demilitarizing the department. He added he would reallocate funds to “proactive ways of preventing crime, not just responding to crime.” “When women in your community were being attacked for wearing a hijab, I stood with the family members and showed my support to stop the abuse and harassment,” added Adams. He was likely referring to a [solidarity bus ride](https://abc7ny.com/mta-bus-viral-video-muslim/3769398/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) he led in 2018 after a Muslim woman was harassed while on the S53 bus from Bay Ridge to Staten Island. Hate crimes reported against Muslims in the U.S. initially appeared to peak in 2001 after September 11\. But during Donald Trump’s presidential campaign in 2016, [the number of assaults reported against Muslims](https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/11/15/assaults-against-muslims-in-u-s-surpass-2001-level/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) reached a new high. Adams cited his support of one of the largest demonstrations in NYC against Trump’s Muslim Ban in 2017\. About 5,000 people attended [the demonstration](https://brooklyneagle.com/articles/2017/02/03/photos-thousands-of-yemenis-protest-trump-travel-ban-at-brooklyn-borough-hall/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) at Brooklyn Borough Hall organized by the Yemeni community. He also promised that Muslim New Yorkers would be well-represented on his city hall staff, in city agencies, and as city service providers, “What people often ignore is understanding the customs and culture of a particular group makes it easier to give help to someone who's in need.” Faton “Tony” Kodza, the owner of [The Grand Sahara](https://www.grandsaharagrill.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) restaurant in Dongan Hills, asked how Adams would revitalize small businesses impacted by the city’s lockdowns and other COVID-19 restrictions. Adams delved into a three-part strategy: “Number one, we're going to fight like heck that the money that's coming in from the federal government in the next round of stimulus gets down on the ground for everyday small businesses.” He continued, “We need to recycle our dollars here.” Adams said he would ensure more of the $25 billion spent annually on procurement for the city government’s goods and services would go to contracts with NYC small businesses. Finally, he promised to “get the city agencies off the backs of our small businesses” by cutting red tape for permits and other city documents and putting in place warnings rather than automatic fines for small business infractions. Naser posed the question, “If you go to Israel, will you spend equal time in Palestinian areas, if you go to India, will you spend equal amounts of time in Muslim areas, and if you go to China, will you spend equal amounts of time with the Uighur community?” He added that NYC’s mayor often takes on a de facto role as a foreign ambassador. Adams replied, “My passport is filled with Muslims destinations.” He pointed to his visits to Palestinian territory in Israel, Turkey, Pakistan, and Senegal. Though Adams--along with seven other top mayoral candidates-- [has declined to support the Boycott, Divest, Sanctions movement against Israel](https://jewishweek.timesofisrael.com/nyc-mayoral-candidates-wouldnt-criminalize-bds/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Foreign policy is the second most important issue for Muslim voters after the economy, according to a [national 2016 post-presidential election survey](https://emgageusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/Muslims-2016-Post-Election-Survey-Final.pdf?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). [As a voting bloc](https://theconversation.com/who-will-muslim-americans-vote-for-in-the-us-elections-146854?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), many Muslims in the U.S. identify with conservative family values but still overwhelmingly support Democrats, having moved to the left significantly after September 11\. In the 2020 Democratic primary, [Bernie Sanders was the most popular choice among Muslims in the U.S](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cair-pre-iowa-caucus-poll-muslim-voters-prefer-bernie-sanders-13-over-joe-biden-300997864.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) with many still scarred from their experiences in the country after the terror attack. “I couldn't drive my minivan with the window open; I had my three children all the time with me \[in the car\] but unfortunately at any stoplight I always get the comments and people even throw things at my car window," said Shahana Masum, a Staten Island social worker, in an interview with Plea For the Fifth. “It was a daily struggle hearing that I'm a terrorist and go back where Osama bin Laden is," she added of her experiences on Staten Island at the time. Masum is the community outreach liaison for the Muslim Sisters of Staten Island and served as a delegate nominee for Sanders’ 2020 presidential run after also campaigning for him back in 2016\. She grounds her local activism in her religious beliefs. “My faith says that wherever you live, that's your nation, and I cannot eat better food when my neighbor is hungry-- these are the teachings of Islam," she said. She drew an analogy of Muhammed and his followers’ migration from Mecca to Medina to the migration immigrants make to the U.S. “The people couldn't love Medina because that's not their motherland, and they missed Mecca, so then prophet Muhammed made a prayer which is called *dua* to put love and mercy in this land and since then they started loving Medina.” ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/Wzy2_PZr6cixqpbpwg_ZO9Z6ueKBGLrEIGuX8LhDqP44YbYYyFKzj9P2-L3ai31O35jsQLDY99yMk0IAj7kX9HopP2kmvBOgNX79yCJttFGdrivd9mSfVUy1KIhiiQ) Caption: Shahana Masum, Community Outreach Liaison for Muslim Sisters of Staten Island CREDIT: Valeriana Dema | Plea for the Fifth Staten Island’s Muslim coalition has yet to endorse anyone for this year’s ranked choice mayoral primary. “I choose for my community, that's why sometimes maybe there’s somebody I like, but my community wants somebody else, I will prefer that,” said Masum. The coalition has scheduled similar online meet and greets with additional candidates, including former presidential candidate, Andrew Yang, and NYC Comptroller, Scott Stringer. Adams who calls himself a “pragmatic progressive”, is considered [a more moderate option](https://www.gothamgazette.com/city/10012-eric-adams-strengths-weaknesses-2021-run-nyc-mayor?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) because of his positions on policing and real estate development. According to a [Muslims for American Progress report](https://www.ispu.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/MAP-NYC-Report-Web-3.pdf?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), about 22 percent of Muslims in the U.S. live in NYC, and they account for 9 percent of NYC’s population. Adams encouraged the participants at the meeting to organize in their community, “It's time to fully engage throughout this entire city, so the powerful Muslim vote and your voices would be heard.” --- ****Cover Photo:** Men pray at the Albanian Islamic Cultural Center in Tompkinsville. **CREDIT:** Photograph by [Gareth Smit](http://www.garethsmit.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) ### March In Review URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/may2021newsletter-2/ Last updated: 2024-01-03T17:39:22.000Z 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 Remembered](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/the-socialist-history-of-international-womens-day/) Written by [Alia Danilo](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/alia/), [Candy Mantilla](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/candy/) [![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/lAUQer-jJP8Ac6mFR9U1dGiFtrvYtoEwjWUedKlzMixyuvoJSzVA2XDo5ac-nXVoURwaAtyZV0oWb7nZONI3JtMtQS-3UiC9HQP_k4Nt34FtEseaoo6yISMRzAO1XUy_X8DP7KrE)](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/the-socialist-history-of-international-womens-day/) *Uncover the roots of a holiday that was created by and for working-class women.* --- ## [St. Pat's for Everyone: How LGBTQ+ Staten Islanders are Creating More Inclusivity](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/st-pats-for-everyone-lgbtq-staten-islanders/) Written by: [Jacqueline Caruso](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/jacqueline/) [![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ewry1WM9xYVeOsEYE27TCOQUTGWsDuxS0w0_0EPIVMN8-BzuUYAePqAgfrD9r-rJDVnByiykFzqdY9ZbdxWfhxB8hC5gFTQeRdxkfVHmZjrQ1Gnk5hAijFMsFx31-BD63vvMCPVS)](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/st-pats-for-everyone-lgbtq-staten-islanders/) Photograph by Steven Wakeman *The Forest Avenue St. Patrick's Day Parade has become the battleground for Staten Island’s LGBTQ+ representation.* --- ## [Follow the Money (D-49): Entry 2](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/follow-the-money-d-49-entry-2/) Written by [Chad Small](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/chad/) [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/03/Red_blue-page-001-1.jpg)](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/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.* --- ## [How a Staten Island HBCU Fair Is Giving the Borough’s Students More Options](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/how-a-staten-island-hbcu-fair-is-giving-the-boroughs-students-more-options/) Written by [Valeriana Dema](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/valeriana/) [![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/03/HBCU_Ruddy_Roye_01-1.jpg)](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/how-a-staten-island-hbcu-fair-is-giving-the-boroughs-students-more-options/) Photograph by [Ruddy Roye](https://www.instagram.com/ruddyroye/?hl=en&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) *The HBCU Experience targets at-risk population, as well as students on track to go to college.* --- ### Additional reads highlighting Women and Gender Queer histories and struggles ## [“Where is the outcry?”: Staten Island’s Deafening Silence on Forced Sterilizations](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/where-is-the-outcry-staten-islands-deafening-silence-on-forced-sterilizations/) Written by [Alia Danilo](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/alia/) *Staten Island is organizing to defend their reproductive rights and asking all Staten Islanders, regardless of color, party, and creed, to join the fight against non-consensual sterilizations.* ## [An Unseen Photo Album Preserves Life of Audre Lorde](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/an-unseen-photo-album-preserves-of-life-of-audre-lorde/) Written by [Editorial Committee](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/editorial/) *A celebration of the radical work of Black, lesbian feminist, writer, activist and poet.* --- ## Say Hello To [Candy Mantilla](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/author/candy/) Candy Mantilla, a native New Yorker, is a fierce advocate and revolutionary. She is a member of [Shaolin Rising](https://www.instagram.com/shaolin%5Frising/?hl=en&ref=pleaforthefifth.com), a Staten Island based grass-roots organization dedicated to building networks to take control of their community and works as a paralegal serving the immigrant community. Candy is on the communications team of Plea for the Fifth. On her free time she enjoys outdoor activities like hikes and bike riding, and she's always down to have a chat with her family and friends or a stranger. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/03/2019-11-09-21-38-04-333-2.jpg) --- # [**Write With Us!**](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/contribute/) We accept pitches for articles from freelance journalists and those that don’t have publishing experience, but are interested in pitching us a story or writing with us. We want to hear from those who believe they have an under-reported Staten Island story. Currently, we are accepting op-eds. You can find out more information about contributing to Plea For The Fifth [here](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/contribute/), or email us at [editor@pleaforthefifth.com](mailto:editor@pleaforthefifth.com). | [![Facebook icon](https://dim.mcusercontent.com/https/cdn-images.mailchimp.com%2Ficons%2Fsocial-block-v2%2Fcolor-facebook-48.png?w=44&dpr=2)](https://www.facebook.com/PleafortheFifth) | [![Instagram icon](https://dim.mcusercontent.com/https/cdn-images.mailchimp.com%2Ficons%2Fsocial-block-v2%2Fcolor-instagram-48.png?w=44&dpr=2)](https://www.instagram.com/pleaforthefifth/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) | [![Twitter icon](https://dim.mcusercontent.com/https/cdn-images.mailchimp.com%2Ficons%2Fsocial-block-v2%2Fcolor-twitter-48.png?w=44&dpr=2)](https://twitter.com/pleaforthefifth?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) | [![Website icon](https://dim.mcusercontent.com/https/cdn-images.mailchimp.com%2Ficons%2Fsocial-block-v2%2Fcolor-link-48.png?w=44&dpr=2)](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/) | [![Email icon](https://dim.mcusercontent.com/https/cdn-images.mailchimp.com%2Ficons%2Fsocial-block-v2%2Fcolor-email-48.png?w=44&dpr=2)](mailto:editor@pleaforthefifth.com) | | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ### Follow the Money (D-49): Entry 2 URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/follow-the-money-d-49-entry-2/ Last updated: 2024-01-02T16:20:36.000Z In [Plea for the Fifth’s first look](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/follow-the-money-d-49-entry-1/) at campaign financing for the City Council District 49 race to replace Councilwoman Debi Rose, there were 12 candidates running in the Democratic primary – nine were included in our analysis. The field has since grown to include 15 candidates as of March 15, the end of the last campaign financing reporting cycle. In addition to the nine candidates who received at least $500 in donations through January, Abou Dikhate, David Hernandez, and Aidan Rivera have each fundraised at least $500 since launching their campaigns this year. In fact, since the arrival of January’s campaign financing deadline, the 12 highest fundraisers have raised an additional $52,000, and attracted 726 new donors. During this two month period, Michael Schnall has experienced the most rapid influx of donations – increasing his previous fundraising by 43 percent. Troy McGhie, however, attracted the most new donors since the close of the last filing period. McGhie increased his number of donors by 62 percent. The gains in new donors and donations haven’t truly changed the overall fundraising picture much from last time. Amoy Barnes, Kamillah Hanks, and Ranti Ogunleye still remain the three highest fundraisers. Barnes, Ogunleye, and Kelvin Richards also remain those with the most individual donors. Philippe-Edner Apostol-Marius and Hanks still have the lowest and highest average Staten Island donation, respectively. Fundraising newcomer, Hernandez, has the second highest average donation, closely trailing Hanks, however. > If you’re interested in learning more about how matching funding can illuminate the dynamics of candidates fundraising, see [Entry 1](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/follow-the-money-d-49-entry-1/). In the last iteration of this analysis, Apostol-Marius had the highest proportion of his New York City donations eligible to be matched by the NYC Campaign Finance Board. Over 95 percent of Apostol-Marius’ haul is still eligible to be matched, but *100 percent* of Rivera’s New York City donations are eligible to be matched. This means that every single donation to Rivera’s campaign from residents of the city is less than $175. ***Individual Candidates*** *Philippe-Edner Apostol-Marius* *Community Liaison for Assembly Member Richard Gotfriend (D-75)* Apostol-Marius has still received the second-lowest amount of money in donations so far. His six largest individual donors have not changed since January. They have each contributed $175\. Two of them live in Brooklyn, two live in Manhattan, and two live in Staten Island. Apostol-Marius is presently receiving one-third of his funding from outside of Staten Island. *Amoy Barnes* *Staten Island Director of the DOE Education Transition and College Access Center* Barnes has retained the top fundraising spot in the District 49 race. In addition to her original three highest donors ([The United Healthcare Workers East Union](https://www.1199seiu.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) (1199 SEIU), International Union of Painters and Allied Trades Political Action Together Political Committee, and one individual donor from Staten Island), she also added another top donor from Schenectady, New York. Each of her top donors has contributed $1,000\. Barnes’ campaign is still receiving most of its donations from donors living outside of Staten Island. 21 percent of her donations are coming from outside of NYC. *Abou Diakhate* *Personal Assistant to the Surrogate in the New York State Unified Court System* Of the candidates with over $500 in donor contributions, Diakhate has the highest percentage of his campaign funding coming from Staten Islanders (87 percent). Diakhate’s largest donation ($250) comes from a single donor in Staten Island. *Selina Grey* *Former Campaign Manager City Councilwoman Debi Rose (D-49)* Grey is receiving just under 30 percent of her funding from outside of Staten Island. Her largest donations have increased from $500 to $1,000 since January. Presently, her two largest donations come from individuals in Staten Island and Albany, respectively. *Kamillah Hanks* *President & CEO of the Historic Tappen Park* Hanks has retained her position as the second-highest fundraiser of the candidates running for this City Council seat. Hanks continues to bring in the most money from the South Shore. Just over nine percent ($3,150) of her Staten Island donations are coming from the 10307 zip code, which includes all of Tottenville. She’s gained one more top donor, increasing her number of top donors to eight. Her highest donors are each contributing $1,000\. Two of these seven donors include the CEO and COO of[ The Angiuli Group](https://designapprovals2.com/angiuli/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), a real estate agency located in Tompkinsville. Of the eight, all, but two, are from Staten Island. The non Staten Islanders live in Brooklyn and Hoboken, New Jersey, respectively. *David Hernandez* *Councilwoman Debi Rose’s Director of Constituent Services* Hernandez currently has the lowest percentage of his New York City donation eligible to be matched (39 percent). Additionally, he currently ranks right behind Hanks in terms of highest average donation ($110). Just about a third of his donations are coming from outside of Staten Island, and about 18 percent of his donations are coming outside of the city. He is currently his own largest contributor to his campaign, donating $2,000 to his own campaign. *John McBeth* *Deacon at St. Philip’s Baptist Church* McBeth continues to maintain just around 80 percent of his donations from Staten Islanders. This gives him the third highest proportion of donations from the borough. He’s still his own largest donor contributing $1,000 to his own campaign. *Troy McGhie* *Teacher & Basketball Coach* McGhie continues to receive just over a third of his funding from outside of Staten Island – 22 percent of his funding coming from outside of NYC. His largest donor is still a single individual from Staten Island who has contributed $1,000\. *Ranti Ogunleye* *Director of the Gerard Carter Cornerstone of Staten Island’s Jewish Community Center* Ogunleye has moved into the third position for total amount of money fundraised so far. In addition, he’s also moved comfortably into the second position with regard to the number of individual donors to his campaign. Around 57 percent of his donations are coming from outside of Staten Island. He continues to receive his largest individual donations from five individuals – none of whom live on Staten Island. Two individuals from Queens, one from Roswell, Georgia, one from Chicago, Illinois, and one from Birmingham, Michigan, have each contributed $1,000 to Ogunleye’s campaign. *Kelvin Richards* *Public Defender at the Legal Aid Society* Richards currently has the second highest percentage of his campaign funding coming from Staten Islanders (85 percent). Richards also has the third highest number of individual donors for this race so far. His largest donations are now coming from three individuals from Staten Island, all contributing $500\. *Aidan Rivera* *Shift Supervisor at G4S International Employment Services* Rivera has currently fundraised the least amount of money for this election. Over half of his fundraising is coming from outside of Staten Island, and 30 percent of it from outside of the city. His largest monetary contribution ($175) comes from one donor living in Staten Island. *Michael Schnall* *Vice President of Government Relations and Community Investment at NY Road Runners* Over the last two months, Schnall has fundraised the most money ($8,300) of any of the candidates running for this City Council seat. Schnall continues to be the only candidate without a plurality of his financial contributions coming from Staten Island. The plurality of his donations (39 percent) are coming from outside of the city altogether. He has added one more top contributor during this funding cycle, bringing his number of $1,000 donors to four. None of his four largest financial contributors are Staten Islanders. Four individuals from Manhattan, Chicago, Delray Beach, Florida, and Aldie, Virginia have each contributed $1,000 to his campaign. His Manhattan and Chicago contributors are both attorneys working for [Holland & Knight LLP](https://www.hklaw.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). --- **Cover Photo:** Illustration by [Xio](https://www.instagram.com/xprexions/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) ### St. Pat's for Everyone: How LGBTQ+ Staten Islanders are Creating More Inclusivity URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/st-pats-for-everyone-lgbtq-staten-islanders/ Last updated: 2024-05-22T13:42:07.000Z There were no [official](https://www.irishcentral.com/news/community/new-york-st-patricks-day-parades-go-ahead?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) in-person St. Patrick's day parades in New York City this year as the [State's public health measures](https://coronavirus.health.ny.gov/travel-large-gatherings-and-quarantines?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) still prohibit outdoor gatherings greater than 50 people. Staten Island's Forest Avenue parade, traditionally taking place the Sunday before St. Patrick's Day, was reduced to a St. Patrick's Day themed [restaurant crawl](https://www.silive.com/entertainment/2021/03/corned-beef-continues-in-west-brighton-the-st-patricks-parade-does-not-pamelas-food-service-diary.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) leading up to the holiday on March 17\. The event is typically one of the largest annual public gatherings on Staten Island, attracting ["over 50,000 people per year."](https://www.silive.com/entertainment/2021/03/vintage-photos-from-early-st-patricks-parades-recognize-any-faces-time-capsulestaten-island.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) The group responsible for organizing the borough's official annual parade – a local chapter of the Irish Catholic fraternal organization, the [Ancient Order of Hibernians](https://aoh.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) – did not organize any, in-person or virtual, 2021 programming. While safety protocols may have prevented this year's parade from taking place as usual, they also presented a chance for new opportunities. On Sunday, March 7, the [Pride Center of Staten Island](https://www.ny1.com/nyc/staten-island/news/2021/02/16/pride-center-of-staten-island-to-hold-virtual-st--pats-parade?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) hosted a virtual event called [St. Pat's for Everyone.](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EG2QQ1ELUOo&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) In compliance with public health measures and in defiance of the local celebration which has historically excluded them, the Center took the opportunity to celebrate the Irish cultural event on their own terms. In the absence of programming from the usual parade organizers, the Pride Center collected messages from community leaders, local businesses, and local talent in an hour-long video-parade. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/03/Fab_Cup_Gay_Pride_Support_01.jpeg) Caption: The Fab Cup, along with many other businesses along Forest Avenue, displayed signs of support for the LGBTQ+ community. ****CREDIT:** Stephanie Ward The [2020 parade, however, was steeped in controversy](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/28/nyregion/staten-island-st-patricks-day-parade-lgbtq.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) as the event's organizers summarily banned LGBTQ+ individuals and groups from marching. Rather than relenting to mounting public pressure, the organizers doubled down on scrubbing the procession of any trace of the rainbow Pride flag. When [pressed by SI Advance reporters](https://www.silive.com/news/2020/02/archdiocese-wont-get-involved-with-island-st-patricks-parade-as-pols-support-pride-center-stance.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), parade organizer [Larry Cummings](https://www.change.org/p/the-city-of-new-york-do-not-allow-larry-cummings-to-organize-a-2021-staten-island-st-patricks-day-parade?use%5Freact=false&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) explained "it's a non-sexual identification parade." The traditionally Irish-Catholic celebration has taken on a more secular character in recent years, but its Catholic roots have been reinforced by Cummings' insistence on disqualifying LGBTQ+ representation. Despite a more [accepting view of homosexuality](https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54627625?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) and same-sex unions espoused by Pope Francis, Catholic aversion to LGBTQ+ inclusion has been reinforced by the Vatican's recent statement [against blessing same-sex unions.](https://apnews.com/article/vatican-decree-same-sex-unions-cannot-bless-sin-077944750c975313ad253328e4cf7443?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) LGBTQ+ groups have, however, been allowed to march in the large [Manhattan](https://www.nycstpatricksparade.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) parade [since 2014](https://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/04/nyregion/new-york-st-patricks-day-parade-organizers-lift-ban-on-gay-groups.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Carol Bullock, Executive Director of the Pride Center, actually agrees with Cummings. She highlighted that the St. Patrick's Day parade is not a LGBTQ-centered celebration, but rather a chance for the Pride Center to join in on the fun and advertise their services for the Island's queer population. Looking back on the year since the pandemic first affected New Yorkers – roughly coinciding with the holiday in 2020 – Bullock noted an upward trend in requests for [mental health services ](https://www.pridecentersi.org/counseling?ref=pleaforthefifth.com)from the Pride Center. Requests have nearly doubled in recent months. She explained that the Center’s "counselors are at capacity," and that both LGBTQ+ youth and [seniors](https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/how-to-beat-loneliness-social-isolation-during-a-pandemic-lgbtq-seniors-wisdom?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) were at particular risk for isolation, even before shutdowns began. To prevent isolation the Pride Center hosts [a flurry of weekly virtual events](https://www.pridecentersi.org/calendars?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) that keep LGBTQ+ Staten Islanders connected. The March 7 event was no different, and live streamed speakers and performers from across Staten Island and throughout the city. Kicking off the event was an introduction by Bullock. Her introduction was followed by a message from Brendan Fay, the Irish-immigrant activist who founded the popular and long-standing, Queens-based, [LGBTQ+ inclusive celebration](https://sunnysidepost.com/big-crowds-and-big-names-celebrated-st-pats-for-all-parade-sunday?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [St. Pat's for All](https://www.stpatsforall.org/aboutus?ref=pleaforthefifth.com#:~:text=St%20Pat's%20for%20All%20organizes,in%20the%20month%20of%20March.). Among other appearances were Irish-style dancers from [Mrs. Rosemary's Dance Studio](http://www.mrsrosemarys.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), blessings from religious leaders Rev. Baker from the Episcopal Church of the Ascension and Rabbi Michael Howald, along with a performance from Temple Israel's choir. District Attorney Michael McMahon made an appearance, as well as other politicians like Kathy Hochul and Jumaane Williams. There were performances from the [St. George Theater](https://stgeorgetheatre.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), the Port Richmond Highschool Band, and others. LGBTQ+ political group, the [Stonewall Democratic Club of NYC](http://sdnyc.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), presented, and there were shout-outs from Brooklyn Pride and Queens Pride. Local businesses like [Wicked Stitches](https://wickedstitchesgifts.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [The Burrito Bar](http://theburritobar.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), the Nicotra family also sent messages of support and celebration. Throughout the event comparisons were made between the struggles of working class Irish immigrants at the turn of the 19th century and the discrimination LGBTQ+ people face today. Bullock has drawn parallels between the infamous ["No Irish Need Apply"](https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/08/insider/1854-no-irish-need-apply.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) clauses found in late 19th century classified ads to the stonewalling she faced simply trying to apply for the Pride Center to march in the 2020 parade. These comparisons were followed by a resounding call for inclusivity. St. Pat's for Everyone is not the first time LGBTQ+ Staten Islanders have organized their own St. Patrick's Day celebration. [Rainbow Run Staten Island](https://www.facebook.com/RainbowRunSI/), a marathon event in solidarity with LGBTQ+ Staten Islanders who were excluded from the parade, [also went virtual this year.](https://fb.watch/4jaXhiqx9B/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) Starting in 2012, Staten Island's [Young Democrats](https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/staten-island-st-pat-parade-organizers-stonewall-gays-young-dems-marching-sparking-outrage-article-1.122911?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) have been part of an effort to bring LGBTQ+ representation to the Forest Avenue St. Patrick's Day Parade. The Young Democrats got involved after the Pride Center's application was first denied by the Staten Island chapter of the Ancient Order of the Hibernians. This pattern that would repeat itself for the next eight years. In 2017, just seven people participated in a Rainbow Run event along the parade route on the [Forest Avenue Mile](http://www.statenislandac.org/forest-avenue-mile.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), from Hart Boulevard to Hamlin Place. This event was done in partnership with the Staten Island Athletic Club, and had runners decked out in rainbow colors before the parade. According to co-founder KC Hankins, by 2020 they "had hundreds of people running down Forest Avenue.” He added that “it \[was\] a positive, love-sending message." Runners handed out thousands of rainbow flags, a sight which later greeted the official St. Patrick's Day procession. This act of joyful resistance had been met with overwhelming community support. Nearly all Staten Island politicians refused to march in the official 2020 parade. At the time, current U.S. Representative Nicole Malliotakis was one of the only local politicians to join in the [LGBTQ+ exclusionary parade. ](https://www.silive.com/news/2020/03/forest-avenue-becomes-center-of-pride-during-staten-island-st-patricks-parade.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/03/Nicole_Malliotakis_St_Patricks_Day_SI_01.jpeg) Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis is confronted by a protester and continued to march in the parade, when she was running for office in March 2020. The Forest Avenue St. Patrick's Day Parade has become the battleground for Staten Island’s LGBTQ+ representation. Talking about the ban on marchers from the Pride Center, Hankins suggested that that if there was even greater solidarity among community groups and leaders, Staten Island would make its St. Patrick's Day parade into an inclusive, loving celebration. "If we wanted to make this stop, we would make this stop," he said. For many, the Rainbow Run, St. Pat's for Everyone, and continued strong community support are all evidence that Larry Cummings and the Ancient Order of the Hibernians are outnumbered. --- **Cover Photo:** On Twitter the Pride Center of Staten Island posted, "Yet again the AOH Parade Committee denied the Pride Center of Staten Island's request to march in the SI St. Patrick's Day Parade, and this year they also declined [@GOALny](https://twitter.com/GOALny?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) [#StatenIrelandPride](https://twitter.com/hashtag/StatenIrelandPride?src=hashtag%5Fclick&ref=pleaforthefifth.com)" on Feb. 16, 2020. **CREDIT:** Steven Wakeman—Pride Center of Staten Island via [Twitter](https://twitter.com/pridecenterSI/status/1229187755172925441?s=20&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) ### Trump is Gone, Fascist Trends are Not (Subscriber Bonus) URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/trump-is-gone-fascist-trends-are-not-2/ Last updated: 2024-03-14T18:02:29.000Z In an extra for our paid subscribers, our producer speaks to Sean about fascist flyers on the Island. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Follow the Money [D-49]: Entry 1 (Subscriber Bonus) URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/follow-the-money-d-49-entry-1-subscriber-bonus/ Last updated: 2024-03-14T18:02:02.000Z In an extra for our paid subscribers, our producer speaks to Chad about the first in our Follow the Money series. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Commentary: The Socialist History of International Women's Day and Why it Must Be Remembered URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/the-socialist-history-of-international-womens-day/ Last updated: 2021-03-09T19:27:16.000Z Today your social media feed is undoubtedly filled with highly cis-gendered #girlboss, #she-EO, #womenarestrong content. And while it can be fun to celebrate *Women* abstractly on International Women’s Day (IWD), the socialist history of the holiday, and the importance of the battles its founders fought, is lost. Instead we have a day that largely celebrates women who “break the glass ceiling.” But 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.* > [ View this post on Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/p/CMK0xvWsF9C/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) > > [A post shared by TheRoyalCourier (@theroyalcourier)](https://www.instagram.com/p/CMK0xvWsF9C/?utm%5Fsource=ig%5Fembed&utm%5Fcampaign=loading) The specific origin of March 8 as IWD is commonly said to commemorate a 1857 textile workers’ strike in NYC. The validity of this event taking place has been questioned by a number of historians, but there is ample evidence of socialists celebrating the holiday around the world in the early 20th century despite not being officially [recognized by the United Nations until 1977](https://www.unfpa.org/events/international-womens-day?ref=pleaforthefifth.com#:~:text=In%201975%2C%20the%20United%20Nations,for%20Women%20and%20International%20Peace.). During the late 19th century and the early years of the 20th century suffragist women and socialist women, particularly in the U.S., were at odds over what should take precedence for women: the right to vote or economic equality. Prominent German Marxist [Clara Zetkin](https://www.britannica.com/biography/Clara-Zetkin?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), who was instrumental in the founding of IWD, understood that the battle for women’s liberation would “only be realized by the class-war of the exploited majority” seeking to [emancipate labor](https://www.marxists.org/archive/zetkin/1909/10/09.htm?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). She recognized that a movement focused exclusively on progress based solely on gender would become a tool to preserve the upper and middle class, and would likely muddy the economic roots of women’s oppression. Behind IWD was an understanding that the most powerful force of life is the economy and the exploited labor that supports it. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/03/clara_zetkin.jpg) Clara Zetkin marching in an International Women's Day demonstration. Credit: [Association of World Citizens](https://awcungeneva.com/2012/03/07/march-8-international-day-of-women-women-as-peacemakers/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) Though many socialist men initially opposed women’s suffrage altogether, socialist women at the meeting of the [Second International](https://www.marxists.org/history/international/social-democracy/index.htm?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) in 1907, led by Zetkin, pledged to fight for women’s equality in all facets of life. The next year the Socialist Party of America (SPA) officially joined the campaign for women’s suffrage in the U.S. In 1909, the SPA declared the last Sunday of February as National Women’s Day. Observations of National Women’s Day continued in NYC, but became international on [March 18, 1911](https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/006274541?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) when Austrian socialists chose to celebrate Women’s Day by marching around the Vienna Ringstrasse in commemoration of the fallen [Paris Commune of 1871](https://www.britannica.com/event/Commune-of-Paris-1871?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). At the same time socialist members of Austria’s parliament officially supported women’s equality and suffrage. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/03/German-Women-s-Day-poster.jpg) Poster calling for women's suffrage on International Women's Day, Germany 1914\. Credit: [The Internationalists](https://www.leftcom.org/en/articles/2019-03-07/the-origins-and-capture-of-international-working-women-s-day?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) IWD observances continued to emerge throughout Europe. On March 7, 1915, Zetkin gathered socialists in Berne, Switzerland for IWD to march in protest against WWI. In March 1917, [Alexandra Kollontai](https://www.marxists.org/archive/kollonta/index.htm?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) led Russian socialists, who had been celebrating IWD since 1913, in protest against deteriorating living conditions and inflated food prices. This International Women’s Day celebration was one of the many events that led to the abdication of Czar Nicholas II and [women earned the right to vote soon after](https://www.aseees.org/news-events/aseees-blog-feed/misbehaving-women-and-russian-revolutions-1917?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/03/IWWD-Russia-1917.png) International Women's Day protest, Russia 1917\. Credit: [Worker's World](https://www.workers.org/2020/03/46682/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) Though the story of the textile workers’ strike of 1857 may not be true, we are still left with a rich history of women celebrating IWD. It is not a celebration for celebration’s sake, but a call to continuously organize and fight for improving the material conditions of women worldwide. Claire G. Moses wrote in “[On the Socialist Origins of International Women’s Day](https://www.jstor.org/stable/3180144?mag=the-socialist-origins-of-international-womens-day&seq=1&ref=pleaforthefifth.com#metadata%5Finfo%5Ftab%5Fcontents)”, “Is it not fitting that we draw inspiration not only from spontaneous demonstrators, but also from women who engaged in long-term struggle and who created rituals that sustained their struggle in the face of unrelenting opposition?” But what began as women’s fight for economic equality, suffrage, and peace has since been deprived of its socialist roots, and hijacked by the oppressive forces its founders sought to destabilize. What we’re left with is bourgeois feminism focused almost exclusively on inclusion and representation that is largely irrelevant to the masses of poor working-class women. The holiday has been diminished to a theatrical action meant only to create the illusion of a unified struggle and progress. The celebration of the election of Kamala Harris as the first woman Vice President and first person of color in this position resounded worldwide. This demonstration of representation, and her [inauguration outfit](https://www.teenvogue.com/story/the-meaning-of-vice-president-kamala-harris-inauguration-outfit?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), overshadowed and erased the reality that her rise to the top has been at the expense of the victims — often Black and Brown, oppressed communities — of our nation’s for-profit, racist, criminal justice system. The victims of Harris’ shattered glass grow with her rise as an oppressor of color who protects the interest of a system that regards profit over life, and collects its power from the exploitation of labor. This is why on our feminist holiday we must return the spotlight to its socialist history. The patriarchy does not exist in a vacuum; it thrives under the system of capitalism. That system is perpetuated and protected by the small percentage of women who have managed to succeed within it. In previous years Harris has [called for a $15](https://twitter.com/KamalaHarris/status/803753663323926528?s=19&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) minimum wage, but after her recent ascent up the capitalist ladder she appears to have abandoned fighting for the working class. As Vice President, Harris currently holds the second-highest position in the United States government. And though she has the [power to overrule the Senate Parliamentarian’s](https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2021/02/26/power-up-liberals-mount-pressure-campaign-overrule-senate-parliamentarian-minimum-wage/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) [decision to exclude raising the federal minimum wage](https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/25/politics/minimum-wage-covid-relief-senate-parliamentarian/index.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) from the next Covid relief package, she chose not to. According to statistics from 2019 from the Census Bureau, approximately [7.3 percent of women in the United States](https://www.statista.com/statistics/233154/us-poverty-rate-by-gender/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com#:~:text=In%202019%2C%20the%20poverty%20rate,65%20and%2074%20years%20old.), or around 22.7 million, currently live below the poverty line. In most states the cost of living [already exceeds a $15](https://worldpopulationreview.com/state-rankings/livable-wage-by-state?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) per hour minimum wage, but for many women the increase from $7.25 would still significantly improve their material conditions. Unfortunately by playing the capitalist game, women were part of the decision that hurt their working-class sisters. Even above the poverty line, the reality remains that women receive unequal pay compared to their male counterparts. The degree of violence experienced by BIPOC women, especially at the hands of patriarchal white supremacy will not falter with the rise of BIPOC oppressors. A celebration of women that focuses only on representation is one that uplifts the women who rise to the top on the backs of the working-class, particularly poor Black and Brown women and men. The issues of women have been limited to those of representation and inclusion, erasing the intersectional nature of social injustices. The rise in career victories for women, such as the election of Harris, serves to keep the masses from uniting against the capitalist, imperialist empire that’s the driving force of all systemic inequality. IWD was started to rally women behind labor equality. The conversation surrounding IWD that likely filled your social media feed today excludes the women who first celebrated IWD and the issues they fought for. Intersectional issues require intersectional solutions. The evolution of such solutions calls for unfaltering solidarity among all oppressed people against the greed of capitalism by supporting those fighting to liberate us from its grip. If you're interested in the liberation of women, you must also be interested in the liberation of the working class. ### How a Staten Island HBCU Fair Is Giving the Borough’s Students More Options URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/how-a-staten-island-hbcu-fair-is-giving-the-boroughs-students-more-options/ Last updated: 2024-05-21T22:53:52.000Z “We live by the motto, ‘Find a way or make one,’” stated Clark Atlanta University representative, Tatum Boothe, during the eleventh annual [Staten Island Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Experience](https://www.facebook.com/SIHBCUExperience/) on January 23. The Georgia university’s online information session included an interactive quiz about its history, a video campus tour, an overview of the school’s academic programs, a list of notable alumni, and a final Q&A. “They gave the students in the workshop everything that they would have gave them at an \[in-person\] table,” commended Serena Brothers-Mohamed, an organizer of the event in past years. “I don’t feel that any student that attended today lacked, or didn’t receive, anything that they would have at the fair in person.” ![](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/whre6xRZ61tWdIe6StcJ2f0EpDyY_t_EB28zT2NaHnVPWSJH-7-aXg9IRcMUwRXsEDFSdBvxHnHyU5AMFfQOFy7m91BnAra3rWd-THWyxzVIZWdvMSWaH8oQsVWtiiwjehN9FPkwELizMQjSPPlOeQ) Screenshot of Clark Atlanta University recruiters, Brittany Jenkins, Nia Modeste, and Tatum Boothe, and moderator, Nicole Meyers, at the Eleventh Annual Staten Island HBCU Experience. CREDIT: Nicole Meyer Although most of the 400 students at the HBCU fair were from Staten Island, students from several states, seven countries, and four different continents also took part. Because the event was online, organizers wanted to provide access to as many people as possible. A reach this wide, geographically, would not have been possible if the event had occurred in-person – as it usually does at Curtis High School. The virtual platform also enabled more colleges than ever before to participate; over 35 HBCUs held sessions, and three students gained on-spot admissions during the fair. The impetus behind the annual event is to provide information about HBCUs that is often missing from Staten Island’s college counseling process. On the North Shore, where Black and Latinx youth are concentrated,[ 24 percent of youth ages 18 to 24 are out of school and out of work](http://jobsfirstnyc.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/JFNYCDeveloping%5Fa%5FYoung%5FAdult%5FWorkforce%5FPartnership%5Fon%5FStaten%5FIsland.pdf?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). When isolated from the rest of Staten Island, this is the second highest rate in the city. The HBCU Experience targets this at-risk population, as well as students on track to go to college. ![](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/Eb_urPC95qxNA3kO7ZEPRZ3P_tiLhJ67KFTrx1G0bWHDhe8kGzIot05srsA5lwyZZkuRnD5vG_MfN75r9S-MWBQS2OAvNNtCoU6KI5Wyhk8GpqbL4XZE0gY7S4Tj8NIQYxBkwSyO277j23NemI-74Q) Flyer for eleventh annual Staten Island Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Experience Tammy Greer Brown, head organizer and one of the founders of the 11-year old event, said local high schools don’t do enough to inform Black students about the possibility of attending an HBCU. This lack of advising about HBCUs persists despite these institutions’ proven track record of success, particularly in the STEM fields. According to a 2019 report from the Postsecondary National Policy Institute (PNPI), only 9 percent of Black college students go to HBCUs, but they produce 15 percent of engineering, 25 percent of biology, and 26 percent of math degrees earned by Black students in the U.S. The report also states that “Black graduates of HBCUs have a career advantage over Black graduates of other colleges in terms of employment rates, salary, and other measures of career success.” This year Greer Brown and her committee of volunteer organizers were tasked with the daunting responsibility of delivering the in-demand HBCU fair on a totally new, virtual platform. In order to help get the word out, they tapped into the multi-level network they had cultivated over the years. Social media promotion for the event was supported by local Staten Island high school students, Curtis High School Principal, Greg Jaenicke, and the [New York Urban League](https://www.nyul.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) (a NYC-based Black advocacy organization). The strength of these partner relationships allowed the event to be funded without financial support from local politicians. Greer Brown also lauded the commitment of the event’s co-facilitators, [Staten Island’s NAACP Youth Council](https://www.facebook.com/SINAACPYC/), [Moms of Black Boys (MOBB) United](https://www.mobbunited.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), and [New York Center for Interpersonal Development](http://nycid.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) (NYCID). ![](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/0qww-BXxfbCdHfqoCx320EA7E3SiPdgIv0NBnMgfu7xJLA_5xoab1nRXKrMoClUxWalA5hhpUqbr1dg_s1lKe0CW2rraCIXH7IUNWQZStoYI1OmIEZKz0uFpSys1IiX-CKNQK50ZEo9MDci67YO-LQ) Screenshot of longtime HBCU Experience emcee, Shannon Watkins. CREDIT: Nicole Meyer The event’s virtual platform, [Hopin](https://hopin.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), provided flexible meeting spaces for students and college representatives. But, the platform didn’t quite live up to the synergy of previous years’ in-person Staten Island HBCU Experience. Greer Brown explained that “the kids had a lot more freedom to go from one \[virtual\] room to another, but at the same time that personalized touch was lost, being able to spend time with the students one-on-one in a private setting.” However, some personalized interactions still managed to occur online. One such exchange took place between Tuskegee University recruiter, Barbara Cleveland, and a mother-daughter pair, Eleanor and Naji Buchannan. When Naji said she wanted to study criminal justice, Cleveland directed her to a different university’s session. Instead of Tuskegee, which is well known for its pioneering [air force](https://www.tuskegee.edu/support-tu/tuskegee-airmen?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) and [veterinary](https://www.tuskegee.edu/programs-courses/colleges-schools/cvm?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) programs, she suggested Virginia Union, an HBCU that has a strong [criminology department](https://www.vuu.edu/academics/schools/school-of-arts-and-sciences/department-of-criminology-and-criminal-justice?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Notably, students at Virginia Union have the unique opportunity to learn alongside incarcerated individuals about issues related to criminal justice. Before heading out, the elder Buchanan said she felt overwhelmed helping her daughter navigate this process because she had not attended college herself. Cleveland empathized with Buchanan and advised her to help her daughter seek a summer internship and scholarship opportunities from HBCU alumni associations. According to the PNPI report, “HBCUs primarily serve low-income, first-generation \[college\] students (nearly 3 in 5 students) compared with 14% of non-HBCUs.” At the Morehouse panel, a group of alumni and current students discussed the advantages of attending the all-male HBCU. Jameson Floyd, a recent physics graduate, said his first choice had been an Ivy League school. When he wasn’t accepted, he found attending Morehouse to be a blessing in disguise. “When you’re at a place in which everyone looks like you, \[race\] no longer is a differentiator, that’s a great thing,” Floyd said. “That’s probably the thing that helped developed me the most is having the space to exist and the space to learn and really grow, so that you’re not always put into a box as ‘the Black kid.’” “To see a campus full of Black men all devoted towards success is just mind-blowing because the media doesn’t portray us that way,” added Kevin McGee, a current theater student at Morehouse. “We see in schools from K-12 how we are being policed, our bodies, the way we speak, our tone.” McGee also noted, “coming from New York, we don’t really get told about HBCUs much; we’re always told about CUNY schools, SUNY schools, and staying in the means of New York.” Greer Brown, a proud Howard alum, lamented that NYC public high schools “push” CUNY schools on students and lack very basic information about HBCUs. Most local counselors are unaware of the [Black Common College App](https://commonblackcollegeapp.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), which enables students to apply to 60 HBCUs nationwide at the low cost of $20. CUNY institutions and HBCUs have comparable four-year graduation rates, and both are considered effective vehicles for socio-economic mobility. Overall, however, CUNY students leave with considerably less debt because of their affordable tuition rates. HBCUs face a [legacy of inequitable funding](https://www.acenet.edu/Documents/public-and-private-investments-and-divestments-in-hbcus.pdf?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) and, as a result, are often unable to provide competitive financial aid packages to students. Strong networking opportunities and student-faculty relationships at HBCUs are key distinguishing factors from CUNYs, where austerity measures have left schools with [limited course seats and a lack of support from overbooked academic advisors](https://www.gothamgazette.com/state/9735-limited-course-seats-cuny-delayed-graduation?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). In comparison, a common theme throughout all the HBCU fair sessions was the supportive and nurturing environment that HBCU faculty create. When Greer Brown’s daughter was preparing for college, she had her visit a variety of historically Black colleges on the [Staten Island Strong HBCU Tour](https://sistronghbcu.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com#:~:text=Our%20Necessary%20Goal%29-,Staten%20Island%20S.T.R.O.N.G.,Historical%20Black%20Colleges%20and%20Universities.&text=An%20investment%20in%20one's%20education%20reaps%20a%20multitude%20of%20reward.). “I made sure that she visited every school that she was interested in, so she could make an intelligent decision,” she explained. Her daughter, ultimately, did enroll in her alma mater. “I would have been heartbroken if she didn't go to Howard, but I would have also known that she would have had the same experience of being completely loved and totally accepted.” --- If you liked this piece and want to see more like it, please subscribe. ### MLK Tried to Tell Us (Subscriber Bonus) URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/mlk-tried-to-tell-us-subscriber-bonus/ Last updated: 2024-03-14T18:01:27.000Z In an extra for our paid subscribers, our producer speaks to Danny about MLK's legacy. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### A Collective Demand for Pandemic Relief (Subscriber Bonus) URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/a-collective-demand-for-pandemic-relief-2/ Last updated: 2024-03-14T17:56:58.000Z In an extra for our paid subscribers, our producer speaks to Sean about COVID relief. _This post is for paying subscribers only._ ### Recent City Budget Cuts Threaten Staten Island's Youngest Workers URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/recent-city-budget-cuts-threaten-staten-islands-youngest-workers/ Last updated: 2021-02-25T01:05:28.000Z When NYC’s 2021 budget proposal was drafted last July, city agencies faced massive cuts as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Tax revenues had decreased by an unprecedented $8 billion following the city’s coronavirus lockdown, and additional funds were needed to address the public health crisis. More than a month after the Minneapolis police killing of George Floyd, calls to defund the NYPD grew in momentum. The NYPD budget was ultimately reduced by $1 billion, but [the cut was criticized as misleading](https://fortune.com/2020/06/29/new-york-police-budget-bill-de-blasio/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Nearly half of that reduction -- $400 million allocated for school safety officers --was simply shuffled to the Department of Education (DOE) budget. Activists have for years advocated for completely removing police officers from schools. [A nationwide study published by the ACLU in 2019](https://www.aclu.org/sites/default/files/field%5Fdocument/030419-acluschooldisciplinereport.pdf?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) states “there is no evidence that police in schools improve school safety— indeed, in many cases they are causing harm.” As city agencies faced difficult budget cuts, the NYPD was one of the few departments not mandated to enact a hiring freeze after the July proposal. “Always your answer is to cut \[youth\] programs, and then send more police officers to try to do on the backend what we could have done on the frontend,” said NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams during a [virtual rally for the DOE’s Learning to Work (LTW) program](https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=406836877389589&ref=watch%5Fpermalink). “We very often are trying to fight just to save for the meager funding that we have, when really we should be fighting for additional funding.” [LTW](http://www.uftsolidarity.org/save-the-ltw-program/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) is a transfer high school initiative that provides alternative education, social services, and paid internship opportunities to over 16,000 NYC public school students annually through partnerships with non-profit organizations. The $42 million program was projected to be slashed by $30 million in the city’s July budget proposal. The cuts disproportionately impact vulnerable New Yorkers of color. LTW’s 46 transfer high schools and 20 Young Adult Borough Centers in NYC serve predominantly Black and Brown youth and students dealing with mental health issues, disabilities, and homelessness. These students come to LTW after struggling at previous schools. “\[LTW\] changed my life. I have a career path, I have options now, and I know myself, and that's been the best thing.” said Brandon Plaza as he co-hosted the Staten Island rally in late October. “I'm a recent college graduate, and I didn't think that was ever going to happen. Rallies were coordinated in each of the five boroughs to urge Mayor Bill de Blasio and School Chancellor Richard Carranza to reconsider LTW spending cuts before the 2021 city budget was finalized in November. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/02/Mike-DeVito.png) *Screenshots of Michael DeVito co-hosting* a [virtual rally for the DOE’s Learning to Work (LTW) program](https://www.facebook.com/watch/live/?v=406836877389589&ref=watch%5Fpermalink). “I was a student that definitely fell through the cracks,” said LTW alum Angelica Collazo who described challenges with mental illness and a difficult home life. She said LTW taught her “how to work”, life skills, social skills, and public speaking. Dahkimalik Short is a current LTW student who is temporarily living at a homeless shelter in Manhattan. “It is a very wonderful opportunity to get experience and get paid while you're going to school, that's a big part of the motivation that I have for the school,” said Short. LTW students can intern at a local business or organization to gain job skills. During the 2019-2020 school year, $9 million was earned by students through minimum wage internships. Students from low-income families report relying on this money to help pay household bills. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/02/06_DOE_learning_to_work-1.jpg) Dahkimalik Short on the last leg of nearly a two-hour commute from Manhattan to a job he found through the "Learning to Work" initiative in Staten Island. "They pay you," he said, "you actually have to keep up with your classes to continue getting paid. That is honestly very fun, and I really enjoy that." Short takes pride in his work and says that his commute from Manhattan to Staten Island is "very worth it" because of the opportunity to be paid to go to school. **[Photograph by Olga Ginzburg](https://www.instagram.com/ginzburgphoto/?hl=en&ref=pleaforthefifth.com)** for Plea for the Fifth With the help of LTW, Short is now just 5 credits away from graduating. During his time with the program, he has completed several certificates and training programs, including a security guard training, construction worker certificate, and internship at Party City. He says after his graduation, these credentials will help him get a job as he works towards an Associate degree. “They’re not just staff, they're family,” said Misha Winston, referring to program faculty. “They never turn their back, even after you graduate.” Similar to Short, staff members helped Winston earn her high school diploma and find her first job while she was living at a homeless shelter. Winston said it would be a “shame” if the program did not receive proper funding. The initial 72% cut proposed for LTW schools was disproportionately larger than the 1.5% reduction for general education funds. In addition, during a time of economic crisis, charter schools received a 4% increase in 2021 funding. [Charter schools have long been criticized](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/posteverything/wp/2019/05/30/feature/charter-schools/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) for diverting public money from district schools. “They're essentially cutting twice from our young people,” said [New York Center for Interpersonal Development](http://nycid.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) (NYCID) Associate Executive Director, Michael DeVito, in an interview with Plea For the Fifth. “Can it get any more racist than that as far as the practices go?” NYCID partners with LTW schools on Staten Island: Concord High School in Grymes Hills and the Young Adult Borough Center (YABC) at Tottenville High School. A majority of Staten Island LTW students are from the North Shore and have to commute up to 90-minutes to reach the YABC at Tottenville. “I hear equity all the time from you, Mr. Mayor and Mr. Chancellor, where's your equity now?” pleaded Michael Noto, Staten Island YABC Program Administrator, during the October rally. “Those students at Stuyvesant and all those other great schools, they're going to be just fine.” Noto cited schools with high performing academic programs that did not receive drastic changes to funding. He said that during his 24-year career as an educator he never had witnessed such a devastating budget cut. The mayor ultimately [decided to decrease](https://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/education/ny-budget-cuts-transfer-community-schools-20201030-qvks4pgkwzc2ncha5gyrpbefpm-story.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) the program’s cut to $10 million, a roughly 25% cut. NYCID says so far they have been able to manage with the aid of federal relief loans. However, their contract with the city for the YABC in Tottenville is set to expire in July 2021\. Several other LTW non-profit partners across NYC are in the same predicament and fear that the vital programming they provide will be eliminated. A new round of advocacy efforts is currently being planned on Staten Island by the LTW Coalition and [Youth WINS](https://thestatenislandfoundation.org/youth-wins-workforce-initiative-network-of-staten-island/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), an initiative to increase youth employment and school engagement. “You cannot do budget cuts on the backs of the future generations of this city,” said Donald DeRosa, Staten Island Borough Director for NYC’s Comptroller during the rally. “When you invest in youth in every single corner of this city, you will always get a return on your investment.” According to a [Community Service Society report](https://smhttp-ssl-58547.nexcesscdn.net/nycss/images/uploads/pubs/From%20Basic%20Skills%20to%20Better%20Futures%20Sept.%202009%20Final%20Report.pdf.pdf?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), “In lifetime budgetary terms, ‘each individual without a high school diploma represents a net cost to New York City of $134,037, whereas each New Yorker with a high school diploma or GED yields a net benefit of $192,715 – a swing of more than $325,000 per person.’” Based on those figures, NYCID argues that LTW programming has contributed a $4.9 billion net benefit to the city by helping more than 15,000 New Yorkers obtain a high school diploma. The North Shore’s City Council member Debi Rose is also fighting to restore funding for similar programs. On January 13, Rose took part in a [virtual rally](https://www.facebook.com/benkallos/videos/214423256986041/) to increase funding for the 2021 Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) which provides professional development for youth through part-time summer jobs. Like LTW, a majority of SYEP participants are Black and Brown youth and utilize money earned to help support their families. “SYEP has a history of narrowing the inequality gap, uplifting young people who would otherwise struggle to access the labor market,” said Rose at the rally. She gained her first job through SYEP. Last spring, the mayor initially eliminated the $124 million program, attributing COVID-19 restrictions. Through advocacy, Rose helped salvage $51 million for remote programming. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/02/13_DOE_learning_to_work.jpg) Short works at Party City on Forest Ave in Staten Island three days a week. "Learning To Work," he says, "helped me take a very big step towards the next part of my life." After he graduates high school, his goal is to complete an Associate degree in Banking and Finance. **[Photograph by Olga Ginzburg](https://www.instagram.com/ginzburgphoto/?hl=en&ref=pleaforthefifth.com)** for Plea for the Fifth “The number one way to cut violent crime arrests in half is a job,” added Public Advocate Williams during the rally. [Several studies](https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/metro%5F2018jan%5Fhow-can-summer-jobs-reduce-crime-among-youth-final.pdf?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) confirm that an eight-week summer job significantly reduces crime among youth. Williams supports universal summer employment for youth in order to redefine public safety mechanisms. Rose would also like to expand SYEP but expects to fight just to fully fund this year’s program. “Let me be very clear, we will not balance a budget on the backs of our vulnerable youth,” pledged Rose. “During this \[pandemic\] that has magnified the glaring disparities in our city, it is imperative that we provide a safety net for our young people before they fall even further behind.” --- ****Cover Photo:** Nineteen-year-old Dahkimalik Short takes the bus from the ferry to work on Feb. 20, 2021\. Short attended New Dorp High School from 2015-2018, but family issues disrupted his education, and he had to relocate to a shelter. He currently a student at the Alternative High School, Concord. **[Photographs by Olga Ginzburg](https://www.instagram.com/ginzburgphoto/?hl=en&ref=pleaforthefifth.com)** forPlea for the Fifth If you liked this piece and want to see more like it, please subscribe. ### Local Power Broker for Borough President traveled to D.C. on Day of Capitol Insurrection URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/local-power-broker-for-bp-traveled-to-dc/ Last updated: 2024-01-03T17:44:50.000Z Leticia Remauro, a GOP candidate for Staten Island Borough President with a history of [ racist remarks](https://forward.com/news/461979/leticia-remauro-who-apologized-for-saying-heil-hitler-has-history-of/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), 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](https://www.silive.com/northshore/2009/06/an%5Fadvocate%5Ffor%5Fthe%5Faverage%5Fjo.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) power broker in the borough – broadcast herself from Washington D.C. Remauro, and her fellow passengers, were on their way to Donald Trump’s ‘March to Save America’ rally at the National Mall that preceded the insurrection at The Capitol. City Council District 50 candidate Sam Pirozzolo, owner of the [infamous giant "T" lawn sign](https://www.thecity.nyc/government/2019/10/31/21212451/staten-islander-behind-16-foot-t-for-trump-sign-running-for-city-council?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), shared a photo to social media of the bus ride to D.C., tagging Remauro, and local artist Scott Lobaido - responsible for the [unauthorized paint line](https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2020/07/29/scott-lobaido-blue-line/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) along Hylan Blvd.’s divider. Remauro made [national headlines](https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/533801-republican-staten-island-candidate-apologizes-for-hitler-reference?rl=1&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) for shouting “[Heil Hitler](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEwNj2T0xO8&ref=pleaforthefifth.com)'' at a [rally opposing coronavirus restrictions](https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/09/nyregion/macs-staten-island-covid.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), after being called out by [local activist](https://www.facebook.com/1165222927/videos/10223679069622508/) Jasi Robinson. Remauro initially defended her anti-semitic remarks in a Facebook comment writing, "I admit it wasn't my most eloquent speech but I hope you can see that in this case I was comparing the Mayor to Hitler sending troops in to take peoples property in Germany." On December 19th, 2020, Remauro also posted on Twitter about U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, hoping she'd be sterilized by the Covid-19 vaccine. This comment recalls the history of [eugenics](https://www.newyorker.com/books/page-turner/the-forgotten-lessons-of-the-american-eugenics-movement?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) and forced sterilization of [women of color](https://theintercept.com/2020/09/17/forced-sterilization-ice-us-history/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) in the U.S., seen most recently in revelations about [forced sterilizations in ICE facilities.](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/where-is-the-outcry-staten-islands-deafening-silence-on-forced-sterilizations/) Community activist [Tammy Greer Brown](https://twitter.com/tammygreerbrown?lang=en&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) criticized the apparent enabling of Remaruo across the Island in a widely-shared Facebook post: > "We gave {Remauro} access to our communities knowing full well what it means to be Republican on Staten Island," Greer Brown wrote. "She infiltrated our communities and became friends with Democrats, Republicans, Religious, Non-religious, Community, Black, Brown, Jewish & White folks on Staten Island. and never had to change ANYTHING, NOT ONE THING about herself, nor was she asked to do so." But Remauro is more than a fringe far-right Trumpist, as Greer Brown points out in her post. The candidate is a staple in the borough’s political scene and is linked to powerful, mainstream political figures on the Island, like Representative Nicole Malliotakis. Greer Brown also notes Remauro has worked with both Republicans and Democrats in her involvement with community groups and campaigns over the years. Malcolm Penn, of the anti-violence group [True 2 Life](https://www.centralfamilylifecenter.org/true-2-life?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), wrote in a Facebook post that Islanders should "re-evaluate \[their\] place in politics and community outreach" if they're working with people like Remauro in light of her participating in the storming of the Capitol. Republican Nicole Malliotakis and Democrat Diane Savino jointly [honored Remauro in 2011](https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/articles/diane-j-savino/senator-diane-savino-and-assemblywoman-nicole-malliotakis-women?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), then chairwoman of Community Board 1, in celebration of Women's History Month. Remauro's PR company – [The Von Agency](https://thevonagency.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) – also worked on Malliotakis's [unsuccessful mayor bid in 2017](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQTjAx2mqq0&feature=youtu.be&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) and managed Malliotakis's social media for her successful 2020 congressional campaign. Malliotakis spoke out against Capitol rioters and [condemned Remauro's comments](https://twitter.com/NMalliotakis/status/1349029082911092737?s=20&ref=pleaforthefifth.com), but neither her nor outgoing Staten Island Borough President James Oddo have inclined to whom they will support in the upcoming Republican primary on June 22. According to an anonymous source from the Staten Island Republican Party, where Remauro served as chair from 1999-2002, the local party establishment must figure out how to move on in this "post-Trump world" [speaking to City & State in January,](https://www.cityandstateny.com/articles/politics/new-york-city/will-trump-ever-leave-staten-island.html?fbclid=IwAR1sdZljcZSxLmWB6byRcT2gazp-VOtM3yJQhtmIlq%5FA1AazIV-NEXJ15XM&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) and suggested that Remuaro and Pirozzolo represent the party's fringes. But local activist Greer Brown disagrees. She suggests that Remauro's brand of Trumpism, close alignment and continued support of the former president--which may have been the strategy that led to Malliotakis's 2020 victory--will continue to work in her favor among other positions that appeal to bipartisan voters. For example, focus on supporting law enforcement after a summer of Black Lives Matter and anti-police brutality protests on the Island and across the nation. Yet the hyperfocus on Donald Trump and sensationalism caused by the words and actions of his most ardent supporters serves a narrative that Trump's influence radically altered the political scene and life in general on Staten Island. Yet strong support for law enforcement; anti-immigrant sentiment; and racial and class divisions that predated Trump continue to define local politics. Since the controversy stirred up by Remauro came and went in early January, campaign signs continue to appear across the borough bearing Remauro's likeness and the statement "I stand with law enforcement." Challenging Remauro for the Republican Party nomination is [Councilmember Steven Matteo](https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/news/2021/01/28/races-for-borough-president-attract-a-flock-of-city-and-state-lawmakers?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) \- the apparent frontrunner. Democrat [Lorie Honor](https://www.cityandstateny.com/articles/politics/campaigns-elections/democratic-activist-enters-staten-islands-borough-president?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), who helped co-found Staten Island Women Who March, is also seeking to become the borough’s first woman to assume the role. The question still remains as to which candidate will stand up for Staten Island's most vulnerable communities, or instead maintain the moderate status-quo to satisfy the borough's insular political elite. --- *Disclaimer: Jacqueline Caurso is a paid member of Ranti Ogunleye's campaign for City Council District 49\. This article is in no way influenced or instructed by the campaign. Plea for the Fifth speaks truth to power and is critical of the Republican and Democratic establishments. It's a top priority for PFT5 to be as transparent as possible about any conflicts of interest.* **Cover Photo:** Campaign election sign of Leticia Remauro for Staten Island Borough President along Hylan Blvd. **Photograph by Sean Ghazala** | Plea for the Fifth If you liked this piece and want to see more like it, please subscribe. ### An Unseen Photo Album Preserves Life of Audre Lorde URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/an-unseen-photo-album-preserves-of-life-of-audre-lorde/ Last updated: 2024-06-07T13:58:25.000Z “Powerful and Dangerous: The Images and Words of Audre Lorde” exhibition at the Alice Austen House is a celebration of the radical work of Black, lesbian feminist, writer, activist and poet, Audre Lorde. The exhibition was a collaborative process made with some of Lorde’s closest friends, colleagues, and sister comrades. I was so fortunate to have their guidance in the creation of this exhibition. Two of Lorde’s long-time friends, Blanche Cook and Clare Coss, guided my initial explorations into the personal realm of her writing practice. They welcomed me into their home to view their archive of personal photographs and ephemera which spanned decades of personal celebrations and professional intersections. Cook, Coss, and I discussed Lorde’s time spent [on Staten Island](https://www.nyclgbtsites.org/site/audre-lorde-residence/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com)(1972 to 1987) raising her two children, Elizabeth and Jonathan, with her partner Francis Clayton. Cook and Coss illuminated the many wonderful afternoons spent on St. Pauls Avenue and the powerful writing and teaching that Lorde produced during these years**.** Some of these works included her most celebrated: *From a Land Where Other People Live* (1973), *The Black Unicorn* (1978), *The Cancer Journals (1980),* and [*Sister Outsider: Essays and Speeches*](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sister%5FOutsider?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) (1984). She also created a new publishing house with activist Barbara Smith called [Kitchen Table: Women of Color Press](http://www.lesbianpoetryarchive.org/book/export/html/87?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). The most revelatory object they shared with me was a large album of personal photographs they had created to celebrate Audre’s life when she passed in 1992\. Up until this point, the only people that had viewed this album were Lorde’s children. I was so moved by Cook and Coss’s generosity when they allowed me to include this personal memento in the exhibition. The album was frail, and it felt urgent to protect and archive the documents so they could be shared with our audience and future generations. To make this possible, I decided to create a self-published book that stayed true to the album’s arrangement, placement, and personal notes, and could be touched and shared. The entire album was carefully scanned by our archivist and brought back together digitally to make this a reality. There are so many connections that these unique images make between lesbian artists, activists, and photographers. These images are essential to understanding the forces of creative collaborations and the lesbian community during that period. This book represents an intimate portrait of Lorde celebrating her contagious energy, love of people, flirty fun lesbian play, and prolific writing practice. Cook and Coss wrote this statement to accompany the album: **“Soon after Audre Lorde departed this earth, we found comfort and consolation in the creation of an album of our chosen family, featuring some of the happiest shared moments of our lives together. These snapshots illuminate high-spirited flirty fun gatherings: birthdays, holidays at Audre and Frances’ Staten Island home; romps in the Hamptons; Lesbian and Gay demonstrations in NYC and DC; Audre’s alternative cancer treatment in Berlin; our amazing Hawaii eclipse trip; Audre honored as NY State poet; the last sad loving goodbye days on St. Croix.** **This is the first time we have shared this album with the exception of our god-children Elizabeth Lorde-Rollins MD and Jonathan Ashley Rollins. We thank curator Victoria Munro for her care and appreciation of our photo memories to be included in the Alice Austen House tribute to Audre Lorde.”** ![A photo given by Lorde to Cook while students together at Hunter College.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/02/Audre_Lorde_Photo_Album1.jpg) A photograph given by Lorde to Wiesen-Cook while at university together. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/02/Audre_Lorde_Photo_Album2.jpg) Intimate family moments photographs circa 1968 by Cook. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/02/Audre_Lorde_Photo_Album3.jpg) Audre Lorde and her long-time partner Francis Clayton at the beach with Cook and Coss. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/02/Audre_Lorde_Photo_Album4.jpg) Birthday celebrations in Manhattan, 1977. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/02/Audre_Lorde_Photo_Album5.jpg) A photograph from the Gay March on Washington with Lorde in 1979 when she was a speaker and a poster by Ann Cammett from the 1990 "I Am Your Sister" conference in Boston with Jean Weisinger's photograph. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/02/Audre_Lorde_Photo_Album6.jpg) Lorde’s son, Jonathan celebrates graduation day at Vassar College in 1986. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/02/Audre_Lorde_Photo_Album7.jpg) In 1985, Lorde was honored with the dedication of the[ Audre Lorde Women’s Poetry Center](https://library.hunter.cuny.edu/old/sites/default/files/pdf/archive%5Farticles/rhodes%5Fwho%5Fsaid%5Fit%5Fwould%5Fbe%5Fsimple%5Fnodate%5F0.pdf?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) at Hunter College, where one of Lorde’s students continues to lead the program today. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/02/Audre_Lorde_Photo_Album8.jpg) Book party at Hunter College in the spring 1991. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/02/Audre_Lorde_Photo_Album9.jpg) A pilgrimage to the Pele, visiting a volcano in Hawaii with friends, there for the 1991 Eclipse. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/02/Audre_Lorde_Photo_Album10.jpg) Lorde’s lover Gloria I. Joseph said Lorde would make these small collages with images and text for her friends. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/02/Audre_Lorde_Photo_Album11.jpg) Lorde at a ceremony where Governor Cuomo named her poet laureate of New York State in 1991\. A title she held until her passing at 58 the next year. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/02/Audre_Lorde_Photo_Album12.jpg) The final page of the album shows a puppet street performance, Holocaust memorials in Berlin on Cook and Coss's last visit with Lorde, and images celebrating Lorde's legacy after death in 1992. *The exhibition,* “Powerful and Dangerous: The Words and Images of Audre Lorde,” *is open *until February 28th* by appointment. A virtual tour of the exhibition is available at* [*www.aliceausten.org*](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/p/dd3fae31-dc5e-46d4-a873-6665bf161777/www.aliceausten.org)*.* Victoria Munro is the Executive Director of the [Alice Austen House](https://aliceausten.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) and curator of this exhibition. --- **Correction:** The caption on the first photo of this story was updated on Feb. 15, 2021. ### Follow the Money (D-49): Entry 1 URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/follow-the-money-d-49-entry-1/ Last updated: 2024-01-02T16:15:49.000Z 2020 was a year filled with political material. From TV commercials, to YouTube ads, to lawn signs, to even door knockers, Staten Islanders, in particular, experienced a politically charged year. Unfortunately – for those hoping for a break – 2021 is poised to be just as politically charged as 2020\. [35 of the 51 City Council members are term-limited](https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/politics/2020/01/15/nyc-elections-2021-whos-running-city-council-why-two-year-terms-instead-of-four?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) this year, including City Councilwoman Debi Rose (D-49). Councilwoman Rose is the first Black woman to represent District 49 (North Shore), a district she’s represented since 2010\. Because the North Shore is Staten Island’s only reliably Democratic voting Council District, 12 candidates – all Democrats – are running to replace her. The question that many in the district are probably wondering is how much will they hear or see from each candidate. While it’s hard to answer that question definitively, each candidate’s campaign financing might be an indication. Campaign financing (quite literally, how much money each candidate can spend on their campaigns) influences everything from a candidate's TV advertisements to the expertise of their campaign staff. For example, Sen. Bernie Sanders’ (I-VT) [incredible, early campaign financing](https://www.cnbc.com/2020/01/01/bernie-sanders-raised-34point5-million-in-4q-in-2020-democratic-primary.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) for his 2020 Presidential campaign allowed him to set up comprehensive ground staff in Nevada far before his primary opponents. While City Council candidates will obviously pull in much less funding, their financing can give them a foothold in the community, or indicate who has the edge in a crowded field. D-49 candidate [Amoy Barnes](https://www.amoybarnes.com/meet-amoy?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) – D-49’s current funding leader – for example, recently hosted a panel on public health gaps on the North Shore. This event which hosted physicians, public health advocates, and community activists was paid for her by her campaign. Most campaign financing comes from donors: individuals or organizations. In NYC, however, candidates for city offices can have their donations matched by the city. For City Council races, candidates who have over 75 donations can have a portion of their [donations matched at an 8-to-1 rate](https://www.nyccfb.info/candidate-services/limits-thresholds/2021/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). The NYC Campaign Finance Board matches and multiplies donations of up to $175 – yielding, at most, an extra $1,400\. This means that City Council candidates will often have coffers much larger than the donations they have received. This program was meant to lift financial barriers that prevented lower-income candidates from running competitive campaigns. This has ultimately been successful, but it can obscure how much individual support each candidate has from potential constituents. In order to clarify each candidate’s financial support from donors, this piece (and subsequent ones in the series) will focus primarily on donations alone. ***Donations at a Glance*** The North Shore Council race has already attracted over $200,000 in donations to the candidates running to replace Councilwoman Rose. This puts this race on pace to be one of the most expensive City Council races in Staten Island’s history. Presently, Barnes has amassed the most in donations, while John McBeth has raised the least of candidates with at least $500 in contributions. While contributions can come from anywhere in America, Kamillah Hanks boasts the highest average donation from Staten Islanders at $123.45\. Philippe-Edner Apostol-Marius has the smallest average donation at $32.36. > This piece, and its companion editions, use the average (mean) instead of the median because many candidates receive multiple donations of the same monetary value. For example, if a candidate receives 45 donations, 40 of which are $35 and the last five are $1,000, the median donation to that campaign would be $35\. The average, however, would be $142 – much more illustrative of how much money the candidate received. While the average donation is not necessarily indicative of total campaign financing, it can be illuminating of the socioeconomic conditions of the contributors. Working-class voters are more likely to [donate in smaller amounts](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/10/25/us/politics/trump-biden-campaign-donations.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), while white-collar professionals are more prone to donating larger sums. This is incredibly important to consider for the North Shore, the city’s[ most economically unequal City Council district](https://www.cccnewyork.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/North-Shore-Report.pdf?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Notably, having smaller donations may not mean you have the least amount of funding. In fact, there have been numerous examples of political candidates generating the largest cumulative donations while having smaller donations. While Ranti Ogunleye has the second-lowest average donation from Staten Islanders, the Staten Island portion of his campaign financing is comparable to that of the third-highest Staten Island fundraiser, Kelvin Richards. Ranti did this by having the second-highest number of donations from Staten Islanders. The Campaign Finance Board’s Matching Program gives us another powerful tool in determining the size of each candidate's individual contributions. The Campaign Finance board indicates exactly how much of each candidate’s haul is eligible to be matched. This indicates the size of donations each candidate is receiving, since the city will only match donations up to $175\. Candidates with a large portion of matchable funds likely received a greater number of smaller donations. For example, because 97 percent of Apostol-Marius’ donations (though not yet eligible to receive matching funding) are eligible to be matched, it’s likely that almost all of his donations are less than $175\. Conversely, Hanks, who only has 61 percent of her donations eligible to be matched, is likely receiving much larger individual donations. ***Individual Candidates*** *Philippe-Edner Apostol-Marius* *Community Liaison for Assembly Member Richard Gotfriend (D-75)* Of the candidates who have raised more than $500, Apostol-Marius has received the second-lowest amount of money in donations so far. Presently, his six largest donors have all contributed $175 each. Two of them live in Brooklyn, two live in Manhattan, and two live in Staten Island. Apostol-Marius is presently receiving one-third of his funding from outside of Staten Island. *Amoy Barnes* *Staten Island Director of the DOE Education Transition and College Access Center* Barnes currently has the highest amount of money received from donations. Presently, her three largest donors (each contributing $1,000) are two organizations, including [The United Healthcare Workers East Union (1199 SEIU)](https://www.1199seiu.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), and one individual donor from Staten Island. It’s notable that most of Barnes’ campaign financing is coming from donors living outside of Staten Island, and 21 percent of it is coming from outside of NYC. *Selina Grey* *Former Campaign Manager City Councilwoman Debi Rose (D-49)* Grey is receiving just over a quarter of her funding from outside of Staten Island. Presently, her four largest donors have each contributed $500\. While three of them live in Staten Island, one of those donors lives in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. *Kamillah Hanks* *President & CEO of the Historic Tappen Park* Hanks presently has the second-highest donor haul of the candidates running for this City Council seat. Presently, Hanks is bringing in the most money from the South Shore. Almost ten percent ($3,050) of her Staten Island donations are coming from the 10307 zip code, which includes all of Tottenville. Her highest donors are seven individuals (including herself) each contributing $1,000\. Two of these seven donors include the CEO and COO of[ The Angiuli Group](https://designapprovals2.com/angiuli/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), a real estate agency located in Tompkinsville. Of the seven, all are from Staten Island aside from one donor living in Brooklyn. *John McBeth* *Deacon at St. Philip’s Baptist Church* Of the candidates who have raised more than $500, McBeth has received the least amount of money in donations so far. Over 80 percent of his donations are coming from Staten Islanders. He’s currently his own largest donor contributing $1,000 to his own campaign. *Troy McGhie* *Teacher & Basketball Coach* McGhie is receiving just over a third of his funding from outside of Staten Island – a quarter of his funding coming from outside of NYC. Presently, his largest donor is a single individual from Staten Island who has contributed $1,000. *Ranti Ogunleye* *Director of the Gerard Carter Cornerstone of Staten Island’s Jewish Community Center* Ogunleye may not be one of the top fundraisers, but he is one of three candidates who is receiving the majority of his funding (60 percent) from outside of Staten Island. So far, he’s receiving his largest individual donations from five individuals – none of whom live in Staten Island. Two individuals from Queens, one from Roswell, Georgia, one from Chicago, Illinois, and one from Birmingham, Michigan, have each contributed $1,000 to Ogunleye’s campaign. *Kelvin Richards* *Public Defender at the Legal Aid Society* Of the candidates with over $500 in donor contributions, Richards has the highest percentage of his campaign funding coming from Staten Islanders (85 percent). So far, Richards' single largest donation ($500) is coming from an individual in Staten Island. *Michael Schnall* *Vice President of Government Relations and Community Investment at NY Road Runners* Schnall is the only candidate running who doesn’t have a plurality of his financial contributions from Staten Island. In fact, the plurality of his donations (42 percent) are coming from outside of the city altogether. None of his three largest financial contributors are Staten Islanders. Three individuals from Manhattan, Chicago, and Delray Beach, Florida have each contributed $1,000 to his campaign. His Manhattan and Chicago contributors are both attorneys working for [Holland & Knight LLP](https://www.hklaw.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). ***Things to Consider*** This campaign finance tracker is the first in Plea for the Fifth’s *Follow The Money* series tracking the campaign financing of the candidates in each of Staten Island’s three City Council districts. The goal of this project is not to make moral judgments on where, or how, each candidate is receiving funding. It is instead to give readers accessible information that they can use to assess whether a candidate’s funding streams align most with their priorities. This piece – and its companions for District 50 and 51 – will be updated shortly after the campaign finance filing deadline each month. --- **Cover Photo:** Illustration by [Xio ](https://www.instagram.com/xprexions/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) If you liked this piece and want to see more like it, please [click here](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/tell%5Fus%5Fabout%5Fyou/). ### Commentary: Trump is Gone, Fascist Trends are Not URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/trump-is-gone-fascist-trends-are-not/ Last updated: 2024-03-27T14:23:53.000Z The rise of fascist tendencies in our nation should shock all, but will not be a surprise to some. The legitimacy of democracy in the United States, which has never provided agency to all, is now disputed. The two major political parties have disputed outcomes of the presidential elections, because of Russian interference in the [2016](https://www.latimes.com/opinion/op-ed/la-oe-heffernan-trump-illegitimate-20180728-story.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), and false allegations of electoral fraud with ‘[Stop the Steal](https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/stop-the-steal-trump-biden-election-facebook-1086367/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com)’ in 2020\. Disenfranchisement combined with the economic despair experienced in 2020 is [fanning the flames of fascism](https://www.counterpunch.org/2020/05/01/economic-decline-and-the-threat-of-fascism/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). The data for 2020 is stark; [40 million](https://www.aspeninstitute.org/blog-posts/the-covid-19-eviction-crisis-an-estimated-30-40-million-people-in-america-are-at-risk/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) Americans are at risk of an eviction, [50 million](https://www.feedingamerica.org/sites/default/files/2020-10/Brief%5FLocal%20Impact%5F10.2020%5F0.pdf?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) are food-insecure, and job losses globally were [four times higher than the 2008 financial crisis](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/four-times-as-many-jobs-were-lost-worldwide-in-2020-as-during-the-200809-financial-crisis-un-01611581647?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/02/Bund-Parade-NYC.jpg) German American Bund parade in New York City on East 86th St. on October 30, 1939\. Photograph: Library of Congress | In the United States, the Amerikadeutscher Volksbund, or German American Bund, was formed in 1936 as “an organization of patriotic Americans of German stock,” operating about 20 youth and training camps, and eventually growing to a membership in the tens of thousands among 70 regional divisions across the country. In the 1920s and 30s, the Great Depression similarly triggered economic despair for wide swaths of the population. Just one decade later fascism spread across Continental Europe, particularly in Italy and Germany. However, pre-Hitler Germany had vibrant progressive movements. In the early-1930s Germany had huge socialist and communist parties, [a trade union movement](https://www.peoplesworld.org/article/today-in-labor-history-nazis-destroy-unions/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), one of the [most advanced women's rights](https://hist259.web.unc.edu/the-sex-reform-movement-in-weimar-germany-1919-1933/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) movements of their time, and a [pioneering movement for gay rights](https://history.washington.edu/research/publications/sex-and-weimar-republic-german-homosexual-emancipation-and-rise-nazis?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Shortly after Hitler and Nazism’s rise, activists from those progressive movements were imprisoned in [concentration camps](https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/dachau?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) for seeking justice. As in Europe then, dramatic changes to Americans’ quality of life today have unleashed demands for economic and social justice. The anti-racism protests inspired by George Floyd’s 2020 murder were the[ largest in United States history](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/07/03/us/george-floyd-protests-crowd-size.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) \- and inspired protests [globally](https://www.npr.org/2020/05/31/866428272/george-floyd-reverberates-globally-thousands-protest-in-germany-u-k-canada?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). In response to national anti-racist marches, however, pick-up truck rallies and [boat rallies](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/hundreds-rally-for-trump-in-lake-travis-boat-parade/ar-BB18Kgkq?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) were led in support of Donald Trump's reelection. Rallies were also held to [criticize the prospect of police reform](https://www.silive.com/news/2020/07/large-crowd-gathers-outside-122-to-show-support-for-police.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). While we witnessed the insurrection of a privileged class, politicians who've inspired these movements are all too ready to move on. Mainstream media has echoed Joe Biden’s call for Americans to [heal](https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-biden-idUSKBN29V15H?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) and seek [unity](https://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2021/0128/Biden-s-call-for-unity-hits-first-big-test-in-Congress?ref=pleaforthefifth.com)— and recycled [misrepresentations of Rev. Martin Luther King’s legacy](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/mlk-tried-to-tell-us/) used each year on his birthday. [Electoral violence](https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/08/opinion/capitol-riot-america.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) is not unprecedented in this country, despite Joe Biden’s claims that events at The Capitol were "not who we are.” We’re encouraged to simply move forward, and put it behind us rather than seek justice, substantive change and reparations. However, the conditions of precarity that drove this incident will remain unaltered. Donald Trump will be gone, but what will be done with the others who embraced his views? There's a longer history to reckon with to extinguish fascist views globally. Europe’s fascist movements looked to ‘the land of the free’ for inspiration. In the 1930s, as [*The Atlantic*](https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/11/what-america-taught-the-nazis/540630/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) writes, the Germans were fascinated by the global leader in codified racism—the United States. Nazi lawyers, [James Q. Whitman](https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691172422/hitlers-american-model?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) writes, were interested in American immigration law, the [American law of second class-citizenship](https://lawatthemargins.com/08022018-denaturalizationtaskforce/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [American anti-miscegenation law](http://www.lovingday.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), and the [American approach to racial classifications](https://www.tysknews.com/Depts/Constitution%5FIssues/one%5Fdrop%5Frule.htm?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). That the Nuremberg Laws, which led to the Holocaust, were inspired by the Jim Crow South, the genocide and internment of Indigenous people, and the segregation of Asian migrants in the American West is the unsettling truth. Worse still, the admiration was in some cases mutual. Nazi legal officials visited the United States just weeks after the Nuremberg laws [were enacted](https://www.yadvashem.org/holocaust/about/nazi-germany-1933-39/beginning-of-persecution.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Soon after docking, the New York City Bar Association hosted these Nazi legal officials for a [reception](https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/11/what-america-taught-the-nazis/540630/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) which was met by a six-hour demonstration outside. How can anti-racists and the working class respond to this moment, and prevent the spread of fascist ideology? The rhetoric of racist fascist demagoguery has been toppled before, and can be again. This can be done with class-based rhetoric that puts anti-racism front-and-center. Past events show us the rhetoric we need. Michigan voted for George Wallace in the 1972 Democratic Party presidential primaries. Wallace, a populist Alabama governor, opposed desegregation and supported Jim Crow. Martin Luther King [called Wallace](https://thehill.com/changing-america/respect/equality/479167-george-wallaces-daughter-says-racist-hate-speech-is-almost?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) “perhaps the most dangerous racist in America today.” Just sixteen years later Democratic voters in the state voted for Rev. Jesse Jackson Sr., an African American and the leader of the National Rainbow Coalition, to run for President. Jackson, only the second African American to mount a major nationwide campaign for president, had rallied for workers — such as the Chrysler auto assembly plant after its announced [closure](https://www.peoplesworld.org/article/today-in-history-jesse-jackson-is-born/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). > *"We have to put the focus on Kenosha, Wisconsin, as the place, here and now, where we draw the line to end economic violence!,"* Jackson said, comparing the worker’s economic fight to the gravity of the Civil Rights Movement in Selma, Alabama. Ultimately, that battle cry for Kenosha was ignored. Three decades later, the city was the site of [Jacob Blake’s](https://crooksandliars.com/2021/01/no-charges-officer-rusten-shesky-who-tried?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) shooting, and subsequently [two Kenosha residents](https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/kyle-rittenhouse-charged-killing-2-kenosha-protesters-has-bond-set-n1245953?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) while protesting his shooting. In our communities, there must be a movement in opposition to fascism and racism that speaks to the working class. Individuals can build community solidarity with one another through grassroot mutual aid programs - like [Forest Ave COMEunity Fridge](https://www.instagram.com/forestavecomeunityfridge/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Begin to advocate for universal policies that benefit everyone. [Rent](https://www.canceltherents.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) and [debt](https://debtcollective.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) cancellation, [universal health care](https://pnhp.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [guaranteed jobs](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/federal-job-guarantee-explained%5Fn%5F5b363f4ae4b007aa2f7f59fc?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) and income are working class programs that uplift all. The individuals taking part in these far-right movements witness the economic instability our communities face - exploitation leading to economic and social inequalities - and fear they will be next. In a misguided attempt at the United States' rejuvenation, they scapegoat women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ communities for the condition of our economy, rather than corporate executives or capitalists. Without addressing the increasing economic gaps all working people face, American society risks expending energy putting out sporadic fires, rather than engaging in prevention and removing the kindling. --- **Cover Photo:** Supporters of President Donald Trump at a rally in Wildwood, N.J., Jan. 28, 2020 **Photograph by** [**Peter van Agtmael**](https://www.magnumphotos.com/photographer/peter-van-agtmael/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com)[—Magnum Photos](https://www.magnumphotos.com/photographer/peter-van-agtmael/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) If you liked this piece and want to see more like it, please [click here](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/tell%5Fus%5Fabout%5Fyou/). ### Commentary: MLK Tried to Tell Us URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/mlk-tried-to-tell-us/ Last updated: 2026-02-18T15:45:18.000Z Today we commemorate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Ironically, or maybe not, MLK Day was signed into law by Ronald Reagan, a president whose administration dealt [serious harm to communities of color](https://www.law.ua.edu/acrcl/files/2017/04/the%5Fghosts%5Fof%5F1964.pdf?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). In recent years, celebrations of King’s life have become commonplace around this time of year. From the circulation of King’s most famous speech, to releasing articles discussing King’s role in the Civil Rights Movement, to upholding his legacy as a champion of nonviolence, King’s legacy becomes ever present nationwide. How has King’s legacy been curated and discussed, though? And how has the way America commemorated King brought us to where we are as a nation today? King’s legacy has been largely defined by folks in power: specifically, the public school system and major media outlets. The public school system outlines curricula and defines how we learn and discuss King. Major news outlets, both conservative and liberal, commemorate only certain aspects of King’s political being. For example, King has been historically reduced to a champion of nonviolent methods for transforming society. By reducing King’s legacy in this way, conservatives and liberals alike have been able to bring up King to critique activists and revolutionaries who use self-defense, insurrection, and armed rebellion as tools for liberation. On the other hand, activists on the ground — [those who truly respect King and his legacy](https://record.umich.edu/articles/angela-davis-celebrates-movements-unsung-heroes-in-mlk-keynote/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) — have been pushing back to give King the recognition he deserves. One consequence of the dominant narrative around King is that his “I Have a Dream” speech is referenced more in public spaces than any of his other speeches or letters. Overlooked analyses by King include “[A Letter from a Birmingham Jail](https://www.csuchico.edu/iege/%5Fassets/documents/susi-letter-from-birmingham-jail.pdf?ref=pleaforthefifth.com)” (1963), “[Why I am Opposed to War in Vietnam](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b80Bsw0UG-U&ref=pleaforthefifth.com)” (1967), and “[Summer of Our Discontent](https://digitalarchives.library.newschool.edu/index.php/Detail/objects/NS070204%5FARC%5FKing%5Fspeech?ref=pleaforthefifth.com)” (1964). Each of these hold valuable lessons, applicable to today, for folks interested in truly transforming themselves, and society at large. In “A Letter from a Birmingham Jail”, King asserts the following: > First, I must confess that over the past few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro’s great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen’s Council-er or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to 'order' than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: 'I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action'; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man’s freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a 'more convenient season.' King’s analysis of two different, and seemingly opposed, groups of white people gives us a lot to draw from. It is the white moderate who has largely upheld King for his vision of nonviolence. Moderates, including those leaning conservative and those leaning liberal, have used King’s words to serve the purpose of pacifying radical movements. We see how this plays out politically and culturally, both nationwide and here on Staten Island. Local examples of this are the murals around Staten Island upholding the phrase “colorblind." This type of messaging comes not from fascist or right-wing forces, but from the very moderates with “good intentions” that King was referring to. Colorblind messaging is meant to convey some sort of non-racist language that sees human beings for who they are. In the minds of moderates this achieves King’s biggest dream: “I look to a day when people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” What this type of narrative actually does is erase the lived experiences — including oppression and resistance — of communities of color, particularly the histories of Black Americans. Specifically, it erases the very real racism and non-colorblindness that people living in the communities where these murals are erected face daily. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/01/projectivity-color-blind-full.jpg) Colorblind Mural, a public art installation at Port Richmond High School designed by Kwue Molly, and powered by the Projectivity Group CREDIT: The Projectivity Group And, 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. He was willing to always put himself in harm’s way when confronting white supremacist groups. He was also willing to, despite the possibility of strong pushback and loss of support, criticise moderate White America, for their abstract support for Civil Rights leaders. This abstract support allows moderates to feel comfortable upholding and calling for nonviolent methods, while being proud supporters of violent[ institutions](https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2020/09/01/history-racist-colonial-violence-can-help-us-understand-police-violence/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) like [police](https://abolitionjournal.org/amnesty-all/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) and the [military](https://www.leftvoice.org/beyond-vietnam-mlks-lessons-on-us-imperialism?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). In Staten Island, for example, the leaders of many nonprofit organizations who claim to support social justice comfortably advocate for nonviolence in response to instances of police brutality while also voicing support for the NYPD and the military. In some cases, these leaders advocate for communities of color to join these institutions. Nationwide, a modern example of King’s legacy being diminished is how conservative and liberal media alike use MLK specifically (and the nonviolent branch of the civil rights movement, generally) to delegitimize both historical and current revolutionary groups and figures that include nonviolent, direct action as *a part and not the whole* of their political resistance. [Tomi Lahren](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2O5MGpfKTc&ref=pleaforthefifth.com), when discussing the Black Panther Party being saluted in February of 2016, said the following: > A salute to what? A group that used violence and intimidation to advance not racial equality but an overthrow of white domination? The Black Panthers for those that don’t know were critical of Martin Luther King’s non-violent Civil Rights movement. They didn't believe in change through peace, they promoted violence instead. Similarly, former President Bill Clinton, a main proponent of American liberal politics, used his eulogy for Civil Rights icon John Lewis to criticise movements that weren't expressly nonviolent. He juxtaposed the nonviolent Civil Rights Movement with the Black Panther Party to critique Black revolutionary Kwame Ture (Stokely Carmichael). Clinton expressed “ there were two or three years there where the movement went a little bit too far towards Stokely, but in the end John Lewis prevailed.” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2021/01/service-pnp-cph-3c10000-3c11000-3c11100-3c11165v.jpg) Caption: Martin Luther King, Jr., speaks during anti-war demonstration, New York City. CREDIT: Don Rice | Library of Congress Conservatives, liberals, and moderates uphold MLK as being strongly American and as being an American hero. In fact, he opposed capitalism, racism, and imperialism. All things that are part of the fabric of America’s existence. [Bill O’Reilly](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=%5F6C4MOzG%5F6g&ref=pleaforthefifth.com), for example, on a video clip from January 20, 2020, exclaimed: > So Martin Luther King basically wanted equal opportunity for everybody, that's it, that's it. That's what he wanted, equal opportunity for everybody. Is there anybody who opposes that? Because if you do, then you shouldn't live in this country, because that's what the country was founded on. Many people’s analyses, including moderates and liberals, have consistently been wrong about what America is. After the Capitol insurrection, many moderates were in shock. They did not understand how such a display of white nationalism could exist in our society. They did not understand how law enforcement could repress Black militant groups while being super cautious in their handling of white supremacist insurrectionists. Phrases like “This is not what America is” were constantly repeated. In large part, the liberal stance of not recognizing an openly violent America is very similar to, and misses the mark in the same way as, Trump's slogan: “Make America Great Again.” We need to heed MLK’s words and stand up ferociously to fascists and outward racists. And at the same time, we must beware of the moderate who is "more devoted to 'order' than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice…" --- **Cover Photo:** Martin Luther King Jr. arrested Sept. 4, 1958, in Montgomery, Alabama, by patrolman J.V. Johnson, right center, and O.M. Strickland, left center. Coretta Scott King is pictured at right. Charged with “loitering,” King was arrested while standing on a street outside the courtroom where his friend Ralph Abernathy was appearing for trial. **Photograph by Charles Moore** | Wikimedia Commons If you liked this piece and want to see more like it, please [click here](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/tell%5Fus%5Fabout%5Fyou/). ### Calls for Malliotakis' Resignation Echo Across the District URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/calls-for-malliotakis-resignation-echo-across-the-district/ Last updated: 2024-05-23T16:00:45.000Z The energy of the Bay Ridge Rally on Saturday, January 9, 2020, calling for the resignation of newly elected Congressmember Nicole Malliotakis, was palpable from beginning to end. Just before noon, a small, entirely masked crowd began to gather around Congressmember Malliotakis’s office at 7716 3rd Avenue within the limits of police barricades. Attendees stretched along the avenue, between 77th St and 78th St. With some signs saying “Lies for political advantage, truth for democracy,” the protestors’ frustration was visible. Within 10 minutes, that crowd had increased to hundreds, and the barricades were pulled back into the street to accommodate its size. Chris McCreight, President of the Bay Ridge Democrats, Democratic State Committee Person for District 64, and organizer of this rally, gave opening remarks and introduced the speakers gathered to condemn Congressmember Malliotakis’ objection to certifying the presidential electors in both Arizona and Pennsylvania, inspiring the gathering of insurrectionists who attempted the first [coup in American history](https://apnews.com/article/congress-stormed-us-34417ac51a765e297faf53eb0ad15517?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) by invading the Capitol and several federal buildings nationwide. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams was quick to denounce both Congressmember Malliotakis’ continued refusal to acknowledge the validity of the 2020 election and maintained support for objecting to Arizona and Pennsylvania electors. "All of the enablers who are now talking about unity — their definition of unity should not be oppressive, and it should not be arrogant,” he said. “If you enabled this President, that insurrection, and then went in and voted against the certification, your unification call has to come with action because you've already done enough with your words.” Councilmember Justin Brannon reminded the crowd that “Nicole Malliotakis took an oath; within 72 hours she sold us out.” “Five people died that day; you went back that night and you still voted with President Trump,” he continued. Councilmember Brad Lander (D39) took the argument a bit further, calling on Congressmember Malliotakis to join the movement to impeach and remove President Donald Trump. “Are you on the side of the white supremacist past,” Lander asked. “Or are you on the side of an inclusive, multiracial, democratic future?” Among non-elected speakers in attendance was Jasi Robinson, a Black Lives Matter activist and member of the Staten Island branch of the Democratic Socialists of America. Robinson reflected on her own experiences of police brutality while peacefully protesting this summer, and the stark difference of the treatment of violent insurrectionists during the events of January 6. “Michelle Obama said when they go low, we go high, \[but\] I'm sorry, I'm not there yet,” she said. “I believe in meeting people where they are and letting them know how real you are, where your beliefs are.” Robinson’s perspective, that of a Black, female activist brought distinct insight regarding the derivative effects of this insurrection. She noted that the differences in how Black protesters were treated by police this summer, compared to the seditionists, could cause further psychological damage to Black Americans. The lawmakers did not delve into this. ![](https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/HW_b9dB-d2ssYfAJwqN9R6fLUy9nnIu1i7TsO-lpp9xtq7JGbloHfdw9ZlhfQSj6fSu4XrgZ5WN1k7iAW4NMPqoTiSPr9nx9A_PEWlKFzRCM7L3dYTiV5GbPmWUQuV0SCzKxl0_PjWPmnJC4EqwI9g) From left to right: Activists Linda Sarsour and Jasi Robinson along with Councilmember Antionio Reynoso, individually speaking at the Bay Ridge rally on January 9, 2021\. CREDIT: Nicolette Suberska | Plea for the Fifth Linda Sarsour, American political activist and former [Women’s March ](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/09/16/us/womens-march-anti-semitism.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com)organizer, was last to speak, leaving lasting remarks impressed upon the crowd. “My parents fleed a military occupation so they could find freedom in America,” Sarsour said of her family's journey from Palestine. “Nicole Malliotakis claims that she is the daughter of a Cuban immigrant that fleed a dictatorship, just so that her daughter, Nicole, can uphold a dictatorship right here in the USA,” she said. “I would be ashamed to have a daughter like Nicole." Across the Verrazano Bridge that same morning, a smaller crowd organized by Sustainable Staten Island (SSI) gathered about 60 people at 1911 Richmond Ave, Congressmember Malliotakis’ new Staten Island office. The size of the crowd did not deter or diminish their readiness to speak, act, and call out the Congressmember. The tone was equally critical throughout the entire 11th Congressional District. Steve Lawton, Co-Founder of SSI and a Labor Leader, categorically rejected Congressmember Malliotakis’ objection to the Presidential election. “The objections, absent any precedent or evidence, coincided with President Trump’s orders to storm the Capitol resulting in the violent insurrection by white supremacists,” he said. “She is not guilty by association; she is an accomplice in a seditious plot against the American government and therefore, she needs to be removed as per Article 14 section 3 of the US Constitution.” Following this rhetoric, Ruth Silverberg, Professor at CSI, member of Professional Staff Congress, the union of CUNY Professionals, and member of SSI, asked the crowd,“Did we want Malliotakis to win?” The overwhelming response to her question was the negative. Silverberg also highlighted that Staten Islanders who didn’t support Congressmember Malliotakis’ campaign peacefully accepted her victory in November. “Because we believe in democracy, and we believe that what we do in a situation like this is organize to get people into power that are going to treat people differently, just like Stacy Abrams did," she explained. KC Hankins, President of the Young Democrats of Richmond County, vehemently denounced Congressmember Malliotakis’ perseverance in directly encouraging violent behavior with her inaction. “ \[Representative Malliotakis\] has extreme power to quell the violence of her supporters, but she is afraid to do it,” he said. “Everyday that goes on without a strong condemnation of the lies of election fraud is laying the seeds for future violence against our democracy.” Hankins, instead, offered a positive strategy of action. “We will relentlessly hold her to account,” he explained. “We must collectively raise our voices to reject violence and bigotry, \[and\] we must unify our base to reject bad faith politics.” Yesenia Mata, Military Specialist in the U.S. Army Reserve and executive director of La Colmena, had also reached out to Congressmember Malliotakis’ office for a conversation about the district, particularly in regards to immigration. Mata’s inquiries received similar negligence. “As women, I believe that we can accomplish great things together; instead, she has turned her back not just on her constituents but also on her oath to uphold the Constitution by voting to overturn a free election in Arizona and around the country,” she said. “This kind of representation is not what this district nor this country deserves." The takeaway from both rallies was clear. Speakers from Staten Island mentioned countless effective methods of achieving political goals, none of which need to include violence, seditious action, or outright lies. Grassroots organizing was championed by some, resulting in rallies and online actions. Inspired by activists calling out the newly elected Congressmember in front of her offices, both Staten Island and Brooklyn activists started a #ResignMalliotakis social media effort that took shape on Twitter on January 9\. The hashtag was trending for several hours that same evening. Both rallies loudly displayed what they meant by unity. A proper response was not dismissing what had happened, but instead coming together as legislators, community organizers, activists, and neighbors to take peaceful, effective action. --- If you liked this piece and want to see more like it, please [click here](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/tell%5Fus%5Fabout%5Fyou/). ### How This New App Can Teach You About Forgotten Histories URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/how-this-new-app-can-teach-you-about-forgotten-histories/ Last updated: 2024-05-21T20:59:07.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2020/12/Womens_Army_Corps_1479.JPG) African American Women’s Army Corps members wave at the Staten Island Terminal, March 13, 1946\. CREDIT: [NYPL](https://t.umblr.com/redirect?z=http%3A%2F%2Fdigitalcollections.nypl.org%2Fitems%2F510d47df-f9fb-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99&t=M2ZjM2FiYjRmNjZkM2QxOWRmYzg0YTU0MTJmNjE4MzdjN2E1MjQxMCxFZGxJbEhkZA%3D%3D&b=t%3AcEHydb4ktj7BquPmCcBSvQ&p=https%3A%2F%2Ftheladybadass.tumblr.com%2Fpost%2F158478226702%2Fhome-again-a-crowd-of-african-american-womens&m=1&ts=1609362701&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) This year’s police killings of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd [reignited a national conversation](https://www.npr.org/2020/08/16/898658570/protests-may-prompt-dialogue-on-racism-but-it-s-going-to-be-uncomfortable?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) about Black people’s place in America and in its history. In Staten Island, this summer’s activism exposed residents to the borough’s lesser-known, and often overlooked, Black History. Many people, however, only learned about the Sandy Ground Settlement. Debbie-Ann Paige, Staten Island Public Historian and Professional Genealogist, wants residents to realize that Black History on the Island goes beyond Sandy Ground. “When I first came back to Staten Island, if you said African-American History everyone would say, ‘Well, have you spoken to the people at Sandy Ground?’” she recounted. “While I was working on my thesis, I realized that there was such a deeper, broader, longer, more in-depth history of African-Americans on Staten Island.” In order to excavate these hidden Black histories, Paige, along with Faith D'Alessandro and the Staten Island Chapter of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society, created the [Staten Island African American Heritage Tour](https://statenislandaframhistory.oncell.com/en/index.html?fbclid=IwAR0Hek5i6GILDj8q5igKfc%5F5jNix10JIAZLmOOV5e2TXFlGSUSynmCC5nz0&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) application. The website and mobile application (available in the [App Store](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/staten-island-afram-history/id1543414888?fbclid=IwAR1MVdTIda15MRxxATDJtnmpVOX51fnTFqjnJAEGUy83aRWG2KosXY%5FlA98&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) and [Google Play Store](https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.toursphere.statenislandaframhistory&fbclid=IwAR2meNnmvZUrnpox8j-CB1o2PziayZoOk08%5F56FcPMBHNeXUjWAj6ps1xxQ&ref=pleaforthefifth.com)) provide a virtual tour through the noteworthy times and places in Staten Island’s Black History. The app leads you through two tours: the Gateway to Freedom Driving tour along the former Underground Railroad route, and a virtual tour that provides a survey of Black historical points of interest on Staten Island. Independent of which tour you choose, the “stops” provide a detailed synopsis (including pictures and primary source records) of that location's historical relevance. For example, the [Frederick Douglass Memorial Park](https://www.fdcemetery.com/fd-history?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) “stop” in Oakwood illuminates the park’s history as one of New York City’s first Black-owned and operated cemeteries. Maps of both tours, with links to historical synopses, are also included in the app. If you’d prefer a more passive learning experience, the app’s location settings can be changed to alert you of nearby stops on either tour. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2020/12/NYPL_001.jpg) ****First Presbyterian Church in Stapleton, Staten Island, NY.** During the Civil War Draft Riots, a wave of violence and destruction of property in response to the military draft, the UAME Church of Stapleton became the focus of the mob. On the other side of Stapleton, the pastor, Rev. T. Skinner, and congregation of the First Presbyterian Church stepped up to give aid to those affected and fleeing the violence. CREDIT: NYPL Presently, the Staten Island African American Heritage Tour contains over 30 stops containing a historical thesis worth of information. Paige notes that using this service is like “looking into \[her\] brain.” The information contained in the Staten Island African American Heritage Tour is the reflection of over 15 years of Paige’s genealogical and historical investigations. Her research for the app was a composition of family histories, personal histories, and historical events. Primary and secondary source accounts were pulled from library archives at the New York Public Library (NYPL), genealogical databases like [Ancestry](https://www.ancestry.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), and journalistic archives like [Newspapers.com](https://www.newspapers.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2020/12/Asbury_African_Methodist_Episcopal_Church_1483.PNG) The deed for the 2nd Asbury African Methodist Episcopal Church, one of the early black churches on Staten Island. The land was purchased from John W. Blake and his wife Tabitha in April 1850 for two hundred dollars. The church's cemetery was also known as the "old slaves burying ground" and the Cherry Lane Colored Cemetery. Cherry Lane was renamed Forest Avenue. CREDIT: Courtesy [familysearch.org](http://familysearch.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) Because Staten Island has historically been the port of entry and exit to and from New York City – and consequently, the Northeast Corridor – it has been a central location for Black migrations along the East Coast. Given the borough’s novel geography and importance along the Underground Railroad, Paige knew her work would exhume a critical wealth of information. “Black people are always everywhere,” she said. “ If Black people are excluded from somewhere, it’s because there’s some type of overt action that intentionally excludes them.” The work of developing the Staten Island African American Heritage Tour is not only time consuming, but it can also be costly. Access to genealogical databases can approach a thousand dollars annually, and the app hosting platform also requires a fee. Thus far, a grant from [Staten Island Arts](https://statenislandarts.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), and user donations have funded this work. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2020/12/Women_of_the_6888.jpg) Members of the 6888th Central Directory Postal Battalion. In December 1944, Edna Adams led the only black company of Women's Army Corps (WAC) ever to serve overseas. They were responsible for the delivery of mail to over seven million soldiers during World War II. The 6888th left from Staten Island for their journey overseas and returned here when their deployment was over. CREDIT: National Archives Even with a tangible product, testing for user-friendliness was an integral part of developing the Staten Island African American Heritage Tour. The primary testers for the app and website were students – mostly from I.S. 51 and Curtis High School. As with most smartphone applications, [young people comprise most of the market](https://mindsea.com/app-stats/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) so Paige knew “if students like it then you’re really in a good place.” At Curtis in particular, student testers were brought into the app development process through Curtis’ Student Wellness Council. Earlier in the year, when Paige approached Youth Empowerment Coordinator and liaison to the Wellness Council, D’arcy Hearn, the Student Wellness Council was working to address two community issues: mental health access, and addressing racial discrimination. Wellness Council Members and Curtis Seniors, Alexis Pumarejo and Bruna Velez, recognized that this new app could directly address issues of racial discrimination by providing accessible information on Black History. Working with Paige, they pitched technical recommendations for the app, like location alerts. Initially, both students saw this as an opportunity to have their voices heard in the creation of a groundbreaking service for their communities. After working with Paige more regularly, both students recognized that their knowledge of local histories was growing. Pumarejo noted that talking to Paige “educated us so much on stuff that we do not learn in history class.” “Many don't know \[Staten Island\] was actually one of the stops on the Underground Railroad,” Velez elaborated. “There's a lot of history here that’s been passed over, or people don't really talk about.” In particular, Velez learned that Barrett Triangle, directly across from the Ferry Terminal, was once a market for enslaved Black people. Pumarejo learned that the area that now seats the Mariners Harbor branch of the NYPL was once a stop on the Underground Railroad. The way in which the Staten Island African American Heritage Tour provides so much information about one’s surroundings caused Pumarejo and Velez to consider it Black History’s version of the [Citizen](https://citizen.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) application. Whereas Citizen was developed to report real-time 911 alerts, the Staten Island African American Heritage Tour provides Black historical information in a similar way. “You go into a certain area \[and see\] ‘oh this is happening’, \[but now\] you go into a certain area \[and see\] ‘oh this *happened,*’” Pumarejo explained. “I think that's very informative and is a positive thing.” Both students believe that making history so accessible makes the app perfect for classroom integration. Pumarejo indicated that she thought this app could be used as homework that encourages students’ local exploration. Velez thought that the Staten Island African American Heritage Tour could actually alleviate teaching stressors from the COVID-19 pandemic. “I think it's something we could definitely utilize in this climate of online learning,” she said. “It's a way for kids to be interactive and also be engaged and within their actual lesson.” Paige may have worked with students as part of her test group, but they think the app will be popular across age groups. Pumarejo thought that because many adults use Citizen, they would find the Staten Island African American Heritage Tour similarly user-friendly. Additionally, both students have been encouraging their friends to download the app. Paige mentioned that her own outreach has largely been via social media posts, but that has actually led to a bit of a globalized user base so far. As of December 8 – five days after the website launched and three days before the mobile application went live – the app had over 200 distinct users as far as the United Kingdom and as close as Staten Island itself. With the mobile app now running, the number of users will grow at a much faster rate. As users grow, Paige noted that so will the app’s information. She intends to update the application through at least next year with newly available information. Ideally, Staten Islanders will continue to be drawn to Staten Island African American Heritage Tour’s presentation of Black History as both ever-present and ever-evolving. --- If you liked this piece and want to see more like it, please [click here](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/tell%5Fus%5Fabout%5Fyou/). ### North Shore Communities Unite to Provide Holiday Cheer URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/north-shore-communities-unite-to-provide-holiday-cheer/ Last updated: 2024-05-21T21:05:42.000Z ‌‌ Nine-year old Zayquan Davis had a feeling he was going to win big at Park Hill’s Winter Wonderland Toy Drive Giveaway. Before arriving, he told his mother that he thought he would win a TV. Sure enough, his raffle number was called. “I was shocked when I saw him running over to the other side,” said his mother, Monica Davis. “I felt really good and thankful,” beamed the younger Davis. “It has been a blessed day.”‌‌ ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/5GXw8ZQ__ru7ZeCbdRf4UBWQ9KpMH61TmhyQ3KfMUhiQJ_wBicRs51L3zzm5SFwdbmo1G0RXGpXuF7QAKXfto7Y0jwAECak3WntI_fvlYudkH233FmMj-0my-6cSJ0tgyvOiA54) Kareem Woods, Zayquan Davis, and his twin sister Zaniyah. Credit: Kasson Colon-Mangin The Davis children each received toys along with the raffle prize, a 32-inch smart TV. Other raffle prizes included bicycles, scooters, laptops, and PlayStations. From December 12 to 20, [four Winter Wonderland events](https://www.instagram.com/p/CIi-keGl21p/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) were organized on the North Shore through collaboration between [Urban Hope NYC](https://www.urbanhopenyc.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [Uncle Chase Foundation](https://www.unclechasefoundation.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), [Brothers Care, Inc.](https://brotherscareinc.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), and [K Woods Foundation](http://k-woodsfoundation.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Children in Stapleton, Mariners Harbor, West Brighton, and Park Hill received toys that were fundraised for and donated by community members as well as by [Toys for Tots](https://www.toysfortots.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) and the [Teddy Atlas Foundation](http://dratlasfoundation.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Baby food, diapers, wipes, coats, hats, gloves, and other winter clothing were also donated and distributed. ‌‌ Although the North Shore’s overall income levels and poverty rates are on par with the citywide average, there are vast disparities in predominantly Black and Latinx neighborhoods compared to white neighborhoods in the district. According to a [NYC Citizens’ Committee for Children report](https://www.cccnewyork.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/North-Shore-Report.pdf?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) issued in 2018, “No other community district \[in New York City\] has such high shares of residents both living in poor households and in higher income households.” The COVID-19 pandemic has further deepened racial inequities as [Black and Latinx Staten Islanders have higher mortality rates from the virus](https://www.thecity.nyc/coronavirus/2020/6/3/21279773/staten-island-divisions-deepened-by-covid-19-impact?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Longstanding, and new, hardships on the North Shore have made the Winter Wonderland Toy Drive Giveaways even more important this year. In previous years, local organizations held toy drives independently in high needs neighborhoods to support low income families during the holidays. Charles Gardner, affectionately known as Uncle Chase, heads the Mariners Harbor-based [Uncle Chase Foundation](https://www.unclechasefoundation.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) whose mission is to “equip vulnerable youth with the resources they need to shape their future in a positive way.” When Gardner got the phone call suggesting that organizations coordinate toy drive giveaways together this year, he thought it was a “brilliant” idea. “We used the same resources and just took the show on the road,” he said. “We do better by coming together, networking together, and will continue doing great things together in our communities.” As a result, the organizations had a larger collective impact in 2020 than their individual efforts in the past. Over 5,000 children received toys and resources during this year’s four Winter Wonderlands.‌‌ ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/NCaVNSRs-B9Nxk2-dZYsWlgz9ATN3if9r-qNvndsMoq_P-O0I21suzC8-LlZuW3MmsvRSPA9huYSoJtcGUcUgDFx3cCPxy1Kz3jLEuDGnSKkg1bKb7Ah1ILUOThlOg) ‌‌During West Brighton’s Winter Wonderland, parking was scarce and the line of children and parents circled around Alaska Street. Jaysen Sullivan, Vice President of [Brothers Care, Inc.](https://brotherscareinc.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), dutifully gave out raffle tickets to each child.‌‌ ![](https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/tEx_rb7Rs5mJNJdvsu-AiNrx_o0y82NhQVEs3LE6N6KXAguSiiS5HqKpEUz_wEEAnNGaAPMHBB-kbL48jkwhBdwiBFbtKGsNRC3tq2_9GoYjaXzXW1ODRUIjWNbRNoFDBInD7gU) Community members at the Winter Wonderland at the New Hope Church in West Brighton. Credit: Valeriana Dema Sullivan has been organizing toy drives in Staten Island for more than fifteen years. He explained that “the need is definitely there, and it shows by the turn out.” “It’s about giving back to the community, putting smiles on the children's faces, and just paying it forward,” he said of his long-term devotion to the cause. Kareem Woods, described a similar motivation for leading the toy drive giveaway in Park Hill through his non-profit, the [K Woods Foundation](http://k-woodsfoundation.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). “I grew up in Park Hill, and I had a rough time coming up, but I was fortunate to get out of that situation.” Woods added, “As I come back to my neighborhood, I want to bring things that I didn't get to see coming up.” He noted how the event has helped uplift Park Hill, following a recent drive-by shooting of beloved community member Sue Doe. ‌‌“A lot of shooting and killing is going on,” Woods explained. “We just want to let people know, it’s time to come together.”‌‌ ![](https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Lk2FRyV0VTm0_k-AENB-cVOIT42yA5SEYJEwj0rD_MAp9SPpywGsuPpx1eR2OFMDMYEFmmtUdVN5bvy63diTrbFDg9EhroglML4bln5T5fTOtdyd6c2QXFQ2YeZ-A) Jaysen Sullivan (Brothers Care, Inc.) , Kareem Woods (K Woods Foundation), Frank Sullivan (Brothers Care, Inc.), and Charles Gardner (Uncle Chase Foundation). Credit: Kasson Colon-Mangin “The men who run these organizations, they're staples in their respective communities,” said K Woods President, Tal Jasmin. “And they do it without asking for recognition.” Without support from the team of community volunteers who collected donations and distributed them to children, the toy drives would not have been possible. Shaquana Perry-Garcia, a volunteer and event planner at [3Js Creation](https://www.instagram.com/3jscreation/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) played a major role in coordinating the Winter Wonderlands in each neighborhood. “I did all the decorations, orchestrating what everybody needs to do.” ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/tE3mSa0tF9YDmHdMCkfumEBfK9EFD1sv1dEvvBJL4jqpbOABvTDh_RutViyjc-vjCk2J1lDC0zITLXj9a9mjl4MezxR99WR9--uXFSlINxlTvVuz7xaNR7qpNOuWMw) Shaquana Perry-Garcia, second on the left, says she plans to create her own community organization with her three best friends. Credit: Valeriana Dema Perry-Garcia was heartened to see different North Shore neighborhoods coming together to unify and uplift their communities. “We decided to show unity, to show that we don’t have to be divided, no matter what neighborhood it is,” she smiled. “Everyone brought something to each event and helped to make these beautiful Winter Wonderlands happen.” --- If you liked this piece and want to see more like it, please [click here](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/tell%5Fus%5Fabout%5Fyou/). ### Holiday Gifts - A Cartoon URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/happy-holidays/ Last updated: 2024-01-03T17:38:37.000Z Find more work from Xprexions on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/xprexions/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). --- If you liked this piece and want to see more like it, please [click here](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/tell%5Fus%5Fabout%5Fyou/). ### A Collective Demand for Pandemic Relief URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/a-collective-demand-for-pandemic-relief/ Last updated: 2024-05-23T14:24:28.000Z A coalition of Staten Island groups including La Colmena, the Pride Center of Staten Island, and CWA Local 1102 launched a campaign Friday, December 11, to demand collective economic security through federal COVID-19 relief. The [letter](https://actionnetwork.org/letters/b6efd935ced0d7021f782f0f4cbeb5ebba68cc08?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) calling for “the swift passage of a comprehensive COVID relief bill before the end of the year,” comes as cases are surging locally, and the Island has [seen the highest one-day increase since April](https://www.thecity.nyc/2020/12/1/21918539/covid-cases-surge-staten-island-no-public-hospital?utm%5Fcampaign=mailchimp&utm%5Fsource=daily&utm%5Fmedium=newsletter). The coalition’s campaign for federal COVID-19 relief was launched by [Move Forward Staten Island](https://www.moveforward.nyc/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), a non-partisan organization focused on advancing social justice issues in the community through civic engagement, education, grassroots organizing, and policy advocacy. The campaign was initially a [statement in opposition](https://www.instagram.com/p/CIWJRxFh01j/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) of the Proud Boys involvement at the [Mac’s Public House Rally](https://www.grubstreet.com/2020/12/macs-public-house-covid-19-controversy.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). The rally was alarming for its presence of the far-right, neo-fascist [Proud Boys](https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/proud-boys?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), its disregard of COVID-19 public health guidelines, and that congresswoman-elect Nicole Malliotakis was among the supporters who gathered at Mac’s to declare her support. In her December 10 [appearance on NY1](https://www.ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/in-focus/2020/12/10/in-focus-balancing-small-business-and-covid-safety?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), Malliotakis pointed to the Supreme Court’s overturning of New York State attendance caps at religious services as confirming the coronavirus mandates were “arbitrary decisions by our governor." > .[@NYCMayor](https://twitter.com/NYCMayor?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) & [@NYGovCuomo](https://twitter.com/NYGovCuomo?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) must stop sending inspectors to consistently harass & extort our struggling small businesses with fines. Nationally, [@SpeakerPelosi](https://twitter.com/SpeakerPelosi?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) must stop holding up already allocated PPP funds that are the lifeline for small businesses on the brink of closure. [pic.twitter.com/ucBbTPHZEu](https://t.co/ucBbTPHZEu?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) > > — Nicole Malliotakis (@NMalliotakis) [December 16, 2020](https://twitter.com/NMalliotakis/status/1339293196321509376?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) Seeking to counter the individualistic pursuits of rally attendees, the coalition is demanding COVID relief for collective health and economic security. > The situation on Staten Island is growing dire. We need help. We need a federal COVID relief bill now and we need our neighbors to take this seriously. Wear a mask! [#COVIDReliefSI](https://twitter.com/hashtag/COVIDReliefSI?src=hash&ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) [https://t.co/qpeuVSvgiM](https://t.co/qpeuVSvgiM?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) > > — MoveForwardSI (@MoveForward\_SI) [December 11, 2020](https://twitter.com/MoveForward%5FSI/status/1337472328826056705?ref%5Fsrc=twsrc%5Etfw&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) “So many of our neighbors are hurting which is why it’s so important for us to quickly pass a relief bill” Julienne Verdi, director of Move Forward Staten Island, and a owner and Principal Attorney at [J. Verdi Law, LLC](https://jverdilaw.squarespace.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) said. “The best way to support our small businesses is by keeping the pressure on to pass a relief bill before year’s end and by all of us doing our part to reduce the spread of COVID-19 while we wait for widespread vaccination.” In the congresswoman-elect’s appearance on NY1, the day before the relief campaign’s launch, Malliotakis called on the current congress to pass relief immediately. When asked if Malliotakis had expressed her support for their letter, Verdi said “we have not heard from Congresswoman-Elect Malliotakis \[but\] would certainly welcome her support of our efforts.” A group of Senators representing the two major parties introduced a two-part [coronavirus relief bill](https://www.politico.com/news/2020/12/13/coronavirus-relief-bill-congress-444848?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) Monday, December 14\. If unpassed, it threatens to shutdown government agencies with [funding set to expire](https://www.cnn.com/2020/12/17/politics/stimulus-negotiations-congress-latest/index.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) Friday, December 18, at midnight. It has been nine months since the federal government passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). The stimulus package at $2.2 trillion was the largest economic stimulus in United States history, but less than 14 percent was set aside for direct relief to individuals through, one time direct payments of $1,200\. Eligibility requirements for CARES Act relief payments excluded aid for those that did not file taxes in previous years, and the [8 million undocumented](https://time.com/5816775/coronavirus-unemployment-stimulus/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) working across the nation. “Undocumented, low-wage, day workers have suffered most, both in their exclusion from any financial relief, but also in their loss of day work,” Ruth Silverberg, a Professor of Education at the College of Staten Island, said. The coalition’s letter calls for an upcoming relief to “apply for all regardless of immigration status.” As a delegate to the Professional Staff Congress (PSC) CUNY, the union that represents the College of Staten Island faculty and staff, and one of the campaign signees, Silverberg notes that “immigrant workers have kept our borough functioning at all levels, including those undocumented”. "To continue to deny them the same relief as any other member of our community is both inhumane and economically unsound,” she said. Alternatives to the CARES Act relief were proposed at the time, such as the [People’s Bailout](https://thepeoplesbailout.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). The People’s Bailout called for a response to the crisis that would combat “inequality, not double down on the unjust status quo” through health relief for all people regardless of status, excluding corporate executives from rescue, and transitioning to a regenerative economy. This expansive stimulus package received only [two mentions in leading national news outlets despite being endorsed by nearly 100 members of Congress](https://fair.org/home/proposals-to-ease-covids-blow-on-the-hardest-hit-all-but-ignored-by-corporate-media/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). An effort in May by Congress to provide additional direct payments to individuals coined the HEROES Act, was passed by the House but [blocked in the Senate by Republicans](https://www.mediamatters.org/sinclair-broadcast-group/sinclairs-horrible-covid-19-coverage-has-glossed-over-heroes-act-months?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). By October, Staten Island’s [unemployment rate was 10.8 percent](https://www.labor.ny.gov/stats/ur%5Frank.xls?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), fourth highest of any county in the State. New York City’s unemployment rate is [three times larger than this time last year](https://www.labor.ny.gov/stats/laus%5Fsa.xls?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Between November 11 and 23, the [Center on Budget and Policy Priorities](https://www.mediamatters.org/sinclair-broadcast-group/sinclairs-horrible-covid-19-coverage-has-glossed-over-heroes-act-months?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) found that nearly 26 million adults — 12 percent of all adults in the country — reported that their household sometimes or often didn’t have enough to eat. In late November New York City reached an unfortunate return to pre-pandemic normalcy, a Brooklyn tenant became the [first legal eviction](https://www.thecity.nyc/2020/11/24/21664774/first-tenant-evicted-in-nyc-since-the-pandemic-started?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) since March. Signing groups like [CWA Local 1102](https://www.cwa-1102.org/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), are optimistic if relief can be passed as outlined in their letter. President Steve Lawton notes the coalition has a “connection to this community, and we want to create the environment for it to succeed.” --- If you liked this piece and want to see more like it, please [click here](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/tell%5Fus%5Fabout%5Fyou/). ### Sandy Ground and the Continued Gentrification of Staten Island's Communities of Color URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/sandy-ground-and-gentrification/ Last updated: 2026-02-18T15:47:05.000Z On August 1, a relatively new Young Leaders of Staten Island (YLSI) led the first annual[ “Path of Liberation”](https://champ.gothamist.com/champ/gothamist/news/staten-island-burgeoning-youth-led-movement-social-justice-afoot?%5F%5Ftwitter%5Fimpression=true&ref=pleaforthefifth.com) march along Staten Island’s former Underground Railroad route, beginning at the often forgotten[ Sandy Ground Settlement](https://maap.columbia.edu/place/42.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). “Sandy Ground is the oldest continuously inhabited free black settlement in the United States of America, but needs to be further recognized as such,” said Kevin Walton of YLSI. “Prior to the Path of Liberation march most people on Staten Island did not know about the existence of Sandy Ground, or the rich history and truth that makes it what it is.” That August march spurred[ borough-wide calls](https://www.change.org/p/nyc-doe-make-sandy-ground-a-formal-part-of-nyc-doe-curriculum?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) for NYC civics curricula to include mention of Sandy Ground. Given Sandy Ground’s importance to local – and national – Black History, it’s peculiar that almost no Black people currently live near the settlement. Prior to New York State’s abolition of slavery in 1827, the largest pockets of Staten Island’s enslaved Black people lived in Stapleton and Sandy Ground, according to Debbie-Ann Paige, Staten Island Public Historian and Professional Genealogist. By 1827 both communities became free Black settlements, but almost 200 years later only Stapleton remains predominantly Black. The changing demographics in Sandy Ground were the buildup of lingering racism following emancipation. “If you have a lot of people who are enslaved here, when emancipation happens your attitude doesn't necessarily change towards the people,” Paige explained. “You just find a different way to reduce them as close to slavery as possible.” Racial discrimination made well-paying jobs scarce for Black people across the Island. Lack of meaningful employment was more severe for Black people in Sandy Ground after 1917, following the[ collapse of the oyster industry](http://aquaticcommons.org/9826/1/mfr5841.pdf?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) – Sandy Ground’s economic backbone. The popularity of[ redlining policies](https://www.npr.org/2017/05/03/526655831/a-forgotten-history-of-how-the-u-s-government-segregated-america?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) in the 1960s prevented people in Black neighborhoods from claiming resources like home insurance, which marked the beginning of the end for a Black Sandy Ground. Because Sandy Ground was a predominantly Black area, it was deemed a “hazardous” area with “[practically nothing to recommend it to the outside renter or buyer](https://dsl.richmond.edu/panorama/redlining/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com#loc=11/40.574/-74.313&city=staten-island-ny&area=D21&adview=full).” This not only collapsed Sandy Ground’s property value – wiping out home equity – but people in redlined neighborhoods were also effectively barred from getting home loans for necessary tasks like home repairs. “As your home deteriorates most people use the equity in their home to build it back,” Paige said. “That doesn't happen because of this red line that's drawn across \[Sandy Ground\].” ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/01/unnamed.jpg) **1938 Staten Island Residential Security Map. Credit: Mapping Inequality* Near slave wages and nonexistent home equity led to severe home disrepair for Black residents in Sandy Ground. A 1963 brush fire in the area effectively condemned these homes, finalizing Black flight from the South Shore. Notably, this fire damage opened up cheap property for banks and real estate developers looking to bring white migrants into the area. This property acquisition took place as Black residents were forced to move to the North Shore, or out of Staten Island altogether. ***The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same*** The exodus of Black people from Sandy Ground might be familiar to low- and middle-income Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) New Yorkers who lived in other boroughs right after the 2008 Financial Crisis. Many watched historically undervalued properties being bought by real estate developers and then renovated for more affluent white transplants. The early 2010s gentrification of New York raised rents in some of the city’s poorest neighborhoods, but it mostly spared Staten Island’s diverse and lower-income North Shore. Over the last five years, however, that has been changing. Property value across the Island has been going up, but only the North Shore is experiencing a progressive loss of residential spaces. This commercialization of the North Shore has been causing an affordable housing crisis. “You have people sharing rooms in Port Richmond to be able to make rent,” said 29-year-old born-and-raised Port Richmond visual artist, Jovanny Guerrero. “The main reason for this is because rent is high in marginalized communities.” Rents throughout the borough have been going up, but nowhere more than on the North Shore where three-bedroom apartments have[ average rents of $2,800](https://www.silive.com/news/2019/06/rents-rising-across-ny-including-staten-island-over-the-last-year.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Somewhat paradoxically, the need for more affordable housing on the North Shore has brought luxury real estate developers to the Island. Projects like[ Urby, in Stapleton](https://www.urby.com/staten-island?ref=pleaforthefifth.com#gref), and[ Liberty Towers, in St. George](https://newyorkyimby.com/2020/10/major-mixed-use-and-affordable-housing-development-liberty-towers-revealed-for-st-george-staten-island.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) have been [met with skepticism from Staten Islanders](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-07-20/what-urby-says-about-urban-living?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) who see them as a sign of new development just for newer residents. Although these luxury developments include some affordable housing units, [poorer applicants for these units have the hardest time successfully winning housing lotteries](https://www.thecity.nyc/2020/6/28/21306383/affordable-housing-lottery-chances-worst-low-income?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) to rent these apartments. This makes affordable housing within luxury housing a false promise to many New Yorkers. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/01/unnamed--1-.jpg) **Urby. Credit: Jacqueline Caruso* ***Spreading Gentrification*** Many of these new developments have been proposed or built near the ferry terminal to create easy access for those commuting to other boroughs. Four miles west of St. George, the[ Castleton Housing Project](https://www.hudsoninc.com/projects/castleton-housing/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), at 221 Port Richmond Avenue, might indicate that new development is more widespread. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2020/12/castleton_tile.jpg) **Architectural rendering of Castleton Housing Project. Credit: Amie Gross Architects* [Amie Gross Architects](https://www.amiegrossarchitects.com/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), the architecture firm designing the 48-unit affordable housing project, sees this development as important to solving Port Richmond’s housing crisis. “Port Richmond has a significant street homeless population and a very low-income workforce,” highlighted Amie Gross, founder and President of Amie Gross Architects. “I think all involved in the development hope that it will make a significant positive impact on the community's housing need.” Guerrero agrees, acknowledging “there is a homeless population in Port Richmond.” But he added that the neighborhood is distinct in ways that might make it particularly susceptible to displacement by gentrification. Like most of the North Shore, Port Richmond has a sizable Black population, but it is best known for its large and vibrant Mexican population – some of whom are undocumented. Guerrero noted that the language barrier and purposeful misinformation in the neighborhood might prevent people from recognizing gentrification as it’s happening. “I attended a conference once about two years ago that was given by Project Hospitality, \[where\] they were telling these Day Laborers that their property value would go up,” he recounted. “When the community heard that, they were persuaded to think this was good until I started asking questions like, ‘Who in here owns a home?’ \[and\] ‘Who wants their rent to rise?’” Though developments like the Castleton Housing Project are supposed to provide[ affordable housing](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2013-02-21/new-york-s-affordable-housing-isn-t-always-affordable?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), they will likely make housing in the surrounding area more expensive. With winter approaching and[ COVID deterring homeless Islanders from going to shelters](https://www.wsj.com/articles/population-in-new-york-city-homeless-shelters-drops-in-pandemic-11599652800?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), higher rents could force more people out into deadly cold temperatures. ***Who is this even for?*** In the same way that housing issues for Black people in Sandy Ground almost forecasted an influx of new residents, people on the North Shore are running into new neighbors. Over the last decade,[ Staten Island’s population has increased](https://www.silive.com/news/2018/03/once%5Fagain%5Fstaten%5Fisland%5Fthe%5Fb.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) with many people settling on the North Shore – which already has over [10,000 more residents](https://www1.nyc.gov/assets/districting/downloads/pdf/statenisland.pdf?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) than either the South Shore or Mid-Island. Guerrero highlights a shift in migration in Port Richmond from mostly Latin American families to Puerto Rican, Asian-American, and Orthodox Jewish families. ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2024/01/unnamed--2-.jpg) **Orthodox Jewish Community Center on Post Avenue in Port Richmond. Credit: Chad Small* New neighbors aren’t seen as a bad thing by native residents, but many wonder who the new construction is for. Guerrero thinks that the Castleton Housing Project, for example, “will only be housing a new, outer class that moves to Port Richmond.” Infrastructure like a community garden, better homeless shelters, or even a rehab center for undocumented immigrants are all things he wishes would be built instead. Further west, in Mariners Harbor, [community gardens](https://www.facebook.com/theFOMH/) are currently being cultivated. There have also been more vocal calls from local activists for better injections of public funding into North Shore communities. These are all initiatives that might shield the broader community from gentrification. They also demonstrate a type of modern agency that was denied to those living in Sandy Ground. The gentrification of the North Shore has already started, and it likely won’t stop. Maybe, however, investment and advocacy from the community can prevent the same outcome that made Sandy Ground the heart of Staten Island’s Great Migration. ### "Business as Usual" - A Cartoon URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/business-as-usual/ Last updated: 2024-01-03T17:37:33.000Z Find more work from Xprexions on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/xprexions/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). --- If you liked this piece and want to see more like it, please [click here](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/tell%5Fus%5Fabout%5Fyou/). ### “Where is the outcry?”: Staten Island’s Deafening Silence on Forced Sterilizations URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/where-is-the-outcry-staten-islands-deafening-silence-on-forced-sterilizations/ Last updated: 2024-03-27T14:22:37.000Z On September 14, 2020 whistleblower Dawn Wooten, a former nurse at Irwin County Detention Center (ICDC), a Georgia ICE facility, reported that a doctor at the facility has been performing forced sterilizations on detained migrants, specifically removing all or parts of people’s uteruses. The disturbing reports of non-consensual sterilizations were quickly overshadowed in the following days with news of Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death. But people of color on Staten Island have not forgotten; they are organizing to defend their reproductive rights and asking all Staten Islanders, regardless of color, party, and creed, to join the fight. ![](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/G8oPQFGpRCiROota9uO93EKQLukzuzBmaPWqp7LTN5yysJTSfBK9jzl8XOrFNCu7UkxXoC0gFL_B1Z7Uj9GcTCm2aVsYpYf9a6N4qFVd9LmpmqIN2_ro1qbEI2pymHENzKqlmv0t) **The Irwin County Detention Center Credit: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)* The twenty-seven-page long complaint filed by Project South, Georgia Detention Watch, Georgia Latino Alliance for Human Rights, and South Georgia Immigrant Support Network, details the negligence and intentional medical mal-practice concerning the health and safety of detainees. ICDC has been ignoring CDC COVID-19 guidelines and violated ICE’s own Performance-Based National Detention Standards (PBNDS) for medical care. Detainees are not given adequate PPE, are crammed in spaces where social distancing is impossible, and are delayed or refused medical care and testing when they show symptoms of COVID-19. Even though medical negligence is the norm, the ICDC still makes an effort to perpetrate acts of violence against immigrant bodies by performing unnecessary and non-consensual sterilizations. The complaint reports that detainees have been sent for procedures for symptoms such as heavy bleeding, which usually does not necessitate a hysterectomy. Wooten stated that the ICDC and cooperating gynecologist do not fully inform the women of the procedures and said that, “they’ve had hysterectomies and they don’t know why they went or why they’re going.” One woman ended up with a hysterectomy because the doctor “accidentally” removed the wrong ovary and then had to remove the cystic one. “The hysterectomy issue is one of the most aggressive tortures against women of color today in America,” said Staten Island resident and advocate, Jennifer Gray-Brumskine. “Just imagine someone taking your whole uterus out, nothing wrong with it, and you can’t have kids anymore for the rest of your life simply because you are poor, simply because you’re a woman of color.” Gray-Brumskine worked for the NYC Census and organized for Liberian immigrants to apply for and receive green cards, and she is currently organizing women on Staten Island to petition and bring action to both Congress and the United Nations’[ Commission on the Status of Women in March 2021](https://www.unwomen.org/en/csw?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Wooten also reported witnessing a sick-call nurse shredding detainees’ medical request forms and fabricating vital signs without examining them. This kind of medical negligence during a global pandemic appears to be the standard at ICE facilities. Members of [La Colmena](https://www.lacolmenanyc.org/who-we-are?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), a Staten Island-based community job center for immigrants, who were previously detained by ICE reported being forced to live in unsanitary conditions and being ignored by medical professionals when they were sick. ![](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/wIz95XSH4LEQrr7uswmc9yS4SWQfC7XUKOF7xpmfooY87bl2W7KizVfp4wrPaAcA0nihRF_WwXsYLFmDo4rOAEZZDRGNhhuF8mVGa2VDTi2mTu2I6JvvLiiOm7zsEyRvvERzi31P) **Yesenia Mata, on right, with organizers of the community job center La Colmena. Credit: La Colmena Facebook* When asked about the whistleblower report and subsequent silence on the matter, Executive Director of La Colmena Yesenia Mata was appalled, but unsurprised. “You know it comes as no surprise that it wasn’t being exposed as much, especially because a lot of people want to sweep everything under the rug, especially under this administration,” she said. “Some people want to turn the other way and not see the horrific things that are happening.” Mata also stated that the way ICE has run during the pandemic and the history of their treatment of immigrants is grounds for it to be abolished. The recent report of non-consensual sterilizations is not an isolated event. The United States has a long history of practicing eugenics especially against people of color. It is a history so long that it [inspired race legislation in Nazi Germany](https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/11/what-america-taught-the-nazis/540630/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) and was directly referenced by several prominent Nazi lawyers involved in forming race legislation under the Third Reich. Nazi laws such as the [Law for the Prevention of Offspring with Hereditary Diseases](https://www.bbvaopenmind.com/en/science/bioscience/the-era-of-eugenics-when-pseudoscience-became-law/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) were inspired by U.S. compulsory sterilization laws passed in 1907\. Laws forbidding marriage and intercourse between Jewish and non-Jewish Germans mirror anti-miscegenation laws dating as far back as the 1660s. This violence against people of color has continued both clandestinely and codified in law. Despite the connections to pro-life concerns of the sanctity of child-bearing, conservatives have been unmoved by the report of this violence against women. Often the pro-life movement only brings up [arguments against eugenics](https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2020/07/22/margaret-sanger-feminism-planned-parenthood-abortion-eugenics?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) in reference to Margaret Sanger and her beliefs on the topic as a reason to not support Planned Parenthood. But while the modern Planned Parenthood provides an entire spectrum of affordable reproductive healthcare including cancer screenings, pregnancy care, and abortions, by opposing Medicare for All conservatives offer no support for the same women of color they claim to defend against eugenics. “For women who are in the far-right, especially here on the island, this is an issue that they themselves need to look at and see that women are women whether they are undocumented or not,” Mata said. In the history of violence against people of color, white feminists have also often ignored the voices of[ people of color in the fight for reproductive rights](https://www.betterworldbooks.com/product/detail/Women-of-Color-and-the-Reproductive-Rights-Movement-9780814758274?shipto=US&curcode=USD&gclid=Cj0KCQiAtqL-BRC0ARIsAF4K3WH6fp8uuD1rFmBwZyrSVRlyXbZIATWhnTUNt5t5K0jv0CFZ6luiwOMaAppsEALw%5FwcB&ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Gray-Brumskine noted that generally “Black women don’t trust white women because of their past history.” During the 1970s when the topics of abortion and voluntary sterilizations became mainstream, people of color feared that less strict regulations for sterilization would be a danger to them because often they were not given the choice. To not repeat the poor choices of white feminists in the past, all feminists should join in organizing to bring justice to the immigrant women who underwent non-consensual sterilizations. “We need the white women’s support, we need the Black women’s support, Latina women’s support,” Gray-Brumskine said. “We need every race, the support from every demographic, to make it a united fight for women in America.” Lost in subsequent news cycles, both political parties have largely ignored the ICDC report and the violence against detainees. Only a few members of Congress have called for an investigation. Outgoing Congressman Max Rose has made claims of rising above party lines and fighting for reproductive rights, but did not make any comment on the report and did not respond to Plea for the Fifth’s request to his office for comment. Both Mata and Gray-Brumskine are unsurprised by Rose’s silence, especially considering his history of dealing with immigrant issues and that he voted to [increase ICE’s budget in 2019](https://projects.propublica.org/represent/votes/116/house/1/429?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). That Rose also sat on the House Committee on Homeland Security was a matter of concern to the immigrant community of Staten Island. Congresswoman-elect Nicole Malliotakis’ position against sanctuary cities and characterization of many immigrants as dangerous and violent does not offer much hope for congressional support for our immigrant communities on Staten Island. Many of the immigrants detained were not convicted of any crimes, or only convicted of misdemeanors. “The people from La Colmena that were detained did not pose a threat to our national security,” Mata said. There are real threats to national security that are perpetrated within our borders and supported by Congress. Inhumane treatment of immigrants and the endangerment of women’s reproductive rights – a threat more imminent with the confirmation of[ Amy Coney Barrett](https://www.humanrightsfirst.org/blog/amy-coney-barrett-s-troubling-record-asylum-and-immigration?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) to the Supreme Court – are issues that directly affect Staten Islanders and should be properly addressed by our elected officials. --- *This is the first in a Plea for the Fifth series on Staten Island Immigration Views.* If you liked this piece and want to see more like it, please [click here](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/tell%5Fus%5Fabout%5Fyou/). ### 'Privilege' and Representation at Staten Island High Schools URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/representation_at_staten_island_high_schools/ Last updated: 2024-03-27T14:21:59.000Z New Dorp Assistant Principal Deborah Morse-Cunningham received national news coverage in June after sharing a racist and classist post on her Facebook page. Although not explicitly referring to race, the post shared by Morse-Cunningham invokes [welfare stereotypes ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPYpiML-M08&feature=youtu.be&ref=pleaforthefifth.com)that have been historically directed towards Black people. Nearly 35,000 people have signed a[ petition](https://www.change.org/p/new-york-city-department-of-education-remove-deborah-morse-cunningham-as-assistant-principal-at-new-dorp-high-school?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) calling for the Assistant Principal’s immediate removal. ![A screenshot of Assistant Principal Deborah Morse-Cunningham's Facebook post reading "What is privilege?... Privilege is wearing $200 sneakers when you've never had a job. Privilege is wearing $300 Beats headphones while living on public assistance. Privilege is having a Smartphone with a Data plan which receive no bill for. Privilege is living in public subsidized housing where you don't have a water bill, where rising property taxes and rents and energy costs have absolutely no effect on the amount of food you can put on your table. Privilege is the ability to go march against, and protest against anything that triggers you, without worrying about calling out of work and the consequences that accompany such behavior."](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2020/11/AP-Post.jpg) Morse-Cunningham's Facebook post from June 2020 Soon after Morse-Cunningham’s post gained public attention, the Equity Alliance of Staten Island (EASI) penned an open letter emphasizing that, “the racial tension that exists on Staten Island is not new.” The collective’s letter goes on to say, “most damaging is that these are accepted practices and a way of life in our schools causing horrendous educational injustices and failures throughout our school system.” On July 2, EASI held a[ virtual press conference](https://www.facebook.com/105810450826451/videos/621582892090330) condemning the post and providing a platform for students and parents of color to express their concerns. During the conference, TJ Butler, a New Dorp High School student who graduated this June, said, “When you look at the island, there is not a lot of African Americans going to New Dorp.” Only ten percent of New Dorp’s student body is Black. “Being a resident of Park Hill, people consider Park Hill the projects or the hood, it felt \[Cunningham-Morris’s post\] was kind of directed to me,” he said. ![Mya, age 18, a Port Richmond High School graduate.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2020/11/Mya.png) Mya Bishop, 18, attended the EASI virtual conference. Mya Bishop, 18, a Port Richmond High School graduate, asserted that although race wasn’t brought up, it was clear who the post was aimed at. “It frightens me that people who are so adept at creating these dog whistles are the same people who are in charge of the curriculum that is taught in schools,” she added. Assistant Principals, like Cunningham-Morris, are traditionally responsible for leading curricula development in schools. Her content specialty, English as a New Language, is a subject area in which educators receive training in cross-cultural competencies. In addition, as an overall educational strategy, the NYC Department of Education (DOE) employs what is called Culturally Responsive-Sustained Education (CR-SE). CR-SE's main tenants require schools to “be aware of past and present forms of bias and oppression” and use curricula that “honor and reflect students’ diversity” and “connect learning to students’ lives and identities”. According to the[ department’s website](https://www.schools.nyc.gov/about-us/vision-and-mission/culturally-responsive-sustaining-education?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) , “Numerous studies across the country show that CR-SE increases student participation, attendance, grade point averages, graduation rates, civic engagement, self-image, and critical thinking skills.” Despite the DOE’s outlined educational strategy and teacher training in place, NYC public schools continually fail to provide students of color culturally responsive educations.[ An analysis](https://www.the74million.org/article/lessons-from-a-global-reckoning-the-74-dug-into-summer-reading-lists-from-some-of-nycs-biggest-high-schools-what-we-found-might-surprise-you/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) of 2020 summer reading lists from 11 of the 26 largest high schools in the city revealed overrepresentation of white authors compared to student demographics. New Dorp High School’s[ summer reading list](https://4.files.edl.io/fe37/06/30/20/144038-bb8fb904-ab30-45c4-bbfb-56d7536bad68.pdf?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) was the most egregious; 90 percent of the authors on the school’s list are white, although the student population is only 52 percent white. “There is an active effort to deny kids an education about the systemic racism that they face,” Bishop said. “There is an active effort to omit, gloss over, and rewrite history to prevent students from making connections to modern issues and taking direct actions to make changes.” Like New Dorp High School, a majority of American schools[ teach white-dominated curricula](https://steinhardt.nyu.edu/metrocenter/research-evaluation/why-public-school-curriculum-still-whites-only-2018?ref=pleaforthefifth.com), yet during a September [White House press conference](https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-statements/remarks-president-trump-white-house-conference-american-history/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) President Donald Trump remarked, “Left-wing rioting and mayhem are the direct result of decades of left-wing indoctrination in our schools”. He specifically referenced schools’ use of the Pulitzer Prize-winning[ 1619 Project](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/08/14/magazine/1619-america-slavery.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) from the New York Times, which centers the consequences of slavery on American society and is named after the year that the first slave ship arrived in America. “This project rewrites American history to teach our children that we were founded on the principle of oppression, not freedom,” Trump said. As a direct counter, President Trump has formed the 1776 Commission, so that “Our heroes will never be forgotten” -- even though the Revolution is already universally taught at American schools. Trump also issued an[ executive order](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/executive-order-combating-race-sex-stereotyping/?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) banning federal agencies and contractors from providing diversity and inclusion training to employees that contain “divisive concepts”, such as that “The United States is fundamentally racist or sexist”. As a result,[ some universities](https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2020/10/07/colleges-cancel-diversity-programs-response-trump-order?ref=pleaforthefifth.com) that receive federal funding have already followed suit. Eagle Academy for Young Men student and member of Staten Island’s NAACP Youth Council, Quincy Baker, noted that Black voices are purposefully being suppressed during the current, critical movement in American history. “\[Morse-Cunningham’s\] comments was trying to silence the voices of those who were fighting for equality for generations, and a way of trying to silence the voices of my generation who are on the frontlines of the Black Lives Matter movement,” he said. The reignition of the Black Lives Matter mass movement in 2020, spurred by the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, is considered [the largest protest movement in United States history](https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/07/03/us/george-floyd-protests-crowd-size.html?ref=pleaforthefifth.com). Monumental protests have been held in every major American city as well as several small towns across the country. With over 1,800 participants, the Black Lives Matter protest held at the Conference House in June 2020 is thought to be the largest protest to have ever taken place on the Island. “One of the things that \[Morse-Cunningham\] said regarding marching that really stuck with me was having marching being a privilege is just concrete evidence of her ignorance.” Baker continued, “ Marching isn’t a privilege, it’s a right.” More than four months have passed since Cunningham-Morris’s post, and she is still employed by the DOE. “The words ‘zero tolerance’ are thrown around by the DOE for all of the different things that they expect that our young people are going to adhere to,” EASI member, Michael DeVito, said. “The standard that the DOE asks of their teachers is a bit laughable.” A statement on behalf of the department from Spokesperson Daniel Filson noted that, “The DOE stands against racism and schools must be safe and inclusive learning environments." "Teachers and staff have a responsibility to uphold those values, and the \[New Dorp\] principal reported this incident for investigation,” Filson added. According to Filson, Morse-Cunningham remains on the job pending the outcome of the investigation. When contacted for comment New Dorp High School deferred to the NYC DOE. No details were provided on when the investigation was expected to conclude. *Correction: A previous version of this article stated that Quincy Baker attends Curtis High School.* --- If you liked this piece and want to see more like it, please [click here](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/tell%5Fus%5Fabout%5Fyou/). ### Greetings URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/greetings/ Last updated: 2024-01-03T17:27:35.000Z ![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2020/11/Resize-Tiny-Plea-for-the-Fifth-Square-1.png) Plea for the Fifth aims to empower Staten Islanders by providing a new media platform for our borough. There are many stories that often do not get the coverage they deserve, and we are here to change that. We will broaden the kind of coverage Staten Island typically receives by including and uplifting voices that are frequently unheard. Unlike what our name may suggest, we are not using our 5th Amendment right to remain silent. We are here to tell the overlooked stories about the fifth, and often forgotten, borough. A borough that is caricatured in pop culture, and is considered socially and politically conservative. ![Three Children laugh at the ferry terminal waving flags of Puerto Rico.](https://storage.ghost.io/c/f0/97/f09718d4-935c-43ce-9d6d-e06dfcfa8cad/content/images/2020/11/ferry1.jpeg) Children at the Staten Island Ferry Terminal Credit: Vincent Barone Staten Island has gone too long without diversity in their news coverage. Plea for the Fifth will expand our stories to reflect the growing communities of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Plea for the Fifth will celebrate all the Island has to offer, and we aim to represent the full spectrum of the Island’s voices and viewpoints. Plea For the Fifth will be a place where you’ll find relevant and meaningful articles and opinions. Our commentary aspires to hold those in power, on both sides of the aisle, accountable. We will address civic issues ranging from transportation to housing, to equity, to workers’ rights. We’ll track movements for social, racial, gender, and ecological rights. Staten Island has a long tradition of speaking out against oppression, calling back to the protests sparked by the killing of Eric Garner in 2014, and that history continued this summer when thousands marched to protest against police brutality. Activists walked together in unity down Hylan Boulevard to the 122nd NYPD Precinct after the killing of George Floyd in what was possibly the largest civil rights demonstration in the history of Staten Island. Days later, on June 7th, an even larger crowd of 1,800 people gathered on the South Shore to march to the 123rd Precinct for the same message of racial justice. We will use our first amendment rights as journalists to support the rights of those protesting to create meaningful change on the Island. We will keep Islanders informed about our changing political climate. Despite the conservatism of Staten Island relative to the rest of New York City, Staten Island has supported less conservative candidates in the past. The increasing competitiveness of our local elections will be a focus of our coverage. We will publish stories about Staten Island’s vibrant art scene. Artists are coming to our shores to live, work and create. Our coverage will include new discoveries within the music, literary, theater & dance, and visual arts communities. Plea for the Fifth will publish editorials written by those who seek to provide solutions that make our borough a more fair and inclusive place to live. We are looking to highlight important facets of Staten Island’s history in order to raise awareness of often erased cultural institutions and connect their histories to present-day issues. We view the past as key to understanding our current community. Plea for the Fifth will raise the borough’s awareness of grassroots struggles to better inform and return agency to our readers. Recent polling indicates a loss of trust in mainstream media. The Pew Research Center found three out of four American adults have higher expectations of their news sources saying, “it is possible to improve the level of confidence Americans have in the news media.” Plea for the Fifth will seek to bridge that gap on the local level and beyond. This transparency applies to how certain groups of people are often misrepresented in the broader news media. Plea for the Fifth will take a stand against the media's far too prevalent inherent biases against those of different ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds. In short, Plea for the Fifth seeks to become Staten Island’s news source written by the people, for the people. We are experiencing a great deal of change within our community, and we have been inspired by this change. Staten Island will now have news coverage that includes increasingly diverse, forward thinking, artistic, and spirited voices. We hope that you will hear our plea and join us in this quest to amplify our mission. --- If you liked this piece and want to see more like it, please [click here](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/tell%5Fus%5Fabout%5Fyou/). ### Launching December 1st, 2020 URL: https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/launch/ Last updated: 2020-11-30T00:16:59.000Z A Staten Island news outlet that represents your views and treats their staff well. [Learn more](https://www.pleaforthefifth.com/about/), and help us launch.