Mount Vernon, NY – Mount Vernon PBA President Nicholas Mastrogiorgio recently voiced his frustration and disappointment over the city’s decision to grant elected officials a substantial 40% pay raise. This decision comes at a time when the Mount Vernon Police Department remains the lowest-paid law enforcement agency in Westchester County, despite having recently negotiated a contract that the city claimed they couldn’t afford for the overworked police force.
The Comptroller’s office justified the raises, as stated by the PBA President, by comparing salaries with those in other Westchester cities. This will make the Mayor, Comptroller, Council President, and City Council members among the highest-paid in the county. However, Mastrogiorgio notes that this comparative analysis has yet to be extended to the police department despite numerous requests over the years.
“We’ve been asking them to do the same with us in the police department for years,” Mastrogiorgio stated. “A lot of these politicians used the fact that the unions in Mount Vernon received a contract as justification for them to get 40% raises. I just wish they would have used the same analysis and equations that were used for them when they gave us that contract.”
Mastrogiorgio also addressed a councilperson’s comment regarding the lack of retroactive pay for elected officials, calling it an “apples to oranges comparison” as they are not part of unions or bound by contracts like the police department.
Mastrogiorgio also addressed the dire situation at the Mount Vernon Police Department, stating, ‘The department, grappling with understaffing and the lowest pay in the county, leaves its officers with no choice but to endure extensive overtime just to get by. This relentless demand significantly impacts their health, stress, and overall well-being. It’s crucial the Mayor, the City Council, and the Comptroller prioritize and address these challenges, ensuring our officers have the support and resources they need to thrive, both in service and in life.'”
The Mount Vernon Police Department is currently facing a staffing crisis, with an average patrolman having only two years of experience, 121 transfers in the past four years, and a shortage of 30 officers. Mastrogiorgio emphasized that the city should prioritize addressing these issues before focusing on pay raises for elected officials.
“Right now, the average patrolman has about 2 years experience, we’ve had 121 transfers in the past 4 years, we’re 30 officers short and frequently go out short-staffed on a daily basis,” Mastrogiorgio said. “Don’t you think the city should start doing some things to fix those problems before worrying about giving themselves a pay raise?”
Alongside his statement on Facebook, Mastrogiorgio also shared a list comparing the salaries of mayors in Westchester County. He questioned why the City of Mount Vernon failed to ensure pay equity for its police department compared to other police departments in the county, an issue that has been a point of contention in the most recent contract negotiations. The Mount Vernon Police Department PBA took into account the Comptroller’s claims that the city didn’t have sufficient funds during these negotiations. Despite the recent contract, the Mount Vernon Police Department remains the lowest paid in the county, while the Mayor’s salary has risen to become one of the highest among Westchester mayors.
The PBA President’s statement highlights the growing tension between the police department and city officials, as well as the need for a more equitable approach to compensation and resource allocation in Mount Vernon.
US Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer has called for Israel to hold elections to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, as cracks appear in a once stable and friendly alliance.
On Thursday, Sen. Chuck Schumer, the first Jewish majority leader in the Senate and the highest-ranking Jewish official in the US government, criticized the Netanyahu government and called for new elections in a speech on the Senate floor on the Israel-Hamas war.
“Mr. Netanyahu had lost his way,” Shumer said.
Leaders in Washington have avoided directly criticizing Netanyahu’s approach to the conflict in Gaza. It is a sharp escalation in US criticism of Netanyahu’s government. Sen. Schumer, who has backed Israel throughout his 25 years in the Senate, warned those casualties in Gaza risked turning Israel into a “pariah”.
“Israel cannot survive if it becomes a pariah,” Schumer said.
Speaking in the Senate on Thursday, Sen. Schumer, a long-time supporter of Israel, harshly criticized the Israeli leader, who he said had come to allow “his political survival to take precedence over the best interests of Israel.” Israel, Sen. Schumer said, must make “course corrections” and take steps to better protect civilians in Gaza.
The high-level warning comes as an increasing number of Democrats have pushed back against Israel and as President Joe Biden has stepped up public pressure on Netanyahu’s government, arguing that he needs to pay more attention to the civilian death toll in Gaza amid the Israeli bombardment. This month, the U.S. began airdrops of badly needed humanitarian aid and announced it would establish a temporary pier to get more assistance into Gaza via sea.
More than 1,200 people died in Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7th, and an estimated 30,000 people in Gaza have died, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health.
“Five months into this conflict, it is clear that Israelis need to take stock of the situation and ask, must we change course?” he said. “At this critical juncture, I believe a new election is the only way to allow for a healthy and open decision-making process about the future of Israel.”
Schumer, who was wearing a yellow ribbon pin on the Senate floor to honor hostages being held in Gaza, is a longtime staunch defender of Israel and its right to exist. He spoke about the plight of his Jewish ancestors in Europe and the “grave threats” Israel faces as it’s “surrounded by vicious enemies.”
Schumer expressed support for a temporary cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, as President Joe Biden has been pushing for, saying it “would allow for the return of hostages and humanitarian relief for suffering Palestinians.” He said he’s against a permanent cease-fire because it would only allow Hamas to “regroup and launch further attacks on Israeli civilians.”
“There can never be a two-state solution if Hamas has any significant power,” he said.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., denounced Schumer for his remarks, saying on the Senate floor afterward that it is “grotesque and hypocritical for Americans who hyperventilate about foreign interference in our own democracy to call for the removal of a democratically elected leader of Israel.”
Opinion polls show most Israelis support the war, but one survey released in January suggested just 15% of voters wanted Netanyahu to remain in office once the conflict ends.
Meanwhile, the US revealed sanctions against three more settlers and for the first time against two Israeli settlement outposts it accused of undermining stability in the occupied West Bank.
There were nearly 500 Israeli settler attacks against Palestinians between October 7th and January 31st, according to UN figures.
The vast majority of the international community considers the settlements and outposts illegal under international law, though Israel and the US dispute this interpretation.
Thursday, March 14, 2024 (WESTCHESTER, NY) — County Executive George Latimer delivered his 2024 State of the County Address Thursday evening, following dozens rallying outside for social justice and Palestine. In response to CE Latimer’s STOC address, Juanita O. Lewis, Executive Director of Community Voices Heard, issued the following statement on the growing housing crisis in Westchester County:
“The health and prosperity of our Westchester communities depend on having safe, affordable housing. Over the past several years, rents and housing costs in Westchester have continued to skyrocket, without any relief for families. As we highlighted in our report, Building Westchester’s Future: The Need for Affordable and Equitable Housing, Westchester is in a severe housing crisis, marked by extreme racial disparities. Unfortunately, County Executive Latimer and his administration have failed again and again to address the crisis, despite repeated warnings from housing advocates.
The County’s own 2019 housing report found that Westchester has a severe shortage of deeply affordable housing and senior housing, and the problem has only grown worse since then. An increasing number of families are spending half or more of their income on rent or mortgage payments, and the County hasn’t implemented any kind of plan to stabilize costs and grow the stock of truly affordable housing.
Westchester also has a one-time opportunity to spend $100 million of ARPA funds to support deeply affordable housing – for people with household incomes at 30% AMI or less ($44,050 or less for a four-person family). Yet, the County plans to spend thatmoney to develop housing for households making up to 65% of the Area Median Income – or $95,438 for a family of four.
Real housing affordability should be a top priority of County Executive Latimer. But instead, families in Westchester have been left behind once again.
Community Voices Heard (CVH) is a member-led, multi-racial organization principally comprised of women of color and low-income families in New York State. CVH tackles tough issues and builds power to secure racial, social, and economic justice for all New Yorkers. Through grassroots organizing, leadership development, policy changes, and creating new models of direct democracy, CVH is creating a truly equitable New York State.
Sleepy Hollow, NY – Dr. Alexandria Connally, Assistant Director of Special Services at Southern Westchester BOCES took part in a panel discussion on working together to create safe and supportive learning environments. This event was held at Sleepy Hollow High School in Sleepy Hollow, New York.
The discussion came as part of the Westchester-East Putnam Region PTA’s Advocacy Action Day on Saturday, March 9th, at Sleepy Hollow High School.
Dr. Connally emphasized that creating a welcoming and affirming learning environment begins with thoughtful communication with faculty members, parents, and students. Additionally, she discussed the difference between culturally responsive curriculum and culturally responsive pedagogy. She transitioned into sharing the importance of the NYSED CR-S Framework and its connection to the work done in schools. She also spoke about the importance of community involvement and advocacy. She acknowledged the important work that Southern Westchester BOCES is doing through its Special Education PTA.
Also present on the panel were: Assistant District Attorney Laura Forbes, Cyber Crimes Bureau Chief and Internet Safety Coordinator with the Office of the Westchester County District Attorney; Megan McGuire of the Be Smart for Kids gun safety campaign of Moms Demand Action of Rockland County; and Pocantico Hills Central School Superintendent Richard Calkins.
The panel discussed several important issues for families and students in creating positive and safe learning environments for all.
In the audience representing SWBOCES SEPTA were Principal Phyllis Rizzi and parents from various New York school districts.
The Westchester East Putnam PTA Region Director is Mary McNamara.
Westchester East Putnam Region PTS is a geographical division of the New York State PTA, representing over 32,000 members. It is known as WEPR PTA.
Members include parents, teachers, students, school board members, administrators, and others interested in working for the well-being of children and youth, through parent education and child advocacy.
Westchester East Putnam Region PTA services over 181 units and 13 councils and is committed to uniting the home, school, and community in promoting the education, health, and welfare of children, youth and families.
WEPR PTA:
* Organizes and provides assistance to councils and units. Plans and conducts conferences, workshops, and schools of instruction for units and councils. * Lobbies on PTA issues. * Interprets PTA policies and programs.
PTA Mission & Purpose
Overview of PTA “Parent-Teacher Association” and “PTA” are registered service marks of the National Congress of Parents and Teachers (National PTA). The term “PTA” is only permissible for organizations that have received a charter from the New York State PTA. Any other use constitutes trademark infringement.
A local PTA is a constituted organization organized under the authority of the New York State Congress of Parents and Teachers, Inc. (the New York State PTA), a branch of the National Congress of Parents and Teachers, Inc. (the New York State PTA), a branch of the National Congress of Parents and Teachers (the National PTA)
Ryan Gainer, a 15-year-old Black California boy who appeared to be dealing with a mental health crisis, was killed. Deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department responded to a call from his parents on Saturday, March 9th, the twenty-seventh anniversary of The Notorious B.I.G.
The parents of Ryan Gainer, a Black teen with autism, called the Apple Valley division of the sheriff’s department and asked authorities to “take him in” after an altercation in the home, according to the Los Angeles Times. Instead, the teen was shot after charging a deputy “armed with an approximate five-foot-long garden tool, with a sharp bladed end,” according to a news release from the sheriff’s department.
On Saturday afternoon, the 15-year-old became upset that his parents had demanded he complete his household chores before he would be allowed to play video games or listen to music on his computer, according to DeWitt Lacy, a civil rights attorney representing Ryan’s family.
“He got upset. Any teen would be upset by that,” Lacy said. Some people with autism experience more heightened emotions and on that day Ryan responded by breaking glass on the front door, Lacy said.
According to the L.A. Times, Ryan’s death has heightened concerns from activists about law enforcement’s use of force against people suffering from mental health issues and the lack of supportive services available for families when they call police for help.
The death was not the first. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department was sued last year after deputies shot and killed Tony Garza while he was in the middle of a mental health crisis. In 2019, an off-duty LAPD officer fatally shot 32-year-old Kenneth French, who had a cognitive disability, during an altercation inside a Costco in Corona.
Zoe Gross who works as the advocacy director at the Autistic Self Advocacy Network, a nonprofit organization run by and for individuals on the autism spectrum, said law enforcement must release a fuller picture of what happened during their encounter with Ryan to better understand what could have been done differently.
“The autistic community has seen far too many cases of law enforcement profiling, targeting, and using excessive, sometimes deadly force on Black autistic people,” Gross, told the L.A. Times. “Because of the prevalence of police violence and the amount of unmet need in our communities, we must fund and implement alternatives to policing.”
The death of Ryan Gainer has also renewed discussions about finding better alternatives for law enforcement officers who respond to mental health crises, according to the L.A. Times.
“Our social safety net for those experiencing mental illness needs to be strengthened. Our deputies handle seemingly insurmountable calls daily. Most of these calls do not end in violence,” Sheriff Shannon Dicus said in a statement to multiple news outlets.
“However, this one ended in tragedy for Ryan, his family, and for the deputies who responded. Rapidly evolving, violent encounters are some of the most difficult, requiring split-second decisions. While these decisions are lawful, they are awful in terms of our humanity. I feel for both Ryan’s family and my deputies, who will struggle with this for their entire lives,” Dicus said.
[Four] years have passed since the killing of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. But while the widespread protests against police violence in the United States have quieted, the pain Black people experience when a police officer injures or kills a Black person persists. Black people in America are killed by the police at three times the rate of their white counterparts. And the number of deaths has remained consistent from year to year.
Victims and their families, as well as bystanders, are often psychologically scarred by these events. But there is evidence that the millions of Black people indirectly exposed to police violence are affected, too. In a 2021 study, researchers examined emergency room data from hospitals across five states, finding a correlation between police killings of unarmed Black people and a rise in depression-related E.R. visits among Black people.
We don’t have to look almost 3,000 miles away to see the need for better alternatives for law enforcement officers who respond to mental health crises, Kenneth Chamberlain Sr., was shot and killed by White Plains Police who were supposed to be making a wellness check. Chamberlain accidentally triggered his Life Alert pendant in his sleep one night in 2011 and he was killed 90 minutes later by the very officers there to check on him.
After the nationwide outrage over the killings of George Floyd (May 25, 2020) and Breonna Taylor (who was killed four years ago today, March 13, 2020), Westchester County created a crisis response team, called Project Alliance, as a better alternative for law enforcement officers who respond to mental health crises as part of the cry for criminal justice reform. But even with the Project Alliance in place and the city of New Rochelle opting in, there are still incidents locally, like in the case of the murder of Jarrell Garris, last July. Family and friends of Garris, an unarmed Black male with mental health issues who was shot and killed by New Rochelle Police Detective Steven Conn on July 3rd, are still looking for answers eight months later. Community leaders are still trying to find out how, even with a Project Alliance, there is still a breakdown and much work to be done in this area.
Raymond ‘C2’ Fowler appeared on Black Westchester’s People Before Politics Radio Show, joining Damon K. Jones and myself on Sunday, February 4, 2024, to talk about his fight for justice and accountability for the death of his son, Jarrell Garris, at the hands of Det. Steven Conn, whose presence escalated the encounter and the absence of the Project Alliance on that day.
The killing of Gainer is the latest in a long line of police killings of African Americans with mental health issues in the United States.
Neither the Gainer’s family attorney nor the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department have yet to respond to Black Westchester’s requests for comment. Stay tuned to BW for more on this developing story.
Last year we released the book, “Black Westchester Celebrates Black Women of Westchester,” celebrating the achievements of African American Women in Westchester County. Since the release of the book the history-making, ceiling-shattering achievement kept coming. So, for Women’s History Month, we wanted to celebrate two women who have made history since the book came out as we continue to give these women of distinction their flowers and document their achievements for the second edition of our book.
Yadira Ramos-Herbert
Democrat Yadira Ramos-Herbert made history as the first Afro-Latina woman and first female to serve as mayor in the city of New Rochelle. After nearly two decades, the city welcomed a new leader in January. Yadira Ramos-Herbert succeeded Democrat Noam Bramson, who has served as mayor since 2006, opted not to seek reelection after 17 years in office.
“I’m thrilled for Yadira, but more importantly, I’m thrilled for New Rochelle,” Mayor Bramson shares with News 12’s Tara Rosenblum. “She is exactly the right person for where we are in this story of our growth and our evolution. A person of intelligence, integrity, and sterling character, a history maker, as you pointed out, I could not be more proud that Yadira Ramos-Herbert will be my mayor.”
Yadira Ramos-Herbert, a former dean at Columbia University who has served on the City Council since 2020, assumed office in New York’s seventh-largest city when she was sworn in on January 1st. Though initially in a close race with her Republican opponent, Louis Tran-Gucci, she ultimately secured a decisive victory in the final tallies. She became the first Latina elected mayor of the 10 city in New York state.
Ramos-Herbert’s win is significant as she becomes both the first person of color and the first woman to lead the city of 80,000 people. She emphasized the importance of open communication amidst a construction boom that has shaped the city over the past decade.
Yadira, who just finished her first term as a member of the New Rochelle City Council, proudly representing District 3, touted the fresh perspective she would bring to city leadership as a bilingual, Afro-Latina in a city in which more than half of the residents are Black or Latino.
“It’s a win for New Rochelle, positivity, diversity every way you can think about it, coming together, working together to move the city to its next chapter,” Yadira, wearing a t-shirt that read, ‘The First But Not The Last,’ shared with those in attendance for her victory party at the Little Mexican Cafe on Main Street on election night, Tuesday, November 7, 2023.
Namasha Schelling Makes History As Pound Ridge’s First Black Town Board Member
On Wednesday, October 25th, Black Westchester broke the story of Namasha H. Schelling being targeted with hate rhetoric and signs that are popping up all across Pound Ridge in her attempt to make history as the first African-American to serve on the Pound Ridge Town Board. She may possibly be the first Black elected official in the town of Pound Ridge, period (Black Westchester is still confirming that part).
Despite the racial attacks, the Co-Chair of the Human Rights Advisory Committee of Pound Ridge vowed not to allow hate and the short-mindedness of a few to derail her campaign. On Tuesday, November 7th, not even the hateful rhetoric and ugly anonymous attacks could prevent the destiny of history from being made. Namasha won her historic victory with 24% of the vote—876 votes overall—to secure one of the two seats available, making history as the first Black Pound Ridge Town Board Member.
Namasha, who is a member of the Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus—Greater Bedford Chapter, joined us for a special edition of the People Before Politics Radio Show to discuss her candidacy and the coordinated hate-filled attacks she is receiving from those who do not know. We discuss race and politics, systemic racism in Westchester County, why she is running to serve on the Town Board, the fear of the browning of America, and much more. You can watch the powerful discussion in the video below.
Namasha Schelling is a five-year resident of Pound Ridge, where she lives with her husband, Tristan, an entrepreneur, and her four-year-old daughter. She is the co-chair of the Human Rights Advisory Committee of Pound Ridge, which was officially launched in 2022. She is a member of the Pound Ridge Housing Board and has participated in the process of updating the town’s Comprehensive Plan since 2021. She was also a member of the Criminal Justice Reform Committee, which was mandated for each police department in the state in 2020.
Namasha has fifteen years of professional experience in nonprofit communications, operations, and fundraising. She graduated from Harvard Extension with a Master of Liberal Arts in Environmental Management.
Also since the release of the book, Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard who is featured in the book for becoming the First Black Woman elected mayor of the city of Mount Vernon in 2019, made history once again in November 2023 when she became the first Mount Vernon Mayor to win re-election in two decades and the first female to do so, both also featured in the book. Peekskill Mayor Vivian McKenzie also made history as the first female Mayor to win re-elections in Westchester. Tuckahoe Mayor Omayra Andino Wins In First Village Election Held In November.
New Rochelle Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert, Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard, and Peekskill Mayor Vivian McKenzie receive their flowers. [Black Westchester]
For the first time ever, women of color now serve as mayors in three of Westchester County’s five cities, Yadira Ramos-Herbert in New Rochelle, Shawyn Patterson-Howard in Mount Vernon, and Vivian McKenzie in Peekskill. The three historymakers each made the 2023 City & State Magazine Westchester Power 100 List.
We proudly celebrate Yadira Ramos-Herbert, Shawyn Patterson-Howard, Vivian McKenzie, Omayra Andino, MaryAnn Carr, and Namasha Schelling, true Black Westchester Legends. We honor all the women in Westchester for their achievements!
Black Women of Westchester [Black Westchester]
The book, Black Westchester Celebrates Black Women Of Westchester, is available on Amazon, or email BlackWestchester@gmail.com to purchase your autographed copy directly from us.
To support the Black Westchester, which provides the News With The Black Point Of view and gives you the real talk for the community for free, make a donation via PayPal. In the words of Ray Charles, “One of these days, and it [might not be] long, You’re gonna look for [us], and [we’ll] be gone.” Support independent, Black-owned, Free Media! At Black Westchester, we always put People Before Politics!
ENUBuilds and Black Westchester facilitated a four-part Zoom dialogue discussion once a month through the Arts3D grant. Discussions for this series honor the Celebration of 50 years of Hip Hop. This webisode featured Performer & Rhythm Specialist Michael Feigenbaum & Music Educator Andrew Yang with BW Editor-In-Chief AJ Woodson and Lane Cobb moderating on Tuesday, November 20, 2023.
ENU Builds Community through activities, events, dialogue, workshops, and more. Our primary work is youth development and everything we do leads back to a benefit to the youth in the community. E.N.U. stands for Empower. Network. Uplift. Their mission is to enrich & empower, uplift and develop the youth and general residents in our community. For more information on ENU Builds, visit their website and email them at hello@enubuilds.com, or follow on Instagram and Facebook.
JamaalBowman And George Latimer Face Off One-On-One.
Congressional candidate Martin (“Marty”) Dolan, who was challenging Jamaal Bowman for his seat in the 16th Congressional District, announced he is switching districts and will now be challenging Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez in the 14th Congressional District.
“The most important fight is for NYC’s/NYS’ competitiveness. Tackling a 14% marginal tax rate and 500,000 outmigrations is the overwhelming priority. The best forum for this debate is CD-14 whose representative has squandered her political capital and done far more harm than good for NYC,” Dolan shared with Black Westchester.
You can read Mr. Dolan’s full announcement below…
I am excited to formally announce my candidacy for the Democratic nomination for New York’s 14th Congressional District. The June 25th, 2024, primary will be a referendum: are we better or worse off from following Radical policies?
We are all for the “progress” implied by the word Progressive. However, within the Progressive movement, there are Radicals whose influence on the Democratic Party is overweight.
The impact in NYC is obvious: bail reform a disaster, the National Guard in the subway, toothpaste locked up in drugstores but criminals running free, scarce resources directed to (non-sanctuary) immigrants coming from all over the world.
These difficulties must be addressed in the context of a runaway $34 trillion federal debt and NYC’s 14% marginal tax rate. Regional tax inequality is far more exaggerated in the USA than in any other country. Losing 500,000 taxpayers is unsustainable: fixing this must be our overwhelming priority.
We also urgently need to “reset” our society’s income inequality and harmonize regional differences in social policy. We call our approach the ‘Hamilton Plan v. 2.0’ in honor of one of our greatest New Yorkers, Alexander Hamilton, who forged the independent colonies into a great republic.
The Radicals can’t deliver more than breadcrumbs when they ignore that the primary breadwinners are leaving and brush off taxpayer concerns in favor of abstract populist ideologies. Enough is enough.
New Yorkers have seen it all, including scams like the Radicals offer. But we know better that New Yorkers want NYC to be the best city in the best country in the world.
Our founders left us the blueprint. “E pluribus unum”: of many, one.
We have just drifted off course.
Let us move forward together as one people.
Let us not wait another two years for the same result.
Let us reset on June 25th.
It is the honor of a lifetime to ask to represent you in this mission.
Marty Dolan is an experienced strategist, investor, and financial advisor who, over the past 40 years, has helped solve complex problems internationally in the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and domestically across the USA. Marty was one of nine children who grew up on Main Street in historic Irvington, one of Westchester’s smallest villages. His Argentinian immigrant father had a family medical practice there for 50 years.
Marty studied economics and the bankruptcy of NYC at Union College and then earned an MBA at Harvard Business School. He has worked extensively in the global risk insurance sector, particularly in helping recover from the global liability crisis, the WTC attack, Hurricane Katrina, and the global financial crisis.
Marty has three grown children, two grandchildren, and many family members living throughout NYC. In his spare time, Marty studies history, is an avid competitive golfer, film writer, restorer of old homes, and a lifelong baseball and Grateful Dead fan!
The international finance executive and Irvington native is the second candidate to drop out of the race for the 16th District, Senior Pastor of the Shiloh Baptist Church in Tuckahoe, Reverend Michael Gerald dropped out the race February 29th. He has vowed to throw his support behind George Latimer.
And then there were two, Westchester County Executive George Latimer is now the lone challenger to Congressman Jamaal Bowman in the June 25th Democratic Primary.
The winner of the Democratic Primary will face off with Chris Wright, the GOP candidate, in the general election. For more information on Marty Dolan, visit his website.
In Honor of Black History Month, the Greenburgh Human Rights Advisory Committee presented “A Conversation With Sarah Bracey White,” on Saturday, February 24th at the Greenburgh Public Library Sarah Bracey White shared her inspirational, personal, and artistic journey, from librarian to poet to author to playwright to performer, as she gave a presentation from her book “Primary Lessons – A Memoir,” to all in attendance, including NYS Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, County Executive George Latimer, DCE Ken Jenkins, CD-16 Congressional candidate Marty Dolan, Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner, Greenburgh Town Board Members Gina Jackson and Ellen Hendrickx.
Left to right: Greenburgh Town Board Members Ellen Hendrickx and Gina Jackson; New York State Senator Andrea Stewart Cousins; Exhibiting photographer Hubert Williams; guest presenter, Sarah Bracey White; Lynn Goodman & Lane Cobb, Greenburgh’s Human Rights Advisory Committee members [Black Westchester]
“In Primary Lessons, writer, performer, arts consultant & guest presenter Sarah White recounts her childhood years in the 1950s and early 1960s, from a brief idyllic-seeming stay as a very young child with a beloved aunt in Philadelphia to a return home to South Carolina to live with her siblings and her single mom, who was doing her best to hold the family together. Although the author chafed at the restrictions imposed by the Jim Crow South, she grows close to her mother and comes to understand the tough choices that have been made, but that doesn’t dampen the author’s determination to leave those limitations behind and forge her own, more independent path,” Amy Nathan, author of “Round and Round Together “and “Take A Seat-Made a Stand,” wrote on the back of the book.
Artist Hubert Williams, whose photographic exhibit of Jazz artists is on display in the multi-purpose room of Greenburgh Public Library, was also in attendance and spoke at the end of the Black History Month event.
“What an incredible honor to witness the remarkable Sarah White grace the podium at the Greenburgh Library, sharing her extraordinary journey through the past, present, and future. Her presence is truly mesmerizing, weaving together tales that leave behind invaluable nuggets of wisdom for us to follow. Sarah’s multifaceted talents as an author, playwright, teacher, and Renaissance woman of our time are nothing short of awe-inspiring. Bravo Sarah! Your brilliance shines brightly, illuminating paths for us all to explore,” Misha Templar Sinclair shared on Facebook.
Westchester County Executive George Latimer lauded Sarah as a “Renaissance Woman.” Sarah Bracey White is the longtime director of the Greenburgh Arts & Culture Committee
Paperback copies and Kindle editions of Sarah’s books are available at CavanKerry Press and Amazon. You can also purchase a hard copy at The Village Bookstore in Pleasantville, NY.
“I’d like to express my gratitude to everyone who has purchased a book or requested that their local library purchase one. Special appreciation goes to those readers who posted reviews on Amazon or Good Reads!” – Sarah Bracey White.
A groundswell of dissent is brewing in Westchester County as a coalition of ethnic and religious organizations has taken on a disturbing trend: the sale of Palestinian land exclusively to Jewish buyers by Keller Williams Realty. Westchester community groups are making it clear that this is a gross violation of human rights and a blight on the principles of equality and justice.
Imagine living in a house passed down through generations, only to have someone arrive one day and claim that it belongs to them, forcing you to leave. Imagine that same house being advertised to buyers in America, effectively putting your family’s cherished home up for sale to strangers.
This scenario is not hypothetical; it’s the harsh reality facing many Palestinians. Right here in Westchester, a real estate agency is facilitating the sale of land from the West Bank exclusively to Jewish residents, further exacerbating the pain and injustice experienced by Palestinian families who have called these lands home for generations.
At the heart of the matter lies a seething contradiction: while governmental bodies vocally assert their opposition to racism and discrimination, they have seemingly turned a blind eye to the flagrant discriminatory practices occurring right under their noses. This hypocrisy has spurred outrage among residents, prompting questions about why such blatant discrimination can persist without repercussions from government agencies.
The sale includes properties in Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which are considered illegal under international law. The demonstrators argue selling land in these settlements to only Jewish purchasers further entrenches the settlements and the Israeli occupation.
This isn’t the first time we’ve shed light on Palestinian land appropriation issues. In a previous report, we highlighted advertisements from Harey Zahav that have sparked outrage and raised concerns. The firm’s promotional materials unabashedly endorse the idea of settling in Gaza, despite its tumultuous history and the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. One advertisement boldly proclaims, “A house on the beach is not a dream! We have begun clearing rubble and fending off squatters.” Another ad takes it a step further, referring to Gaza as the “Land of Israel” and urging individuals to “Fight. Liberate. Settle.” It even provides a hotline for individuals to express interest in securing a place in the proposed settlement.
Keller Williams and Home in Israel have recently held similar events in other cities. The interfaith coalition stressed their protest is not against Judaism but against real estate practices they view as illegal and discriminatory.
Ironically, The Leffell School, a non-profit organization that recently accused Yonkers students of making antisemitic remarks against their women’s team, is now involved in assisting the sale of illegal land in the West Bank. This raises questions about whether the school is breaking the law and if this warrants an investigation by the New York State Attorney General.
According to reports about the incident with the Yonkers students, a student allegedly said, “I support Hamas, you f–king Jew,” and Yonkers kids were yelling “Free Palestine” and other anti-Jewish statements throughout a game against The Leffell School’s team.
Despite an investigation conducted by the NAACP revealing no evidence of the alleged remarks, and confirmation from referees who worked the game stating they did not recall any antisemitic language being used, a Black coach from the Yonkers team was still terminated as a result of the accusation.
Now, this same school, The Leffell School, which made the initial accusations against the Yonkers team, is assisting in the sale of land in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, which is considered illegal under international law. As a non-profit organization, The Leffell School’s involvement in such activities may be a violation of its legal status and could potentially lead to an investigation by the New York State Attorney General.
This situation highlights the school’s inconsistent stance on issues related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the consequences faced by the Yonkers team and coach. It also raises concerns about the potential misuse of the school’s non-profit status and the need for further investigation into their activities.
“This sale is complicit in the ongoing ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from their land,” said Harry Soloway, a local Jewish Voice for Peace leader. “Land theft and ethnic cleansing are not, and will never be, Jewish values.”
It is hypocritical for Westchester and New York to proclaim themselves as bastions of inclusivity while allowing such blatantly racist and discriminatory acts to occur unchecked,” remarked a spokesperson for the coalition. The sale of Palestinian land exclusively to Jewish individuals is not only morally reprehensible but also a direct affront to the principles of equality and justice upon which our society supposedly stands.
In the midst of significant financial contributions from influential organizations like AIPAC to politicians, the question arises: who is being compensated to ignore the oppression faced by the Palestinian people? The sale of Palestinian land in a county once heralded for its progressivism serves as a stark reminder that oppression has become a lucrative enterprise in today’s world.
Organizers of the protest wanted to shine a glaring spotlight on the complicity of both private entities and governmental bodies in perpetuating systemic discrimination. By targeting Keller Williams Realty and Home in Israel, organizers hope to hold these companies accountable for their involvement in the sale of property in West Bank settlements, deemed illegal under international law.
Two counter-protest members infiltrated the crowd demonstrating against the illegal sale of West Bank land and began conducting their “prayer.” Individuals who opposed the sale viewed this as a disruption to the protest against what they deemed to be unlawful actions. The counter-protesters proceeded to wear their “Tefillin” until police directed them to a grass field behind the protest area. Perceiving this as a provocative act, the protesters requested that the police remove them from their side. However, the police stated that since the individuals were on the grass, which belonged to the school, and had permission from the owner, they were unable to take any action against them.
The sale of property in the occupied West Bank, promoted at multiple synagogues across North America, is stirring controversy due to its illegal nature according to international law. Additionally, its discriminatory practices, which exclude non-Jews, are in direct contradiction with domestic laws. As such, the coalition demands thorough investigations by the District Attorney, the New York State Attorney General’s Office, and the Federal Government into potential violations of housing and civil rights laws. They argue that failure to address these issues would represent a serious neglect of duty by government agencies.
The organizer also demanded a “Request for Comment” from government officials, urging them to publicly address the glaring inconsistencies between their professed values and their inaction in the face of discrimination. They emphasize the urgent need for accountability and transparency, asserting that failure to act would only perpetuate injustice and erode trust in governmental institutions.
We emailed the Greenburgh Town Supervisor, Paul Feiner, to get his response to the controversy. We asked for his views on the real estate event being held in the town and whether he has concerns about the allegations that it violates anti-discrimination laws.
More broadly, we ask Feiner whether he believes the town should allow events that sell properties in the occupied West Bank or whether he thinks they should be prohibited going forward. Unfortunately, as of this article’s publication, Paul Feiner has yet to respond to our email, which is highly unusual for him. Despite this, he has not provided any comment on the matter.
The demonstration comes amidst escalating violence in Israel and the Palestinian territories. Organizers referenced the recent fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza, which they characterized as a “genocide against Palestinians.”
In solidarity with global movements advocating for Palestinian rights, the protest represents a pivotal moment in the ongoing struggle for equality and justice. As voices unite in condemnation of discrimination and oppression, the message is clear: the time for complacency is over, and the fight for a more equitable society begins now.
![Yadira, SPH & Vivian [Black Westchester]](http://blackwestchester.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/screenshot_20240313_165144_facebook7040300227123938639-1024x710.jpg "Black Westchester Continues To Celebrate Black Women Of Westchester 5")
