Here's a nice out-of-town appreciation from Lawrenceville, NJ Patch (one of the AOL-owned on-line weeklies) of a Bronx treasure, Baron Ambrosia, and his quirky cinematic tours of the borough's food scene, including Neerob, a Bangladeshi joint on Starling Avenue in Castle Hill.
From much further out of town, a reporter from The Guardian, a British daily paper, details some of the stark differences between the 16th Congressional District, which is a gigantic chunk of the southern half of the borough, and the 14th District on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.
Sam Dolnick had a terrific Times piece yesterday that highlights merchants and business owners -- including Cali Rivera and his little drum factory in Highbridge -- who hold on for dear life despite the whipping winds of demographic change over decades. Great pictures, too.
Don't think we mentioned this yet, but Bob Kappstatter reported in a recent column that the trial of former State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr. and his son, Pedro G. Espada, which was supposed to be begin in mid-October has been pushed back to the beginning of next year after the judge ruled that prosecutors failed to turn over some computer files seized in the raid on Espada's Soundview Healthcare clinic. Anyone familiar with similar pre-trial maneuvers, including those of Espada's predecessor, former Sen. Efrain Gonzalez, will predict that this is probably the first of several such delays.
Troubles continue at the esteemed Bronx High School of Science as the New York Times reports that eight of 20 social studies teachers have chosen not to return.
Monday, September 19, 2011
Bronx News Roundup, Sept. 19
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Bronx News Roundup, Thursday, July 7
Weather: Really hot and humid, again. High in the 90s, with a miniscule chance of rain early this afternoon. Should cool down tomorrow.
Story of the Day:
Darlene Urena, the 5-year-old Soundview-area girl who was shot in the stomach over Memorial Day weekend, is well on her way to recovery. On her way to friend's home to share a bag of Doritos, Urena was caught in a hail of gunfire, which police say was the result of a feud between rival gangs. During three hours of surgery at Jacobi Hospital, doctors stitched up a main artery and removed Darlene's appendix as well as a part of her intestines. While she still takes injections to prevent blood clots and is frightened by the sound of fireworks, Darlene "frolicked" around her apartment the other day and smiled as the Daily News took a photograph of her and her family. "I'm good!" Darlene said.
Quick Hits:
Meet Josue Vargas, a 13-year-old boxing prodigy from Morris Park. He fights tonight at the Loew's Paradise Theater on the Grand Concourse.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Bronx News Roundup, Feb. 24
A quick reminder that we will be Tweeting live from Borough President Ruben Diaz, Jr.'s State of the Borough speech today, starting at 11:30 a.m. Check back here for the Twitter feed on the right side of this page or you can follow us through my Twitter account: @norwoodnews.
This morning, in preparation for the speech, police were already setting up security at DeWitt Clinton High School on Mosholu Parkway and aggressively ticketing and towing cars parked on Goulden Avenue, presumably for violating alternate-side parking rules. News 12 was also setting up a mobile unit. A military officer wearing a beret and camouflage gear walked into the building. Wonder if he'll have a role today.
In any case, tune in today during the brunch hours to our Twitter coverage (on @norwoodnews) and tune in later today and tomorrow for photos as well as more details and analysis.
To the news! (Abbreviated version today. Like one of the borough's congressman at the State of the Union, I need to head out early and get a good aisle seat for maximum exposure during all the broadcast coverage of toady's speech. Maybe I'll even get an autograph or two.)
A preview of today's Diaz's speech, which is expected to draw some 1,500 people, with a focus on how Diaz will call for Bloomberg's support in delivering on a plan for the Kingsbridge Armory.
A report from the wake of 11-year-old Russell Smith, who was killed on the Grand Concourse when he was struck by a passing Honda CRV. Family member and local officials vowed to do something about the borough's most dangerous streets and not let his death be in vain.
The Times takes an in-depth look at how police caught two of the suspects they believe robbed an Arthur Avenue jewelry store last Friday.
The Daily News has a new Bronx Education column, featuring a story on a pair of PS 86 teachers and their ideas for how the union and city should deal with teacher layoffs.
More and more Bronxites (and other outer borough dwellers) are commuting to work outside of Manhattan and the city's transit system is struggling to keep up.
Kappy's back this week with juice on Assembly Speaker "Godfather" Shelly Silver's decision to move Bronx Dem boss Carl Heastie into a new post for political reasons and some other stuff.
The Bronx's New York Botanical Garden is teaching teachers how to teach school gardening.
Where are all the movies with great Bronx accents?
An elevator at an apartment building in Highbridge has been out for two months.
The Bronx DA dismissed rape charges against a Haitian immigrant. They realized his accent was too thick to say the threatening words the victim said she heard.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Bronx News Roundup, Feb. 10
We hope everyone is staying warm in this blizzard! Here are some of today's news stories to read while you're snowed in:
The front page of today's Daily News had more on the biggest Bronx story this week: Council member Larry Seabrook's indictment, that was unsealed Tuesday. The 66-page document lists a number of offenses, according to the article--from funneling large sums through suspect nonprofits to claiming $177 on his expense report for the cost of a bagel. Read more here.
For those of you who were worried about those chickens in Highbridge, fear not: the Daily News followed up yesterday's story, about wild birds who've settled down in a lot on Edward L. Grant Highway, with today's piece on a nearby business manager who vows to find a safe home for the flock.
The boys swim team at Bronx Science made the Public Schools Athletic League semifinals.
The New York Times city room blog ran a story yesterday about two new supermarkets coming to the Bronx--one in Norwood and one near Tremont Avenue--as part of the city's FRESH initiative, a program to encourage new grocery stores in underserved areas.
The Times also ran a review of this Ghanian restaurant on the Grand Concourse in Fordham Heights.
A prisoner escaped police custody yesterday at the Bronx Criminal Courthouse on East 161st Street, after changing clothes to impersonate another man. Police are still looking for 22-year-old Michael Bautista, who was being arraigned at the courthouse for assaulting his girlfriend and a police officer.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
Bronx News Roundup, Feb. 8
A lot happened in the Bronx this weekend while the New Orleans Saints were busy scoring the Super Bowl title. Here's a rundown on some of the biggest news stories:
Ex-state Sen. Efrain Gonzalez Jr. says it was bad legal advice that made him plead guilty to 2006 corruption charges, and now wants to withdraw his plea.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Bronx News Roundup, Feb. 1
Monday, November 16, 2009
Bronx News Roundup, Nov. 16
Crain's New York Business comes down hard on Bronx politicians for fighting for a living-wage agreement at the Kingsbridge Armory. The publication says the Bronx needs more retail development and should not be insisting on a living-wage agreement.
The Yankee's earned over $200,000 for New York City by selling seats in the luxury suite for the city.
A Bronx cancer survivor, Millie Gonzalez, was treated to a day of free trapeze lessons courtesy of Gilda's Club cancer support group.
A man was found stabbed to death yesterday on the corner of Allerton Avenue and White Plains Road.
In honor of the Bronx Zoo's 110th anniversary, the Daily News published 110 interesting facts about the historic zoo.
Police are searching for three men suspected of violently robbing multiple people in Unionport.
A 28 year-old Bronx woman, Yvette Diaz, was killed on Sunday during a hit-and-run accident on 165th Street and Grand Concourse.
The New York Times profiled a family living happily, comfortably, and cheaply in the Highbridge section of the Bronx.
Speaking of real estate in the Bronx, Castle Hill has many affordable homes available in this community-driven neighborhood.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Father Michael Sepp dies of cancer
Right as we were going to press, the Horizon learned that Father Michael P. Sepp, the Pastor of Sacred Heart and St. Francis of Assisi Parishes, had died of cancer. He was 56 years old.
Fr. Sepp was diagnosed with terminal cancer in January 2008. His last mass was March 8 of this year. He died on March 13.
Three days later, mourners packed Sacred Heart Church on Shakespeare Avenue for Fr. Sepp’s mass. A standing- room- only crowd spilled into the entrance of the church.
Monsignor Robert M. Trainor, the senior priest of Sacred Heart Parish, told those gathered that he had saved his appointment book from 1989; it was on December 16 of that year that he first met Fr. Sepp. Msgr. Trainor said he spoke to Fr. Sepp when he visited him in the hospital the last week of Fr. Sepp’s life.
“In that conversation, which turned out to be our last,” Msgr. Trainor recalled, “He said, ‘I want to thank you for all you have done for me.’”
Msgr. Trainor said that he replied, “Father Michael, if I have done anything for you, I have done it because I love you.”
The Horizon will have a full story about Fr. Sepp’s death—and the Highbridge community’s reaction to his passing—in our April issue.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Oil Spill on Grant Highway
From Community Board 4 comes word of a major oil spill this morning on Grant Highway, between West 170th Street and Jesup Avenue.
According to an email sent out Tuesday morning by Board 4, more than 1000 gallons of oil spilled from a tanker. A response team from New Jersey is in the process of cleaning up the spill.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Highbridge Inauguration Gathering
If you're looking for a West Bronx location to watch Tuesday's Inauguration, there are still 158 tickets left for a gathering in Highbridge. There will be a public viewing of the ceremony from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm Tuesday, at the West Bronx Recreation Center, 1527 Jesup Avenue (W. 172nd Street)
Admission is free, but a ticket is required to get inside. Tickets are available for Highbridge Community Life Center staff and residents of the Highbridge community. Light refreshments will be served.
To get your ticket, please call 347-538-7759.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Bronx News Roundup: Monday, Nov. 17
Here's a look at the Bronx stories floating around cyberspace today.
The Times' City section picked up the story on a busy Highbridge food pantry facing eviction.
Congratulations to Helen Diane Foster, the City Council member representing the Highbridge area, who married Eric Kenyetta McKay on Saturday.
A 17-year-old girl was shot to death on Sunday morning during a shootout outside of a party near the Cross Bronx Expressway on Morris Avenue. Two other teenage males were shot as well. Police are still investigating the incident.
Jury selection is set to begin today for "Bronx Tale" star and ex-"Sopranos" part-timer Lillo Brancato, Jr. He's being charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of an off-duty cop in Pelham Bay. Another man, Steven Armento, who Brancato was with on the night of the shooting (they were allegedly breaking into a home to steal painkillers), was recently sentenced to life in prison for shooting the officer, Daniel Enchautegui. Brancato's lawyers say he had nothing to do with the burglary or the shooting.
Long-time Bronx political lawyer Stanley Schlein was busted by the NY Post for using a fireman's union placard (he's not a fireman) to park illegally near the Bronx County Courthouse. Schlein worked for Bronx Democratic Assemblyman Jose Rivera for years, but has now aligned himself with the insurgent group currently trying to unseat Rivera's leadership of the party.
On Saturday morning, Best Buy opened its first Bronx store on Fordham Road. Basketball star Magic Johnson spoke at the event, saying, "This is going to make a huge impact on the community." As part of the kickoff event, Best Buy announced it was giving $10,000 to two Bronx nonprofits: The Point, a multi-service center in Hunt's Point, and The Wildcat Service Corporation, which provides job training and placement.
The NY Botanical Garden here in the Bronx is conducting information sessions on horticulture jobs this week.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Breaking news: Highbridge gets middle school
I've just been told by Chauncy Young, an organizer with United Parents of Highbridge (UPOH) ,that a Highbridge Middle school is included in the city's new education capital plan.
Highbridge residents and education advocates have been fighting for a new middle school for the past few years, arguing that the lack of a school in the community forces area students to endure long and sometimes unsafe commutes.
The West Bronx News Blog will post further updates in the near future.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Highbridge residents speak on elections
The Horizon visited CES 73 in Highbridge yesterday, and interviewed local voters coming out of the polls. Though we interviewed 15-20 voters, you will note that, as was the case with Alma Watkins' reporting, we didn't come across anyone who supported McCain. (We did find one person who said he used to support McCain).
Below are some excerpts from the interviews we conducted on Election Day.
Giselle Pagan, 21: (Pagan sported buttons reading "Hope" and "Witness History")
On her feelings this election day compared to previous election days:
"Whether he [Obama] wins or not, we're making history by having a woman and African-American run up until now. Whoever wins, it's gonna have an affect on who our future president can be."
On what issues matter to her most during this election:
"The economy is number one. The war and the economy."
On what changes she envisions if Obama wins:
"Hopefully, it will show other people that they do have the potential to lead and be on top and they're not those stereotypes many people believe them to be."
Mark Yarde, 42
On why he switched from supporting McCain initially to ultimately voting for Obama:
"McCain started out as a maverick, but took too many of Bush's views."
"First he said the economy was sound. then, 3 or 4 weeks later, he said we have to have a bail-out. How can he flip-flop so fast?"
On both McCain and Obama's support for the recent $700 billion bail-out plan:
"Either one wants to push this economic plan really serious. All the other stuff about wars and what's going on overseas, I think they gotta deal with the homefront first. That's their first agenda -- to deal with this bail-out plan."
"You can't see massive amounts of people laid off and stand by and do nothing."
On the impact of an Obama victory:
"If Obama wins, it's a feeling of accomplishment. I'm not really African-American, but coming from an African-American perspective, maybe it's something African-Americans were looking forward to for some time. "
"If Obama wins, I think it's a change because you had 8 years of a Republican government that didn't really work. If McCain wins, I hope he becomes the maverick he once was."
Madeline Luna, 30
On why she voted for Obama:
"I voted for him because we needed a change."
"I'm trying to get people out of Iraq, not keep them in there."
On what issues matter most to her:
"The economy is really bad right now. I'm hoping everything just gets better."
On what she views as the similarities between McCain and Bush:
"They're both Repbulicans. That's a no-no for me. I'm a Democrat."
"We don't want no more wars. I'm just hoping the war is over sooner than soon."
On Barack Obama's plan to send more U.S. troops to Afghanistan:
"That I'm against."
"I think we just need to take everybody out of there, period. I think we've lost enough."
Doug Matthews, 55
On whether an Obama presidency will reduce racism:
"I know it exists, but with myself, everybody's equal. I don't think it's Black and white. It's gray. Green. Currency - that's the color I'm thinking about."
On how he expected to feel the day after the election:
"When he wins, good work, and we'll see what he's gonna do when he has the ball. If McCain wins the voters spoke. McCain has a good platform."
On whether life for people in Highbridge will change if Obama wins:
"Right now, it's changing. There's a lot of employment going on. They're building a new Yankee Stadium in the area. They got the mall on River Avenue. There's gonna be employment over there."
Coraliza Rodriguez, 78
On why she voted for Obama:
[After noting she originally wasn't going to vote, and her daughter convinced her]:
"She said, 'Mommy, you don't want Bush to stay.'"
On what she hopes Obama will do as president:
"I hope that he does what he promises - especially for senior citizens."
"I hope that this guy does something for poor people."
Judith Dilpan, 23
[Dilpan noted that she had hoped to vote for the first time, but upon arriving at the polls, found out that she was not registered]
On what she wants to change under the next administration:
"The economy, taxes. So it could be lower."
J. Hill, 50
On her hopes for an Obama presidency:
"That he'll be able to help turn the economy around."
"Whoever wins, it's a major mess to straighten out. I'm hopeful that it's all gonna turn around. These are very desperate times."
On the prospect [now a reality] of Obama becoming the first Black president:
"I'm elated. I'm really elated, I can't even begin to tell you. I never thought I'd see it in my lifetime."
On whether Obama winning will improve the situation for Black people in the U.S.:
"I would hope it would change for the better. Hopefully, it would get people to get their act together and think about everything like the crime and the drugs. Hopefully it would stir up something in the Black race."
On McCain's vice-presidential candidate, Sarah Palin:
"I don't think she was qualified. I think she just came out of nowhere. I don't think her family's that stable, either."
Derrick King, 34
On his hopes for the next administration:
"My hopes are particularly within the immediate community - to finally see some real change. Every politician promotes change. But we never actually see it."
On the U.S. wars in the Middle East:
"Personally, I would say that it's more than enough time to our have our troops return home. But that' s a decision the powers-that-be can make."
Shameena Morris, 26
On her hopes for the upcoming election:
"In my hopes, Barack Obama comes out and is able to make change as far as the economy, as far as health care."
On Obama's plan to send more troops to Afghanistan:
"I guess he figures the war wasn't supposed to occur in Iraq - this is where the war was supposed to occur, in Afghanistan."
[Follow-up: What does Morris think of that argument?]
"Hmm. That I'm not too sure."
On the prospect [now a reality] of Barack Obama being the first Black president:
"Hopefully, he's out for change. He can't disappoint us. He shouldn't."
"Politics is bound to change, but hopefully he'll stand his ground."
On whether Obama winning will change the situation for Black people in the U.S. :
"Hopefully, not only will racism change, hopefully everyone will focus on taking a stand when it comes to everything overall."
Monday, November 3, 2008
Bronx News Roundup: Nov. 3
First of all, we hope everyone had a safe and fun Halloween weekend. Secondly, we hope everyone of age is voting tomorrow. Now, on to the news.
On Halloween, violence hit the Boogie Down particularly hard. Two young men were killed in the Bronx that day. One of them, an immigrant from the Ivory Coast named Terrence Taylor, who his family called Abdul Toure (his African name) was shot in the head at a party in Highbridge.
Another, Alesio Vega, 22, was fatally shot inside a Morris Avenue home.
Last Thursday, Steven Armento, a friend of actor Lillo Brancato, a native Bronxite who starred in "A Bronx Tale" and played a bit role in the "Sopranos," was found guilty in the murder of off duty cop Daniel Enchautegui. Armento, 51, was convicted of first-degree murder after expressing little remorse for the killing, even bragging that it would make him "a king in jail," according to prosecutors.
Armento is actor Brancato's ex-girlfriend's father. The two broke into a Pelham Bay home to look for drugs after spending all night at a Yonkers strip club, when Enchautengui confronted them. A shootout ensued and Enchautegui got the worst of the exchange, taking a bullet to the heart. Click here to read more about the trial. Brancato is expected to face trial later this month.
Validus Preparatory Academy, a new high school in the south Bronx, has gotten political during this long presidential campaign, writing journals, staging debates and a mock election (Democratic candidate Barrack Obama won 88 percent of the votes).
Speaking of elections, Jeffrey Klapper is hanging on as a Conservative candidate in the 81st Assembly district where he faces powerful incumbent Jeffrey Dinowitz. According to the Gotham Gazette, Dinowitz is sitting on $171,067 in campaign contributions, while Klapper hasn't raised a dime.
Bayside High School beat Kennedy in the Bronx school's own girls volleyball tournament last weekend.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Bronx News Roundup: Oct. 30
Battle for the Bronx Democratic Party
The Times' City Room writes about the legal wrangling going on at the Bronx County Courthouse between two faction vying for the leadership of the Bronx Democratic Party. Basically, it says the flareup is an embarassment to the party.
Here's a good summation: "At a time when party organizations throughout the area are busy dispatching volunteers to Pennsylvania to work for Senator Barack Obama’s presidential campaign, Bronx leaders have been criticized for a level of infighting so intense that they are spending their days in court."
Embattled current leader Jose Rivera's camp made it's case yesterday and the insurgents, led by Carl Heastie and Jeff Dinowitz, are supposed to outline their arguments today. Closing arguments are set for tomorrow, but a decision might not be made for another couple of weeks.
Other News
A teacher who called his Bronx students "filthy animals" will not be allowed to retain his job. After being fired over the comments last year, he sued the school district. But a judge upheld the firing.
A Bronx man was shot in the leg last night in Mt. Vernon.
The Kalamazoo Gazette profiles Bronx musician Lipbone Redding who started as a subway musician and is now gaining national notoriety. Redding uses his voice to create sounds like a trombone and calls himself a "voicestumentalist."
Two Bronx cops were indicted on assault charges after allegedy spraying a man with tear gas, then pistol-whipping him and beating him with a baton. Apparently, the man was blocking traffic with his door and had yelled something at the officers.
Yankees President Randy Levine said they would have moved the team to New Jersey or somewhere out of the Bronx, if the city didn't issue tax-exempt bonds for the new stadium project. Congress recently conducted hearings into whether the team and the city's Economic Development Corporation inflated the value of the land in order to get the tax-exempt bonds approved.
In the saddest story of the day, a Throgs Neck man allegedly stabbed his wife's beagle to death after the couple had an argument. Warning: if you're a dog lover, this may make you cry. The NY Post's headline reads, "Snoopy Didn't Have to Die."
A Highbridge area soup kitchen may be evicted, but not without protests from local residents.
NY1 takes the Bronx's political temperature and reports that the borough has Obama fever.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Highbridge residents rally for school
One week before the city announces its education capital plan, hundreds of elementary school children joined community activists and local elected officials in demanding that a new middle school in Highbridge be part of that plan.
Saturday, August 16, 2008
BREAKING NEWS: Cause of death announced in death of basketball player Andre "Pop" Davidson Jr.
More than a month after 18-year-old Andre "Pop" Davidson Jr. collapsed and died while playing basketball, the city medical examiner has reached a decision about the cause of his death: Ellen Borakove, a spokesperson for the examiner, said Friday that Davidson's death was the result of a heart condition he lived with since birth.
"He had an irregular heart rhythm that was caused by a heart issue he was born with--congenital heart defect ," Borakove said. "He died of natural causes."
In the days immediately after Davidson --who grew up in Highbridge and started last year for Kennedy High's basketball team -died, some family members and friends suspected that his death was heat-related; there was no air conditioning in St. Mary's Rec Center, where Davidson was competing in a tournament game when he collapsed July 5.
Reached by phone Friday night, an emotional Nicole Givens --Davidson's mother -- said she still believed Davidson's death could have been prevented, and that the lack of air conditioning was one of several contributing factors.
"I still feel he could have been saved," said Givens, who added the medical examiner's office had informed her of its decision on Thursday.
Givens said this feeling, along with witnessing during the past several weeks the influence her son's life had on his community, had left her overcome with emotion.
"I've been crying all day," Givens said. "And I really haven't cried. I've been taking care of everyone else."
The West Bronx Blog will continue to provide updates on this story as more details are uncovered. Also, look for a front-page feature in the August issue of the Highbridge Horizon about the life, death, and influence of "Pop" Davidson; that issue hits the streets this coming week.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Still no word on cause of Davidson's death
Tuesday marked one month since the sudden death of 18-year-old Highbridge resident and basketball star Andre "Pop" Davidson Jr. , but there is still no word from the city medical examiner on the cause of his death. Megan Cuccia, a spokesperson for the examiner's office, said Wednesday that the investigation into Davidson's death is still pending. Cuccia would not reveal what tests the examiner is conducting.
Davidson, a starter for Kennedy High this past season, collapsed and died at St. Mary's Rec Center on July 5, while competing in a basketball tournament. The gym had no air conditioning, and many of Davidson's family members suspect that heat played a role in his death.
Davidson's friends and family will gather at Nelson Park this Sunday at 1pm, to celebrate what would have been his 19th birthday.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Local Protestors: "We Are All Sean Bell"
Chanting “We are all Sean Bell/ We are all Anthony Baez/We are all Amadou Diallo”—referring to victims of infamous police killings in the Bronx— Black, Latino, and white demonstrators joined together to protest last week’s verdict, and to demand changes in NYPD policies and conduct towards communities of color.
Protestors blocked traffic for a few minutes as Rev. Raymond Rivera, CEO of the Latino Pastoral Action Center—one of the main groups organizing Wednesday’s action—led the crowd in a prayer. A heavy police presence from the nearby 44th Precinct looked on, but officers from the 44 had met with event organizers Tuesday night and approved the action, so there were no arrests.
Following the blocking of traffic, the crowd gathered for a rally that lasted about 30 minutes. Speakers said that Bell’s killing was part of a larger pattern of police violence and harassment against African-Americans and Latinos.
Joel Rivera, director of the Greater Heights youth program at LPAC, listed the names of other persons of color killed by the NYPD, including Baez—a 29-year-old asthmatic Puerto Rican man who died in 1994 after being choked by police— and Patrick Dorismond—a 26-year-old Haitian-American man who was shot and killed near Madison Square Garden in 2000.
“I’ve never heard of somebody on Wall Street being accidentally shot reaching for their phone,” Rivera said. He added that one difference between the Bell shooting and many other cases of unarmed men of color killed by law enforcement is that two of the three officers charged in Bell’s death were themselves Black.
“It’s not about Black and white,” Rivera said. “It’s blue.”
Hector Soto, a civil-rights attorney, told the crowd it was necessary to speak out not only against police murders, but also against the daily harassment he said people of color experienced at the hands of police. He cited pervasive stop-and-frisks by the NYPD—a phenomenon which studies have shown overwhelmingly impacts African-Americans and Latinos—as an example of the “little disrespects” suffered by people of color, in addition to “big disrespects” such as the Bell shooting.
"Everybody has a story," Soto said, referring to experiences of people of color with law enforcement.
Youth comprised a large portion of Wednesday afternoon’s turnout; a good percentage of those in attendance appeared to be under the age of 25. Many wore black tee-shirts with red letters that read: “I am Sean bell/Amadou Diallo/Abner Louema/Your name here.”
Many of the younger protestors expressed feeling emboldened and inspired by the rally to
speak out against police brutality, and to raise their voice more generally on issues that concern them. “I definitely want to see changes out here,” said community resident Lucas Santa, 22. “It’s hard for the young ones.” Santa said police use of excessive force against unarmed men of color, as well as the flood of illegal weapons on the streets of his neighborhoods, were trends that needed to be halted.
Later, he said he felt he could play an active role in this process. “I believe if I speak out,” Santa said, “we could make changes.”
The theme of simultaneously fighting police abuse and violence within the Highbridge community was echoed by several speakers, including Rev. Rivera, who called on residents to stop the flow of weapons on neighborhood streets. “We say to the officers, ‘No more’” Rivera said. “We say to ourselves, ‘no more.’”
Twenty-year-old Nigel Patrick, a Morrisania resident who works at LPAC, said he learned of the acquittal of officers Cooper, Isnora, and Oliver through a friend’s text message; the friend told him to forward the news to everybody he knew. Patrick gave a long list of reasons he said police had cited in arresting him recently, including: “looking suspicious,” smoking cigarettes, and walking outside after 3am.
Asked by this reporter if he felt a particularly strong connection to Sean Bell’s death because he, like Bell, is a Black male in his twenties, Patrick replied: “I feel that everybody is connected to Sean Bell.”
Ethan Zatko, a 24-year-old Washington Heights resident, was one of several white protestors at East 170th and Jerome. " I was disturbed but not that surprised," Zatko said of the verdict. "I think it's another instance in a long line of unfortunate manifestations of systematic racism."
Zatko said it was crucial for demonstrators to carry forward the momentum of Wednesday's demonstration in the form of community organizing. In particular, he said that white activists had a responsibility to educate other white Americans about systematic racism and oppression carried out against people of color.
During the rally, onlookers lined East 170th Street, and a few could also be seen watching the proceedings from the elevated “4” subway station at 170th and Jerome. Some people discovered the rally as they walked by it, and were inspired to join on the spot.
Twenty-two-year-old Nikey Fowler, a University Avenue resident, said that witnessing demonstrators holding signs about Bell caught her attention. So Fowler brought herself, and her four-year-old son, into the rally. “I just felt like they got away with murder,” Fowler said of Officers Cooper, Isnora, and Oliver. “That’s exactly what I thought.”
She added that she had been so outraged by the acquittal of the officers that she began crying when she heard the verdict.
After the demonstration, Joel Rivera said he was pleased that a diverse group of protestors— including members of community organizations such as LPAC and Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice, as well as local residents—had united to speak out against the acquittal.
Speaking to the Horizon on Monday and Tuesday, Rivera confided that organizers were consciously limiting how broadly they spread the word about Wednesday’s demonstration in order to reduce the element of unpredictability involved in the action.
“I could have made this something really big with thousands of people,” Rivera said, “but my concern is when you have those type of events, that it’s hard to have control of them.”
Rivera said he hoped Wednesday’s protest could serve as a springboard to “organize and mobilize Highbridge,” not only around issues of police-community relations, but also housing, education, health care, and employment.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Verdict Protest in BX Planned For Wednesday
A coalition of community organizations has called a demonstration in Highbridge Wednesday afternoon, to protest the acquittal of the three officers charged in the killing of Sean Bell.
On Wednesday, from 5:01 to 5:05 pm, protestors will block traffic at the intersection of Jerome Avenue and 170th Street, only a few short blocks away from the 44th Precinct. Among the groups involved in planning the demonstration thus far are the Bronx-based Latino Pastoral Action Center (LPAC) and Youth Ministries for Peace and Justice.
A rally will follow the traffic-blocking action.
"5:01 is because Sean Bell was shot 51 times," explained Joel Rivera, director of LPAC's Greater Heights Youth Program (no relation to Councilmember Joel Rivera).
Rivera said that his organization had a good relationship with the 44th Precinct, and had actually been in contact with them about keeping Wednesday's event peaceful. "It is civil disobedience," Rivera said. "But because of the relationship we have now with the local precinct, I’m not anticipating arrests."
Rivera said that while LPAC had a very good relationship with the 44, the same was not true for the community more broadly -- especially youth. He said his organization had already been planning a demonstration to take place within the next several weeks to call attention to police conduct including the wave of NYPD stop-and- frisks of young men of color and recent infamous incidents in which NYPD officers handcuffed five-year-old school children.
But Rivera said Friday's acquittal made the timing of the demonstration more urgent. "We're showing that we're not happy with this decision that took place," Rivera said.
And he added: "My concern is: how many other Sean Bell cases are happening that we don’t know about, that are getting swept under the rug?"
