Williams On Council Singing The Black National Anthem
City Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) released the following statement in regard to the City Council singing the Black National Anthem during yesterday’s City Council Stated meeting in City Hall.
“Just a few moments ago, and at the request of the Council’s Black Latino and Asian Caucus (BLAC), the entire City Council sang the Black National Anthem ‘Lift Every Voice and Sing’ written by James Weldon Johnson.
“The topic of racial justice has been at the forefront of this country’s headlines for the past several years. Our emotions were in inflamed with the murder of Trayvon Martin, and then by the murders of Michael Brown, Eric Garner, Sandra Bland, Alton Sterling, and Philando Castile, to name only a few. Gun violence is in our cities nightly, while the cries for the resources needed to rise above subsistence are ignored.
“Several weeks ago I made my own private protest public by staying seated in prayer during the Pledge of Allegiance. I’m thankful to all my colleagues for the supportive words after the resulting hate mail, and particularly the seven Council Members who joined me in sitting during the following Stated. As I said then, the decision to participate was personal and did not reflect anyone’s commitment to the movement.
“While some of us may decide to sit in protest – a tradition deeply rooted in the Civil Rights era – and others decide to exercise their right to protest in a different fashion, what is the most important is that we are united in voicing our discontent about the injustices taking place all over the country.
“I am proud to be a member of this Council and proud to stand alongside my colleagues in singing the Black National Anthem.”
Cornegy Brings Civilian Compliant Review Board To District
City Council Member Robert Cornegy Jr. (Bedford-Stuyvesant, Norther Crown Heights) today is bringing the city’s Civilian Complaint Review Board to his district Office.
The New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) is an independent agency. It is empowered to receive, investigate, mediate, hear, make findings, and recommend action on complaints against New York City police officers alleging the use of excessive or unnecessary force, abuse of authority, discourtesy, or the use of offensive language. The Board’s investigative staff, composed entirely of civilian employees, conducts investigations in an impartial fashion. The Board forwards its findings to the police commissioner.
In fulfillment of its mission, the Board has pledged:
- To encourage members of the community to file complaints when they feel they have been victims of police misconduct
- To encourage all parties involved in a complaint to come forward and present evidence
- To investigate each allegation thoroughly and impartially
- To make objective determinations on the merits of each case
- To recommend disciplinary actions that are fair and appropriate, if, and when, the investigative findings show that misconduct occurred
- To respect the rights of the civilians and officers
- To engage in community outreach to educate the public about the agency and to respond to concerns relevant to the agency’s mandate
- To report relevant issues and policy matters to the police commissioner
- To offer civilians and officers the opportunity to mediate their complaints in order to promote understanding between officers and the communities they serve
The CCRB is slated to be at Cornegy’s office from 5-8 p.m., tonight, Oct. 28, at 1360 Fulton STreet, Suite 500. For more information call (718) 919-0740.
Weinstein Leads Local Elected Officials In Final Push To Stop Fed Halfway House
With the selection process for a Brooklyn Borough Halfway House site nearing completion, Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein, Borough President Eric Adams, Senator Roxanne Persaud, Councilman Alan Maisel and Lew Fidler, have written the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to restate their strong opposition to the proposed installation of a Residential Re-entry Center at 2261 Bragg Street in Sheepshead Bay.
In November of 2015, the Rever Corporation – a private contractor – made public their intentions to submit the site for candidacy. Soon thereafter, the elected officials joined forces and, in correspondence to the BOP, insisted the site is not an appropriate venue to assist previously incarcerated individuals while they make the transition from prison to civilian life, and expressed “grave concerns about the safety of the children and senior citizens in particular of the community.”
Weinstein then spearheaded a massive community campaign, resulting in over 2500 resident signatures and letters from civic group, senior center, public school and community leaders forwarded to the BOP. The most recent correspondence reiterated that the site is situated in a neighborhood “densely populated by one of the city’s largest populations of vulnerable seniors” and was accompanied by photos clearly demonstrating the site’s inappropriate proximity to both schools and playgrounds.
The elected officials are hopeful that the tremendous response from the community and local elected officials will lead to the rejection of this site, but continue to urge others to write an e-mail of opposition if they haven’t, to BOP-ADM/CommCorrContracting@bop.gov.
View the letter the elected officials wrote to the BOP here.
Espinal Reacts To Stabbing Outside East New York High School
City Council Member Rafael Espinal Jr., (East New York, Bushwick, Cypress Hills) yesterday re-committed himself to working to ensure school safety after a stabbing near a high school in his district.
“My office has been made aware of a stabbing that occurred in the vicinity of William H. Maxwell Career and Technical Education High School on Pennsylvania Avenue in East NY,” said Espinal. “I commend the quick response of the NYPD, particularly the 75th Precinct & EMS workers in taking the student to the hospital and addressing the situation with immediate caution. I am thankful that there were no grave injuries and it appears that this young man will keep his life.
“Safety in public schools must be a top priority and we should look into strategies to ensure every child in every school learns and thrives in a safe environment. If anyone has tips or insight into this incident please call the 75th Precinct at 718-827-3511 or the NYPD Crime Stoppers Hotline at 800-577-TIPS.”
Lander, Velazquez, Simon Celebrate Gowanus Infrastructure Completion
City Council Member Brad Lander (Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington), Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez (Northern & Central Brooklyn) and Assemblywoman Jo Anne Simon (Downtown Brooklyn, Boerum Hill, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill) today will join government officials and local residents in celebrating the completion of green infrastructure improvements in the Gowanus Canal Watershed.
The improvements including a $1.5 million Sponge Park™ and 70 curbside rain gardens specially designed to capture and retain stormwater. By capturing stormwater and keeping it out of the neighborhood’s combined sewer system, green infrastructure helps to reduce sewer overflows and improve the health of the Gowanus Canal.
Green infrastructure also improves air quality, provides shade in the summer months and will beautify the neighborhoods of Boerum Hill, Carroll Gardens, Gowanus, Park Slope and Prospect Heights.
The celebration is slated for 12:30 p.m., today, Oct. 28 on 2nd Street where it dead ends on the west side of the Gowanus Canal.
VIDA & Bevy Of Elected Officials Celebrate Robinson
The Vanguard Independent Democratic Association, its’ President Henry Butler and a who’s who of elected officials tonight will honor the career of retiring 56th District Assemblywoman and continuing District Leader Annette M. Robinson.
Among those expected to be in attendance include Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Senate Democratic Conference Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, NYC Public Advocate Letitia James, Kings County Democratic Chair Frank Seddio, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, Congress Members Hakeem Jeffries, Nydia Velazquez and Yvette Clarke, State Senators Velmanette Montgomery and Roxanne Persaud; Assembly Members Latrice Walker, Peter Abbate, Walter Mosley, James Brennan, Joseph Lentol, Rodneye Bichotte, Jo Ann Simon; City Council Members Robert Cornegy, Mathieu Eugene and Laurie Cumbo; and Democratic Nominee for the 56th Assembly District Tremaine Wright.
The event is slated for 7-9 p.m., tonight, Oct. 28 at TWU Local 100, 195 Montague Street, 3rd floor in Downtown Brooklyn.
Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro & Halperin, LLP Obtain $12.085 Million Settlement (Sponsored)
Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro & Halperin attorney Kathleen Kettles recently obtained a court order approving the settlement of $12,085,000.
This is a case involving the failure to timely deliver an infant to a first-time mother and resulting in severe brain damage to the child who is now six-years-old. This child cannot speak, walk or talk and must be tube fed. Her parents are completely devoted, but their day to day existence is filled with dealing doctor’s appointments, emergency visits, outside therapies and managing or providing her child’s need for extensive nursing services.
“I am truly in awe of this family and despite the heartache of having a child this disabled, it has been a joy to work for them. This settlement will lessen the burden on this incredible family,” said Kettles, who heads the firm’s Medical Malpractice team. Though a practicing attorney for almost 28 years, she was an RN for ten years prior to going to law school.
During the litigation, Kathy worked extensively with well known, respected experts in the fields of obstetrics, maternal fetal medicine, neonatology, pediatric neurology, pediatric neuroradiology and a life care planner to prepare the case for trial. It is this attention to detail which results in an extremely favorable settlement for her clients.
“When I was a nurse, I often felt powerless to really help my patients, but as a nurse attorney, I get to help secure a child’s future and there is no greater feeling of satisfaction,” she said.
The law firm of Wingate, Russotti, Shapiro & Halperin, LLP is one of the city’s top accident and medical malpractice firms in the city and is there to represent you. To get a free consultation click Here.
