Jeffries Pushes Study To Make Park Monument Part Of National Park System
Congressmember Hakeem Jeffries requested for and got the National Park Service to hold a public meeting to discuss the possibility of having Fort Greene Park’s Prison Ship Martyrs’ Monument getting a congressional designation for becoming part of the national park system.
This impressive monument marks the site of a crypt for more than 11,500 men and women, known as the prison ship martyrs, who were buried in a tomb near the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Those dead, came during the Revolutionary War when the British held thousands of captives on prison ships anchored in the East River. Over 11,500 men and women died of overcrowding, contaminated water, starvation, and disease aboard the ships, and their bodies were hastily buried along the shore.
The purpose of the meeting is to provide an opportunity for citizens to learn about the special resource study process and hear the criteria used by the National Park Service to determine eligibility for establishment of a potential unit of the national park system. These criteria include: national significance, suitability and feasibility for inclusion within the national park system, and the need for National Park Service management. The National Park Service will also present information about how the public may provide feedback and comments on this planning effort.
At the conclusion of the special resource study process, the National Park Service, through the Secretary of the Interior, will submit its findings to Congress. Congress will then determine whether the Prison Ship Martyrs’ Monument should be added to the national park system. Only Congress has the authority to designate a new unit of the National Park Service.
The meeting is slated for 6 p.m., Tuesday, January 31 in the Shirley A. Chisholm State Office Building, 55 Hanson Place in Fort Greene.
Information about the Monument, status of the study, and the criteria used to evaluate new national parklands is available on the following website: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/
Gentile Calls On MTA To Provide Shuttles and Increase Bus Service Subway Renovations
City Councilman Vincent Gentile (Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst) penned a letter to MTA President Veronique Hakim requesting shuttle bus service and increased bus service on the B9, B37, B63, and B64 lines during the 6 month renovation project at the Bay Ridge Avenue R train station set to commence at the end of April.
While Gentile and R train riders in his district appreciate the station’s inclusion in the MTA’s Enhanced Station Initiative, they share the same sentiment in that logical alternative travel options take precedence over state-of-the-art amenities.
“Again, the community and I are pleased with the changes to come but community concerns, safety, and the ability to commute comes first,” Gentile expressed in his letter. With the MTA’s recent fare hike proposal potentially costing riders $3 for every MetroCard swipe, it is simply MTA’s duty to provide riders with the most convenient and efficient travel options as possible during this period.
Gentile said providing shuttle bus service and adding service to the heavily used bus lines nearby the Bay Ridge Avenue station are necessary courses of action during this time for commuters, students and seniors alike.
“During the subway station closure on weekdays I request the implementation of shuttle bus service between Bay Ridge Avenue and 59th street and increased bus service on the B9, B37, B63 and B64 bus lines. This will alleviate sidewalk congestion during this time and allow for expedited travel instead of a half mile walk that seniors and disabled will have a very difficult time doing,” Gentile added.
Espinal Hosts Know Your Rights Town Hall
In response to growing concerns about how new federal policies may affect his district, City Council Member Rafael Espinal (Williamsburg, Bushwick, East New York) tonight will host a “Know Your Rights” Town Hall Meeting.
The meeting will bring together several agencies and nonprofit organizations to inform constituents of services available to them. Participating agencies include: Citizens Commission on Human Rights, Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, Department of Education, New York Police Department, and the Department of Consumer Affairs.
State Senator Martin Dilan and Assemblyman Erik Dilan, both of whom also represent the area, will also be on hand.
The meeting is slated for 6 p.m., tonight, Jan. 24 at the Ridgewood Bushwick Youth Center, 1474 Gates Avenue in Bushwick.
Williams Gets Honorary Haitian Award
City Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) tonight will receive the Honorary Haitian Award by the Haitian Roundtable (HRT) at their Kreyol Connection Haiti Independence Reception.
This is only the third time HRT will present an Honorary Haitian Award. Typically their awards are reserved for trailblazers of Haitian descent. The Honorary Haitian Award recognizes an individual who is not of Haitian descent, but whose leadership has helped the Haitian community as well as galvanized national and worldwide support for Haiti.
Council Member Williams will be receiving awards alongside the Haitian American Caucus and the Haitian Creole Language Institute of New York. Williams represents one of the largest Haitian communities living outside of Haiti.
The award reception is slated for between 6:30-9 p.m., tonight, Jan. 24 at the Row House-Underbar, 2128 Frederick Douglass Boulevard in Manhattan.
Lander Declares Kensington Corner A ‘Hate Free Zone’
City Councilman Brad Lander on Wednesday will launch of the Kensington Hate Free Zone, organized by DRUM (Desis Rising Up & Moving), along with many Kensington community leaders and partner organizations.
Kensington is home to a large Bangladeshi Muslim community, and Lander continues his reach beyond city governance and onto national politics in organizing against President Donald Trump and his ambiguous and conflicting statements regarding immigration and immigrant rights.
In the words of DRUM youth leader Poonam Das (at the launch of a Hate Free Zone in Queens): “A Hate-Free Zone is not just a declaration, but the practice of building a community defense system that will allow us to defend our communities from workplace raids, deportations, mass criminalization, violence and systemic violation of our rights and dignity. A Hate-Free Zone does not happen without the people in this crowd, in this neighborhood, in this city. The times we are living in now demand we work as communities to love and protect each other.”
“Together, we will partner and unite with local leaders and community groups to declare Kensington, Brooklyn a Hate Free Zone and a line of defense against Trump Administration policies that would target our neighbors,” said Lander.
The Kensington Hate Free Zone launch is slated for between 5-8 p.m., tomorrow, Wednesday, January 25 at the Avenue C Plaza (McDonald Avenue & Avenue C) in Kensington.
Eugene Hosts Immigration Forum
City Council Member Mathieu Eugene (Flatbush, East Flatbush) this week will hold an immigration forum to provide information to his many immigrant constituents about knowing your rights regardless of your immigration status and protecting yourself.
Among the items slated for coverage are Citizenship Family Based Petitions, DACA/DAPA Asylum Filing, Fee Changes, TPS, Deportation, Immigration Fraud and Family Reunification.
The forum is slated for 8:30 p.m., Thursday, January 26 at Holy Cross Church, 2530 Church Avenue, (Bet Bedford & Rogers Avenues in Flatbush.
