Squadron Honors Arab-American Service Men
State Senator Daniel Squadron (D-Northern Brooklyn, Lower Manhattan) announced his nomination of three Arab-Americans for the New York Senate Veterans Hall of Fame in light of the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents reportedly detaining Muslim-American service member Syed Ali at John F. Kennedy Airport.
The nominees include brothers Abraham and Ismile Althaibani, and Hariton Marachilian who grew up in the Arab-American community in Cobble Hill.
Ismile earned a Purple Heart for injuries sustained during the battle of Falluja, and served in the same Marines Battalion as Hariton.
“Today’s news is an important reminder that people of all backgrounds serve our nation with distinction and deserve our everlasting gratitude. I chose to nominate Abraham Althaibani, Ismile Althaibani, and Hariton Marachilian to the New York State Senate Veterans Hall of Fame for their service in the Marine Corps during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and their continued service with the NYPD. It’s critical that we remember to honor veterans from all backgrounds, following reports of harassment of Syed Ali by Customs and Border Patrol. I am deeply grateful for their service,” said Squadron.
Mosley Wants To Reform The Handling Of Pre-Trail Discovery
Assemblyman Walter Mosley (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights) is calling on the Assembly to pass a bill to reform pre-trail discovery.
Discovery is the legal process in which the attorney for the defendant and the attorney for the plaintiff share the evidence they have collected.
Current federal laws, also known as the Brady Law, compel but do not require the prosecution to disclose information that is relevant to the guilt, innocence or sentencing of the accused. This includes not having to reveal all exculpatory evidence and such evidence doesn’t have to be revealed during pre-trail discovery.
The proposed bill, A.7292, would require district attorneys to turn over police reports and disclose non-identifying information about witnesses to the accused.
“The current law in New York does not require the district attorneys to disclose police reports or witness statements until the trial begins. This means that defendants may not even know who is accusing them, and this lack of evidence leads people to accept plea deals that may be unfair, or accept jail time for a crime they did not commit. We cannot expect people to agree to deals when they do not have all of the available information, and that is why pre-trial discovery reform is so important,” said Mosley.
“Repealing the Blindfold Law is one step towards criminal justice reform that I have been fighting for my whole career. I am proud to support this legislation, and make sure that no one is kept in the dark about matters involving their own liberty,” he added.
Harris Praises Legislative Package Making It Easier To Vote
Assembly Member Pamela Harris (D-Coney Island, Bay Ridge) yesterday praised new legislation that will make it easier for New York residents to vote.
The package includes legislation establishing early voting (A.20164), online voter registration (A.5382) and an amendment to the state constitution allowing all residents to take advantage of voting by mail (A.7623).
“The Assembly is expected to take up a series of bills designed to help more New Yorkers participate in the democratic process. As a state, we should be doing all we can to increase voter turnout so that our government is more representative of its people,” said Harris.
“These reforms would bring our voting process into the 21st century and provide more ways to vote so busy New Yorkers can manage their work and family responsibilities and still have a voice in our elections,” she added.
BP Adams to Host 3rd Annual “A Night Honoring Brooklyn Champions”
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams this evening will host his third annual “A Night Honoring Brooklyn Champions,” an event that celebrates the success of the borough’s recent athletic championship teams.
More than 100 students and coaches from these winning teams will accept trophies and accolades from Adams during the ceremony held at St. Francis College in Brooklyn Heights.
Athletic teams being honored include members of the girls’ swimming and boys’ wrestling teams at Brooklyn Technical High School in Fort Greene; the girls’ basketball team at Philippa Schuyler Middle School for the Gifted and Talented in Bushwick; the boys’ junior varsity basketball team at The Green School in Williamsburg; the boys’ wrestling team at Grand Street Campus in East Williamsburg; and the girls’ junior varsity and varsity basketball teams at South Shore High School in Canarsie.
The event is slated for 6 p.m., today, May 17 at 180 Remsen Street at St. Francis College in the Founders Hall in Brooklyn Heights.
Brad Lander, City Council To Question MTA For Recent Subway Woes
Council Member Brad Lander (D-Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington), alongside the rest of the City Council will hear testimony from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) in regards to the recent subway delays and malfunctions as part of the Executive Budget Meeting today.
In the last several weeks signaling problems, power failures and other service issues have plagued the MTA service causing chaos and confusion among riders.
The hearing is slated for 10 a.m, today, May 17 at City Hall in Lower Manhattan.
