BP Adams, Brannan Demand Answers In Pizza Delivery Man, ICE Case
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams and City Council Member Justin Brannan (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bath Beach, Bensonhurst) will demand answers today in the arrest of a pizza delivery man handed over to immigration officers last week.
Today, the Brooklyn lawmakers, both of whom represent United States Army Garrison Fort Hamilton, will demand answers on the arrest of Pablo Villavicencio, who was detained last week by military police and handed over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) when he went to deliver a pizza to the base.
The Ecuadorian immigrant was questioned by a military soldier on the base, who asked for his immigration documents as he went to deliver a pizza. The incident led the solder to call immigration enforcement agents on the father of two, who now faces potential deportation and fears separation from his family, according to initial reports.
The event is slated for 11 a.m., today, June 6, at the United States Army Garrison Fort Hamilton (corner of Ft. Hamilton Parkway & 101st Street) in Bay Ridge.
CM Williams Donates Arrest Artifact To BK Children’s Museum
City Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) will donate artifacts related to his arrest during an immigration protest to the Brooklyn Children’s Museum today.
At the event, Williams will discuss the events surrounding his arrest at a protest against the detention and deportation of Ravi Ragbir and donate the jacket which was damaged during the protest as well as his Desk Appearance Ticket from the police incident.
The items will become part of the museum’s permanent collection the collection and used for an impending exhibit on modern Brooklyn history and activism.
In January, Williams was arrested on charges of obstructing an emergency medical vehicle stemming from the protest of the detention and imminent deportation of immigrant rights activist, Ragbir. In March, Williams appeared before a judge alongside sixteen other protesters who were arrested with the Council Member for their roles in the protest, who all later accepted an ACD (Adjournment in Contemplation of Dismissal) in the courtroom, while informing the court of their intention to continue to protest actions they find unjust.
The arrest and detention of Ragbir was later ruled unconstitutional by Judge Kathleen Forrest, who compared ICE’s actions to “regimes we revile as unjust; regimes where those who have long lived in a country may be taken without notice…and sent away.” Ragbir currently continues his fight to stay in the United States.
The event is slated for 5 p.m., today, June 6, at Brooklyn Children’s Museum, at 145 Brooklyn Avenue in Crown Heights.
Golden To Host Senior Information Fair
State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach, Gravesend) will host a senior information fair alongside city agencies this week.
At the event, Golden will update the community on the 2018-2019 New York State Budget as well as ongoing legislative and community efforts.
The event will also feature the participation of numerous City and State agencies on hand to assist local seniors including the New York Police Department (NYPD) and the Fire Department of New York (FDNY), as well as Catholic Charities, the Norwegian Christian Home and Health Center, the Social Security Administration, Kingsborough Community College’s “My Turn Program”, the New York Legal Assistance Group, Calvary Hospital and the Center for NYC Neighborhoods–Flood HelpNY.
The event is slated for 12-noon, Friday, June 8, at St. Columba Church – Gym, at 2245 Kimball Street in Marine Park.
Cumbo Hosts Anti-Gun Violence Event
City Council Majority Leader Laurie A. Cumbo (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Crown Heights) will host the Brooklyn Anti-Gun Violence 2018 Culminating Event this week.
The event will serve as a culmination for the Art A Catalyst for Change Initiative, which provides after-school programming at select middle and high schools located in high gun violence areas.
The event will feature an address by Marlon Peterson, national social and criminal justice advocate, writer and educator.
“As youth continue to lead the way on anti-gun violence activism nationwide, we hope that you can join us for this event, which empowers youth to use art to affect social change,” said Cumbo.
The event is slated for 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Friday, June 8, at BRIC House, at 647 Fulton Street in Fort Greene.
Wright Announces Discrimination Prevention Legislation
Assembly member Tremaine Wright (D-Bedford-Stuyvesant, Northern Crown Heights) and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie announced yesterday passage of legislation to eliminate discrimination in the workplace by establishing prevention and training policies.
The legislation (A.10461, Wright) would expand the existing state sexual harassment law, passed in the 2018 budget, to all discrimination. Additionally, the measure would establish a model policy and model training program to prevent discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, creed, sexual orientation, age, disability, military status, and familial status, marital status, predisposing genetic characteristics or domestic violence victim status. Previously, the law only established model policies and training programs for sexual harassment.
The bill would also require businesses submitting bids to any state or public department for services performed or the sale of goods to have a written policy implemented addressing discrimination prevention in the workplace. It would also prohibit mandatory arbitration clauses related to discrimination in the workplace. Finally, the bill would expand the Human Rights Law to all employers in the state and authorize the Attorney General to bring action or prosecute cases of discrimination.
“This anti-discrimination legislation is overdue. The Assembly Majority will keep pushing for legislation that will protect New York’s workers and help prevent discrimination of all kinds,” said Codes Committee Chair Joseph R. Lentol (D-Williamsburg, Greenpoint).
“Discrimination hurts people, it is toxic in the workplace, and it hurts us as a state. I am proud that my legislation will put into place a mechanism to help prevent workplace discrimination, and to ensure people and organizations have the tools they need to appropriately handle cases of discrimination when they arise,” said Wright.
Maimonides Holds Annual Recognition Luncheon & Ceremony For Volunteers
Maimonides Medical Center will be honoring and celebrating its staff of volunteers today with a special Recognition Ceremony and Luncheon.
Welcoming remarks will be given by Maimonides Board of Trustees Chair Eugene Keilin and highlights include special guest speaker City Council member Kalman Yeger (D-Boro Park, Flatbush, Midwood), as well as a video presentation recognizing the contributions of the hospital’s volunteers.
The event is slated for 12-noon, today, June 6, at Paradise Manor, at 5802 New Utrecht Avenue in Borough Park.
