Dinowitz, Torres Discuss Antisemitism at Roundtable

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

The following is an extended version of the story that appears in our latest print edition. On Jan. 15, an 11-hour standoff at the Colleyville Congregation in Texas ended when the gunman was distracted by Rabbi Charlie Cytron Walker, allowing the Rabbi and three others to escape. Once alone in the synagogue, Malik Akram was killed by an FBI hostage team. The incident ushered in a new year of national attention on the rise in antisemitic crimes. Figures released by the FBI reveal that more than half of all religious bias crimes target Jews according to the American

By JOSÉ A. GIRALT

Most of the attention on COVID-19 revolves around the physical consequences of its spread, especially in communities of color, but a secondary effect has to do with a decrease in academic attainment, especially in the Latino community. The educational fallout from the pandemic is seen in figures collected by the National Student Clearinghouse (NSC). During 2020, the first year of the pandemic, Hispanic enrollment in higher education fell overall by 5.4 percent. More alarming is the decline in first-time enrollment among Hispanic students, at almost 20 percent. These statistics present a difficult future for one of the fastest-growing segments

By DAVID GREENE

This week, we asked readers for their thoughts on the United States accepting refugees displaced by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. “Anything we can do to help them out would be great. They have no place to go, and Russia is bombing them like crazy; it’s sad. It’s sad what’s going on. I hope there is a good ending, I hope there is peace for everyone there, and I hope Russia doesn’t team up with China because that’s scaring everybody.” David Glickenstein, Jerome Park “I think it’s a good thing because the innocent people get to

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Jessica Altagracia Woolford, Democratic candidate for State Assembly in A.D. 81, which covers the Northwest Bronx, announced on Thursday, March 24, that she has received the endorsement of Sunrise NYC, the local chapter of the national Sunrise movement. According to its website, and as reported, Sunrise is a national grassroots mobilization to stop climate change and create millions of good-paying jobs in the process. Reacting to the news, Altagracia Woolford said, “I am proud to have the endorsement of Sunrise NYC as we plan a more resilient, equitable and healthy climate future for the Northwest Bronx, and New Yorkers, statewide.

By AKEEM BROWDER

The death of my brother, Kalief Browder, sparked an international outcry, not just because of the terrible injustices he faced, but because he defied the odds, refused to plead guilty to a crime he did not commit, and demanded fairness. In honor of his fight, I have been demanding fairness, too, through The Kalief Browder Foundation. Now is a moment when we must all rise up to stop a new plan by Gov. Kathy Hochul that could lead to countless more tragedies like the one my family suffered. You may be familiar with the story: As a child of 16,

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) released an updated “protest data snapshot” on Thursday, March 24, updating the public on the status of the 319 complaints filed to date and stemming from the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests. Thus far, CCRB officials said 269 cases have been closed, with 187 substantiated allegations filed against 104 members of service. Officials said the CCRB has recommended charges and specifications, the highest level of discipline for the most serious allegations of misconduct, against 61 officers, and that those 61 officers should face an administrative trial run by the CCRB’s Administrative

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Two days after Norwood congressman, Rep. Ritchie Torres (NY-15) called for an investigation into the Russian diplomatic compound, located at 355 W 255th Street in the Riverdale section of the Bronx, on Tuesday, March 22, and amid the ongoing invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the FBI announced on Thursday, March 24, that four Russian government employees have been charged in two historical hacking campaigns, targeting critical infrastructure, worldwide. The Department of Justice unsealed two charges on Thursday, charging four defendants, all Russian nationals, who worked for the Russian government, with attempting, supporting and conducting computer intrusions [hacking] that

By SÍLE MOLONEY

The New York City Police Department is asking for the public’s assistance identifying the three people seen in the attached surveillance photographs who are sought in connection to a robbery and assault in Fordham Manor. Police said they received a report that on Tuesday, March 15, at around 3.28 p.m., in front of 2654 Valentine Avenue, the victim, a 13-year-old girl, was approached from behind by three people, two male and one female. The female allegedly began kicking and punching the victim multiple times in the face, while the two males allegedly kicked her in her

By SÍLE MOLONEY

Police said they have arrested a man for the rape and attempted murder of a woman inside an apartment building in Fordham Manner. NYPD officials said on Friday, March 11, at approximately 3.30 p.m., it was reported to them that inside a residential building in the vicinity of Davidson Avenue and West 190th Street, a man placed a 27-year-old woman in a chokehold until she lost consciousness, and then raped her. They said he then fled the scene on foot, southbound, on Davidson Avenue. The victim suffered lacerations to her nose and mouth as a result of