UPDATE Bronx Teen from Ecuador Held by U.S. Refugee Resettlement (ORR) Reunited with Family after Detention

Five leading child advocacy organizations had filed an amicus brief in federal court supporting 16-year-old Bronx teen, Joel, from Ecuador who had been held by the United States Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). His case was heard at a White Plains federal court on Monday, Nov. 17. Norwood News reached out to the advocates for an update on the latest court proceedings, as well as asking which part of The Bronx Joel lives in. While we’re still waiting on the latter, we’ve since been informed that a judge has since ordered Joel released into the custody of a legal guardian and has been reunited with his extended family in the area, while his legal case continues. 

Different Generations Discuss Democracy at 2nd Manhattan “No Kings” Rally

While many lament the polarized and seemingly internecine nature of politics in America and around the world in recent years, it was at least a breath of fresh air to witness one sweet, intergenerational exchange of thoughts on democracy aboard a busy downtown 1 train on Saturday, Oct. 18. It unfolded organically between a group of adults from Northwest Bronx Indivisible (NBI) who were on their way downtown to join the second, nationwide “No Kings Day” rally in Manhattan and a group of teens and kids on their way to a basketball game the same day.

Family & Friends Remember Bronx Teen Murdered in Brooklyn

Family and friends of Tyson Harps, 16, gathered at the Owens Funeral Home on Malcolm X Boulevard in Harlem on Saturday, Nov. 15, to say goodbye to the Bronx teen who was gunned down as he visited friends on Eastern Parkway in Brooklyn on Saturday, Nov. 1. One attendee said that after the service, mourners released 16 white doves and balloons into the cloudless, blue sky.

Eric Dinowitz’s New Bill Aims to Ease Affordable Housing Application Process

Democratic Councilman Eric Dinowitz (C.D. 11) introduced a new bill on Wednesday, Nov. 12, during the New York City Council stated meeting, designed to “vastly improve” the application process for so-called “affordable” housing units made available via the housing lottery system managed by NYC Department of Housing, Preservation & Development (HPD) through its online “Housing Connect” portal.