Rally on May 21 To Demand NYC Budget Justice and Caring and Compassionate New Deal

On Thursday, 21 May, at 2:00 p.m., Voices Of Community Activists & Leaders (VOCAL-NY) will be joined by members of the City Council who have pledged to advance a call for a new vision and drastic realignment in City budget priorities.   VOCAL-NY are calling for the creation of a housing, public health and social services workforce. The group also wants to see a collaborative effort by the Department of Social Services, Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, and Housing Preservation and Development, to tackle issues of incarceration, homelessness, overdose, substance use and mental health.   VOCAL-NY is a statewide


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10:00 a.m. Rally Today May 21 to Halt Solitary Confinement

The Campaign for Alternatives to Isolated Confinement are asking the public to join them today at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, May 21, for a virtual rally and socially distant actions to demand the legislature pass #HALTsolitary, Elder Parole, and Fair and Timely Parole.   People can register for the Zoom here, read this pdf flyer and this png flyer, and amplify action using this social media and call-in guide.   Activists are asking anyone who can travel safely, to join in person (with masks and gloves, and at least six feet apart) outside the offices of Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie,


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Elected Officials Call To Curtail Fireworks Out of Respect For Front Line Workers

In response to a distinct uptick in midnight fireworks concentrated in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, Council Member Andrew Cohen, and Congressman Eliot Engel have issued the following statement:   “We appreciate that some of our neighbors want to show their support for essential workers and that using small firecrackers – although illegal in New York City – is a way for them to do that during the 7pm clap. However, the fireworks being set off later into the evening – even after midnight – are not firecrackers. They are massive, loud, and startling for many


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CM Cabrera, Bronx Parent Housing Network & Residents Hosted Food and Mask Giveaway on May 19

Council Member Fernando Cabrera, Victor Rivera, CEO of Bronx Parent Housing Network, and community residents distributed free food and masks on Tuesday, May 19, 2020 at Jerome Avenue and W. Kingsbridge Road.   Fresh and hot food (rice and chicken) was given out to everybody in line.   “The most recent numbers show the Bronx still has the highest COVID-19 infection rate per capita among the five boroughs,” Cabrera wrote in a press release dated Monday, May 18. “At this time when people are struggling to stay healthy, everyone must practice social distancing and everyone must have food to eat.


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Academy of Mount St. Ursula Earns Middle States Re-Accreditation

  The Academy of Mount St. Ursula (AMSU), located in the Bedford Park area of the Bronx, recently earned re-accreditation by the Middle States Association Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools, a worldwide leader in accreditation and continuous school improvement for over 130 years.   Sr. Jean Marie Humphries, PhD is the school’s principal. A member of the Order of St. Ursula, she is also a former student of AMSU, having graduated with the Class of ‘89. Sr. Humphries said she is proud to have earned re-accreditation, since she said it serves as an independent validation of the good work


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CDC Issues Guidance On Use Of Cloth Face Coverings

The CDC has issued the following guidance with regard to the use of cloth face coverings. For more information, go to cdc.gov/coronavirus.   DO Do make sure you can breathe through the face covering. Do wear the face covering whenever going out in public. Do make sure the face covering covers your nose and mouth. Do wash the face covering after using it.   DON’T Don’t use the face covering on children under two years of age. Don’t use surgical masks or other personal protective equipment (PPE) intended for health care workers.  

State Sen. Bailey, CM Cohen & AM Fernandez Organize Free Giveaway Today, May 20

  State Sen. Jamaal T. Bailey, Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez, and Councilman Andrew Cohen are organizing a free giveaway of face masks, gloves and hand sanitizers on May 20, 2020 at 3:00 p.m. at Lexa Bar & Grill, 357 E 204th Street.   In his latest newsletter dated May 19, Councilman Cohen thanked all front line workers for their continued efforts throughout the pandemic. “Thank you to all the hardworking healthcare workers, first responders, grocery store employees, taxi drivers, transit workers, sanitation workers, cleaners, childcare providers, teachers, delivery persons, and mail carriers who continue to do their jobs under enormous pressure


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Alternate Side Parking Resumes May 18 to May 20

Alternate Side Parking Regulation resumed on May 18 and will continue to May 20. It will take effect again from May 22 to May 23 while a citywide clean sweep is in effect, after which suspensions will continue for another two weeks through Sunday, June 7, 2020.   Please note, however, that there will be two suspensions during this week’s clean sweep on Thursday, May 21, and again on Sunday, May 24, in accordance with the Alternate Side Parking calendar which takes into account two religious days i.e. Solemnity of the Ascension, and Idul-Fitr (Eid Al-Fitr).   The City may


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Op-Ed, Financial Focus: The Fed Cautiously Believes A Second Half Rebound Is Very Possible

On Sunday, May 17, Jerome Powell, Federal Reserve Board Chair, was interviewed on the TV show, 60 Minutes. “The Fed” is a governmental body in charge of interest rates and money in our economy.   President Donald Trump, wanting a new person to lead the Fed, nominated Powell in 2018, but since then, has been critical of his work. Trump has been pushing hard to lower interest rates further while Powell wants to take a more moderate approach.   Then, in February of 2020, the pandemic hit. In Sunday’s interview, Powell said that the pandemic is the biggest threat to


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