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Inquiring Photographer: Thoughts on Saudi-Sponsored Women’s Golf Tournament at Trump Golf Links

TRAVIS EASTMAN, PARKCHESTER
Photo by David Greene

With a recently released U.S. government report implicating some individuals in the Saudi Arabian government in having assisted the 9/11 hijackers, this week we asked readers for their thoughts on Trump Golf Links, located in Ferry Point Park in Throggs Neck, hosting a Saudi-sponsored, women’s golf tournament next month in The Bronx. Listed sponsor, Aramco [officially the Saudi Arabian Oil Company] is a Saudi Arabian public petroleum and natural gas company based in Dhahran.

 

“It’s so funny you mention that because I was just watching something on that. What took place was really different because what went down was the government is hiding something, because for us to do what we did, it had to be something else that was done to make them do what they did. I was down there when all that took place…I heard about that. I was, like, damn! How? With all the lives taken and all of the destruction that took place, how can they work with those people who committed devastation to America? How are you going to allow business to come in here? Russia and Saudi Arabia made good money in the U.K., but they didn’t do that here and they were able to build their fortunes there and elsewhere. The golf tournament is a slap in the face to America and a slap in the face to all of the people who went to work, thinking they were coming back home to their loved ones, and never made it back home. It’s a slap in the face to democracy. It should not even be held. How can [former President Donald] Trump even do something of this nature?”

Travis Eastman,

Parkchester 

JORGE DAVILA, KINGSBRIDGE 
Photo by David Greene

“I don’t agree with this tournament he [former President Donald Trump] is going to host, because he should respect the American homeland, the nation, and he doesn’t. He gave us trouble and now he disrespects us. He is doing it for money and for publicity. He did wrong to this nation and now he’s trying to prove himself that he did right. He’s looking for money too. I live in The Bronx, and I don’t want this event to take place here.”

Jorge Davila,

Kingsbridge 

 

BOBBY LAMONTE TOLLIVER, Soundview 
Photo by David Greene

“I had heard about something with the Saudis and Trump before, but you’ve kind of verified it for me and you know, thinking about it honestly, I’m trying my best to have a critical standpoint. I’m trying to view it…..from what you’re telling me, and the information I’ve been told, and information I’ve looked up on my own, and if this is indeed true, and they’re coming over here, that’s a bit [expletive] up. C’mon now! We’ve lost people. Being African American, I’m American, nonetheless. If this is indeed the truth, it’s [expletive] due to the fact that we were told a bunch of b——t, and now, you have these people from another country coming here. They’re behind something. We went to war over and lost, Lord knows, how many lives of our own, and destroyed two different countries over what? A lie? So, it’s a bit upsetting, because I was 11 years old when that happened, and I was, like, George Bush’s poster boy, saying we’ve got to go over there, and we’ve got to do this, so you kind of feel a bit foolish, knowing what I know now.”

Bobby Lamonte Tolliver,

Soundview

DION POWELL, CROTONA Park 
Photo courtesy of Dion Powell

“I know people personally that work at Trump Links. They just had a car show two weeks ago… I know people that work there, and I’ve spoken to them about it, Blacks and Latinos and beyond, and they say, ‘Dion, this place is the best job I’ve had ever. These people that come here, not Trump, but people that frequent the establishment, over-tip, and they’re so nice. If they’re racist, then I don’t know, but they pay me a $50 tip for a $12 drink, if I bring it in a timely fashion and make sure that the liquid does not hit the bottom of that glass.’ So that’s the testimonials I want people to know from the minority side, and I do want it to happen because of that one factor… I’d show up if I was invited.”

Dion Powell,

Crotona Park

SHANEQUA CHARLES, FORDHAM Manor 
Photo courtesy of Shanequa Charles

“Two things were particularly striking when I learned of the Saudi-backed women’s tournament, hosted by [former President Donald] Trump. One, despite my own personal feelings, and [alleged] evidence of the American government’s [alleged] involvement in the collapse of the Twin Towers in 2001, it is not in good taste that the former president is in bed on a deal like this. Two, given the history with dealings that have landed him in tremendous legal trouble, potential jail time, etc., I don’t believe that he deserves to make millions of dollars off of an event of this magnitude when he has, unfortunately, proven time and time again that he cannot be trusted to act in the best interest of our country.”

Shanequa Charles,

Fordham Manor

 

Editor’s Note: Dion Powell is running for State senate in District 32 in the November 2022 general election on the Conservative Party ticket, while Shanequa Charles ran for State Assembly in District 78 in the June 2022 Democratic Primary.   

 

Norwood News reached out to the Trump Organization for comment. We did not receive an immediate response.

 

Check out our 21st anniversary 9/11 commemoration coverage here.

 

 

Welcome to the Norwood News, a bi-weekly community newspaper that primarily serves the northwest Bronx communities of Norwood, Bedford Park, Fordham and University Heights. Through our Breaking Bronx blog, we focus on news and information for those neighborhoods, but aim to cover as much Bronx-related news as possible. Founded in 1988 by Mosholu Preservation Corporation, a not-for-profit affiliate of Montefiore Medical Center, the Norwood News began as a monthly and grew to a bi-weekly in 1994. In September 2003 the paper expanded to cover University Heights and now covers all the neighborhoods of Community District 7. The Norwood News exists to foster communication among citizens and organizations and to be a tool for neighborhood development efforts. The Norwood News runs the Bronx Youth Journalism Heard, a journalism training program for Bronx high school students. As you navigate this website, please let us know if you discover any glitches or if you have any suggestions. We’d love to hear from you. You can send e-mails to norwoodnews@norwoodnews.org or call us anytime (718) 324-4998.

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