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Racial Justice

Kay Escobar, Morristown Native, Activist Dies At 32 Kay Escobar, Morristown Native, Activist Dies At 32
Kay Escobar, Morristown Native, Activist Dies At 32 Kevin "Kay" Escobar, a Morristown native who advocated for immigration and racial justice, died on Thursday, Sept. 26, according to their obituary posted at the Cochran Funeral Home website. Escobar enrolled at CUNY Law School where they co-founded several student groups and initiatives, scoring an internship at the New York Civil Liberties Union, according to their obituary.  They championed a statewide survey that documented immigrants' access to reproductive healthcare and worked with Black Lives Matter Morristown, leading marches throughout the state, their obituary reads. During t…
Meek Mill Joins NJ Gov. Murphy To Celebrate Landmark Clemency Effort On Juneteenth Meek Mill Joins NJ Gov. Murphy To Celebrate Landmark Clemency Effort On Juneteenth
Meek Mill Joins NJ Gov. Murphy To Celebrate Landmark Clemency Effort On Juneteenth Gov. Phil Murphy celebrated Juneteenth by announcing a historic initiative in an effort to improve racial justice in New Jersey. The governor signed an executive order on clemency at Saint James AME Church in Newark on Wednesday, June 19. The order establishes standards for people to receive expedited consideration for pardons and commutations. Gov. Murphy said the goal is to fix the racial inequalities that have existed in the criminal justice system. "As we celebrate Juneteenth and reflect on our nation’s ongoing journey toward racial justice for Black and Brown …
New Poll Reveals How NY Voters Think Gov. Hochul Is Doing Months Into First Full Term New Poll Reveals How NY Voters Think Gov. Hochul Is Doing Months Into First Full Term
New Poll Reveals How NY Voters Think Gov. Hochul Is Doing Months Into First Full Term New York Gov. Kathy Hochul’s approval rating dipped slightly in the second month of her first full term in office, according to a brand-new poll. Among the state’s registered voters, Hochul holds an approval rating of 56 to 40 percent, compared to 56 to 36 percent in January, according to a Siena College poll released Monday, Feb. 27. Hochul’s favorability also dipped slightly to 46 to 43 percent, from 48 to 42 percent in January, the poll found. When asked which issues state lawmakers should focus on, 36 percent of voters said crime, followed by cost of living at 27 percent, and afford…
Poll Sheds Light On Highly Contested Race In New NY Congressional District Poll Sheds Light On Highly Contested Race In New NY Congressional District
Poll Sheds Light On Highly Contested Race In New NY Congressional District With just weeks left until Election Day, new polling shows that Democrat Josh Riley is leading his Republican opponent, Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro, in the highly contested race for New York’s new 19th Congressional District. The district covers several counties in the central portion of the state, including Sullivan, Greene, and Columbia counties. Riley holds a five-point lead there over Molinaro, 46 to 41 percent, according to a new Spectrum News/Siena College poll of likely voters. Among their parties, Riley garnered support from 83 percent of Democrats while 78 percent of …
Ex-Stripper Running For Congress In Philadelphia: 'Elect Hoes' Ex-Stripper Running For Congress In Philadelphia: 'Elect Hoes'
Ex-Stripper Running For Congress In Philadelphia: 'Elect Hoes' Alexandra Hunt isn't shying away from her former career as a stripper in her run for Congress in Philadelphia— she's leaning into it. The 28-year-old leftist running for Congress in the city's 3rd District took a vow of transparency about her dancing days and an abortion at 18 years old in a recent OpEd for Daily Kos, making honesty the foundation of her campaign platform. Alexandra HuntAlexandra Hunt campaign photo "As I prepared to enter the political world as a candidate, I made promises that I would not leave anyone behind and that I would be honest about my experiences, including m…
Ex-Cop Derek Chauvin Found Guilty On All Counts At George Floyd Murder Trial Ex-Cop Derek Chauvin Found Guilty On All Counts At George Floyd Murder Trial
Ex-Cop Derek Chauvin Found Guilty On All Counts At George Floyd Murder Trial The panel of seven women and five male jurors reached a verdict in the murder trial for Derek Chauvin, who was found guilty on all counts of killing George Floyd in Minneapolis. After being sequestered on Monday afternoon, April 19 following closing arguments from both sides, the jury announced the guilty verdict of Chauvin late in the afternoon on Tuesday, April 20 to a resounding cheer from crowds that gathered outside the courtroom. The verdict arrived after approximately 10 hours of deliberations over the two days with it being released at approximately 5:05 p.m. on Tuesday. Specifica…
NY Officially Legalizes Pot, Here's How Long It Will Take For It To Be Available NY Officially Legalizes Pot, Here's How Long It Will Take For It To Be Available
NY Officially Legalizes Pot, Here's How Long It Will Take For It To Be Available New York State lawmakers have given the green light for legalized marijuana possession and paved the way to allow for marijuana sales to people over the age of 21. Late on Tuesday, March 30, the New York State Senate voted 40-23 in favor of the new bill, while the Assembly approved it by a margin of 100-49. The bill was sent to Gov. Andrew Cuomo's desk to sign following the approval by both Houses, which he did on Wednesday, March 31, making the law official.  With Cuomo's approval, possession becomes legal immediately for those age 21 and over. The bill does not specify a date when …
Westchester Native Tony Blinken Sworn In As Secretary Of State Westchester Native Tony Blinken Sworn In As Secretary Of State
Westchester Native Tony Blinken Sworn In As Secretary Of State A prominent politician from the Hudson Valley will serve as America’s top diplomat after being sworn in as President Joe Biden’s Secretary of State. Yonkers native Antony "Tony" Blinken, age 58, a longtime confidant and aide of the new president, was approved by the Senate with a 78-22 bipartisan vote this week and will return to the White House following time spent as a top member of the Obama administration. From 2009 to 2013, Blinken was the Deputy Assistant to the President and National Security Advisor to the Vice President, where he was tasked with helping to craft foreign policy in t…
NJ Lawmakers OK Legal Pot Under 6 Ounces, Just Needs Murphy's Signature NJ Lawmakers OK Legal Pot Under 6 Ounces, Just Needs Murphy's Signature
NJ Lawmakers OK Legal Pot Under 6 Ounces, Just Needs Murphy's Signature Doobie, doobie, done: New Jersey lawmakers were in a Garden State of mind when they approved an historic bill Thursday that sets rules and regulations for recreational pot sales.  All it needs to become law is Gov. Phil Murphy’s signature and a mechanism to oversee ganjapreneurs. If the governor signs off, 70% of the state sales tax revenue from pot purchases and a tax on growers in New Jersey will be directed to minority Garden State communities ravaged by drugs. The State Legislature also approved a bill ending arrests for possessing less than six ounces of marijuana or selling up …
High School In Northern Westchester Picks New Nickname To Replace Indians High School In Northern Westchester Picks New Nickname To Replace Indians
High School In Northern Westchester Picks New Nickname To Replace Indians The Indians are out and the Wolves are in at a large school district in Northern Westchester. After weeks of discussion, the votes have been counted and the new mascot at John Jay High School in the hamlet of Cross River in the town of Lewisboro will be the Wolves, replacing the former Indian mascot after it was deemed insensitive. The initial vote was between the John Jay Wolfpack and John Jay Ravens. The Katonah-Lewisboro School Board settled on the John Jay Wolves. “Wolves and Wolfpack were overwhelmingly the top suggestions to our selection committee when the community was first sur…
Alleged Racist Social Media Posts From Current, Incoming Students Under Investigation At UConn Alleged Racist Social Media Posts From Current, Incoming Students Under Investigation At UConn
Alleged Racist Social Media Posts From Current, Incoming Students Under Investigation At UConn Alleged racist posts from incoming and current University of Connecticut students are under investigation, possibly leading to some admissions being revoked. University President Thomas Katsouleas posted on social media this week that the school has launched an investigation. “I want to acknowledge that the University has received numerous complaints regarding social media posts from some incoming students, and calls for revoking their admission,” Katsouleas said. “A number of the posts we are aware of appear racist in nature, which is abhorrent to us, and the University has proceeded with …
Audio: Police Release Tape Of Officers Involved In Fatal Westchester Shooting Audio: Police Release Tape Of Officers Involved In Fatal Westchester Shooting
Audio: Police Release Tape Of Officers Involved In Fatal Westchester Shooting The New Rochelle police union is standing by the officer who fatally shot an allegedly armed 24-year-old felon over the weekend who was prepared to take a shot at him during a pursuit as an audiotape of the incident was released. Two uniformed police officers from the New Rochelle Police Department stopped a black Dodge sedan shortly before 11 p.m. on Friday, June 5, for a traffic violation near the intersection of Potter Avenue and Pierce Street. Once the vehicle stopped, one of the passengers exited the vehicle, taking off on foot, New Rochelle Police Capt. Cosmo Costa said.  Follo…
Complete Rundown Of George Floyd Marches, Vigils Planned Across Garden State Complete Rundown Of George Floyd Marches, Vigils Planned Across Garden State
Complete Rundown Of George Floyd Marches, Vigils Planned Across Garden State Many more marches and other demonstrations in memory of George Floyd are planned in New Jersey and across the nation this week. Protests over Floyd’s death in Minneapolis have swept across the country Four Minnesota police officers who were at the scene of Floyd’s death were fired, and one of them, Derek Chauvin, was charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. At least seven such rallies were set for Tuesday, June 2 including: In Princeton, the Coalition for Peace in Princeton will hold a peaceful protest at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday at Nassau and Witherspoon streets. In Kean…
COVID-19: Legal Recreational Pot Now Unlikely To Be In State Budget COVID-19: Legal Recreational Pot Now Unlikely To Be In State Budget
Covid-19: Legal Recreational Pot Now Unlikely To Be In State Budget Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has claimed another victim - at least for now: the possibility of legalized cannabis in New York. It’ll likely be at least a year before marijuana is legalized in New York, Gov. Andrew Cuomo said. With the deadline for the state’s budget coming up this week, Cuomo said he doubted he would be able to get it done in time, as his efforts and resources have been spent battling the spread of the virus throughout the state. “It’s not likely,” Cuomo said. “Too much, too little time.” Cuomo has long supported legalizing marijuana, which would be another revenue sourc…
DV Plus - Westchester, NY
Is 5 Too Young For Parents To Talk To Kids About Race? No. CURE Shows How Is 5 Too Young For Parents To Talk To Kids About Race? No. CURE Shows How
Is 5 Too Young For Parents To Talk To Kids About Race? No. Cure Shows How How young is too young to talk about race? And is 15 too late?  By kindergarten, children have already picked up attitudes about other races and ethnic groups. They're influenced by media and friends, but it's  parents who play a pivotal role in shaping these values. And many parents  just don't know how to start the conversation — or when. Thus, an organization in Westchester is providing training for parents to have these dialogues. Next month, the Coalition for Understanding Racism Through Education (CURE) is sponsoring Talking About Race For Parents: Raising Children for …
'Right Side Of History' Event Planned To Counter Pro-Trump Rally In Northern Westchester 'Right Side Of History' Event Planned To Counter Pro-Trump Rally In Northern Westchester
'Right Side Of History' Event Planned To Counter Pro-Trump Rally In Northern Westchester In response to a planned pro-President Donald Trump rally in Peekskill, area residents have arranged a “People’s Rally for The Right Side of History’” event at US Sen. Chuck Schumer’s office. Organizers announced an ad-hoc rally of residents who will take a public stand to “support immigration rights, Black Lives Matter, LBGTQ rights, gun control policy, a woman’s right to choose, and other social, political, and racial justice issues.” The rally has been scheduled for 1 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 17 at 1 Park Place in Peekskill. “We are on the Right Side of&…