Saturday, November 12, 2016
Alleged Hate Crime at SUNY Geneseo
Governor Andrew Cuomo today ordered the
New York State Police, SUNY Police and the State Division of Human
Rights to conduct a multi-agency investigation into the alleged hate
crime that took place at SUNY Geneseo on Friday.
The incident was first reported by a residence assistant who discovered
graffiti, including a swastika and the word “Trump,” at the
university’s Nassau Residence Hall. This marks the second investigation launched into alleged hate crimes in New York in the past few hours.
“To those who think they can intimidate our
fellow New Yorkers through racism or anti-Semitism I have one message:
Don't count on it," Governor Cuomo said. "It
is unacceptable that this is the second investigation that we have had
to announce in the last several hours. Any and every reported incident
will be investigated and pursued to the fullest extent of the law by the
State Police and the Division of Human rights. To any New Yorker who is
scared, I want you to know that we have your back, that we will keep
you safe, and that protecting your rights is what America stands for."
In 2000, New York State enacted legislation to strengthen penalties for
hate crimes. Under the law, a person commits a hate crime when one of a
specified set of offenses is committed targeting a victim because of a
perception or belief about their race, color, national origin, ancestry,
gender, religion, religious practice, age, disability or sexual
orientation, or when such an act is committed as a result of that type
of perception or belief. Hate crimes can be perpetrated against an
individual, a group of individuals or against public or private
property. Also under state law it is illegal to discriminate on the
basis of race, national origin, religion, ethnicity and many other
protected classifications.
Source: Press Office, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
Details on the incident are available in this News 10 WHEC report.
Cuomo Orders Investigation Into Alleged Hate Crime in Wellsville
Governor Andrew Cuomo today announced a
joint investigation between the New York State Police and the State
Division of Human Rights into the alleged hate crime in Wellsville, New
York. Earlier this week, it was reported that a softball field dugout
was defaced with the words “Make America White Again,” accompanied by a
spray-painted swastika. Governor Cuomo has directed a full investigation
into the alleged hate crime.
"New York has zero tolerance for bigotry,
fear and hatred, and those who seek to undermine the core values this
state and nation were founded upon," Governor Cuomo said. "I
have ordered a full investigation into this deplorable act, and those
responsible for this conduct will be held to the fullest extent of the
law. New York is one of the most inclusive and open communities in the
world – this type of behavior is not who we are, and not who we will
ever be."
In 2000, New York State enacted legislation
to strengthen penalties for hate crimes. Under the law, a person commits
a hate crime when one of a specified set of offenses is committed
targeting a victim because of a perception or belief about their race,
color, national origin, ancestry, gender, religion, religious practice,
age, disability or sexual orientation, or when such an act is committed
as a result of that type of perception or belief. Hate crimes can be
perpetrated against an individual, a group of individuals or against
public or private property. Also under state law it is illegal to
discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, religion, ethnicity
and many other protected classifications.
Source: Press Office, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
Full news report and a report on the following: Black Doll Found Hung By A Noose in Elevator
How the 2016 Election Exposed America's Racial and Cultural Divides
The 2016 election exposed an America of deep divides over race,
ethnicity and culture — a nation carved into two large coalitions,
roughly equal in size but radically different in demographics and
desires.
Those contrasts were brought into sharp relief in the hours after Donald Trump was elected president.
Voters in the Rust Belt and
rural regions of country who felt left out of Obama's vision of
economic prosperity and progress celebrated, in part, because they felt
they once again had a champion.
Meanwhile, across the country, thousands of minorities, millennials and women in urban enclaves went into a period of mourning and took to the streets in protests
fueled by frustration, fear and disillusionment in a country they feel
that, by electing Trump, is now entering a dark and divisive era.
Judge Declares Mistrial for Ray Tensing, White Ex-Cincinnati Officer Who Killed Driver
by Erik Ortiz
An Ohio judge has declared a mistrial in the case of a white former
police officer accused of murdering an unarmed black driver during a
traffic stop last year.
The jury on Saturday was unable to reach a
verdict for Ray Tensing, 26, charged with voluntary manslaughter in the
shooting of 43-year-old Samuel DuBose — an incident caught on police
bodycam.
Hamilton County Common Pleas Judge Megan Shanahan accepted the jury's
deadlock Saturday morning. The case is now back in the hands of
prosecutors, who must decide whether they will retry the case or dismiss
it. In the meantime, Tensing will remain free on $1 million bond.
Click here for summary.
Source: NBC News
Friday, November 11, 2016
Millions Sign Petition Urging Electoral College to Elect Hillary Clinton
By Michael Walsh
The election of Donald Trump as
president is a bitter pill to swallow for millions of Americans — and
some are backing a quixotic campaign to reverse that outcome.
As of Friday afternoon, more than 2.4 million people
had signed a petition to the U.S. Electoral College, urging its members
to ignore their states’ votes and cast their ballots for former
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
“Mr. Trump is unfit to serve. His scapegoating of so
many Americans, and his impulsivity, bullying, lying, admitted history
of sexual assault, and utter lack of experience make him a danger to the
Republic,” wrote Elijah Berg, who launched the petition on Change.org.
Berg, of North Carolina, argued that the Electoral
College can award the White House to either candidate and should use its
own “most undemocratic” institution to ensure a “democratic result.”
Berg continued: “24 states bind electors. If electors
vote against their party, they usually pay a fine. And people get mad.
But they can vote however they want and there is no legal means to stop
them in most states.”
Click here for the full article.
Source: Yahoo! News
Veterans Day Wreath-Laying Ceremony
President Obama lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and
delivers Veterans Day remarks at the Memorial Amphitheater at Arlington
National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Click here for video.
Source: C-SPAN
Thousands Troop up Fifth Avenue for Annual Veterans Day Parade
Tens of thousands of marchers traipsed up Fifth Avenue Friday in a
Veterans Day fete honoring those who served in Afghanistan and Iraq, as
well as 9/11 first responders and other post-9/11 veterans. Andrew Siff
reports.
Click here for video.
Source: NBC News 4 (New York)
Congressional Investigation: Army Needs to Do Better Job Caring for Injured Soldiers
A report from the investigative arm of
Congress finds the U.S. Army needs to do a better job of caring for
injured soldiers in special units set up to care for troops wounded in combat,
or who become seriously ill or injured in noncombat situations.
Congress ordered the report after NBC 5
Investigates and The Dallas Morning News revealed hundreds of injured
soldiers had complained of harassment, abuse and a lack of care from the
commanders of warrior transition units or WTUs.
The
Congressional report found the following:
Soldiers' complaints of
mistreatment are not always reaching top Army officials with oversight of the
Warrior Transition Units.
The Army is not doing enough to
ensure that squad leaders and platoon sergeants selected to run the units are
suited for the sensitive and complex mission.
The Army needs to evaluate
whether the current model for treating injured warriors is best equipped for
dealing with the increasing numbers of soldiers suffering from post-traumatic
stress disorder and other behavioral health problems.
Click here for the full article.
Source: NBCDFW.com
Cuomo: 'The Exemplary Men and Women of the U.S. Armed Forces Are Heroes'
Statement from Governor Andrew Cuomo on Veterans Day
“As we join together to
honor the service of our U.S. military veterans, we are reminded of
their patriotism, courage and determination. These men and women
answered the call to protect this nation and uphold the principles of
liberty, freedom, and equality that we hold dear.
“Nearly 900,000 veterans
call New York home. While we will never be able to repay their
sacrifice, this administration is committed to ensuring our U.S.
military members and their families have full access to employment
opportunities, high-quality education, healthcare and affordable
housing.
“The exemplary men and women
of the U.S. Armed Forces are heroes. They have persevered through great
hardship, and they have made our country safer and stronger as a
result. Today, and every day, let us express our gratitude and recommit
ourselves to honoring our veterans through not just words, but actions.”
Since taking office,
Governor Cuomo has made strengthening services for veterans, active
service members and their families a top priority. From holding the
state’s first Summit on Veterans and Military Families to launching a
‘Strike Force’ partnership with the United States Department of Veterans
Affairs to help alleviate the federal government’s backlog of benefit
claims, the Governor has spearheaded a number of programs and reforms to
support U.S. military service members across New York.
Just in this past year, we have:
Launched a new New York State Veterans mobile app that connects veterans and their families to jobs, housing, healthcare and education;
Helped New York veterans and their families obtain more than $80 million in VA benefits;
Exempted more than 485,000 veterans from local property taxes;
Certified more businesses as Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Businesses, bringing the total number of companies to more than 260 with $28 million in state contracts awarded; and
Recognized 44,000 veterans with a special 'veterans' designation on their driver’s license or non-driver’s ID card.
Source: Press Office, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
NYPD Sgt. Paul Tuozzolo Mourned A Hero Who Saved Fellow Cop's Life at Funeral
By Thomas Tracy, Edgar Sandoval and Stephen Rex Brown
The final act for a hero sergeant was to shout “Gun!” before taking a bullet intended for a fellow police officer.
An estimated 12,000 people mourned Paul Tuozzolo on Thursday, hailing him as a generous man who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Tuozzolo, 41, a father of two young boys, was shot in the Bronx last
week as cops approached an ex-con cowering in a crashed Jeep Cherokee.
The gunman shot and killed Tuozzolo, but not before Tuozzolo could warn
Sgt. Emmanuel Kwo.
“Sgt. Paul saved my life, Ed,” Ed Mullins, president of the Sergeants
Benevolent Association, recalled Kwo telling him. “He saved my life. He
saw something we didn’t see. He yelled at us, ‘Gun! Gun! Gun!’”
Click here for the full article.
Source: The New York Daily News
Rudy Giuliani Calls College Kids 'A Bunch of Spoiled Crybabies'
By
Nikki Schwab
Former
New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani didn't have much sympathy for young
people upset over the election of Republican Donald Trump.
'The
reality is they're a bunch of spoiled crybabies,' Giuliani, who may
become Trump's attorney general, said this morning on 'Fox &
Friends.'
Giuliani was responding to reports coming from campuses
that colleges are holding 'cry-ins,' bringing in therapy dogs and
allowing students to play with Play-Doh or color with crayons.
Donald Trump's Lawyers to Begin Settlement Talks on Trump University
By
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Donald Trump's attorneys on Thursday agreed to enter
settlement talks in a class-action fraud lawsuit involving the
president-elect and his now-defunct Trump University, raising the
possibility of a quick end to the 6 ½-year-old case just before it goes
to trial.
Daniel Petrocelli, Trump's lead attorney on the case, also asked to
delay the trial to early next year, saying Trump needed time to work on
the transition to the presidency.
"The good news is that he was elected president. The bad news is that
he has even more work to do now," Petrocelli told U.S. District Judge
Gonzalo Curiel.
The lawsuit alleging Trump University failed on its promise to teach
success in real estate begins in San Diego on Nov. 28 before Curiel, an
Indiana-born jurist who Trump accused of bias during the presidential
campaign for his Mexican heritage.
Both sides accepted Curiel's offer to work with U.S. District Judge
Jeffrey Miller, who is based in San Diego, on a possible settlement.
Click here for the full article.
Source: Syracuse.com
Mark Halperin Rips 'New York Times' For Continued Anti-Trump Coverage: "This Is The Onion"
By Tim Hains
Host of 'With All Due Respect' on Bloomberg TV Mark Halperin rips the New York Times for their continuously anti-Trump coverage, even after the election.
"I love The New York Times. I think it’s a great institution…” he said on MSNBC’s 'Morning Joe' on Thursday. "But look at the headline of this story," he said, holding up today's print version.
The front page headline of The New York Times today reads: "Democrats, Students And Foreign Allies Face The Reality Of A Trump Presidency".
"I love The New York Times. I think it’s a great institution…” he said on MSNBC’s 'Morning Joe' on Thursday. "But look at the headline of this story," he said, holding up today's print version.
The front page headline of The New York Times today reads: "Democrats, Students And Foreign Allies Face The Reality Of A Trump Presidency".
Click here for the full article.
Source: Real Clear Politics
Gov. Cuomo Looks Forward to Debating Trump Administration on Key Issues for New York
Sounding like someone considering a future run for President, Gov.
Cuomo said he’s ready to continue the debate with President-elect Donald
Trump on issues like immigration, tax cuts for the wealthy and gay
rights.
Cuomo during a Thursday visit to Syracuse told reporters he’s prepared
to work with the feds on key issues that impact the state like funding
for transportation, housing and health care.
But he said he has “grave philosophical differences with the positions that Donald Trump laid out in the campaign.”
Click here for the full article.
Source: The New York Daily News (via The Empire Report)
Preparing to Take on Trump: NAN, Rev. Sharpton Announce Mobilization to Protect Civil Rights and Police Reform
In the wake of Donald Trump being elected president, Rev. Al
Sharpton will address the beginning of a mobilization to protect civil
rights and police reform at the National Action Network's House of Justice on November 12 and 9:30 a.m.
The House of Justice is located at 106 West 145th Street at Malcolm X Blvd.
Rev. Sharpton will also announce national
efforts around Martin Luther King Jr. Day and the days leading up to
the presidential inauguration. Joining him will be Gwen Carr, mother of
Eric Garner, and other community members.
The announcement will be broadcast on WLIB 1190 AM, and it will also be streamed live at www.nationalactionnetwork.net.
Source: Mercury
SPLC: White Supremacists Think Their Man Won the White House
The following letter was submitted by Richard Cohen, President of the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC).
Yesterday, I watched Hillary Clinton give a gracious concession speech, one that was filled with hope and a touch of reassurance. It was, in some ways, a celebration of our democracy and its stability, which depends on the peaceful transition of power.
President Barack Obama, who campaigned fiercely against Donald Trump in the final weeks of the campaign, has been equally magnanimous, reminding us of the incredible dignity and grace with which he led our country over the past eight years.
I share the sentiments they expressed. We do need to give Trump a chance, for the good of our country. Maybe he will surprise us and build bridges, not walls.
But we can’t suddenly forget or forgive what he said during the campaign.
We can’t forget that Trump called Mexican immigrants “rapists” and killers, or that he said a federal judge can’t decide a lawsuit fairly because he is a “Mexican” (he was born in Indiana).
We can’t forget that his signature campaign promise is to build a wall at the border with Mexico.
We can’t forget that he proposed banning Muslims from entering our country or that he suggested that the “Muslim community” was complicit in the terrorist attack in Orlando.
We can’t forget the despicable way he talks about women or that he bragged about sexually assaulting them.
We can’t forget that he mocked people with disabilities.
We can’t forget that he exploited ugly, racist stereotypes when he described African-American communities as “war zones” and “hell.”
We can’t forget that he failed to immediately disavow the endorsement of David Duke, a neo-Nazi and probably the most well known white supremacist in America.
We can’t forget that he named as his campaign manager a man who runs a website catering to the alt-right, a rebranded white nationalist movement.
We can’t forget that he re-circulated racist and anti-Semitic tweets.
We can’t forget that he went on Alex Jones’ radio show and told the far-right radio host that his “reputation is amazing.” Jones is, in fact, a fabulist, a con artist known for propagating wild conspiracy theories, such as his claim that the Sandy Hook elementary school shooting was the work of the government.
The point is, in Trump we suddenly face a president-elect who has been wallowing in the cesspool of hate and extremism.
White supremacists who backed his candidacy are jumping for joy. They think they now have their man in the White House.
Andrew Anglin, proprietor of the Daily Stormer, a truly sickening website popular among neo-Nazis, declared, “Our Glorious Leader has ascended to God Emperor. Make no mistake about it: we did this.”
David Duke was equally exultant, tweeting that “our people played a HUGE role in electing Trump!”
Kevin MacDonald, an outspoken anti-Semite and former professor, wrote, “This is an amazing victory. Fundamentally, it is a victory of White people over the oligarchic, hostile elites.”
We can’t afford to take these statements as the ravings of extremists on the fringes of society. They are now at the gates.
But it’s not just sieg-heiling Nazis and cross-burning Klansmen who should trouble Americans concerned about what a Trump victory portends. It’s also the more polite, suit-wearing extremists who move in mainstream political circles and already have their nose under the Trump tent.
They’re people like Kris Kobach, the Kansas secretary of state who birthed the viciously discriminatory, unconstitutional anti-immigrant laws enacted by Arizona, Alabama and other states several years ago; and Ken Blackwell, the former Ohio secretary of state who is now a senior fellow at the rabidly anti-LGBT Family Research Council. Both are reportedly serving as key members of Trump’s transition team.
As is customary, Trump has pledged to be a president “for all Americans.”
If he truly means it, he must first boot the extremists out of his tent and tell them in no uncertain terms that they will have no voice or place in his administration. If he does that, perhaps he can begin to stanch the bleeding from the wounds he ripped open in our country.
But, given the early signs, we’re not counting on it.
No, we’re going on what Trump has been saying all along. The time is now for progressives everywhere to unite and fight with everything we have.
Yesterday, I watched Hillary Clinton give a gracious concession speech, one that was filled with hope and a touch of reassurance. It was, in some ways, a celebration of our democracy and its stability, which depends on the peaceful transition of power.
President Barack Obama, who campaigned fiercely against Donald Trump in the final weeks of the campaign, has been equally magnanimous, reminding us of the incredible dignity and grace with which he led our country over the past eight years.
I share the sentiments they expressed. We do need to give Trump a chance, for the good of our country. Maybe he will surprise us and build bridges, not walls.
But we can’t suddenly forget or forgive what he said during the campaign.
We can’t forget that Trump called Mexican immigrants “rapists” and killers, or that he said a federal judge can’t decide a lawsuit fairly because he is a “Mexican” (he was born in Indiana).
We can’t forget that his signature campaign promise is to build a wall at the border with Mexico.
We can’t forget that he proposed banning Muslims from entering our country or that he suggested that the “Muslim community” was complicit in the terrorist attack in Orlando.
We can’t forget the despicable way he talks about women or that he bragged about sexually assaulting them.
We can’t forget that he mocked people with disabilities.
We can’t forget that he exploited ugly, racist stereotypes when he described African-American communities as “war zones” and “hell.”
We can’t forget that he failed to immediately disavow the endorsement of David Duke, a neo-Nazi and probably the most well known white supremacist in America.
We can’t forget that he named as his campaign manager a man who runs a website catering to the alt-right, a rebranded white nationalist movement.
We can’t forget that he re-circulated racist and anti-Semitic tweets.
We can’t forget that he went on Alex Jones’ radio show and told the far-right radio host that his “reputation is amazing.” Jones is, in fact, a fabulist, a con artist known for propagating wild conspiracy theories, such as his claim that the Sandy Hook elementary school shooting was the work of the government.
The point is, in Trump we suddenly face a president-elect who has been wallowing in the cesspool of hate and extremism.
White supremacists who backed his candidacy are jumping for joy. They think they now have their man in the White House.
Andrew Anglin, proprietor of the Daily Stormer, a truly sickening website popular among neo-Nazis, declared, “Our Glorious Leader has ascended to God Emperor. Make no mistake about it: we did this.”
David Duke was equally exultant, tweeting that “our people played a HUGE role in electing Trump!”
Kevin MacDonald, an outspoken anti-Semite and former professor, wrote, “This is an amazing victory. Fundamentally, it is a victory of White people over the oligarchic, hostile elites.”
We can’t afford to take these statements as the ravings of extremists on the fringes of society. They are now at the gates.
But it’s not just sieg-heiling Nazis and cross-burning Klansmen who should trouble Americans concerned about what a Trump victory portends. It’s also the more polite, suit-wearing extremists who move in mainstream political circles and already have their nose under the Trump tent.
They’re people like Kris Kobach, the Kansas secretary of state who birthed the viciously discriminatory, unconstitutional anti-immigrant laws enacted by Arizona, Alabama and other states several years ago; and Ken Blackwell, the former Ohio secretary of state who is now a senior fellow at the rabidly anti-LGBT Family Research Council. Both are reportedly serving as key members of Trump’s transition team.
As is customary, Trump has pledged to be a president “for all Americans.”
If he truly means it, he must first boot the extremists out of his tent and tell them in no uncertain terms that they will have no voice or place in his administration. If he does that, perhaps he can begin to stanch the bleeding from the wounds he ripped open in our country.
But, given the early signs, we’re not counting on it.
No, we’re going on what Trump has been saying all along. The time is now for progressives everywhere to unite and fight with everything we have.
Senator James Sanders Jr.: Remembering All Those Who Have Served Our Country
On Veteran's Day, we remember the brave men and women of our armed
forces who have defended our country and sacrificed so much to protect
our freedom. As a proud Marine Corps veteran, I would like to thank my
fellow service members for responding to the call of duty. Please know
that I support you and stand in solidarity with you, not just on
Veteran's Day, but every day. May God Bless Our Veterans and God Bless
America.
Source: The Office of State Senator James Sanders, Jr.
Thursday, November 10, 2016
KKK Announces North Carolina ‘Victory’ Parade
RALEIGH, N.C. — While one report of Ku Klux Klan
activity in North Carolina after Donald Trump’s election as president
was debunked, the real KKK has announced a rally in the state.
Trump,
a Republican, was officially endorsed by the KKK during his campaign
against Hillary Clinton, a Democrat. Trump won North Carolina on his way
to winning the presidency, defeating Clinton in the state by nearly 5
percentage points.
Details on the rally
celebrating Trump’s victory are scarce. It’s being held by The Loyal
White Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, which is based in Pelham — a small,
unincorporated community about 45 minutes north of Burlington, near the
Virginia border.
Click here for the full article.
Source: Raleigh News and Observer (via msn.com)
Cuomo Delivers Briefing on Bethlehem Steel Plant Fire
This morning, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
delivered a briefing and toured the site of the Bethlehem Steel Plant
Fire. The blaze has been contained at this time and there are no
reported injuries associated with the fire. The state is actively
working with local officials, firefighters and first responders to aid
affected communities and support emergency response efforts.
The Governor directed the Division of
Homeland Security and Emergency Services’ Office of Emergency Management
to provide immediate assistance yesterday, and has directed them to
remain on scene. Additionally, the Department of Environmental
Conservation, Department of Health and the Office of Fire Prevention and
Control are leading air quality monitoring efforts with other agencies.
The air quality monitors provide real-time data to local emergency
management officials to support any actions needed to protect public
health. The state will continue to actively monitor the air quality. The
Department of Transportation has provided equipment to assist with
traffic control.
Source: Press Office, Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
President Obama Meeting with Donald Trump
President Obama meets with President-elect Donald Trump for the first
time at the White House. The two men discussed a range of issues,
including the transition and foreign policy challenges facing the
country.
Click here for video.
Source: C-SPAN
White House Disability and Inclusive Technology Summit
This summit brought together disability advocates, technology
industry representatives, and Federal officials to examine approaches to
ensure that the Internet of Things is accessible and that inclusive
design is central to tech development.
Bob Cusack on Republican Control of Congress
Bob Cusack, editor-in-chief of The Hill, discusses possible
legislative outcomes as Republicans retain control of Congress with
President-elect Donald Trump in the White House.
Click here for video.
Source: C-SPAN