This report was published on YouTube on October 7.
Update: Oct. 8, 4:24 PM EDT (NBC News)
Arrest Made in Death of Witness in Amber Guyger Trial
Arrest Made in Death of Witness in Amber Guyger Trial
Tuesday, October 8, 2019
India Economy: Companies Cut Jobs as Unions Weakened
This report was published on YouTube on October 7.
How is a US Sitcom Giving Voice to the Nigerian Immigrant Experience?
This report was published on YouTube on October 7.
Cuomo Comments on First Vaping-Related Death in New York State
Governor Cuomo made comments on the first vaping-associated death in
New York. The death, involving a 17-year-old male from the Bronx, was
reported to the State Department of Health.
Source: NYGovCuomo
Governor Cuomo Pays Tribute to New York's Fallen Firefighters
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that 23 names
will be added to the New York State Fallen Firefighters Memorial at the
Empire State Plaza to honor the memory and heroism of the brave men and
women who have lost their lives battling fires in the past year.
"New
York's firefighters risk their lives every day, and many have made the
ultimate sacrifice while running toward danger to protect the
communities they serve," Governor Cuomo said. "Firefighter
Appreciation Day honors the legacies of these courageous men and women
who sacrificed their lives to protect the people of this state and helps
to ensure they will be remembered forever."
Click here for the full announcement.
Source: The Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
New York's Pay Equity Laws Are in Effect
Two new laws further bolstering New York's nation-leading pay equity policies are now in effect. The new laws prohibit unequal pay on the basis of a protected class for all substantially similar work and forbid employers from asking prospective employees about their salary history. Governor Cuomo also called on businesses in New York to conduct internal reviews of their pay policies and make adjustments as necessary in accordance with these new laws.
"We are at a critical point in history when this country is finally recognizing the long-term discrimination against women and taking action to right the wrongs of an unfair system," Governor Cuomo said. "There is no rational reason why women should not get paid the same as men, and these common sense measures will take us one step closer to true equality. Now it's time for businesses across the state to take a hard look at their pay policies and ensure women employees get paid the same as their male colleagues if they are doing substantially similar work."
The new laws prohibit all employers - public and private - who do business in New York State from asking prospective employees about their salary history and compensation, and expands the definition of "equal pay for equal work." These measures build on two executive orders signed by the Governor last year to eliminate the wage gap by prohibiting state entities from evaluating candidates based on wage history and requiring state contractors to disclose data on the gender, race and ethnicity of employees - leveraging taxpayer dollars to drive transparency and advance pay equity statewide.
These actions build on common sense measures championed by the Governor this year, including extending the statute of limitations for rape in the second and third degrees, enhancing workplace sexual harassment laws and funding a community college program that will help single moms move out of poverty.
In 2017, the Governor directed the Department of Labor to issue a report on the gender pay gap in New York and provide recommendations to break the cycle of unfair, unequal compensation. After holding pay equity hearings across the state, the Department of Labor released its report last Spring. Acting immediately upon its recommendations, Governor Cuomo introduced a program bill to expand on his executive orders by instituting a salary history ban that prohibits all employers, public and private, who do business in New York from asking prospective employees about their salary history and compensation.
Source: The Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
The 2020 Census: New York State Complete Count Commission Releases Formal Report
The New York State Complete Count Commission (Commission) today released its formal report and recommendations to policymakers to ensure a full count of all New Yorkers in the 2020 Census.
The comprehensive report identifies specific challenges to obtaining a
full count, the significant steps taken by the state thus far to
identify hard-to-count populations and 18 detailed recommendations for
actions that local governments, state agencies, the federal government,
non-profit partners, community groups, organized labor, business groups
and more should immediately implement to ensure all New Yorkers are
counted.
“The members of the NYS Complete Count Commission and its staff have
worked hard to prepare a blueprint to achieve a complete and accurate
count in New York State,” the report states. “Our community
organizations, places of worship, educators, physicians, brothers and
sisters in organized labor, the business community, local government
officials, students, and ultimately all citizens are key to our success.
... Census Day—April 1, 2020—is fast approaching so it’s
all-hands-on-deck to ensure a complete 2020 census count.”
The Commission found that the 2020 Census brings unprecedented
challenges, including but not limited to: the census will be conducted
primarily online for the first time; the Trump administration has
attempted to weaponize the census with a citizenship question; and the
federal government has not provided adequate resources to effectuate a
full count.
To guide state policymakers, local governments, complete count
committees, non-profits and other interested parties on where resources
and funding should be allocated to ensure an accurate count, the
Commission released a comprehensive regional analysis aimed at
identifying specific hard-to-count populations/communities, specifying
down to individual census tract. As part of its analysis, the Commission
released a detailed online data tool
to help communities focus their census counting efforts. A
region-by-region summary of findings appears at the end of this press
release.
Click here for the full report.
Source: New York State Complete Count Commission
State Budget Director Urges Officials to Address Mismanagement in the Rochester City School District
New York State Budget Director Robert Mujica today sent a
letter to Rochester Mayor Lovely Warren and State Education Department
Interim Commissioner Elizabeth R. Berlin urging them to exercise their
existing legal authority to address the widely reported mismanagement
and underperformance of the Rochester City School District.
Click here to read the letter.
Source: The Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
New Recovery Center Opens in New York City
The New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) today announced the opening of the new JLC Recovery and Wellness Center in New York City. JLC is operated by Exponents Inc. and provides free help and support services for people affected by addiction and for their families. The JLC Recovery Center is named in honor of Judith Loeb Chiara, the first Board Chair for Exponents. The Center is being funded in part with $437,500 in federal funding through the State Opioid Response Grant, administered by OASAS.
“We are investing in recovery centers and treatment programs across the state as part of our aggressive efforts to combat the opioid epidemic,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, Co-Chair of the NYS Heroin and Opioid Task Force. “The opening of JLC Recovery and Wellness Center in New York City will help individuals and families in the area struggling with addiction. The new center will offer critical services for people during the recovery process and continues to build on our efforts to provide the care, resources, and support needed to help save lives.”
“Recovery Centers support Governor Cuomo’s vision of a state where addiction help and support is available to all.” OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez said. “With the opening of this new facility, we are adding to our addiction services in New York City, and helping more people find the help they need to succeed in their recovery.”
Recovery centers are part of the Governor's approach to addressing substance use disorders in New York State. They promote long-term recovery by providing professional staff, peers and volunteers to engage and support people in their recovery. The JLC Recovery Center offers numerous services designed to support people in recovery from addiction, including peer-to-peer recovery support, help finding and accessing treatment within the OASAS system, skill building and recovery enhancement classes and workshops, substance free social activities, and training on how to administer naloxone to prevent overdose deaths.
The JLC Recovery Center is located at 17 Battery Place, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10004.
New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help by calling the state’s toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369).
Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, community residence, or outpatient care can be found here and/or here. Visit CombatAddiction to learn more about the warning signs of addiction, review information on how to get help, and access resources on how to facilitate conversations with loved ones and communities about addiction.
For tools to use in talking to a young person about preventing alcohol or drug use, visit Talk2Prevent.
Source: OASAS
“We are investing in recovery centers and treatment programs across the state as part of our aggressive efforts to combat the opioid epidemic,” said Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, Co-Chair of the NYS Heroin and Opioid Task Force. “The opening of JLC Recovery and Wellness Center in New York City will help individuals and families in the area struggling with addiction. The new center will offer critical services for people during the recovery process and continues to build on our efforts to provide the care, resources, and support needed to help save lives.”
“Recovery Centers support Governor Cuomo’s vision of a state where addiction help and support is available to all.” OASAS Commissioner Arlene González-Sánchez said. “With the opening of this new facility, we are adding to our addiction services in New York City, and helping more people find the help they need to succeed in their recovery.”
Recovery centers are part of the Governor's approach to addressing substance use disorders in New York State. They promote long-term recovery by providing professional staff, peers and volunteers to engage and support people in their recovery. The JLC Recovery Center offers numerous services designed to support people in recovery from addiction, including peer-to-peer recovery support, help finding and accessing treatment within the OASAS system, skill building and recovery enhancement classes and workshops, substance free social activities, and training on how to administer naloxone to prevent overdose deaths.
The JLC Recovery Center is located at 17 Battery Place, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10004.
New Yorkers struggling with an addiction, or whose loved ones are struggling, can find help by calling the state’s toll-free, 24-hour, 7-day-a-week HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (Short Code 467369).
Available addiction treatment including crisis/detox, inpatient, community residence, or outpatient care can be found here and/or here. Visit CombatAddiction to learn more about the warning signs of addiction, review information on how to get help, and access resources on how to facilitate conversations with loved ones and communities about addiction.
For tools to use in talking to a young person about preventing alcohol or drug use, visit Talk2Prevent.
Source: OASAS
Leading Advocacy Group Releases 2019 Environmental Scorecard
Albany, NY – EPL/Environmental Advocates, today released the 2019 Environmental Scorecard
that tracks all state legislators’ voting records on environmental
legislation. The Scorecard offers a clear look into the priorities of
state representatives, affecting all New Yorkers. For his consistently
poor environmental record, Senator George A. Amedore Jr. (R-Kingston)
has earned the Oil Slick Award.
Peter Iwanowicz, executive director of EPL/Environmental Advocates said, “Senator Amedore should know better. While his district encompasses some of New York’s greatest environmental treasures—his voting record demonstrates a profound lack of concern for protecting what’s in his backyard. Senator Amedore’s NO votes this year on legislation phasing out the dangerous pesticide chlorpyrifos and protecting children from toxic exposure to dangerous chemicals were both callous reminders of where his priorities lie. Hint: it wasn’t with the health and safety of New York’s children and families.”
EPL/Environmental Advocates, which has been at the forefront of every major environmental battle for 50 years, has also presented the illustrious Legislator of the Year award to both Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers) and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx). This honor had not been awarded during the past few years but was reinstated after the two leaders’ commitment and willingness to work together resulted in the greatest legislative session in a generation for the environment.
Iwanowicz said, “What we saw during this past legislative session was nothing short of amazing. The ‘New’ New York Senate, led by Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, has proven itself skillful, capable, and up to the task of leading New York to a greener future. The transformation from a place where good green bills went to die to an efficient, vibrant, and forward-thinking house was tremendous. Having them partner with an Assembly—that had long been carrying the environmental torch—made several pieces of game-changing legislation possible. New Yorkers will live longer lives because of bills that were passed this year and signed into law by Governor Cuomo.”
2019 Overview
The 2019 State Budget included several green measures, including congestion pricing, $500 million for water infrastructure, and a ban on plastic bags. Several critical pieces of legislation passed during the legislative session and were signed into law by Governor Cuomo. Topping this list was the groundbreaking Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. This legislation had passed the Assembly for three consecutive years, only to die in the Senate. This year, the new Senate debated and passed this critically important bill.
Peter Iwanowicz, executive director of EPL/Environmental Advocates said, “Senator Amedore should know better. While his district encompasses some of New York’s greatest environmental treasures—his voting record demonstrates a profound lack of concern for protecting what’s in his backyard. Senator Amedore’s NO votes this year on legislation phasing out the dangerous pesticide chlorpyrifos and protecting children from toxic exposure to dangerous chemicals were both callous reminders of where his priorities lie. Hint: it wasn’t with the health and safety of New York’s children and families.”
EPL/Environmental Advocates, which has been at the forefront of every major environmental battle for 50 years, has also presented the illustrious Legislator of the Year award to both Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers) and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx). This honor had not been awarded during the past few years but was reinstated after the two leaders’ commitment and willingness to work together resulted in the greatest legislative session in a generation for the environment.
Iwanowicz said, “What we saw during this past legislative session was nothing short of amazing. The ‘New’ New York Senate, led by Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, has proven itself skillful, capable, and up to the task of leading New York to a greener future. The transformation from a place where good green bills went to die to an efficient, vibrant, and forward-thinking house was tremendous. Having them partner with an Assembly—that had long been carrying the environmental torch—made several pieces of game-changing legislation possible. New Yorkers will live longer lives because of bills that were passed this year and signed into law by Governor Cuomo.”
2019 Overview
The 2019 State Budget included several green measures, including congestion pricing, $500 million for water infrastructure, and a ban on plastic bags. Several critical pieces of legislation passed during the legislative session and were signed into law by Governor Cuomo. Topping this list was the groundbreaking Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act. This legislation had passed the Assembly for three consecutive years, only to die in the Senate. This year, the new Senate debated and passed this critically important bill.
Also signed into law: a bill that prohibits new garbage incineration in the Finger Lakes region; a bill that denies access to state marine and coastal district lands to offshore drilling companies; a bill
to prevent overfishing of menhadens (bunker fish), which are largely
responsible for the return of humpback whales to New York City’s
coastline; and a bill that limits the idling of school vehicles while parked on school grounds.
Several additional green bills passed both houses and are awaiting action by the Governor, including a bill that bans the dangerous pesticide chlorpyrifos, a bill that bans personal care products containing the toxic chemical 1,4-dioxane, and The Child Safe Products Act, which requires manufacturers to list toxic chemicals that are present in their products, as well as begin the process of phasing them out.
The EPL/Environmental Advocates 2019 Environmental Scorecard exists as a means to draw attention to State Legislators’ records on the environment and hold them responsible for their actions or inaction. For the complete Scorecard, click here.
Source: EPL/Environmental Advocates
Several additional green bills passed both houses and are awaiting action by the Governor, including a bill that bans the dangerous pesticide chlorpyrifos, a bill that bans personal care products containing the toxic chemical 1,4-dioxane, and The Child Safe Products Act, which requires manufacturers to list toxic chemicals that are present in their products, as well as begin the process of phasing them out.
The EPL/Environmental Advocates 2019 Environmental Scorecard exists as a means to draw attention to State Legislators’ records on the environment and hold them responsible for their actions or inaction. For the complete Scorecard, click here.
Source: EPL/Environmental Advocates
Monday, October 7, 2019
Why is the Army Still Honoring Confederate Generals?
The U.S. Army has faced almost no resistance to bases named for prominent white supremacists.
Click here for the report.
Source: The Intercept_
NEC's Larry Kudlow Speaks with Reporters
White House National Economic Council Larry Kudlow spoke to reporters on
the White House driveway about ongoing trade negotiations with China.
Click here for video.
Source: C-SPAN
Immigration Protesters Disrupt Speech from Acting DHS Head McAleenan
Protesters kept acting Homeland Security Secretary Kevin McAleenan from
speaking Oct. 7 at a Georgetown University Law Center immigration
conference. As McAleenan took the podium to give the conference’s
keynote address, protesters stood up, holding large black banners that
read “Hate is Not Normal” and yelled the names of children who died
while in immigration custody. After being yelled over by protesters
several times, McAleenan left the room.
'Future Hope' Column: Impeachment in a Broader Context
By Ted Glick
It is truly scary to see Mafioso Don rant and rave these days, as impeachment becomes a near-certainty. Conviction not so much, but impeachment almost a lock. When the guy is openly calling for not just Ukraine but China to help him try to find dirt on Biden, the Democrats have no choice but to slap him down.
Hardly anyone thinks the Senate will convict him, for good reasons, but it’s not impossible. When the Democrats began impeachment hearings against Nixon in 1973, he was coming off an election where he had won 49 of 50 states, and he had an approval rating in the high 60’s percent. But after the exposures via Congressional hearings of Tricky Dick’s underhandedness, lying and, especially, destruction of evidence, his approval rating plunged to 25%, and he was done, resigning in disgrace.
This crop of Republicans are more hardline, and they’re backed up by Fox News and other media that they didn’t have back then, but on the other hand how many of them truly want to be saddled with an impeached Trump hanging around their neck come elections next November? And it is not insignificant that there are internal divisions at Fox News, with at least two of their commentators, Shepard Smith and Neil Cavuto, publicly refusing to go along with the party line of lip-locking on Trump’s ring.
Looking at the bigger picture, what happens with the economy could end up being decisive as far as conviction. The fact that unexpected weakness in the manufacturing sector has been revealed at the same time as the recent Ukrainegate revelations is not good news for Republicans. Absent an economy that is doing relatively well, though clearly majorly and structurally unequal and discriminatory, Trump and his minions are in very deep political doo-doo. No President has ever gone through an entire four year term with approval ratings under 50%, but that sure looks like what’ll happen for this one.
Click here for the full article.
Source: tedglick.com
Hardly anyone thinks the Senate will convict him, for good reasons, but it’s not impossible. When the Democrats began impeachment hearings against Nixon in 1973, he was coming off an election where he had won 49 of 50 states, and he had an approval rating in the high 60’s percent. But after the exposures via Congressional hearings of Tricky Dick’s underhandedness, lying and, especially, destruction of evidence, his approval rating plunged to 25%, and he was done, resigning in disgrace.
This crop of Republicans are more hardline, and they’re backed up by Fox News and other media that they didn’t have back then, but on the other hand how many of them truly want to be saddled with an impeached Trump hanging around their neck come elections next November? And it is not insignificant that there are internal divisions at Fox News, with at least two of their commentators, Shepard Smith and Neil Cavuto, publicly refusing to go along with the party line of lip-locking on Trump’s ring.
Looking at the bigger picture, what happens with the economy could end up being decisive as far as conviction. The fact that unexpected weakness in the manufacturing sector has been revealed at the same time as the recent Ukrainegate revelations is not good news for Republicans. Absent an economy that is doing relatively well, though clearly majorly and structurally unequal and discriminatory, Trump and his minions are in very deep political doo-doo. No President has ever gone through an entire four year term with approval ratings under 50%, but that sure looks like what’ll happen for this one.
Click here for the full article.
Source: tedglick.com
Mumia Abu-Jamal, Fellow Inmate File Grievances Against 'Collective Punishment'
Pennsylvania Department of Corrections Blocks
Prison Radio from Sharing Copies with Other Inmates
Prison Radio from Sharing Copies with Other Inmates
“There
is no iron curtain drawn between the Constitution and the prisons of
this country.” Wolff v. McDonnell, 418 U.S. 539, 555–56 (1974). Justice
White
By Noelle Harrahan
Pennsylvania
Department of Corrections has adopted collective punishment as the
“solution” for problems of violence inside its prisons.
News from inside is that collective punishment is being rolled out across the state. Under the guise of their new “Violence Reduction Initiative”, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (PA DOC) has begun punishing all inmates “associated” or on the same tier if there is a fight or someone is accused of a violent act. K. Brittian, Facility manager at SCI Frackville, responded to inmate Bryant Arroyo’s grievance by stating that “Facility Manager/Designees [are authorized to] ...utilize lock downs as a response to critical incidents…disorder, a threat to security or an inability to maintain orderly control of inmates." This reason for denying Bryant’s grievance misses the point, as it waves “security” as a red flag to obscure the unconstitutional action of punishing someone for something they did not do. This is not the “some” evidence standard, this is the NO EVIDENCE standard. Furthermore, the sanctions go far beyond reimposing order and locking folks down. The sanctions specifically target innocent individuals, continue far beyond the lock down, and escalate tensions with no due process and no grievance appeals allowed. Mail and visits are rights that involve access to the courts and additional constitutional protections.
Following any violent incident, any inmate or many inmates (who often have little knowledge of the incident in question) can lose phone calls, basic (necessary) commissary, recreation and yard time, access to the law library, mail, work, and more.
Collective punishment is immoral. It is unconstitutional and dangerous and it does not work. It is a tool in a repressive regime to get compliance. It is inhumane and brutal.
As a fascist stick in the prison guards’ toolkit, it offers the guards and prison officials unlimited and unaccountable latitude for selective enforcement and the targeting of specific prisoners.
The policing industry is endorsing this program, which means we will soon see this not just where it’s already started in Washington, Maryland, Mississippi, and Pennsylvania, but all across the nation—if we don’t respond.
If someone on Bryant Arroyo’s or Mumia Abu-Jamal’s tier throws a punch, their whole tier can be locked down. Well this recently happened and, ironically, the guys who threw the punch were given a semblance of “due process”: they could grieve their two days "in the hole". But Mumia and Bryant could not. They were not allowed to challenge the “collective punishment” given to the whole block. This threat looms over every person in these prisons, every day.
History has proven that jailhouse lawyers, community leaders, and the folk that are outspoken and organized are often the targets of prison officials.
Our correspondents are the most vulnerable in the face of these repressive policies. Prison Radio correspondent Bryant Arroyo shares with us what it is like to live in these conditions:
“Every day I’m in a state of impending lock down. We’re anxious all the time. The mood is very tense and it’s become dangerous for both inmates and staff alike.. ..It’s gotten to the point where if you see a fight might be about to break out, you grab your towel and head to the shower because you don’t know when your next chance will be.”
His room had been turned upside down by guards during the last lock down, as result of a fight he wasn’t even aware of.
As we have come to expect, these same brave men and women in prison are taking the lead in exposing these unconstitutional practices.
In addition to talking to us and organizing inside their tiers, Mumia Abu-Jamal and Bryant Arroyo have both filed inmate grievances. Mumia’s came after he was subjected to a lock down for events of which he had no knowledge, whatsoever. He argued that collective punishment is unconstitutional by its “inherent nature” as a violation of both the 8th and 14th amendments. From the letter: “Collective punishment is anathema to US law, as it is a government process that punishes others who have not participated in the event giving rise to said government action. PA DOC cannot institute a policy based on an unconstitutional theory or practice. Period.”
"The [Eighth] Amendment must draw its meaning from the evolving standards of decency that mark the progress of a maturing society." Chief Justice Earl Warren Trop v. Dulles, 356 U.S. 86 (1958)
“The relief requested is to grant my legitimate grievance by abolishing this dysfunctional, collectively punitive, officially oppressive, unconstitutional policy which directly affected the ‘actually-innocent’ inmates by broadly and arbitrarily/capriciously misapplying the policy to everyone.” —Bryant Arroyo, Prison Radio correspondent at SCI Frackville PA.
Additionally, when Prison Radio sent copies of the grievances to other inmates filing complaints the prison censors rejected the mail. They indicated that the paper copy of the grievance was a prisoner’s “personal property” and could not be shared. This information needs to be widely distributed so these decisions can be immediately and effectively appealed. We filed a grievance on the blocking of legal documents being copied and sent to other inmates.
We can and must support folks inside when they are standing up for their rights.
News from inside is that collective punishment is being rolled out across the state. Under the guise of their new “Violence Reduction Initiative”, the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections (PA DOC) has begun punishing all inmates “associated” or on the same tier if there is a fight or someone is accused of a violent act. K. Brittian, Facility manager at SCI Frackville, responded to inmate Bryant Arroyo’s grievance by stating that “Facility Manager/Designees [are authorized to] ...utilize lock downs as a response to critical incidents…disorder, a threat to security or an inability to maintain orderly control of inmates." This reason for denying Bryant’s grievance misses the point, as it waves “security” as a red flag to obscure the unconstitutional action of punishing someone for something they did not do. This is not the “some” evidence standard, this is the NO EVIDENCE standard. Furthermore, the sanctions go far beyond reimposing order and locking folks down. The sanctions specifically target innocent individuals, continue far beyond the lock down, and escalate tensions with no due process and no grievance appeals allowed. Mail and visits are rights that involve access to the courts and additional constitutional protections.
Following any violent incident, any inmate or many inmates (who often have little knowledge of the incident in question) can lose phone calls, basic (necessary) commissary, recreation and yard time, access to the law library, mail, work, and more.
Collective punishment is immoral. It is unconstitutional and dangerous and it does not work. It is a tool in a repressive regime to get compliance. It is inhumane and brutal.
As a fascist stick in the prison guards’ toolkit, it offers the guards and prison officials unlimited and unaccountable latitude for selective enforcement and the targeting of specific prisoners.
The policing industry is endorsing this program, which means we will soon see this not just where it’s already started in Washington, Maryland, Mississippi, and Pennsylvania, but all across the nation—if we don’t respond.
If someone on Bryant Arroyo’s or Mumia Abu-Jamal’s tier throws a punch, their whole tier can be locked down. Well this recently happened and, ironically, the guys who threw the punch were given a semblance of “due process”: they could grieve their two days "in the hole". But Mumia and Bryant could not. They were not allowed to challenge the “collective punishment” given to the whole block. This threat looms over every person in these prisons, every day.
History has proven that jailhouse lawyers, community leaders, and the folk that are outspoken and organized are often the targets of prison officials.
Our correspondents are the most vulnerable in the face of these repressive policies. Prison Radio correspondent Bryant Arroyo shares with us what it is like to live in these conditions:
“Every day I’m in a state of impending lock down. We’re anxious all the time. The mood is very tense and it’s become dangerous for both inmates and staff alike.. ..It’s gotten to the point where if you see a fight might be about to break out, you grab your towel and head to the shower because you don’t know when your next chance will be.”
His room had been turned upside down by guards during the last lock down, as result of a fight he wasn’t even aware of.
As we have come to expect, these same brave men and women in prison are taking the lead in exposing these unconstitutional practices.
In addition to talking to us and organizing inside their tiers, Mumia Abu-Jamal and Bryant Arroyo have both filed inmate grievances. Mumia’s came after he was subjected to a lock down for events of which he had no knowledge, whatsoever. He argued that collective punishment is unconstitutional by its “inherent nature” as a violation of both the 8th and 14th amendments. From the letter: “Collective punishment is anathema to US law, as it is a government process that punishes others who have not participated in the event giving rise to said government action. PA DOC cannot institute a policy based on an unconstitutional theory or practice. Period.”
"The [Eighth] Amendment must draw its meaning from the evolving standards of decency that mark the progress of a maturing society." Chief Justice Earl Warren Trop v. Dulles, 356 U.S. 86 (1958)
“The relief requested is to grant my legitimate grievance by abolishing this dysfunctional, collectively punitive, officially oppressive, unconstitutional policy which directly affected the ‘actually-innocent’ inmates by broadly and arbitrarily/capriciously misapplying the policy to everyone.” —Bryant Arroyo, Prison Radio correspondent at SCI Frackville PA.
Additionally, when Prison Radio sent copies of the grievances to other inmates filing complaints the prison censors rejected the mail. They indicated that the paper copy of the grievance was a prisoner’s “personal property” and could not be shared. This information needs to be widely distributed so these decisions can be immediately and effectively appealed. We filed a grievance on the blocking of legal documents being copied and sent to other inmates.
We can and must support folks inside when they are standing up for their rights.
The Power of the Pen: S.4119/A.230 Signed in New York
Governor Andrew Cuomo today signed legislation (S.4119/A.230) prohibiting ambulance and first response service providers from disclosing or selling private patient information to third parties for marketing purposes. Under prior law, emergency response providers could sell information that identifies an individual patient such as addresses and phone numbers, prescriptions and medical history. The new law prohibits the disclosure of such information to third parties, except to healthcare providers, the patient's insurer and parties acting under appropriate legal authority.
"Nothing is more personal than your health records, and New Yorkers have a right to privacy when it comes to this incredibly sensitive information," Governor Cuomo said. "This law sets clear guidelines so patient information isn't sold or used for marketing purposes and most importantly doesn't end up in the wrong hands."
Senator John Liu said, "We live in a world where we have to be concerned with how our data is being bought and used every day. Under no circumstances, when someone is in the middle of a life-threatening crisis, should they have to worry about their information being sold for any reason. This bill provides peace of mind to New Yorkers by protecting the privacy of those who have suffered enough already."
Assembly Member Edward Braunstein said, "I first introduced this legislation in 2014 after reports surfaced that some emergency service providers in New York State may have been selling patient protected health information (PHI) for fundraising and marketing purposes. Patients have a right to privacy and their medical information should never be sold to pharmaceutical companies, insurers, nursing homes, or other businesses."
Source: The Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
"Nothing is more personal than your health records, and New Yorkers have a right to privacy when it comes to this incredibly sensitive information," Governor Cuomo said. "This law sets clear guidelines so patient information isn't sold or used for marketing purposes and most importantly doesn't end up in the wrong hands."
Senator John Liu said, "We live in a world where we have to be concerned with how our data is being bought and used every day. Under no circumstances, when someone is in the middle of a life-threatening crisis, should they have to worry about their information being sold for any reason. This bill provides peace of mind to New Yorkers by protecting the privacy of those who have suffered enough already."
Assembly Member Edward Braunstein said, "I first introduced this legislation in 2014 after reports surfaced that some emergency service providers in New York State may have been selling patient protected health information (PHI) for fundraising and marketing purposes. Patients have a right to privacy and their medical information should never be sold to pharmaceutical companies, insurers, nursing homes, or other businesses."
Source: The Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo
Jewish Council for Public Affairs Visits Arizona-Mexico Border
In September, JCPA organized a fact-finding trip to the Arizona-Mexico border that included 23 people representing 12 states and Washington, D.C. After witnessing the situation firsthand and learning from advocates, government officials, and others, participants returned home equipped to take action locally and nationally as leaders in their communities alongside JCPA.
Click here to read JCPA's media advisory.
Read the joint letter from participants on the trip: "Two weeks ago, we, the undersigned, returned from an intensive three-day fact-finding trip to the Arizona-Mexico border. Our goal was to better understand the factors driving the humanitarian crisis at the Southern Border and to advocate more effectively for sound immigration policies."
Click here to read full letter.
Source: JCPA
Click here to read JCPA's media advisory.
Read the joint letter from participants on the trip: "Two weeks ago, we, the undersigned, returned from an intensive three-day fact-finding trip to the Arizona-Mexico border. Our goal was to better understand the factors driving the humanitarian crisis at the Southern Border and to advocate more effectively for sound immigration policies."
Click here to read full letter.
Source: JCPA
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