“I live here, Sarah Palin doesn’t”
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

NEW YORK — August 22, 2010. Sunday was another rainy day in New York City, as two sides of the Ground Zero mosque issue squared off in dueling protests — two sides who are responding to a catastrophe with two mutually exclusive answers: hatred and healing.

“Islamophobia defiles Ground Zero”
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

LOST

If volume validated an argument then the motorcycle contingent bound for Sunday’s anti-mosque protest would win, hands down. With loud pipes and shrill voices, the bikers from out of town who thundered down Broadway en route to the demonstration — apparently going the wrong direction — would have the final word in any debate whose outcome is measured only in decibels. But it isn’t that simple. And just as the issues surrounding the proposed building of a mosque-slash-community center in the general area of Ground Zero aren’t so simple — it’s too simplistic to write off all of the bikers as stereotypic toughs, incapable of compassion or human emotion. Some of them lost relatives in the September 11, 2001 attack on the Trade Center.

A short time after the loud cavalcade drove past this reporter, several of their number, now dismounted, emerged on a street corner looking confused, vulnerable and maybe even a little embarrassed. It was hard to deny their humanity. We’ve all been lost before — alone, wandering unfamiliar territory.

US V. THEM

To those who see the world from the vantage point of an “us versus them” perspective — there is no middle ground, no room for freedom of religion, no Constitution to defend, no reason to wince at racist epithets hurled at the Other side. To those who embrace an ideology based on interpreting 9/11 as a clash of two cultures, as an apocalyptic harbinger of a holy war — one protester’s angry outburst sums up the world view: “Islam is not a religion, it’s a cult.”

This was the statement one New Yorker hurled at another on Sunday.

And as if this statement was not sufficient to choke off discussion, to demonize and objectify an entire faith, the anti-mosque protester continued: “If you had a Qur’an here, I’d piss on it.”

“Support freedom of religion”
(Photo: Bud Korotzer / NLN)

THE OTHERS

The objectification of Other as evil incarnate, the demonization of billions of believers, is not a rational construct but it is one that has currency, perhaps because choosing hatred over healing, choosing to adopt bumper sticker slogans over calm dialog is less threatening, less intimidating than attempting to grasp elusive nuances. There is no doubt that it is easier to hate than to love, to assimilate rather than to accommodate, to shout rather than to listen. This is the sad trajectory of terrorism itself.

“Isn’t the Constitution hallowed?”
(Photo: Bud Korotzer / NLN)

The man who uttered that sad statement, who argued that Islam is not a religion, was eventually quieted by a white-shirted NYPD senior officer. The target of the protester’s venom — who had responded angrily — walked off to join the Other demonstration of the day: the group of civil rights activists, peace protesters and interfaith clerics who support the Muslims looking to build the Cordoba House mosque and community center on 51 Park Place.

(Photo: Bud Korotzer / NLN)

FROM NYC TO OKLAHOMA — AND BACK AGAIN

At the anti-Islamophobia rally, Alan Stolzer of the Military Project asked me a question.

“Has anyone built a church near the Oklahoma City bomb site?”

His rhetorical question was pointed: Timothy McVeigh was a blond and blue Christian. A home grown killer. The analogy was not ideal. McVeigh did not profess to kill in the name of his religion. But in our history other Americans have killed in the name of their faith, some acting in concert with other true believers. And yet in these cases, it was the killers who were judged, not the professed faith, not the religion in its entirety. It could not be otherwise. And yet it’s different for Muslims in America.

“Build and learn together”
(Photo: Bud Korotzer / NLN)

BEYOND BINARIES

Somewhere in between the 9/11 ideologues — the Islamophobes and racists who look to burning books as a solution — and the Muslim community left holding a fractured First Amendment are the families of 9/11. Their grief is not ideological in nature but their numbers, their “hearts and minds,” are the perceived prize for those who would market rabid xenophobia disguised as patriotism. The Sarah Palins and other rank opportunists, none of whom have ever lived in New York, some of whom can’t spell xenophobia — even if they can see it from their back yard — are eager to profit from appeals to hatred and racism. But for those who lost loved ones, healing will have to be accomplished without hate. However this is done, whatever path is chosen, healing involves overcoming hate, not embracing it.

As the rain fell on the protesters who challenge the binary world view, those who want to heal and move beyond Islamophobia and the scourge of racism, as the mainstream media swarmed to get their soundbites from the “pro-mosque protesters” — a man in a priest’s collar quietly held up a sign. It read: “Build and Learn Together.”

View Photos/Videos From The Event…

(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — August 12, 2010. It was the show that almost didn’t happen — but for headbangers in the tristate area, in the end it was a real treat.

In 1990, thrash metal giants Slayer and Megadeth teamed up for a “Clash Of The Titans” tour. In 2010, the two titans teamed up again, this time as an “American Carnage” tour that reprised the 1990 effort, right down to the choice of material performed. Slayer announced their intention to perform “Seasons In The Abyss” in its entirety and Megadeth vowed to do the same with “Rust In Peace.”

Tom Araya live at the Izod
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

And then Slayer front man Tom Araya needed emergency back surgery — the announcement came in January — and the tour was postponed. Some cities saw their dates completely canceled due to lack of venue availability. New York was luckier. New Jersey’s Izod Center rescheduled and honored tickets sold prior to the postponement.

Anyone who follows Slayer knows that, in a Spinal Tap moment — May of 1992 to be precise — drummer extraordinaire Dave Lombardo left the band after an argument over women (Lombardo wanted to bring his wife on tour). Lombardo was replaced by thrash veteran Paul Bostaph. Bostaph perfformed admirably on several Slayer recordings: Divine Intervention (1994), Undisputed Attitude (1996), Diabolus in Musica (1998), and the finest effort to date: God Hates Us All (2001). During the God Hates tour, Bostaph aggravated an already sore elbow and was replaced by Lombardo who eventually rejoined the band. For fans of Paul Bostaph — a terrfic thrash drummer and a true gentleman — it was a special treat that Testament, Bostaph’s current band, opened for Slayer and Megadeth.

Testament’s Alex Skolnick
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

And Testament opened with style. Chuck Billy is the only person I can think of who doesn’t look silly playing air guitar with his microphone. Why? He loves the music and it shows. Flanked by New Yorker Alex Skolnick, Billy snarled and growled his way through a number of Testament classics as well as several cuts from the well respected 2008 “Formation of Damnation” release. Skolnick was Skolnick: one of rock’s most able guitarists and very enjoyable to watch.

As the lights went down and Megadeth fans cheered, Jello Biafra’s voice erupted from the loudspeakers:

With Megadeth’s long history of social commentary it shouldn’t surprise anyone that Dave Mustaine opened his set with a recording of an Ice T song featuring Jello Biafra — a song about the end of civil liberties — but it was very apt given all that is going on in the U.S.

Dave Mustaine
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

After Jello, a very well dressed (and well-moussed) Megadeth took the stage. Mustaine was in great form — his guitar work is always stellar but his voice was also very strong as he and the band worked through “Rust In Peace,” arguably their best recording. After Rust, Mustaine played a couple of newer numbers, including “Head Crusher” from the latest release “Endgame.” Guitarist Chris Broderick was very good and Dave Ellefson ripped it up on his six string bass.

Chris Broderick of Megadeth
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

During the second intermission a white sheet obscured the stage…but from my vantage point I could see that Dave Lombardo’s drum kit would far closer to the audience than Bostaph’s or Shawn Drover’s kits had been. This was cause for celebration as Lombardo, known as the “godfather of double bass” drumming, is without peers. Reviewers have described his style as “over the top” (as opposed to the rest of Slayer?) but fans know that Dave is simply the best and very entertaining to watch.

The inimitable Kerry King
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

Slayer opened with the title track from the new CD, “World Painted Blood” and, after erupting into the uptempo “Hate Worldwide,” played all of “Seasons In The Abyss.” Seasons is classic Slayer. From the first cut, the anti-war “War Ensemble,” to the last, title track, the songs chronicle human failings, mixing in a bit of social criticism. Slayer ended their set, as they always do, with “Angel Of Death.”

Jeff Hanneman of Slayer
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

Guitarists Kerry King and Jeff Hanneman (stage left to right) were in top form and at their headbanging best as they stood together for Angel of Death. Bassist and singer Tom Araya was apparently fully recovered and gave a rock solid performance. And Dave Lombardo … Lombardo makes the kid in all of us sigh and utter the well-worn phrase “Fuckin’ Slayer!”

The Godfather of Double Bass: Dave Lombardo
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

As Lou Reed once observed (on “Take No Prisoners”), musicians work for a year and then some critic gives them a B-plus. I will resist the temptation but know this: if American Carnage comes to your town, see it. It should be easy – well aware that the U.S. is in the midst of the “Great Recession,” Slayer has reserved blocks of tickets to be sold for $10, in order to make certain their long term fans get to see the band. While the politicians talk, Slayer delivers.

View Photos/Videos From The Show…

“McMahon Stop Pandering To Islamophobia”
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — August 16, 2010. What do angry labor leaders, frustrated health care recipients, disgusted anti-war activists, stunned “Jewish money” donors and now — protesters decrying an “Islamophobic Witchhunt” — have in common? Mike McMahon.

Activist Elaine Brower strums a few chords for tolerance
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

ISLAMOPHOBIC WITCHHUNT?

In a statement released last week a “diverse group of activists” said that, “As the elected representative of the 13th District, Congressman McMahon is encharged with upholding the principle of equal treatment for ALL, regardless of race, religion, gender, or sexual orientation. When he called for federal information on the Muslim religious organization MAS, he violated that core principle, and in so doing, pandered to the worst forces of bigotry. Would he have made the same request if it were a Christian or Jewish organization that wanted to build a house of worship? Is Representative McMahon prepared to investigate the anti-Muslim hate groups that breed a growing atmosphere of intolerance and racism from coast to coast?”

A protester plays John Lennon’s “Imagine”
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

The statement was issued prior to a demonstration that the aggrieved activists held at McMahon’s Staten Island office on Friday the 13th. One version of the statement went out with the headline Protest Rep. McMahon Islamophobic Witchhunt

What made the protesters mad?

McMahon — and McCarthyism?
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

ALLEGED AFFILIATIONS AND FBI INVESTIGATIONS

The Muslim American Society wanted to build a mosque on Staten Island. Some local community members claimed that the group had ties to a U.S. branch of the “Muslim Brotherhood.” The “U.S. Muslim Brotherhood” is apparently an organization so secret that one on can prove it exists, except in the extreme right wing of the blogosphere where it is mentioned constantly.

Rather than meet with the MAS, to determine their intentions and ask about their affiliations, McMahon told the Staten Island Advance he would do a check on the group. He then asked the FBI to investigate. The Bureau, according to McMahon, eventually told the Congressman that the MAS “appears harmless.” But the furor and the investigation caused the Catholic Archdiocese to cancel the sale of its closed convent to the MAS — and without a property to build on, the mosque plan was scrapped. Protesters accused McMahon of pandering, of using Islamophobia as an election year ploy.

A sergeant from the 122 PCT looks on as protesters decry racism
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

An initial protest, against Islamophobia, was held at the site of the proposed mosque. But protesters, angry with their congressman, decided that they needed to put a finer point on his behavior, and they called a second protest. This time the protest was held outside the congressman’s office.

THE PROTEST

As the sun set on Friday, a dozen protesters holding signs were watched by two cops from the 122 Precinct as drivers passing by honked in support — while others hurled the occasional epithet. One driver called the protesters “a bunch of Muslims.” The protesters were a mix of faiths — with a couple of atheists thrown in.

The protesters argued that “McMahon should have stood up for the Muslim community. Instead he chose to disrespect them by appeasing those who use anti-Islamic hysteria as a political tool. By calling the Federal government, he a gave a nod to those who make it their life’s work to point an accusing finger at American Muslims, and engaged in an Islamophobic witchhunt. He played enabler to a movement of anti-Mosque fear and bigotry that now sweeps the country and demands national headlines.”

Activist Richie Marini is interviewed by NY1
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

MCMAHON’S ALIENATED CONSTITUENTS — AND THE “JEWISH MONEY” BLUNDER

Mike McMahon, known for his non-committal, “centrist,” rhetoric and conservative voting record angered labor leaders when he voted against President Obama’s hhealth care reform package. Earlier today several news services reported that the AFL-CIO decided not to endorse McMahon “at this time.” SEIU1199 and the Working Families Party have made less equivocal decisions to yank their endorsements of the conservative Democrat.

Peace groups are also frustrated with McMahon’s support for the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.

In perhaps what is the most damaging blow to McMahon’s re-election effort, his former campaign spokesperson, Jennifer Nelson, released a list of “Jewish money” — i.e. campaign donors to McMahon’s rival Michael Grimm — to the New York Observer. McMahon fired the staffer but the news went viral and googling for “McMahon Jewish Donors” turns up over 1 million hits.

Can McMahon survive labor troubles, a pro-war voting record, and the “Jewish money” flap? Perhaps…perhaps his “Islamophobic Witchhunt” is an effort pander to those voters who haven’t yet jumped ship.

View Photos From The Event…

(Photo: Bud Korotzer / NLN)

NEW YORK — August 10, 2010. MoveOn is worried. Apparently so were a hundred or so of their closest friends.

(Photo: Bud Korotzer / NLN)

The progressive Democrats held a rally a “Rally for Democracy” in which “New York City residents gathering to support fundamental changes to recapture our government from Corporate Lobbyists and CEOs” took to the streets.

(Photo: Bud Korotzer / NLN)

On Tuesday, August 10, at high noon, over 100 New Yorkers gathered outside Senator Charles E. Schumer’s office in Manhattan, at Third Ave. and 47th Street. The demonstraters were there to rally support for the “Fight Washington Corruption Pledge.” The Pledge addresses three issues that MoveOn members have identified as critical to the preservation of U.S. democracy: lobbying reform, election reform and reversing the Supreme Court’s “Citizens United” decision, which essentially allows corporations to campaign for political parties and candidates without spending limits.

(Photo: Bud Korotzer / NLN)

According to MoveOn this has the effect of “Putting our candidates up for sale. This is not democracy and must be answered. These three fundamental areas need to be changed before other political issues will be able to receive open debate and consideration.”

(Photo: Bud Korotzer / NLN)

According to organizers a goal of the rally was to unite “People who advocate for positive change, to educate fellow citizens on how their hard-earned liberties are jeopardized by bloated corporate wealth and to show Senator Schumer the voice and desires of his constituents, so that he can vote with our interests in mind.”

The rally featured speakers from Citizens Action, Common Cause, and the Public Campaign Action Fund, among others.

View Photos From The Event…

(Photo: Ed Hedemann / WRL)

NEW YORK — August 7, 2010 — Tompkins Square Park. It was an unusually pleasant summer day for an especially unpleasant subject — 65 years since the United States unapologetically — to this day — unleashed nuclear weapons on the citizens of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, unilaterally beginning the nuclear arms race. This exhibit, which the War Resisters League produced for the 50th anniversary of the bombings, immediate drew the attention of park denizens as well as many passersby. While some took fleeting notice, others spent a lot of time reading every single panel in the exhibit. Though there were a number of impromptu discussions and some debates, mostly people took leaflets and other literature and looked in silence.

(Photo: Bud Korotzer / NLN)

Frida Berrigan, a long time War Resister, worked the event. She told NLN that “It was a lovely, hot afternoon. Not unlike the day on which the bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. Passersby were asked to remember Hiroshima and Nagasaki, to spend a few minutes with the War Resisters League’s ’65 Years of Nuclearism’ exhibit, and take literature. A number of people read the whole exhibit, and were happy to take our materials.

I think that our presence there served as an important reminder to people out to enjoy their Saturday.”

(Photo: Bud Korotzer / NLN)

A “Peace Procession” was part of the 2010 Hiroshima / Nagasaki observance
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — August 8, 2010. Hiroshima still haunts: marking the 65th anniversary of the Hiroshima / Nagasaki bombings the Social Justice Committee of the Unitarian Church of Staten Island and Peace Action of Staten Island commemorated the events with music, dance, dramatic readings and a “peace procession.”

David Jones performed a piece he calls “Nagasaki”
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

The bombings at HIroshima and Nagasaki took place on August 6 and 9, 1945.

According to Wikipedia: Within the first two to four months of the bombings, the acute effects killed 90,000-166,000 people in Hiroshima and 60,000-80,000 in Nagasaki,

Sunday’s commemoration took place at the Unitarian Church and featured readings and poetry. Music was provided by Staten Island pianist David Jones and members of the musical ensemble WaFoo, which blends the traditions of Japanese music with American jazz.

Flutist Yuuki Koike of WaFoo
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

The American Conscience Theatre performed a short theatrical piece by Georgina Ohene commemorating the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings. The 25 minute presentation was a combination of live music by Robert Ross, dancing, and readings from John Hersey’s book, Hiroshima.

Georgina Ohene of the American Conscience Theatre
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

The commemoration concluded with a procession from the Unitarian Church to the Snug Harbor Cultural Center.

Peace Action’s Sally Jones took part in the “Peace Procession”
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

View Photos/Videos From The Event…

Bias attack victim Richard Vieira looks on as Matt Titone and Gerard Mawn address the crowd
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — August 7, 2010. On Saturday evening a diverse group of Staten Islanders united against hate crimes, held a candlelight vigil outside Borough Hall — before marching to White Castle where Assembly Member Matt Titone treated everyone to a burger.

Earlier this year, on July 7, a man made homophobic comments before assaulting Richard Vieira and his partner at a White Castle in Staten Island’s Stapleton section. Police continue to search for the assailant.

Anti-hate vigilers outside Borough Hall
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

In response to the attack — and to the recent wave of hate crimes targeting Mexicans — Staten Island Pride called a candlelight vigil and march. The event was held on Saturday night and was sponsored by a variety of groups, elected officials and individuals, including: Make The Road New York, the Guardian Angels, the Public Advocate’s office, State Senator Diane Savino (D – 23rd District), New York City Council Member Debi Rose (D – 49th District) and State Assembly Member Matt Titone (D – 61st District).

Protesters and press
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

Standing in front of Borough Hall, the vigilers were besieged by the New York press corps which has been following the hate crimes story. Standing in formation, to the right of the crowd, a group of Guardian Angels held candles.

The Guardian Angels joined the vigil
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

As the time neared to start the march event organizers addressed the crowd and the press.

“We want to call attention to hate crimes here on Staten Island,” said Gerard Mawn of Staten Island Pride.

“We want everyone here to commit to being a solution, to being part of the solution, to the hate crimes that started many months ago,” he said.

Mawn introduced Matt Titone who thanked the Guardian Angels for keeping the community safe and for participating in the vigil and march. Titone also thanked police and told the crowd that six arrests have been effected since the bias attacks began in April.

Assembly Member Matt Titone led the march
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

Surrounded by the press, Titone led the vigilers in a march to the White Castle where Luis and Richard Vieira were assaulted. Richard Vieira, his arm in a sling, joined the march. He was surrounded by Guardian Angels as the procession made its way down Bay Street.

Richard Vieira flanked by Guardian Angels
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

Cars passing the marchers honked in support as protesters held up signs saying “I Am Staten Island” and “Respect For Diversity.”

Standing in the parking lot of White Castle, Matt Titone addressed the marchers as TV crews looked on.

“I would like to treat everyone, including the press, to a burger on me. We passed a budget — I got paid. But seriously I really do want to thank everyone for participating and really showing our unity, our stand against hatred,” Titone said.

“We will not stand for intolerance. We are not afraid of those who are afraid of us. And we will continue to work, we will continue to march and we will continue to pray for those who feel differently,” he added.

View Photos/Videos From The Event…

Christine Quinn (left) and Debi Rose
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — August 3, 2010. On Tuesday afternoon City Council members Debi Rose and Christine Quinn unveiled a “10-point plan” to combat the hate crimes plaguing Staten Island.

Speaking at the St. Vincent’s Manor residence for seniors on Park Avenue in Port Richmond, City Council member Debi Rose and speaker Christine Quinn told the press that the “I Am Staten Island” initiative was being expanded to include a “10-point” program designed to bring an end to the bias crimes that have stunned the neighborhood.

Since April, 10 individuals have been assaulted in Port Richmond because of their immigrant status. In response, the NYPD has deployed 130 extra officers to the troubled neighborhood and assigned 15 officers to investigate the attacks as hate crimes. In addition to the attacks on Mexicans, two gay men, a married couple, were attacked in the Stapleton section of the Island on July 7. The assailant made homophobic comments to the victims as they sat inside a local White Castle — and jumped the couple when they left the restaurant. One of the men required sutures to close his wounds. To date the perpetrator has not been caught.

In the wake of the recent spate of hate crimes targeting Mexicans, the Guardian Angels began patrolling Port Richmond.

A short time later the police followed suit.

Mayor Bloomberg has declined to involve himself, saying that commissioner Ray Kelly has been tasked with solving what the mayor regards as a police matter.

Christine Quinn looks on as Jim Molinaro expresses his frustration
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

Early on, Borough President James Molinaro seemed to agree with Bloomberg, saying that the assaults weren’t hate crimes and there was no need to re-convene the Anti-Bias Task Force, established in 1997. Molinaro viewed the attacks as crimes of opportunity, telling the Staten Island Advance that “In a couple of the attacks the victims were set upon as they walked out of bars in the neighborhood, most likely by criminals who saw them as easy prey.”

A number of comments have appeared on the Staten Island Advance’s silive.com discussion website echoing Molinaro’s assertion — and describing the Mexican victims as being “intoxicated” and therefore easy targets for robbers. The silive.com posts are perhaps as troubling as the attacks themselves – blaming the victims based on an assumption that all of the assaulted were “intoxicated” and “illegal.”

“These aren’t hate crimes, they are crimes of opportunity…INTOXICATED MEXICANS + CASH = EASY ROBBERY VICTIM…and they usually won’t call 911 for fear of being deported…this is nothing new, has been going on for years…” — “stevesi”

Ironically, Molinaro praised the NYPD for handling what he regarded as a criminal matter while the police department has stated that they are investigating the attacks as hate crimes.

Because of the flap over whether or not the attacks are hate crimes, Council member Rose introduced the press conference by saying that, “Some have questioned whether these crimes are crimes of opportunity or if they are crimes of hate. For me this debate is academic. Real life challenges, like the ones we face today, don’t fit neatly into a single category. I believe the victims of these attacks were targeted for who they are and because they were perceived as vulnerable. No matter how we view these attacks, one thing is certain: we cannot stand on the sidelines and simply wish this problem away. All of us, community leaders, elected officials, the police department, and our youth have an important role to play in addressing this challenge.”

In an effort to unite all affected and mobilize them to stem the attacks, Christine Quinn unveiled a “10-point plan” that she and Debi Rose have put together, with input from other elected officials, the police, the parks department and community members. The plan will involve local businesses, the Parks Department, the Department of Transportation, local clergy, the Department of Education and the College of Staten Island.

Borough President Molinaro was present at the conference and, in an apparent softening of his previous position on the nature of the crimes, said that, as the son of immigrants, he was “hurt” and “frustrated” by what is happening on Staten Island — a borough that has traditionally been welcoming to immigrants.

Ruben Beltran, consul general of Mexico in New York, drew applause when he told the crowd that “We are Staten Island.” Beltran has been involved with the “I Am SI” initiative from early on and he thanked both Rose and Quinn for their hard work.

Tamika Mallory of the National Action Network
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

Tamika Mallory, Executive Director of the National Action Network also addressed the press. Mallory said that her organization would like to be added to the list of groups endorsing the “I Am Staten Island” initiative. NY1 is reporting that National Action Network leader Rev. Al Sharpton will address the Port Richmond community this weekend.

Also happening this weekend: the LGBT Center is hosting three special events in response to the attack on Luis and Richard Vieira. The first event, “Take Back Your Right,” is a gathering that will take place at the White Castle where the men were attacked in early July. The gathering is scheduled to begin at 2 a.m. Saturday morning. Also on Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., a healing garden will be planted at the same restaurant. Finally, on Saturday evening, a vigil will be held at Borough Hall. The vigil against intolerance and bias crimes will begin at 8:30 p.m.

For more information on the LGBT Center’s special events, contact siprideevents@gmail.com.
For more information about the “I Am Staten Island” campaign visit iamsi.info.

To see photos and video clips from the I Am SI press conference click HERE.

Guardian Angels on duty at an anti-violence rally (July 28)
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — This ain’t the Summer of Love on Staten Island.

What do the mentally ill, Mexican bias crime victims and Muslims without a house of worship have in common? Plenty.

THINKING IN STEREOTYPES …

As NLN reported in March (“Counting The Least Among Us”) stereotyping and scapegoating are social problems plaguing Staten Island. On the receiving end this past year: the mentally ill, Mexican laborers and local Muslims.

IS HOUSING A HUMAN RIGHT?

In March, the issue raised in a legislative breakfast sponsored by the Staten Island Mental Health Council was community members looking to block housing for persons with mental illness.

Over the last two years residents of the St. George community organized to block the conversion of a former convent into a housing program for individuals recovering from serious mental illness. The reasons cited were primarily related to anxiety about personal safety — despite the fact that, statistically, the person afflicted with mental illness is far more likely to be a victim of violence than a perpetrator.

Critics of the plan made public statements (on silive.com and elsewhere) indicating that they perceive the mentally ill as stereotypes rather than as human beings. The mentally ill were referred to as “pedophiles,” “drug addicts” and “David Berkowitz.”

HATE SPEECH, HATE CRIMES

Walking hand in hand with stereotypic thinking is scapegoating.

Staten Island’s Mexican population is resented by some Islanders because of the perception that the Mexican worker is taking a job that might otherwise go to a long term resident. Others appear to be acting out of some sort of territorial impulse, despite the fact that Mexicans have lived in Port Richmond for well over a decade.

What is fueling the current spate of attacks? There are no easy answers. But there is plenty of talk — and some of it is quite ugly.

The Staten Island Advance’s discussion website (silive.com) is a showcase for intolerance. Because the staff, what’s left of it in this post-journalism period, does not moderate comments until after they are posted — and usually after someone complains — a number of offensive posts appear on the site on a daily basis.

This comment from “vincent” appeared in response to a piece by staffwriter John Annese that ran on August 8:

“Illegal signifies one thing……lawbreaker! No one has an issue with having immigrants come here and better themselves. The problem that everyone (not just white people) are having is the fact that they hide in car trunks, pile into cars like clowns in a circus just to get across the border and then scatter like roaches when the lights go on. Is THIS the type if immigrant we want here? NO! They bleed the econony, welfare, section 8, food stamps, emergency room visits, all on the taxpayers tab. That’s why the city and the government in general is finding new ways to rob it’s (sic) legal, law abiding citizens of it’s (sic) hard earned money.”

The site is full of this sort of thing. Reasonable people can only hope that the prolific posters — it seems to be a handful of people — do not represent Staten Island. But they do tarnish its image. Particularly when hate crimes are documented by Advance staffers — and are subsequently annotated with hateful comments.

Click HERE to see a video from the rally against bias crimes
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

THE HATE WAVE CONTINUES

Mexicans seen as stereotypes — by bigots wielding weapons — have been the victims of 11 bias crimes in the Island’s Port Richmond area since April. The beatings have been accompanied by anti-Mexican epithets.

The repeated attacks have not gone unnoticed by the press but the police were slow to react, prompting criticism.

The recent show of force by the NYPD and its Hate Crimes Task Force — the deployment of large numbers of patrol cars, “sky towers” (collapisible mobile guard towers) and extra personnel — was welcomed by concerned Islanders but was widely seen as arriving a bit late in the game.

On NY1′s Political Rundown, conservative commentator Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels — a number of whom have been visible in Port Richmond since the attacks began — noted on July 28 that “They had more cops out there yesterday in Port Richmond, Staten Island, than they have at the St. Patrick’s Day parade.”

Sliwa’s opposite number, El Diario columnist Gerson Borrero chimed in, noting that “The NYPD does bring out this show of force after all these people — 10 people, 10 men, 10 Mexicans — have been beaten. The Guardian Angels forced you to do this Ray Kelly? This is shameful.”

Worse yet — the police presence did not prevent another attack.

Stunning an already stunned community, a young African-American beat a Mexican worker who was returning home in the early hours of Saturday, July 31. This attack occurred in what police described as a “pocket” — an unobserved area in an otherwise complete dragnet.

MAKE THE ROAD BY WALKING

While the police are turning Port Richmond into a militarized zone, local activists are trying to increase the peace by doing community organizing and holding rallies.

Alejandro and Blanca Galindo
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

Hundreds of Staten Islanders rallied against hate crimes Wednesday, July 28, gathering at the site where Mexican restaurant worker Alejandro Galindo was attacked on July 24. Galindo, who suffered serious damage to his eye in the attack, attended the rally with his wife Blanca.

Blanca Galindo’s comments where translated by Make The Road co-director Ana Maria Archila. Ms. Galindo said that “Perhaps if President Obama decided to do the comprehensive immigration reform we wouldn’t be experiencing the experiences we’ve had here.”

After the rally over 300 people marched though the streets of Port Richmond and local residents came out onto their porches to watch the procession.

EMULATING OPPRESSORS V. TEACHING TOLERANCE

One troubling aspect of the bias attacks is that they are allegedly being perpetrated by African-Americans. A 15-year-old Liberian-American man was arrested on August 2 for the Saturday morning beating of the 17-year-old Mexican worker.

Ed Josey, president of the Staten Island NAACP, has been present at the anti-violence vigils and rallies. Josey, a long time leader on the Island, has spoken out forcefully on this issue, urging parents to speak to their kids, and to teach them about tolerance.

Another well known North Shore community organizer, City Council member Debi Rose — Staten Island’s first African-American elected official — has been active in attempting to restore peace to her district. Rose has been working with City Council speaker Christine Quinn — and has started a website to get community members involved in the effort to teach tolerance and to get the word out that Staten Islanders oppose bigotry. The site is called “I am Staten Island” and is located at: iamsi.info

ABSENT FRIENDS

Although Rose and Quinn have been in the front lines of this struggle they are the lone representatives of New York’s pool of elected officials.

On NY1′s Political Rundown, Gerson Borrero lamented the missing officials.

“Where are the City Council members? Where are the state legislators? Where are the Congress members?” Borrero asked.

MCMAHON STUMBLES

Aside from issuing a blanket condemnation, Congressman Mike McMahon has not been out front on this issue as of yet, perhaps due to his recent problems with a staffer.

On July 30, CBS reported that “In an effort to show that Republican challenger Mike Grimm has received most of his financial support from donors outside of New York’s 13th district, Democratic Rep. Mike McMahon’s re-election campaign gave the New York Observer a list of more than 80 Jewish donors to Grimm. The list was entitled ‘Grimm Jewish Money Q2.’”

After the news broke, McMahon fired the staffer, campaign spokesperson Jennifer Nelson, and said that “These comments were entirely inappropriate and there is no place for this kind of behavior. I was outraged by these unfortunate remarks which were unauthorized and are in no way indicative of my beliefs or of my campaign.”

Stunned Staten Islanders winced yet again when news of this latest example of bigotry was made public by the various news services.

CONNECTING THE DOTS: ISLAMOPHOBIA, INVESTIGATIONS — AND INTOLERANCE

“Islamophobia No!!”
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

Recently, community uproar over a plan to sell a former convent to a Muslim organization killed the deal.

The Muslim American Society was planning to build a mosque in Staten Island’s Midland Beach section and struck a deal with a local Catholic church to buy an unused parish convent. In May, when the deal was announced, Community members organized to oppose it, citing concerns ranging from parking to allegations that the Muslim American Society had times to an organization called the “U.S. Muslim Brotherhood” which in turn has alleged ties to a terrorist organization. All of these ties are speculative and no evidence backing them up exists in the public domain — rumors abound in right wing blogs but there is no tangible proof that an organization called the “U.S. Muslim Brotherhood” even exists, let alone has times to any other organization(s). And, aside from spurious claims, emerging from the right wing blogosphere, that MAS had ties to the, perhaps fictional, U.S. Muslim Brotherhood, there was never any reason to suspect the group had any intention other than to build a house of worship and a day care center.

Joe Zwilling, a spokesman for the Catholic Archdiocese of New York, told the Staten Island Advance in late May that, “I’ve not heard anything that says this is a terrorist organization.”

“So I would hate to even use a word like that when that word only serves to inflame people’s emotions,” Zwilling said.

But in mid-June, Congressman McMahon, rather than defending the civil rights of the Muslim American Society, asked the FBI to investigate the group. The Staten Island Advance’s Amy Padnani reported on July 23 that McMahon received notification from the Bureau that the MAS “appears harmless.”

But this comforting news came too late to save the deal.

In June, bowing to community pressure, Rev. Keith Fennessy, pastor of St. Margaret Mary R.C. Church, issued a statement announcing that he had withdrawn support for the proposed sale of the parish convent to the Muslim American Society. This statement was followed by a vote of the parish’s board of trustees, as required by state law. After the trustees affirmed Fennessy’s decision, the Archdiocese made an official announcement. For his part, Fennessy resigned as pastor.

In response, the MAS issued a statement saying that “This denial reinforced an unfortunate notion that the pressures of bigotry and Islamophobia triumphed over a good longstanding relationship between the Archdiocese and the Muslim community.”

STANDING AGAINST STEREOTYPING AND SCAPEGOATING

Protesters rallying in support of Staten Island Muslims (July 31)
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

Responding to these events, a group of progressive, non-Muslim, Staten Islanders — including members of MDS, Peace Action, the NAACP, the World Can’t Wait and Brooklyn For Peace — organized a rally in support of Staten Island Muslims. A small group of Muslim women joined the rally which was held outside the former convent on Saturday, July 31. The two dozen protesters were flanked by a half dozen police and surrounded by the mainstream press. It was impossible to walk the picket line without tripping over a reporter.

Why the big turnout of reporters?

The New York press is following the Ground Zero Mosque story and drew a connection to what happened on Staten Island. However, there are differences, despite the common threads of Islamophobia (and the related 9-11 experience reinterpreted as an ultra-right political ideology).

The Staten Island mosque plan was not actively opposed by local politicians, unlike the Ground Zero mosque. Several prominent Republicans, including Gubernatorial candidate Carl Paladino, are very vocal about opposing the Ground Zero mosque — as they desperately look for election year issues to use against frontrunner Andrew Cuomo. And yet, despite the hyperbole and hysteria, that particular mosque may yet come to pass.

Why?

Click HERE to see a video from the mosque rally
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

Reasonable persons observing the right wing hyperbole and wild accusations spawned by irresponsible internet personas and “conservative” bloggers, are bound to be unnerved. The McCarthyite strains sound eerily familiar to those who lived through the period — or studied it in school.

MURROW V. MCCARTHY

Perhaps an unlikely candidate to reprise the role of Edward R. Murrow is conservative commentator Curtis Sliwa.

Yet on the July 28 airing of NY1′s Political Rundown, Sliwa said, “I am for the [ Ground Zero ] mosque. I live next to the biggest mosque in North America, on Ninety-Sixth and Third. Don’t worry about it.”

And while Sliwa is urging tolerance and acceptance on NY1, his Guardian Angels are in the streets of Staten Island, looking to bring some peace back to the community of Port Richmond.

That peace is slow in coming, in part because the city — unlike Sliwa, Make The Road and Debi Rose — has been slow to respond to the problem.

WHERE’S BLOOMBERG?

Make The Road’s Ana Maria Archila at an anti-violence rally (July 28)
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

On August 2, Make The Road New York’s Executive Director, Ana Maria Archila, issued a statement urging Mayor Bloomberg to step up to the plate.

“It is alarming that Mayor Bloomberg has not taken stronger, decisive action or played a visible leadership role in responding to this epidemic of hate crimes. While the City has dramatically increased police presence in Port Richmond, where many of these attacks have occurred, this surge in police presence fails to address the root causes of this violence.

There are no quick fixes to the problem of hate crimes, but New York City, and Mayor Bloomberg, must do more to address the complex factors that lead to these incidents.

The Mayor should personally come to our community, commit his administration to combating hate-related violence and condemn these crimes whenever they occur,” Archila said.

In the short-term, Archila called for city-wide hearings and town hall meetings on the problem of hate crimes. She asked the mayor to initiate a public education campaign about hate crimes are and how to report them, and asked for the creation of a Port Richmond anti-violence task force.

WAITING FOR THE SUN

Bigotry is ugly. The recent attacks on Mexicans in Port Richmond, the denial of housing to the mentally ill in St. George and the Midland Beach protests against Muslims who want nothing more than a place of worship are all facets of a malignancy that starts with a lack of empathy and grows into the grotesque acts of hate Islanders have witnessed in recent days. It is not insignificant that each of these incidents has been accompanied by an outpouring of hate speech on silive.com. And Congressman McMahon, rather than stepping up to protect the civil rights of the least of us, rather than educating his constituents and promoting tolerance, panders to prejudice by calling for an investigation of those who seek a house of worship — an act that was followed by the revelation that his staff was compiling a list of “Jewish Money” donors to Republican Michael Grimm. Perhaps Mr. McMahon should ask the FBI to investigate his staff?

Mayor Bloomberg has declined to take a leadership role in the bias attacks on Staten Island. In a press conference held on Monday, August 2, Bloomberg punted the ball to Ray Kelly. And the NYPD is indeed now patrolling Port Richmond — but Kelly and his show of force arrived only after 10 attacks had taken place. And only after the Guardian Angels stepped in.

HOPE?

City Council member Debi Rose and Make The Road New York are leading the effort to re-establish peace in Port Richmond. Local Islanders from several groups, including the NAACP, are looking to promote tolerance of Muslims on Staten Island — while conservative commentator Curtis Sliwa is urging New Yorkers not to fret about the Ground Zero mosque. The Staten Island Mental Health Council is looking stop the defamation of the mentally ill. These efforts deserve our support and our praise as we wait for the sun to rise again.

“It’s always darkest just before the dawn.” — Pete Seeger

View Photos/Videos From The Bias Attacks Protest…

View Photos/Videos From The Staten Island Mosque Protest…

Staten Island’s North Shore Waterfront
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — July 24, 2010. Staten Island’s North Shore is home to a number of talented artists and photographers, many of whom sharpen their artistic skills at Snug Harbor Cultural Center. One such individual is photographer John Skelson. Skelson teaches photography and darkroom skills (photo developing and printmaking) at Snug Harbor’s Art Lab. In addition, he promotes the arts whenever and wherever possible. On July 24, Skelson led a group of photographers on a “photo walk.” Part of a worldwide event, the photo walk started at the Staten Island Ferry Terminal, in St. George, and ended at Snug Harbor. Participants came from all over the New York City metropolitan area.

Staten Island’s North Shore – long neglected by local politicians
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

An annual event, this year’s walk took place despite record heat and humidity. The photographers grabbed a supply of water, donned sunscreen and protective gear — and traversed Staten Island’s North Shore: passing the 9-11 Memorial, the waterfront, examples of urban blight and governmental neglect, and the historic Neville House, built in 1770. The event was open to all and photographers were urged to use whatever type of camera they wanted. Next Left Notes photographer Thomas Good, bearing a vintage Nikon F film camera and a Nikon L-18 digital point and shoot, battled the heat to get in a shot or two…click HERE to see the results.

Photographer John Skelson
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

NLN salutes John Skelson for his dedication to the art of photography.

The historic Neville House – built around 1770
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

View Photos/Videos From The Event…