Ed Hedemann outside Grand Central Station — before his arrest
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

NEW YORK — February 1, 2010. Ed Hedemann didn’t get the apology he felt the Police Department owed him, but he did walk out of court with a victory.

On October 7, 2009, War Resisters League organizer Ed Hedemann was arrested during a protest at Grand Central Station. The occasion was the eighth anniversary of the U.S. war in Afghanistan. Hedemann was grabbed after he unfurled a banner that said “Afghanistan.” Hedemann’s banner draped one side of the Vanderbilt Avenue balcony in the terminal — on the opposite side activist Carl Lindskoog unrolled a banner that said “Enough!”

Shortly after the banners were unfurled, police handcuffed Hedemann but allowed the second activist to leave. As MTA police carried Hedemann head first down a set of stairs into the police substation, activist Eric Laursen and several others followed. Police then arrested Laursen for “disorderly conduct.”

Hedemann was also charged with disorderly conduct — and resisting arrest.

Watch A Video Of The Arrests
(Video: Thomas Good / NLN)

Hedemann, a well known nonviolent activist and author, spoke to NLN after the arrest, indicating that he planned to fight the charges as he was not engaged in civil disobedience or doing anything illegal when he was arrested. Hedemann said that he was merely exercising his right to peacefully protest. Previously, MTA police had allowed activists to display banners — but on this occasion they apparently overreacted. Hedemann speculated that the reaction was due to a lack of proper training or inexperience in dealing with protesters. He also said that he felt the police owed him an apology for violating his civil rights.

A few days after the arrests, Laursen received a notice in the mail saying that the District Attorney had dismissed the charges against him.

Hedemann, however, had to appear in court three times before the State acknowledged they weren’t ready to go to trial — a defacto admission that Hedemann had done nothing other than engage in First Amendment protected activity — exercising his right to Free Speech. At his final court apearance, on February 1, Hedemann’s case was dismissed.

Looking back, Hedemann has no regrets.

“I dislike being in jail as much as the next person but I’d rather be locked up for doing what I thought was right than to be free with my mouth shut,” Hedemann said.

“Despite the risks of enduring the ‘hospitality’ of the city, I find it essential to challenge manipulative police directives against handing out leaflets, holding signs, and unfurling banners rather than cave into their ‘crowd control’ demands. It seems that our speech is free as long as no one can hear it,” he said.

Activists in Grand Central Station protesting the U.S. war in Afghanistan
(Photo: Bud Korotzer / NLN)

Mike McMahon hears from a constituent
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — January 23, 2010. A crowd of 75 demonstrators demanding “health care for all” drew Rep. Mike McMahon out of his office to discuss the issue but it was legendary photographer Jim Romano, himself a progressive Democrat, who got off the most memorable comment: “It’s good to see so many people here — and nobody had to be subpoenaed.”

Fran Powers holds up his “McMahon = Traitor!” sign
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

Flanked by cops from the NYPD’s Staten Island Task Force, a group of 75 demonstrators lined New Dorp Lane, across the street from Congressman Mike McMahon’s (D, NY-13) district office, on Saturday, January 23. Half an hour into the protest, McMahon emerged from his office and crossed the street to speak to with his constituents, many of whom were angry that the congressman had been slow to take a position on the health care reform issue — and voted against the House bill (HR 3962) in November.

One protester carried a sign that read, “McMahon = Traitor! Stop The Paranoia And Selfishness. Health Care For All.”

In the 2008 election that put McMahon in the Congress, a 47-year-old carpenter and punk rock musician was an also-ran. Francis M. “Fran” Powers, ran against Democrat McMahon — and his father too: Francis H. Powers, the GOP candidate. Francis senior died during the campaign but Fran carried on, attempting to secure the Libertarian Party endorsement. Ultimately Fran did not get the Libertarian nod and McMahon was nominated by the Richmond County Democratic Party in a convention that was marred by irregularities. McMahon went on to easily beat Republican Bob Straniere.

Fran Powers, who carried the handmade “McMahon = Traitor!” sign on Saturday, told NLN that:

It was great to see so many Staten Islanders at the protest today but I am a bit sorry we needed Manhattanites to fill out the crowd. What we need is people who are directly affected by lack of health care, and lack of politicians who give a toss, to show their passion about the process as much as these so-called “tea baggers”. Until the party leaders AND the general public know that the majority of people really do want health care for all nothing will happen. I am truly ashamed that civil workers, union members, congressmen and women, MTA workers and millions of others who have hit the insurance “jackpot” would say to everyone else “I got mine, it’s too bad you don’t have yours.” What happened to the compassion of the American people? All you have to do is go to any hospital emergency room in any city of America, in districts black and white, Hispanic, Asian, poor and wealthy, and all across the board, to see the outrageousness of the system we now have in place. I don’t know how these people can show their faces in their churches and synagogues, etc., and say they live a moral life with these actions.

Mr. McMahon responded to a protester about healthcare reform by saying “These things are hard.” Are you kidding me? We could have elected any idiot to say that. Is he telling me he has no clue and can’t even think of ONE thing to make this bill better instead of just voting no, no, no!!! What the heck has he been doing for the last year except for making sure his back is covered on the local political scene? I personally feel as I’ve been duped and I will do whatever I can to get him out including running for his office again.

***

Waiting for health care
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

McMahon is known for his reluctance to take a stand on controversial issues. His decision to vote against health care reform came only after he hosted two town hall meetings on the issue — and was announced just prior to the vote.

Some protesters, frustrated by the congressman’s hesitancy to take a leadership role in the process of initiating health care reform, had a chance to speak with him about it on Saturday.

One constituent asked McMahon, “And what about the moral issue?”

“There’s no question that we need to get health care for everybody, that is a moral issue. But if it’s a package that hurts the system more than helps it then that’s not a good idea either,” McMahon said.

The constituent carried on, determined to get a commitment.

75 protesters turned out – including some from Manhattan
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

“What about the fact that it can be tweaked, along the way? That you can pass a bill – because, if we lose this, how long is it going to take us, for another bill, how long?” she asked.

Apparently misunderstanding the question McMahon responded by saying that “It’s a bad bill, no question about it…I mean I can’t predict that but I’m not sure what this is right now, we’re waiting to see what the President says, and working with the leadership on both sides, trying to come up with a compromise.”

The constituent pressed McMahon on the issue, implying that he only cared about how the bill might affect the bottom line for large hospitals.

“So your entire issue is Richmond Hospital?” she asked.

“It’s what you call a dis-reimbursement payments, and the elimination of Medicare Advantage, that’s a problem too. Forty percent of seniors in this district have Medicare Advantage, do you want me to tell the seniors that they’ve lost their coverage? I’m not quite sure.”

“That’s not my understanding of the bill — my understanding…” the frustrated constituent said.

“Well, that’s the beauty of our country, that great minds can think differently,” McMahon replied as he walked away.

***

Responding to another constituent who asked about the arcane congressional process, McMahon said, “I don’t want to be a wonk but…”

The congressman went on to say that rules about cloture, reconciliation — and other arcane congressional procedures — might prevent him from being as effective as he would like to be.

Kathleen Kelly meets face to face with her representative
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

Kathleen Kelly, a MoveOn organizer who has met with McMahon several times to urge the congressman to support health care for all, told NLN that McMahon’s concern that seniors may lose their Medicare Advantage coverage is not a good reason to oppose reform.

“The Medicare Advantage policies, being run by insurance companies as a for-profit business, have higher premiums and provide less services than “straight” Medicare. That only only stands to reason because the broker fees, administration cost , marketing costs, and profit motive drive the cost up and the services down. Seniors will have better coverage, which will cost less money, under reform with government run Medicare,” Ms. Kelly said.

Regarding McMahon’s notion that “these things are hard” and arcane rules prevent him from promoting real reform, Kelly disagreed.

“Many discussions, and revisions of bills, have taken place prior to cloture — on several issues. Reconciliation is a majority vote. Rep. McMahon has participated in the conversations in Congress, more actively in the committees of which he is a part, and voted on the bills before the House. I don’t see how McMahon can argue that the processes used in Congress are a reason he is ineffective. As a mere constituent who has been involved in discussions about national issues, I feel that I have been effective,” Kelly said.

***

McMahon poses with his constituents
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

There was some comic relief during McMahon’s occasionally heated discussions with constituents. Renowned tabloid photographer Jim Romano, a progressive Democrat in his eighties who continues to shoot for a Brooklyn newspaper, showed up and immediately began demanding that McMahon and his constituents halt their discussion. Romano insisted that his subjects take the harsh winter lighting into account – and reposition themselves. The lighting was, after all, interfering with his shots. McMahon’s aid could not help laughing, and in the end, Romano prevailed and McMahon agreed to pose for a group shot with his constituents. Including Fran Powers who held up his “McMahon = Traitor!” sign.

Legendary tabloid photographer – and standup comedian – Jim Romano
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

After the group shot the crowd began to slowly drift away and McMahon returned to his office. Romano turned to this reporter and said, “It’s good to see so many people here — and nobody had to be subpoenaed! On a Saturday! Unbelievable! We have a lot of things to do here.”

View Photos/Videos From The Event…

Moses T. Jensen — and a few of his closest friends
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Moses T. Jensen would have us believe that he is a strict disciplinarian — but his students’ faces reveal that there is more to the story.

The IIC offers local kids access to the internet
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

Liberian-born Moses T. Jensen is the president of the Immigrants’ Information Center, a nonprofit organization that offers resources to West African and other refugees who are seeking to become U.S. citizens. I met Jensen recently, at a meeting of the editorial board of Citizens Magazine. After the meeting he invited me to visit his new learning center in the Clifton section of Staten Island. The IIC facility is located on the ground floor of the Park Hill projects, at 320 Vanderbilt Avenue. It is a combination after school program for neighborhood kids and an adult literacy program. Jensen said that the facility was started by and for Liberians but is open to all in need.

I visited the center on Friday and came away impressed — with the facilities, the students, and their taskmaster.

Mr. Jensen points proudly to a newspaper article about the center
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

Inside the bright yellow center is a computer room with a library in formation (donations accepted), tables for students looking to get some reading and writing done, a chalk board and what Jensen calls the “internet wall” — ten brand new computer workstations running Windows 7, a couple of laser printers and a scanner. Each computer workstation sits in its own cubicle, granting the user a degree of privacy and an opportunity to study. A young student told me that “We do our school work on the computers – math and English.”

The Immigrants’ Information Center boasts an “internet wall”
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

Outside the computer room is an area where younger kids can play, use coloring books, and occasionally, hug Mr. Jensen.

Learning is fun-damental at the IIC
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

Jensen told me that he believes discipline is essential to learning and the kids are taught to be serious about their studies. And there is no doubt he is determined to see that his charges succeed in school. But he couldn’t hold back a grin when the kids grabbed him for a group hug, their faces beaming.

View Photos/Videos From The Event…

(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — January 14, 2010. Reading his leather-bound prayer book by candlelight, Monsignor James Dorney offered an invocation on the steps of Staten Island’s Borough Hall. Dorney’s prayer kicked off Thursday’s boistrous rally for immigration reform. Attending the event were members of Staten Island’s diverse immigrant community — Albanians, Arabs, Latinos, Poles and West Africans — all demanding an immigration policy that keeps families intact.

(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

Javier Valdes, executive director of Make the Road New York, and Gonazalo Mercado, director of El Centro Del Inmigrante, shared master of ceremonies duties at the rally — part of a national campaign organized by the Reform Immigration For America Campaign.

Valdes and Mercado introduced an array of speakers, starting with Reverend Terry Troia, director of Project Hospitality, a local homeless shelter. Troia asked the crowd to observe a moment of silence for the people of Haiti.

Troia urged attendees to remember the victims of the recent catastrophic earthquake that devastated the impoverished island, including “All the children who lost their parents, and all the parents who lost their children, and the whole families that have disappeared from the Earth.”

Troia asked people to be generous in their donations to relief organizations, “Regardless of their position on immigration reform or immigrants.”

(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

The candlelight rally drew 200 people and a large number of organizations, including: The Arab American Association, African Refuge, The Albanian Cultural Center, Eye Openers Against Violence, The Ghanaian Civic Association, Our Lady Of Good Council Catholic Church, The Pakistan USA Freedom Forum (PUFF), Project Hospitality, The Staten Island Council of Churches, The Staten Island Clergy Leadership, The Staten Island Immigrants Council, The Staten Island Liberian Community Association, The Staten Island Muslim Alliance, and, The Staten Island Nigerian American Community Association.

Also present was Maria Morales, a small business owner from Port Richmond whose store was vandalized in a 2008 hate crime attack.

“Being immigrants on Staten Island, we contribute positively to this economy as well as support the community,” she said.

The desire to keep immigrant families together was the central theme of the rally.

Sam Owusu-Sekyere, secretary of the Ghanaian Civic Association, said “We want our families united.”

“We are the backbone of the economy on Staten Island,” he added.

Many of those present had already become U.S. citizens — and were engaged in the democratic process.

Olu A. Ajayi, of the Nigerian American Community Association said “When election time comes around we will remember people who are there for us.”

(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

Linda Sarsour, director of Brooklyn’s Arab American Association, had a message for one elected official in particular.

“My message is to Congressman Michael McMahon,” Sarsour said.

“If you don’t come out publicly in support of immigration you’re going to find yourself in a lot of trouble when it comes to re-election,” she said. Pointing out that the Arab American community has been in Brooklyn for three generations, Sarsour said, “We helped McMahon get into office and we can help McMahon get out of office.”

Imam Tahir Kukiai, of the Albanian Islamic Cultural Center, a mosque on Staten Island’s North Shore, regards the campaign for immigration reform as an initiative for basic human rights.

“We don’t want more than anybody else but we want to be treated like anybody else,” he said.

Commenting on the remarkable diversity embodied in the rally, Ronald Speight, President of Eye Openers, a youth group promoting non-violence, said, “It’s about time that we finally stood together, that we finally showed what Staten Island really looks like.”

(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

“This is Staten Island,” he said.

View Photos/Videos From The Event…

Debi Rose and John Liu
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — It’s official. Debi Rose is the first African American ever elected to represent Staten Island — for any office. The fact that the latest city council member from the North Shore is a woman and a progressive is icing on the cake for many who live in what they see as a neglected district.

Progressive Democrat Debi Rose was sworn in as a member of the New York City Council on Saturday. The ceremony was held in the historic Saint George Theater and brought out a number of New York’s best known political leaders. Sharing a podium with Rose was Governor David Paterson, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, Public Advocate Bill de Blasio, Comptroller John Liu, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, Assemblyman Matt Titone, State Senator Diane Savino and numerous other prominent Democrats. Conservative Party boss, and Staten Island Borough President, Jim Molinaro, State Senator Andy Lanza and several other Republicans were also in attendance.

Many of the prominent Democrats spoke in what was a long inauguration ceremony that somehow managed to keep a good pace. Much as Rose had been required to pace herself in her marathon run for office.

The road to City Hall for Debi Rose was long and tiring. But after three attempts and thirty years of community service, she made it, winning the November 2009 election in a convincing manner. Her staff and supporters, as grassroots as they come, couldn’t be more thrilled.

Senator Charles (Chuck) Schumer spoke at Rose’s inauguration
[ Click on the image to view video ]
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

“Third time is the charm,” Senator Charles Schumer (D, NY) said as the audience cheered.

Schumer, the first of many speakers, articulated what many felt when he told Rose, “You got here the old fashioned way — you earned it!”

Schumer commented on the difficulty of life in the North Shore — and how it relates to the well being of the United States.

“It’s also a great day for the residents of the forty-ninth district on the North Shore of Staten Island. This is a district where people work hard and have many barriers put in the way. This is a district where people struggle. This is a district that truly is the future of our city, our state and our country. If the people here can advance, America will do great,” he said.

Schumer said that Council District 49 “needs good service” and that Debi Rose is the person to provide it.

Congressman Mike McMahon (D, NY-13), a political foe of Rose in recent years, indicated a desire to move on and praised Rose for her dedication to the community.

“She’s shown time and again her strongest desire is simply to serve the people of the North Shore,” McMahon said.

McMahon predicted the city council would prove to be just the beginning of “an incredible career.”

Newly elected city comptroller John Liu was introduced as the first Asian American to hold citywide office in New York but he immediately focused attention on the woman of the hour, saying, “Today is for Debi Rose!”

Describing Rose as a “tough cookie,” Liu, who previously worked on the city council’s transportation committee, told the crowd that Rose would be a powerful advocate for Staten Islanders, many of whom commute to Manhattan.

“She’s never been shy about coming down to City Hall to give us a piece of her mind,” Liu said.

Public Advocate Bill de Blasio said, “I think the people of the forty-ninth chose a leader who was not interested in business as usual. Would you agree with me?”

The answer was unanimous.

Rose’s committment to reform and progress were central themes in her campaign. One brochure featured a photograph of a woman’s feet – in stockings and heels – beneath a bench otherwise populated by men in wingtips. The caption read “Not one of the boys.”

Christine Quinn speaking in – and about – the St. George Theater
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn commented on the beautifully restored Saint George Theater, noting that it was a local family that stepped up and “rebuilt an institution.”

“And that’s really what won this race for Debi — her extended family — which is all of you,” Quinn said.

New York’s Governor David Paterson told the audience that he feels a strong bond with Staten Island – he “found a wife here” and once played basketball at the Cromwell Center.

“They wouldn’t let me play in Harlem,” he quipped. “They would now,” he added.

Calling Staten Island a microcosm of New York City — in terms of diversity — Paterson said that he found it appropriate that Debi Rose would serve as the representative of the diverse and struggling North Shore.

Debi Rose is sworn in by David Paterson
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

In a touching moment, Paterson swore Rose in as her family looked on – her father “Sweet Lou”, her son Timothy and her loyal supporter and significant other, Manny Braxton.

Following the ceremony. Rose stepped up to the podium, saluted, and announced, “Debi Rose, reporting for duty.”

She was met with sustained applause.

View Photos/Videos From The Event…

Protest Against The Assault On Gaza
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

NEW YORK — 2009 was a busy year for NLN.

Reverend Billy At The Varick Street Prison
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

In 2009, NLN was blessed by the addition of husband and wife team Bud and Fran Korotzer, photographer and journalist, respectively. The number of events covered increased dramatically and we doubled our output of photographs.

Protest Against Wall Street Bailouts
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

In 2008 we ran 58 galleries of photos (down slightly from 2007, due to a marked increase in the number of videos we produced that year – our first full year at youtube). In 2009 we ran 138 galleries of photographs and produced over 300 videos.

Gay Pride March In NYC
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

We were also fortunate in our enemies in ‘09: NLN and its editor were attacked by both the Tea Party and the Republican Party.

Protest Against Obama’s Wars
(Photo: Bud Korotzer / NLN)

The Republicans are currently opposing just about every reasonable bill that comes along – opposing every attempt to improve the lives of ordinary people. They do this, claiming to be the party of fiscal responsibility. Fiscal responsibility. Eight years, two wars and a major recession later and the Republicans have discovered fiscal responsibility. The Tea Party needs no introduction. Going by their rhetoric, it’s often difficult to tell if they’ve been drinking tea — or smoking it.

One Of Many Health Care Reform Protests
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

So here we are in 2010. The Obama Administration is winding down the Iraq fiasco and moving into Afghanistan. As regards health care reform, the public option is on life support. Many on the Left say Obama is a disappointment. Some say he did exactly what he said he would. In any case, protests continue. And we will continue to cover them.

Protest Against The Coup In Honduras
(Photo: Bud Korotzer / NLN)

Wrapping up the eventful year of 2009 we are pleased to offer a portfolio of our best photographs: in slideshow format and in a gallery. We hope you like the photos as much as we do. Thank you so very much for supporting Next Left Notes and we’ll see you in the streets.

Thomas Good
(Photo: Bud Korotzer / NLN)

View The Best Of NLN Photography – 2009

[ NLN has lost a friend. Ken BeSaw and I worked together at the Daily World in the mid-80s. We shared a darkroom, a vertical camera and a Nikon F - covering stories for the DW and sharing the joys and frustrations of photojournalism. In the years that followed I frequently saw Ken at protests and labor rallies. We would talk shop, compare cameras and tell old anti-war stories from back in the day. It is hard to imagine doing a protest shoot without running into my old friend and comrade. What follows is Ken's obit from the Peoples World. I am very pleased that the photo editor opted to run one of my shots of Ken from our Daily World days.
-- Tom Good, New York City ]

Kenneth J. BeSaw, photojournalist and Communist
by PW Editorial Board
Reprinted from the Peoples World

Kenneth J. BeSaw, longtime photographer for People’s World, died at the end of November while recovering from back surgery. Further details were not available at press time.

BeSaw, 58, was born in Worthington, Ohio, near Columbus, and graduated in 1970 from Worthington High School. Early on he showed a passion and talent for shooting – cameras and guns.

He was a marksman on the shooting range, and a member of the National Rifle Association.

But it was his passion for photography and social justice that propelled him into the working-class movement for equality, democracy, peace and socialism.

“Forty years ago I was on welfare in Ohio, the result of physical disabilities,” BeSaw recently wrote on his Flickr profile, entitled “Working Class Photos.”

“The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation canceled my college grant after I switched my major to photography. They said that I would never be able to get a job as a photojournalist. For the past 30 years I have been the chief photographer for a national daily [and weekly]. Photographically I am into sports, people and architecture.”

BeSaw joined the Communist Party USA and moved to Cleveland. In 1979, he moved to New York City and began work as a photographer for the People’s World’s predecessor, the Daily World, where in the era before digital photography, he developed photographs for the newspaper in a darkroom.

BeSaw had epilepsy and underwent experimental surgery some 10 years ago to relieve the seizures he had been plagued by his whole life. It was successful in stopping the seizures but he endured years of recovery, which he battled through heroically.

He found joy in the CPUSA and this newspaper, the movement, people and photography. He also found love in the 1990s when he met Susan Shifrin, also a long-time People’s World staff member. They married in 1996. Shifrin-BeSaw died of cancer Jan. 5, 2001.

“Ken was the heart and soul of the World’s photography,” said editor Teresa Albano. “He had a unique eye, seeing how to capture the best about people, their hopes and dreams, in a picture. He also knew how to capture the dastardly conditions of capitalism, be it homelessness or hunger.”

BeSaw also worked to get others involved in photography, coordinating the “Photo of the Week” feature, and writing a photography handbook.

He also took fundraising for the People’s World very seriously. He was a staunch supporter of the rights of disabled people, and was a member of an epilepsy group. That’s where he first raised money with a “bowl-a-thon.” He applied the bowl-a-thon to the PW, saying you have to have fun while you raise money.

Other years he would collect “change” for “change.” BeSaw raised hundreds of dollars singlehandedly for his favorite newspaper.

“Ken was a profound humanist,” People’s World website editor Joe Sims said. “He taught me and all his colleagues a lot about bringing out the best of people, and portraying all aspects of the human condition in the newspaper. He would say, ‘We need more sports photos’ and then he would go out and take them. Or he would say, ‘People are interested in history and architecture. I have shots of the Brooklyn Bridge that would make a good feature.’”

While BeSaw had expressed some bittersweet feelings about ending the newsprint edition, he fully embraced going online and becoming a part of social networking, especially on Facebook and Flickr. Plus, he joined photo contests online and won an honorable mention from a Sigma “summer dreams” contest with his entry, “We Are America,” taken at an immigrant rights rally.

Ken is survived by his brother and sister, nephew and cousins. A memorial is being planned for January in New York City at Unity Center.

Photo: Ken BeSaw at a Daily World fundraiser in Arrow Park, N.Y., circa 1984. Thomas Good/www.nextleftnotes.net.

Heth Weinstein of Heth and Jed, performing at the Staten Island Ferry Terminal
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — One of the great things about New York City is the ubiquitous street music. In recent years a number of musicians have moved beneath the street — and have come to specialize in doing public performances on subway platforms. “Jambient” musical brothers Heth and Jed Weinstein, on guitar and bass, respectively, are members of this tradition. Their website indicates that they enjoy interacting with the public in this kind of setting — it’s exposure and they bring a smile to people who may not be entirely enthused about the MTA’s latest fare hike or service cut. On Sunday, December 13, the brothers set up shop in the Ferry Terminal in St. George, Staten Island. If you like the idea of brothers playing music, if you like the pop sensibilities — underscored by good singing and playing — of folk rockers America, if you like the spacy, prog rock feel of Syd Barrett, odds are you’ll like Heth and Jed. Their hooks are every bit as catchy as America’s best material — and their approach as fresh and quirky as early Pink Floyd. En route to cover a story I happened on to their performance and hastily powered up a small, handheld videocam. The unplanned shoot may not win any prizes for production values — I didn’t have a tripod handy — but the music makes it all okay. To see the video click HERE. You can also check out the band on Facebook.

View A Video Clip of Heth and Jed Live At The Ferry Terminal

Human Rights Commissioner Galen Kirkland
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — When asked what he thought of western civilization, Mohatma Gandhi famously quipped, “I think it would be a good idea.” New York State Human Rights Commissioner Galen Kirkland agrees.

On Wednesday, December 9, The Staten Island Advance sponsored the Sixth Annual Anti-Bias Summit. The summit was co-sponsored by a number of community groups, including the NAACP and the Staten Island Clergy Leadership. Project Hospitality organized the event, which took place at the Albanian Islamic Cultural Center, a mosque on Staten Island’s North Shore.

Imam Tahir Kukiai opened the proceedings, offering a prayer for blessings on those who had, “[..] Gathered to implement one of God’s teachings: justice, mercy and peace amongst his creatures.”

The NAACP’s Ed Josey, President of the Staten Island Branch, told the crowd, “We need to create a community that cares proactively — not just communities that respond when things go bad.”

After recognizing the representatives of local elected officials — Bill Tate from Rep. McMahon’s office, Tom Aiello from Governor Paterson’s office, Chris Bowers from Assemblyman Matt Titone’s office, Angelo Thornton from Council Member James Oddo’s office and Chris Johnson from Council Member-elect Debi Rose’s office — Josey introduced attorney Galen Kirkland, the keynote speaker.

Ed Josey of the NAACP
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

In May of 2008, Galen Kirkland was appointed by Governor David Paterson to the post of Commissioner of the Division of Human Rights. At the time, Kirkland was working as the Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Bureau at the New York State Office of the Attorney General. Prior to working at the OAG, Kirkland was the Executive Director of Advocates for Children of New York, overseeing educational advocacy programs in the New York City public school system. From 1989 to 1990 Mr. Kirkland was the Executive Director of the New York City Civil Rights Coalition, a coalition of civil rights, religious, and community organizations. In this capacity, Kirkland responded to bias-related violence and organized multiracial coalitions in various neighborhoods to prevent violence.

Kirkland is charismatic, articulate and possessed of unflinching resolve. Taking the podium, he immediately set the tone of his remarks by noting that the subtitle of the event — “from tolerance to trust” — should be changed to “from acceptance to trust.” Kirkland told the sympathetic crowd that, “Tolerance is still a very negative frame of mind, it’s a closed heart.”

Kirkland looks and sounds the part of the civil rights old-fighter. He grew up in Harlem, raised by a single mother. His mother, who will be 92 in February, instilled in him a passion to be a part of the fight for social justice. Coming of age in the Sixties, Kirkland heard Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. speak and came away inspired. Seeing civil rights activists beaten and sprayed with water cannons, Kirkland felt confused. Struggling to understand why southern whites hated African-Americans, young Kirkland read whatever he could get his hands on.

Galen Kirkland
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

“I read a book by a woman, a Polish woman, who had survived the Holocaust in Europe and her account of the absolute absence of compassion in the Nazis and their total cruelty was horrifying. But what it did was to help me as a child understand that the same mass insanity that was empowering Europe at the time was what was operative here in the United States and it helped me understand what was going on. Once I understood that I realized that I wanted to become a lawyer and fight for social justice,” Kirkland said.

In the 1986 Howard Beach incident, a mob of whites attacked four young black men. The mob chased a badly beaten Michael Griffith onto a highway where he was struck by a car and killed. Reflecting on the incident, Kirkland came to the conclusion that silence in the face of bigotry produced a “degradation of our humanity” — people of conscience must act. But how?

“The basic question that confronts us is how we overcome the most repressive, violent, bigoted instincts that some people have,” he said.

The answer to Kirkland’s question resides in a sense of community.

Noticing that many people are willing to stand up for decency and justice “as long as they have somebody to lock hands with,” Kirkland said that “Organizing to overcome the ignorance of people who don’t want to accept others who are different from them requires really hard organizing: person to person, in small groups, on a sustained basis, innovative thinking and dedication.”

But it requires something else that Kirkland said he was never taught in law school.

“There also has to be love in your heart,” he said.

“And here we are, in the Albanian Islamic Cultural Center, meeting while the United States is at war in Iraq and Afghanistan. At a time when many people feel as if they’re free to vent aggression and hatred towards Muslims because of the fact that radical jihadists have attempted to sieze the mantle of Islam. But the fact of the matter is, we are all under a responsibility to defend the rights of Muslims in this country, in this city, in this state,” Kirkland said.

“If we don’t defend our Muslim brothers and sisters we are all diminished because our human rights are interdependent,” he added.

Recalling the Buddhist concept of interbeing — and Martin Luther King, Jr’s “beloved community,” Kirkland appealed to the young people in the mosque to pick up the mantle of nonviolent activism in the name of peace and social justice.

As someone who practices what he preaches, Kirkland invited a former Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee field secretary to address the NY State Division of Human Rights. Shortly after he was appointed to his current post at the Division, Kirkland asked Bob Moses, who worked in Mississippi in 1964 — during the Freedom Summer voter registration drive — to visit New York. Moses, one of SNCC’s most influential organizers back in the day, told the Division’s staff that “The civil rights movement [ of the Sixties ] stopped short.” Moses argued that the movement failed to address the issue of education. Moses said that today, African-Americans receive a “sharecropper education” — and he called for a second civil rights movement. According to Kirkland, Moses electrified the Human Rights Division staffers. He was so impressive that the Division asked him back a second time. And he came.

A recipient of the War Resisters League Peace award in 1997, Bob — now “Robert P.” — Moses teaches trigonometry at Lanier High School in Jackson, Mississippi and is working to pass a constitutional amendment that states that “every child in this country is a child of this country and is entitled to a quality public school education.”

Inspired by Moses and other Sixties-era activists, Kirkland continues to work diligently for civil rights and social justice. And he urges others to do the same. Kirkland told the crowd at the mosque that to organize a community to respect human rights, “You reach out to the good people and you never stop reaching out. And you never stop meeting. And you never stop discussing. You keep fighting, day after day after day.”

Although he was heartened by the number of young people who attended the summit, Kirkland realizes that full enfranchisement of all who live in the U.S. is a long way off.

“Some people say we’re civilized. I say, we’ve made a lot of progress but we’re not there yet,” he said.

View Kirkland’s Speech In Its Entirety
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

View Photos/Videos From The Event…

MoveOn organizer Susan Master
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — December 8, 2009. Borough Hall, illuminated by holiday lights, served as a backdrop for a MoveOn “We Can’t Afford To Wait” health care vigil Tuesday evening. 30 Staten Islanders braved the cool temperatures to stand up for health care reform with a strong public option. The vigil, part of MoveOn’s “Health Care for America Now” (HCAN) initiative, was organized by Islander Susan Master and was intended to urge Congressman Mike McMahon (D, NY-13) to vote for comprehensive health care reform. McMahon is the only member of the New York state congressional delegation to oppose the health care reform package when it was voted on in the House of Representatives.

Vigilers outside Staten Island’s Borough Hall
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

Speaking at the event was Dr. Vishal Verma, local business owner Sheriann Cumberbath, CUNY adjunct professor Gina Ohene, Carolyn Clark, a health care consumer struggling to pay for medical care, and David Greenson of MoveOn.

Dr. Vishal Verma (left) speaks to the crowd
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

Dr. Verma asked the crowd how the United States could call itself a developed country when it has 40 million people without health care.

“I think this is the time Washington should act,” Verma said.

“Health care for America, now, now now!” he added.

Surrounded by vigilers holding signs that said, “Today: 2547 bankruptcies from costly health care,” Carolyn Clark told the crowd, “My health care is bankrupting my family. I have suffered from severe psoriatic arthritis for the past twenty years. I have watched my insurance coverage go from stellar to woefully inadequate. It does not cover any of my homecare costs — the care that allows me to bathe, dress, be active in the community and actually have a life in spite of disability — which run several hundred dollars a week.”

While Medicare Part D and her husband’s salary cover her current medical expenses her family is unable to put money aside for their children’s education.

“Why is my family being punished because I have a chronic illness?” she asked.

CUNY professor Gina Ohene (center) needs health care
(Photo: Thomas Good / NLN)

City University professor Gina Ohene has to provide her own health care – the CUNY system does not offer benefits to adjuncts. A pink slip away from having no coverage, Ohene wants to see comprehensive health care coverage extended to everyone in need.

“I realize that I’m not just speaking for myself, I’m speaking for thousands of other people not just in the CUNY system, all over, who don’t have health insurance,” she said.

View Photos/Videos From The Vigil…