Mental Health: A juxtaposition of Rochester police tactics
A video of an incident on West Main Street on October 27, 2015 showed five Rochester police officers violently subduing a mentally ill, homeless, Black man. The incident lasted two minutes, according to the Rochester Police Department in a Democrat & Chronicle article.
What people may not know, however, was that about a week before on October 21, 2015, a similar incident happened on Clarissa Street involving a young, white man with mental health issues. The individual exhibited aggressive and belligerent behavior toward other people on Clarissa Street. During this incident, he removed his own clothing and proceeded to move up and down the street. The incident lasted a little over an hour.
Due to negative societal stigma attached to mental illness, Rochester Indymedia has made every effort to hide the face of the individual. We wanted to show the difference in how the police responded to both situations, and also question why there was a marked difference in police tactics. What happened on W. Main St. was not acceptable--regardless of police procedure.
Watch the video below of the incidents on October 27, 2015 and October 21, 2015:
Some questions that were raised for us as we watched both incidents were:
- Was the difference in police response racially motivated?
- Was the difference in police response class motivated?
- Was the difference in the police response due to training differences?
- Was the difference because of the location?
- Was the RPD's mental health response team called to the scene on W. Main Street and if not, why not?
- Would the incident on W. Main Street have happened if all five of those officers had the same training as the officers on Clarissa Street?
- Will the officers who brutalized the man on W. Main Street be held to any account by the Rochester Police Department or the community at large?
These are questions that need to be answered by the City and the Rochester Police Department. The incidents also raise the need for a community discussion about the treatment of mentally ill people in our community.
I (Susan) personally witnessed the incident on Clarissa Street and was impressed with the how the police handled the situation. First of all, the RPD officers took the time to assess the situation by observing the man. When they did start interacting with the individual, they spoke to the man calmly, but did not immediately approach him. The officers attempted to persuade the man to get into the car of someone who knew him that had volunteered to take the individual home. It appeared that the police were trying to avoid arresting him. When the individual refused to get into the person's car, the police calmly got him into their cruiser and called an ambulance. No harsh language or raised voices were used by the police. The man was moved into the ambulance after he was placed on a gurney in soft restraints, without force, and moved from the police cruiser. In total the police were dealing with the individual at the scene for a little more than an hour. The police acted in a way that did not escalate the situation. In the end, the man's and the community's safety were protected where humane and nonviolent tactics won the day.
Although I (Susan) did not witness the incident on W. Main Street, I have read the articles, watched the news reports, and viewed the video. The Democrat & Chronicle reported that according to the RPD statement, officers responded to the Open Door Mission, at 210 W. Main Street, for a man refusing to leave the property. The caller from the shelter stated that the man said, "Police will have to kill him to make him leave."
This could mean that the RPD were aware that they were going to be dealing with an individual with mental health issues. According to a Time Warner Cable News piece, Rochester Police Locust Club President Mike Mazzeo said, “The call that the officers got was that, 'if police come, they’re going to have to kill me,' so additional officers went because they anticipated officers having problems, and even with that amount of numbers there, that suspect was able to take a pair of handcuffs off an officer and use it as a weapon and resist in that way." Mazzeo continued, “They got to a point where another officer used a taser that didn’t work. They went with the continuum of the use of force that follows based on their training. They had no choice in that matter."
After witnessing what happened on Clarissa Street, it seems like there are choices that can be made, contrary to what the police union president said to the media.
Supposedly, there is a team of RPD officers that is specially trained to deal with mentally ill and emotionally disturbed individuals. Were they called? If not, why? The incident on W. Main Street does not appear to be that much different from the Clarissa Street incident--except for the response.
How mentally ill people are approached and interacted with can be the difference between de-escalating or escalating a situation. Laurie Jean Premo, a mental health professional stated, "When dealing with a person having a psychiatric episode, I speak in a calm voice. I do not approach the person or touch them unless they are in imminent danger to themselves or others."
On Clarissa Street, the police used the approach described by Ms. Premo and de-escalated the situation. On W. Main Street, it appeared that the officers almost immediately went to their use of force matrix and escalated the situation by approaching and touching the man. According to the Democrat and Chronicle, "The entire incident lasted about two minutes police said." The results are self-explanatory.
There was a meeting at Rochester City Hall between city officials, the RPD and community leaders on November 2, 2015 where the incident on W. Main Street was discussed. Those in attendance included Mayor Lovely Warren, RPD Chief Michael Ciminelli, Deputy Chief Scott Peters, Captain Kevin Costello and Officer Daniel Carlson. The following account is based on notes taken at the meeting by members of the Rochester Coalition for Police Reform.
While Officer Carlson was relaying the details of the incident between the five RPD officers and the mentally ill man, he repeatedly referred to the man as "the bad guy". He did change his terminology after the Chief interjected with the term "the individual". Using the term "bad guy" to describe a man with mental illness is troubling and raises questions about how those struggling with mental health issues are viewed by the RPD. Is the police perception that mental illness is equated with "badness" and is this use of language indicative of a police culture problem that uses terminology like "bad guy" to dehumanize people struggling with mental health issues?
Community members asked some questions of city officials regarding the incident. For instance, why didn't the RPD stop traffic instead of trying to physically remove the man from the intersection? The chief responded that a fight had started right away, which meant that the officers moved on the individual pretty quickly after arriving on scene. This is clearly different from how officers handled the incident on Clarissa Street: officers observed the individual that was naked in the street, they approached him calmly, they did not make physical contact with him, and they spoke calmly and compassionately. Again, why the difference in tactics?
The officials at the meeting acknowledged that the incident on W. Main Street was a mental health situation. The chief stated that the RPD has an Emotionally Disturbed Person Response Team (EDPRT), but none of the responding officers were trained. Why, when it was apparent from the 9-1-1 call that the situation involved a person with mental health issues, was the EDPRT not dispatched? Why aren't all officers trained in EDPRT tactics? Clearly, it is time to train all RPD officers in how to respond to individuals showing signs of emotional distress or mental health symptoms.
The juxtaposition of these two incidents is paramount to understanding how deficient the police response is most of the time. Out of nearly 730 officers, the chief said, at another meeting with police that happened on November 6, 2015, about 75 officers are trained in EDPRT tactics. An individual having a mental health episode is not a "bad" person or a "criminal"; they are in-need of direct support and must be treated as such. EDPRT training needs to given to ALL officers in order to effectively and safely intercede in situations like the one on W. Main Street. The five officers who mercilessly beat the man on W. Main Street need to be held accountable--regardless of police procedure. When interceding with an individual who is experiencing a mental health episode, it takes patience, calm, and proper training to de-escalate the situation resulting in a dignified and humane conclusion. The outcomes speak for themselves.
Related: Coalition praises council on body cameras; demands a voice in policy decisions | Family identifies man Tased by police | Rally Denounces RPD Murder of Israel "Izzy" Andino! | RPD, Health Care System and Community Negligent in Mental Health Issues | Edison Tech student athlete files civil rights lawsuit against police | Rally at the Rochester Police Department (Patricia Thompson) | THINK TWICE BEFORE CALLING ROCHESTER POLICE! (LaShedica Mason) | Vulnerable Populations/Critical Populations: The criminalization of poverty, homelessness, and dissent | "The Throwaways": discussion after the screening
Rev. Hagler's U of R speech and an interview with student organizer Hijazi
After Rev. Graylan Hagler was dis-invited from speaking at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School and before he spoke at the Historic German House, Shurouq Hijazi and other student organizers with the Student Association for the Development of Arab Cultural Awareness (SADACA) scrambled to secure the Palestinian rights speaking engagement at the University of Rochester. In the interview she discusses the process for bringing him, the community conflict with his dis-invitation from the Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School, academic freedom, and why his message was important for students and community members to hear. The interview was conducted on September 28, 2015. Hijazi sets some of the context for the reverend's controversial visit to Rochester.
Rev. Hagler stopped at the University of Rochester to give a talk before speaking to a crowd at the German House on September 24, 2015. Once the U of R administration discussed security and the school's code against hate speech with Hijazi and the president of SADACA Abdulwahab Alhaji, the talk was secured and Rev. Hagler not only had the support of student organizations but also the U of R administration. The title of the talk was "Connecting the dots: From Ferguson to Palestine." It was a 40 minute talk and dealt specifically with pointing out the connections between apartheid in Israel and the Occupied Territories and the same kinds of humiliation and degradation that Black people and people of color experience in the U.S. on a daily basis by the police. This is part one which includes a brief introduction from Alhaji and Rev. Hagler's argument for connecting the dots.
Below is part two in which Rev. Hagler does a Q & A with the audience.
Related: Rochester Rally for Palestine | Rochester stands in solidarity with Palestine | From Ferguson to Palestine to Rochester: the truth perseveres! Rev. Hagler speaks! | New venue found for Palestinian rights speaker after divinity school rescinds invite | In Rochester: Rev. Graylan Hagler disinvited to speak on Palestine, sent death threats
Rochester Rally for Palestine
Heavy rain did not deter some 50 demonstrators from rallying on October 16 in support of the people of Palestine. Palestine is a nation in the Middle East that is increasingly losing its territory to Israeli settlements. The settlements are in violation of several peace treaties and international laws. The Palestenian people are Arab, mostly Muslim, however nearly a quarter of them are Christians. They are considered second-class citizens by the Israeli government which enforces an apartheid-like regime.
The demonstration was called in solidarity with others around the country including one planned in New York City the following Sunday. It was not in response to a single incident but to ongoing killings in the occupied territory. An unofficial report mentioned 35 killed by the IDF (Israeli army) in one day. Often the IDF does not even return the bodies of the dead, instead burying them in secret. Many of those killed are children.
Amongst those present was Eli Mizrahi, an Israeli citizen. In his words: "This is not the Jewish religion...Judiasm is peaceful." "This is more like the Nazis." "They just shoot kids." Israeli is not respecting the Oslo accords. The accords call for Palestinian sovereignty and equality.
Groups sponsoring the event included the International Action Center, Palestenians Witnessing for Peace, Jewish Voice for Peace, the International Socialist Organization, Christian Eyewitness for Peace and the Islamic Center of Rochester. The group had initially planned to rally in front of the Federal Building where the offices of Senators Schumer and Gillibrand are located, as well as Congress member Louise Slaughter. The rain forced them to take refuge under the entrance of the Genesee Crossroads building two blocks down the street. However it did not dampen the spirit of the event.
Undrone Upstate Walk coming to Rochester
The use of drones has become a major part of the U.S. military and CIA strategy overseas. Two bases that are being used in the drone warfare are in upstate N.Y. Harry Murray, a long time pro peace, anti drone activist speaks about the Undrone Upstate walk that is taking place in Oct. 2015. A group of pro-peace, anti-drone activists are walking from Hancock Air National Guard base near Syracuse, NY to the Air Guard drone control center at Niagara Falls, a 165-mile walk. The walk, Undrone Upstate, is a political demonstration and to educate the public on drone operations in the Western New York region.
For more information:
http://warisacrime.org/content/undrone-upstate
http://upstatedroneaction.org/
http://www.knowdrones.com/2015/08/upstate-ny-drone-walk-oct-7.html
Poverty: The Sin of Omission by Corporate News
It is no secret that I question the sincerity of the Unite Rochester initiative of the D&C. They fail time after time to put their money where their mouth is. And, since they are a corporate, profit-making entity, this should come as no surprise. I want to share a letter I sent some time ago when the latest ACT Rochester stats came out for Rochester. The D&C did not publish it. No surprise there either. Anyway, here it is for your consideration.
Unpublished letter to D&C:
The City of Rochester in the latest report is fourth in poverty in the nation. For children in poverty we rank first. It's academic standing is last in the state.
So one would expect a look at the headlines in our local paper would be screaming out these terrible facts and crying for solutions. A look at today's online paper is a real trip down denial.
Roller coaster Jack Rabbit honored for its history. Whatever Happened To...Heaven nightclub? QB competition in full gear as Bills lose... Jarron Jones reportedly hurt during Notre Dame... Penfield-Brighton 14625 ZIP code hot. Hype builds for Twilight Criterium's return. How to survive your freshman year in college. Yes there were a couple of crime headlines about marijuana laws and a stalking Greece policeman. Where is the outrage? Where is the emergency warning? Where is the headline stating that for too many in our community, life is not going on day to day as the normal the rest of us know?
Does the D&C know that poverty is about real people? It is about our neighbors. Neighors who are desperately living without jobs. Desperately living in slum dwellings owned by absentee landlords with heating and plumbing problems including sewage in their basements and rats upstairs. Desperately trying to keep their little kids safe in neighborhoods where their evening lullabies are gunshots. Desperately trying to stretch their food budget to cover more days than it reasonably can until they can revisit the food cupboard, get their below-living-wage paycheck, or reach the first of the month and receive their assistance money. Desperate to figure out who is going to watch their sick child who can't go to school, probably for several days, so they can go to work or get fired from, again, their job that doesn't even pay a living wage. Or maybe it's two or three jobs. And how is the sick kid going to get to the doctor?
We have a real crisis here folks. With the rapid spread of poverty, these statistics can only grow worse. So don't look at your neighbor and think. “There but for the grace of God, go I.” There is no grace involved. It is greed, plain and simple. And it's coming for you and I next. Wake up! Get up! Get going!
People's Climate March in Solidarity with Pope Francis
Marchers met at Rochester's Liberty Pole on September 24 2015 in an event to call attention to Climate Change. The march coincides with Pope Francis' visit to the United States. In June the Pope published an Encyclical (official proclamation) in which he said “Climate change is a global problem with grave implications: environmental, social, economic, political and for the distribution of goods. It represents one of the principal challenges facing humanity in our day.”
Five points were addressed on the matter.
1. Climate change is real, and it’s getting worse.
2. Human beings are a major contributor to climate change.
3. Climate change disproportionately affects the poor.
4. We can and must make things better.
5. Individuals can help, but politicians must lead the charge.
Political candidates from the Democratic and Green parties were in attendance but no current office holders. Community organizations and major religions were also represented. There were speakers at both ends of the march and they are presented in their entirety in the videos.
From Ferguson to Palestine to Rochester: the truth perseveres! Rev. Hagler speaks!
Amid death threats, a change in venue, and pro-Israeli groups applying pressure to stop Rev. Graylan Hagler from speaking on the connections between the Palestinian struggle for justice and the Black Lives Matter movement, Christians Witnessing for Palestine and the Rochester chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace were able to secure a different speaking venue after his invitation to speak at Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School had been rescinded. His tallk, "Connecting the dots: Ferguson to Palestine," was given on September 24, 2015, at The Historic German House in Rochester, NY.
Rev. Hagler spoke earlier in the day at the University of Rochester. Rochester Indymedia filmed that talk and did an interview with one of the student organizers. Both will be featured on Rochester.Indymedia.org later this week.
At The Historic German House, Rev. Hagler spoke to a rapt audience of 150+ people who listened to him drop truth and justice as he made the connection between the oppression of the Palestinians by the Israeli state and the oppression of black and brown people in Amerikkka by the police.
Part I -- introduction and Rev. Hagler's talk
Part II -- Q & A session
The evening started with a prayer by Rev. Richard Myers. Elaine Johnson from Christians Witnessing for Palestine was introduced, who in turn introduced two speakers before inviting Rev. Hagler to the podium.
Ms. Johnson invited Joshua Dubler, an assistant professor of religion at the University of Rochester, to speak on behalf of the Rochester Chapter of the Jewish Voice for Peace--a co-sponsor for evening event. Before he took the podium, Ms. Johnson called Jewish Voice for Peace "phenomenal" in all of its efforts to make sure Rev. Hagler would be able to speak in Rochester.
“These great enterprises—the United States and Israel—are not inherently virtuous, but nor are they inherently vicious. They are rather, what hence forth, we collectively think of them. No more and no less. This is our power and this is our duty. Can such a principle of collective responsibility truly be controversial to assert? If so, then I'm afraid that controversy is the only option available," said Mr. Dubler.
He continued, "Polemic is always easier than practical prescription. But polemic, and the call for abolition, is where we must collectively begin. To stand up and say 'No!' Not for the security of our homes and for the security of our children and certainly not for the cynical ambitions of powerful men who will not condemn the destruction of someone else's home or the murder of someone else's child. Not by missile, not by bulldozer, not by handgun, and not by nightstick. No to war, no to occupation, no to predatory policing, and no to mass incarceration.”
After Mr. Dubler, Tonya Noel was introduced by Ms. Johnson. Ms. Noel is a member of B.L.A.C.K.--Building Leadership And Community Knowledge--and went down with other members of B.L.A.C.K. to Ferguson last October for "FergusonOctober." Ms. Noel talked about her own journey of connecting the dots between the oppression in the U.S. and the oppression in Palestine.
She said, “My idea of going out to Ferguson [in October 2014] was that this is extremely patriotic. I'm going to take my American-made Jeep and drive across the country and protest because that's the American thing to do. But when you get there and you realize that the system that you've been saluting your whole life—that you think is sworn to protect you—is actually upholding a global system of oppression of white-supremacy is a big pill to swallow." She continued, "What we've learned from that is the resilience of people in Ferguson is the same as the resilience of the people of Rochester is the same as the resilience of the people in Palestine—that they will continue to work and fight to get free.”
"The whole damn system is GUILTY!" a community reportback from Ferguson
After Ms. Noel concluded, Ms. Johnson invited Rev. Hagler to the podium who received a standing ovation.
Rev. Hagler made it very apparent at the start of his speech, after thanking many people and organizations, that he was "not here to destroy anybody. I'm standing here to lift up the dignity and rights of all people in the world."
In talking about some of the connections between Palestine and Ferguson, he noted, as had Ms. Noel briefly, that large police stations around the country have sent their officers to Israel--not to learn compassion and respect, but to be better at counter-insurgency--to become a better occupying army.
He said, "Ask yourself a question if you really want to understand what's going on with Black Lives Matter. How can a domestic police department be trained by those who are trained to occupy a community? You end up as occupiers. That's your mentality. If that's the curriculum you're going in to study, then you're not there to form partnerships with people, you're there to occupy the community!"
In Rochester, NY, not so far away, according to the records access officer for the City of Rochester who handles FOIL requests, 93% of Rochester Police Department officers live outside the city limits while only 6% live within the city limits. It's practically the entire force--and depending on who you are and where you live--it's an occupying army.
Rev. Hagler continued by talking about some of the military equipment that gets shunted to local police departments. "The tear gas used in Gaza came from the same company in Pennsylvania that manufactured the tear gas that was used in Ferguson," he said. "Think about that relationship."
Later on, he seemed to admonish people who told him not to come to Rochester.
"When folks tell me that I should not come to Rochester to speak about this, I'm gonna come anyway," he said. "When you say that, you should know that I'm gonna come. Don't tell me that I can't come some place—oh the hell with that—I'm coming, I'm speaking, I'm doing what God has called me to do."
Before ending his speech by acknoweldging the importance of the affirmation "Black Lives Matter" and linking it with the Palestinians, he let people know that, "We—all of us—need to start speaking out about the injustice. We need to start speaking out about the Palestinians. We need to start speaking out about the injustices that go on in our own communities. We need to start speaking out before we become sensitized to the things going on that hamper and hinder human life."
It was a powerful delivery and a wonderful speech.
Witness Palestine Film Series
The Witness Palestine Film Series is in high gear! See the films coming up at the beginning of October as well as the cultural event scheduled for Friday, October 9, 2015, below.
- Where Should the Birds Fly, Sunday, October 4, 2015, 2:00 p.m. @ the Little Theatre
- Al Helm, Monday, October 5, 2015, 6:45 p.m. @ the Little Theatre
- The Road to Silverstone, Wednesday, October 7, 2015, 7:00 p.m. @ St. John Fisher College
- Celebrate Palestine, Friday, October 9, 2015, 5:30 p.m. @ Asbury First United Methodist Church
Watch the Film Series trailer
Related: Threats against speaker are “not the Rochester way” | We believe one voice cannot speak for all Jewish people | New venue found for Palestinian rights speaker after divinity school rescinds invite
Photos by Linc Spaulding: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7
Photos by Mara Ahmed: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4
Photos by Al Brundage: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15
Photos by T. Forsyth 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
Rochester Indymedia is also selling DVD copies of the talk (both the introduction, talk, and Q & A on 2 discs) for a suggested donation of $10. All proceeds go to Rochester Indymedia. For more information, please contact Ted at Knight0440@yahoo.com.
Carroll & Norman talk about the upcoming Summit on Race!
Breaking Down Racial Barriers: A Community Pulling Together
This 3rd Annual Summit on Race--"Breaking Down Racial Barriers: A Community Pulling Together" hosted by Facing Race, Embracing Equity will take place on Saturday, September 26, 2015, 11 AM to 4 PM, at Wilson Foundation Academy (200 Genesee Street).
Rochester Indymedia has been highlighting some of the folks involved in this effort before the summit as a way to help spread the word. T. Forsyth interviewed two people on September 16, 2015 who were vital to the summit coming together:
Jean Carroll of the YWCA
& James Norman of Action for a Better Community.
This year’s Summit is their biggest yet and features 12 concurrent breakout sessions presented by various community members and organizations across Rochester. See those breakout sessions below.
For more information, see: http://faceraceroc.org/summit2015/
Please register here: https://www.regonline.com/builder/site/?eventid=1753479
**Please note that when registering, you can only select ONE breakout session**
Breakout Sessions
This year’s breakout sessions are as follows:
| Witnessing Whiteness: The Need to Talk About Race and How to Do It
America is often referred to as a melting pot where people from various cultures, ethnicities, and races blend together to create a new American identity. What is that identity? What does it mean to be a white American? What does it mean to be a white person working to eliminate racism? To be a witness? Facilitator: Jean Carroll, YWCA |
| Re-addressing Power Imbalances through Cultural Humility
Cultural humility provides a framework for understanding the significance of the funds of knowledge that exist within each person’s cultural background and identity. By deepening our cultural humility, we are able to recognize and re-address power imbalances that exist within our immediate social and organizational structures. Join us for an interactive exploration of cultural humility and its potential impact for understanding the self, interpersonal relationships, and bolstering organizations and movements working for justice. Facilitators: Kristin Hocker, Kit Miller, Malik Thompson, M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence |
| Achieving the American Dream: How Can We Create a Practical Program of Land and Housing for All in Rochester?
Without equal access to land and housing (the “land” in the land of opportunity), the American Dream has proven elusive to many, especially communities of color. Historically, which groups have had more access to land and affordable housing and how does this affect our current problems with housing insecurity, displacement, and homelessness? What processes and solutions can we bring to extend housing opportunities that correct historic and present injustices? Facilitator: Ryan Acuff, Take Back the Land Rochester |
| A Conversation on Race and Poverty
Community conversations on race give us a larger lens to explore racial disparity, both personal and systemic. This conversation, developed by the Friends and Foundation of the Rochester Public Library and partner organizations, explores the ways race and poverty are interconnected. Using interactive, experiential guided discussion, participants can become more aware, knowledgeable and confident in engaging others through deeper, more meaningful dialogue. Facilitators: Steve Jarose, James Thompson, Judy Toyer Collaborating organizations: ACT Rochester, Asbury First Methodist Church, Center for Dispute Settlement, Metro Justice, M.K. Gandhi Institute for Nonviolence, National Coalition Building Institute |
| School to Prison Pipeline·
Participants will explore the structural racism built into the educational system and get an in-depth look at how the school climate is criminalizing young people in the Rochester City School District as well as nationwide and what can be done to end it.· Facilitators: Velverly Caldwell, Ana Casserly, Pat Mannix, Eamonn Scanlon, Sallie Williams |
| The Unite Rochester Challenge
The Unite Rochester Challenge is an open contest designed to spark creative community solutions to racism and socioeconomic inequality in our region. This is an exciting way for nonprofits, along with individuals, educational institutions, businesses and other organizations, to take action. The winning submission will receive financial support and mentorship to put the proposed project into motion. Facilitators: Julie Philipp, Sheila Rayam, Unite Rochester, Democrat and Chronicle |
| Police and Community Relations: How to Build Trust
Participate in a dialogue with members of local law enforcement and community organizations to explore issues, current activities, and important improvements in Police and Community Relations/Trust. Facilitators: Kerry Coleman, Coalition for Police Reform; KaeLyn Rich, Genesee Valley/ NYS Civil Liberties Union; Wayne Harris, Rochester Police Department; Mike Mazzeo, Rochester Police Department; Ray Mayoliz, City of Rochester |
| Judicial and Community Relations
Through dialogue about the existence of racial barriers and the lack of available resources in the judicial system, we will discuss ways to build community awareness, understanding, and trusting relationships between young adults and members of the local judiciary. Facilitators: Judge Castro, City Court and Acting County Court; Judge Dixon, City Court; Judge Elliott, Drug and Mental Health Courts; Judge Nessler, Family Court; Young adults |
| Raise the Age: A Comprehensive Reform
The Raise the Age initiative has near-term potential to become the most significant reform of New York’s criminal justice system in decades. It is designed as a positive disruption of the school to prison pipeline which has a disproportionate impact on peoples of color. After a short overview on the status of “Raise the Age”, attendees will engage in discussions and intimate workshop exercises alongside initiative architects, proponents and stakeholders. Facilitators: Elizabeth Powers, The Children’s Defense Fund; Elaine Spaull, Governor’s Commission on Youth, Public Safety and Justice; Rosemary Rivera, Citizen Action of New York; Field workers from the Center for Youth |
| Race and Justice Partnerships
Participants from multiple groups focused on race and justice issues and needs will dialogue with attendees about the importance of community-wide partnerships and what is required to make progress. Facilitators: Mike Bleeg, Juvenile and Criminal Justice Workgroup; Cynthia Herriott Sullivan, Unite Rochester; Rev. Lewis Stewart, Coalition for Police Reform, United Christian Leadership Ministries; Rev. William Wilkinson, Greater Rochester Community of Churches, Roc ACTS |
| Developing Authentic Alternatives: From the Streets to Jobs
Hundreds of young adults of color, failed by the education system, populate urban streets and corners. How do we help these individuals move from the streets into jobs? Who is on the streets, and why? How can we compete with the income in the drug trade? What are the obstacles to legal employment? Join us to wrestle with ways that local social institutions – education, employment training, businesses, and social services – can get outside the racial and socioeconomic box and engage talented people our community has written off. Facilitators: Tim Weider, Neighborhood Consortium and Jobs and Economic Development Workgroup; unemployed neighborhood residents; representatives from education, employment training, businesses, and social services |
| The Historic and Ongoing Impact of Racism on Public Education
This session will include an interactive, historical overview regarding the existence and impact of individual and institutionalized racism in public education, an interactive discussion on ways racism continues to impact public education, and brainstorming of potential short- and long-range solutions. Facilitator: Howard Eagle, Race and Education Action and Change Workgroup |
Related: Sweetland, Thompson, and Bleeg talk about the upcoming Summit on Race! | 52 years ago today a Black church was bombed and four little girls were killed | Dentzel Carousel protest at the Monroe County Building | Civilian Review Board built to fail Benny Warr and other complainants | Rochester’s Sport Caste-rs | Edison Tech student athlete files civil rights lawsuit against police | Yusef Bunchy Shakur: Restoring the Neighbor Back to the 'Hood | An Open Letter From Black revolutionary Assata Shakur | Black Rose Anarchist Federation Statement and Video on #BlackLivesMatter Movement | URMC medical students participate in national action: #WhiteCoats4BlackLives | A walkthrough of Vonderrit Myers' killing | "The Whole Damn System is Guilty!" From Rochester to Ferguson -- a community report back | No Justice, No Peace--a response to the non-indictment of Darren Wilson | Black Lives Matter March & Rally @ UR: a response to the Ferguson grand jury decision | Ferguson Response Press Conference hosted by UCLM & CPR | Spontaneous protest in response to Wilson non-indictment
Corporate Welfare: Why Rochester Can't Have Nice Things
Ever thought of something that would make Rochester better or that we once had. Did you think it odd that we had to cut library hours? Well the reason we can not afford these things is that Rochester's Democratic leaders have given out millions in corporate welfare. Here is a little video about this but the buildings it shows are just the tip of the iceberg.
New venue found for Palestinian rights speaker after divinity school rescinds invite
Rev. Graylan Hagler is coming to Rochester and he is speaking at two venues!
On Monday, September 21, I started getting emails that Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School had rescinded an invitation to have Rev. Hagler give a talk pertaining to the Black Lives Matter movement and the oppression of the Palestinians. The talk, "Connecting the dots: Ferguson to Palestine" was to be a kick-off event for Witness Palestine Rochester's film series at the Little Theatre. I started working with the group this past winter and helped produce a trailer for the film series.
In explaining the divinity school's position, Colgate Rochester President Marvin McMickle issued a statement to students at the divinity school on Tuesday, saying that many of them were aware of the lecture by Hagler sponsored by Witnessing for Palestine.
But, McMickle went on to say,"after certain concerning facts came to light and after consultation with other members" of the divinity school's administration, he notified Witnessing for Palestine that "we are no longer prepared to allow this lecture to take place" on campus.
Death threats made to Hagler also became an issue.
"When we heard about the threats, we stated the need for additional security and we would not provide it," said Thomas McDade Clay, vice president for institutional advancement at Colgate Rochester. And he said the decision to cancel was made on Friday, after it appeared that Witnessing for Palestine would not provide funds for security.
McMickle's statement notes that the divinity school "has been supportive of Palestinian people and publicly critical of the ways by which the State of Israel suppresses the legitimate rights of Palestine,"
But in the case of other speakers, the divinity school either knew the invited speakers or was familiar with their messages,
"Sadly, in this case neither we nor Christians Witnessing for Palestine did an adequate job of vetting and reviewing the particular speaker's message and recent history," said McMickle's statement.
He also said the fact that Hagler's lecture "coincides with Yom Kippur further convinced us of the appropriateness of our decision."
Yom Kippur, which is the Jewish Day of Atonement, begins at sundown on Tuesday and ends at nightfall Wednesday.
Hagler told Mondoweiss that pro-Israel groups pressured the divinity school to cancel his speaking engagement.
This past week, Rev. Hagler also says he received numerous death threats via phone and email. In some of the phone calls, Hagler said those threatening him identified themselves as members of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), a hard-line right-wing Evangelical Christian Zionist organization. Hagler said they warned him “We are going to kill you in the name of Christ if you come to Rochester” and “I hope you come here so I can spit in your face.”
“I want to thank all of those who have worked to secure a venue, have notified allies, and sent words of encouragement and blessings,” he said.Rev. Hagler spoke highly of Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) in particular. They have “been tremendous allies as JVP nationally and locally in Rochester put an eye to the matter and effectively put feet on the ground to make a difference,” the reverend explained.“There are so many emails, and calls of support that I have received and I am thankful for each one,” Hagler added. “It is clear that with all of the people working together bigotry and hatred will continue to be diminished, truth will continue to be increased and the evils of racism here at home and in places like Israel will be challenged until the evils of racism and hatred are no more.”Hagler maintained “we have not been intimidated, but are determined to bring truth to light.”
The Witness Palestine Film Series begins shortly after Rev. Hagler's speaking engagement. See the films coming up at the end of September and the beginning of October as well as the cultural event scheduled for Friday, October 9, 2015, below.
- The Wanted 18, Sunday, September 27, 2015, 2:00 p.m. @ the Little Theatre
- Roadmap to Apartheid, Monday, September 28, 2015, 6:45 p.m. @ the Little Theatre
- Where Should the Birds Fly, Sunday, October 4, 2015, 2:00 p.m. @ the Little Theatre
- Al Helm, Monday, October 5, 2015, 6:45 p.m. @ the Little Theatre
- The Road to Silverstone, Wednesday, October 7, 2015, 7:00 p.m. @ St. John Fisher College
- Celebrate Palestine, Friday, October 9, 2015, 5:30 p.m. @ Asbury First United Methodist Church
photo credit: Daniel Ruthenberg-Marshall