Community Members Testify at Commission to Review and Reform the Civilian Review Process
On October 20, 2011, community members converged on City Hall sometime around 6PM to listen and participate in Councilmember Adam McFadden's new commission to evaluate and potentially reform the procedures of the civilian review process.
The commission is made up of 15 people representing different parts of the community. Included are five cops of who at least three have troubled histories (Simmons shot and killed a woman—and was then promoted, Mazzeo was indicted on charges of torture and conspiracy to violate the civil rights of community members—and was elected president of the police union, and Malley—in more than one case—presided over internal investigations regarding cases involving his own conduct). All in all a pretty fishy commission.
Look out for Teddy Loria calling out Malley and Emily Good calling out Mazzeo. By the way, McFadden threatened to make the commission a private event disallowing community involvement, transparency, and accountability. Democracy is apparently a gift bestowed upon us by the leaders.
Prior to the commission meeting was a rally demanding police accountability for the murder of Hayden Blackman—a resident on Columbia Avenue.
Videos:
Prior to the commission meeting: Rally Demanding Police Accountability for the Murder of Hayden Blackman
Oct. 20: Commission to Review and Reform the Civilian Review Process
32 Arrests at Occupy Rochester
Between 11:30 and 1:30am Friday night, Rochester Police Dept arrested 32 members of Occupy Rochester in Washington Square Park.
A crowd of roughly 150 gathered in Washington Square park to initiate the overnight Occupation in Solidarity with the International Occupy Movement.
In contrast to Rochester; Buffalo and Albany both have 24 hour occupations of public spaces that have been not been met with arrests. In fact, Albany's police refused an order from the Mayor of that city, and Governor Cuomo to arrest the folks Occupying a public park.
Video: Selects from Occupy Rochester, Oct. 29, 32 Arrested, P1 | Selects from Occupy Rochester, Oct. 29, 32 Arrested, P2
Celebrate the Life and Work of Milton Rogovin with his son, Mark Rogovin
On Friday October 21, 2011 at 7:30pm the Flying Squirrel and Rochester Indy Media will host an evening to celebrate the life and work of Milton Rogovin with his son Mark Rogovin.
The evening will include the screening of the film "The Rich Have Their Own Photographers" followed by a chance for a discussion and Q & A's with Mark Rogovin.
In 1957, Milton Rogovin was declared “The Top Communist in Buffaloâ€. In reality, he was an optometrist active registering Black voters. Refusing to be silenced, he found a new political voice, a camera.
Through his photographs, Rogovin depicts the extreme inequalities that exist and conveys that message through beautiful works of art. But for Rogovin, his prints are his protests, his only concern is the continuing fight for social justice.
Community Forces Board to Table Voting on Controversial School Board Resolution
Indy TV Uncut Video of Board Meeting
On October 6, 2011, community members, parents, and activists gathered at the school board for a hastily called meeting where the board was to vote on a resolution giving them the option to spend up to $100,000 to recruit Ray & Associates Inc.—a corporate search firm with ties to the Eli Broad Foundation—for the purposes of finding another school superintendent.
David Rovics Live at the Flying Squirrel; Oct 1st!
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David Rovics Live!
Saturday, October 1
8 pm
The Flying Squirrel Community Space
285 Clarissa St., Rochester NY
David Rovics, folk songwriter and talented musician, will take the Flying Squirrel Community Space stage in what Amy Goodman calls "the musical version of Democracy Now.â€
Check out Rovics last time he was in town:
Part 1 of Ryan Harvey and David Rovics Live at the Flying Squirrel Community Space | Part 2 of Ryan Harvey and David Rovics Live at the Flying Squirrel Community Space
Troy Davis Murdered, Innocence No Bar To Execution
From NYC Indymedia: I’m sorry. The horrific news is that Troy Davis has been murdered in a government sanctioned lynching. This comes after over a four hour delay past the scheduled execution. In these moments, I find it difficult to say anything new, but I think the article I wrote a few days ago sums it up, so I'm resending it. In addition, I'm adding Troy Davis's words the day before his execution.
"The struggle for justice doesn't end with me. This struggle is for all the Troy Davises who came before me and all the ones who will come after me. I'm in good spirits and I'm prayerful and at peace. But I will not stop fighting until I've taken my last breath." Troy Davis
Thousands occupy Wall Street against wealthy banksters
On Saturday, the 17th of September, thousands of protesters swarmed into Wall Street with the intention of occupying it indefinately. Although a march on the New York Stock exchange was blocked by police barricades and cops protecting the immediate area, protesters swarmed the surrounding area. A police closure of the streets surrounding the Stock Exchange will be very disruptive if if continues into the workweek. With Wall street getting ever richer and everyone else getting ever poorer, people have had enough.
WSQT Audio report on Occupy Wall Street, first two days | Video overview of Day 1 | Video: Wealthy cocktail party confronted at #55 Wall Street | FOX News video: "Days of Rage" | NY 1 Video | Lacy Macaulay's report on Storyful
Photo from occupywallst.org | livestream coverage
Links: original article | Pioneer Courthouse Square - Day of Rage
At least ten Rochester activists participated in the action. Rochesterians: how did it go? Post your reflections in the comments section.
Raid Traumatizes Family
On June 12, 2011, a hot June evening, the Rochester Police broke in a family's door and told everyone to get on the floor. The adults were handcuffed and face down on the floor. There were 4 children in the house, ages 10 years, 6 years, 3 years and 9 months old, who became confused and scared and jumped on the couch. The ten year old girl, Tanajha, afraid the dog might bite the police went to grab her. One police officer responded by pointing a rifle at her. The stress of the incident caused the 10 year old to start having an asthma attack.
The children were eventually sent next door, while the police tore the house apart looking for drugs. The beds were cut up, food thrown out of freezer, items tossed out of drawers and strewn on the floor. The adults were strip searched and cavity checked all in an effort to find drugs. Lydia, the mother, stated that she was interrogated and threatened with Child Protective Services if she did not give up the drugs. No drugs were found.
Judge Calls Off Controversial Eviction in Order to Reexamine Foreclosure
On Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at 11:00am at 9 Ravenwood Avenue, Rochester, NY Cathy Lennon, Take Back the Land Rochester, and community members will come together for a press conference to announce new developments in the case. On Tuesday evening NY State Supreme Court Judge Anne Marie Taddeo called off the controversial eviction of Catherine Lennon which was scheduled for Wednesday, August 17. Cathy and Take Back the Land Rochester were preparing for second eviction defense, including a nonviolent eviction blockade which would have happened Wednesday.
Judge Taddeo has reopened the original foreclosure case and requested that Countrywide/Bank of America defend their original foreclosure which was riddled with irregularities. Countrywide/Bank of America and Catherine Lennon are schedule to appear in NY State Supreme Court on August 30, 2011.
Additional Information: Community Groups Demand Justice for the Lennon-Griffin Family; Lennon Livid Over Fannie Mae "Offer"
RGRTA Service Map Restricts Services for People In Ogden Area
Take a moment and imagine this. Imagine that one day you are able to come and go from your home to where you want to go with no problem. Now imagine this you lose the ability to do that, however, you have paratransit services who, with three days notice, will take you where you need to go and back for between $1.50 and $2.00 each way. No room for spontaneity, however, at least you get to maintain your independence, go shopping with friends, go to your place of worship, doctor’s offices, grocery shopping, etc. Now imagine this. You call to make your reservation and are told, I am sorry but RGRTA has drawn a new service map and you are no longer in our service area. You must speak to a supervisor who is not in today, please call back tomorrow.
So you call back the next day and are told you now live in a supplemental service area. You are still eligible for services, however, now you can only call the day before and request a ride. If one is available, which supplemental services rarely if ever are, the new rate is now $7.50 - $8.00 each way. So now, you find yourself wondering how I am going to guarantee my employer I can get to work each day. Think about every place you used to go and now know that there is no guarantee you will be able to get there. If you can, it will now cost you 4 times as much to do it. It is as if the price of gas went from $4 a gallon to $16 a gallon.
Does this sound crazy to you?
Related: ADAPT Confronts Rochester Bus Company: Lower the Rates or Face Our Fury!