HOUSE OF WORSHIP TAKES IT TO THE STREETS

Here is more on evicting perfectly good tenants that help their communities and put a few extra dollars into the coffers for Bronx pubic schools.

Gregory

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WHO: Council Member Fernando Cabrera, Pastor Salvador Sabino & other Affected Religious Leaders

WHAT: Houses of worship that did not receive cancellation notices from the Department of Education plan to meet in schools today and one homeless Manhattan church will meet on a sidewalk.

WHEN: Sunday, Feb. 18, 2012, 5:00PM -6:30PM

WHERE: Front sidewalk of IS 52 (South of 204 St. in Northern Manhattan), 650 Academy Street, New York, NY 10034

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NEW YORK — On Thursday, Bronx Household of Faith’s attorneys won a temporary restraining order that would allow houses of worship to continue meeting for worship services in New York City public schools for the time being. Late Friday evening, the district court order was tempered by the 2nd Circuit and will apply only to the Bronx Household of Faith. While some houses of worship were notified their permits were revoked, others were not. Many still plan on meeting inside schools later today.

One house of worship that was denied a permit will be taking its worship services to the streets today at 5:00PM, right outside of the school where they met each Sunday. Heavenly Vision Christian Center lead by Pastor Salvador Sabino will be holding an outdoor service with music and congregants, some of whom were formerly in gangs or incarcerated, will be sharing their stories.

"I understand what these small houses of worship are doing," said Council Member Fernando Cabrera, "They have nowhere to go now. What is better, having religious groups out on sidewalks and inside parks, or having them pay the City to meet inside empty school buildings? This policy is simply ridiculous. Albany must act."

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LAST DAY FOR HOUSES OF WORSHIP IN SCHOOLS, UPDATES

Even though thousands of ordinary citizens protested in support of schools renting to houses of worship, it looks as if their eviction is imminent due to the wishes of Bloomberg and DOE Chancellor Walcott. Despotism is alive and well in NYC. Does anyone needs any additional proof that Chancellor Walcott’s hand on prayer session on Palm Sunday, after his appointed as Chancellor, was nothing more than a public relation stunt to fool the natives?

Have any incidents been reported were houses of worships abused their option to rent space in public schools? Do any of these houses of worship conduct social services that the fat cats at the DOE want to take over and profit from? Should we expect to see Walcott or maybe even Eve Moskowitz on the ballot for Mayor to continue the privatization of the NYC school system for the profit of large corporations after Bloomberg is gone?

I personally consider this decision against the voices of the community and elected officials representing the communities most affected by this decision, an insult to our democratic system.

At the very least we are throwing our at risk youth into the hands of gangs. Once the gangs are done praying on them, will hand them over to our shelter or prison system for a new round of fat contracts to make sure society is further weighed down with more taxes and more debt. Let our youth hear the Ten Commandments. Let them have positive role models. We should be helping them make the right decision when confronted with the opportunity to make the wrong one.

I hope the public remembers next election day!

Gregory

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Mayor Bloomberg Education Policy will Evict Houses of Worship this Sunday, February 12, 2012

WHO: Council Member Fernando Cabrera

WHAT: Update on the eviction of houses of worship wishing to rent empty spaces in public schools

WHEN: February 10, 2012

WHERE: New York, NY

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NEW YORK, NY — Following a June decision by the 2^nd Circuit Federal Court of Appeals to grant the New York City Department of Education (DOE) discretion in excluding houses of worship from renting empty spaces in New York City school buildings, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Chancellor Dennis Walcott have decided to enforce a policy that will evict houses of worship tomorrow.

After the announcement of the eviction, Council Member Cabrera and religious leaders from across the City began to mobilize. Numerous protests and demonstrations have taken place, including some where City Council Member Cabrera along with pastors and congregants have been arrested. Proponents of the City’s policy, including the New York Civil Liberties Union, have argued that renting to houses of worship violates the Establishment Clause of the United States Constitution, and that the 2^nd Circuit’s ruling mandates the New York City eviction. Religious leaders and congregants battling the policy argue that enforcement of this policy is discriminatory and that only a misreading of the Establishment Clause of the United States Constitution would lead one to believe that renting spaces in public schools is in violation of the Establishment Clause.

“The writers of our Constitution wrote the Establishment Clause into the First Amendment for a reason,” said Council Member Cabrera. “I respect that. We all respect that. But allowing houses of worship to meet and conduct activities central to their purpose, is not establishing religion.” He continued, “Accommodation is not establishment, and the 2^nd Circuit’s ruling last June also didn’t say this eviction was necessary. The 2^nd Circuit simply said the DOE could use its discretion in renting to religious groups.” He continued, “If the City allowed a Catholic Pope to host prayer in Central Park, would the City be accused of establishing religion? Of course not.”

Moreover, this policy primarily hurts low-income, minority communities. “It is claimed these small houses of worship are recruiting and evangelizing impressionable children. Yet, the schools are rented only when they are empty. The houses of worship use the spaces when classes are not in session. But even so, what more recruitment and evangelization than what gangs do in the neighborhoods these small houses of worship serve? ” Council Member Cabrera said referring to those houses of worship that meet in high-crime areas. “These small houses of worship have changed crime trends in entire communities.”

Resolution 1155, which urges the State Legislature and Governor Cuomo to sign legislation that would disallow New York City’s ban on worship, has been introduced by Council Member Cabrera and heard in the City Council. However, despite having overwhelming support the resolution has not moved. Resolution 1155 refers to New York State Assembly bill A8800-A introduced by Assemblyman Nelson Castro (D-Bronx) and New York State Senate bill S6087-A introduced by Senator Martin Golden (R-Brooklyn). New York State Senate bill S6087-A passed on Monday (Feb. 6) with a bi-partisan vote of 55-7.

The fight to allow these 60 or so fledgling houses of worship to continue to rent from schools is reaching a critical stage.Reverend Pastor William Devlin, senior minister at Iglesia Biblica de Manhattan/Manhattan Bible Church, is on the 25^th day of a water-only fast. He began the fast at midnight January 17, 2012 and states that he will continue his hunger strike until Mayor Bloomberg and Chancellor Walcott reverse their decision on evicting houses of worship from education buildings this Sunday. The eviction of churches in New York City has made international news and has been called "religious intolerance" and discrimination, because it strikes down equal access to those who help the poor communities the most.

Devlin stated, "The purpose of this water-only 40 day fast is to bring attention to the hard-heartedness of our Mayor and Chancellor. My fast is to ask God to soften the hearts of Mayor Bloomberg and Chancellor Walcott. The churches that these men are making homeless are the salt and light of the poor communities they serve.”

Many have publically supported the cause, including,

Elected Officials:

· Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

· New York City Comptroller John C. Liu

· 35 City Council Members who are signed-on to Resolution 1155

· 70 Co-Sponsors in the New York State Assembly who are signed-on to A8800-A

· 55 New York State Senators who voted in favor of S6087-A

Unions:

· Teamsters Joint Council No. 16 (Union)

Media Outlets:

· MSNBC’s Martin Bashir

· WMCA 570AM in New York City

Religious groups:

· International Center for Conservative Judaism

· New York Council of Churches

· Christ Tabernacle of Queens

· The Korean Council of Churches

“We are reaching a critical point,” said Council Member Cabrera “but the battle will go on far beyond February 12 if it needs to, court action included.”

CABRERA, RELIGIOUS LEADERS & ELECTED OFFICIALS LEAD MASS MARCH ACROSS BROOKLYN BRIDGE

Here is more on the battle over NYC schools refusing to rent to "houses of Worship".

Gregory

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Discriminatory policies will evict Houses of Worship from Public Schools on Feb. 12^th, 2012

WHO: NYC Council Member Fernando Cabrera, City Religious Leaders, Elected Officials, and other National Leaders

WHAT: March opposing Mayor Bloomberg's eviction of houses of worship from public school buildings set for Jan. 29^th

WHEN: Sunday January 29, 2012 3:30PM EST

WHERE: Meeting: at Cadman Plaza Park Marching: Across Brooklyn Bridge Ending: at City Hall Park

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NEW YORK — Council Member Fernando Cabrera, city religious leaders of different faiths and ethnic backgrounds, and elected officials are organizing a mass march across the Brooklyn Bridge to take place Sunday, January 29^th, 2012. Marchers will urge Mayor Bloomberg and the Department of Education to reverse the discriminatory policy that will evict Houses of Worship from public schools on February 12^th.

“We stand firm on our position,” said Council Member Cabrera “Equal access for Houses of Worship makes New York City communities better. Mayor Bloomberg and the Department of Education need to see just how many people are on this side of the debate.” He continued, “We will be meeting at Cadman Plaza Park and then marching across the Brooklyn Bridge, ending in City Hall Park for a mass prayer vigil and remarks by religious and political leaders.”

Marchers are also urging legislative action. The City Council should pass Resolution 1155 which calls upon the New York State legislature to pass and the Governor to sign legislation amending the New York State Education Law to afford houses of worship maximum access to school property. The State legislation includes NYS Assembly Bill A8800 and NYS Senate Bill S6047 that would amend NYS Education Law 414 to allow Houses of Worship to meet in schools regardless of the “worship” component of their activities.

After the Supreme Court declined to hear Bronx Household of Faith vs. New York City Department of Education on December 5^th, 2011, the New York City Department of Education announced it would ban Houses of Worship wishing to rent vacant spaces from Public Schools during non-school hours.

Following the announcement, Council Member Fernando Cabrera and Religious Leaders have organized several protests. These include a Prayerful Protest on Thursday January 5^th, where Council Member Fernando Cabrera, pastors and congregants were arrested for kneeling in front of the New York City Law Department in prayer during a display of civil disobedience, and a Prayer Rally during Mayor Bloomberg’s State of the City address on Thursday January 12^th, where approximately 500 pastors and congregants gathered for prayer and song and over 40 were arrested while approaching the entrance of Morris High School in another display of civil disobedience. A press conference was also convened in front of the Tweed Court House on Wednesday, January 18, 2012, where 50 pastors, congregants and elected officials participated before marching to City Hall for the New York City Council Stated Meeting.

The January 29^th March on the Brooklyn Bridge will be the largest planned demonstration to date, as the movement gains national and international attention.

Councilman Fernando Cabrera has served the 14th Council District of the Bronx since January 2010 and as senior pastor for New Life Outreach International in the Bronx since 1988.

Boogiedowner Film Buzz:" Positive Buy" by A Shot Film Productions Just in Time

Here is news on a crew of filmmakers from the Bronx making waves in LA. The producer, Hanley Valentine, and at least two of the actors in the short clip posted below are from the Boogiedown. Hopefully these Bronx movers and shakers, with their LA partners in crime will turn this short film into a pilot and then a TV series or full length move. I can’t wait!!!!

For someone like myself who loves cop type TV episodes like Blue Bloods or Law and Order, I was very impressed with the short. I found it suspenseful and even though “somewhat in your face”, worth every second of my time. Please do note there is some foul language and sexually implied imagery.

After viewing the short I showed it to a retired NYPD officer who was part of similar buy and bust operations. Besides giving it the BIG thumbs up, he also agreed with my position on the New York City Housing Authorities attempt to evict houses of worship from city housing projects. (Please see prior post) After real but comical stories of drug dealers pissing in their pants when he came out cocked with his finger on the trigger, he also discussed sad but true stories such as discussions with ten or twelve year old children involved in the drug trade with no expectation of living beyond their teenage years or escaping incarceration. In worst case scenarios daddies incarcerated, missing or dead, moms on crack and NYCHA wants to take away the men of god trying to educate them about the Ten Commandments.

Please note, I do not speak for the makers of the short but I do thank them for providing us with a realistic depiction of environments that will help others see a sad reality. Their short could not have come at a better time.

Any little assistance this blog can offer is at your disposal. Good luck to the entire crew.

Gregory

IMDB Link

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1588383/

Here is the latest from the Norwood News on the attempted evictions by NYCHA

http://www.norwoodnews.org/id=5524&story=after-protests-and-arrests-nycha-extends-agreements-with-bronx-churches/

NYC COUNCIL MEMBER CABRERA ARRESTED ALONG WITH A GROUP OF APPROXIMATELY 6 PASTORS FROM ACROSS THE CITY

It's neither duck season or rabbit season. It's open season for arresting NYC Council members. Last months it was Ydanis Rodriguez who was arrested at Zuccatti Park during the Occupy Wall Street eviction. Today it was Fernando Cabrera who was arrested while protesting the NYC Law Department stance on evicting "Houses of Worship" from city owned or operated spaces. To review the issues please do read the press release sent posted below. Kudos to our representatives who have the conviction to get arrested for stances they take. Please do let us know where you stand on the issue.

Gregory

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NYC COUNCIL MEMBER CABRERA ARRESTED ALONG WITH A GROUP OF APPROXIMATELY 6 PASTORS FROM ACROSS THE CITY, WHEN PARTICIPATING IN A PEACEFUL PROTEST AGAINST THE CITY’S BAR ON HOUSES OF WORSHIP FROM RENTING NEW YORK CITY PUBLIC SPACES

WHO: Council Member Fernando Cabrera and City Pastors

WHAT: NYC Council Member Cabrera arrested today along with a group of approximately 6
Pastors from across the City, were arrested today when participating in a peaceful
Protest against the New York City Law Department’s stance to evict Houses of Worship from City owned or operated spaces

WHEN: 8:00AM – 9:30AM Thursday 1/5/2011

WHERE: New York City Legal Department offices at
100 Church Street, New York, NY 10007


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New York City Council Member Fernando Cabrera and a group of approximately 6 Pastors from across the City were arrested when participating in a peaceful protest against the New York City Law Department’s stance to evict Houses of Worship from City owner or operated space. The Prayer Protest was organized by Pastor Dimas Salaberrios of Infinity New York, which met at the NYCHA Bronx River Houses.

Details:

After the Supreme Court declined to hear Bronx Household of Faith vs. New York City Department of Education on December 5th, 2011, the New York City Department of Education announced it would ban religious worship inside public schools, as permitted by the June 2011 decision of the U.S. 2nd Circuit Court of Appeals. Subsequently, religious groups have begun to be evicted from other public spaces, including Bronx Bible Church from Justice Sonia Sotomayor Houses, and Infinity New York Church from Bronx River Houses.

New York City is the only municipality in the nation that bans Houses of Worship from meeting in public spaces.

“Today we are seeing the first indication that the churches in New York City, and nationally, are awakening,” said Council Member Cabrera. “Together, we will fight these restrictive laws that discriminate against hundreds of thousands of Church-goers.”


CM Cabrera, Pastor Dimas Salaberrio, & Others Kneeling in Prayer in front of 100 Church Street