City-Wide Rally to Stop School Closures

April 19^th

City-Wide Rally Against

School Closures

At Tweed

· Bloomberg has already made the PEP vote to CLOSE 25 SCHOOLS THIS YEAR.

· On April 26^th Bloomberg will make the PEP VOTE TO CLOSE 33 MORE.

· This will mean an astonishing 58 closures in one year.

· Mayor Bloomberg has destroyed, and continuesto destroy, communities with his undemocratic and unjust policies that ignore the needs of our students.

· Join us on Thursday April 19^thin front of TWEED (52 Chambers Street, Manhattan) at 4 PM to stand up and say NO MORE SCHOOL CLOSURES: The rally will begin at 4:30

· E-Mail: Stopturnaround@gmail.com for more info.

· This rally was initiated by a coalition of chapter leaders, delegates, and members from seven of the 33 schools. We urge you to join us

The BoogieDowner Welcomes Fresh Direct to The Bronx!

The Boogie Downer Welcomes Fresh Direct to The Bronx!

Since taking over the Boogiedowner, I have seen my blog as an alternative information source where various community activists could express themselves, share information or rally around an idea. Often times I simply disseminate information without taking a position. As we approach our 300,000^th hit on the Boogiedowner, there is an issue I cannot sit on the side lines about. The topic is related to the Fresh Direct Inc. coming to the Bronx.

Firstly, I want to clearly state which side of the line I stand on by thanking Governor Cuomo, Mayor Bloomberg, Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. and the BOEDC for making sure the Bronx gets it fair share of economic development funds. The residents of the Bronx have underwritten more than one project in other boroughs. It is a welcomed opportunity that some of OUR money is actually coming back this way to RETAIN 2000 New York City jobs of which almost 600 are Bronx residents currently working for Fresh Direct, and the opportunity to compete for an additional 1,000 jobs as they expand and grow in their new home in The Bronx. Another added benefit will be the opportunities that other Bronx businesses will have to provide their goods and services to Fresh Direct Inc. In fact not only do I thank the above elected officials and organizations, I see it as their responsibility to protect the Hunts Point Community and The Bronx as a whole by bringing Fresh Direct to our borough.

At a time when New Jersey is actively poaching our industrial markets in Hunts Point, inaction would have been not only reckless, but negligent. Fresh Direct Inc. trucks will deliver product from our industrial markets making sure they stay right here in the Bronx, where they belong. In addition, the electronic truck fleet Fresh Direct Inc. has agreed to purchase from Smith Electric, another new Bronx based company, has the potential to revolutionize trucking throughout America. There are tens of thousands of trucks in Hunts Point. How many employees will Smith Electric need to keep up with the demand that could be created by the revolutionary realty of trucks run on renewable energy?

Congratulations to the IDA board that did not yield to pressures from individuals, many of whom do not even live in the Bronx, who voiced their opinion against the grants to support Fresh Direct Inc.’s move to the Boogie Down. If they want to yell crony capitalism, let them do so when grant money is allocated for projects in their communities. For far to long our borough has gotten the short end of the stick. Our residents need and deserve these jobs, and now were going to have them. It is about time The Bronx got its fair share.

Kudos to all for a job well done. If you disagree, you’re welcome to comment or send your own editorials.

Occupy the DOE Invites Parents to Attend the Next Panel for Education (PEP) Meeting on Thursday, February 9th

If you have something to say about the state of public education in NYC please review the e-mail and video below.

Gregory

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Come to the PEP and sign up to speak on the the Peoples Mic not on the Puppets Mic!
IT’S TIME TO OCCUPY THE PEP
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9TH, 5:30PM
Brooklyn Technical High School, 29 Fort Greene Pl (between Fulton and Dekalb) in Brooklyn
Near the Nevins 2/3/4/5 or the Dekalb B/D/N/Q/R
Facebook Event: http://www.facebook.com/events/104521729674642/

Background
On Thursday, February 9th, the Panel for Educational Policy (PEP) will hold an open meeting and then a vote to close down dozens more schools. The PEP is an un-elected 13-member body (the majority of whom are appointed by Mayor 1% Bloomberg) whose decisions dramatically affect the lives of the 99%. Every time a vote for school closings has come before the panel, they have voted on behalf of their puppeteer, Mayor Bloomberg.

No matter what impassioned students, parents, educators or elected officials have said in the past, the PEP has ALWAYS voted against the people. PEP meetings are open to the public.

We, students, parents and educators from the 99%, invite you to join us in having our OUR OWN VOTE on the fate of our schools.

If you don’t believe Mayor 1%’s puppet board should be empowered to make decisions about our schools, come help us OPEN THE MEETING UP! In October, the panel walked out of their meeting and we held our own meeting. Click here to see how it went down. Now, let’s do it with thousands!

Ways YOU can Occupy the PEP:
Option A: Are you a student, parent, educator or elected official from a closing school?
Members of your school community should plan to use THE PEOPLE’S MIC to speak out about the mayor’s policies and about your school! To see how the people’s mic works, click here.

EXAMPLE I am here because the panel shouldn’t be voting without the community’s consent to close down schools. In my school…

EXAMPLE: I am here because the mayor has it all wrong, and because he wants to take over space in our public schools to hand it over to charter schools. Our school is an amazing community…

EXAMPLE: I am here because what is happening here is wrong! Because the people have spoken and they say enough is enough!…

Or you can plan a song, performance, or skit. Every school that the PEP plans to vote on will have a chance to speak out and use the people’s mic. Please practice! The people’s mic can be tricky and you have to speak in short phrases of three to seven words and wait for people to respond. But it’s a powerful tool that can change the balance of power in the room! Let’s use it!

Then the PEOPLE (not the puppet panel) will vote on the state of your school!
Option B: Not from a closing school but want to support the occupation of this undemocratic meeting?
There are definitely ways you can participate! We need your voices to help amplify the voices of those speaking on behalf of their schools. We also need folks to sit near the aisle to protect the people’s mic. And we’re asking folks to wear shirts or stickers that identify who we are and what we stand for. For example, you might consider wearing a shirt or sticker that says ”Student Against School Closings” or “Parent for Community Control of Schools”, etc.

Please contact occupythedoe@gmail.com with any questions. Let’s open up the PEP and put the decision making power where it belongs—with the people!

Speaker Quinn Opines on the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s Reversal Related to its Decision to Stop Funding Breast Screenings at Planned Parenthood

The Susan G. Komen foundation, famous for its pink ribbons and fund raising activities supporting breast cancer, has been the center of a controversy related to their recent decision to stop funding breast screenings at Planned Parenthood Centers. After much protest and a massive spike in direct donations to Planned Parenthood, including a large personal donation from Mayor Bloomberg, the Susan G. Komen Foundation has reversed its decision. Here is a letter circulated by Speaker Quinn and her request to hear your opinions pertaining to the related topic of “pregnancy service centers”. If interested in learning more about or weighing in on the debate, please read on.

You do have a voice. All you need to do is click on the link below and type what you believe.

Gregory

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Dear New Yorker,

WE DID IT! Thank you for showing Planned Parenthood your support!

I'm relieved that the leadership of Susan G. Komen for the Cure has reconsidered their ill-conceived decision to cut off funding to Planned Parenthood for breast cancer screenings. This is the right decision for an organization committed to women's health. I'm proud to stand with so many leaders and private citizens, including Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who generously supported Planned Parenthood and reaffirmed his commitment to comprehensive women's healthcare.

However, I think that this incident only serves to remind us that opponents of reproductive rights will stop at nothing to ensure that organizations like Planned Parenthood are defunded at any cost. I am proud to stand with Planned Parenthood and support them in all the services they provide including cancer screenings, gynecological care, and abortions—services that save women's lives and protect their health.

For updates on the City Council's efforts to protect our reproductive rights including the fight for regulation of pregnancy service centers, please visit,

http://council.nyc.gov/html/action_center/cpc_2011.shtml

Sincerely,
Christine C. Quinn
Speaker
NYC Council

NYC Comptroller Liu and Council Member Annabel Palma Opine on Mayor's 2013 Preliminary Budget

Two elected officials sent comments related to Mayor Bloomberg's 2013 proposed budget. Here is what they had to say.

Gregory

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Statement by Council Member Annabel Palma

In Response to the Mayor’s Fiscal 2013 Preliminary Budget

The Fiscal 2013 Preliminary Budget released this afternoon is responsible in that it does not increase taxes or include cuts to uniformed services. In spite of the many positive components of this proposed budget, however, I do have some serious concerns regarding previously proposed cuts for Fiscal 2012 which were restored by the City Council, only to reappear in this Preliminary Budget.

Areas of serious concern include both $5 million in cuts to HASA for HIV/AIDS- related services and nearly $50 million in cuts to ACS’ child care budget, as neither were baselined for Fiscal 2013. DHS’s plan to save $9 million as a result of the implementation of its shared living plan for homeless families with children is also very troublesome. I fully expect these decisions to adversely impact low-income New Yorkers who rely on these programs, making it imperative that we responsibly and effectively address these issues.

I look forward to working with the Administration to address these and other concerns in the Fiscal 2013 Preliminary Budget and am hopeful that we will find a long-term solution that will adequately fund these vital programs.

LIU STATEMENT ON MAYOR’S PRELIMINARY BUDGET

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NEW YORK, NY – City Comptroller John C. Liu statement on the Mayor’s FY 2013 Preliminary Budget:

“We commend the Mayor on a balanced budget that avoids layoffs in this difficult environment. However, the use of short-term financial maneuvers doesn’t reduce real cost but simply defers costs to future administrations. My office will issue our full analysis in the coming weeks.”

THOUSANDS ATTENDED MASS MARCH ON BROOKLYN BRIDGE IN SUPPORT OF HOUSES OF WORSHIP

As shown in the photos posted below, this Sunday's rally was a full house. Kudos to all the organizers and participants who are making sure their voices are heard.

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

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

WHAT: Thousands attended mass march opposing Mayor Bloomberg's eviction of houses of worship from public schools
buildings

WHEN: Monday January 30, 2012

WHERE: New York, NY

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NEW YORK — Council Member Fernando Cabrera, elected officials and city religious leaders lead a mass march across the Brooklyn Bridge yesterday, Sunday, January 29^th, 2012. Marchers urged Mayor Bloomberg and the Department of Education (DOE) to reverse the discriminatory policy that will evict Houses of Worship from public schools on February 12^th.

The march began at Cadman Plaza, continued over the Brooklyn Bridge and ended in front of City Hall on Broadway. New York City Police Department Community Affairs personnel escorted the marchers throughout as marchers sang prayer songs and chanted motivational words.

“Communities turned out in mass to show their support,” said Council Member Cabrera “Black, White, Latino and Asian, young and old. Our momentum is growing.” He continued “Our constitution has an anti-establishment clause and we respect that, but it also has a free exercise clause. This policy restricts the right to free exercise by discriminating against religious groups. Our stance against this policy does not ask for special treatment, but for fair treatment.”

Marchers are also urged 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 S6087 that would amend NYS Education Law 414 to allow Houses of Worship to meet in schools regardless of the “worship” component of their activities.

Background:

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 was the largest planned demonstration to date.

Speakers: Elected Officials
Fernando Cabrera	New York City Council, 14th District	Bronx
Ruben Diaz Sr.	New York State Senate, 32nd District	Bronx
Marcos Crespo	New York State Assembly, 85th District	Bronx
Hakeem Jeffries	New York State Assembly, 57th District	Brooklyn
Ydanis Rodriguez	New York City Council, 10th District	Manhattan
Robert Jackson	New York City Council, 7th District	Manhattan
Jumaane Williams	New York City Council, 45th District	Brooklyn
Letitia James	New York City Council, 35th District	Brooklyn
Bill De Blasio	New York City Public Advocate	Citywide
John Liu	New York City Comptroller	Citywide

Speakers: Clergy
Pastor Bill Devlin - Co-Chair of Movement Steering Committee	Manhattan Bible Church	Manhattan
Pastor Rick del Rio (affected pastor)	Abounding Grace Ministries	Manhattan
Pastor Gabriel Salguero	National Latino Evangelical Coalition	Manhattan
Pastor Seungho Yang	Korean Council of Churches	Manhattan
Pastor Inhyun Ryu (affected pastor)	New Frontier Church	Manhattan
Minister Kirsten Foy	Office of the NYC Public Advocate	Manhattan
Pastor Dimas Salaberrios	Infinity New York Church	Bronx
Pastor Salvador Sabino (affected pastor)	Heavenly Vision	Bronx
Bishop Fernando Rodriguez	Latin/African American Chaplains Association	Bronx
Bishop Lillian Robinson –Wiltshire (affected pastor)	Cathedral of Christ Community Ministries	Brooklyn
Rev. Dr. Sheryl Anthony	Judah International Christian Center	Brooklyn

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.