December 2014 Volume 47 Issue 3
The
Cardozo High School 57-00 223 Street Bayside, New York 11364
V erdict
Inform, enlighten, entertain.
Protester’s March for Eric Garner By Juliana Kim
The voices of protesters were heard miles away as they marched for a second night, on Dec. 4, over a grand jury’s decision not to indict police officer Daniel Pantaleo, for the death of 43 year old Eric Garner. The protest was led by three mothers holding a banner that read “#ThisStopsToday” (Each has lost a son to the NYPD). Across the country, thousands of people joined demonstrations, from Washington
D.C. to Downtown Los Angeles, to protest against the decision. In New York City, the most notable had to be to the demonstrators who rallied in Foley Square, iconically marching across the Brooklyn Bridge to Barclay’s Center. Protesters walked with signs that read “Black lives matter” and Garner’s memorable last words, “I can’t breathe.” Others went to the extent of carrying fake caskets with the
names of those who have lost their lives to the police. After reaching Barclay’s Center, the crowd headed back to the Brooklyn Bridge to meet up with another group of protesters on Canal Street. As they walked, they swarmed the roads, asking drivers to honk for justice. The protest was a fluctuating ride of emotions. There were times when it seemed as if protesters were rejoicing, singing “Power to the People”
in rhythm, like an a cappella group called to improvise a carol. At other times, the crowd sounded like a million cries begging for justice in the streets. One man and the hundreds that followed shouted, “It is our duty to fight, it is our duty to win. We must love and support each other, we have nothing to lose but our chains.” From men who came straight from the office, to mothers who came from the daycare center,
teenagers who protested while skewing on their skateboards, to elderly couples who clung to their canes, the crowd radiated in diversity. People from all backgrounds came, not only to march, but to raise their hands up. Historically, putting one’s hands up meant raising the white flag and surrendering; yet the atmosphere of Thursday’s protest and the on-going rallies show that the only thing that given up is their silence. Photos taken by Juliana Kim
Mourning families lead the march with a banner that reads “#This Stops Today”.
Cops follow behind the protesters to secure safety.
Brittany Chan’s Got Talent
Protesters carry fake caskets to commermate the lives lost to the police.
By Raiza Almanzar
Photo submitted by Brittany Chan.
It’s not every day that a high school girl gets the opportunity to audition for one of America’s most watched television shows. But, for Brittany Chan, a 17 year old senior, this dream came true when she and her dance group were called in to try out for America’s Got Talent (AGT). The focus of the show is to showcase unusual talents. The judges look for diversity, or something different, something completely out of this world, that will leave the audience shocked, touched, and amazed in 90 seconds. Chan has been dancing since the age of three. For the past 13 years, she has been dancing with a group called New York Chinese Cultural Center. “We’ve grown to be like sisters. We all share the same passion [dance], so we instantly connected.” Two of the girls in the group are actually her sisters, Tiffany, 19, and Stefanie, 14. The dance group meets once a week and practices for up to five hours. When AGT saw their Chinese
The New York Chinese Cultural Center pose for America’s got Talent. dancing on the group’s You- to walk right in, like a VIP across America.” Tube channel: ChineseCultur- pass. They had auditioned last alCtr, they contacted them and Chan says that when AGT year, but didn’t make it passed invited them to audition for called, the group felt appreci- the first round. the Summer 2015 season. ated. “This style of dance is not “But, this year, we improved The day prior to the audi- a popular typical style of dance the dance, got more colorful tion, the producer called to such as ballet and modern, costumes, and increased the give them details about their so we were really happy that number of dancers,” she exvisit, which included Q-ACT – such a popular show wanted plained. passes that allowed the group to showcase our style of dance They were grateful that they
had been given a second chance, “so we worked even harder this time to prove that we deserve this chance more than anyone else.” And finally, the big day had arrived. On Sunday, Nov. 9, “We went to the location, Pier 94. It was a pre-audition,” Chan explained. “We entered a room – we were afraid that we wouldn’t have enough room because the room was smaller than expected, but we still did it [performed the dance] and it was better than expected.” The next day filming took place as they walked into the audition and performed. “It was like a fantasy… I felt like an over-night sensation,” Chan said. “It was like two days of fame – people cheered us on and wanted to take pictures with us.” Now, the group is waiting for the producer to contact them and let them know if they made it to the next round. AGT will air this summer.
What’s Inside
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Asbestos in the Deans Office
S.O. Speaks Out
Celebrate Culture
Out and About NYC Baking
Immigration
Reviews
#blacklives matter Encounters w/police
Boys & Girls Basketball Fencing