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Vol. 113 No. 2 | January 13, 2022 - January 19, 2022
THE NEW BLACK VIEW
©2022 The Amsterdam News | $1.00 New York City
BRONX TEARS
(Michael Appleton Mayor's office)
Tragic fire kills 17, community unites; blame, lawsuits begin By NAYABA ARINDE Amsterdam News Editor “This is a global tragedy, because the Bronx in New York City is representative of the ethnicities and cultures across the globe,” Mayor Eric Adams said standing with electeds the day after the deadly Bronx blaze that killed 17 people. On that frigid Sunday, Jan. 9, 2022, up to 200 New York City Fire Department members battled to knock down the fire and rescue residents. The fast-spreading fire, bone-chilling icy weather, and heavy
billowing-smoke combined to lead to New York’s deadliest fire in 30 decades. The fire at 333 East 181st Street—also known as Twin Parks North West—raises bigger issues. Reportedly a faulty space heater in a third-floor apartment ignited a fire, the FDNY reported, which sent choking smoke through all floors of the 19-story, 120 unit building. The NYPD initially stated, “Upon extinguishment of the fire by FDNY personnel, multiple injuries and fatalities were reported and observed. The fire marshal determined the cause of the fire and the medical ex-
At long last justice for Homer Plessy By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews
Wednesday comes another example of how slow the wheels of justice turn in America. “While this pardon had One hundred and thirty years after been a long time coming, we can all he was ejected from a train in Loui- acknowledge this is a day that should siana and 97 years after his death, have never had to happen,” the govHomer Plessy was finally pardoned ernor told the press. “The subsequent for exercising his constitutional rights Supreme Court case led to generations that led to the historic Plessy v. Fer- of inequity, has left a stain on the fabric guson decision and the legalization of of our country and on the state and on Jim Crow segregation. the city. And quite frankly those conseWith the pardoning of Plessy by quences are still felt today.” Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards last See PLESSY on page 6
aminer will determine the respective causes of death. The investigation remains ongoing.” Not since the 1990 Bronx Happy Land fire has the city seen such a massive loss of life in a single fire. The Bronx community held an organic “Bronx Strong” masterclass in instantaneous community support. From hosting fundraisers bringing in almost a million dollars, to preparing culturally sensitive meals for the largely Gambian and Muslim residents, to filling rooms of nearby Monroe College with donated
blankets and coats and other resources. While some reporting leans not-sosubtly to apportioning blame on the residents in the apartment where the fire started for not closing the door as they fled, another question being raised widely is why did the third floor, Unit 3N, self-closing door fail? Another big question is why was the heating system apparently so inadequate that tenants felt the need to use space-heaters to warm their homes? “The focus shouldn’t be on doors See BRONX on page 6
Sir Sidney Poitier 1927-2022
(Matt Sayles AP photo)
See STORY on page 28
