New York Amsterdam News December 30 -January 7, 2022 - YEAR IN REVIEW by AmsterdamNews

WWW.AMSTERDAMNEWS.COM

THE NEW BLACK VIEW

Vol. 112 No. 52 | December 30, 2021 - January 5, 2022 WWW.AMSTERDAMNEWS.COM

Vol. 112 No. 2 | January 14, 2021 - January 20, 2021

THE NEW BLACK VIEW

WWW.AMSTERDAMNEWS.COM

THE NEW BLACK VIEW

Vol. 112 No. 3 | January 21, 2021 - January 27, 2021

AMERICAN HERO

WWW.AMSTERDAMNEWS.COM

COMMENTARY

The ‘Vanilla ISIS’ attack on Trump impeached again! HERB BOYD challenging this second time around the Capitol surprised many By Special to the AmNews since unlike the first round that took three months, a Senate trial may not people, but not Black folk One week after Trump fomented occur until after the inauguration.

The moments of pall expected to hover over the National Mall during the inauguration of Joseph R. Biden Jr. as the 46th president of the United States were essentially dispelled by his uplifting speech and glorious musical presentations. With thousands of National Guard troops stationed around the Capitol, a pandemic that has taken more than 400,000 American lives, and economic distress everywhere apparent, it was not the best circumstances for celebration; even so, there were heartfelt occasions Wednesday, Jan. 20

an insurrection on Capitol Hill, the Even if he is not convicted he will be By HAWK NEWSOME for counsel after I made an avoid- House Representatives voted to im- infamously remembered as the first Special to the AmNews able mistake and he would look peach him. As expected the vote was president to be impeached twice. The exchanges in the House chamme squarely in the face and say, “I along partisan lines with 232 DemoMy father had a saying that was could’ve told you that.” crats voting to approve the resolution ber during the debate before the somewhat sarcastic and he used On Jan. 6, white supremacists vi- and 197 Republicans not favoring im- vote were passionate with both sides it when I had to learn a lesson olently attacked America’s Capitol. peachment, although 10 of them did. expressing why or why not Trump See VANILLA ISIS on page 6 See IMPEACHMENT on page 4 the hard way. I would go to him Convicting him may be even more

for Biden and Kamala Harris, the nation’s first woman of color to serve as vice president. Twice during his inaugural address President Joe Biden mentioned his Vice President Kamala Harris––the first female, first Black and first South Asian to hold the office. “Here we stand, looking out on the great mall where Dr. King spoke of his dream,” Biden said. “Here we stand where, 108 years ago at another inaugural, thousands of protesters tried to block brave women marching for the right to vote. And today, we mark the swearing of the first woman in American history elected to national office,

Vol. 112 No. 5 | February 4, 2021 - February 10, 2021

THE NEW BLACK VIEW

Vol. 112 No. 6 | February 11, 2021 - February 17, 2021

Vice President Kamala Harris. Don’t tell me things can’t change!” Harris, 56, the 49th vice president of the U.S., was sworn in by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, the first Latina on the Supreme Court. It was a significant moment in American history, and Harris was as poised and focused as ever. President Biden’s 22-minute inaugural address resonated with unity and truth, and there was no way to miss his emphasis on truth given the four years of lying by the previous administration. No, Trump was nowhere to be seen having left the city in advance of the ceremonies on Capitol Hill where

(Women on 20s photo)

likeness of slave abolitionist Harri- celerating plans to make the change. similar plans in 2016, after much et Tubman to the $20 bill, replac“The Treasury Department is public support; however, he ran ing that of slave-maker and former taking steps to resume efforts to out of time. The unveiling would U.S. president, Andrew Jackson. put Harriet Tubman on the front of have been set for 2020. Succeeding president, Donald White House press secretary Jen the new $20 notes,” Psaki said. Psaki announced Monday, Jan. 25 Jack Lew, treasury secretary Trump, opposed the plan, and See TUBMAN on page 6 that the Treasury Department is ac- under Obama, initially announced

Black History Month theme highlights the Black family

Heed Dr. King’s Words: Let Everyone in the Community Vote

The theme also takes a look at the representation and identity of Black families, which have been subject to vilification and stereotyping, from slavery to present time. ASALH officials stated, “The Black family knows no single location, since family reunions and genetic-ancestry searches testify to the spread of family members across states, nations and continents. Not only are individual Black families diasporic, but Africa and the diaspora itself have been long portrayed See BHM on page 6

COVID calamity? By CYRIL JOSH BARKER Amsterdam News Staff New York City is in a good news/ bad news scenario when it comes to the COVID-19 pandemic. The good news: the spread of the virus is seeing a decline, the bad news: there aren’t enough vaccines to meet the demand. During a press briefing Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that the sevenday rolling average of NYC residents testing positive for COVID-19 is 8.4% and the hospitalization rate is 5.14 per 100,000. However, the top issue is making sure the city has enough vaccine doses to get things back to a

THE NEW BLACK VIEW

LANDMARK WIN

Harriet Tubman set to grace the $20 bill

By AUTODIDACT 17 Special to the AmNews he had egged on mob violence. And where was Clarence Thomas? President Joe Biden is picking Along with his repeated call for up the baton from former Presunity, Biden wasn’t five minutes into ident Barack Obama and is rehis speech before striking a chord that implementing plans to add the certainly resonated for Black Americans. “Millions of jobs have been lost, hundreds of thousands of businesses closed, a cry for racial justice some 400 years in the making moves us. The dream of justice for all will be deferred no longer.” He would return to this theme By CYRIL JOSH BARKER toward the close of his speech, under- Amsterdam News Staff scoring his concern about truth and The Association for the Study of justice. “Folks,” he said, “this is a time See BIDEN on page 6 African American Life and History (ASALH) has announced that the theme for Black History Month 2021 is “The Black Family: Representation, Identity and Diversity” focusing on the historical impact and study of African American kinship. The theme highlights history, litUrban Agenda by David R. Jones, President and CEO of the Community Service Society of New York - See page 5 erature, the visual arts and film studies, sociology, anthropology, and social policy of the Black family.

By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews

Video of Eugene Goodman facing the U.S. Capitol Building and being Senate chamber doors on the left. an angry, white mob of President followed by insurrectionists who He eventually led them to an area Donald Trump followers went viral were looking to attack elected of- where other Capitol officers could He’s been a U.S. Capitol Police and became the dominant topic of ficials and vandalize their offices. de-escalate the situation. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), officer for a decade. He served in social media. Footage taken from Goodman simultaneously led Iraq. He also might’ve saved the the HuffPost website shows Good- the group to the right side up the chair of the Democratic Caucus, See GOODMAN on page 6 lives of dozens of elected officials. man running up the stairs inside stairs away from the unsecured

(Bill Moore - Harriet Tubman, Mama Joy Chatel and house both Karen Juanita Carrillo)

(Photo by Ruth Fremson from the New York Times/Redux)

(Photo by Ron Haviv / VII / Redux)

Kamala Harris becomes the nation’s first female vice president. She is also the first Caribbean-South Asian to reach such high office. Millions of women donned Chucks and pearls in her honor.

Eugene Goodman defends the Capitol By STEPHON JOHNSON Amsterdam News Staff

THE NEW BLACK VIEW

WWW.AMSTERDAMNEWS.COM

TUBMAN'S TWENTY

RENEWED HOPE

BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION MARKS MANY FIRSTS

Capitol Police Officer Eugene Goodman confronts pro-Trump supporters Jan. 6, 2021, as they break into the U.S. Capitol to protest the certification of Joe Biden as the next United States president.

Vol. 112 No. 4 | January 28, 2021 - February 3, 2021

WWW.AMSTERDAMNEWS.COM

form of normalcy. De Blasio participated in a panel of the U.S. Conference of Mayors with White House chief medical advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci. Vaccine supply in the city ran out last week and thousands of appointments were canceled. The openings of several large scale 24-hour vaccine sites, including Yankee Stadium and Citi Field, have been postponed indefinitely. “Now, we are waiting, in the course of this week, for more detailed information,” de Blasio said. “This is what’s on everybody’s mind––when will the new administration be able

Harriet Tubman, Mama Joy Chatel and Brooklyn's now landmarked 227 Abolitionist Place.

See STORY on page 6

De Blasio’s Flawed Housing Legacy: Lessons Learned Urban Agenda by David R. Jones, President and CEO of the Community Service Society of New York - See page 5

See COVID on page 6

In-person learning expanded, indoor dining reopens as COVID cases go down By CYRIL JOSH BARKER Amsterdam News Staff

reopening of indoor people become vacci- testing positive citydining and putting nated, officials hope wide for COVID-19 middle school stu- the trend continues was 8.09% with 3,587 dents back in the to get the city back to confirmed cases. The A decline in COVID- classroom. As more normal. hospitalization rate is 19 cases in the city is large-scale vaccine This week’s seven- 5.18 per 100,000. See COVID on page 6 making way for the sites open and more day average of people

Brooklyn Underground Railroad house saved By CYRIL JOSH BARKER ing of Duffield Street beAmsterdam News Staff tween Willoughby and Fulton Streets. Chatel and After 17 years of strug- groups including Friends gle and fighting, 227 Ab- of Abolitionist Place, olitionist Place (formerly Equality for Flatbush and Duffield Street) in Down- FUREE (Families United town Brooklyn, a histor- for Racial and Economic ic site in the abolition of Equity) raised awareness slavery, has been saved as about the home’s history it became a city landmark. and fought for permanent Just in time for Black recognition. Chatel passed History Month, the New away in 2014. Today, sitting among a York City Landmarks Preservation Commission concrete jungle of newly buildings (LPC) recently designat- constructed ed the building an indi- and expensive high-rises, vidual landmark. The row 227 Abolitionist Place rehouse belonged to Harriet mains in its original, unRoss Tubman and Thomas touched form with hopes Truesdell, who were active that it will now be conin abolitionist work before verted into a space for the world to learn about New the Civil War. The couple resided in York City’s involvement in the home from 1851 until ending American slavery. Speaking last week at 1863. It is believed to have been a stop on the Un- City Hall, Chatel’s daughderground Railroad for ter, Shawné Lee, said in an Blacks escaping slavery emotional speech about in the South in search of her mother that she will freedom in the North––in continue to fight on her places like upstate New behalf to preserve 227 AbYok and Canada. Brook- olitionist Place. “Mommy, thank you lyn at the time was known as a haven for freed Blacks for helping me do the job and the abolitionist move- that you started,” Lee said. ment. The property re- “For giving us all that fire mained in the Truesdell that we all saw in you. For keeping the name of family until 1921. In 2004, late commu- Tommy and Harriet Truesnity organizer and activ- dell alive. For keeping the ist Joy “Mama Joy’’ Chatel name of Duffield Street owned 227 Abolitionist alive. For people knowing Place. Chatel lived in the the name 227 Abolitionbuilding and ran a hair ist Place. I will make it my salon. Then-Mayor Mi- duty for the world to know chael Bloomberg zoned your name, Mama Joy.” Activist and historian the area for a park and underground parking Raul Rothblatt has been garage through eminent part of the fight to make domain. After a failed 227 Abolitionist Place a attempt to discredit the landmark for the last 17 home as a key part of the years. He said that landabolitionist movement, mark designation is proof large underground tun- that people truly care nels beneath the home about the historical connections New York City proved otherwise. In 2007, advocates and had in abolishing slavery. “This is not just a buildcommunity leaders created Abolitionist Place, ing we are saving, it’s an official street renam- See INHERITANCE on page 6

Vol. 112 No. 7 | February 18, 2021 - February 24, 2021

THE NEW BLACK VIEW



WWW.AMSTERDAMNEWS.COM

Vol. 112 No. 8 | February 25, 2021 - March 3, 2021

THE NEW BLACK VIEW

CEASE FIRE!

BLACK G RLS TAKEN

ADAMS OUTRANKS

WA T NG GAME

W LEY

THE NEW BLACK VIEW

FEDS KILLED MALCOLM?

SPECIAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH SECTION INSIDE

VACCINE VACILLATION

Lisette Salado, Reggie Wood, Attorney Ben Crump, Ilyasah Shabazz, Quibilah Shabazz, Gamilah Shabazz and Attorney Ray Hamlin.

(Seitu Oronde photo)

Daughters of Malcolm X cite new evidence in request COVID-19 vaccines and treatments: Closing the racial gap to reopen investigation of their father’s assassination By SHERYL HUGGINS SALOMON Special to the AmNews

Vaccinations follow a familiar of New Yorkers—had been vaccinat- adequacy and technological failures By HERB BOYD and the FBI conspired in the assas- investigation of the murder be re- that Malcolm’s security team was arracial pattern sination of Malcolm X (El-Hajj Malik opened. They were joined by noted rested before he was killed on Feb. ed. White people, who make up 32% of to cultural hesitancy to longstanding Special to the AmNews As of early February, NBC New York the city’s population, had received 46% health care privileges and disparities,” El-Shabazz), three daughters—Ilyas- civil rights attorney Benjamin Crump. 21, 1965 at the Audubon Ballroom As Black and Latinx communities in News reported that just 12% of Black of the vaccines. An analysis of national said Public Advocate Jumaane WilCiting a deathbed letter by a former ah, Qubilah and Gamilah Shabazz— The officer, Raymond Wood, wrote in Washington Heights. Three men, See MALCOLM X on page 6 New York continue to be hardest hit by city residents had received at least one data by CNN in January uncovered sim- liams in a public statement reacting to police officer who alleges the NYPD of the slain leader have requested the that his responsibility was to ensure COVID-19, experts warn they are being vaccine dose, even though they are ilar trends. the data. “We know too that the governleft behind with regard to vaccinations 24% of the city’s population. Only 16% “We know there are many contrib- ment—city, state and federal—each had See COVID on page 6 and treatments. of Latinx residents—who make up 29% uting factors, from infrastructure in-

Nation throws support behind Amazon workers’ organizing efforts

By STEPHON JOHNSON of an Amazon facility in East New York partment Store Union. demic, the continued exploitation Amsterdam News Staff to call attention to the fight for workAccording to Vinson Verdee, of the of workers is constant and unless ers’ rights and to show support for the December 12th Movement (a Black we take up the fight and secure our Organizers in Brooklyn took the thousands of Amazon workers at the human rights organization known for rights, it’s always gonna be a strugenergy of the South and brought it fulfillment center Bessemer, Ala. (and their annual Malcolm X “Shut It Down” gle,” Verdee said. Bessemer workers have complained up north. members of Southern Workers Assem- marches in Harlem in late May), the end when police say a man went on a By CYRIL JOSH BARKER and close to 28,500 people have died On Saturday, members of the De- bly) who are organizing in the hopes of fight in Bessemer is their fight too. about abrupt changes in schedules on killing spree leaving two people dead. Amsterdam News Staff since the start of the pandemic in 2020. cember 12th Movement rallied outside joining the Retail, Wholesale and De“It shows that even during this panSee AMAZON on page 6 The NYPD said that on Feb. 13 police As vaccines continue being adminAn example of just how bad crime arrested 21-year-old Rigoberto Lopez, More than 670,000 cases of COVID- istered, numbers released by the city is in the subway played out last weekSee SUBWAY on page 6 19 have been reported in New York City See VACCINE on page 6

Terror underground: Subway Black neighborhoods being system sees spike in crime left behind in vaccine effort

UNFREE LABOR IN NYC CONSTRUCTION:

AN APPEAL TO END BODY SHOPS

A Mayor’s Transformation, From Police Reformer to Apologist for PBA Urban Agenda by David R. Jones, President and CEO of the Community Service Society of New York - See page 5

ABOR N H

See STORY on page 7

BY LOCAL 79 BUSINESS MANAGER MIKE PROHASKA

(Jamel Simon photo)

WIN

LOCAL GROUPS ADDRESS 15 SHOOTINGS IN 24 HOURS By CYRIL JOSH BARKER Amsterdam News Staff

Subway attack on Canal Street

YEAR IN REVIEW

Big Brooklyn Send-off for DMX

(Nayaba Arinde photo)

Jamila Baptiste, station agent, was attacked by a man wielding a ba

WWW.AMSTERDAMNEWS.COM

Vol. 112 No. 45 | November 11, 2021 - November 17, 2021

THE NEW BLACK VIEW

WWW.AMSTERDAMNEWS.COM

THE NEW BLACK VIEW

Vol. 112 No. 46 | November 18, 2021 - November 24, 2021

THE X FILES

A fresh glimmer will be given to the ongoing, seemingly unsolvable assassination of Malcolm X (El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz) on Thursday, Nov. 18, when Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance Jr. moves to vacate the convictions of Norman 3X Butler, now Muhammad Aziz and Thomas 15X Johnson (Khalil Islam). Both Aziz and Islam, who died in 2009, denied they had anything to do with shooting the esteemed leader that fateful afternoon at the Audubon Ballroom on Feb. 21, 1965. Talmadge Hayer or Thomas Hagan, and now Mujahid Abdul Halim, who confessed to the murder, testified that neither of them was at the scene of the crime. In a sworn statement in 1977, Halim said that “Thomas 15 Johnson and Norman 3X Butler had nothing to do with this crime whatsoever.” Halim was given a life sentence back in 1966 and was paroled in 2010. He identified the other men who were part of the assassination but they were never arrested. At the court date on Thursday, D.A.

Mayor admits shaky vaccine rollout, insufficient doses By STEPHON JOHNSON Amsterdam News Staff

it the “Kanye shrug.” there were immediate problems in over (which the AmNews couldn’t conThis week, New York City Mayor Bill their distribution. firm). Another, who wished to remain de Blasio’s team began distributing One parent told the AmNews that she anonymous, said she got to her school If one were to give a grade to the shots of the COVID-19 vaccine offer- waited until close to 10 a.m. for her child at 8 a.m. and was turned away because school vaccine rollout, it would be un- ing Pfizer shots to children between to receive the first dose of the vaccine there were no more shots available. satisfactory. Good in some places, not the ages of 5 and 11. According to the despite being in line for several hours. According to the Center for Disease Conso good in others. Department of Education, each school Another complained about workers trol and Prevention, as of Nov. 9, 360,000 To those of a certain age, you might give received 50 doses of the vaccine. But leaving minutes before their shift was See ROLLOUT on page 8

Historic first with Crystal Hudson’s City Council win

Annual Veterans Appreciation Day Parade held in Brownsville and Bed-Stuy

Data: More than 101,000 NYC students experienced homelessness in 2020-’21

Community feeding community for Thanksgiving

Vol. 112 No. 9 | March 4, 2021 - March 10, 2021

THE NEW BLACK VIEW

Vol. 112 No. 10 | March 11, 2021 - March 17, 2021

THE NEW BLACK VIEW

(LBJ Library photo by Jay Godwin. Public Domain)

Results from a survey released by The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics CNBC + Acorns found that 57% of reports that the unemployment rate Black women are depending on the rose to 8.5% for Black women aged 20 The COVID-19 pandemic is having anticipated next round of direct stim- and older in January compared to the an adverse impact on the Black com- ulus payments the federal government national unemployment rate falling munity especially on Black women, wants to roll out. Close to 40% of Black to 6.4% nationally. who are feeling the brunt medically, women have had to borrow money Many Black women working frontline See BLACK WOMEN on page 6 economically and mentally. from family members or friends.

Women accuse Cuomo of sexual harassment By CYRIL JOSH BARKER Amsterdam News Staff

Last month, executive assistant and health policy advisor to Cuomo, Charlotte Bennett, reportedly accused Cuomo Gov. Andrew Cuomo is embroiled in a of asking her questions about her sex life. major scandal as three women allege he The governor allegedly asked Bennett sexually harassed them. Many are now about her sexual activity with older men. calling for Cuomo to resign as an indeJust this week, Lindsey Boylan, a former pendent investigation gets underway. aide to Cuomo, said he forcibly kissed her.

(Bill Moore photo) See CUOMO on page 11

See VERNON on page 22

(L) Malikah Shabazz pictured here with twin sister Malaak Shabazz (Lem Peterkin photo)

See STORY on page 28

Urban Agenda by David R. Jones, President and CEO of the Community Service Society of New York - See page 5

NYPD Chief of Department Rodney Harrison to retire By CYRIL JOSH BARKER Amsterdam News Staff

23. During his early years as ed to chief of department, the an officer while working un- third African American to hold dercover, he was shot by a the position. Harrison oversaw The NYPD announced last drug dealer and received the CompStat, directed and coorThursday that Chief of De- Departmental Combat Cross. dinated recovery efforts after partment Rodney Harrison is Harrison worked his way up last year’s protests, and coorretiring at the end of the year. the ranks to chief of patrol in dinated with community leadA native of Jamaica, 2018 before being promoted ers to improve relationships Queens, Harrison started in to chief of detectives in 2019: while the ongoing COVID-19 the NYPD in 1991 as a cadet becoming the first African outbreak continued to impact before being sworn in as a American to hold the title. residents of this city. See NYPD on page 23 police officer in 1992 at age In March, he was promot-

Vol. 112 No. 11 | March 18, 2021 - March 24, 2021

THE NEW BLACK VIEW

Holiday Time NYC!

work to staff the Adams administra- are committed to working together tion in January. toward its bright future,” said Adams “This unprecedented collection of in a statement released while he was great minds and hard-working New on vacation in Ghana. Mayor-elect Eric Adams’ transi- Yorkers will prepare my administra“Each committee has been tasked tion team announced on Friday, tion for success because they rep- with a specific set of goals and reDec. 3, a major chunk of its chosen resent the many backgrounds and sponsibilities to ensure we are ready See COMMITTEE on page 27 committees and members that will views of our great city, and they

Vol. 112 No. 12 | March 25, 2021 - March 31, 2021

THE NEW BLACK VIEW

AMNEWS E GIFT GUID THE HOT FOR IS HOLIDAYS BACK!

Public Housing and Jobs Top List of City’s Infrastructure Needs

(Bill Moore photo)

See STORY on page 8

Urban Agenda by David R. Jones, President and CEO of the Community Service Society of New York - See page 5

Vol. 112 No. 13 | April 1, 2021 - April 7, 2021

THE NEW BLACK VIEW

(Contributed photo)

(Courtesy of the Arbeeny Family)

Beyoncé breaks Grammys record

The virus of voter suppression By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews

Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law As if to give the historic “Bloody people out of town on Election Day, a Republican-backed bill that makes Sunday” a fresh, no less terrible des- thereby ending legislature that parait harder to vote early, eradicat- ignation, Georgia’s state Senate nar- doxically was put in place by RepubliVoter suppression, a remnant of ing what had been a key element in rowly passed a Republican-backed cans in 2005. Other changes included the repulsive Trump administra- Democratic campaigns. The chang- bill that would end no-excuse absen- a requirement of an ID for those seektion, is a specter, a veritable polit- es were quickly approved in the tee voting, a bill that would limit ab- ing to vote via absentee. These developments in Iowa and ical virus, spreading from one state House and Senate, despite opposi- sentee voting to people 65 and older, See VOTER on page 6 after another. On Monday in Iowa, tion from Democratic legislators. those with a physical disability and

A BRAND NEW ERA

Suit Seeks to Dismantle “Caste System” in City’s Education System Urban Agenda by David R. Jones, President and CEO of the Community Service Society of New York - See page 5

(Bill Moore photo)

Rev. Calvin O. Butts, III, pastor of the Abyssinian Baptist Church, was among several NYC clergy members publicly vaccinated last month as a part of the Choose Healthy Life initiative which aims to increase testing, vaccine awareness and preventative health education.

See NYPD on page 6

Exonerated Muhammad Aziz plans to sue the city and state

Banks, Incoming NYC Schools Chancellor By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member

On a frigid Wednesday morning last week, dozens gathered behind P.S. 161 in Brooklyn to welcome the city’s next Schools Chancellor David C. Banks. Banks stood at the front of the podium with Mayor-elect Eric Adams, recently returned from his Ghana trip, as well as several other supporters and community members. He and Adams appeared much more like with family and students of Banks, preachers surrounded by an adoring chimed in with enthusiastic applause congregation than leaders heading a despite the bitter cold. See BANKS on page 16 press conference. The crowd, filled

New COVID-19 variant pulls New Yorkers back inside By STEPHON JOHNSON Amsterdam News Staff The Omicron variant of the coronavirus has pulled New Yorkers from restaurants and bars and back into their homes. More than a week ago, on a Saturday night on Austin Street in Forest Hills, Queens, one could find a line of people waiting outside of a CityMD which was right next to a mobile testing spot (which also had a line). Directly across

the street, restaurants like Mojo and Martha’s Country Bakery (and OBA right behind them) were packed with customers on the inside––and on the outside––sitting in enclosed spaces to protect themselves from the public. In recent days you could find more people at CityMD; but the lines for CityMD are closed now too. The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website states that the Omicron variant of the See OMICRON on page 6

ing doing the rounds, Adams is on topic with his picks who are Black, of Asian descent, and white: Sheena Wright, Anne Williams-Isom, Meera Joshi, Maria Torres-Springer, and Lorraine Grillo. Each of the women re-introduced themselves as they praised each other’s appointment. Former CEO of the United Way’s Sheena Wright, will be deputy mayor for strategic initiatives; Anne See DEPUTY on page 6

HAPPY HOLIDAYS to our readers

Umoja is the first principle of Kwanzaa and means unity in Swahili, the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute notes in announcing their virtual “Umoja: A Year-End Celebration Of Our People’s Unity.” “Unity is at the core of who we are as a community and reminds us of the importance of

See STORY on page 6

Passing ‘Clean Slate’ Records Clearance Legislation Should Be Albany’s First Order of Business See AZIZ on page 6

Urban Agenda by David R. Jones, President and CEO of the Community Service Society of New York - See page 5

Vol. 112 No. 15 | April 15, 2021 - April 21, 2021

THE NEW BLACK VIEW

ADAMS B G W N CALLING COPS ON COPS

Brooklyn-born Lt. Caron Nazario during his graduation

(Till Infinity Photography)

cop charged with manslaughter, Va. pepper-spray state officer fired

By STEPHON JOHNSON Amsterdam News Staff

York to take in patients suspected of having COVID-19, a new executive order will let more people into With the one-year anniversary of nursing homes, albeit temporarily. the governor’s advisory directing New York State Gov. Andrew nursing homes in the state of New Cuomo issued an executive order

that allows family members and approach to the nursing home issue loved ones to visit family in nurs- was unsatisfactory. “When I first began to fight back By NAYABA ARINDE ing homes. On the day of Cuomo’s executive against this administration’s fa- Amsterdam News Editor order New York State Assemblyman tally flawed policies, it sometimes and STEPHON JOHNSON See CUOMO on page 6 Amsterdam News Staff Ron Kim said that the governor’s

Police reforms locked in place, but nobody’s happy

More New Yorkers eligible for vaccine, but cases up

By STEPHON JOHNSON Amsterdam News Staff

of law enforcement and the Black ter of white cop Amber Guyger who shot Sunday, April 11, 2021. The same week community, witnessing the daily trau- Botham Jean in his own apartment on came the video of the pepper spraying of a uniformed lieutenant, Caron Nazmatizing, anger-engaging, triggering, Sept. 6, 2018. race-war baiting videos of brutal abuse Mere miles from the George Floyd ario, by an on-duty cop. “Brooklyn, it’s time to stand up! Action and misconduct. murder trial, on Wednesday, April White male and female police officers The current Derek Chauvin murder 14, 2021, Brooklyn Center Police De- is needed!” demanded Rev. Conrad Benkilling unarmed Black people is a trigger- trial due to his 2020 murder of George partment officer Kim Porter was nette Tillard, senior minister at Flating front page daily narrative. Floyd, and Kim Porter’s shooting of charged with manslaughter for shoot- bush-Tompkins Congregational Church. The world is watching the dire state Daunte Wright, simply raises the spec- ing Daunte Wright, 20, on-camera on See LT. on page 6

However, a dangerous rise in cases in Last week, the City Council and New By CYRIL JOSH BARKER 22 states, including New York, could York City Mayor Bill de Blasio passed Amsterdam News Staff slow things down. a series of bills as part of the New The New York City Council and the York City Police Reform and ReinvenIn New York City, there have been By AUTODIDACT 17 By CYRIL JOSH BARKER In the city, candidates vying to be the More New Yorkers become eligied to a drug overdose. mayor pushed for police reform and tion Collaborative Plan that includes ble for the COVID-19 vaccine as the 840,000 cases of COVID-19 and over Special to the AmNews next mayor or city council members are “We are deeply saddened to announce Amsterdam News Staff got it. But many aren’t satisfied with prohibiting qualified immunity as a city becomes closer to herd immunity 31,000 people have died from the using the issue to attract Black voters. today that our loved one, DMX, birth After being comatose for a week, hip name Earl Simmons, passed away at 50 With the Derek Chauvin police trial When choosing a candidate, the names the results. See POLICE on page 6 with many saying the end is in sight. See COVID on page 33 By STEPHON JOHNSON hop legend DMX was taken off life-sup- years old at White Plains Hospital with going on, another shooting of an un- of police killing victims Eric Garner, Sean learning from home after choosing remote-learning for the entire school year. Amsterdam News Staff Amsterdam News Endorsement Interviews: Candidates who have filed petitions with the New York City Board of Elections to participate in the June 22, 2021 Primary port Friday, April 9, and subsequently his family by his side after being placed armed Black man in Minnesota and video Bell, Ramarley Graham and Amadou Fifty-five thousand students bepassed away. He was hospitalized April on life-support for the past few days,” his of a Black Army lieutenant being brutal- Diallo are on the minds of Black voters Election and who wish to obtain the endorsement of the New York Amsterdam News, please email endorsements@amsterdamnews.com by April 9 to secure your interview. The kids are back, and the mayor’s tween grades 9-12 are expected to 2 after suffering “a catastrophic cardiac family’s statement read. ized by police in Virginia, policing is a looking for someone to solve the problem. •Interviews will be held April 15, 16, and 22 via Zoom. •Time confirmations will be sent out by COB April 12 or earlier with your Zoom link. come back to class. taking a victory lap. arrest” at home, which medics attributSee DMX on page 29 front-and-center issue in Black America. See POLICING on page 6 The majority of students staying home New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio patted himself on the back this week for remote-learning didn’t stop the mayor when, for the first time since November, from expressing a sense of satisfaction the city’s public high schools reopened for with how the city handled school in the in-person learning. On Monday, 488 high age of the coronavirus. He praised the importance of students schools partially reopened with the maUrban Agenda by David R. Jones, President and CEO of the Community Service Society of New York - See page 5 Urban Agenda by David R. Jones, President and CEO of the Community Service Society of New York - See page 5 See HIGH SCHOOL on page 6 jority of high school students, 70%, still

High schools reopen, mayor pats self on back

NYC Forges Ahead on Ranked-Choice Voting, With Little Direction

See YUSUF on page 29

R K R RUMB

(Nayaba Arinde photo)

Mayor-elect Adams picks five experienced and talented women to be his deputy mayors

By NAYABA ARINDE and friends. It was an interesting move. Amsterdam News Editor Adams taped two pieces of A4 paper “Anyone that knows me knows I’m a to either side of the mic on the podium. mama’s boy, and I was raised by women,” nominated to be the next commisWalking to the podium at Jay Street They read “Emotional Intelligence,” in Adams said prefacing his comments sioner of the Suffolk County Police Borough Hall, current Brooklyn Borough big black letters. about wanting people in his administraDepartment, said NBC New York. President/Mayor-elect Eric Adams told This, Adams grinned, is what the press tion who can read the the temperature Sewell has had national attention and the over-a-dozen assembled media out- conference would be about as he had five of the city on all levels; including being a warm reception from locals so far. lets that he had to do a little housekeep- strong, experienced female public ser- emotionally in-tune with the residents of Erica Ford co-founded the violence ing. What gives? pondered the room full vants graciously introduce five career- the five boroughs and what it is they need interrupter organization LIFE Camp of print, radio, digital and online journal- minded, impressive female soon-to-be from the city. Inc. Ford said that the appointment ists, and new appointee family members deputy mayors. With diversity and inclusion brandof Sewell is a good sign and that the city needs a “shifting” to focus on the

Scandals continue to find Cuomo, nursing home debacle won’t end Community responds to continued violent law enforcement; Taser

Elected officials and citizens in a tug-of-war over Cuomo

NYC marks one year since first COVID death, looks toward future

Meera Joshi, Sheena Wright, Anne Williams-Isom, Maria Torres-Springer, and Lorraine Grillo Eric Adams announces Keechant Sewell as NYPD police commissioner

NYC takes more steps toward easing coronavirus restrictions

Gov faces multiple challenges

THE NEW BLACK VIEW

WOMEN SHALL LEAD NYC

WWW.AMSTERDAMNEWS.COM

CUOMO CONFUSION ROAD TO RECOVERY? NYC STATE OF MIND

More people in the city are headed back to the office as more New Yorkers get vaccinated. This as COVID restrictions loosen, the threat of variants continues and cases rise. As of March 23, there have been over 800,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases in New York City. Over 30,500 people have died from the virus. Over 3.4 million people in the city (Bill Moore photo) have been vaccinated and, this week, eligibility was expanded to New Yorkers 50 (Mike Groll photo) years and over. More vaccines By STEPHON JOHNSON In a recently released Siena Col- General Letitia James that concluded back against at least a half-dozen sexual are expected to arrive in the See CUOMO on page 6 city in the first week of April. Amsterdam News Staff lege Research Institute poll, 50-43% that his administration underDuring a press briefing this Additional reporting by of New Yorkers believe he shouldn’t counted the number of COVweek, Mayor Bill de Blasio NAYABA ARINDE resign immediately. ID-related deaths in nursing said he wants 5 million Amsterdam News Editor These results run counter to the homes. This coming after critipeople fully vaccinated in media narrative about Cuomo’s house cism of Cuomo for making nursBy STEPHON JOHNSON “It was Cuomo’s policies that forced State Fair, he announced that all New for making nursing homes take back If you talk to elected officials, the gover- of cards falling. the city by June. He also aning homes take back in residents Amsterdam News Staff Yorkers 60 years of age and older are residents who were infected with the COVID-19 patients into nursing nounced that all city workers Cuomo has fought back against an in- with COVID. eligible to receive the vaccine and, coronavirus. Last month, it was al- homes that were ill-equipped to stop nor is in trouble. If you talk to the people, who work in offices will go vestigation by New York State Attorney Most recently, he has fought New York State Gov. Andrew starting March 17, “public facing es- leged that state officials covered up the spread of the virus,” said Jess Wis- the job he’s doing outweighs the trouble. back to work May 3. Cuomo spent Monday and Tuesday sential workers from governmental the number of COVID-19 deaths or neski and Rosemary Rivera, co-exSee COVID on page 6 ecutive directors of Citizen Action of of this week touting mass vaccina- and nonprofit entities” would be el- lied to the public about them. tion sites at the Jacob Javits Center igible as well. An investigation by New York New York, in a statement. “Then, inin Manhattan and the New York State But the news is being overshad- State Attorney General Letitia stead of accepting responsibility, he Fair in Syracuse. owed, by several controversies. James said that the Cuomo admin- undercounted the actual number of At Jacob Javits, he made sure to dis- Messes of his own doing. istration undercounted deaths. deaths by up to 50% because he knew from COVID-19. Since then, more lane McCray and New Yorkers from cuss his “strong” support from the First came the nursing homes. The actions met the ire of activist his policies contributed to the deaths By CYRIL JOSH BARKER than 30,000 people have died from across the city honored the more African American community. At the Last spring, Cuomo faced criticism groups and politicians. See CUOMO on page 6 Amsterdam News Staff the virus and there have been over than 30,000 city residents who’ve died Sunday, March 14 marks one 385,000 confirmed cases in the city. during the pandemic during a virtual See GRAMMYS on page 16 year since New York City’ first death See COVID on page 26 Mayor Bill de Blasio, First Lady Chir-

Vol. 112 No. 51 | December 23, 2021 - December 29, 2021

First Black woman named NYPD commissioner

WWW.AMSTERDAMNEWS.COM

By ARIAMA C. LONG first Black woman to hold the role in Sewell is a Queens native, and the Amsterdam News Staff, Report for the history of the NYPD. third Black person to run the NYPD, America Corps Member “I am mindful of the historic nature reported the Associated Press. Former of this announcement,” said Sewell commissioners Benjamin Ward and all companies whose employees are Mayor-elect Eric Adams announced at the press conference. “I bring a Lee Brown served in the 1980s and missioner’s order.” De Blasio said that Health Commis- in the office with others. However, the his choice for New York City’s next different perspective. Committed to 1990s before her, said the AP. Meansioner Dr. Dave Choksi, Dr. Mitch Katz mandate could expand to businesses police commissioner Wednesday making sure the department looks while, Rodney Harrison, the NYPD’s at NYC Health + Hospitals, and Health working remotely or those who have morning. Adams named Nassau like the city it serves and making the first Black chief of detectives, is reSenior Advisor Dr. Jay Varma have been gone the hybrid route. The deadline to County Police Chief of Detectives decision, just as Mayor-elect Adams portedly headed out to Long Island in touch and in constant dialogue with present proof of at least one dose of the Keechant Sewell, 49, as the incoming did, to elevate women and people of in an interesting switch. Harrison “leaders around the country” to further vaccine is Dec. 27 when the law takes police commissioner. She will be the color to leadership positions.” recently retired as chief and will be over. It would be just a few days before explain his stance. De Blasio’s vaccine mandate would the mayor leaves office and MayorSee VACCINE on page 6 Content, Character, Curriculum=David affect 184,000 businesses and apply to

By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff, Report for America Corps Member

WWW.AMSTERDAMNEWS.COM

(Lem Peterkin photo)

New Leadership Key to Ending Bias in the FDNY Urban Agenda by David R. Jones, President and CEO of the Community Service Society of New York - See page 5

JAB OR JOB

By CYRIL JOSH BARKER, ARIAMA LONG, STEPHON JOHNSON & NAYABA ARINDE Amsterdam News Staff

political landscape, from their councilmember to the mayor. After years of racial injustice, unequal treatment and inequities of city resources many are hoping the Black political alignment In 2022, millions of New Yorkers are look- could bring change. ing at a streamline of Black leadership in their See LEADERSHIP on page 35

“We’ve talked about an exception for remote work because it’s not the same concept, obviously, as people being in a workplace. And if it’s a sole proprietor or someone with a single––you know, they themselves are the only employee, that’s obviously different as well. But for the––basically, everything else, where people go to work in a workspace, that’s what it applies to. And it’s a health com-

THE NEW BLACK VIEW

HERSTORY

Mayor’s rushed vaccine announcement catches all off guard: Mandates entire workforce vaxxed by Dec. 27

By STEPHON JOHNSON Amsterdam News Staff tional Institute of Allergy and Infec- covering cases in Europe a week includes both children and adults.” tious Diseases, told reporters that before the variant was discovered in For those vaccinated? “…The best On Monday, Dec. 6, New York City the person is fully vaccinated and South Africa. way to strengthen your protection is Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a new Global concern over the spread of has mild symptoms that are “…imDuring a media briefing earlier to get a booster shot, as soon as you vaccine mandate for the private sector, the Omicron variant of the corona- proving at this point.” testing just how committed people are this week, U.S. President Joe Biden are eligible,” stated the president. virus has made its way to American On Monday, the president told the to the cause. This variant of the coronavirus was reassured the public that the Omi“Yeah, this is across the board,” de shores with the first case confirmed first sequenced in South Africa, and cron variant wasn’t anything to worry public, “We’re throwing everything in California as the San Francisco subsequently the U.S. banned all about for now. we have at this virus, tracking it from Blasio said of the mandate on Tuesday. and state health departments con- travel from South Africa (and neighIn a statement last week, the pres- every angle…I’m sparing no effort, firmed the first case on Wednesday. boring countries) and has maintained ident said, “…For those not yet fully removing all roadblocks to keep the Dr Anthony Fauci, director of the Na- the bans despite scientists later dis- vaccinated: get vaccinated today. This See OMICRON on page 6 By STEPHON JOHNSON Amsterdam News Staff

Adams announces transition committee members

Recipe for effective Black leadership in 2022

Vol. 112 No. 50 | December 16, 2021 - December 22, 2021

NYC BIZ BOOST?

WHICH ONE?

Vernon E. Jordan, civil rights activist, passes at 85

By CYRIL JOSH BARKER Amsterdam News Staff

WWW.AMSTERDAMNEWS.COM

By CYRIL JOSH BARKER Amsterdam News Staff

(Pexels photo by Laura James)

COVID Stats troubling

THE NEW BLACK VIEW

First Lady Chirlane McCray receives COVID-19 booster shot at North Central Bronx Hospital on Tuesday, October 5, 2021

(Nayaba Arinde photo)

Impact of Omicron variant of COVID unknown, but health officials keep eye on it

WWW.AMSTERDAMNEWS.COM

CUOMO’S PROBLEM?

PANDEMIC'S TOLL ON BLACK WOMEN

Malikah Shabazz — daughter of Malcolm X passes

Predatory Medical Debt Collection Practices by Hospitals Must End Be sure to check amsterdamnews.com for a list of NYC Thanksgiving turkey and meal giveaways.

Vol. 112 No. 49 | December 9, 2021 - December 15, 2021

(Ariama C. Long photo)

Avenue and Fulton Street. On a sunny Wednesday in September, there was a long line of people, some Brooklynites, some just hungry New Yorkers. All waiting for hours, looking deThe Plaza square is sandwiched between a pressingly out of place in the Bedstuy Restorarenovated milk bottling plant, an Applebees, tion Plaza square. and the Billie Holiday Theatre in the BedfordMany were elderly men and women, some Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn. Layered with soft or strong accents, a reminder that deck-like stairs lead up from the street to the they have called another country home. June See FOOD on page 6 tables and stages that look out at famed Marcy

WWW.AMSTERDAMNEWS.COM

COVID ALERT

As COVID recedes, NYC’s Black, Brown and immigrant residents struggle to access healthy food By ARIAMA C. LONG Report for America Corps Member / Amsterdam News Staff

Policy, Personnel, Practice

See STUDENTS on page 6

WWW.AMSTERDAMNEWS.COM

2021 WWW.AMSTERDAMNEWS.COM

(SANTA BLAIR/FACEBOOK)

During the COVID-19 pandemic when schools closed, nearly 28,000 students were learning remotely in shelters with 65,000 living “doubled-up” with friends or family, staying temporarily with others in overcrowded housing. An additional 3,860 students were unsheltered last year, living in cars, parks, or abandoned buildings. Last year marked the sixth consecutive year that there were more than 100,000 students identified as homeless in city schools. Areas of the city that saw the highest

THE NEW BLACK VIEW

(AP Photo)

Data released by the nonprofit organization Advocates for Children of New York (AFC) reveals that more than 101,000 New York City students experienced homelessness in the 2020-’21 school year. Of those children, almost half (47.9%) were Black. Officials from AFC say the new numbers are a 42% increase since the start of the decade and have remained persistent in recent years.

Vol. 112 No. 48 | December 2, 2021 - December 8, 2021

(Contributed photo from Banks)

By CYRIL JOSH BARKER Amsterdam News Staff

(Bill Moore photo)

See VETERANS on page 6

Urban Agenda by David R. Jones, President and CEO of the Community Service Society of New York - See page 5

See MALCOLM on page 6

(Bill Moore photo)

(Danny Goodine photo)

(Katrina Hajagos photo) See HISTORIC on page 6

Adams Must Address Justice, Fairness and Inclusivity

THE NEW BLACK VIEW

FOOD APARTHEID NYC

Exonerations for two in Malcolm X murder case By HERB BOYD Special to the AmNews

On Monday, 11-year-old Willa received her first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. She made sure to get there bright and early to get vaxxed, and she was right. Dozens of kids at her school were turned away when administrators ran out of doses shortly after 8 a.m. (Elinor Tatum photo)

Vol. 112 No. 47 | November 25, 2021 - December 1, 2021

(Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office)

KIDS VAX UP

WWW.AMSTERDAMNEWS.COM

TRA LBLAZER PASSES ADAM APP

Hip hop icon DMX passes, is celebrated

Policing and the Black vote

City’s Future Promise Lies in Increased School Funding

REVEI2EW N I R A E Y ARTING ON PAG ST

By STEPHON JOHNSON Amsterdam News Sta

SAW T COM NG

M O COV D

OR H

answers to quell the violence for the who was shot in Brooklyn when she pared to this time last year; howevupcoming summer season. was shot in the stomach on her birth- er, gun arrests were up over 66% in The NYPD reports last week that day. Two men were shot in Brooklyn at March compared to last March. New York City saw a high number of in total 50 people were shot in 46 Red Hook Houses. A 23-year-old man Speaking during a televised interviolent incidents last weekend with shootings. One of the victims was an in that shooting was taken to the hos- view, Mayor Bill de Blasio continued 16 shootings and 17 victims during 18-year-old young man in the Bronx pital where he was pronounced dead. to equate the city’s increase in violence Saturday and Sunday. Officials and who was shot in front of his building. Just four months into 2021, reports with the court system being closed See GUN on page 6 community leaders are searching for Another was a 30-year-old woman indicate that crime is down 11% com-

Omicron variant of COVID-19 halts NYC’s recovery

By CYRIL JOSH BARKER Amsterdam News Staff

WWW.AMSTERDAMNEWS.COM

Vol. 112 No. 17 | April 29, 2021 - May 5, 2021

WWW.AMSTERDAMNEWS.COM

TheOm cronvar anto theCOVID-19v rus hasbeen abe ed“m der”Itseas ytransm ss b e desp te soc a d stanc ng contract tracng test ng etc Its a new var ant The pub c needstotakeas m arapproachto ght ng t But (aga n) an unknown outcome Om cron made ts mark n New York C ty severa weeks ago when streets ed w th bar es restaurant patrons and partygoers empt ed out as pos t ve cases ncreased L nes or COVID test ng at pub c and pr vate ac t es took the p ace o nes at restaurants C t zens are tak ng precaut ons Pr vate bus nesses now have vacc ne mandates and c ty agenc es are r ght beh nd them The Metropo tan Trans t Author ty has ooked to contr bute n ts own way by openng test ng s tes n some o the r stat ons Accord ng to the MTA the agency s go ng back to ts pre-pandem c serv ce—and prov d ng 90% o t or c ose to 60% o the r dersh p An ema rom the MTA a so sa d that ts see ng 97%comp ancew th tsvax-or-testmandate MTA Spokesperson Dave Stecke sa d that COVIDboostershot ocat onsareava ab eto anyone n the c ty “The MTAs pr or ty s to keep New York mov ng and we are do ng th s by open ng as See COVID 19 on page 4

Archbishop Tutu, a cleric of social and political consciousness passes By HERB BOYD Spec a to the AmNews

(G N photo)

ent ess ght aga nst Aparthe d s now echoed by thousands as they mourn h s pass ng The c er c Nobe Peace Pr ze re“Desmond Tutu has been a part o my c p ent w th an unwaver ng demand or e or 20 years now—as a mentor and a ust ce and un mpeachab e ntegr ty ro e mode as a member o our nonpro - o ned the ancestors on Dec 26 n Cape ts board as the pr est who marr ed me Town South A r ca He was 90 and my husband as the man who a ways “We have ost a person who carr ed the cha enges me to g ve the very best that I burden o eadersh p w th compass on have to g ve ” sa d mmaker Dawn G - w th d gn ty w th hum ty and w th such ord Eng e n 2014 at the prem ere o her good humor” sa d South A r can Pres m “Ch dren o the L ght” that opened dent Cyr Ramaphosa the 9th annua Har em F m Fest va “It That sent ment was s m ar y exhas been an ncred b e honor to be ab e pressed by ormer Pres dent Barack to capture h s sp r t essence and cut- Obama who tweeted that Tutu “was a t ng-edge work n the wor d n our new mentor a r end and a mora compass m and…I hope that m ons o peop e or me and so many others A un versa around the wor d w now be ab e to get sp r t Archb shop Tutu was grounded to know th s great man as a resu t ” n the strugg e or berat on and usHer m narrated by Tutus daughter t ce n h s own country but a so conNaom that chron c es the archb shops cerned w th n ust ce everywhere ” pass onate reso ve or peace and a reSee DESMOND on page 4

Archb shop Desmond Tutu and Congressman John Lew s