Op Ed Editorial

HARLEM COMMUNITY NEWSPAPERS

From the Desk of Assemblyman Walter T. Mosley

Dear Neighbors,

Almost six years ago we heard Eric Garner tell police “I can’t breathe” as he was put into a chokehold by a NYPD officer. His words haunt us from his grave as we deal with the police killing of George Floyd under the same circumstances. Hundreds of unarmed black men and women have been killed at the hands of police officers before and between these two tragedies.

In 2015, I introduced a bill to outlaw chokeholds statewide, and I am proud to see it come to fruition today as we passed legislation to reform our criminal justice system. This is an important step forward, but it will not be the last. We must continue to work to change the way police officers interact with communities of color, or we will continue to see these killings take place.

I want to thank the Assembly and all my colleagues in the legislature, but I also would like to thank all the advocates and activists – both young and old, black and white – who took the time to turn this moment into a movement where they put their lives and health on the line protesting in the midst of a global health pandemic. These activists -- over the past two-plus weeks -- brought their collective voices together to let the world know that black lives matter.

I also want to thank and recognize whistleblowers Ramsey Orta and Darnella Frazier who had the courage to document the killings of Mr. Garner and Mr. Floyd as they gasped for life while the world watched in horror. I commend both for what they did to make the world sit up and take notice that real lynchings still take place in the 21st century.

In the midst of a ravaging pandemic we are reminded that we were victimized in another pandemic that has lasted over 400 years – the 1619 pandemic. Over several centuries countless have been brutally murdered due to this man-made pandemic of overt, systemic, and covert racist practices. So in the memory of Jimmy Lee Bruce, Jr., Anthony Baez, and Eric Garner, we say enough is enough as we pass this bill in their memories.

This bill and package of legislation are not about punishment but about accountability, responsibility, and transparency. So as we push these bills into law, we do so proudly in the affirmative that we look toward a new day when we all can say black lives matter.

Honoring George Floyd

On June 3 rd -- the dawn of his memorial services -- we kneeled

Assemblyman Walter T. Mosley

Taking a knee for George Floyd

assing Criminal Justice Reform

for 8 minutes and 46 seconds in collective solidarity and respect for the life and legacy of George Floyd. The eight plus minutes represented the last minutes Bro. Floyd had on this earth and for that we will forever remain on our knees until we get justice for his family and for his legacy. #NoJusticeNoPeace. If we don’t get justice, then none of us will get peace. If you want peace, then give us justice.

Passing Real Criminal Justice Reform

This week in the New York State Assembly we have passed: Right to Monitor Act (A.1360-A); Eric Garner Anti-Chokehold Act (A.6144-B); Racially biased 911 calls (A.1531-B); Mandatory firearm discharge reporting (A.927-A); STAT Act (A.10609); and Prohibit Police Racial Profil

Delivering meals to Interfaith Medical Center Gun Violence Awareness Month

ing (A.4615-A). and will do on behalf of the central was created to raise awareness

Interfaith Medical Center Brooklyn/Bed-Stuy Communities. surrounding the issue of needless

Thank you to Council member #1199 #NYSNA and senseless gun violence in New Cornegy, Watchful Eyes, and the Gun Violence Awareness York’s communities. The focus Charles Oakley Foundation for Month of this effort is to lead a bipartifeeding our frontline workers at Let us not forget that June is san charge to concentrate annual Interfaith Medical Center. We are Gun Violence Awareness Month. heightened attention to gun vioso grateful for all you have done Gun Violence Awareness month lence and gun safety each June.

BROOKLYN UPCOMING EVENTS June 18 4:00-5:30pm Virtual Teacher Workshop: Beyond Representation This online professional development workshop for K–12 teachers explores Fan’s work, including a film viewing and group discussion, to provide strategies for engaging a plurality of queer identities and narratives that go beyond representation—and toward radical inclusion. Email teacher.services@brooklynmuseum.org for more info. June 19 12:30pm Virtual Program: Bite-Size History: Lunch with the BHS Collection Ep 5 BHS’s lunchtime series Bite-Size History continues with BHS historian Nalleli Guillen who will provide in-depth looks at intriguing objects in our collection. In this installment, she and New York Public Library’s Julie Golia explore the history of Brooklyn’s Muslim communities through the fabled deed of Anthony Jansen van Salee, thought to be the first person of Muslim heritage to settle in Brooklyn. Register at brooklynhistory.org. June 19 2:00-3:00pm Archiving Large Scale Collections Join Collections Manager Desiree Alden-Gonzalez for a deep dive into archival work through an exploration of the Lonto-Watson Collection, one of the Museum’s largest archival collections, comprising over 40,000 photographic materials that document the history and development of New York City’s transportation system. $10, FREE for members. Visit nytransitmuseum.org for more info. June 19 7:00-8:00pm Juneteenth: Then and Now This Juneteenth, our virtual #BHeard Town Hall will look at the state of freedom in Black communities as they grapple with COVID-19, benign neglect, and state-sanctioned violence. Join BRIC on YouTube Live as we bring together artists, activists, change makers and stakeholders for community and conversation. Visit bricartsmedia.org for more info. June 20 12:30-1:30pm 100 years of the Interborough Rapid Pelham Transit Line Join Museum Educator Tiara Torres for a digital discussion that explores the history of transportation in The Bronx and the development and opening of the IRT Pelham Line. Discover how the construction of the line drastically transformed New York City’s landscape. Visit nytransitmuseum.org for more info.

June 20 & 27 2:00-5:00pm

Family Art-Making Videos:Pop-Up Books with Sonia

Visit BRIC’s YouTube channel on Saturdays, where we’ll be posting a new art-making video each week! This Saturday it’s PopUp Books with Sonia.

June 22 1:00pm

Bridges Across America: The Impact of John Roebling and the Roebling Family

Associate Professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice Richard Haw shares his book, Engineering America: The Life and Times of John Roebling, a meticulously researched and lively story that follows Roebling from his childhood in Napoleonic Prussia, to his work as a prominent American engineer, and ultimately his tragic death before the completion of his masterpiece. Haw is joined by Erica Wagner, author of Chief Engineer: Washington Roebling, The Man Who Built the Brooklyn Bridge, for a conversation that spans not just John’s grand designs, but the work of his son Washington and daughter-in-law Emily Roebling who brought his vision to life. Register at brooklynhistory.org.

June 22 2:00-3:00pm

Navigating New York

Join Curator Kathleen Hulser for a digital discussion of our recent exhibit Navigating New York and discover how mass transit catalyzed the greater New York region into what it is today. Visit nytransitmuseum.org for more info.

June 23 5:30-6:30pm

Second Avenue Subway

Join Associate Curator Jodi Shapiro to explore the evolution of the Second Avenue Subway project, starting with the first proposal in 1919, to plans for expansion in the future. Visit nytransitmuseum.org for more info.

June 23 12:00pm

Sports, Leadership, and Leveling the Playing Field

Join Brooklyn Bridge Park for “Sports, Leadership, and Leveling the Playing Field,” a virtual panel moderated by Stefanie Strack, Founder & CEO, VIS™ and Voice in Sport Foundation™. Originally scheduled for March as our third Women’s Luncheon, we are now bringing this incredible panel of athletes online. Visit brooklynbridgepark.org to register.