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“Enough is Enough, It Has to Stop!”

Editor, Our Time Press
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“Enough is Enough, It Has to Stop!”

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms Responds to
Weekend Shootings

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms delivered an impassioned response Sunday to holiday weekend violence in Atlanta that killed three people, including an 8-year-old girl, and injured more than 20 in multiple incidents. 


Here is the text of Bottoms’ statement at a news conference: 
“We’ve talked a lot about what we are demanding from our officers in our communities. We protested, we’ve demonstrated, we’ve been angry, we’ve cried, we’ve demanded action. 
“Well now we are demanding action for Secoriea Turner and for all of the other people who were shot in Atlanta last night and over the past few weeks because the reality is this. These aren’t police officers shooting people on the streets of Atlanta. These are members of the community shooting each other. 

“And in this case it is the worst possible outcome. There were two other people who were actually shot and killed last night and several others. 
“Enough is enough. Enough is enough. 
“We have talked about this movement that’s happening across America in this moment in time where we have the ears and interests of people across this country and across this globe who are saying they want to see change. But the difference in this moment in time and the Civil Rights movement, the Civil Rights movement — it was a defined common enemy. So we’re fighting the enemy within when we are shooting each other up on our streets and the city. 

“You shot and killed a baby. And it wasn’t one shooter. There were at least two shooters. An 8-year-old baby. And you want people to take us seriously. And you don’t want us to lose this movement, then we can’t lose each other in this. 

“And there are peaceful demonstrators across this city and across this country, and I applaud them and I thank them for being peaceful and for honoring the lives of so many people who have been killed in America because of injustice. That’s an important movement that’s happening. 
“But this random wild, wild West shoot-’em-up because you can, has gotta stop. It has to stop.”
(On Monday, Mayor Lance Bottoms learned she and family members tested positive for Covid 19. See Page 4)

To Be or Not To Be… Open Again.

Marlon Rice
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To Be or Not To Be… Open Again.

Monday July 6th is supposed to be the day that New York City moves into Phase 3 of reopening. In Phase 3, restaurants would be able to resume dine-in seating at 50% capacity. Nail salons, tattoo parlors, massage parlors and spas would also be allowed to resume business, also at 50% capacity. Our city was the hardest hit by Covid-19 in the entire nation, with over 200,000 confirmed cases and over 24,000 deaths. Adherence to the Covid-19 guidelines – sheltering in place, social distancing, wearing masks in public – these things have helped our city drive the daily infection rate down. As of June 30, our daily Covid-19 death rate is as low as it’s been since before quarantine began. So, as a city, we have done the work needed to begin the process of reopening.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo stated that he would make the final decision about Phase 3 on Wednesday July 1st. As this paper goes to print on that day, you are reading this column already equipped with the knowledge of whether or not we will be moving into Phase 3 on Monday. Last Monday, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy stated that he was putting a halt on Phase 3 indefinitely, citing the second wave uptick in many states across the nation.

Three weeks ago, I drove down to West Palm Beach Florida. My eldest daughter, Imani, wanted to take her two children, my grandchildren, to stay at their maternal great-grandparents home for the summer. So, we piled into her truck and drove the whole way down. It was both a much needed getaway from quarantine life and an opportunity for me to see how the rest of the world was dealing with Covid-19. On the way down we made numerous stops. The Chick-Fil-A near the White Marsh Mall in Maryland was only doing take-out. The cashier brought our meal to our car, masked and gloved. In North Carolina, we stopped at a Denny’s so that I could jump on a Zoom conference to moderate a panel. The Denny’s was seating people under the guidelines of social distancing. They literally sat us in a closed off section of the restaurant, at least twenty feet away from the next customer. All of the staff wore masks, all of our eating utensils were plastic and sealed before we used them. In both cases, we were pleasantly surprised by our southern neighbor’s attention to guidelines. Once we got into South Carolina however, things changed drastically. In Florence, I was scared to go into a service station because there were at least fifteen people in the place and not one mask in sight. Those plexiglass partitions that have become part of the new point-of-sale norm were nowhere to be found and the cashiers in the station weren’t wearing masks either. At a KFC in Dillon, Georgia we found the same kind of attitude. People weren’t wearing masks and point of sale areas weren’t protected. They gave us extra food, but we didn’t want it. No one in the entire staff was wearing any masks. They had hairnets on, but no masks. I guess getting a hair in my chicken is taken more seriously than passing on Covid-19.
It was in Florida where we found the most troubling examples of a lack of guidelines. In West Palm Beach, restaurants were open for business, no social distancing rules and not a mask in sight. Not one store mandated its patrons to wear masks. Not one point of sale area was protected. Amid the Trump banners and the Make America Great Again bumper stickers, no one in West Palm Beach seemed to care about protecting themselves against Covid-19. Florida was beautiful. Many of the people though were careless. We stayed in a quiet, private house that we rented. We took every precaution as serious as we do in Brooklyn and we got up out of there as quickly as we could.

It’s really common sense. If we want to keep winning the battle against Covid-19 then we have to keep vigilant with regards to the guidelines. That means that you need to wear your mask whenever you are going to be within ten feet of other people. That means that all point of sale areas should be protected with plexiglass. That means no club hopping or packed festivals until further notice. And, that means no matter what phase you find yourself in as you read this, keep to the practices that have kept you safe thus far. Re-opening doesn’t mean the end of the pandemic.

What’s Going On

Victoria Horsford
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NEW YORK UPDATES

Gun violence is the new virus running rampant through the streets of NYC, specifically in East New York, Brooklyn; Mott Haven, the Bronx; Jamaica, Queens; and East Harlem, Manhattan. There were 125 shootings during the first three weeks in June. From mid May to June 15, there were 38 gun- related fatalities. Memorial Day weekend usually signals the onset of gun violence in the Apple.

There was a flareup between some of the 500 Harlem block party revelers and NYPD, along the Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard corridor, between 131 and 133 Streets. Problems began at 3:45 am on June 28, when gun fire was heard and calls were made to 911. The Police arrived and then chaos ensues as the crowd grew hostile, hurling insults and bottles at NYPD, according to Daily News, NY Post and WCBS TV reports. Fortunately there were no close encounters between NYPD and inebriated partygoers. Arrests were made days later and NYPD has lots of video footage. Would like an official story from a local politico.

Mayor Bill de Blasio is under siege. He is unpopular with New York residents, the business community, NYPD, et. al because of his mismanagement of protesters and his flip flops during the height of the NY leg of George Floyd marches/group venting crisis. A new social equality movement landed and he didn’t know how to accommodate it. He has a large budget deficit owing to city’s COVID crisis and will be forced to layoff civil servants and cut back allocations to programs which benefit city’s marginalized residents. George Floyd protesters have taken up residency at City Hall where they vowed to remain until he presents a new budget reflecting a $1 billion cut to NYPD. On 7/1, the NYC Council passed an $88.1 billion budget, which includes $1 billion cut to NYPD.

NY PRIMARIES: JUNE 23
The inconclusive 6/23 NY Democratic Primary results, absent almost 800,000 absentee ballots, follow. The presumed winners are newcomer, former middle school principal Jamaal Bowman who ran against veteran Rep. Eliot Engels. NYC Councilman Afro-Latino Ritchie Torres won the race for the seat vacated by Rep. Jose Serrano. African American Mondaire Jones is the frontrunner for seat vacated by Rep. Nita Lowey. A Working Family Party official enthused. “The primary was a referendum on Black lives.” The newcomers are younger, Blacker and Browner than reps whom they presumably succeeded.” Rep. Carole Maloney is in a tight race with Indo American lawyer Suraj Patel. Congress members Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, Bronx, Adriano Espaillat, Manhattan; Yvette Clarke, Brooklyn; Gregory Meeks, Queens handily vanquished opponents and will return to DC, assuming that there are no GOP upsets in November.

COVID19/RE-OPENINGS
Globally, coronavirus infections exceeded 10 million with surges in regions on many continents. The virus death toll approaches 500,000. Most nations have contained the virus sorta/kinda and are ready to resume international travel next month. The European Union is ready for international business travel with a few exceptions. It will ban to airport arrivals from nations such as the United States, Russia, and Brazil. Why? Because of the COVID19 surge in those regions. US airlines like American, United and Delta plan to fly the friendly skies this month.

In the USA, where there is not uniform public health policy, more than 22 states including Texas, Florida and Arizona, have uncontrollable coronavirus surges, the result of May re-openings and a failure to observe virus precaution protocols. Moreover, a Godzilla dust cloud, which originated in the Sahara Desert, hovers over the US gulf states, which complicates virus disorders for those with heart and respiratory conditions. NYC, the erstwhile global coronavirus hotspot has the virus in remission and did so incrementally listening to cautionary tales by scientists, employing the quarantine, face masks, and social distancing when hospitalization was not an option. Looking at surges elsewhere in the USA, NY and NJ are pausing some reopening schedules like interior restaurant dining. Better to err on the side of caution!

LAND USE/JOBS
The NY Post story “JP Morgan Drops foreclosure against James Been, 100 year old WWII veteran who fought fascism,” restores faith in banking. Chase was ready to evict Been over a disputed unpaid $100, 000 loan against his BedStuy home, which originated in 2006. Been says that he never took out a loan and his signature was forged. A NY Post story about his plight attracted donors, advocates and righteous indignation. Last week, Chase dropped the case and forgave the loan. Wonder how many seniors are vulnerable by fraud.

On 6/30, the US Senate voted to extend a small business relief initiative, the Paycheck Protection Program, PPP, for five weeks. PPP still has $130 billion available for loans to small business. Look forward to another round of US economic stimulus which has to address financial aid to states and cities and to rent arrears another national epidemic, a result of COVID lockdowns and job loss. Another $1250 check for individuals should be factored into a new stimulus. Last week, Trump mumbled something akin to a stimulus.

EDUCATION OP

EDUCATION: The NYU Langone Medical Center has scholarships for Blacks interested in medicine. The Langone Medical Center College of Medicine boasts $600 million of unclaimed money for scholarships. Applicants should email admissions@med.med.nyu.edu or
gmesupport @nyulangone.org or call 212.263.5290 or 212.263.5506.

JULY EVENTS
The Macy’s Fourth of July fireworks began on June 29 which will include 6 mini shows through July 4.

HARLEM: Harlem Park to Park coordinates the “Harlem Black Lives Matter Mural” kickoff and mural installation at the Adam Clayton Powell State Office Building, on ACP Boulevard at 125 Street at Seventh Avenue, Harlem, on July 3, at 10 am. Check Eventbrite.com/black-lives-matter-street-mural.

BROOKLYN: The 49th International African Arts Festival, one of the nation’s longest running cultural events with Pan African roots, will be livestreamed this year via www.IAAFestival.org. on Saturday, July 4 and July 11. Vendors, live music, dance classes, family activities are part of the interactive festivities. For more info email info@iaafestival.org or call 718.638.6700.

A Harlem-based branding and media consultant, Victoria can be reached at Victoria.horsford@gmail.com

GABRIELA EVON THOMAS Valedictorian – P.S. 297

Editor, Our Time Press
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GABRIELA EVON THOMAS Valedictorian – P.S. 297

5th Grade  On-Line June Commencement Address – June 2020

“Always remember: we are smarter than we think.”


(Good morning Stockton family. This morning I have the honorable pleasure of introducing this year’s P.S. 297, 2020 valedictorian, Gabriela Thomas. When I think of  Gabby, I am reminded of a caterpillar. Now I know some of you are saying, “Ew!,” but bear with me and I will explain. As we remember (from our kindergarten class), caterpillars go through many stages of growth in a short period of time. This concept exemplifies who Gabby is, and (that) was demonstrated tenaciously in our few months of remote learning. During this time, she emerged out of her chrysalis stage and has blossomed into this beautiful butterfly with strong wings weaved with leadership and maturity. In these months, I have witnessed Gabbs evolve into and autonomous young lady who became an invaluable asset to her classmates as well as to me and Ms. Cudyker. From dance troupe, to the debate team, Gabriela gives her all. Join me in raising your virtual glasses to Gabriela Thomas class 501’s class of 2020 valedictorian.  Ms. Battles) 


Thank you, Ms. Battles for that introduction. 
Good morning students, teachers, staff and guests. My name is Gabriela Evon Thomas.  I am this year’s valedictorian. It is a great honor to be picked to be valedictorian of P.S. 297, The Abraham Stockton School. 
I would like to thank Mr. James Brown, our principal, and Ms. Espinal, the assistant principal, for never giving up on us fifth-graders and always having lunch with us. Before I begin, I would like to take a moment of silence for everyone who passed away during this stressful time. Thank you. I dedicate this speech in honor of my grandmother Pamela who passed in early April. She always had hope in me and said I was her “smart little diva”. 


I wasn’t always in P.S. 297, but when I did come, it was in the second grade and luckily Ms. Angelica Irizarry, the Parent Coordinator, trusted me, a second grader, to perform at the talent show and that is when I knew that I belonged at this school. I’m glad I stayed because I made so many friends and met a lot of cool teachers. I also got to be a part of our school’s debate team where I placed top speaker of District 14. I’m so glad to be part of (this) family. 
I would like to thank my mother for being there for me: if it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t be reading the speech. You are my everything and with you around I will never hit rock bottom. 


I would like to thank my teachers Ms. Battles and Ms. Gabrielle Cudyker. They always believed in us and were always here for us. Without teachers, life would have no class. This quote especially goes to my teachers because if we were without them during online learning, none of us would be here starting a new chapter of our life. 


And now to my fellow fifth-graders: we have overcome so much in the last three months. Who knew we were going to be finishing our fifth grade year at home? We will be a part of history. Everything we accomplish now, (shows) how great we will be in the future.
 WE (CAN) ACCOMPLISH ANYTHING WE PUT OUR MINDS TO AND OVERCOME ANY OBSTACLE THROWN OUR WAY!  
Always remember: we are braver than we believe, stronger than we seem and smarter than we think. 
Congratulations and here’s to the Class of 2020.
(The publishers are pleased to report Gabriela, 11, will offer her perspectives in Our Time Press, from time to time.)

There is so much going on, it is difficult not to feel overloaded. 

David Mark Greaves
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There is so much going on, it is difficult not to feel overloaded. 

Covid 19 is leaving over 129,000 dead and the virus will be with us until a safe vaccine is available, but perhaps not for another year. 
Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, delivered a most sobering projection: he said we are headed toward increasing the number of cases to 100,000 a day. And now with cases rising exponentially, our hard-won gains in New York State against the coronavirus is threatened by a resurging because of bad habits presenting themselves. 

Today, I was in a store in the Capital Region and seven customers, including the clerk, were without masks.  I was the only one wearing a mask. 
There’s the nationwide call for police and racial reform, with the new recognition of systemic injustice and violence by white authorities and individuals that African Americans have known in their bones for 400 years. 

Attorney General William Barr appears to have corrupted the Department of Justice in his service to President Trump. The president is delusional and is setting fire to the fabric of the nation with his words and deeds. Now we hear that Vladimir Putin placed a bounty on members of our armed forces in Afghanistan and the president either knew or should have known about it. And, as of today, he still does nothing and says nothing to upset the Russian president. So, what’s Putin got on him? If the last election is any indication, Putin will work mightily to keep his “useful idiot” in office. 

Voter suppression efforts are intensifying, and based on Trump’s insistence that mail-in voting is easily corrupted, come the second wave in November, he’s going to challenge the inevitable millions of late mail-in votes as exampled in the primaries just past, and his followers will rally to his side. It is going to be very, very messy. 

The climate continues to change for the worse and we are only 30 years away from when the oceans are projected to hold equal amounts of plastic and fish. That timetable may move up because the coronavirus has caused explosive use of single-use disposable personal protective equipment and there are more and more over-packaged deliveries, all adding to worldwide pollution.  Manufacturers pursuing profits continue to come up with new disposable items to perform daily tasks from mopping floors to changing diapers. 
We have to wait 4 months until the November 7 elections and 7 months until Vice President Biden is installed on January 20, 2021. A lot of mischief can happen in that time and America’s president will cause as much as he can. 

The past, the present and the future. That’s what we see in Frederick Douglass’ speech, Stephanie Zinerman’s interview and Gabriella Thomas’ 5th grade valedictory address. 
There is a lot going on, but meanwhile, let’s all learn from the past, hold the present accountable and ensure our young people have all the tools they need to survive in the future.

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