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Staying alive?

Eddie Castro
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Staying alive?

By Eddie Castro
In what was quite the hostile environment Sunday night in Indiana, the New York Knicks needed to have a Game 7-like performance to keep their championship hopes alive after dropping the first two games at Madison Square Garden. Going into Sunday’s contest, the Knicks had a win-loss record of 0-9 in playoff games at Indiana.

After Game 2, Coach Tom Thibodeau needed to figure out a way to contain this Pacers team who are one of the best teams when it comes to fast break points. Coach Thibs elected to start Mitchell Robinson over Josh Hart to create more of a defensive balance and add more size in their front court.


In the first half, the Pacers were in the driver’s seat to deliver a knock out blow to the Knicks as New York found themselves trailing a game by 20 points. However, as Knick fans know all too well this postseason, being down by 20 isn’t such a big mountain to climb from is it? Yet again in the second half of the game, the Knicks were able to make the adjustments to overcome another double-digit comeback led by the heroics of Karl Anthony-Towns.

The Knicks outscored the Pacers 36-20 in the fourth quarter in which Towns scored 20 of them in the fourth matching Indiana’s entire output in the quarter. The Knicks became just the third team since 1998 to overcome three 20-point comebacks in a single postseason run.

The difference in the first and second halves was New York’s ability to turn it up on defense. In the first half, the Pacers shot 51 percent from the field. In the second half, the Pacers shot just 36.8 percent.

The Knicks ability to step up defensively ultimately led to them tapping in offensively shooting 50 percent from the field in the final 24 minutes of the game. This all occurred with Jalen Brunson being in foul trouble most of the second half and having one of his worst postseason games going 6-for-18 from the field.


As we go to press, there will be two outcomes to this playoff series by next week’s column. One is the Pacers were able to counter and adjust from their second half meltdown and take a commanding 3-1 series lead, or we would see both teams winning two games each on the road as the series heads back to Madison Square Garden for what will be an instant classic Game 5.

Do the Knicks have enough fight in them to crawl back and tie the series? Will Tom Thibodeau stay with Mitchell Robinson alongside Towns? We will see it all unfold in the coming days!
Sports Notes: (Baseball) The New York Mets welcome the Colorado Rockies to Citi Field to begin a three-time set tonight.

The Yankees have an off day today. The team will head to Los Angeles in hopes of getting revenge as the team begins a three-game set against the Dodgers, a rematch of last year’s World Series match up.


I Want to take time to thank everyone who took the time and tuned in to my new podcast Talk sports with Eddie Castro. Your support does not go unnoticed. Special thanks to all who work behind the scenes to ensure the Our Time Press universe gets the best sports talk show possible. Tune in or call in tonight at 5PM ET for an All-New episode.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel, add Our Time Press on Instagram account. Thank You all very much!

BOOTS ON THE GROUND

David Mark Greaves
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BOOTS ON THE GROUND

… in support of all May 29, 2025

Albany, New York—Advocates Call for End to Mass Incarceration: Yesterday, at the capital upstate, formerly incarcerated New Yorkers, advocates, and legislators rallied at the New York State capital to highlight the issue of mass incarceration in New York State and demand legislative changes. Their press conference was held on the second floor of the Historic Landmark building. Among the speakers were State Assemblymembers Latrice Walker, who was greeted with thunderous applause as she entered the rally area, Demond Meeks, and Harvey Epstein.

Representatives from a host of organizations also attended.  They included:  VOCAL-NY, Release Aging People in Prison, The Parole Preparation Project, HALT Solitary Campaign, Center for Community Alternatives (CCA), New Hour-LI, New York County Defender Services. 

According to the Prison Policy Institute, New York has an incarceration rate of 317 per 100,000 people, meaning that it locks up a higher percentage of its people than almost any democratic country on earth. “There are people in prison who are wrongfully convicted and have no avenue for relief, speakers said. There are elderly people, sick and in hospice, with no avenue for relief. There are people in prison since they were 17 and now 70, with no avenue for relief.”

One woman opined, alternating shedding tears of grief, bewilderment, and joy: how can some be imprisoned for minor crimes, and others for larger let go, or not be imprisoned at all.”  Assemblywoman Walker’s address to her constituents and supporters yesterday, is below:

Assembly member Latrice Walker

Assembly Member Latrice Walker with Kezilar Cornish, Scholar/Inventor/press event host.

Every wrongfully convicted New Yorker deserves a viable path to exoneration. Our state ranks third in the nation – behind Texas and Illinois – in the number of such convictions. People have been robbed of their livelihood, time with their families, and they’ve lost every conceivable benefit of freedom.

I sponsored the Challenging Wrongful Convictions Act in the Assembly to give people a fighting chance, including access to post-conviction discovery and an attorney in eligible cases. Being wrongfully convicted is among the greatest harms a person can experience. New York State lawmakers must do everything in our power to make them whole.

Wrongfully convicted Black people spend an average of 13.8 years in prison. Some lose year away from their children. We all know of cases in which wrongfully convicted people lose loved ones while locked up.

I’m not saying that we should open the gates and let all incarcerated people go free. What I am saying is that anyone who has an actual claim of innocence should have a mechanism to prove it in court. They deserve an opportunity to right the wrong -whether they pleaded guilty or not. We all know that 98 percent of criminal cases are disposed of through guilty pleas. An untold number of these pleas are coerced.

Some people unwittingly took deals because they didn’t have access to the evidence against them.

Despite the progress we’ve made as a state on criminal justice reforms, including bail and discovery, we still have work to do. I ask my colleagues to give innocent people a fighting chance by supporting the Challenging Wrongful Convictions Act.

Former U.S. Congressman Charles B. Rangel, dies at 94

David Mark Greaves
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Former U.S. Congressman Charles B. Rangel, dies at 94

by Herb Boyd May 26, 2025 Amsterdam News

Charles Bernard Rangel, the former congressman from Harlem, and the last remaining founder of the Congressional Black Caucus, has died at age 94. Rangel passed away on Monday, May 26, Memorial Day, surrounded by family. He was a native of Harlem, and the lone surviving member of the legendary Gang of Four. He took his reputation as the “Lion of Lenox Avenue” to the House of Representatives in 1971 after defeating the renowned Rev. Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. The apogee of his tenure in Congress was in 2007 when he became chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.

Read Herb Boyd’s complete obit at the Amsterdam News

Brooklyn Celebrates Malcolm X on Centennial of His Birth

Mary Alice Miller
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Brooklyn Celebrates Malcolm X on Centennial of His Birth

Momentum Grows for Co-Naming of Malcolm X Blvd/Utica Ave A-Train Station

By Mary Alice Miller
“As Long As You Speak My Name, I Will Live Forever,” African Proverb
Gone too soon, our Black Shining Prince would have celebrated his 100th birthday on May 19. Malcolm X gave us an example of manhood guided by ethics, family, and a deep love for his people. It is only fitting that the greater Bedford Stuyvesant community calls for commemorating his name at the Utica Avenue A-train station.


An idea first championed by community activist Kazembe Batts has evolved and now Assembly member Stefani Zinerman has introduced legislation that will instruct the MTA to use specifically committed funds to rename the Utica Avenue subway station on the A and C lines in Bedford-Stuyvesant of the New York City subway to the Malcolm X Boulevard-Utica Avenue station.


Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso expressed his support for the creation of permanent tributes in Brooklyn to celebrate Malcolm X in honor of his 100th birthday on May 19, 2025.


“Malcolm X’s legacy holds a special place in our borough, where his powerful voice for justice and self-determination deeply resonates with Brooklynites, especially communities in Central Brooklyn. His call for Black empowerment and pride in African heritage inspired generations to stand against systemic racism and fight for equality,” said Reynoso. “His influence can still be felt throughout Brooklyn’s cultural institutions, educational initiatives, and grassroots movements.”


Reynoso outlined three objectives of the Malcolm X 100th Birthday Project: 1. Changing the official name of the Utica Avenue A-train subway station to Malcolm X Boulevard; 2. Co-naming Utica Avenue from Fulton Street up to Eastern Parkway to Malcolm X Boulevard North and a Malcolm X Boulevard South, bisected by Fulton Street; and 3. Erecting a statue in the plaza, across from Boys & Girls High School at the intersection of Malcolm X Boulevard and Fulton Street.


“I am proud to stand behind these objectives and honor a figure central to our borough’s history and identity [that celebrates] Malcolm X’s enduring fight for justice and liberation,” Reynoso said.


The proposed subway station co-naming would intersect the districts of State Senators Zellnor Myrie and Jabari Brisport along Fulton Street. Both legislators support the initiative.
“I’ve already reached out to the MTA for guidance on their process for renaming a subway stop and am eagerly watching the community support that the Malcolm X 100th Birthday Project is building,” said Brisport. “I’m looking forward to being a collaborator as this project evolves.”


Myrie, in collaboration with Assembly member Stefani Zinerman and City Council member Chi Osse, wrote a letter to MTA President Demetrius Chrichlow requesting consideration of the requested co-naming.


“This year, Black Americans will mark one hundred years since the birth of Malcolm X. A towering figure in the struggle for civil rights, Malcolm X was born in Omaha but spent the most influential years of his career in New York City. Here, he campaigned against police brutality, in support of organized labor and for the economic, educational and political empowerment of Black New Yorkers,” the letter stated.

“The MTA’s Utica Avenue Station on the “A” and “C” lines is in the heart of the Bedford-Stuyvesant neighborhood, a historically Black community. In 1985, the extension of Utica Avenue north of Fulton Street (formerly known as Reid Avenue) was renamed Malcolm X Boulevard. To mark the 100th anniversary of his birth, we write to respectfully request the installation of signage at the Utica Avenue Station identifying Malcolm X Boulevard and acknowledging this important figure in New York City history.”


In a separate communication to Community Boards 3 and 8, Osse offered his full support for the establishment of permanent tributes in Brooklyn to honor Malcolm X in celebration of his 100th birthday on May, 19, 2025.


“The legacy of Malcolm X holds significant importance in our borough, where his influential voice advocating for justice and self-determination resonates deeply with residents, particularly in Central Brooklyn,” said Osse. “His message continues to inspire to this day. The impact of his work remains present across Brooklyn’s cultural institutions, educational programs, and grassroots movements. I strongly support each of the proposed actions to honor his legacy.”


Community-based institutions and religious organizations also gave their full support.
“We are sending this letter to support the Brooklyn Malcolm X 100th Birthday Project as they seek to create permanent symbols to honor him and his legacy of empowerment in Central Brooklyn,” said Wayne Devonish, Chairman, 500 Men Making a Difference Inc. “We urge the Community Board to endorse the three items that are listed in order of priority and feasibility. By signing below my organization is in favor of the project.”


“We are in full support of the movement to commemorate Malcolm X’s tribute to American history and culture on his 100th birthday (May 19, 2025) by renaming the Utica Avenue Subway Station in his name,” said Stefanie Siegel Executive Director and Founder, Bailey’s Cafe. “Renaming the station is aligned with ours and others’ efforts to preserve and archive the history and culture of Bedford-Stuyvesant, an important enclave of Black Culture.”


On behalf of Reverend Dr. Adolphus C. Lacey, Senior Pastor, and the disciples of the Bethany Baptist Church of Brooklyn, thank you for inviting us to be a part of the Brooklyn Malcolm X 100th Birthday Project,” said Reverend E. Tyrone Pittman, Executive Pastor, Bethany Baptist Church of Brooklyn. “We stand in support of this important event as it speaks to one of our core values, that of social justice – a concept on which the life and legacy of Malcolm X firmly rests.”


“Bridge Street Development Corporation is proud to join with a broad coalition of community leaders and organizations in Central Brooklyn who are coming together to support the Brooklyn Malcolm X 100th Birthday Project as they seek to create permanent symbols to honor Malcolm X and his legacy of empowerment,” said Gregory Anderson.


“The International People’s Democratic Uhuru Movement (InPDUM), joins a broad coalition of community leaders and organizations in Central Brooklyn who are coming together to promote this project. We urge elected officials representing the area, local community boards, the MTA, and any decision-making entity to affirm and support the Brooklyn Malcolm X 100th Birthday Project,” said Ikemba Ojore, Secretary International People’s Democratic Uhuru Movement New York City Branch. “Support the initiative to recognize Malcolm X’s 100th birthday and create permanent symbols in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn, as a lasting tribute to one of America’s greatest leaders.”


“On behalf of the Rev. Al Sharpton, President and Founder of the National Action Network, Officers and Members, I would like to first thank you in advance for inviting us to be a part of the Malcolm X 100th Birthday Project,” said Dawn L. Jones, Chair, NANPAC. “On the Sixtieth Anniversary of his Assassination, we stand in support of this important event as it speaks volumes to one of our core values that is social justice – a concept to which the life and legacy of Malcolm X firmly stood.”


“We are sending this letter to support the Brooklyn Malcolm X 100th Birthday Project as they seek to create permanent symbols to honor him and his legacy of empowerment in Central Brooklyn,” Omowale Clay, Chairperson, D12M.

People Power Across the City

Editor, Our Time Press
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People Power Across the City

A CELEBRATION OF MALCOLM X’s 100th ANNIVERSARY New York – On Monday, May 19, 2025, Harlem was on fire with a tremendous showing of love and respect during the 35th straight year of “Shut ‘Em Down” when stores across West 125 Street, Harlem’s major shopping district are made to close by the unity of Black people. Ninety-nine percent of the stores this year accepted the community’s demand to honor Malcolm X and kept their doors locked!


Over the last 35 years, this occasion has become recognized as a commercial moment of silence. This year’s celebration was special because it also marked the 100th anniversary of the legendary leader and freedom fighter Malcolm X (El Hajj El Malik Shabazz).


There was only one big fast-food store, Chick-fil-A, which disrespected Black people’s celebration of Malcolm X …and with a nasty attitude. As word got around, folks began talking about organizing to get this Chick-fil-A location out of Harlem permanently.

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