Saturday, September 2, 2017

RADICAL CLERIC SHAIKH FAISAL INDICTED FOR RECRUITING SUPPORTERS AND FACILITATING EFFORTS TO JOIN ISLAMIC STATE


Influential ISIS Recruiter Used Public Profile to Solicit Acts of Violence and Terrorism

  Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., and New York City Police Commissioner James O’Neill today announced the indictment of TREVOR WILLIAM FORREST, a/k/a “SHAIKH ABDULLAH FAISAL,” a/k/a “SHAIKH FAISAL,” 53, for using his public profile and personal network to recruit and provide support to those seeking to commit acts of violence and terrorism against others. The defendant is charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment with Soliciting or Providing Support for an Act of Terrorism in the First Degree as a Crime of Terrorism and other charges.[1]
The indictment follows a yearlong investigation by the NYPD Intelligence Bureau and the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office’s Counter Terrorism Program, which was created in June 2015 to identify and pursue investigative leads related to homegrown terror plots, extremist activities, and terror-financing.
“Shaikh Faisal has dedicated his life to terror recruitment,” said District Attorney Vance. “Through his lectures, website, and videos, he incites untold numbers of people around the world to take up the cause of jihad. As is alleged in this case, he provided material support to the Islamic State by facilitating the passage of a self-described ISIS sympathizer from New York to Syria. A charismatic leader, the defendant’s rhetoric has been cited by several convicted or suspected terrorists in New York, London, and beyond. As charged in today’s indictment, the defendant also served as the fulcrum of a recruitment effort that encouraged individuals to carry out acts of terrorism in the name of the Islamic State and connected them with other radical supporters who were willing—or already in the process—of doing the same in countries around the world.”
Police Commissioner James P. O’Neill said: “Shaikh Faisal has used his influence and direction to groom and inspire terrorists who have bombed trains, attempted to blow up airliners, and attack Americans here and abroad. His arrest for his efforts to recruit people for ISIS, a terrorist group that has plotted attacks against New York City, should bring an abrupt end to his global outreach in support of terror groups such as al-Qaida and ISIS.”
According to the indictment and documents filed in court, beginning in December 2016, FAISAL and an undercover NYPD officer based in New York began communicating remotely while the defendant was living in St. James, Jamaica. 
Since 2014, FAISAL, who was previously convicted in the U.K. of crimes related to inciting murder and using racially charged, hateful rhetoric in furtherance of terrorist ideologies, has publicly supported a terrorist organization known as the Islamic State, a/k/a “ISIS” or “ISIL”, and called for the establishment of an Islamic caliphate through violent acts encouraged by the defendant’s online lectures and militant propaganda. 
During their conversations, which occurred over email, text messages, and video chats, FAISAL encouraged the undercover officer to view his lectures online and began sending this person propagandist reports from an official Islamic State news outlet. After their initial exchanges, the defendant offered to help the undercover officer leave the U.S. and travel to the Middle East to support foreign fighters abroad. FAISAL also offered to connect this individual with contacts, cautioning the undercover officer to be circumspect about explicit references to the plan, employ coded language, and use an encrypted chat tool while communicating with FAISAL and his associates. 
In a subsequent conversation, the undercover officer informed the defendant that they were certified to perform first aid and CPR, and reiterated the undercover officer’s desire to go overseas to provide aid to foreign fighters in the Middle East. FAISAL then suggested that the undercover officer enter into a marriage with someone in the Islamic State to enable travel abroad, and offered to broker the arrangement. Members of the NYPD Intelligence Bureau, along with the undercover officer, then traveled to the Middle East and, upon their arrival, the defendant provided the undercover officer with contact information for an individual based in Raqqa, Syria. In early 2017, that individual contacted the undercover officer and began collecting information about this person’s location and whereabouts in order to facilitate entry into the Islamic State. 
[1] The charges contained in the indictment are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty. All factual recitations are derived from documents filed in court and statements made on the record in court.
Defendant Information:
TREVOR WILLIAM FORREST, a/k/a “SHAIKH ABDULLAH FAISAL”, a/k/a “SHAIKH FAISAL”, D.O.B. 9/10/1963
St. James, Jamaica

Charged:
  • Soliciting or Providing Support for an Act of Terrorism in the First Degree as a Crime of Terrorism, a class B violent felony, 1 count
  • Soliciting or Providing Support for an Act of Terrorism in the First Degree, a class C violent felony, 1 count
  • Attempted Soliciting or Providing Support for an Act of Terrorism in the First Degree as a Crime of Terrorism, a class C violent felony, 1 count
  • Conspiracy in the Fourth Degree as a Crime of Terrorism, a class D violent felony, 1 count
  • Attempted Soliciting or Providing Support for an Act of Terrorism in the Frist Degree, a class D violent felony, 1 count

Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj and CM Andrew Cohen Host 7th Annual "Welcome to the Neighborhood Weekend Walk"


4th Annual Music on the BLVD event


BP Ruben Diaz Jr. to Host Muslim School Holiday

Bronx Chamber of Commerce - September 13th 911 Memorial Ceremony





EDITOR'S NOTE:
9/11 was an important part of American history since it was the first time in the 20th  Century that the United States Homeland was attacked. It is very important that this be taught in all schools so children born after 9/11 know what happened, and realize that the attacks were against their freedom which they enjoy today. 

September at KRVC






Friday, September 1, 2017

Bronx Chamber of Commerce and Mid-Island Mortgage Corporation presents a Free Seminar for First-Time Home Buyers


Friends of VCP's September Events


Rowboating on VC LakeLast Day is Today: Friday September 1st from 4:30pm to 7:30pmVillage Community Boathouse will provide FREE rowing in their fleet of traditional wooden rowboats.  Children under 18 years old need a parent present to sign waiver. Enter the park at Van Cortlandt Park South & Bailey Ave. Meet near the Lake.

Youth Run Farm Stands
Wednesdays from 2-7pmuntil October 25th– 
at the Train Park at Orloff Ave and Gale Place.Thursdays from 12-7pmuntil November 16th– 
on the Corner of E. Gun Hill Road and DeKalb Ave. 
Wednesdays will include healthy cooking demonstrations and hands-on activities for the community.  Thursday’s market is being held in partnership with GrowNYC. Both markets will accept Cash, EBT/Credit/Debit, Healthbucks, FreshConnect Bucks, WIC and FMNP checks. Special Thank You to Our Supporters: New Yankee Stadium Benefits Fund, Clif Bar Family Foundation and Bon Secours Healthy Community Initiative.

Volunteer Trails Restoration CrewSaturday September 9th from 10am to 3pm
Crew Members will work alongside trails professionals, developing skills in various areas of trail construction while improving the various trails in Van Cortlandt Park.  Projects include building boardwalks, clearing waterbars and drainage swells and installing drainage dips.  No prior trails experience is necessary; all training will be offered in an on-the-job format.  Interested? Contact alex@vancortlandt.org for more information on September event. Must be 18 years of age to join.

Tibbetts Wetland Tour
Saturday September 16th at 10am
 Please wear appropriate shoes and bring plenty of water and a snack for the hike. Meet inside the park near the last stop of the 1 train at Broadway and W. 242nd Street.


Fall Kickoff Volunteer EventSaturday September 30th meeting at 10amJoin us as we kickoff a season of volunteering with projects throughout Van Cortlandt Park:
Garden & Compost Site Weeding & Harvesting: meet at the FVCP Compost Site- enter the Park at Broadway and Mosholu Ave.Woodlawn Playground Beautificationmeet at Van Cortlandt Park East and just south of Kepler Avenue.Trail Restorationmeet inside the park near the last stop of the 1 train at Broadway and W. 242nd Street.