One Book One Bronx - How Did Vivek Oji Die?

 

SPECIAL EVENT The Death of Vivek Oji by Akwaeke Emezi One Book One Bronx in collaboration with Beyond Words Book Club and Lagos Live! will host simultaneous multi-venue conversations on Akwaeke Emezi's The Death of Vivek Oji. Named a Best Book of 2020 by The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR, USA TODAY, Vanity Fair, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, Marie Claire, Shondaland, Teen Vogue, Vulture, Lit Hub, Bustle, Electric Literature, and BookPage, the conversations, and panel will examine the many elements of The Death of Vivek Oji that galvanize memory, identity, and familial bonds. Scheduled over several dates on Zoom and in person, this project reimagines how a community of readers can serve the cultural good. • All dates are free and open to the public • Choose the venue that fits your availability ON ZOOM • Hosted by Beyond Words Book Club One Book One Bronx will join Beyond Words Book Club for a joint virtual discussion • Wednesday, 10/5, 7pm: Chapters 1-6 (pages 1-49) • Wednesday, 10/12, 7pm: Chapters 7-12 (pages 50-116) • Wednesday, 10/19, 7pm: Chapters 13-18 (pages 117-179) • Saturday, 10/22, 2pm: Chapters 19-24 (pages 180-245) IN PERSON • Hosted by One Book One Bronx James Baldwin Outdoor Learning Center Farmers' Market Goulden & Sedgwick Aves. (DeWitt Clinton High School Campus) Free copies of The Death of Vivek Oji will be distributed to the first 20 participants. • Saturday, 10/8, 1pm: (introductions and free books) • Saturday, 10/15, 1pm: Chapters 1-8 (pages 1-87) • Saturday, 10/22, 2pm: Chapters 9-17 (pages 88-161) On Zoom • Saturday, 10/29, 1pm: Chapters 18-24 (pages 162-245)  ------------------ VIRTUAL PANEL DISCUSSION The Sexuality of Vivek Oji Thursday, 10/20, 7pm How can a deeper exploration of this book bring us closer to the issues that affected the short life of Vivek Oji? The panel will focus on the book's different themes: parent-child relationships, sexuality, queerphobia, and masculinity and how they manifest in communities of color.  What does it mean for a family to lose a child they never really knew? One afternoon, in a town in southeastern Nigeria, a mother opens her front door to discover her son's body, wrapped in colorful fabric, at her feet. What follows is the tumultuous, heart-wrenching story of one family's struggle to understand a child whose spirit is both gentle and mysterious. Raised by a distant father and an understanding but overprotective mother, Vivek suffers disorienting blackouts, moments of disconnection between self and surroundings. As adolescence gives way to adulthood, Vivek finds solace in friendships with the warm, boisterous daughters of the Nigerwives; foreign-born women married to Nigerian men. But Vivek's closest bond is with Osita, the worldly, high-spirited cousin whose teasing confidence masks a guarded private life. As their relationship deepens—and Osita struggles to understand Vivek's escalating crisis—the mystery gives way to a heart-stopping act of violence in a moment of exhilarating freedom. Propulsively readable, teeming with unforgettable characters, The Death of Vivek Oji is a novel of family and friendship that challenges expectations—a dramatic story of loss and transcendence that will move every reader. CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION UP NEXT Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi 2 Locations • On Zoom: Tuesdays, 7pm: 10/25, 11/1, 11/8, & 11/15 • Zambo Aroma: Thursdays, 7pm: 10/27, 11/3, 11/10, 11/17 & 12/1 (in-person, free books) Yaa Gyasi's stunning follow-up to her acclaimed national bestseller Homegoing is a powerful, raw, intimate, deeply layered novel about a Ghanaian family in Alabama. Transcendent Kingdom is a deeply moving portrait of a family of Ghanaian immigrants ravaged by depression and addiction and grief—a novel about faith, science, religion, and love. Exquisitely written and emotionally searing, this is an exceptionally powerful follow-up to Gyasi's phenomenal debut. CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION Literary Freedom Project 557 Grand Concourse, PMB 143 Bronx, NY 10451 info@literaryfreedom.org www.literaryfreedom.org The Literary Freedom Project is committed to creating spaces that elevate cultural narratives.

NYPD Announces Citywide Scam Awareness Campaign

 

Public awareness initiative features a new, 24-hour information hotline: 646-610-SCAM

Police Commissioner Keechant L. Sewell today announced the launch of a citywide initiative to prevent New Yorkers from falling prey to a range of emerging scams and cyber-assisted crimes that use deception to defraud unsuspecting victims.

The New York City Police Department’s scam awareness campaign is designed to raise awareness about the range of schemes criminals are using to target and exploit people, steal their money or other property, and cause incalculable harm to individuals, families, and communities.

A prime feature of the new NYPD initiative is the establishment of a 24-hour information hotline to help New Yorkers inquire about, and better understand, these criminal scams. Police personnel assigned to answer the hotline – 646-610-SCAM – will guide callers in responding to scams, educate them about additional resources, and refer them to services, including 911, for crimes requiring a police response. By gathering and sharing intelligence about these evolving crimes, law enforcement can better analyze and neutralize them.

"The NYPD is fighting this challenging and complex landscape of criminality head on," said Police Commissioner Sewell. "These insidious crimes occur citywide, and they target some of our most vulnerable communities – including our immigrant, elder, and socioeconomically disadvantaged populations. But the NYPD is ever vigilant, and we ask the public to join us in stopping these scams and holding those behind them fully accountable."

Like traditional crime, some scams may be perpetrated in person. But criminals have increasingly built digital components into their scams – making initial contact through email, phone, text message, or through social media. In some of the scams’ most common forms, the thieves attempt to create urgency regarding a loved one and ask for money to be wired, transferred, or delivered via gift cards. Others try to win a victim’s confidence or lower their guard to obtain personal information by telling them, for instance, that they have won and need to claim a large cash prize.

As part of its preventative efforts, the NYPD is warning people to be alert to suspicious contacts from anyone claiming to be the following: part of a government agency, authority, or utility; a debt collector; a bank or retail company representative; or a contact from a dating app or website.

"Be aware that no legitimate business or government agency will ever require you to purchase or send gift cards to pay a bill or resolve a debt," said Commissioner Sewell. "If you have any concerns that you or someone you know may be the victim of a scam, call our information hotline. To report a crime, call 911 or your local precinct. There is always help available."

The NYPD is working with all of its government partners, community groups, and retailers across New York City to issue and disseminate flyers with information about this awareness and prevention campaign, and to provide further details about the scams themselves. Additionally, NYPD personnel will be visiting gift card retailers and vulnerable community members citywide to educate them about gift card safety. Among the safety tips for New Yorkers: do not respond to unknown calls or texts; use official websites to submit personal information; do not let others use your mobile phone; be aware of your surroundings; consult friends and relatives about suspected scams; and use gift cards for shopping only – never to make any other type of payment.

For additional information, see the link below to the Police Commissioner’s recorded message:

https://youtu.be/hgSlsnty_XU

Statement from Speaker Adams on Mayor’s State of Emergency Declaration and Comments on Asylum Seeker, Shelter Crisis

“The Council understands the gravity of the crisis facing New York City and those seeking asylum, and that there are no easy solutions. That is why we sought to offer alternatives for Mayor Adams’ Administration to consider for locating the Humanitarian Emergency Relief and Recovery Center (HERRC) and changes the City could make immediately on its own to end counterproductive homeless policies that are contributing to this crisis. The Administration has insisted HERRCs are not shelters, because they do not comply with the right-to-shelter law. We initially identified 10 large-scale hotels that appeared to be closed that the City could consider for the purposes of intake and relief services, not operate as temporary shelters, consistent with the Administration’s description of a HERRC. Given their capacity, these alternative indoor locations potentially have large enough open spaces to accommodate such an operation to serve 500 people. The Council’s identification of these hotels was conducted through use of our limited staff resources and largely publicly available data, which we know is dwarfed by the dozens of agencies and offices and hundreds of thousands of employees within the control of a mayoral administration.  

“We again encourage the Administration to consider these locations as more humane indoor settings for humanitarian relief in New York City. We also urge them to immediately change the counterproductive homeless system policies that are exacerbating this crisis and are completely within their control, such as the 90-days in-shelter requirement for CityFHEPS rental vouchers. Our purpose for identifying an even larger set of closed hotels was to highlight a trend and broad landscape of buildings potentially available to the City for supportive housing conversion to relieve another of the stresses on our shelter system – the lack of permanent affordable housing.  

“At the same time, we reject the Mayor’s argument that the Council has been unhelpful during this crisis. This Administration has placed several emergency shelters to house asylum seekers within my own district during this crisis with little notice, and I have welcomed them. Many Council members are on the ground in their districts witnessing the gaps that these new residents are facing in receiving help and services from the City. They are working with non-profit organizations to bridge the gaps by delivering food, supporting their schools, and addressing other challenges.  

“We agree with the Mayor that our state and federal government partners need to work with us to provide greater support. Yet, there also needs to be more honesty about the conditions and challenges with the City’s support for homeless New Yorkers and asylum seekers. It is a disservice to gloss over problems with the City’s response because it only undermines our ability to address challenges and improve services. We continue to remain willing to collaborate with the Administration to address this crisis, and are closely reviewing the Mayor’s executive order.” 

BACKGROUND 

The following hotels in Manhattan appear to be closed and temporarily available for the administration to administer intake and relief services, consistent with its proposed HERRC model: 

Doubletree by Hilton Metropolitan (764 rooms) 
Maxwell New York City (697 rooms) 
NYC ESH Lexington (646 rooms) 
Watson Hotel (597 rooms) 
Hilton Hotel & Resort Times Square (478 rooms) 
Hotel Wolcott (178 rooms) 
Cassa Hotel New York (165 rooms) 
Hotel Plaza Athenee (143 rooms) 
Gregory Hotel New York (132 rooms) 
Hotel Stanford (122 rooms) 

Homeless services policy changes that the Council demanded the City to immediately pursue within its own control:  

Eliminating the rule that requires people to remain in the shelter system for 90 days before becoming eligible for the CityFHEPS rental voucher program; 

Reducing the number of homeless families with children who are needlessly shuffled between conditional shelter placements by removing administrative barriers and advocating for the State to reevaluate verification requirements (families can be repeatedly required to return to the PATH Intake Center to reapply and be placed, promoting instability and unnecessarily extending the timeframe to access supports transitioning out of the shelter system); 

Resolving bureaucratic errors and inefficiencies in the application process for CityFHEPS and supportive housing that block people from accessing the opportunities to transition from the shelter system; 

Prioritizing hiring of Department of Social Services (DSS) staff who help process CityFHEPS applications and supportive housing placements, to both reduce backlogs that currently occur and prepare for an increase in applications; 

Tackling source-of-income discrimination that blocks people with rental vouchers from securing apartments by ensuring adequate staffing and operational capacity of the Source of Income Unit at the Commission on Human Rights. 

 

California Man Indicted in Cryptocurrency Money Laundering Conspiracy

 

 A San Francisco, CA man has been indicted for federal violations in the Eastern District of Texas, announced U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston.

John Khuu, 27, was named in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury charging him with money laundering conspiracy.  Khuu was arraigned in federal court by U.S. Magistrate Judge John D. Love on Oct. 6, 2022.

According to the indictment, Khuu is alleged to have conspired with others to launder the proceeds of his drug trafficking organization through cryptocurrency.  The defendant allegedly distributed counterfeit pharmaceutical pills and other controlled substances on dark web markets to customers across the United States.  Customers paid for their purchases by transferring cryptocurrency, usually Bitcoin, from their dark web market customer accounts to one of Khuu’s vendor accounts.  Khuu and his co-conspirators traded the Bitcoin for U.S. currency and laundered the proceeds through hundreds of transactions and dozens of financial accounts.

During the course of the conspiracy, Khuu and his co-conspirators allegedly laundered more than $5,350,000.00.

On May 18, 2022, a federal grand jury in the Eastern District of Texas returned an indictment charging Khuu with conspiracy to commit money laundering.  On August 17, 2022, a federal grand jury in the Northern District of California returned a two-count indictment charging Khuu with unlawful importation of a controlled substance. 

On August 19, 2022, agents arrested Khuu pursuant to both warrants at a residence in Garden Grove, CA.

If convicted, Khuu faces up to 20 years in federal prison on each charge.  A grand jury indictment is not evidence of guilt.  A defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.

New York City Hispanic Chamber of Commerce - Pianos for Peace - 10/12/2022

 

Council Member Marjorie Velázquez - What's Happening in District 13

 

Dear Neighbor,

October is here, and this month we are preparing for the end of the year and the approaching holiday season. Earlier this week, our Jewish neighbors observed Yom Kippur, one of the holiest days in the Jewish faith. Additionally, we kicked off various awareness month campaigns, each with its own focus, but coincidently has a common denominator - women.

In the month of October, we bring awareness to Breast Cancer and Domestic Violence. Each of these causes impact women and their families, and it’s important that we are aware of the unfortunate reality that so many face on a daily basis. As a leader and a woman, I understand the struggles many of our neighbors face and work toward ensuring they have the resources they need to live healthy lives, mentally, physically, and emotionally. I am no stranger to challenging times and I am certainly no stranger to the power of hope.

When possible, I challenge all of us to be supportive and give our friends, families, and even a stranger, hope and strength. Our city and world is full of compassion, scientific discoveries, and possibilities that can meet the challenges so many women face. My office and our non-profit partners have resources to help address the issues that uniquely impact women. In this newsletter, you will find upcoming events and critical information regarding domestic violence and breast cancer. Remember, you are stronger than you may think, and with the right resources comes power.

If you have any questions or would like further information, you can reach out to my office Monday to Friday from 9 AM to 5 PM at (718) 931-1721 or via email at District13@council.nyc.gov.

In the meantime, I look forward to seeing you all around the district and hope you have a safe weekend!

Sincerely,

Council Member Marjorie Velázquez

Columbus Day Weekend

DSNY Service Alert The New York City Department of Sanitation has announced additional service and a change for service on Monday, October 10, 2022. Residents who normally receive Monday trash collection should place their material at the curb Sunday evening between 4 PM and midnight. Residents who normally receive Monday recycling collection should place their material our at curbside between 4 PM and midnight on Sunday, October 16 for pickup on Monday, October 17. Residents who normally receive Monday curbside composting collection should place their material at the curb between 4 PM and midnight Sunday evening.

NYPD Announces Street Closures and Expected Traffic Delays, Sunday, October 9th in the Bronx

 

COLUMBUS DAY PARADE -BRONX 

Bronx: @ the discretion of Nypd 

Formation:  

• Morris Park Avenue between White Plains Road and Wallace Avenue

Route:  

• Morris Park Avenue between Wallace Avenue and Williamsbridge Road 
• Williamsbridge Road between Morris Park Avenue and LydigAvenue 

Dispersal: 

• Williamsbridge Road between Lydig Avenue and Pelham Parkway

Closure: @ the discretion of Nypd 

10 AM - 2 PM

U.S. Attorney Announces Extradition Of Malaysian National For Large-Scale Trafficking Of Rhinoceros Horns

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Edward J. Grace, Assistant Director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement, announced today that TEO BOON CHING, a/k/a “Zhang,” a/k/a “Dato Sri,” a/k/a “Godfather,” was charged for participating in a conspiracy to traffic in more than 70 kilograms of rhinoceros horns valued at more than $725,000 that involved the illegal poaching of numerous rhinoceros, an endangered wildlife species.  In addition, CHING was charged with laundering the proceeds of his illegal rhinoceros horn sales.  CHING, a citizen of Malaysia, was arrested in Thailand on June 29, 2022, at the request of the United States pursuant to our bilateral extradition treaty. CHING was extradited to the United States earlier today and will appear before Magistrate Judge Gabriel W. Gorenstein this afternoon.  The case has been assigned to U.S. District Judge Paul A. Crotty.

Earlier today, CHING and his associated entities were sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury Department Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) pursuant to E.O. 13581, as amended.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:  “Teo Boon Ching is alleged to be the leader of a transnational criminal enterprise trafficking in rhinoceros horns, enriching poachers responsible for the senseless illegal slaughter of numerous endangered rhinoceros, and furthering the market for these illicit products.  The protection of endangered wildlife and the preservation of our natural resources is an important priority for this Office.  Thanks to the tireless efforts of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, this defendant has been caught and brought to the United States to answer for his alleged crimes.”

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement Assistant Director Edward J. Grace said:  “This extradition is a major success for wildlife and people.  Thanks to our federal and international partners, this wildlife trafficker now will have his day in court.  Wildlife traffickers run complex international criminal enterprises that require a multinational law enforcement effort to investigate, arrest and prosecute them for their crimes.  I laud the efforts of our special agents, the U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Department of State Office of Foreign Assets Control, and especially the Royal Thai Police for their commitment in addressing this global problem that is pushing many species to extinction.”

As alleged in the Superseding Indictment unsealed today in Manhattan federal court:[1]

CHING was the leader of a transnational criminal enterprise (the “Enterprise”) based in Asia with significant operations in Malaysia and Thailand which engaged in the large-scale international trafficking and smuggling of rhinoceros horns resulting from the poaching of numerous endangered rhinoceros.  Trade involving endangered or threatened species violates several U.S. laws as well as international treaties implemented by certain U.S. laws.  CHING served as a specialized smuggler, transporting rhinoceros horns from rhinoceros poaching operations primarily in Africa to the eventual customers primarily in Asia.  CHING also claimed to be able to ship rhinoceros horns to the United States.

From at least in or about July 2019 through at least in or about August 2019, CHING conspired to transport, distribute, sell, and smuggle at least approximately 73 kilograms of rhinoceros horns resulting from the poaching of numerous rhinoceros and having an estimated value of at least approximately $725,472. 

On a number of occasions, CHING met with a confidential source to negotiate the sale of rhinoceros horns.  For example, on July 17 and 18, 2019, the confidential source met with CHING in Malaysia.  During those meetings, CHING stated that he served as a “middleman”—one who acquires rhinoceros horns poached by co-conspirators in Africa and ships them to customers around the world for a per-kilogram fee.  During their communications, CHING sent the confidential source numerous photographs of rhinoceros horns that CHING had available for sale and shipment, including the following:

 

In August 2019, the confidential source, at the direction of law enforcement, purchased 12 rhinoceros horns from CHING with money that CHING believed were the proceeds of other illegal wildlife trafficking and was in bank accounts in New York.  At CHING’s direction, law enforcement deposited the purported proceeds into numerous Chinese bank accounts at an underground banking facility in Thailand to disguise the origins, source, and purposes of the monetary transactions.

On August 23, 2019, CHING then arranged for his co-conspirators to deliver twelve rhinoceros horn pieces to undercover law enforcement personnel in Bangkok, Thailand.  A photograph of the rhinoceros horns delivered by CHING is below:

A United States Fish and Wildlife Service forensics laboratory examined these rhinoceros horns and concluded that two horn pieces were black rhinoceros horns and the other 10 pieces were white rhinoceros horns, both endangered species.

CHING, 57, of Malaysia, is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit wildlife trafficking, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, and two counts of money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.

The maximum potential sentences are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge. 

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.  In addition, Mr. Williams thanked the Royal Thai Government for its assistance in the extradition of CHING to the United States and commended law enforcement authorities and conservation partners in Thailand, including the Royal Thai Police and the Office of the Attorney General.  Mr. Williams also thanked the Embassy of the United States in Bangkok and the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of International Affairs for providing substantial assistance in securing the arrest and extradition of the defendant and noted that the investigation is ongoing.

The charges contained in the Superseding Indictment are merely accusations.  The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Superseding Indictment and its description set forth below constitute only allegations, and every fact described should be treated as an allegation.