Bronx Progressives February Annual Virtual Meeting

 

Join Fellow Progressives for our February Annual Virtual Meeting!

Topic: Bronx Progressives February Annual Virtual Meeting 
Time: Feb 24, 2021 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89063327145

Meeting ID: 890 6332 7145

Greetings Bronx Progressives Members!
 
We're now in February! Hope this email finds you well and that you and your loved ones are healthy and safe. And hope we're still breathing sighs of relief now that you know who is out of the White House.  
 
Yet, we're still reliving the pain and harrowing images of what happened on January 6 on the news and in the current impeachment trial.  

As we mentioned at our January meeting, the Working Group to Reactivate Bronx Progressives agreed to push our January Annual meeting (as inscribed in our bylaws that should happen in January) to February. We made this decision because we needed more time to thoughtfully plan out the Annual meeting, as we focus on revising the bylaws, and discussing ideas on issues and movements we should be involved with as a group; and once we reached consensus, we would then present them to you--our members, to collectively discuss and vote on the issues we should get involved with.  

The Working Group is recommending that we focus on two or three issues for 2021. One of the idea is to join the Campaign for New York Health, and support that movement. Another idea is to join the Tax the Rich Campaign. And lastly, supporting the Homes Guarantee Movement. But we also want to hear from you, and get feedback on what other issues you think we should get involved with.   

We will also be joined by Omar Suarez, Director of Partnerships and Outreach at NYC Votes, who will give us a presentation on Ranked Choice Voting. RCV is  a newly implemented electoral system that will only apply for local city elections. 

Join us Wednesday, February 24 at 7pm, for our Annual Virtual General Meeting. Link below:

Agenda:

• Greetings and Welcomes (2 Mins.)

• Quick review of the agenda (3 Mins.)

• House Rules (3 Mins.)

• Introducing Omar Suarez (3 Mins) 

• Omar Suarez gives presentation (20 Mins.)

• Q&A (10 Mins.)

1. EC Roles/Priority in forming an EC (15 Mins)
2. Working Group Proposes Issues we should focus on (20 Mins)

• NY Health Act Movement
• Tax the Rich Campaign
• Housing Justice for All Campaign
• What else?

1. New Business/Announcements (20 Mins.)

• Meeting with Bronx Indivisible and Concerned Citizens
• Groups and Orgs that reached out to us
• Meeting with Our Bronx Revolution 
• Other?

1. BylawsReminder
2. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dupzQcNBbEhBbSAZBe5GF24vAIeMMBEdYHLcTwvE_gA/edit?usp=sharing

   Adjourn

323 Days and Counting

 

I still have 323 days left until I am term limited out.

Governor Cuomo Announces More Than 100,000 Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine Administered in 24 Hours

 

106,017 First and Second Doses of COVID-19 Vaccine Administered in 24 Hours

As of 11AM today, New York's Health Care Distribution Sites Have Administered 89% of the Total First Doses Received from Federal Government

Vaccine Dashboard Will Update Daily to Provide Updates on the State's Vaccine Program; Go to ny.gov/vaccinetracker; Dashboard Now Includes Demographic Data

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that 106,017 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine were administered in New York in 24 hours. As of 11AM today, New York's health care distribution sites have received 2,002,055 first doses and already administered 89 percent or 1,787,189 first dose vaccinations and 81 percent of first and second doses. The week 9 allocation from the federal government continues being delivered to providers for administration.

"We've hit a significant milestone in the COVID war. Our infection rate continues to come down and more than 10 percent of New Yorkers have now received the first dose of the vaccine." Governor Cuomo said. "That's due in large part to our expansive vaccination network of providers, pop up and mass vaccination sites that improve access and equity in the vaccine distribution process. With a trusted partner in the White House working to increase both production and supply of the vaccine, we can and have remained laser-focused on getting each week's supply into as many arms as quickly and fairly as possible while continuing to bolster public trust in the vaccine. We still have a long way to go but we're headed in the right direction and I'm confident New York will be the first COVID-free state."

Approximately 7 million New Yorkers are currently eligible to receive the vaccine. The federal government has increased the weekly supply by more than 20 percent over the next three weeks, but New York's vast distribution network and large population of eligible individuals still far exceed the supply coming from the federal government. Due to limited supply, New Yorkers are encouraged to remain patient and are advised not to show up at vaccination sites without an appointment.

Vaccination program numbers below are for doses distributed and delivered to New York for the state's vaccination program, and do not include those reserved for the federal government's Long Term Care Facility program. A breakdown of the data based on numbers reported to New York State as of 11AM today is as follows. The allocation totals below include 40 percent of the week 9 allocation which will finish being distributed to New York provider sites on Sunday. The total week 9 allocation is also inclusive of some excess vaccine doses that have been reallocated from the federal Long Term Care Facility program.

STATEWIDE BREAKDOWN

First Doses Received - 2,002,055

First Doses Administered - 1,787,189; 89%

Second Doses Received - 1,031,650

Second Doses Administered - 660,083

Attorney General James Files Lawsuit to End Harassment of Women Entering Manhattan Planned Parenthood Health Center

 

AG James’ Complaint Details Illegal and Destructive Behavior of Anti-Choice Protesters in Effort to Block Access to Health Center

 New York Attorney General Letitia James filed a federal lawsuit against two anti-choice protesters who repeatedly violated federal, state, and local clinic access laws through obstructive and violent actions against the patients, escorts, and health center staff at a Planned Parenthood location in New York City. Attorney General James charges Bevelyn Beatty and Edmee Chavannes with blocking access to Planned Parenthood of Greater New York’s (PPGNY) Manhattan Health Center and threatening those entering with violence and other intimidating and disruptive behavior that intentionally presented a direct risk to the health and safety of patients and staff. This is the latest legal action that Attorney General James has taken in her continued national fight to ensure women’s reproductive health care is not stifled or infringed upon in any way.

“For almost 50 years, Roe v. Wade has made clear the right of women to control their own bodies,” said Attorney General James. “Despite the clear protections under the law, these individuals used violent and illegal tactics to harass, threaten, and block women from entering Planned Parenthood. Let me be very clear: no person, no business, and no government body has the right to deny or limit a woman’s access to an abortion, and I will continue to do everything within my legal power to support the reproductive rights of women.”

The lawsuit — filed today in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, along with a motion for a preliminary injunction that seeks to immediately halt the two defendants’ behavior — alleges that, on numerous occasions throughout 2020, Beatty and Chavannes attempted to impede access to reproductive health care services by subjecting incoming patients and escorts to a barrage of unwanted physical contact, verbal abuse, and threats of harm. The suit maintains that during the first peak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in New York City, these individuals weaponized the threat of the virus to further intimidate and interfere with the local Planned Parenthood’s operations. Beatty and Chavannes purposely put patients, staff, and escorts at risk by refusing to comply with local and state distance and mask mandates related to COVID-19, and continued to accost people entering the health center at close range, while mocking staff and escorts’ mask usage and desire to avoid close contact with them. Ultimately, these individuals forced patients and staff to choose between obtaining and providing reproductive health care, or protecting themselves from exposure to the virus. Beatty and Chavannes have repeated these actions outside Planned Parenthood as recently as this past weekend. 

In a further display of their illegal harassment and violent actions, in June 2020, Beatty and Chavannes organized an anti-abortion protest outside PPGNY's Manhattan Health Center, where they physically and verbally assaulted multiple volunteers and members of health center staff. Beatty was captured on video slamming a health center staff member’s hand in a door, causing her to need x-rays; repeatedly shoving a volunteer patient escort attempting to enter the facility; slapping a different volunteer in the face; and threatening to knock an escort unconscious. Chavannes screamed threats in a staff member’s face while maskless, and both individuals physically blocked the main and side entrances of the health center to prevent patients and staff from entering. 

Today’s lawsuit and motion for a preliminary injunction seeks to prohibit Beatty and Chavannes, as well as anyone acting in concert with them, from participating in protest activity within an 18 foot by 30 foot area of PPGNY’s Manhattan Health Center’s premises, as well as seeks to immediately halt the using of threats, intimidation, or physical tactics to interfere with individuals seeking reproductive health services from the health center.

Attorney General James brings these claims under the federal Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act, the New York state Clinic Access Act, and the New York City Access to Reproductive Health Care Facilities Act, all of which prohibit obstructing access to reproductive health clinics.

“Today, Attorney General Letitia James took necessary and appropriate actions to protect the safety and dignity of Planned Parenthood of Greater New York’s patients, staff, and volunteers,” said Joy D. Calloway, interim CEO, Planned Parenthood of Greater New York. “Over the years, we have witnessed these anti-abortion extremists spew lies and use physical force to threaten our staff, bully our volunteers, and demoralize our patients. The vitriol of hate outside our Manhattan Health Center is a clear and present threat to reproductive rights. This lawsuit sends a loud and clear message: Planned Parenthood patients deserve to access sexual and reproductive health care free of fear and intimidation. Despite continuous threats from protesters, our clinical team remains committed to delivering care with compassion — including life-saving cancer screenings, STI testing and treatment, birth control, HIV testing and prevention, wellness exams, and safe, legal abortion. We are proud to have a team of volunteer escorts who, even in the face of a pandemic, stand on the front lines of our health centers to safely usher patients through the doors. Their devotion to our mission clearly reaffirms the need to protect access to sexual and reproductive health care at every turn. We are incredibly grateful to have champions like Attorney General James defend reproductive rights in New York state and across the country. Together, we are creating a future that ensures reproductive freedom for all.”

Statement from Governor Andrew M. Cuomo on Updated CDC Guidance Eliminating Quarantine Requirement for Fully Vaccinated People Following Close Contact Exposure

 

"Yesterday the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its guidance regarding quarantine following exposure to someone with suspected or confirmed COVID-19. According to the guidance, 'asymptomatic fully vaccinated individuals', meaning those who have received both shots and at least two weeks have passed since the second shot, are no longer required to quarantine within 90 days after the second shot.

"From the outset of the pandemic, New York State has followed the science and listened to the experts, and quarantine requirements only for New Yorkers who have received both shots will be similarly updated to reflect the CDC's new guidance. However, the science regarding COVID transmissibility post-vaccination remains unsettled, and this updated guidance is not an all-clear for New Yorkers to let their guard down.

"All New Yorkers, including those who have been fully vaccinated, should continue to wear masks, social distance, and be smart until herd immunity is reached and this pandemic is fully relegated to the history books."

Owner Of Consumer Electronics Wholesale Business Pleads Guilty To Conspiracy To Operating An Unlicensed Money Transmitting Business

 

 Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced today that AMIT AGARWAL, the operator of an international wholesale consumer electronics business based in New Jersey, pled guilty to participating in a conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmission business that operated primarily between Colombia and the United States.  AGARWAL pled guilty before United States District Judge Paul A. Engelmayer.   

Miguel Cespedes, Omar Mogollon, Luis Felipe Gonzalez Arcila, Ivan Rojas Acosta, Alex Barrera Forero, and David Ortiz Villamizar were previously charged in three separate indictments for their roles in the scheme.  They were arrested in Colombia, and the United States Government is seeking their extradition to the United States.

U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said:  “As he admitted today, Amit Agarwal was a key player in a shadow financial network that allowed the movement of drug traffickers’ profits into our banking system and across our borders.  Now he awaits sentencing for his crimes.”           

According to the Indictments, the superseding Information, and statements made in open court:

From at least in or about June 2018 through at least in or about 2019, AMIT AGARWAL participated in a scheme to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business to move funds between the United States and Colombia, among other places.  Among other things, the purpose of the scheme was to enable clients with cash located in the United States to transfer the value of that cash to other countries, principally Colombia, without the need for physically transporting United States currency across an international border or directly depositing large amounts of cash into the legitimate financial system.

To effectuate the scheme, “clients,” i.e., the owners of funds located in the United States, utilized the services of money brokers operating primarily in Colombia (the “Money Brokers”).  The Money Brokers offered “contracts” typically requiring (a) the pick-up of United States currency from couriers throughout the United States and the receipt of international wires in the United States, and (b) the delivery of a corresponding amount of pesos in Colombia to the Money Brokers.  In exchange for successfully delivering on a contract, the Money Brokers earned a commission, taken from the pesos received by them in Colombia.  The person(s) with whom the Money Brokers contracted to arrange for the pick-up and receipt of United States currency also received a commission taken from the pesos received by the Money Brokers in Colombia.  Although the payment of commissions from the funds collected pursuant to a contract meant that the clients did not receive the full value of the funds that the clients owned in the United States, this scheme enabled the clients to avoid the risks of having large quantities of cash detected at international borders and to avoid triggering financial reporting requirements.

Cespedes, Mogollon, Gonzalez, Rojas, Barrera, and Ortiz engaged in the scheme as Money Brokers.  As Money Brokers, working at times independently and at times together, they offered and executed upon multiple contracts requiring the pick-up of funds throughout the United States, and the delivery of a corresponding value of pesos to them in Colombia.  In exchange for their work as Money Brokers, they received a commission taken from the pesos delivered to them in Colombia, as did the individuals with whom they contracted.

AGARWAL was the chief executive officer of a consumer electronics products business based in East Hanover, New Jersey (the “Agarwal Electronics Business”).  Among other things, the Agarwal Electronics Business exported consumer electronics to purchasers throughout the world, including purchasers located in Colombia.  In connection with its business activities, the Agarwal Electronics Business maintained a bank account in the United States, controlled and operated by AGARWAL (the “Agarwal Bank Account”). 

Typically, as part of the scheme, the funds collected in the United States pursuant to contracts offered by Cespedes, Mogollon, Gonzalez, Rojas, Barrera, and Ortiz were deposited in a bank account located in the United States (“Bank Account-1”), and then transferred to the Agarwal Bank Account.  AGARWAL agreed to accept these funds into the Agarwal Bank Account, and AGARWAL also agreed to accept funds into the Agarwal Bank Account that had been wired to Bank Account-1 from foreign locations, including Mexico. 

 Upon receiving confirmation that funds collected pursuant to a Money Broker contract issued by Cespedes, Mogollon, Gonzalez, Rojas, Barrera, or Ortiz were available for deposit into the Agarwal Bank Account, AGARWAL arranged for the export of a roughly equivalent value of consumer electronics products to certain consumer electronic product suppliers located in Colombia (the “Colombian Electronics Suppliers”).  The Colombian Electronics Suppliers, in turn, arranged to pay for the products by delivering pesos to an individual in Colombia, who then delivered those funds to the Money Brokers.  In this way, funds collected in the United States were remitted to Colombia, without requiring that they be reported, declared, or smuggled over international borders.

During the execution of the scheme, federal law enforcement agents working in an undercover capacity, and persons operating at the direction of federal law enforcement agents, informed AGARWAL that the funds he agreed to receive in the Agarwal Bank Account from Bank Account-1, pursuant to the scheme, represented the proceeds of narcotics trafficking activity.  AGARWAL, however, continued to accept the funds into the Agarwal Bank Account while facilitating the Money Broker contracts.   

AGARWAL, 39, a citizen of India, pled guilty to one count of conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.  AGARWAL will be sentenced by Judge Engelmayer on July 14, 2021, at 2:30 p.m.            

Cespedes is charged in United States v. Miguel Cespedes, 19 Cr. 839, with one count of operation of an unlicensed money transmission business, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.           

Barrera and Ortiz are charged in United States v. Alex Barrera Forero and David Ortiz Villamizar, 19 Cr. 840, with one count of conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmission business, and one count of operation of an unlicensed money transmission business, each of which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.           

Mogollon, Gonzalez, and Rojas are charged in United States v. Omar Mogollon, et al., 19 Cr. 837, with conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmission business and operation of an unlicensed money transmission business, each of which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.  Mogollon is also charged with one count of international money laundering, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.  

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

Ms. Strauss praised the investigative work of the DEA, and thanked authorities in Colombia, and the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs of the Department’s Criminal Division for their assistance. 

This case is being handled by the Office’s Money Laundering and Transnational Criminal Enterprises Unit.  Assistant United States Attorneys Tara M. La Morte and Cecilia E. Vogel are in charge of the prosecution.

The allegations in the Indictments charging Cespedes, Mogollon, Gonzalez, Rojas, Barrera, and Ortiz are merely accusations, and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

NYS Office of the Comptroller DiNAPOLI: CHATHAM POLICE CHIEF PLEADS GUILTY TO PENSION DOUBLE-DIPPING AND DEFRAUDING VILLAGE

 

 State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli, Columbia County District Attorney Paul Czajka, and the New York State Police today announced the guilty plea of former Village of Chatham Chief of Police Peter Volkmann following a joint investigation. As a result of his conviction, Volkmann is required to leave public office. 

“Instead of upholding the law, Volkmann, the chief law enforcement officer of the village, defrauded the state retirement system and his community,” said DiNapoli. “Taxpayers have the right to expect their public officials, including law enforcement officials, will act with honesty and integrity. I thank District Attorney Paul Czajka and the New York State Police for their partnership in rooting out public corruption.” 

“All New York State taxpayers should be grateful for the hard work and diligence of the Comptroller’s Division of Investigations, which, together with (New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation) NYSP BCI Livingston, has been responsible for conducting this extremely complex investigation under difficult circumstances,” said Czajka. “Having worked with this unit innumerable times over many years, it is my humble recommendation to the Legislature that it increase its funding. These highly dedicated public servants, by obtaining restitution and providing deterrence, pay for themselves many times over.”

“This case serves as a reminder that those who abuse their public position for their own personal benefit, while violating the trust of those they serve, will be brought to justice,” said State Police Acting Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen. “Public corruption will not be tolerated in any form, and we thank the Comptroller’s Office and the Columbia County District Attorney’s Office for their continued partnership.”

Volkmann pleaded guilty to grand larceny in the fourth degree for circumventing New York state’s post-retirement income restrictions and cheating the New York State and Local Retirement System out of $74,222. Volkmann hid public-source income from 19 municipalities and school districts in excess of the statutory limit by funneling the earnings through a private business, PF Volkmann & Associates. He also plead to official misconduct, a misdemeanor, for stealing $18,607 from the Village of Chatham by falsifying mileage vouchers and other reimbursements to increase his income. Volkmann will pay a total amount of restitution prior to sentencing in the amount of $92,829 as part of his plea and as a result of his conviction has been removed from office.

Volkmann, 57, of Stuyvesant, served as a Chief of Police for the town of Stockport until 2016. He was also the Chief of Police for the Village of Chatham since the fall of 2013 and he served as unpaid Commissioner of the Hudson Police Department from January 2020, until this investigation became public. He is due back in court on July 19, 2021.  

Governor Cuomo Announces Statewide COVID-19 Positivity is 3.54%, Lowest Since November 25 - FEBRUARY 11, 2021

 

7,342 Patient Hospitalizations Statewide - Lowest Since December 26

1,402 Patients in the ICU; 941 Intubated

Statewide 7-Day Average Positivity is 4.16% - Lowest Since December 1
 
34 Consecutive Days of Decline, Down 48% Since Early January Post-Holiday Peak
 
New York City 7-Day Average Positivity 4.95% - Lowest Since December 27; Down 23% Since Early January Post-Holiday Peak

122 COVID-19 Deaths in New York State Yesterday  

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

"Across the state, from hospitalizations to infection rate, our numbers are continuing to decline - a sign of hope to all and proof of the dedication New Yorkers have shown to defeating this beast," Governor Cuomo said. "We are headed in the right direction, but we are not at the end of the tunnel yet. Until the day the war is won and everyone who wants one has the vaccine, we must continue to practice the guidelines we know work - washing your hands, wearing a mask and avoiding gatherings. I know we will remain New York Tough and see that day together."

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported - 285,499
• Total Positive - 10,099
• Percent Positive - 3.54%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 4.16%
• Patient Hospitalization - 7,342 (-251)
• Net Change Patient Hospitalization Past Week - -625
• Patients Newly Admitted - 819
• Hospital Counties - 57
• Number ICU - 1,402 (-21)
• Number ICU with Intubation - 941 (-14)
• Total Discharges - 135,657 (+915)
• Deaths - 122
• Total Deaths - 36,743