Bronx Borough President Gibson's Black History Month Event

 

Having attended former Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.'s Black History Month events, I really didn't know what to expect from new Bronx BP Vanessa Gibson who was a guest at past BP Diaz Jr., Black History Month events. This year was different, because it was no longer a Black History Month event held by a Hispanic male borough president, but it was a Black History Month event that was being held by a Black Woman Bronx Borough President. That in itself was history enough, but more was to follow.

Once the event got started you could feel the difference in this event compared to past events. U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer spoke first about how he helped get the keynote speaker selected as the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District, which includes most of New York City and Westchester County.  Damien Williams the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District the Keynote Speaker, told the story of the Harlem Hellfighters, an all black U.S. Army group of soldiers in World War One. Williams said they faced racism as they were  given broom sticks in place of rifles to learn how to be soldiers, and they could not fight alongside the white soldiers, but had to fight with French soldiers who gave them rifles and trained them for the war, to be one of the best fighting brigades in WWI. Williams would go on to say that James C. Thomas who fought as a member of the Harlem Hellcats would become the first black lawyer, and one hundred years later that he, Williams would become the first Black U.S. Attorney. 

Mayor Eric Adams was next to speak, telling of how he grew up on Gates Avenue in Brooklyn with his mother who was saving up from her work to finally be able to buy a home for the six members of his family in Queens. That however, he said led to his mother being fired from her job, and the struggles for his family continued as he grew up. He then wanted to know how the city got to where it is now, what happened to our children he said. Guns are more important than education, and why do we attack each other? He continued saying that he is not the enemy, but someone who is trying to help and stop the violence. Mayor Adams concluded by saying that he owes his mayorship to the Bronx, and he will be there for the Bronx.

Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson stood next to a picture of her mentor former Assemblywoman/Deputy Borough President Aurelia Greene as she spoke. You could hear BP Gibson's voice wanting to have her mentor with her to see this moment, but her words were "I know Aurelia is looking down on me right now to celebrate this moment". Gibson then praised Mayor Adams for all he has done in helping with the Twin Parks fire aftermath, and thanked him for being the leader that will bring the Bronx and New York City forward. She then introduced Deputy Bronx Borough President Janet Peguero, and said the Bronx is now led by two women of color.

The honorees for the evening were Community Activist Patricia Banks Edmiston, Hugh Campbell Esq., Dr. Hazel N. Dukes President NAACP, Sophia Reid R.A.I.N. Total Care Inc. 

Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell is with Bishop Peggy Smalls (who gave the invocation), and Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark.

Bronx Borough President Gibson stands next to a portrait of her mentor Aurelia Greene as Bronx DA Darcel Clark speaks.

(L -R) Bronx DA Darcel Clark, Bronx BP Vanesa Gibson, Keynote Speaker U.S. Attorney Damien Williams, U.S. Senator Chuck Schummer, and NAACP President Dr. Hazel N. Dukes.

Mayor Eric Adams spoke about his growing up in NYC, and wanted to know what has happened to the city he is now mayor of.

Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson speaking at her Black History Month event, making history as the first Black Woman Borough President.

Mayor Eric Adams with BP Gibson.

Bronx elected officials and judges with BP Gibson.

(L-R) Bronx DA Darcel Clark, Civil Court Judge candidates Cynthia Isales and Yadhira Gonzalez-Taylor.

New York City Man Convicted Of Threatening To Kill U.S. Senator Joe Manchin And Fox News Hosts Laura Ingraham And Greg Gutfeld

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that RICKEY JOHNSON was convicted of threatening a federal official and making interstate threats, following a one-week jury trial before the Honorable Lewis A. Kaplan. JOHNSON threatened to kill United States Senator Joe Manchin and Fox News television hosts Greg Gutfeld and Laura Ingraham in direct messages and publicly posted videos on Instagram.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Rather than express his political differences constructively, Rickey Johnson escalated his discord by instilling fear. Johnson's attempts to scare and stifle a U.S. Senator and two Fox News hosts were federal crimes for which he has now been convicted by a New York jury.”

According to court documents and the evidence at trial:

On January 30, 2021, JOHNSON sent direct private messages to Mr. Gutfeld that threatened, “you will be killed.” On February 3, 2021, JOHNSON posted public videos in which he threatened to kill Senator Manchin, Mr. Gutfeld, and Ms. Ingraham. Among other things, JOHNSON declared that Senator Manchin was “dead” and would be “executed”; told Mr. Gutfeld that he was “going to take [his] life”; and said that he would “kill” Ms. Ingraham with his “bare hands.”

JOHNSON, 48, of New York, New York, was convicted of two counts of transmitting threatening interstate communications, which each carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison, and one count of threatening a federal official, which carries a maximum sentence of ten years in prison. JOHNSON was also acquitted of one count of threatening a federal official. The maximum potential penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the judge.

JOHNSON is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Kaplan on May 25, 2022.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”), the NYPD’s Intelligence Bureau, Leads Investigation Unit, and the NYPD’s 23rd Precinct Field Intelligence Team.

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - FEBRUARY 26, 2022

 

Statewide 7-Day Average Positivity Under 2%

Hospitalizations Below 2,000 for The First a time Since November 14

33 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday

 Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.   

“New York State continues to lead the way in beating back COVID, but we must continue to work together to fight this virus,” Governor Hochul said. "These positive trends are a result of New Yorkers’ hard work and dedication to protecting one another. If you or your child haven’t gotten your shot, sign up today to help us in our ongoing fight against COVID-19.” 

Today's data is summarized briefly below:   

• Test Results Reported – 117,830
• Total Positive - 2,213
• Percent Positive - 1.88%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 1.89%
• Patient Hospitalization – 1,999 (-129)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 227
• Patients in ICU - 349 (-9)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 181 (-15)
• Total Discharges – 285,299 (+305)
• New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 33
• Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 54,664

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only.

• Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 69,057    

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.   

• Total vaccine doses administered - 36,784,457
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours – 9,631
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days – 85,404
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 91.6%  
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 82.8%  
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 95.0%  
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 85.5%  
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 81.5%  
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 71.4%  
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 80.9%  
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series – 73.0%   
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 88.9%  
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 75.4%   

Each New York City borough's 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows:   

BOROUGH	Wednesday, February 23, 2022	Thursday, February 24, 2022	Friday, February 25, 2022
Bronx	1.44%	1.15%	1.20%
Kings	1.09%	0.97%	1.00%
New York	1.57%	1.23%	1.32%
Queens	1.38%	1.37%	1.44%
Richmond	1.57%	1.56%	1.62%

Senator Biaggi's Week in Review: 2/21/22-2/25/22

 

Dear Community,

While the end of February marks the end of Black History Month, it is important to recognize that celebrating, uplifting, and reflecting upon Black history does not begin or end with this month. Each and every day, we should be celebrating and honoring Black joy, Black excellence, and Black leadership in our communities and working to uplift and support our Black communities to build a better, more equitable future for all. 

To close out this month, I would like to take a moment to celebrate and recognize an amazing Black community leader in District 34 who works tirelessly to better our community– Latanya DeVaughn. When Latanya recognized the need for more bookstores in the Bronx, she decided to take matters into her own hands by starting Bronx Bound Books. Bronx Bound Books is a mobile bookstore that travels across the Bronx to provide Bronxites access to thousands of books which they otherwise may not be able to access. Since founding her mobile bookstore, Latanya has taken her bookstore across the borough, parking her bus at spots like the Riverdale Y Sunday Market, the Bronx Night Market, schools, and more.

Through her work, Latanya seeks to meet people where they are and bring her love of community and reading to the Bronx. I extend my deepest gratitude to Latanya for her service to District 34 and beyond, and look forward to continuing to support her work in the community.

Read more about Latanya and her work here.

Check out our Black History Month social media feature on Latanya and other incredible Black leaders in District 34 on my Instagram or Facebook pages.

With Gratitude,

State Senator Alessandra Biaggi