NY1: Community Hearing Focuses On Racial Discrimination Following 9/11

From NY1: By Nicole Ward

The organization Unheard Voices of 9/11 is hoping to create a dialogue and bridge people together of all faiths and backgrounds. So it held one of several community hearings in Midtown Manhattan on Saturday.

Participants talked about school bulling, hate crimes, discrimination in the workplace and their relationship with law enforcement, all very personal issues for Sikh participant Gurwinder Singh.

"I cut my hair, not because I wanted to move away from my religion, but so I could fit in," said Singh, who said he was bullied throughout school.

Others at the meeting also spoke of the pressure to conform. Rabia Sajid remembered what her mom was warned after the September 11th attacks.

"Maybe you shouldn't let her wear those clothes or that scarf because it would be safer for right now," said Sajid.

Those who attended the meeting said they feel sadness, anguish and horror when they see where the Twin Towers once stood and reflect on the events of September 11th, but what makes it worse is when people associated them with the terrorists behind the attacks.

At the meeting, participants said they still experience racism and discrimination, although the scars are not always visible.

Openly gay City Councilman Councilman Daniel Dromm sat on the panel. The Queens lawmaker served as a teacher for 25 years before his political career, and he said one of the ways to battle the problem is through education.

"We need to have a curriculum that's a multicultural curriculum that teaches an acceptance of and a celebration of diversity that makes up New York City," said Dromm.

Singh said it was hard to talk about the abuse for fear of his safety. He said when he did report it, not everyone listened, but he never doubted telling his story.

"I spoke up because I wanted other youth to speak up," he said.

Unheard Voices of 9/11 is planning more hearings and more activities in both New York City and San Francisco.

Queens Tribune: City Pushes Back On Deport Ruling

From Queens Tribune by Jason Banrey:

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement decided to go over the heads of state governors and roll out a controversial federal law enforcement program that gathers biometric data from people arrested - convicted or not - in efforts to step up deportation of illegal aliens.

Advocates and members of the City Council have vowed to fight the decision.

On Aug. 5, ICE sent a letter to governors throughout the U.S. announcing their approval was no longer needed to activate Secure Communities in their states and counties.

Under S-Comm, an ICE directed program, local law enforcement agencies are required to forward biometric data of individuals who are booked into local and county jails to the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security. With the intent of deporting criminal aliens, the collaboration allows the DHS to compare the prints to others on its files as well as share the birth place of individuals in custody.

"Once a state or local law enforcement agency voluntarily submits fingerprint data to the federal government, no agreement with the state is legally necessary for one part of federal government to share it with another," said ICE Director John Morton.

Although former Gov. David Paterson approved the program in May 2010, Gov. Andrew Cuomo froze the state's participation in the controversial program in June.

Some immigration advocates claim the enforcement program has contributed to the deportation of over 1 million immigrants under President Barack Obama's Administration.

Jacqueline Esposito, director of immigration advocacy for the New York Immigration Coalition, says ICE's reversal of decision is a "blatant disregard" to growing opposition from state officials and local law enforcement.

State governors previously had to sign a memorandum of agreement (MOA) if they chose to voluntarily enroll in S-Comm.

Despite ICE's announcement, Councilman Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights) is making an attempt to halt unjust deportations at the city's main jail complex, Rikers Island.

In an effort to restrict cooperation between law enforcement officials at Rikers, Dromm is introducing legislation which would prohibit DOC from sharing information with ICE that could help facilitate the detention and deportation of inmates.

The legislation would also halt officials from holding innocent individuals beyond a 48 hour period, and bar officials from notifying federal immigration authorities of an individual's release, provided they have never been convicted of a misdemeanor, felony or is not a defendant in a pending criminal case in any jurisdiction.

According to Dromm, ICE's presence at DOC facilities including Rikers, has created a dragnet, resulting in the deportation of thousands of New Yorkers each year who have no criminal record or prior convictions.

What they are doing at Rikers is running an alien program rather than a criminal alien program," said Dromm. "We cannot allow the cooperation between ICE and the DOC to continue tearing families apart and destabilizing immigrant communities that pose no threat to public safety."

The bill is cosponsored by Melissa Mark-Viverito (D-Manhattan) and has the support of City Speaker Christine Quinn, who reportedly said she could pass the bill and override a veto.

Dromm said he believes if the bill is passed it will provide Rikers Island with a "much more just program" and be the beginning of the end of unnecessary deportations.

Queens Chronicle: Struggling Art Club Seeks New Members

From the Queens Chronicle by Paula Neudorf:

The Jackson Heights Art Club is struggling to stay afloat, while two other similar art clubs in Queens have closed in the last two years, according to Rob Lesser, the club’s membership coordinator.

The Alliance of Queens Artists and the Flushing Art League of Queens both shut down over financial concerns, Lesser said.

“The money has come down to a dribble lately,” Lesser said of the organization, which has been providing the area with art classes and events for the last 64 years.

The club pays for its art teachers and the rent at St. Mark’s Church in Jackson Heights through a combination of membership dues, class fees and some City Council funding. But it’s bringing in less than half the money it had two years ago, Lesser said.

“I’m a big supporter of the Jackson Heights Art Club,” said Councilman Danny Dromm (D-Jackson Heights), who devoted $3,500 of his discretionary “member item” funds to the club last year, and did so again this year.

At present, the club has 87 members, according to Geraldine Benfante, a volunteer at the club who also oversees membership. One of the biggest difficulties facing the club is that many of its members are getting older.

“I have members that don’t even attend the club,” she said.

This coming fall, the club will try to offer an art class nearly every day of the week, including mixed media classes on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays; a watercolor evening course on Monday; and an oil and acrylic course on Tuesday.

Members of the club pay a $75 annual fee, which entitles them to pay less for classes. Any adult or child, regardless of membership status, can take classes at the club, Lesser said.

Lesser invited former members of the Alliance of Queens Artists and Flushing Art League of Queens to consider joining the Jackson Heights Art Club.

Yvonne Sumner, who has been a member of the club since 1992, hoped the club would weather this storm as it’s weathered others. Sumner, now in her 70s, moved to Jackson Heights from England in 1963.

“We’d really like to keep them going as long as we can,” she said.

To find out more about the club, call Benfante at (718) 446-4709 or visit jacksonheightsartclub.org.

Times Ledger: Exemplary Community Volunteers Honored at Ceremony

From Times Ledger by Rebecca Henely:

City Councilman Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights) and David Shin, president of Sunnyside nonprofit Healthy Family & Aging Service Inc., recognized exceptional community volunteers at an awards ceremony held last Thursday at the Elmhurst/Jackson Heights Senior Center.

Those honored ranged from a 75-year-old woman caring for her 100-year-old father to volunteers at the senior center to a band made up of students from Stuyvesant High School that raises money for charity. About 150 seniors at the Elmhurst/Jackson Heights Senior Center, at 75-01 Broadway, watched the ceremony, which included music performances from the New York Evangelic Opera Co.

Dromm said David Shin was responsible for organizing the event. He said he appreciated the ceremony as awards often go to elected officials who earn many such honors.

“Mr. Shin tries to recognize people who are not always recognized,” Dromm said.

While she did not attend the ceremony, the first person to be singled out was 75-year-old Young Choon Lee, who is taking care of her 100-year-old father.

Shin’s organization is focused on encouraging strong family relationships.

“He’s a deep believer in the family structure,” Dromm said.

The next group to be honored were volunteers at the senior center. Lucy Garcia, the center’s director, said the center has been working with Shin’s group for 15 years and that they always recognize the volunteers, especially the senior volunteers.

“A lot of them feel useful by doing different types of work at the senior centers,” Garcia said.

Shin and Dromm also gave awards to C3 and Friends, a band made up of Stuyvesant students who play a variety of music from traditional Korean tunes to Korean pop music, or K-pop, to American songs.

Andrew Kwang, 16, the band’s bass player, said the band has held concerts to raise money for charitable causes. Most recently they raised $5,000 in relief for victims of the tornadoes that hit the Midwest in April 2011.

Andrew said he was surprised at being honored because he did not think the band was able to raise all that much, but realized later every bit helps.

“It’s one step closer to providing relief,” Andrew said.

Others recognized by the ceremony included volunteers Cynthia Caceres and Ruci Bansal, who were recommended by the Regal Heights Rehabilitation and Health Care Center, at 70-05 35th Ave. in Jackson Heights. Han-Chang Kim and Eun Kim, were honored for arranging this year’s award ceremony. Finally, 13 other student volunteers received certificates for their work for Habitat for Humanity, Christian humanitarian organization World Vision and other organizations.

Long Island City Journal: Dromm Honors Volunteers at Elmhurst Senior Center

From The Long Island City Journal by Lilliana Guimaraes:

On Thursday, August 11, Councilman Daniel Dromm honored a few volunteers who have made positive contributions to help families in their communities.

“We are here today to recognize people that are not in the spotlight as the volunteers," Dromm said in a speech at the annual award ceremony at the Elmhurst Senior Center. "I want to say 'thanks' for their wonderful work for the community,”

Dromm, chairman of the council's Immigration Committee, said that his district is the most diverse in the city. One of his platforms is making a connection with the communities that are often discriminated against, such as the LGBT population and immigrants.

That is one reason why Dromm made it his duty to attend the award ceremony, held by Healthy Family and Aging Services, which has made a difference in families’ lives, especially immigrant families, since 1992.

Each year, the organization recognizes individuals who are role models within their communities. At this year’s award ceremony, the organization honored model volunteers who have freely contributed their time to improve the lives of the elderly at the Elmhurst Senior Center.

David Shin, a Korean immigrant and Healthy Family and Aging Services president, has crossed paths with Dromm before when he taught Shin’s son at P.S. 199 in Sunnyside before being elected.

“I want to say thank you to Mr. Shin," said Dromm. "He does a great job in putting community together.”

Fun Kim, a 15-year-old 9th grader who sporadically works for Kim, was one volunteer who was recognized.

“I want to help him, it makes me feel good,” he said.

A Korean band was also honored. This year the band C3 raised $5,000 for the tornado relief effort in the Midwest.

The members of C3 first met during a summer youth program.

“It is nice to get recognition for the help we did for others,” said Eric Han, 17.

As the ceremony carried on, the honorees were not the only ones who were happy.

“It is not easy to deal with people of a different background," said Judith Moreno, a 70-year-old Columbian immigrant. "Here it feels easier to get along with each other.”

Queens Gazette: Dromm- Limit Unjust Deportations From Rikers

From The Queens Gazette Compiled By John Toscano:

Councilmember Daniel Dromm (D-Jackson Heights) has introduced a bill that will prohibit Rikers Island Jail officials from using their resources to approve detainers placed on certain inmates by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials.

The proposed law would also prohibit the Department of Correction (DOC) from sharing information with ICE that could help facilitate the detention and deportation of inmates who are in some cases immigrants.

“What they are doing at Rikers is running an alien program rather than a criminal alien program,” said Dromm, who chairs the Council’s Committee on Immigrant Affairs.

“Many innocent immigrants are unfairly being detained and exported because of this broken immigration system,” Dromm declared. “We cannot allow the cooperation between ICE and the DOC to continue tearing families apart and destabilizing immigrant communities that pose no threat to public safety.”

Queens Gazette: Dromm Visits Schools Foundation’s Summer Camp

From Queens Gazette:

Councilmember Daniel Dromm recently visited the Sports and Arts in Schools Foundation's (SASF) Summer Camp at P.S. 212 in Jackson Heights. Thanks to funding he made possible, the program operated at the school from July 5 through August 9. The camp offered the youngsters of his district a wide variety of summer activities including sports and fitness programs, performing and visual arts, academic tutoring that emphasizes skill development, physical and mental well-being and a positive outlook on the educational experience. Seen here, Dromm is joined by SASF staff members and several public school students during a basketball workshop.

Queens Gazette: Dromm, Ecuadorians Celebrate Independance Day

From the Queens Gazette:

Councilmember Daniel Dromm marched in the Ecuadorian Independence Day Parade along Northern Boulevard in Jackson Heights on August 7 to celebrate the rich culture and history of Ecuador. Dromm thanked the Ecuadorian community for their tremendous contributions to the city.

WBAI 99.5 FM: Dromm- No News Corp Contract with State DOE

Photos courtesy of William Alatriste

NY1: Advocates Urge Jackson Heights Residents To Find Groping Suspect

From NY1:

Activists and elected officials passed out fliers in Jackson Heights on Thursday in the hopes of catching a man who has groped at least two women in Queens.

Police said he struck twice in July grabbing women's chests, once in East Elmhurst and once in Jackson Heights.

Officials said that it is important for women to know that groping is a crime and that it should be reported.

"You're actually committing a crime if someone gropes you. And women should be empowered to know that they call 911 and obviously, it's being taken seriously," said Queens Councilwoman Julissa Ferreras.

"We have a message for you. We're going to get you, we're going to find you and we're going to capture you, and we're going to put you in jail if you violate the law," said Queens Councilman Daniel Dromm.

The suspect is described as between 25 and 30 years old with black hair and a thin build. He wore sunglasses and spoke Spanish.

Anyone with information on the case should contact the Crime Stoppers hotline at 1-800-577-TIPS, or text CRIMES and then enter TIP577, or visit www.nypdcrimestoppers.com.

PIX11: Queens on groper alert

The Queens Gazette: Dromm Visits NY Junior Tennis League At I.S. 61

From The Queens Gazette:

Council Member Daniel Dromm (c.) recently visited the New York Junior Tennis League (NYJTL) program at I.S. 61 in Corona. Joining him were (back row l. to r.); I.S. 61 Principal Joseph Lisa, Assistant Director of Recreation Tennis for NYJTL York Chu and NYJTL Site Director David Brandes. More than 60 local students are participating in this year’s program. Dromm also met with a number of the parents of the children who are enrolled in the program.

NYJTL is open to all community youngsters ages six through 18 and provides free tennis lessons by professional tennis instructors, supervised practices and low-key competition. The program also includes trips, tournaments, contests, and educational guidance. Racquets and balls are provided at no cost to all participants. The program is funded by the City Council.

“Kids learning tennis is a great thing,” Dromm said. “It exposes them to a sport that helps them to increase their self-esteem and provides them with a fun, safe and healthy after-school activity.”
For further information, call the New York Junior Tennis League, 718-786-7110, or visit www.nyjtl.org.

FOX 5 News: School Principal Fired Over White Supremacist Writings

From FOX 5 News: By Ti-Hua Chang

Frank Borzellieri lost his job as the principal of Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in the Bronx after it was revealed that he wrote a book called "Lynched" and has written on a regular basis for a white supremacist magazine called "American Renaissance." He also tried to ban a biography of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and has called diversity a "weakness."

Yet for two years he was the principal of a Catholic school that primarily serves black and Latino students.

The Archdiocese of New York announced Borzellieri had been fired after a newspaper exposed the 48-year-old extremist's political beliefs.

"Many of the opinions expressed by Mr. Borzellieri in his writings were found to be incompatible with the philosophy and practices of Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, and with Catholic schools throughout the Archdiocese," said Joseph Zwilling, a spokesman for the Archdiocese. "The Catholic schools of the Archdiocese pride themselves on serving a diverse student population, without regard to a student's religion, race, or background."

Fox 5 tried to reach Borzellieri but could not. The address in his public records is in the Richmond section of Queens, but at that address no one had heard of him.

Borzellieri was once on the Queens school board and tried to ban what he called anti-American literature, including a book about Dr. King. Borzellieri also tried to remove a gay teacher from the classroom. That teacher, Daniel Dromm, is now a City Council member.

"Mr. Borzellieri's bigoted positions stand in blatant opposition to the Church's record on social justice, especially where immigrants are concerned," Dromm said in a statement. "Our youth, whether they are learning in public or parochial schools, deserve to learn in an environment free of hate.

Dromm also called for the firing of Father Eric Rapaglia at Mount Carmel who hired Borzellieri.

But the archdiocese said that Father Rapaglia, who both hired and fired Borzellieri, will be the one to hire someone new.

CNN: NY Archdiocese: Principal fired over writings on race, white supremacy

From CNN: By Samantha Stamler

The principal of a Catholic elementary school in the Bronx has been fired because of his writings on race and white supremacy, the Archdiocese of New York said Tuesday.

Frank Borzellieri was relieved as principal of Our Lady of Mount Carmel elementary school in the wake of recent coverage in the New York Daily News and other local media concerning his writings and his previous ties to a group called American Renaissance.

The Southern Poverty Law Center, which monitors extremist groups in the United States, describes American Renaissance as a "white nationalist movement."

Joseph Zwilling, spokesman for the New York Archdiocese, issued a statement Tuesday saying that the principal was let go because "many of the opinions expressed by Mr. Borzellieri in his writings were found to be incompatible with the philosophy and practices of Our Lady of Mount Carmel School, and with Catholic schools throughout the archdiocese."

Borzellieri was hired in 2009 as principal of the elementary school, which has, according to the National Center for Education Statistics, a mostly black and Latino student body.

Zwilling's statement did not specify when the termination was effective, and Borzellieri could not be reached by CNN on Tuesday.

The official who originally hired Borzellieri, the Rev. Eric Rapaglia, pastor of the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, made the decision to remove Borzellieri as principal after reviewing his writings, according to the archdiocese.

Borzellieri previously served as an elected member of the New York School Board for 11 years. During his tenure, according to published reports, he made efforts to forbid references to homosexuality and to ban literature he considered "anti-American," including a biography of Martin Luther King Jr.

The website for American Renaissance currently advertises writings by Borzellieri, including a 2009 book titled "Lynched: A Conservative's Life on a New York City School Board." Another book by Borzellieri, titled "The Unspoken Truth: Race, Culture and Other Taboos," lists among its topics "the myth of integration" and "multicultural madness," according to the website.

CNN affiliate WCBS reported that Borzellieri's sister, Maria, told a reporter Tuesday, "He wrote these books a long time ago. I don't know who'd drag them up. It has nothing to do with the type of principal he is today."

During his time on the New York School Board, Borzellieri tried to fire teacher Daniel Dromm for being openly gay, according to published accounts. Dromm, now a New York City Council member, described Borzellieri to CNN Tuesday as an "equal-opportunity hater."

"It's completely inappropriate to have someone of this type be anywhere near children," Dromm said, describing Borzellieri as "unqualified to teach and unqualified to be near children."

Dromm said he also wrote a letter to the archbishop of New York calling for the removal of Rapaglia, who hired and then fired Borzellieri, for "incredibly poor judgment."

Rapaglia provided CNN with a written statement Tuesday apologizing "for my mistake in judgment: in hindsight, I should not have hired Mr. Borzelleri."

But Rapaglia said in the statement that he hired Borzellieri based on the recommendation of a search committee that "represented the full diversity of the school population and included teachers and parents."

"Neither myself, nor any of the members of the search committee knew of Mr. Borzelleri's political writings at the time of his hiring. I read them after he was hired as principal," Rapaglia wrote in the statement, with the word "after" in italics for emphasis.

"I did my best to correct the situation and now, please God, we will find a new and very qualified principal," Rapaglia said in the statement.

NY Daily News: Bronx Catholic school principal Frank Borzellieri fired over ties to white supremacist group

From NY Daily News: By Corinne Lestch & Larry McShane

A Bronx parochial school principal was fired Tuesday from his post at a largely minority school after the Daily News exposed his writings for a white supremacist group.

The dismissal of Frank Borzellieri from Our Lady of Mount Carmel School in the Bronx became a black and white issue: His opinions were deemed "incompatible" with Catholic teachings.

The firing was quickly hailed by the ex-principal's critics, including his old boss at another Catholic school.

"I'm so glad I just can't tell you," said Annemarie Zagaglia, former principal at St. Barnabas elementary school. "People are really happy."

Zagaglia had warned the pastor at Mount Carmel about Borzellieri's beliefs before he was hired in 2009 - but says she was ignored. The school's students are mostly black and Latino.

The Rev. Eric Rapaglia, pastor at the church, apologized to his parishioners for "my mistake in judgment." The pastor fired Borzellieri after consulting with authorities in the Archdiocese of New York.

Archdiocese spokesman Joe Zwilling said officials met with Borzellieri and reviewed "his opinions and beliefs as expressed in his books and columns."

Daniel Dromm, an openly gay teacher targeted by Borzellieri in the early '90s, praised the decision to boot the principal.

"I'm very glad that the Catholic Church did the right thing," said Dromm.

"The fact that this man was allowed to be in this position even after other teachers complained is outrageous."

Borzellieri, 48, bolted from his Queens apartment around 7 a.m. Tuesday after learning about the firing. A neighbor said he was well-regarded in their building.

"He's a very nice guy," the neighbor said. "He's friendly with everyone in the building. Everyone's shocked."

The News revealed that as a Queens school board member, Borzellieri tried to bar "anti-American" literature - including a biography of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. - from school libraries.

His own writings included a 2004 book asserting "diversity is a weakness," and Borzellieri was a frequent contributor to the white supremacist publication American Renaissance.

Word of Borzellieri's racist ties caused a ruckus at the parish's Sunday Mass, where one parishioner stood to demand the principal's ouster.