The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Inside Press

Gun Violence Prevention Groups Promote Coalition Building

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Congresswoman Nita Lowey:  Act Now Despite ‘Tumultous’ Political Climate

By Stacey Pfeffer

Chappaqua, NY— Several Westchester-based gun violence prevention (GVP) groups yesterday presented key action items that community members can take to reduce gun violence in light of the recent Presidential election.

Speaking at a forum held inside New Castle Town Hall, Congresswoman Nita Lowey, a long-time gun safety advocate, noted that despite a “tumultuous” political climate, it is our responsibility to act now – regardless of the politics – to spare families the pain that gun violence brings. I will continue working with local legislators and activists to stand up for what is right when it matters the most and keep guns out of the wrong hands.”

Inside New Castle Town Hall: Congresswoman Nita Lowey together with members of several Westchester-based gun violence prevention groups during a forum held on Saturday, Feb. 4.

Representatives and members from Million Mom March/Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence, Moms Demand Action, The Campaign to Keep Guns Off Campus, New Yorkers Against Gun Violence and Prevent Gun Violence Westchester were all in attendance. The event was sponsored by Up2US (an outgrowth of Chappaqua Friends of Hillary) and the New Castle Democratic Committee. Concerned citizenry from the UP2US group were in attendance as were Town Supervisor Robert Greenstein and Town Councilman Adam Brodsky. 

Jessica Meller, one of the leaders of Northern Westchester’s Million Mom March, noted that many of these groups collaborate on efforts and events together but this was the first time that the groups held a forum so that members could get “a clear picture of each group’s unique profile, goals and actions, and how we function both individually and as a coalition.”

Assemblyman David Buchwald (D-Mount Kisco) who attended commented that “it’s events like this that help galvanize people to action and to advocate for gun safety legislation.” Buchwald has been a strong advocate for gun safety and noted that Westchester has a gun safety storage law and he is one of the co-sponsors to support that bill so that it is adopted state-wide.

With 91 Americans killed everyday with guns (7 are children), Barry Graubart, the head of Westchester’s Moms Demand Action group noted how important it is to keep this issue front and center even when so many other progressive issues such as immigration and abortion are in peril. 

He explained that women are five times as likely to be shot when there is a gun present at home and that LGBT teens are four times as likely to commit suicide if a gun is available. He urged all in attendance to join Gun Sense Action Network, a group of over 200 gun sense activists from states across the country who spend a daytime hour each week reaching out to voters in battleground states and fighting for stronger gun laws in America. http://everytown.org/act/

While New Castle may seem immune to gun violence, there are areas of gun violence throughout the county. Mount Vernon had several shootings over the holiday period this year. Another particular area of concern for GVP groups locally is the Gun Show that was held two weeks ago at the Westchester County Center (WCC) in White Plains. The gun show was banned from the center for four years by County Executive Rob Astorino following the shootings in Newtown, CT but the ban was lifted this year. 

Prevent Gun Violence Westchester’s Chuck Bell stated community members can work to prevent the show returning next year to a county-owned building like the WCC. He urged those in attendance to call their legislators to override Astorino’s veto. “We also have no way of tracking how the firearms purchased at the show are used,” Bell noted.

Stacey Pfeffer is a frequent contributor to Inside Chappaqua and Inside Armonk. Her articles have also appeared in NY Family Magazine, Westchester Family Magazine, Westchester Parent and Kveller.com.

 

Seven Byram Hills Senior Athletes Sign with Colleges on National Signing Day!

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(L-R): Emma Fruhling, Matt Groll, Ally Steffen, Jack Beer, Steven Max, Sylvie Binder, David Noel

Applauded by friends, family and the school community, seven Byram Hills High School students signed up to play on sports teams at colleges including Georgetown and Columbia universities in the National Signing Day celebration.

The annual day in early February marks a celebratory inking of letters of intent to accept athletic scholarships and other offers to play on teams at colleges across the country. The Byram Hills students agreed to join sports programs in soccer, basketball, fencing, crew and golf.

“Today we recognize seven amazing athletes representing five different sports,” high school Coach Matt Allen told the 200 supporters filling a section of the bleachers for the ceremony in the school’s upper gymnasium. “They are each well-rounded, intelligent and hard-working young men and women who will undoubtedly represent Byram Hills to the greatest of their abilities.”

 

The scholar athletes and the schools they will attend are:

Jack Beer, soccer – Georgetown University, Hoyas

Sylvie Binder, fencing – Columbia University

Emma Fruhling, soccer – Ithaca College, Bombers

Matt Groll, basketball – Franklin & Marshall College, Diplomats

Steven Max, crew – University of California, Berkeley

David Noel, soccer – Eastern Connecticut State University, Warriors

Ally Steffen, golf – University of Richmond, Spiders

One by one, the athletes were called to a dais decked in Byram Hills Bobcats colors of red and blue, where they signed their symbolic letters. Rob Castanga, the district Athletic Director, thanked the friends and family members for attending, and for supporting the athletes.

“It does take a family,” he said. “There are a lot of people involved in helping these dreams come true.”

 

Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center Responds to White House Statement on Int’l Holocaust Remembrance Day

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As Elie Wiesel said, “Not all victims were Jews, but all Jews were victims.”  Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center

Editor’s Note: Westchester’s Holocaust and Human Rights Education Center (HHREC) has issued a strongly worded statement pointing out the shortcomings of the Administration’s statement acknowledging International Holocaust Remembrance Day.  Here is the HHREC statement in full:

“This statement fails to acknowledge the historical fact that the Holocaust was a deliberate and well-calculated state-sponsored effort to systematically eliminate the Jewish people. In other words, to commit genocide.*

This omission undermines the significance the United Nations Resolution that designated January 27—the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp—an annual International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust.
Obviously, we should remember with reverence all victims of Nazi terror.

As Elie Wiesel said, “Not all victims were Jews, but all Jews were victims.”
 
We urge President Trump to reissue the statement, recognizing that the purpose of Hitler’s Final Solution was to exterminate the Jews of Europe.”

Public Demonstration Tonight in New Castle to “Embrace All”

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Chappaqua, NY– New Castle’s Community Inclusion & Diversity Committee is holding a public  demonstration tonight, Feb 1st, 7 p.m. at the Town Gazebo “to build awareness, to promote inclusion, and to embrace and support all in our community–regardless of race, religion and sexual identity.” 

Participants are being invited to wear a name tag “with both your name and the name of the places from which your family originally immigrated.”

Hudson Valley Justice Center Describes Impact of Trump’s Policies on Immigrant Communities

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“Muslim children have been telling their parents to lie about being Muslim, for fear of reprisals.” Hamra Ahmad, Hudson Valley Justice Center

By Dawn Evans Greenberg

The executive order issued Friday effectively blocked travel by citizens of seven countries for 90 days as well as created anxiety and fear for immigrant members of local communities.

Many are outraged and determined to speak out. 

One such individual is Hamra Ahmad, a resident of New Castle since 2008 (“just after Obama was elected”) and Executive Director of the Hudson Valley Justice Center* (HVJC) which provides free civil legal services to immigrants “so that they may achieve economic and social justice,” she explained.

Executive Director Hamra Ahmad, middle, with staff at the Hudson Valley Justice Center

Ahmad has practiced immigration law for over 16 years and previously helped victims of domestic violence and human trafficking at My Sisters’ Place, Inc., also here in Westchester.

Ahmad is also a mother of two daughters in Chappaqua and relayed her appreciation to the town.  “We love our community and I am grateful to be raising two Muslim daughters of immigrants in a warm, welcoming place!”

She expressed her concerns about the actual policies being implemented by the Trump administration, including his executive order for a travel ban, and outlined the effects they are having on our immigrant community.

  • “The climate of fear is both forcing undocumented immigrants into the shadows as well as creating an immediate need for services for thousands of immigrants and their families.”
  • “Both immigrant children and U.S. born children of immigrants have been saying goodbye to their friends, afraid their families will be deported. Muslim children have been telling their parents to lie about being Muslim, for fear of reprisals.”
  • “Even naturalized U.S. Citizen clients are afraid to travel for fear they will not be allowed to return. I advised my own mother, who wears the hijab, to always carry her U.S. passport when she travels, even on domestic flights.”
  • “Immigrant victims of crime, domestic violence, and human trafficking who may be fearful of reporting the crimes and abuse committed against them for fear of deportation, exposure, or retaliation. “

“We are seeing an increase in calls for direct legal services as well as more requests for “know your rights” presentations to community groups,” she concluded. “Immigrants are often vulnerable to exploitation by people promising relief they cannot deliver, at a cost of thousands of dollars.” 

When asked how Westchester residents can best support our immigrant community, both short and long term, Ahmad offered:  “It is important that immigrants and other vulnerable communities feel safe and welcome. Get to know your immigrant neighbors. Ask them about their experiences. ‘Hate has no home here.’  is a wonderful message. Connect them with resources, like ours so that they have accurate, up to date information to make informed decisions. Volunteer with different organizations that work with immigrants. Nearly 25% of Westchester residents are foreign born. 

For more information and/or to assist with the Center’s efforts, visit www.hvjc.org.  You can also ‘like’ them on Facebook and sign up for email alerts.

Chappaqua’s Dawn Greenberg  is a founding member of the Chappaqua Children’s Book Festival and Chappaqua Cares.  She is proud of the new group Up2Us , born from Chappaqua Friends of Hillary. With over 3100 members, Up2Us will fight on behalf of populations targeted by the new administration as well as oppose policies which threaten to endanger freedom and equality for all. Visit Up2Us.us.

*In furtherance of its mission to aid immigrants in achieving economic and social justice,

The HVJC helps immigrants:

* Obtain legal status, allowing them to stay with their families;

* Naturalize to U.S. Citizenship to further engage in the civic process through voting in local, state, and national elections;

*   Pursue higher education;

*   Work legally, under safe working conditions and receive fair wages;

*    Achieve safety from domestic violence; and

*    Live in safe, habitable homes, and defend against unlawful evictions.

HVJC also provides education and outreach to the immigrant community on their rights with regards to immigration, housing and employment issues.