The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

Trump

Amy Siskind’s Book ‘The List’ Documents a ‘Chipping Away of our Democracy’

by

Standing room only at Amy Siskind’s packed visit to the Mamaroneck Public Library when over 100 visitors arrived to learn more about The List.

By Renee Coscia

“Experts in authoritarianism advise to keep a list of things suddenly changing around you, so you remember.”

Author Amy Siskind holding her book, The List, with Westchester County Executive George Latimer (first on left). To the left of Amy is Catherine Parker, bookseller. and to her right is New York State Assemblyman Steve Otis. Photo by and courtesy of Lori Friedli, Mamaroneck Public Library

 The first time I heard this quote from Amy Siskind, author of The List: A Week by Week Reckoning of Trump’s First Year in November of 2016 we were already experiencing ‘not normal’ things in our democracy.

I clearly remember then President-elect Trump’s attempts to erode our freedom of speech by criticizing The New York Times, Saturday Night Live and the cast of Hamilton.  

Since that time, the chipping away of our democracy has been not so subtle and things that outraged us back then have been normalized. Amy’s quote about authoritarianism echoes in my mind each and every day since that time.  

I’ve been fortunate to have shared conversations with Amy around the changes in our great nation and it was an honor to see her come home to Westchester last evening to host an event at the Mamaroneck Public Library.

The lively 90-minute discussion ranged from the mainstream media not covering all too important topics to how we, the people, can take action to the importance of the 2018 upcoming election to the growing racism and erosion of basic rights to large groups of people.

Amy has a way of inspiring people and the standing room only crowd was invigorated and left last evening ready to take action.

Amy has been and still is my reliable source for the erosion of the America we once knew. Her personal charge to record a week by week decimation of our democracy is truly an act of patriotism.  If you are not following Amy on Twitter or Facebook I encourage you to do so. Get your hands on a copy of her book, so that together we will be able to find our way back to the great nation we know can be.  

‘You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, ‘I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’ Eleanor Roosevelt

Renee Coscia is a life-long Westchester resident living in White Plains with her husband John and Three children, Emily, Jake and Rebecca. Renee has been a teacher in a suburban Westchester public school district for 29 years.  

 

Support Builds for Buchwald’s Bill to Force the Release of President Trump’s State Tax Returns

by

Over 40 Assembly members sign onto Buchwald’s legislation

In less than two weeks, over 40 members of the New York State Assembly have signed on as co-sponsors of Assemblyman David Buchwald’s bill to force the release of New York State income tax returns for statewide elected officials, including the President of the United States. With these quick pledges of support, the bill (A.7462/S.5572-A) is already over halfway towards obtaining the 76 votes needed to pass on the Assembly floor. 

On April 26, State Assemblyman David Buchwald and State Senator Brad Hoylman introduced the legislation that would direct the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance (NYSDTF) to release the tax returns within thirty days of enactment of the bill, going back five years, and then continuing each year the elected official is in office.

The legislation doesn’t just apply to the President of the United States. It applies equally to any Vice President that files New York State income tax forms, as well as the U.S. Senators representing New York, and the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General and State Comptroller. Most of these officials, including Governor Cuomo, Senator Schumer, and Senator Gillibrand, routinely make their tax returns available. And with respect to the Presidency, for over 40 years, transparency of the President’s tax returns the norm as well. The tax returns released by New York State under the legislation would redact social security numbers and other personal information the disclosure of which would violate federal law.

The Buchwald-Hoylman Bill ended up being introduced the same day the White House released its one-page handout on its tax reform proposals.

“This bill is essential for New Yorkers to have confidence in our tax system, to understand the potential motivation for tax reform proposals from our top elected officials, and to gain insight into potential conflicts of interest,” said Assemblyman Buchwald (D-Westchester).  

When introducing the bill Assemblyman Buchwald said, “This bill recognizes that a personal interest in secrecy can be outweighed by the public’s right to know the tax and financial interests of its top government leaders.” 

Political Activist Group “Left of Main Street” to Host March 3 Forum on Role of the Media in Trump’s America

by

Chappaqua, New York–The Chappaqua-based group, Left of Main Street, will host a round table panel discussion “Separating Fact From Fiction in Trump’s America” on March 3, 2017 from 7-9 p.m. The discussion will be held in the Assembly Room at Chappaqua’s Town Hall located at: 200 S. Greeley Avenue, Chappaqua.

Participating in the discussion are journalists from television and print media, including: Kristen Prata Browde former anchor at CBS News, Helen Jonsen former TV journalist at Fox 5 and WPIX 11, Peter Katz former producer, editor and Washington Bureau Chief at ABC News, and Kate Stone Lombardi a regular contributor to the NY Times.  Chappaqua’s own, Grace Bennett, Publisher and Editor of The Inside Press, will moderate the discussion.

The influence of politically biased news on the outcome of the election will be examined as well as the role consumers play in the media. “A free and fact based press is essential for an informed and free society” said Cynthia Ware Metcalf, Co-Founder of Left of Main Street. “As consumers of news, it’s important to understand that we must hold the media accountable to report fact based news.”

Founded by Chappaqua residents Ann Styles Brochstein and Cynthia Ware Metcalf, Left of Main Street advocates for progressive issues and candidates nationwide. You can follow their activities on Facebook, Twitter @LeftOfMainSt, Instagram, and at www.LeftOfMainStreet.com.

 

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

by

“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.

Trump Wins, Locals React

by

If there was one common theme among Armonk residents and locals Wednesday, after Donald Trump’s election night win over Chappaqua’s Hillary Clinton, it was shock. Speaking to Inside Press the day after the election at Tazza Café in the hamlet, here is what a few of our neighbors had to say.

election-reaction-liza“I had more confidence in our country to look at the bigger picture, instead of thinking about our nation as just a nation. I wish that people had thought about humanity and voted for someone who believed in climate change and would work to give us a better shot to improve our current situation,” Liza Scher, a 17-year-old senior at Byram Hills High School (though too young to vote, she preferred Clinton).

election-monica“I just feel like this country is going back. We’re taking back a lot of the progress we just made. I was just very stunned because I really thought she was going to win,” Monica Aguirre, a 20-year-old Bedford resident who supported Clinton. Aguirre said she was afraid of the impact Trump’s election would have on executive orders issued by President Obama to stop deportations of immigrants who entered the country illegally.

election-joe“I didn’t like either one of them. I voted for Gary Johnson. Out of the two of them, I was glad it was Trump,” Joe Souerzoef, a Mamaroneck resident. Souerzoef said he doesn’t trust Clinton and doesn’t believe Trump is a true conservative. He would have preferred Florida Senator Marco Rubio or Texas Senator Ted Cruz win the Republican nomination.

“I think the morning after people need to recognize that we have a new president. Enough mourning, for those who mourn, and it’s time to come to grips with the reality and maybe find and see what positives there are about it,” Gideon, an Armonk resident. A Republican, Gideon crossed party lines to vote for Clinton. However, he hopes that Trump’s election and Republican control of the Senate will break the gridlock that Washington has seen since 2010, when Republicans took control of the House of Representatives.