Protecting and improving the community for the people who live and work here

Updated: About K-2….

K2 is a synthetic drug that is flooding parts of NYC that are already struggling with homelessness. We don’t believe in criminalizing poverty here. We do believe in stopping drug dealers who prey on the poor. People may long for even a momentary escape from a harsh reality that has its roots in or is inflamed by racism, poverty, and centuries of exploitation. Wherever K2 is sold, on the street or in small stores, we the public need to pressure those store owners to stop selling – even if it is not technically “illegal” to sell it.

Community Board 3 passed a resolution to prosecute those who prey on the vulnerable (see below) after the moving testimony in support of the Community Board’s resolution regarding K2 (Transportation #7) by Wesley Williams and Bernard Carter. Each speaking as insiders living in the shelter system and founders of the Community Advisory Board of the Third Street Men’s Shelter. They spoke about the dangers of K2 and hoped for legislation outlawing it and protecting those abusing the drugs.

The resolution has served as a model to other CB’s of such support.

 

Excerpts from WNYC: Dangerous Drug Threatens East Harlem:

“Several people on this block have tried the drug. … a former heroin addict and current methadone user, said when he tried it …he became paralyzed. “Locked up” was how he put it…..[he] warned it was dangerous and should be taken off the market. City and state officials have been working to do just that, but it’s proven to be a frustrating and futile process.

K2, or synthetic marijuana, is basically herbs spiked with chemicals and drugs. … The state banned the ingredients used to make it in 2012, but distributors found new ones. And just last month, the governor proposed banning those substances too.

The drug comes in small packages labeled K2, Green Giant, Spice, Sand or Wicked. Vendors can face criminal fines or jail time, but first authorities have to prove that the chemical in the package is illegal.

“I bought it right from one of these stores here,” said Scott DeHaven. “All the stores have them. Even though they say they’re not supposed to sell them, they got them under the counter right now.”…DeHaven said he had a near-death experience when he smoked the drug….”My respiratory system shut down. I turned blue. They had to bring me to the hospital….They didn’t know what to do with me,” he said.

Health officials have said the drug can cause a range of symptoms, from extreme anxiety, rapid heart rate and vomiting to sedation, paranoia and hallucinations. ….

Between April and June, there were more than 1,900 emergency room visits across the state related to synthetic marijuana, and nearly 700 calls to the poison control call center. More than 120 people visited an emergency room in the city in just one week in April, New York City’s health department said. The majority of those cases were in East Harlem, where person after person had a story to tell.

…..”…They can’t give you something to withdraw from K2 because they don’t know” …

…The city has responded with raids by health inspectors, consumer affairs inspectors and the NYPD….”

 

January 2015 Full Board Minutes

“….Consideration of state legislation to address the K2 legal/enforcement problems

VOTE: Title: Community Board 3 Resolution Requesting NY State Penal Code Classification of “K2” as a Controlled Substance for Purposes of Intent to Sell and Distribute

WHEREAS, Synthetic cannabinoids (a class of drugs commonly known by their street names “K2” or “Spice”) are an emerging problem in our neighborhoods. Residents of Community Board 3 have come to the Board for help and relief from this drug that is adversely victimizing our residents, including lower income and shelter residents. Our local law enforcement and district attorneys do not have adequate legal tools to remove these harmful substances from sale and distribution; and

WHEREAS, Existing regulations classify possession of “K2” as a violation, with no distinction between possession and distribution. In other words, “K2” is legally just a violation similar to the public consumption of alcohol. Therefore, it is not possible for local law enforcement and district attorneys to uncover and shut down networks involved in the illicit sale, distribution and importation of “K2” because it is not possible to obtain a search warrant or to engage in plea bargaining with defendants; and

WHEREAS, The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has reported that emergency department visits related to synthetic cannabinoids were up 220% in first six months of 2014. The manufacture of “K2” includes an unpredictable blend of ingredients, which can cause an array of serious and unpredictable side effects. Common psychological reactions include agitation, fear and paranoia, which can cause intense experiences of panic attacks and disorientation. Significant physiological side effects can include heart palpitations and respiratory difficulties; and

WHEREAS, CB 3 wishes to respond to the community residents coming to CB 3 for help and protection of people using K2. Our lower income residents are particularly being victimized and hurt by use of this drug which can be bought for only $2.00. CB 3 wishes to support legislation that would not 9 punish the user, but would target distributors preying on our community. Only possession with intent to distribute should result in misdemeanor or felony charges that would result in serious penalties. Classifying mere possession of small quantities of “K2” as anything more serious than a violation would do nothing to improve individual or public health or safety. CB 3 does not support any change in legislation that would impact users of this drug. Drug convictions have already criminalized and marginalized millions of Americans, with consequences that can include loss of a job, voting rights, housing, and access to education. Users of “K2” should not be further victimized — “K2” is an emerging public health problem that should be addressed by legislation to curb its sale and distribution, not to criminalize its possession; and

WHEREAS, In June-September 2013, NY State enacted legislation to address synthetic cathinones (another class of drugs commonly known by their street name, “bath salts”), reclassifying them from a violation to a controlled substance under the state penal code. That legislation closed a significant loophole and toughened penalties to curb the sale and distribution of “bath salts” by allowing local law enforcement and district attorneys to use search warrants and plea bargaining. Legislation to address “K2” could be modeled on the “bath salts” legislation; now

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that CB3 encourages our State elected officials to enact and pass legislation to classify synthetic cannabinoids (A.K.A., “K2″) as a controlled substance under NY State penal code for purposes of intent to sell and distribute in NY State.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that only possession with intent to distribute should result in misdemeanor or felony charges that would result in serious penalties. CB 3 is advocating for legislation that would not change the existing regulations regarding users of this drug. The intent is to protect users from the potentially dangerous impacts of this drug by curtailing distribution.”

Read MoreUpdated: About K-2….
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UN Secretary-General on the Outcome Document of the Post-2015 Development Agenda

STATEMENT

New York, 2 August 2015

I welcome the agreement achieved today by Member States on the outcome document of the United Nations Summit to adopt the post-2015 development agenda to be held in New York from 25 to 27 September 2015. “Transforming our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” encompasses a universal, transformative and integrated agenda that heralds an historic turning point for our world. This agreement results from a truly open, inclusive and transparent process. This is the People’s Agenda, a plan of action for ending poverty in all its dimensions, irreversibly, everywhere, and leaving no one behind. It seeks to ensure peace and prosperity, and forge partnerships with people and planet at the core. The integrated, interlinked and indivisible 17 Sustainable Development Goals are the people’s goals and demonstrate the scale, universality and ambition of this new Agenda.

The Agenda will be adopted at the United Nations Summit in September in New York. Building on the successful outcome of the Third International Conference on Financing for Development in Addis Ababa, the Summit will chart a new era of Sustainable Development in which poverty will be eradicated, prosperity shared and the core drivers of climate change tackled. Critically, the Summit will also contribute to achieve a meaningful agreement in the COP21 in Paris in December. I look forward to joining Heads of States and Government, civil society, faith and business leaders, and peoples around the world for the adoption of this new agenda in the historic Summit in New York.

I wish to commend Member States for their leadership and commitment. I thank the co-facilitators of the negotiations, Ambassadors Kamau of Kenya and Donoghue of Ireland, for their stewardship and tireless efforts. I commend the engagement of civil society, parliamentarians, business, the academic community and all major groups in this historical participatory process during the last two years that makes the 2030 Agenda the “We the Peoples” sustainable development agenda.

The UN System stands ready to support Member States in the implementation of the new agenda.

Read MoreUN Secretary-General on the Outcome Document of the Post-2015 Development Agenda
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The NGO Committee on Sustainable Development NY

It has been a long number of months and meetings around the UN in NYC and around the world to hammer out a new set of goals for the world to be guided by post the Millennium Development Goals expiration. There are serious flaws in the outcome document but it is what was possible at this time, with these Member States with a very active NGO Community working very hard to make the goals progressive and human centered… 

The 17 goals are listed on the website here:‹

The NGO Committee on Sustainable Development NY

“Environmental, social and economic development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”

“The purpose of the NGO Committee on Sustainable Development is to monitor and influence the implementation of the commitments and agreements adopted by the United Nations that pertain to sustainable development as defined by the UN Conference on Environment and Development, the Earth Summit, the MDGs, the SDGs, Rio+20 and the Post-2015 Sustainable Development Agenda.  We seek to be knowledgeable about sustainable development issues under discussion or expected to be discussed by the United Nations. We focus attention and promote the programs of the United Nations on Sustainable Development for the Post-2015 Agenda, working closely with relevant UN commissions and agencies such as the United Nations Environment Programme and the Centre for Human Settlements (UN-Habitat), UNDP, UNDESA, UN Women, UNPFA, and UNODA and promote and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and the dissemination of information on sustainable development issues within the NGO community and to the general public to raise awareness toward an action agenda. We work with Ambassadors and Permanent Missions to the United Nations, members of civil society, academia, women, youth, indigenous leaders, members of the private sector and sustainable development experts in energy, water, climate change, and infrastructure to bring about collaborations that foster innovative solutions for sustainable development, social impact initiatives and gender equality issues.”

 

Read MoreThe NGO Committee on Sustainable Development NY
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Tenement Museum Staffers revive the Forsyth Garden Conservancy south of Delancey in Sara Roosevelt Park

IMG_4110 (1)

Despite the many hours put in by Park workers and volunteers from M’Finda Kalunga and Elizabeth Hubbard Memorial Gardens to keep it in good shape this area of the Park has resisted efforts to maintain it in good shape.

Now a chance at reclaiming this part of Sara Roosevelt Park with a committed group of volunteers from the Tenement Museum. They will continue the work until we’ve rebuilt and reclaimed the former beauty of the Forsyth Garden Conservancy plots.

Thanks to Park Manager Terese Flores and the work of the original builders of this GreenThumb Garden since the early 80’s.

Volunteers from the Chinatown Y also dropped by to lend a hand!

Much thanks to everyone and a few before and after photos!

 

 

Read MoreTenement Museum Staffers revive the Forsyth Garden Conservancy south of Delancey in Sara Roosevelt Park
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The Women’s Global Call for Climate Justice

We are women and girls of all ages, in all our diversity, from every region of the world;

We are gravely concerned about the lack of just and sufficient action on climate change by the world’s leaders;

We are concerned about the increasing number of disastrous mega storms  that are killing people, eradicating species, and destroying ecosystems and livelihoods;

We are concerned about sea-level rise and disappearing land masses, in addition to the serious environmental and human casualties caused by  droughts, desertification, ocean acidification, water salination, crop failures, air pollution, oil spills, plastics and other pollution, glacier melt, record warm summers and cold winters, and out-of-season cyclones and tsunamis;

We are concerned about all women and the communities and environments in which we live, including those of us from indigenous lands and oceanic societies who have contributed the least to climate disruption but who are suffering the greatest impacts first and most intensely;

We refuse to allow corporate control of our planet, our rights, or sanction a world that prioritizes growth and greed over human rights, decent and equal work, healthy ecosystems and a just distribution of wealth;

We are concerned that governments of the world are moving too slowly, with too little effort, and without the ambition, commitment or financing that it will take to stop and reverse our global climate crisis;

And we are stunned, upset and outraged that our future, and the future of our children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and of all living beings and ecosystems is being abandoned for short-term self-interest and a lack of vision, leadership, and political will;

Finally and critically, as women and girls, we are not only facing severe impacts, but we are central to the implementation of real solutions that produce real results.

Women must be full and equal partners in the fight to combat global climate chaos!

Women of the world have had enough. The time for urgent action is Now.

We are speaking Truth to Power. We Demand Change.

Together, we are creating a mass movement for climate justice and pledge to take action. Together we call on all women, all girls and all of our allies to join us in this pledge, to join our Women’s Global Call for Climate Justice and our 2015 Campaign of six actions, on six themes, over six months towards the UN Climate Meeting this December in Paris.

Women and girls will express our concerns and deliver our demands for meaningful and just action on climate change at every level and in all possible arenas – local, regional, national and global.

We will take action everywhere – in our homes, neighborhoods, village squares, agricultural gardens, fishing grounds, sacred places, worship sites, community organizations, workplaces and schools.

We will make our presence known at our Parliaments, embassies and local government buildings; in corporate headquarters of carbon polluters and energy companies; at the ballot box, in the news media, on social media, and at the front doors of ALL those with the power to change the trajectory of climate injustice.

We will talk, sing, shout, stand, and sit.  We will lobby, hold vigils, protest, blockade, and barricade. We will take action in the smallest villages, the largest cities, the highest mountains, in the oceans, and at the UN Climate Conference in Paris, France.

Representing women in every region of the world, we call for:

  • System change not climate change

  • Avoiding a 1.5 degree global temperature rise

  • Ensuring gender equality and human rights in all climate actions

  • Keeping oil and fossil fuels in the ground

  • Transitioning to 100% safe and renewable energy

  • Implementing energy efficiency and conservation measures everywhere, by everyone

  • Dramatic and urgent reduction in production and consumption patterns by everyone, including and especially by those who have contributed the most to this problem from the developed world

  • Commitment by developed countries to take the lead in the fight to address the climate crisis and to provide developing countries with the means to mitigate and adapt to climate change, in a spirit of solidarity and justice.

    We do not give up on our beautiful planet. We do not give up on a future for every species.

We will never give up on our campaign for climate justice.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

We invite you to endorse our pledge – The Women’s Global Call for Climate Justice – and join this campaign by women and girls of all ages, in all their diversity, with the support of all communities, and in all regions, to take action in 2015 with these monthly themes as inspiration:

July – ENERGY

We demand energy justice: decentralized and community-owned energy systems that reflect the needs and priorities of all people and are safe, affordable, and socially, economically and environmentally sound. We want an end to fossil fuels, nuclear power, mega dams, geo-engineering, and other high-risk technologies.

We will have a world of 100% renewables.

August – ECONOMY

We know our current economic models drive climate chaos and injustice through the promotion of growth outside the limits of our planetary boundaries. We have created an unsustainable economic system with global inequality and concentrated wealth that drives the climate crisis. The least developed countries and people living in poverty bear the greatest brunt of climate change, for which industrialized countries are mostly responsible. We need to change the system. To that end, we need trade justice, sustainable consumption patterns and economies of care. We need to equitably share wealth, resource and power and immediately divest from fossil fuel investments, toxic extraction industries, and all unsustainable production. We will change the system.

September- SOLUTIONS

Solutions for a more just world already exist. From advancing gender equality to ending inequalities and human rights violations.  From alternative energy, agro-ecology, marine and land reserves to changing behaviors and consumption patterns.  From innovating policies in cities and urban areas and to educating for sustainable development.  From just adaptation and mitigation strategies to seriously addressing loss and damage from climate chaos.

A better world is in our midst and women and girls are central to designing and implementing the solutions that will sustain it.

In fact, they are already doing so.

October- SURVIVAL

We already see the impacts of climate change happening around the world, primarily impacting peoples from the global South, with ever-worsening impacts on women’s lives, livelihoods and communities. Climate change is an issue of survival for humans and other species. For some island nations, it is about their very right to exist.

Climate chaos challenges sovereignty, clean and accessible water and sewage, clean air, healthy forests, land and oceans and biodiversity.

For women of the world, climate justice is about the survival and dignity of all- nothing less is acceptable.

November- POWER

It is time to reclaim our power — in our commons, our governments, our health, our food, our energy, our land, our oceans, and our world. We will showcase the power of collective action, of women and girls, and of peoples’ movements over the power of corporate interests. We will tell the truth about polluting industries and challenge the corporations and governments that are driving climate chaos.

Women of the world will speak truth to power.

December- CLIMATE JUSTICE

We have called on you to act, and now, we call on you to join the global march for climate justice. Join concerned women all over the world and participate in mass actions in Paris during the UN Climate Meeting and/or create your own local action wherever you are in the world on November 29, December 12 and the two weeks in between.

Together, hundreds of thousands, in fact, millions of us will call for

System change not climate change!

 For ecological repair. For human rights.

For climate justice. For economic justice.

For gender justice. For a better and just world. For Peace.

In your country’s capital.  In your house, village, township or city.

From wherever you are. Organize! Mobilize! Resist!

Join the Women’s Global Call for Climate Justice.

JUSTICE NOW!

Here’s some suggested actions you can take to support the

Women’s Global Call for Climate Justice!

This global campaign is aimed at providing a framework for mobilization, but actions and activities can be designed to fit your local, national and regional contexts. Examples of what you can do include:

  • Endorse the ‘Call’ and share it with your organization, contacts, friends, and with local and national media

  • Plan a march or rally in your city or community

  • Write an article on women’s experiences of climate change for your national or local newspaper

  • Develop a national pledge for the actions/themes you will undertake in the lead-up to Paris

  • Write and release a publication corresponding to one or more of the monthly themes

  • Host an event/webinar or teach-in

  • Go on a local radio program to raise awareness on the issues

  • Stage a protest or ‘sit-in’ at the headquarters of a corporation or industry with unsustainable practices

  • Develop a policy brief for your national government to bring new legislation on gender and climate change and to improve their policy positions at the UN Climate meetings.

  • Attend international meetings as a policy advocate for women’s rights issues in climate policy

  • Host an art exhibit to showcase the impacts of, or solutions to, climate chaos

  • Organize training program on renewable energy solutions for your local community

This is only a partial list of suggestions.  Please feel free to be creative and design your own actions!

And, don’t forget to share your activities with the Women’s Global Call for Climate Justice.

Upload them to our collective website (coming soon) to help amplify our collective work and movement building!

Read MoreThe Women’s Global Call for Climate Justice
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CAAAV: Take Back Chinatown Event

Take Back Chinatown! Community Education Event, 8/2

When: Sunday, August 2 from 2PM – 5PM

Where: Sara D. Roosevelt Park (Hester St. between Chrystie St. & Forsyth St.)

 

“Chinatown has lost 15,000 units of affordable housing in the last 10 years. This number is increasing every year, with thousands of units converted into luxury apartments, art galleries, and storefronts for artisanal coffee.

Join CAAAV on Sunday, August 2 for our Community Education Event in Sara D. Roosevelt Park on Hester Street. We will engage the community on efforts to take back Chinatown, to make affordable housing truly affordable. Activities include a community speak-out from the residents themselves, an interactive map of Chinatown, trivia on Chinatown’s history of activism, and a gentrification tour!”take back chinatown community education event 7.31.15
Read MoreCAAAV: Take Back Chinatown Event
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Job Expo Tomorrow Night

Job Expo Thursday Night July 30th at 4pm – 7pm

80 Pitt Street

Entrance on Rivington

From GOLES (Good Old Lower East Side) website:

Job Training Expo (Lower East Side Employment Network)

When: Thu. July 30, 4pm – 7pm
Where: 80 Pitt St, New York, NY 10002, USA (map)
Description: Jump star your career on the Lower East Side. Connect with training and employment opportunities in building maintenance, construction, healthcare, retail, hospitality/hotels and other industries.

LES Employment Network

Read MoreJob Expo Tomorrow Night
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FABnyc Load out

FABnyc:

Load OUT!

Bi-annual Reuse & Repurposing Riot

Saturday, September 12th
11 E. 3rd Street
11 am – 2 pm

Helping artists recycle since 2011 

Join FABnyc for their 9th Load OUT! event! All arts and cultural groups, non-profits, and community members are invited to donate sets, costumes, props and office equipment they no longer need, to be made available to other artists & students.

Admission: FREE for artists, students, or with usable pairs of shoes. $5 for general public.

They will be collecting your gently used materials (including, clothing, props, costumes, vintage lunch boxes, etc.) on Friday, September 11th BY APPOINTMENT ONLY. For larger donations, please contact Anna Adler at anna@fabnyc.org to schedule a drop-off time.

They will also be taking smaller donations on September 12th between 10 am and 11 am. For more information!

 

Read MoreFABnyc Load out
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Chair of NYC Council parks committee wants Trump contracts terminated

Donald Trump is the owner of four concessions in New York City parks-including both ice rinks in Central Park and a high-end golf course in the Bronx.  The chair of the City Council Parks Committee Mark Levine said:

“Our parks are public spaces where everyone should feel welcome and an association with Mr. Trump directly contradicts this spirit.”

“Trump’s racist remarks about Mexicans and immigrants were outrageous … and he ignores the facts: evidence shows that there’s no correlation between immigrants and violent crime...

Our parks are for everyone. Trump’s continued ownership of parks concessions runs directly contrary to that spirit. Sign our petition to add your name to those demanding that our city immediately end its association with Trump’s businesses.”
Read MoreChair of NYC Council parks committee wants Trump contracts terminated
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