April 6, 2023 – Urban CNY

Academic Programs for Micron-Related Employment Just Approved for OCC! Students Can Begin Taking Courses This Fall

by Urban CNY News
April 6, 2023

Learn More at Spring Open House & Accepted Students Day! Come To Campus and Have Conversations with OCC Professors About Our New Programs for Micron-Related Employment. Saturday, April 29 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Onondaga Community College will host its Spring Open House & Accepted Students Day Saturday, April 29 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 4585 West Seneca Turnpike (Route 175), Syracuse The New York State Education Department of Education just approved two new programs for Micron-related employment which prospective students can begin enrolling in for the fall 2023 semester: Electromechanical Technology A.A.S. (Associate in Applied Science) Electromechanical Technology certificate program MORE THAN MICRON: We also have other new, exciting academic programs which will debut in the Fall 2023 semester including: Supply Chain Management Architectural Design Studies Construction Management We also have two new microcredentials which we will begin offering in the Fall 2023 semester. A microcredential can be completed in months rather than years, and is directly related to an in-demand career in our region. All credits earned through the microcredential can be applied to at least one degree at OCC such as Creative Writing or Liberal Arts: Humanities and Social Sciences should a student want to continue their education: Digital Writing (9 credits) Creative and Professional Writing (9 credits) Two of our highly successful, existing programs will be going fully online in Fall 2023: Health Information Technology Creative Writing We’ve continued to create new programs in our growing School of Health based on workforce demands. These programs provide students with health-related career options which do not require direct patient care. Programs which were new in 2022 include: Healthcare Administration Laboratory Science

Entertainment News

Syracuse Stage Announces Its 2023-2024 Season Marking the Company’s 50th Anniversary

by Urban CNY News
April 6, 2023

Syracuse, NY – Syracuse Stage Artistic Director Robert HuppandManaging Director Jill Anderson are pleased to announce the organization’s 50th anniversary season. The 2023/2024 six-production season runs Sept. 13, 2023, to May 19, 2024, and features What the Constitution Means to Me, Thunder Knocking on The Door, A Christmas Carol, Clyde’s andAgatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express. A musical will close out the season and be announced shortly. “Our 50th season was curated with open doors and access for all in mind,” explains Hupp, “It’s about getting back to enjoying the joy and beauty and the sense of community that only live theatre can provide. There’s something about having the same, yet vastly different experience as a person sitting two rows away from you that has always intrigued me, and we’re hoping our audiences, both regulars and new patrons, are ready to laugh, to cry, to reflect and to just have fun, when they join us at Syracuse Stage for our 50th anniversary season.” First up at Stage is What the Constitution Means to Me, written by Heidi Schreck and directed by Syracuse Stage Associate Artistic Director Melissa Crespo, running from Sept. 13 through Oct. 1. Schreck’s boundary-breaking show traces the profound relationship between four generations of women and the founding document that shaped their lives. Hilarious, hopeful and honest, this Tony and Pulitzer nominated play exposes baked-in biases and omissions, while also breathing in new life, and imagining how American lives will be impacted for generations to come. The Seattle Times says, “Every American should see this play!” Up next, from Oct.18 through Nov. 5, isThunder Knocking on The Door, written by Keith Glover, with Music by Keb’ Mo’, Anderson Edwards and Keith Glover. This intoxicating blues musical is filled with humor, affection and the extraordinary music of three-time Grammy Award winner Keb’ Mo’. In a small Alabama town, a mysterious blues guitar-player arrives at the door of the multi-generation Dupree family, and what starts as a deal with the devil turns into a love story for the ages. Thunder delivers real heart and soul. The LA Times calls Thunder, “A charming fable about magic and music that casts its own spell.” The holiday season brings a tried-and-true family favorite to Syracuse, the greatest ghost story ever told, Charles Dickens’ beloved,A Christmas Carol. Adapted by Richard Hellesen and David deBerry with music orchestration by Gregg Coffin, Melissa Rain Anderson will direct the production at Syracuse Stage which runs Nov. 24 through Dec. 31. A Christmas Carol also features the awe-inspiring 2 Ring Circus and is co-produced with the Syracuse University Department of Drama. A Christmas Carol shines a light on the power of kindness and love in this uplifting tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and his journey to redemption. As the weather turns cold, audiences will warm their hearts along with the memorable cast and the lush and joyous Candlelight Carol. Share the magic of the season with the people you love! A Christmas Carol is“A beautiful, timeless message of generosity’s triumph over greed.”according to theChicago Tribune. Written by Lynn Nottageanddirected by Chip Miller, Clyde’s is the fourth offering in the 2023/2024 season at Syracuse Stage, running from Jan. 31 through Feb. 18. It is co-produced with Portland Center Stage. This masterful and delicious new ‘dramedy’ from two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Nottage (Ruined, Intimate Apparel, Sweat), has it all—wit, heart, snappy dialogue and big surprises. Creating the perfect sandwich is the quest of the formerly incarcerated staff at Clyde’s truck stop. Deeply felt, quirky and urgent, Clyde’s serves up a masterful play that reminds us, sometimes a hero is more than just a sandwich. In naming it the best new play of 2021, Terry Teachout of The Wall Street Journalcalled Clyde’s, “A serious comedy, at once raucously funny and deeply moving.” From the undisputed queen of crime comes the Ken Ludwig adaptation of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express from March 12 through April 7. Directed by Stage Artistic Director Robert Hupp, the fan-favorite whodunnit is sure to please. Wherever famed detective Hercule Poirot goes, murder is never far behind. On his journey home from Istanbul to London on the luxurious Orient Express, an avalanche stops the train in its tracks and Poirot must interrogate the parade of passengers, solve the murder and save the reputation of the famous train before the killer strikes again. Broadway World calls Murder, “Glamourous and enthralling from the beginning to the end.” Closing out the 50th Anniversary season is a soon-to-be-announced musical that will run from May 1 through 19. All evening performances begin at 7:30pm while all matinee performances begin at 2pm. Tickets for all showsstart at $25 with discounts available for groups of 10 or more. Tickets can be purchased by visiting SyracuseStage.org, by calling 315.443.3275 or by visiting the Syracuse Stage Box Office at 820 East Genesee Street. Syracuse Stage also offers a variety of performances designed to create access for all and enhance the theatre-going experience. Pay-What-You-Will performances are on Sept. 13, Oct. 18, Nov. 24, Jan. 31 and March 13 respectively; Prologue conversations, three pre-show discussions that take place one-hour before curtain, take place Sept. 17, 23 and 28 for Constitution; Oct. 22, 28 and Nov. 2 for Thunder; Dec. 3, 9 and 14 for Christmas Carol; Feb. 4, 10 and 15 for Clyde’s; and March 17, 23 and 28 for Murder. The Post-show Talkbacks will take place on Sept. 17, Oct. 29, Dec. 3, Feb. 11 and March 17 after the 7:30 performance. Open-captioned performances are scheduled for Sept. 20 and 30 and Oct. 1 for Constitution; Oct. 25 and Nov. 4 and 5 for Thunder; December 6, 16 and 17 for Christmas Carol; February 7, 17 and 18 for Clyde’s, and March 20, 30 and 31 for Murder, with Audio-described performances on Sept. 30, Nov. 4, Dec. 16, Feb. 17 and March 30; American Sign Language translation is offered at performances on Sept. 23, Oct. 28, Dec. 9, Feb. 10 and March 23; and pre-show Happy Hour

News

Attorney General James Leads Multistate Coalition to Protect Transgender Students’ Rights

by Urban CNY News
April 6, 2023

Coalition of 18 Attorneys General File Amicus Brief to Support a West Virginia Transgender Student’s Right to Join Sports Teams New York – New York Attorney General Letitia James co-led a coalition of 18 attorneys general to support a student challenging a West Virginia law that bans transgender students from participating on sports teams consistent with their gender identity. The student, B.P.J., was prohibited from joining her school’s girls’ cross country and track teams and filed a lawsuit against the board of education. In an amicus brief filed in B.P.J. v. West Virginia Board of Education, the coalition of attorneys general argue that the sole purpose of the West Virginia law is to exclude and stigmatize transgender students like B.P.J. and therefore it clearly violates her right to equal protection under the law. “When a transgender student is prevented from playing on the sports team consistent with their gender identity, their rights are taken away from them and we will not stand for it,” said Attorney General James. “Transgender students should be afforded the same opportunities as their peers and deserve to live without fear of discrimination or stigma. My office is dedicated to combating any effort to restrict rights or punish people solely for being who they are.” The brief, filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, asks the court to reverse a lower court ruling which dismissed B.P.J.’s lawsuit. The attorneys general argue that the West Virginia statute, which bans B.P.J. from participating on her school’s all-girls cross country and track teams, violates Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as it denies transgender girls like B.P.J. access to the same athletic opportunities that other boys and girls have. The attorneys general want to ensure that federal law is applied properly to protect transgender people from discrimination. The brief also notes that over 1.6 million people in the United States — including about 300,000 youth between the ages of 13 and 17 — identify as transgender. These Americans make valuable contributions to our communities as teachers, essential workers, firefighters, doctors, and more, but face discrimination, violence, and harassment that limits their ability to realize their potential. One survey of transgender students by the National School Climate Survey found that 77 percent of respondents reported negative experiences in school including verbal harassment and assault. Attorney General James has long fought for the rights of transgender students and people and has been a leader in supporting the LGBTQ+ community. Last month, Attorney General James called out Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for violating public university students’ right to privacy over his request for information on those receiving gender-affirming care. Last December, Attorney General James led a multi-state coalition of attorneys general to support equal access to gender-affirming care in West Virginia. In November 2022, Attorney General James led a coalition of attorneys general to support transgender students seeking to participate in sex-segregated school sports consistent with their gender identity in Indiana. Attorney General James has led or co-led coalitions of attorneys general to challenge policies prohibiting transgender students from using bathrooms which correspond with their gender identity in Indiana, Florida, and Virginia. Joining Attorney General James in filing the brief are the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, the District of Columbia, Hawai’i, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington. The amicus brief was prepared by Assistant Solicitor General Mark S. Grube, Deputy Solicitor General Judith N. Vale, and Solicitor General Barbara D. Underwood — all of the Division of Appeals and Opinions.

News

Attorney General James Shuts Down Websites Impersonating NYS Department of State

by Urban CNY News
April 6, 2023

Company Misled Small Businesses and Overcharged for Services AG James Offers Tips to Help New Yorkers Identify Real Government Websites New York – New York Attorney General Letitia James shut down two websites that impersonated the New York State Department of State (NYSDOS) and significantly overcharged users for services provided by NYSDOS. The misleading websites, created by Thomas Romano and his company, Steamin’ Weenie LLC (Steamin’ Weenie), closely mimicked NYSDOS’ Division of Corporations site by using the agency’s official seal and logo, and allowed users to file various business-related documents with federal, state, and local entities for much higher prices than NYSDOS offered. One of the websites charged $135 for a certified copy of a certificate of incorporation, which cost only $10 from NYSDOS at the time. The NYSDOS helps individuals file paperwork for their businesses, such as corporate registry documents, or start a limited liability company (LLC). There were no disclosures on the websites that they were operated by a private third-party agreeing to file documents on behalf of their users. In addition to shutting down the websites, Attorney General James secured $44,387 in penalties from the company and its owner. “Misleading consumers is not a smart business plan, it’s unethical and illegal,” said Attorney General James. “These websites deceived hardworking New Yorkers who were simply trying to open up their own business and file the necessary paperwork to do so. Scam artists may think they are savvy, but breaking state laws and conning New Yorkers will get you into hot water with my office. I encourage everyone to be vigilant and ensure the websites they are visiting to conduct government business are legitimate.” “Impersonating the New York Department of State as a way of defrauding business owners out of their hard-earned money was not only deceptive, unfair, and misleading, it was illegal,” said Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez. “Attorney General James shares the Department’s commitment to protecting New Yorkers and we thank her for her perseverance in holding these bad actors accountable.” The NYSDOS alerted the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) of the fraudulent websites. The websites, which the company has since taken down, adopted significant elements of the look and feel of the official website from 2021 and copied graphical elements. For example, the homepage of one website had a logo substantially similar to the one displayed on the official website, a slightly modified version of the state’s Great Seal, and a customer support phone number was listed with an Albany area code, although the sole operator of the website lived downstate. The website also referred to itself as the “Corporation Services Division,” a name similar to NYSDOS’ Division of Corporations. Today’s agreement requires Thomas Romano and his company to pay $44,387 in penalties and prevents the company and its owner from using any government logos, seals, or other similar iconography to deceive consumers into believing that they are dealing with a government entity. They will also be required to clearly and conspicuously disclose to consumers that they are a private third-party and not affiliated with the government. How to Identify a Government Website New Yorkers should be vigilant of websites that may appear to be government sites but are not. Here are some recommendations for how to spot a legitimate government website: If New Yorkers detect a website that is trying to pass itself off as an official government resource but is not, they are encouraged to file an online complaint with OAG’s Bureau of Internet and Technology. This matter was handled by Assistant Attorney General Ezra Sternstein and former Assistant Attorney General Noah Stein of the Bureau of Internet and Technology, under the supervision of Bureau Chief Kim A. Berger and Deputy Bureau Chief Clark P. Russell. The Bureau of Internet and Technology is a part of the Division for Economic Justice, which is overseen by Chief Deputy Attorney General Chris D’Angelo and First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy.

News

Mayor Walsh Appoints Morgan Raley to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer

by Urban CNY News
April 6, 2023

Syracuse, N.Y. – Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh announced the appointment of Morgan Raley to the City of Syracuse’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Officer, a position in the Department of Human Resources. As DEI Officer, Raley will oversee hiring and personnel practices that ensure equal opportunity in the City of Syracuse as well as identify, evaluate and make recommendations to improve under-represented groups across City Departments. In this role, Raley will review and make updates to hiring goals and the City’s Affirmative Action Plan, and administer trainings and sensitivity awareness, as well as assist in coordinating the City’s annual multi-cultural events and festivals. She will also be responsible for conducting discrimination investigations in coordination with the City/County Human Rights Commission, and function as the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) coordinator for City services. Raley comes to the City of Syracuse from Texas, previously working with Goodwill of Central Texas where she managed over thirty grant programs and a $2 million budget to administer funding from local, state and federal programs which worked to provide resources to those experiencing employment, housing and financial barriers. Beyond her role at Goodwill, Raley also worked with both the SAFE Alliance and the Noah Project to provide guidance and support to families and children through case management, transitional housing and community outreach. Raley earned her Master of Public Health from New York University’s College of Global Public Health with a concentration in Community and International Health, where she also worked as the Assistant Accommodations Administrator at the Moses Center for Students with Disabilities. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Anthropology from Baylor University.

Urban CNY Money

Claim the Tax Credits You Deserve – and File for Free!

by Urban CNY News
April 6, 2023

Working taxpayers may be eligible to claim EITC – Earned Income Tax Credit The New York State Department of Taxation and Finance encourages New Yorkers to review their eligibility for valuable tax credits. Many New Yorkers with income of $73,000 or less can avoid the cost of hiring a paid tax preparer to claim their credits by filing their tax returns using the Department’s Free File program. Millions of New Yorkers file their federal and state tax returns using Free File software, available through the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance website. Taxpayers can use Free File software to determine their eligibility for valuable tax credits – including the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). Earned Income Tax Credits can be worth up to $11,097 The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a refundable credit for working taxpayers who meet certain income guidelines. Eligible taxpayers can receive a refund even if the credit amount is more than what they owe in taxes. Every year, thousands of New Yorkers qualify for the EITC for the first time as their filing status or personal financial situation changes. Eligibility requirements for the Earned income credit (New York State) are explained on the Tax Department website. Federal, State, and New York City Earned Income Tax Credits are worth up to $11,097 for a family with three or more children. More information about federal, state and local earned income tax credits, including the value of available credits, is available here. “Free File is a simple way to file tax returns and access valuable tax credits like the Earned Income Tax Credit,” said New York State Department of Taxation and Finance Acting Commissioner of Amanda Hiller. “The Earned Income Tax Credit provides substantial benefits to many working New Yorkers – including those who are self-employed. It lowers the amount of your taxes and can lead to an increased refund.” File a tax return to claim the credits you deserve You must file a personal income tax return to receive the Earned Income Tax Credit, even if you don’t owe any taxes. E-filing is the easiest way to file your return and the fastest way to receive your refund. When you’re ready to file, gather your information and documentation. If you received unemployment, request your Form 1099-G from the Department of Labor. Remember to include the full amount on your New York State personal income tax return. Be sure to request direct deposit—it’s the easiest and fastest way to get your refund. File your taxes for free If your 2022 federal adjusted gross (AGI) income is $73,000 or less, you can file both your federal and New York State returns at no cost through the Tax Department website using Free File. The software will help ensure you claim the credits you deserve. Information about Free File is available in multiple languages: Spanish | Chinese | Russian | Bengali | Haitian Creole | Korean | Yiddish Not eligible to Free File? Learn about other e-file options. After you file Check your refund status at your convenience! Get the most up-to-date information about your refund and your return: use our online Check your refund status tool.

Urban CNY Money

CONSUMER ALERT: New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Releases Guide with Tips for Navigating Rental Scams

by Urban CNY News
April 6, 2023

Part One of Five-Part Consumer Alert Series to Help New Yorkers Navigate Housing Scams Follow the New York Department of State on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for “Tuesday’s Tips” – Practical Tips to Educate and Empower New York Consumers on a Variety of Topics Secretary Robert J. Rodriguez: “Finding a place to live can be stressful enough without the added worry of being scammed, so I encourage New Yorkers to follow our tips and learn how to spot a potential scam when looking for a new residence.” For this week’s “Tuesday’s Tips,” the New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection announced the release of a comprehensive guide with practical tips to help New Yorkers identify and avoid rental scams. The guide is part one of a five-part consumer alert series to help New Yorkers navigate housing scams, which are a continuously growing risk for consumers. In 2022, the FBI received 11,727 real estate/rental scam related complaints with losses of over $396 million, an 86% increase compared to 2020. In the coming weeks, consumers will receive guidance on how to navigate housing scams when renting, buying a first home, protecting their homes, planning a home improvement project or looking for a moving or storage company. Follow the New York Department of State on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and check in every Tuesday for more practical tips that educate and empower New York consumers on a variety of topics. Sign up to receive consumer alerts directly to your email or phone here. “In today’s highly competitive housing market, renters are often targeted by scammers who use enticing offers to steal their hard-earned money,” Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said. “Finding a place to live can be stressful enough without the added worry of being scammed, so I encourage New Yorkers to follow our tips and learn how to spot a potential scam when looking for a new residence.” Looking for a rental home or apartment can be an expensive and time-consuming process, and as the cost of living continues to increase rental scams are becoming even more prevalent. Rental scams do not just harm renters, they can severely damage the reputations and livelihoods of New York’s honest, hardworking real estate agents. To prevent a costly mistake, below are key tips on how to identify and avoid rental scams: Confirm that the rental listing is legitimate and verify the source of the listing. Scammers often post fake listings of properties that are not on the market, or may copy a photo or description of a property from another source to use in their ad. A few minutes of research can prevent you from putting a security deposit on a rental that’s not an option for you. To verify if a rental is legitimate: Verify the identity of any Real Estate Professional. Confirm that the real estate professional you’re working with is licensed in New York by following these steps: Inspect the Premises. Avoid completing background checks, signing a lease agreement or paying any advance fees or deposits before having an opportunity to inspect the premises. Be suspicious if asked to use payment methods that are untraceable. Scammers generally conduct transactions by phone, text message or email and often ask for a wire transfer, prepaid debit card, payment on a cash-based app or other method of payment that is not traceable. Instead, pay by check or with credit card and get receipts for any payments. Request everything in writing. It is always better to leave a paper trail. Real estate professionals are required by law to provide you with copies of all instruments relating to the transaction. Don’t give in to high-pressure sales tactics. Scammers may urge you to rent quickly before someone else gets the property, prompting you to possibly miss an important step in the evaluation process. While the rental market is tough right now with low supply and high demand, remember to be cautious about all the steps involved in a real estate transaction – including carefully reviewing the lease agreement and verifying the identity of those you are engaged with during the rental transaction. Protect your privacy. Scammers often request personal information and money for background checks, then disappear. Refrain from providing personal information or your social security number unless you are absolutely sure you are dealing with a reputable business or agent. About the New York State Division of Consumer ProtectionThe New York State Division of Consumer Protection provides resources and education materials to consumers, as well as voluntary mediation services between consumers and businesses. The Consumer Assistance Helpline 1-800-697-1220 is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm, excluding State Holidays, and consumer complaints can be filed at any time at www.dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection. For other consumer protection tips and consumer alerts, consumers can visit the DCP website or follow DCP on social media via Twitter at @NYSConsumer or Facebook at www.facebook.com/nysconsumer.

Neighborhoods News

Mayor Walsh and Adapt CNY Announce Asphalt Art Installation at City Hall Plaza will Begin this Spring

by Urban CNY News
April 6, 2023

Public is invited to provide input on the space and help install the art at the bottom of City Hall front steps Syracuse, N.Y. – Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh announced that the city asphalt art mural will begin installation on April 28. The mural will be part of a public art installation in City Hall Plaza and was selected by the community last summer. It is intended to reimagine the former driveway in front of City Hall and will feature street furniture for daily public use as well as flower planters to safeguard the space from vehicles. “We’re excited to see the community-driven vision for City Hall Plaza take shape,” said Mayor Walsh. “As we continue investing in infrastructure for the next generation, we are creating brighter, safer and more welcoming urban spaces in our city. We look forward to seeing the new City Hall Plaza flourish and grow into a vibrant gathering place for the community to use and enjoy.” The mural installation continues to engage residents and the public. Local artist Jessica Whitley will install the mural Friday, April 28 through Sunday, April 30, weather permitting. She and the City are inviting local artists and members of the public to volunteer with painting the mural installation. To volunteer, the public can sign up via the project survey found at syr.gov/city-hall-plaza. The public is also encouraged to provide input on the space through the public survey from April 4 through April 18. Reimagining City Hall Plaza is a community-driven project in partnership with Adapt CNY and funded through a $25,000 grant from the Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Asphalt Art Initiative, which uses art and community engagement to improve street safety and revitalize public space. Last year, ADAPT CNY and the City issued an open call for artist submissions to envision the site as a permanent public space for community dialogue and inclusive civic engagement. About Jessica Whitley Jessica Whitley is a local artist born and raised on the Northside of Syracuse. Her work focuses on exploring boundaries, from personal to societal, and analyzing how people engage with one another and their environments. She has lived, studied, and worked in Syracuse and is excited to use her voice and perspective to help improve its residents’ quality of life.

News

Community Organizations’ Legal Brief Supporting Columbus Monument Removal in Syracuse Will be Considered by NY Supreme Court

by Urban CNY News
April 6, 2023

Women of Italian Heritage CNY (WISH CNY)and Neighbors of the Onondaga Nation (NOON) have filed a joint Amicus Curiae (Friend of the Court) Brief in the Columbus Monument lawsuit before the Appellate Court 4th Division of the NYS Supreme Court. The 75-page document supports the decision of the City of Syracuse to remove the Columbus Statue and can be read here. The brief includes information which explains the evolving truthful historical understanding of Columbus, and the progression of dedicated public engagement regarding the future of the Columbus monument in Syracuse which otherwise would not be available to the judges. Members of both organizations are available for interviews upon request. A panel of judges will hear oral arguments from the City of Syracuse and the Columbus Monument Corporation on Monday, April 3rd, in Rochester. Their decisions will direct the future of the site where the Columbus Monument currently resides. The oral arguments will be filmed live and hosted on the NY Courts website here. The case docket begins at 10 am. “NOON has been involved with community efforts to remove the Columbus monument from the city center for over twenty years,” says Lee Cridland, a NOON steering committee member. “There is strong and widespread support from local citizens, and support from the Onondaga Nation, to remove the statue from public property. In contributing to this legal brief, we continue our efforts to support this long overdue change for our community.” Across the country, community-led efforts to remove offensive monuments in public spaces have strengthened. WISH CNY member Stefania Ianno states, “Columbus was never a good person, but his image was used to help Italian immigrants in the US to gain some safety and respect. We don’t need him to represent our Italian heritage and we feel there are many others who are much better choices. The use of Columbus has become a sad and tragic insult to many Italian-Americans like me, and perpetuates false claims that he was a hero.” The joint Amicus curiae uses primary source documents of contemporaries which detail the violent treatment and atrocities committed by Columbus and those who followed his lead in to gain land and riches, and to convert Indigenous people to Christianity by force, as was encouraged by the Doctrine of Christian Discovery.

Arrest of David Arnold for Multiple Charges of Sexual Misconduct with a Child

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15-Year-Old, Alexcia Lynch – Syracuse Police Release Homicide Investigation Timeline

Congressman Jim Clyburn (SC-06) Endorses John Mannion for Congress in NY-22

Van B. Robinson Common Council Chambers Weekly Schedule September 2 -6, 2024

Academic Programs for Micron-Related Employment Just Approved for OCC! Students Can Begin Taking Courses This Fall

City of Syracuse to Start Work on Traffic Signal Interconnect Project

Syracuse Stage Announces Its 2023-2024 Season Marking the Company’s 50th Anniversary

Attorney General James Leads Multistate Coalition to Protect Transgender Students’ Rights

Attorney General James Shuts Down Websites Impersonating NYS Department of State

Mayor Walsh Appoints Morgan Raley to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer

Claim the Tax Credits You Deserve – and File for Free!

CONSUMER ALERT: New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection Releases Guide with Tips for Navigating Rental Scams

Mayor Walsh and Adapt CNY Announce Asphalt Art Installation at City Hall Plaza will Begin this Spring

Community Organizations’ Legal Brief Supporting Columbus Monument Removal in Syracuse Will be Considered by NY Supreme Court

Black Voices