Hudson Mohawk Magazine

The Young Peacemakers camp was held at the Albany Quaker Meeting house this year from August 22-26. On Wednesday, the theme was Peace in the Community and the campers made a big batch of soup to donate to Food Not Bombs in Albany. The counselors used the story Stone Soup as an example. Moses Nagel was there to observe.

The Excluded Workers Fund established emergency unemployment compensation funds for workers, including undocumented immigrants, who are excluded from unemployment insurance. It was a success for those who received the funds. However many people were unable to access these relief funds, and there is now a new bill proposed to extend funds to those who are excluded from unemployment called Excluded No More.

To tell us more Iridian Lucas Garcia, the Excluded Worker Fund Implementation Coordinator at Columbia County Sanctuary Movement, and Sara Reyes, a receiver of those Excluded Worker Funds, spoke with Sina Basila Hickey.

Columbia County Sanctuary Movement and a receiver of funds:

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine:

We begin with a report from Mark Dunlea on major concessions won by tenants at the Capital Crossing housing development in Albany.

After that, we hear from two historians and a Mohawk Bear Clan member during an Indigenous History Roundtable discussion at the recent Waterfall Unity Celebration in Schoharie.

Then, Hudson Mohawk Magazine producer Moses Nagel brings us background on harmful algae blooms that are becoming more common in local waterways and throughout the country.

Later on, Sina Basila Hickey explores the world of Dungeons N’ Dragons with Justin Shi.

Finally, we’re joined once again by retired meteorologist Hugh Johnson, to talk about a recent climate conference, the anniversary of Hurricane Irene, and a look at weather in the week ahead.

On Friday, September 16th, the first ever Pax Christi New York State gathering will take place in conjunction with the 24th annual Kateri Peace Conference which will be held the next day September 17 at the St. Kateri National Shrine in Fonda, NY. Rosemarie Pace, state co-coordinator, discusses the emphasis on redressing the Catholic Church’s mistreatment of indigenous people and the need to promote racial justice. With Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

The tenants at Capitol Crossings in Albany, a 279-unit development that has historically housed low-income and subsidized families, won major concessions that would keep rents stable and protect tenants from unjust evictions, including limiting rent increases to 5% and guaranteeing lease renewals to any tenant in good standing.Jazmia VanHoesen, President of the Bleecker Terrace Tenants Association, discusses the organizing effort with Mark Dunlea of Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Harmful Algae Blooms are becoming more and more common in upstate New York and throughout the country as pollution and sewage overflows combine with warming temperatures. Moses Nagel looked into the causes and some possible solutions for this summers' outbreaks.

riverkeeper.org

radixcenter.org

Welcome back to another episode of the Triple E's: Education, Empowerment and Entrepreneurship. Adversity Specialist H. Bosh Jr sat down with Rick DeCarr, an educator in the Schenectady district, who was honored in 2021 when elected Schenectady City School District Teacher of the Year. DeCarr talks about why he became a teacher, representation for students and more.

Collard City Growers is lush with towering sunflowers, ground nuts, watermelons, and tomatoes. We headed over to ask Azuré Keahi and Ellie Irons about what's growing right now. Garden open hours are Fridays 4-6pm.

Photo by Azuré Keahi

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine:

We begin with Mark Dunlea’s report on the Climate Action Council which has received 35,000 comments on its draft climate plan.

Next, Elizabeth Press speaks with a fired employee of Capital Roots.

Later on, Columbia County Sanctuary Movement talks to Sina Basila Hickey about the success of the Excluded Workers Fund.

After that, we get to hear a part of a recent roundtable on Indigenous history in Schoharie County.

Finally, we head to Collard City Growers to get an update on what’s going on in the garden with Ellie Irons and Azure Keahi.

The year 2022 has seen so many victories for union organizing that at this year's Labor Day Picnic the Solidarity Committee of the Capital District will be giving more awards than usual to employees who stepped into leadership roles organizing their workplace. In this week's MLK Labor and Community Network check-in, Doug Bullock previews this year's picnic with co-hosts Cathy Silber and H. Bosh, Jr. This year's picnic is September 5 in Cook Park in Colonie, noon-4 pm.

Photo credit: Lori Van Buren, Times Union, used by permission.