Hudson Mohawk Magazine

In 2018, Yasmeen Richardson, a 7-year old African-American child was abused by a bus monitor. Today we air excerpts of a press conference that took place on June 4, 2021 where local activists from Albany, Schenectady and Troy came together to amplify her mother's message . This segment was produced by Hudson Mohawk Magazine's Elizabeth Press.

On June 9, 2021, Hudson Mohawk Magazine Roaming Labor Correspondent Willie Terry interviewed Adam Pelletier, the New President of "Troy Area Labor Council." In this part- one labor segment, you will hear his interview with him about his new position and thoughts on the future of the Troy Area Labor Council.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine,

We begin with Joel Berg, Director of Hunger Free America, who was in Albany last week to kick off a 20-state anti-hunger tour.

Then, Eoghann Renfroe of the Empire Justice Center talks about the push to have the New York State legislature pass the Gender Recognition Act.

Later on, we’ll hear from those who attended a demonstration at Townsend Square in Albany last Friday evening regarding the current Palestinian Israeli conflict.

After that, Marissa Peck, Retail Markets Director for Capital Roots, discusses Urban farming and food justice initiatives.

Finally, we hear about one of those urban farming initiatives in Troy. Erin Johanns is joining us as the Garden Coordinator for the Collard City Garden. We welcome her and her ambitions for the coming seasons.

On Friday the fourth at a demonstration in Townsend Square in Albany, activists voiced their feelings and passions regarding the current Palestinian Israeli conflict. In this on-the-scene report, Andrea Cunliffe spoke with a number of participants and organizers about their concerns. Caelan McPherson assisted with this report.

For more information, visit websites for the Palestinian Rights Committee of the Capital Region, Palestinian Youth Movement, Jewish Voice for Peace, or the ANSWER Coalition.

Image from the Palestinian Rights Committee- Upper Hudson Peace Action Facebook page

Ellie VonWellsheim of the MoonCatcher Project talks with Brea Barthel about how a sewing project started in her Schenectady basement 12 years ago grew to provide reusable washable menstrual products to thousands of girls in 29 countries, allowing them to stay in school, and also became a source of economic development for women in many countries. For information on the project, and how you can help, see mooncatcher.org.

In the final days of the state legislative session in Albany, advocates are pushing to pass the Gender Recognition Act into law. The bill would streamline the process, remove financial barriers, and make it much easier for transgender, intersex, and non-binary New Yorkers to ensure that their birth certificate, driver's license and other identification documents accurately reflect who they are. Eòghann Renfroe spoke with HMM correspondent Corinne Carey about the importance of the bill for these members of the community to have access to jobs, apartments, medical care, and safety. For more information about the legislation, listeners can visit the Empire Justice Center's website at https://empirejustice.salsalabs.org/passthenysgenderrecognitionact.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine,

We begin with talking about universal healthcare as hundreds came to Albany on June 7th to force a vote.

Then, we talk about a building with a troubled past as Representatives talk about reopening Albany's South Campus Center

Later on, we are introduced to the meaning of Race Amity Day on June 13th as Moses Nagel speaks with 3 members of the steering committee

After that, Noreen McKee talks about the ruling against Rensselaer County Board of Elections for failing to provide voters in Rensselaer County with adequate and equitable access to early voting poll sites

Finally, we talk about the the Peoples Reporting Project and how there is a way to track the complaints of Troy Police Department

Noreen McKee, Board Member of the Rensselaer County League of Women Voters spoke to HMM's Melissa Bromley about the ruling of the New York State Attorney General's lawsuit against Rensselaer County Board of Elections for failing to provide voters in Rensselaer County with adequate and equitable access to early voting poll sites, specifically in communities of color.

On Friday, 6/5, Judge Adam W. Silverman of the Rensselaer County Supreme Court ruled that the Board of Election's decision not to place a site in a centrally located area within Troy is arbitrary and capricious, and must be annulled.

You can read the full press release here: https://ag.ny.gov/press-release/2021/attorney-general-james-wins-lawsuit-forcing-rensselaer-county-increase-access

Erin Johanns is a new addition to the Sanctuary for Independent Media family. Erin is joining us as the Garden Coordinator for the Collard City Garden. She has ambitions to use the garden as a food source for the community who she wants to see the garden as theirs, too. She spoke with HMM's Sina Basila Hickey.

Get your hands dirty in the garden drop in hours: Fridays 5pm-7pm and Sunday from 10am-1pm at 3337 6th Ave in North Troy

Since 1992 health care advocates in NYS have been pushing for a single payer universal health care system. Even though the State Senate now has a majority of members sponsoring the bill, the Democrat's Majority Leader won't allow it for a vote. Hundreds came to Albany on June 7 in a last ditch effort to force a vote. We hear from Charley Bowman of Buffalo; Cheryl Snyder of Ulster County; Earl Kimmick of Grassroots Action NY; Sandy Przybylak of the Erie County Green Party; Rev. Joe Paperone of the Poor People's Campaign; Rev. Joseph Seals; and lead sponsor, Assembly Richard Gottfried. By Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Radio Network.