Hudson Mohawk Magazine

Local writer and musician Brett Petersen describes his involvement with rock bands over the years, including bands such as Dynamite Pleasure Chair, Raziel's Tree, and most recently the Dionysus Effect. He also briefly touches on his book of short stories, entitled "The Parasite from Proto Space," published locally by Clash Books in Troy, NY.

Ally Henny is a writer, speaker, and the host of Combing the Roots, a podcast that explores issues of race and justice. Ally is also pursuing a Master of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary with an emphasis in Race, Cultural Identity, and Reconciliation. She hopes to pastor a church someday.

She spoke with Lovonia Mallory for the Reclaiming History series.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine,

To start off, Paul Smart brings us coverage of the Albany Common Council’s recent discussion of Good Cause Eviction legislation.

Then, on Reclaiming History, we speak with Ally Henry, host of the podcast, Combing the Roots.

After that, HMM’s Roaming Labor Correspondent Willie Terry speaks with Thomas M. Grace, survivor of the 1970 Kent State shootings, and author of "Kent State: Death and Dissent in the Long Sixties."

After that, Sina Basila Hickey speaks with Luz Marquez-Benbow about the Memorial Altar at Freedom Square, and altars as a form of resistance.

And to close out the show, McKenna Conners brings us her interview with Scott Kellogg, educational director for the Radix Ecological Sustainability Center.

Next, Melanie Trimble talks to Hudson Mohawk Magazine producer Elizabeth Press about suing the Troy Police Department, FOIL requests, 50-a and police reform. More specifically, The New York Civil Liberties Union just filed a lawsuit against the Troy Police Department for unlawfully denying the NYCLU’s requests police misconduct records.

PHOTO: J.S. Carras The Record

The Memorial Altar: Emerging from Darkness, that was installed at Freedom Square in January, is changing and moving. Luz Marquez-Benbow spoke with HMM's Sina Basila Hickey about the altar came to be, the cultural significance of altars, and altars as an act of resistance.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine,

We begin with a recap of the press conference to introduce the Dignity Not Detention Act to end contracts between the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and local, county, and state government entities in New York.

Then, we continue Willie Terry’s interview with Thomas M. Grace about his experience at Kent State University on May 4, 1970, when Ohio National Guard members killed four students and wounded nine, during an anti-war protest.

After that, RPI student Frank DiTomasso brings us a college student’s perspective on how Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has dealt with spring sports during the pandemic.

Later on, we speak with Heather Bruegel [BRIG-ill] of the Stockbridge-Munsee Community and Charlie Burgess of Open Space Institute about the recent Land Back of Papscanee Island.

Finally, on Saturday, May 22nd, the Collard City Growers are hosting a plant swap party from 11am to 1pm, where a wide variety of fascinating plants will be available. We’ll hear about the organization’s goals and the upcoming plant swap.

The Stockbridge-Munsee Community Band of the Mohican Indians has regained ownership of culturally significant land that is Papscanee Island by donation from The Open Space Institute. Heather Bruegel, Director of Cultural Affairs for the Stockbridge-Munsee Community, and Charlie Burgess, Stewardship Manager at Open Space Institute, spoke with Hudson Mohawk Magazine Producer Sina Basila Hickey about this process and what it means.

Photo by Sonja Stark, creative common

Food justice and urban farming endeavors can be incredibly beneficial in helping people, especially those who are marginalized, reclaime agency and control over their diets and the methods of their food’s production, which gives them the ability to live more healthy and sustainable lives. The Radix Ecological Sustainability Center is contributing to such efforts through its actions as an public outreach organization, such as its educational programs. In this Podcast, Scott Kellogg, the Educational Director of Radix, discusses these topics with McKenna Conners.

Full Press Conference for the introduction of the Dignity Not Detention Act. The New York Dignity Not Detention Act is a new bill that will end all contracts in New York State between the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and local, county, and state government entities for the purposes of immigrant detention. The bill will prohibit new contracts and renewals, and end existing detention contracts. Assembly Member Karines Reyes and State Senator Julia Salazar have introduced the bill in NY.

For more information in social media use #DignityNotDetention and you can take action at bit.ly/NYDignityNotDetentionToolkit - By HMM correspondent Aileen Javier

The New York Dignity Not Detention Act is a new bill that will end all contracts in New York State between the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and local, county, and state government entities for the purposes of immigrant detention. The bill will prohibit new contracts and renewals, and end existing detention contracts and was introduced in NY by Assembly Member Karines Reyes and State Senator Julia Salazar. This is a recap of the press conference.

For more information in social media use #DignityNotDetention and you can take action at bit.ly/NYDignityNotDetentionToolkit - By HMM correspondent Aileen Javier