Hudson Mohawk Magazine

Every ten years following the U.S. Census, states must redraw lines that divide communities into legislative districts. New lines are drawn to ensure that each voter in a shifting population has equal representation in congressional, state Senate and state Assembly districts. Because the stakes are so high, the process is fraught with political influence. In 2014, New York voters approved a constitutional amendment establishing an independent redistricting commission that is set to take over the redistricting process beginning this year. In the first of a multi-part series on New York's redistricting process, HMM correspondent Corinne Carey spoke with Richard Rifkin, former Legal Director at the Government Law Center at Albany Law School and current member of the Albany County League of Women Voters, and the county's delegate on redistricting to the League of Women Voters of New York State (LWVNYS). Richard and Corinne talked about the basics of redistricting, the origin of the term "gerrymandering," and fairness in the process. LWVNYS is holding a People's Hearing on New York State Redistricting on Thursday, April 29th from 6:30 pm -8:00 pm. Listeners can find out more about the Hearing by visiting the Facebook page for the League of Women Voters of NYS.

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine,

We begin with a discussion about whether or not to ban tear gas in Albany

Then, we learn about Upstander Training as a way to take action and de-escalate racism when we see it on the streets from Carlyn Cowen

Later on, we talk with participants of the Sustainable Futures Conference hearing first from Heather Ipsen

And then from RPI student Emily Berkemeyer who is part of the Youth Congress at the conference

And we end with a segment on the arts and hear from poet, actor, playwright, and stage director Carol Durant

The Albany Common Council decided to table its legislation to ban tear gas in Albany after discussion about the ways in which the ban had been watered down of late, the city administration had worked against the legislation, and a great public outcry against the increasingly militaristic stance of policing in general.

On Earth Day climate change groups will rally at 4 PM outside of Cong. Paul Tonko's office in Albany to urge him to be a climate champion. They want him to say NO to more fossil fuels and remove False Solutions from his CLEAN Futures bill. We talk with Francis Magai of PAUSE (People of Albany United for Safe Energy) and Rachel Frascella of XR.

By Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Radio Network.

David Swanson of World Beyond War will speak at a the Green Party EcoAction forum on Sunday, April 25th at 4 PM (EST) about Climate and the Military. Here he discusses the military budget, Afghanistan and Yemen.

With Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Radio Network.

To register for the forum: https://bit.ly/3szqBFv

Guy Schaffer speaks with Terri Hall and Micah of the Good Work Institute in Kingston, NY, who will be leading a breakout session called “Just transition in New York State” at the upcoming Sustainable Futures conference. The Sustainable Futures Conference will be taking place April 27-30. You can find out more about the conference and register online at sustainablefuturesconference.com. You can learn more about the Good Work Institute, and find out about their upcoming offerings, at goodworkinstitute.org.

Upstander Training aims to empower people to take action and step in, deescalate, and prevent bullying. Carlyn Cowen of Chinese-American Planning Council talks about how this training can be utilized to assist vulnerable communities like Asian, LGBTQIA+, Black & Brown, and Indigenous. Carlyn is an advocate for the Upstander Training because "when we take care of each other the entire community is safer." Interview by HMM correspondent Aileen Javier. For more information about the Chinese-American Planning Council and their programs: https://www.cpc-nyc.org/

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine,

We begin with Paul Smart’s report about the Albany Protests and use of tear gas.

Then, we honor the 5th anniversary of the killing of Edson Thevenin

Later on, Mark Dunlea talk with Samuel Rose who is running for Schenectady School Board Elections

After that, Kate Phipps talks about her break out session at the upcoming Sustainable Futures Conference

Finally, we continue last week’s interview with artist Meghan Van Alstyne

As violence continues against Black and Brown communities around the country, activists in Troy held a rally on Saturday called Spring into Action: Rally 4 Black Life. April 17, 2021 was the 5th anniversary of the killing of Edson Thevenin and in this segment we hear a statement from his mother Gertha Depas along with others affected by police violence in Troy including John Larkins, Dalila Yeend and Messiah Cooper but first the piece starts with WOOC reporter Elizabeth Press.

Kate Phipps, the education and community engagement coordinator at Scenic Hudson, talks with HMM's Alexx Weihrich about her session for The Sustainable Futures Conference happening April 27 - 30.

Her session will explore how we can teach youth to be part of our sustainable communities and get their opinions on how to become a better, more green, community. She discusses her hands-on projects and community-based programs in the Hudson Valley.

To learn more about the conference, visit www.sustainablefuturesconference.com or go straight to Kate Phipp's section at https://www.sustainablefuturesconference.com/breakout-session-leaders/kate-phipps