Poet, author Maya Angelou dies at 86 (05/28/2014) Maya Angelou was gratified, but not surprised by her extraordinary fortune.
"I'm not modest," she told The Associated Press in 2013. "I have no modesty. Modesty is a learned behavior. But I do pray for humility, because... 
Standing up to Goliath: March Against Monsanto (05/24/2014) Long story short, back in the 80s Monsanto started developing seeds that were genetically modified to be resistant to things like pesticides and herbicides as a way to, according to their multi-million advertising campaign: “End World...
Beloved revolutionary Elombe Brath joins the ancestors (05/23/2014) On the very day his friends and comrades were celebrating the birthday of Malcolm X (El Hajj Malik El Shabazz), Elombe Brath was joining his fellow revolutionary on the other side of our struggle. Brath, 77, made his transition on Monday, May 19 at...
Cuomo Claims Progressive Mantle, But Questions Linger (05/23/2014) Governor Andrew Cuomo accepted the Democratic Party’s nomination for Governor at the New York State Democratic Convention on Long Island Thursday.
Cuomo has a $33 million war chest raised primarily from the 1 percent. 99 percent of the funds... 
Black, Latino & Asian Caucus Wants Interagency Approach to End Violence in Communities of Color (05/20/2014) "Stop the Violence Increase the Peace..."
The chant at City Hall by members of the Black, Latino and Asian caucus of the City Council. They held a news conference this week to denounce the recent epidemic of violence in New York...
#Justice4Cecily: Occupy Activist gets 90 days at Rikers (05/19/2014) There has been a tremendous outpouring of support for an Occupy Wall Street activist who was convicted of assaulting a police officer at Zuccotti Park on the movements 6 month anniversary.
She was sentenced to 90 days and 5 years...
Nigerian president faces increasing pressure over kidnapped schoolgirls (05/18/2014) Campaigners for the release of more than 200 kidnapped schoolgirls in Nigeria plan to march on the office of president Goodluck Jonathan this week amid growing calls for him to stand down at the next election.
Activists from the #BringBackOurGirls...
Paris Summit on How to Combat Boko Haram (05/18/2014) Boko Haram has ample funds, highly sophisticated weaponry and advanced training with some of the world's most experienced terrorists, the French president said Saturday as he and African leaders grappled with how to combat the Islamic extremist...
Death in hot Rikers cell highlights national issue (05/17/2014) The case of a mentally ill homeless veteran who died in a 100-degree Rikers Island jail cell starkly illustrates the dangers of extreme heat in lockups, an issue facing prisons across the nation as the inmate population gets older and more...
9/11 Memorial Museum Dedication (05/16/2014) Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound…
The National September 11 Memorial Museum at Ground Zero opened to survivors and victims’ families on Thursday.
"In the years to come the 9/11 memorial museum will take its place along...
#Justice4Cecily City Hall Rally (05/15/2014) "We stand for Justice. We know what it looks like....
Elected officials gathered with supporters of Occupy Wall Street activist Cecily McMillan at City Hall. She was convicted of assaulting a NYPD officer at Zuccotti Park as police were...
Pentagon OKs Chelsea Manning transfer for gender treatment (05/13/2014) In an unprecedented move, the Pentagon is trying to transfer convicted national security leaker Pvt. Chelsea Manning to a civilian prison so she can get treatment for her gender disorder, defense officials said.
Manning, formerly named Bradley,...
Ras Baraka declares victory in Newark mayor's race (05/13/2014) Ras Baraka, son of late militant poet and activist Amiri Baraka, declared victory Tuesday in the race to succeed Democratic U.S. Sen. Cory Booker as mayor of the state's largest city.
Baraka, who served on Newark's City Council, was...
City Hall Rally to #BringBackOurGirls (05/13/2014) While a new video was released by the islamist group Boko Haram on Monday which shows some of the kidnapped girls and threats by the terrorist leader, a rally in support of the abducted Nigerian school girls was held at City Hall.
It was organized...
NYC Campus Safety Act to Reform the Handling of Sexual Assaults at Colleges (05/12/2014) Public Advocate Letitia James was joined by a coalition of elected officials, women’s advocacy groups, and student activists at City Hall to announce several measures intended to address the growing epidemic of sexual assaults on college...
Boko Haram demands release of fighters for girls (05/12/2014) — Under the guns of their captors, dozens of barefoot girls sat huddled together wearing gray Muslim veils as they chanted Quranic verses in Arabic. Some Christians among them said they had converted to Islam.
"I swear to almighty...
UN calls for terrorists in Nigeria to face justice (05/09/2014) The U.N. Security Council called Friday for the Nigerian terrorist group Boko Haram to be held accountable for what may amount to crimes against humanity and hinted at sanctions against the Islamist extremists.
The statement approved by all 15...
Pussy Riot visits Cecily McMillan at Rikers (05/09/2014) Nadya Tolokonnikova and Masha Alyokhina of Pussy Riot / Zona Prava visited New York’s Rikers Island to meet with jailed Occupy protestor Cecily McMillan.
Since their incarceration in Russian for their own political protests Pussy Riot has...
Mayor de Blasio Presents Fiscal Year 2015 Executive Budget (05/09/2014) Bill de Blasio presented his first executive budget at City Hall on Thursday. It’s a $73.9 billion budget for fiscal year 2015.
As he took office more than 150 labor contracts were expired. But after the $5.5 billion tentative agreement with...
Nigerian School Girls - Crisis in Nigeria (05/08/2014) BAUCHI, Nigeria (AP) — Residents of a Nigerian town attacked by Boko Haram criticized security forces for failing to protect them despite warnings that the Islamic militants were nearby. At least 50 bodies have been recovered, many horribly...
WBAI News (05/08/2014) Election in South Africa,
Ukraine and Russia,
Crisis in Nigeria,
House panel on prosecution of rape in military,
NYC public school teachers get to vote on their contract,
Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal on the dangers...
South Africans vote; ANC favored (05/07/2014) Polling stations closed Wednesday evening in elections in South Africa that are expected to see the ruling African National Congress return to power despite a vigorous challenge from opposition parties seeking to capitalize on discontent with...
Sex Education in New York City Public Schools (05/07/2014) Sex education came into focus at City Hall's Denim Day Rally this year.
Laurie Cumbo is a new New York City Council member representing the 35th Council District: Fort Hill, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights, and...
The Dangers of Radon in our Kitchens (05/07/2014) Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, Chair of the Legislative Commission on Science and Technology, is preparing for a hearing on Radon and Natural Gas for Friday May 9th.
The public hearing is to look into Impacts of radon from natural gas on...
Housing Plan (05/06/2014) Bill de Blasio launched his administration's housing plan with officials in the Bronx and then again in Brooklyn. The plan is called Housing New York: A Five Borough Ten Year Plan.
The Mayor said, "Wherever I go all...
May Day (05/02/2014) Throughout the world rallies were held on International Workers Day also known as May Day.
Workers protested austerity measures in Greece and Paris. They demanded higher wages and better working hours in Germany. They rallied in Russia, Cuba,...
WBAI News (05/01/2014) ...
'Citizen Kane' script sold at Orson Welles auction (04/27/2014) Scripts for "Citizen Kane," Orson Welles' camera and a cigar ashtray were among the late director's belongings sold at a New York auction.
Sixty-seven lots fetched $180,000 at Heritage Auctions on...
Francis presides over historic day of 4 popes (04/27/2014) Pope Francis declared his two predecessors John XXIII and John Paul II saints before some 800,000 people on Sunday, an unprecedented ceremony made even more historic by the presence in St. Peter's Square of emeritus Pope Benedict...
NYC to house 3 charter schools in closed schools (04/26/2014) New York City officials said Saturday they have found space in closed Catholic schools for three charter schools that became homeless after Mayor Bill de Blasio rejected their space-sharing agreements.
The three Success Academy...
Denim Day (04/25/2014) On the steps of City Hall this week, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer led a rally to raise awareness about Sexual Violence.
“It’s not just women who are victims. 1 in 71 men report being raped at some point in their lives,...
More Cops? (04/24/2014) The City Council unveiled its preliminary budget recommendations for 2015. Some of it is surprising.
They want to hire an additional 1.000 police officers. Vanessa Gibson, new Councilmember from the Bronx and Chair of the...
Carriage Horses (04/22/2014) At a quiet protest outside the co-op of an actor who champions horse drawn carriages, demonstrators worry about the safety of the horses who have to navigate traffic in Manhattan.
WBAI's Linda...
Rubin Hurricane Carter Dies at Age 76 (04/20/2014) Rubin "Hurricane" Carter never surrendered hope of regaining his freedom, not even after he was convicted of a triple murder, then convicted again and abandoned by many prominent supporters.
For 19 long years, the prizefighter was...
Keystone XL (04/19/2014) Democrats sweating this year's elections may be hoping that the Obama administration's latest delay to the proposed Keystone XL pipeline takes a politically fraught issue off the table for the midterms.
Fat chance.
An indefinite...
WBAI News for Friday April 18, 2014 (04/18/2014) Agreement to reduce tension between Ukraine and Russia.
NYC federal Judge Sheindlin gave new lease on life to suit against Ford and IBM. It accuses them of supporting apartheid by letting their susidiaries sell cars and computers to the South...
WBAI Morning News for Wednesday April 16, 2014 (04/16/2014) Weather and the cold front.
Boston Marathon Bombings Memorial.
NYPD unit spying on Muslims is being disbanded, but will spying on Muslims stop?
Activists and Elected Officials seek justice for Ramarley Graham, the 18 year old from the...
Washington Post, Guardian win Pulitzers for NSA revelations (04/14/2014) The Washington Post and The Guardian won the Pulitzer Prize in public service Monday for revealing the U.S. government's sweeping surveillance programs in a blockbuster series of stories based on secret documents supplied by NSA leaker Edward...
State of the Arts (04/08/2014) New York City Comptroller Scott Stringer released a new report, State of the Arts: A Plan to Boost Arts Education in New York City. Using data from the DOE, the Department of Education in NYC, the report shows unequal access to arts education in...
Once Letterman retires, NYC wants the Late Show to Stay Here (04/04/2014) Dave Letterman surprised his late night audience on Thursday night by announcing that he is retiring in 2015, when his current contract expires. He turns 67 next week. Letterman gave no specific date, but said he'd leave some time in...
WBAI News for Tuesday March 18, 2014 (03/18/2014) Weather: East Harlem building collapse, update on victims and progress: NY Senate rejects the NY Dream Act: State Budget discussions on NYC: New emails show Christie's campaign manager was kept informed over lane closures: City Hall hearing on...
WBAI News for Monday March 17, 2014 (03/17/2014) Crimean Referendum; Protest over President Obama's Immigration Policy in Tijuana; TWU Local 100 celebrates its Irish heritage; St Pat's festivities amid protests over gay rights; School...
NYC Explosion (03/15/2014) Emergency workers removing debris from the site of a deadly explosion at two New York City apartment buildings were expected to reach the basement levels Saturday, clearing the way for investigators to search for clues that might reveal what caused...
NYC Public Schools, Co-locations, Charters, Albany (03/14/2014) The New York State Senate passed a resolution which would provide $540 million a year for five years to fund pre-k and after school for middle schoolers in New York City. But the plan comes with strings attached. It would take control away from...
Explosion, a reminder of NYC's aging infrastructure (03/13/2014) Even while the exact cause remains unknown, a deadly blast that leveled two Manhattan buildings served by a 127-year-old gas main has provided a jarring reminder of just how old and vulnerable much of the infrastructure is in New York and many other...
Explosion a reminder of NYC's aging infrastructure (03/13/2014) Even while the exact cause remains unknown, a deadly blast that leveled two Manhattan buildings served by a 127-year-old gas main has provided a jarring reminder of just how old and vulnerable much of the infrastructure is in New York and many other...
WBAI News for Thursday March 13, 2014 (03/13/2014) Update on the gas explosion in East Harlem
New report on how NYC needs to upgrade infrastructure by Center for Urban Future
Gas Explosion (03/12/2014) — A gas leak triggered an earthshaking explosion that flattened two apartment buildings on Wednesday, killing at least three people, injuring more than 60 and leaving nine missing. A tenant said residents had complained repeatedly in recent...
American Red Cross is on the scene of an explosion in northern Manhattan. (03/12/2014) The organization has disaster responders on site, including mental health professionals. An assistance center has been opened at P.S. 57, on 115th Street between Lexington and Third avenues.
The explosion leveled two buildings at Park Avenue...
East Harlem Building Explosions (03/12/2014) An explosion on Wednesday leveled two New York City apartment buildings, killing two people, injuring 17 others and sending smoke billowing above the skyline.
The blast happened after a neighbor reported smelling natural gas.
The New...
WBAI Morning News for Wednesday March 12, 2014 (03/12/2014) ...
Real Story Behind Public School Co-location In Harlem (03/11/2014) There are two public schools and one success academy in Harlem on 117 Street and Lenox Avenue. They all share one building. Mayor de Blasio and schools chancellor Carmen Fariña decided that this school building could not accommodate another...
WBAI News Monday March 10, 2014 (03/10/2014)
WBAI News Friday March 7, 2014 (03/07/2014) ...
Why Do We Need An International Women's Day? (03/06/2014) Ruby Johnson and Devi Leiper O'Malley
Frida: the Young Feminist Fund
What does it mean in today's world to take an established tradition and make it your own? We are young women of the millennial generation, with more than 100...
Coney Island Community Garden (03/06/2014) Coney Island residents and activists gathered this week in an effort to bring back a community garden which was demolished to make way for an...
Crimea sets vote to break away from Ukraine (03/06/2014) Ukraine lurched toward breakup Thursday as lawmakers in Crimea unanimously declared they wanted to join Russia and would put the decision to voters in 10 days. President Barack Obama condemned the move and the West answered with the first real...
Barrett Brown Case: 11 of 12 Counts Dismissed (03/06/2014) Reporters Without Borders greets with relief federal prosecutors’ decision to drop nearly all criminal charges against Barrett Brown, a contributor to The Guardian and Vanity Fair.
Most importantly from...
A Win For Car Wash Workers (03/06/2014) Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman, joined by New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark Viverito and labor rights advocates, today announced settlements totaling $3.9 million with two interrelated car wash chains owned and operated by John Lage,...
WBAI News for Thursday March 6, 2014 (03/06/2014) ...
Chirlane to Lobby Albany for Pre-K and Afterschool (03/05/2014) Chirlane McCray, who already wields more influence than any New York City first lady in recent memory, will see her role expand further when she travels to Albany next week for some high-profile lobbying for her husband's signature...
NYPD Oversight (03/05/2014) New York City will drop a challenge to a law making it easier to bring racial profiling cases against the police, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Wednesday, furthering his pledge to change the city's approach to...
WBAI Morning News for Wednesday March 5, 2014 (03/05/2014) ...
Medea Benjamin Detained, Attacked and Deported from Egypt en route to Gaza with International Delegation of Women (03/04/2014) On the night of March 3, 2014, co-founder of the peace group CODEPINK Medea Benjamin was on her way to Egypt to join an international delegation of women going to Gaza when she was detained by border police in the Cairo airport, held overnight in a...
WBAI Morning News for Tuesday March 4, 2014 (03/04/2014) ...
WBAI Morning News for Monday March 3, 2014 (03/03/2014) ...
Dromm to Investigate Charter School Students Lobbying Albany (03/01/2014)
Capital New York reports Success Academy CEO Eva Moskowitz “is closing all 22 of her schools March 4th to attempt to rally support in Albany, and has asked teachers to provide instruction to students on buses up to the...
WBAI Morning News for Friday February 28, 2014 (02/28/2014) Bundle up for extreme cold in our listening area.
Dangerous confrontation with Russia is taking place in the Ukraine.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says 20 years after the Rwanda genocide, the international community's failure...
Changes in NYPD Protocol (02/28/2014) Mayor Bill de Blasio and NYPD Commissioner Bill Bratton attended a roll call at the 2-5 precinct in East Harlem. In an effort to dial back tensions between the NYPD and the communities, they announced changes to the police academy curriculum. De...
My Brother's Keeper (02/27/2014) President Barack Obama launched his "My Brother's Keeper" initiative, calling on public and private entities to create more opportunities for young minority men, and break down social conditions that keep them impoverished and...
WBAI Morning News for Thursday February 27, 2014 (02/27/2014)
The report has these stories:
Paid sick leave legislation passes the City Council
NYC Comptroller suspects collusion in public school milk contracts
NYS Assembly passes the NY Dream Act which now goes...
Full Day Pre-K (02/26/2014) Mayor Bill de Blasio held a news conference with his staff at PS 130 in Manhattan. He said New York City is on track to develop full day pre-k throughout the city.
WBAI’s Linda Perry filed this report....
Sandy Rebuilding And Construction Worker Safety On The Tuesday Morning News (02/25/2014) Mayor Bill de Blasio and Staten Island Borough President James Oddo held a news conference on the city’s Build it Back program, designed to give aid to low-income...
In Defense of Jailed Journalist Barrett Brown (02/24/2014) The Criminalization of Journalism
If Barrett Brown is found guilty we will all be forced to rethink how we use the Internet and share information, knowledge, blog, report, tweet, use facebook and google.
His case has...
WBAI Morning News for Monday February 24, 2014 (02/24/2014) The report has these stories:
Western nations scramble to contain fallout from Ukraine's weekend revolution
Oil spill on the Mississippi
Some rain expected for drought stricken California
New details emerge about capture...
Oldest-known Holocaust survivor dies at 110 (02/23/2014) Alice Herz-Sommer, believed to be the oldest Holocaust survivor, died at age 110 on Sunday, a family member said. The accomplished pianist's death came just a week before her extraordinary story of surviving two years in a Nazi prison camp...
WBAI's Station Manager Delivers Letter to Listeners (02/21/2014) Over the past sixteen months, the WBAI community has had more than its fair share of turmoil: one hurricane, two temporary studios, one temporary office, three moves, nineteen layoffs and two program directors. All of this tumult has been...
WBAI Morning News for Friday February 21, 2014 (02/21/2014) The report contains these stories:
Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn gets a reprieve
Judge dismisses suit against NYPD Muslim surveillance in New Jersey
James Taylor stars in tv ad to ban fracking in North...
WBAI Morning News for Thursday February 20, 2014 (02/20/2014) The report has these stories:
New rules change solitary confinement for pregnant inmates and incarcerated youth
Setback for KeystoneXL Pipeline in Nebraska
President Obama meets with Canadian Prime Minister Harper defending the...
Speed Limit Goes from 30 mph to 25 mph Citywide (02/19/2014) Crossing a busy street in New York City can be a precarious situation. When traffic lights turn from green to yellow some cars speedup, instead of slowing down before lights turn red. Cars stop inside crosswalks making it difficult for people...
Journalists Reporting NSA Leaks, Homelessness, Bridgegate Receive George Polk Award (02/16/2014) — Four journalists who reported on the extent of the National Security Agency's secret surveillance based on documents leaked by Edward Snowden are among the winners of the 65th annual George Polk Awards in Journalism.
Glenn...
Florida Jury Reaches Partial Verdict in Killing Over Loud Music (02/16/2014) A jury's inability to agree on a murder charge will give prosecutors and defense attorneys fodder for their next moves in the case of a Florida teen fatally shot after an argument over loud music.
Forty-seven-year-old Michael Dunn was...
Report to the Listener (02/14/2014) Hello listeners, this is Berthold Reimers, General Manager of your station. I am reporting on the situation at WBAI. There are lots of rumors afloat, and many people are understandably confused about what’s true and what’s not.
The...
Report To The Listeners (02/14/2014) Hello listeners, This is Berthold Reimers, General Manager of your station.
I am here with you this morning to report on the situation at WBAI. There are lots
of rumors afloat, and many people are understandably confused about what’s...
NY Gets Medicaid Waiver (02/13/2014) New York reached an agreement Thursday with federal officials for a waiver that would allow the state to reinvest $8 billion in Medicaid savings that officials say will be used to support hospitals and improve health care.
Gov. Andrew...
Bill de Blasio's First Budget (02/13/2014) NYC's mayor presented a preliminary budget for Fiscal Year 2015 at City Hall. It's a $73.9 billion budget. He emphasized progressive change for New Yorkers through being both fiscally responsible and economically progressive. "This may...
Pre-K Stalemate (02/11/2014) State Senate Republican Leader Dean Skelos said on Monday that he won’t allow a vote on Mayor Bill de Blasio’s plan for funding pre-k and afterschool for middle schoolers.
The Mayor clearly miffed fired back this morning. He...
Mayor Bill de Blasio Delivers State of The City (02/10/2014) Under a banner which read One New York Rising Together at LaGuardia Community College in Queens, Bill de Blasio, New York City’s 109th Mayor, delivered his first State of the City Address.
He said the city is in the...
Occupy Wall Street Activist Faces 7yrs in Prison After Beating by NYPD (02/10/2014) Trial begins in Manhattan Criminal Court today for Occupy Wall Street activist, Cecily McMillan, who faces 2nd degree assault charges stemming from a 2012 encounter with the NYPD that left her beaten and unconscious. McMillan was brutally arrested...
Changes For NYCHA (02/08/2014)
Mayor de Blasio's news conference to announce new public housing appointments was held at Lincoln Houses, where he stayed overnight during his campaign. The run down conditions he witnessed served as a testament to the need to...
NYC Police Unions Seek Stop-Frisk Appeals Ruling (02/07/2014) — Police unions told a federal appeals court Friday that they want the courts to decide whether a judge properly ordered changes to the New York Police Department's stop-and-frisk program even if the city no longer wants to challenge her...
ATM Skimming In Our Listening Area (02/07/2014) The alleged ringleader of a scheme federal prosecutors say siphoned at least $5 million from thousands bank accounts by installing skimming devices in cash machines was formally charged Friday in New Jersey following his extradition from...
A Win For Carwash Workers (02/06/2014)
Attorney General Eric T. Schneiderman, joined by New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark Viverito and labor rights advocates, today announced settlements totaling $3.9 million with two interrelated car wash chains owned and operated by John...
Governor Cuomo Lowers Tolls On Verrazano Bridge (02/06/2014) Gov. Andrew Cuomo today announced a $14M deal to promote access to Staten Island by reducing the toll on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. The State and Metropolitan Transportation Authority will each contribute $7million.
In Staten Island...
Controversy between some NYPD and NYC Mayor Continues (02/05/2014) It was a rainy Sunday. In Brooklyn Mayor Bill de Blasio honored Officer Wenjian Liu, murdered along with officer Rafael Ramos in their patrol car on December 20th.
He said detective Liu was a kind officer who gave of himself,...
Biden Warns Of War On Labor, Says Outlook Is Dim (02/05/2014) — Vice President Joe Biden says a concerted war on labor threatens to drastically weaken the bargaining power of American unions.
Biden spoke Wednesday to an annual conference of the United Automobile Workers. He says the Chamber of...
When Do The Central Park Five Finally Get Justice? (02/05/2014)
The Central Park Five, the black and latino youth who were railroaded, wrongly accused, coerced and imprisoned in the case of the Central Park Jogger back in 1989, have been waiting for twenty-five years for justice....
Hazardous Travel Advisory For Wednesday (02/05/2014) Snow will change into a wintry mix of sleet and freezing rain during the day on Wednesday. The OEM, the New York City Office of Emergency Management, issued a Hazardous Travel Advisory. “Be ready for a difficult morning commute,” said...
Keytone XL Protests Around the Country (02/04/2014) Commentary: The call to organize rallies against Keystone XL went out on Friday afternoon as the State Department released their report on the pipeline. By Monday morning, over 250 actions were planned and thousands of people were making plans to...
NY health chief on fracking review (02/03/2014) New York's health commissioner is still declining to speculate when his agency will finish a review of the health effects of hydraulic fracturing for natural gas.
Dr. Nirav Shah tells legislators Monday that conclusion is "not in the...
NYC metro area faces up to 8 inches of snow (02/03/2014) The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm warning for New York City, Long Island and parts of Northern New Jersey. The winter weather advisory is in effect from 5am to 7pm Monday. Many schools in our listening area are closed, but...
A Memorial for Pete Seeger (02/02/2014) Hundreds of friends and fans joined in song Sunday to honor Pete Seeger, doing what the folk singer loved best.
Seeger died Jan. 27 at age 94; no services were planned. But Libby Funeral Home in Beacon held a reception Sunday. By early...
Keystone XL Oil Pipeline (01/31/2014) — The proposed Keystone XL oil pipeline from Canada has cleared a significant hurdle after the State Department raised no major environmental objections to its construction.
The department's report was released Friday. It says...
Mayor de Blasio Announces Agreement in Landmark Stop-and-Frisk Case. (01/30/2014) In a news conference in Brownsville, an area of the city which had the most stop-and-frisks, Mayor de Blasio, Police Commissioner Bratton and Corporation Counsel Carter said the City will fully embrace stop-and-frisk reform. The mayor announced an...
Obama vows to flex presidential powers (01/28/2014) — Seeking to energize his sluggish second term, President Barack Obama vowed Tuesday night in his State of the Union address to sidestep Congress "whenever and wherever" necessary to narrow economic disparities between rich and poor....
Goodnight Pete (01/28/2014) If you’d ever seen Pete Seeger perform, and experienced his radiance and unapologetic optimism, you might join in mourning the loss of a national treasure says an editorial in the Dallas Morning News. They saw him perform on the National Mall...
Pre-K Report (01/27/2014) — New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has released an interagency report detailing his proposal for free full-day prekindergarten for every 4 year old.
The report says the program would reach 53,000 children who need it by September....
Mayor de Blasio bent on taxing the very rich for pre-k (01/24/2014) 23 days and 2 snowstorms into the job, Mayor de Blasio went to Washington to deliver remarks at the U.S. Conference of Mayors. He spoke about shared opportunity and shared prosperity. De Blasio said without the mayors working together, the...
At Davos, push for clean energy as climate weapon (01/22/2014) — Leaders gathered in the Swiss ski resort of Davos are pushing for nations worldwide to shift to cleaner energy sources as the best way to contain global warming and re-energize the global economy.
U.N. climate chief Christiana...
NYC: Evening rush slowed down snow clearing (01/21/2014) — New York City officials say clearing snow from the city's streets has been slow going thanks to a winter storm that intensified just in time for the evening commute.
Sanitation Commissioner John Doherty says the traffic of the rush...
NY Mayor cites King (01/20/2014) Mayor Bill de Blasio embraced one of Martin Luther King's most impassioned causes — economic justice — to celebrate the holiday named for the late civil rights leader.
De Blasio told a packed audience Monday at the...
Speeches, Marches Honor Martin Luther King Jr. (01/20/2014) As the nation remembered and reflected Monday on the legacy of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., leaders and everyday Americans talked about how far the country has come in the past 50 years and how much more is to be done.
At...
De Blasio Expands NYC Paid Sick Leave Law (01/18/2014) "Under this legislation, the lives of over a half-million New Yorkers will be immeasurably better," de Blasio said outside a restaurant in the Bushwick neighborhood, standing with Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and Manhattan Borough...
Obama proposes new limits on NSA phone collections (01/17/2014) "The reforms I'm proposing today should give the American people greater confidence that their rights are being protected, even as our intelligence and law enforcement agencies maintain the tools they need to keep us safe," Obama...
City Settles Lawsuits in RNC Arrests for $18 Million (01/16/2014) New York City has agreed to pay $18 million to settle dozens of lawsuits filed by protesters, journalists and bystanders who said they were wrongly arrested at the 2004 Republican National Convention and held for hours in makeshift holding cells,...
NJ Democrats intensify Christie scandal inquiry (01/13/2014) — Democrats in New Jersey sharpened their aim at Republican Gov. Chris Christie on Monday, forming special legislative committees to explore the role politics played in traffic jams last fall and announcing that the investigation has...
Israel's Sharon laid to rest in military funeral (01/13/2014) Ariel Sharon died on Saturday, eight years after a devastating stroke removed the prime minister from office and left him in a coma from which he never recovered. He was 85.
One of Israel's greatest and most divisive figures, Sharon rose...
Activist poet-playwright Amiri Baraka dies at 79 (01/09/2014) — Amiri Baraka, the militant man of letters and tireless agitator whose blues-based, fist-shaking poems, plays and criticism made him a provocative and groundbreaking force in American culture, has died . He was 79.
His booking agent,...
Mark-Viverito Chosen NYC Council Speaker (01/08/2014) — Melissa Mark-Viverito, an ally of Mayor Bill de Blasio, was elected speaker of the New York City Council on Wednesday after a rival for the position conceded.
The 51-member body voted unanimously for Mark-Viverito, who becomes the...
Biden, Cuomo Urge Smarter Rebuilding After Sandy (01/07/2014) — Vice President Joe Biden and Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday that New York and the nation's other coastal states have to rebuild against severe storms and flooding that are likely in the future.
"Extreme weather is the new...
Mayor Bill de Blasio's Inauguration (01/02/2014) The inauguration at City Hall on January 1st was an elaborate ceremony. Mayor David Dinkins, Governor Andrew Cuomo and Bill and Hillary Clinton were there. So was Mayor Mike Bloomberg, often stone faced, seated on stage as a private citizen...
NY Governor Mario Cuomo (June 15, 1932- January 1, 2015) (01/01/2014) The family of former Governor Mario M. Cuomo announced that the Governor passed away from natural causes due to heart failure this evening at home with his loving family at his side. He was 82 years of age.
The Fifty Second Governor...
NY Governor Mario Cuomo (01/01/2014) ...
JUDGE GRANTS LYNNE STEWART COMPASSIONATE RELEASE (12/31/2013) A federal judge in Manhattan ordered a “compassionate release” on Tuesday for Lynne F. Stewart, the former defense lawyer convicted of assisting terrorism who is dying from cancer in a federal prison in Texas.
Ms. Stewart, 74, who...
Councilman Charles Barron Looks Back, and Forward (12/31/2013) The outgoing Brooklyn Councilman speaks with WBAI's Bob Hennelly on WBAI's Morning Show, Haskins and Hennelly. Give a...
Zachary Carter, Stop and Frisk, Central Park 5 (12/30/2013) Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio appointed Zach Carter Corporation Counsel, the top lawyer for New York City. Carter led the prosecution in the Abner Louima case. He helped to turn around Hale House in Harlem. He was the first black lawyer to...
United Nations 2013 Year in Review (12/26/2013) Amid continuing turmoil and crises, it was a year of major strides for diplomacy.
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said, “We speak often of hope. Our duty is to turn hope into action through hard work, commitment, skill...
Familiar Hands to Chart Progressive Course (12/24/2013) When introducing Lilliam Barrios-Paoli, his pick for deputy mayor for health and human services, Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio noted she had been a nun for five years and a proponent of liberation theology, a political movement in the Roman Catholic...
Progressive Change in New York City (12/19/2013) At a news conference in Brooklyn, Mayor-Elect Bill de Blasio said New York City is facing an unprecidented situation in the history of the City.
"We've never had all our labor contracts unresolved simultaneously. We've never had...
NYC Demographics-Report (12/18/2013) — The percentage of immigrants in New York City's population is the highest in a century, according to a report issued by the city on Wednesday.
More than 3 million of the city's residents in 2011 were born in another country,...
Mayor-Elect de Blasio Addresses Inequality in New York City (12/12/2013) "The growing inequality in New York City must be addressed forcefully and effectively." That's what Mayor-Elect de Blasio said opening his news conference today. He talked about homelessness and about
National Organization For Women Issues List of Priorities for Mayor-Elect de Blasio (12/11/2013) Women understand Mayor-Elect de Blasio's 'Tale of Two Cities' says NOW-NYC President Sonia Ossorio, because many women live it. She says, "Addressing women's inequality will be the difference between creating a city where...
Madiba Memorial Service (12/10/2013) ...
Mandela Inspired Music, Movies, Poems (12/06/2013) From the 1960s, when he was a political prisoner and South Africa was under the laws of apartheid, right up to his death on Thursday, when apartheid had fallen and he was among the world's most admired people. Mandela inspired...
Madiba (12/05/2013) Nelson Mandela, the anti-apartheid leader who became South Africa's first democratically elected president and a symbol of reconciliation to many around the world, has died. At his 95th birthday celebration in Harlem,...
Mayor-Elect de Blasio Appoints First Deputy Mayor (12/04/2013) Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio announced the appointment of Tony Shorris as his first deputy mayor at a news conference today. In Shorris, de Blasio chose a man of extensive managerial and hands on experience. de Blasio said he wants to be...
Train Going Too Fast Towards Curve (12/02/2013) — A commuter train that derailed over the weekend, killing four passengers, was hurtling at 82 mph as it entered a 30 mph curve, a federal investigator said Monday. But whether the wreck was the result of human error or mechanical...
Obama reveals $100 million HIV research initiative (12/02/2013) — President Barack Obama has announced a new initiative at the National Institutes of Health in pursuit of a cure for HIV. Obama says his administration is redirecting $100 million into the project to find a new generation of therapies....
NYC TRAIN DERAILMENT (12/01/2013) — A New York City commuter train rounding a riverside curve derailed and came to rest only inches from the water Sunday, killing four people, injuring more than 60 and sending a chain of toppled cars shaped like a backward question mark...
Buy Nothing Day (11/29/2013) “Today, humanity faces a stark choice: save the planet and ditch capitalism, or save capitalism and ditch the planet.”
– Fawzi Ibrahim
Until we challenge the entrenched values of capitalism – that the economy...
Mayor-Elect's Thanksgiving Post (11/27/2013) As we approach Thanksgiving and begin to celebrate the first night of Hanukkah, I want you to know how thankful my family is for your support over the last year -- and how humbled I am by the opportunity you've given me to serve.
These two...
Poll Shows Support For NYC Tax Hike On Richest (11/27/2013) — A poll released Wednesday showed Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the state Legislature may have the political support they need to approve New York City Mayor-elect Bill de Blasio's proposed tax increase on wealthy city residents to pay for...
N.Y. Health Overhaul (11/27/2013) — The state's new health exchange reports more than 257,000 New Yorkers have completed applications to join and more than 76,000 have enrolled so far in insurance plans or Medicaid.
NY State of Health was established under the...
Haitian Migrants Capsize in Bahamas (11/26/2013) — A sailboat passing through the southern Bahamas islands with about 150 Haitian migrants on board capsized after running aground, killing up to 30 people and leaving the rest clinging to the vessel for hours, authorities said...
WBAI News (11/26/2013) ...
Iran Nuclear Deal - Winners and Losers (11/24/2013) Political balance sheet from Sunday's nuclear deal between Iran and world powers:
WINNERS
DIPLOMACY: A 15-minute phone call in late September between U.S. President Barack Obama and...
Stop and Frisk: Appeals Court denies City's Motion to Vacate Judge's Orders (11/22/2013) The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit denied a request today by the Bloomberg Administration to vacate Stop and Frisk rulings. They were issued in August by Judge Shira Sheindlin in the federal class action trial, Floyd vs. City of New...
Scottsboro Boys (11/21/2013) — Alabama's parole board approved of granting posthumous pardons in the infamous "Scottsboro Boys" rape case on Thursday morning.
The board made the decision during a hearing in Montgomery for three black men whose...
NYC Council Speaker (11/21/2013) — One of the most powerful offices in New York City will be chosen by just 51 people.
The race is on to determine the next City Council Speaker and seven council members attended a forum Wednesday night as they vie to fill a...
Mayor-Elect de Blasio Announces Transition Committee Appointments (11/20/2013) Bill de Blasio announced the appointment of 60 leaders and experts to help him build a progressive city government. The Mayor-Elect said "These leaders are volunteering their expertise in every issue and area of municipal affairs." The...
Stop and Frisk Numbers Down (11/18/2013) — The number of street stops under the police department's heavily criticized stop-and-frisk tactic has plummeted 80 percent in recent months compared with the same time last year, and officers are recovering fewer weapons, according to...
Doris Lessing (11/17/2013) — Doris Lessing emerged from a black cab outside her home in London one day in 2007 and was confronted by a horde of reporters. When told she had won the Nobel Prize, she blinked and retorted "Oh Christ! ... I couldn't...
WBAI News (11/15/2013) ...
Hacktivist Jeremy Hammond Sentenced to Ten Years (11/15/2013) The 28 year old pled guilty to hacking Stratfor, the private intelligence firm. Journalists, activists and whistleblowers packed the federal court. Sparrow Media says supporters see Hammond's actions as...
NY AG Issues Report on Stop and Frisk (11/14/2013) The new report examines the impact of the NYPD's Stop and Frisk practice on individuals stopped and on the criminal justice system. This is the second report from the Attorney General's office on the effect of Stop and Frisk. The first was...
Midtown East Rezoning (11/12/2013) — The New York City Council will not pass one of outgoing Mayor Michael Bloomberg's final significant proposals, a sweeping plan to rezone the eastern section of Midtown Manhattan to allow taller skyscrapers to populate the city's top...
WBAI News (11/11/2013) ...
Relief for Typhoon Victims (11/10/2013) The Typhoon that slammed the Philippines Friday is one of the deadliest in the country's history. The Philippine's Interior Secretary said, "all systems, all vestiges of modern living — communications, power, water...
Deaths, Devastation From Typhoon in Philipines (11/10/2013) — Thousands are believed to have died in one Philippine city alone when one of the worst storms on record sent giant sea waves, washing away homes, schools and airport buildings, officials said Sunday. Ferocious winds ravaged several central...
WBAI Election Special: Mayor de Blasio (11/07/2013) A historic landslide - that's what New York gave Bill de Blasio. He was elected the city’s 109th mayor with 73% of the vote.
His progressive views, down to earth manner, grassroots experience, plus the tale of...
New York City's New Mayor - Bill de Blasio (11/06/2013) New York City voted overwhelmingly to replace Mayor Mike Bloomberg's vision with the tale of two New Yorks that Bill de Blasio wove in the days leading up to his election. In this report New Yorkers tell why Mayor de Blasio is good for the city...
Election Roundup (11/06/2013) — The 2016 overtones were clear in this year's two most high-profile elections.
Republican Gov. Chris Christie's resounding re-election victory in Democratic-leaning New Jersey sets the opening argument for a possible White House...
NYC Has A New Mayor (11/06/2013) — Bill de Blasio was elected New York City's first Democratic mayor in two decades Tuesday, posting a potentially record landslide victory while running on an unabashedly liberal, tax-the-rich platform that contrasted sharply with...
Hudson River (11/05/2013) — The Environmental Protection Agency says dredging of PCBs from the Hudson River north of Albany is almost three quarters done.
The agency says Tuesday that crews removed 612,000 cubic yards of contaminated sediment from the river...
Colin Powell Gives CUNY $5 Million (11/05/2013) Former Secretary of State Colin Powell who made the false case for WMD's at the UN as a pretext for war in Iraq is now donating $5 million to City College. He already gave the school $2 million. Powell...
Snowden Seeks Help Against US Charges (11/01/2013) — Edward Snowden is calling for international help to persuade the U.S. to drop its espionage charges against him, according to a letter a German lawmaker released Friday after meeting the American in Moscow.
Snowden said he would like...
Stop and Frisk Judge Answers Appeals Court Charges (11/01/2013) In a surprise move, the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals removed Judge Shira Sheindlin from Stop-and-Frisk cases on Thursday. They also blocked the remedies she ordered to NYPD Stop-and-Frisk practices.
The appellate court said Judge...
NYCLU Vows to Appeal Stop-and-Frisk Decision (10/31/2013) — The New York Civil Liberties Union this afternoon promised to fight a federal appeals court’s decision postponing the remedy proceedings in New York City’s stop-and-frisk abuse case. The decision, issued by the Second...
Stop and Frisk Attorneys Dismayed (10/31/2013) – Today, the Court of Appeals granted the City of New York’s request for a stay of the joint remedial process ordered in the landmark class action lawsuit Floyd v. the City of New York pending the resolution of the appeal and,...
Appeals Court Blocks Rulings on NYPD Stop and Frisk - Removes Judge (10/31/2013) — A federal appeals court on Thursday blocked a judge's order requiring changes to the New York Police Department's stop-and-frisk program and removed the judge from the case.
The 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the...
NYC Top Cop Kelly Shouted Down At Brown University (10/30/2013) — New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly was shouted down by protesters at Brown University, forcing administrators at the Ivy League school to call off his lecture on "Proactive Policing in America's Biggest...
Innocent New Jersey Man Released From Prison (10/30/2013) Gerard Richardson was released from a New Jersey prison last night after serving 19 years for a murder he didn’t commit.
The Innocence Project which seeks to free wrongly convicted people,...
Sandy Anniversary (10/29/2013) — A year after Superstorm Sandy pummeled the state, Gov. Chris Christie said he is celebrating how far New Jersey has come since the storm and pledged not to forget the thousands who still cannot go back home.
Visiting a flood-damaged...
More Car Wash Workers Walk Off the Job (10/29/2013) - Car Wash Workers are angry at how they are being treated on the job. Off-Broadway Car Wash workers in Queens walked off the job today to demand that the owner recognize the union. The owner has been ducking the efforts of the National Labor...
Stop and Frisk (10/29/2013) – Today, attorneys in the landmark case Floyd v. City of New York urged the Second Circuit Court of Appeals to reject the City’s effort to delay the remedies process to reform the New York City Police Department’s...
Lou Reed (10/28/2013) — The stare from across a desk was enough for me to question whether my first and only interview with Lou Reed had been a good idea.
He'd already curtly dismissed a publicist who had dreamed for years of meeting his musical...
NSA Surveillance - Diplomacy (10/26/2013) Secretary of State John Kerry went to Europe to talk about Mideast peace, Syria and Iran. What he got was an earful of outrage over U.S. snooping abroad. President Barack Obama has defended America's surveillance dragnet to leaders of Russia,...
Prison to Prosperity (10/26/2013) People judge what they don't know. When they get to know you, people will know you're not the same person who made bad decisions. That's what a young man who was in prison says about life on the outside. Turning around the stigma...
Former Rep. Major Owens of Brooklyn dies at 77 (10/22/2013) — Major Owens, a New York City Democrat who served 12 terms in the U.S. House and was credited with helping to pass the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, has died at age 77.
Owens died Monday night at NYU Langone Medical Center of...
Global Frackdown (10/18/2013) United For Action wants WBAI Listeners and online viewers to know about the Saturday Global Frackdown Rally: The action in New York is titled: Protect NY Food, Milk, Wine and Beer. Here are the...
Victory for Car Wash Workers (10/17/2013) – In the space of 24 hours, four car washes – two of which are
owned by two of the largest car wash owners in the city -- signed
contracts with the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU).
Workers at the...
Budget Battle (10/15/2013) WASHINGTON (AP) — Racing to meet a deadline, the Senate passed and sent to the House legislation Wednesday night to avoid a threatened national default and end the 16-day partial government shutdown along the strict terms set by President...
NYC Mayoral Debate (10/15/2013) — New York City mayoral hopefuls Bill de Blasio and Joe Lhota squared off in their first general election debate Tuesday night, trading barbs while offering starkly different views for the future of the nation's largest...
WBAI News (10/14/2013) Here's the WBAI Morning News for Monday October 14,...
New York Call To Action Against Fracking Infrastructure Projects (10/13/2013) Organizers against Fracking are asking folks to mobilize and flood the DEC, The NYS Department of Conservation, with comments on a new set of draft regulations governing proposed infrastructure projects for fracking – storing, liquefying, and...
Nobel Peace Prize Goes to Chemical Weapons Watchdog (10/11/2013) — The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday for working to eliminate the scourge that has haunted generations from World War I to the battlefields of Syria.
The OPCW was formed in...
New York Lessons from Fukushima (10/09/2013) There is a great debate over whether Indian Point Nuclear Power Plants should continue to operate beyond 2014 and 2016. That’s when their initial 40-year operating licenses are scheduled to expire. The NRC, the Nuclear Regulatory...
Labor Awards (10/08/2013) LaborPress presented its annual “Heroes of Labor” awards to union members who demonstrated exemplary personal heroism, community service, or organizing work in the last year. “As a leader, I’m proud to be here,” said...
New Yorkers Marching for Comprehensive Immigration Reform Arrested (10/08/2013) Immigrants from New York joined a civil disobedience action and got arrested with 200 allies from the Fair Immigration Reform Movement. Along with New York Congressmen Joe Crowley and Charles Rangel, they demanded immediate action in the House of...
Is the Government Keeping Too Much of Your Data? (10/08/2013)
– In a report released today, the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law surveys five methods of data collection and finds that intelligence and law enforcement agencies not only collect massive amounts of innocent...
Stop and Frisk (10/07/2013) – The coalition Communities United for Police Reform and representatives from community, faith, labor, and law enforcement groups joined City officials, attorneys from the Center for Constitutional Rights and co-counsel to voice support...
Supreme Court Starts New Term (10/07/2013) The Supreme Court began its new term Monday by turning away hundreds of appeals, including Virginia's bid to revive its anti-sodomy law.
The justices took the bench just past 10 o'clock on the first Monday in October, even as much of...
UN bias suspected on Syria (10/04/2013) UNITED NATIONS, NY A wider Syrian conflict has been contained, for now. The recent signing of a United Nations Security Council resolution to dismantle Syria's chemical weapons under the OPCW, has been hailed as a triumph of diplomacy and...
New Yorkers March for Immigrant Dignity and Respect (10/04/2013) On Saturday, October 5th, thousands of New Yorkers will rally at Cadman Plaza in Brooklyn and march over the Brooklyn Bridge in one of more than 170 events in 150 cities in 40 states across the country to press Congress to pass immigration reform...
New leak at Fukushima plant due to tank overflow (10/03/2013) Japan's crippled nuclear plant has a new leak of highly radioactive water entering the Pacific Ocean after a storage tank overflowed.
Plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Co. said Thursday that workers detected the water dripping from the...
Indian Point Is Operating Without A License. (10/02/2013) The NY State Committee on Energy and Telecommunications held a public hearing at 250 Broadway to consider a contingency plan in case Indian Point nuclear power plant had to close. The license of one of IP's reactors expired on...
Mayor Bloomberg Receives Fortune Society's David Rothenberg Achievement Award (10/02/2013) The Fortune Society will present Mayor Michael Bloomberg with the David Rothenberg Achievement Award this evening at their Annual Fall Benefit. The Mayor is receiving this award for his steadfast commitment and support of successful reentry services...
Prisoner Freed After 41 years of Solitary (10/02/2013) — A 71-year-old Louisiana prisoner who spent 41 years in solitary confinement and is now dying of cancer was released late Tuesday from prison, his attorneys said.
Late Tuesday, U.S. District Chief Judge Brian Jackson in Baton Rouge...
Tish James New York City Public Advocate (10/01/2013) — In a runoff election marked by low turnout and high cost, Councilwoman Letitia James defeated state Sen. Daniel Squadron to become the Democratic party nominee for public advocate.
Unofficial returns from Tuesday's election showed...
Budget Fight (10/01/2013) — It's a political perfect storm: The pairing of a government shutdown with the rollout of a big chunk of the health care law is illustrating all sorts of partisan and cultural tensions that are roiling America. Big government...
Pope Wants Church With Modern Spirit (10/01/2013) — Pope Francis says he doesn't want a "Vatican-centric" church concerned about itself but a missionary church that reaches out to the poor, the young, the elderly and even to non-believers. That's the vision he laid out as he...
Zimbabwe-Poisoned Elephants (10/01/2013) — The stench of rotting elephant carcasses hangs in the air in western Zimbabwe where wildlife officials say at least 91 elephants were poisoned with cyanide by poachers who hack off the tusks for the lucrative illegal ivory...
How Outrageous is This: NYC inmate almost as costly as Ivy League tuition (09/30/2013) — New York is indeed an expensive place, but experts say that alone doesn't explain a recent report that found the city's annual cost per inmate was $167,731 last year — nearly as much as it costs to pay for four years of tuition...
TV-Breaking Bad-Finale (09/30/2013) — Any "Breaking Bad " fan could be forgiven for concluding that Sunday's finale held no major surprises.
That's because this AMC drama series has delivered surprises, shock and OMG moments dependably since its premiere...
United Nations - Syria (09/30/2013) — Syria's foreign minister claimed Monday that his government is fighting a war against al-Qaida-linked militants who eat human hearts and dismember people while they are still alive, then send their limbs to family members.
Walid...
US-Iran: Breakthrough after decades of silence (09/28/2013) — Iranian President Hassan Rouhani was ending his visit to the United States and inching through New York's notorious traffic when the call came from President Barack Obama in the Oval Office.
Fifteen minutes later, the two say...
Japan's Tepco Wants To Restart Reactors (09/27/2013)
— Tokyo Electric Power Co. requested on Friday that safety inspections be carried out to allow it to restart two nuclear reactors, despite concerns over how it has handled the catastrophe at the Fukushima plant.
All of Japan's 50...
CUNY Petraeus Protest (09/24/2013) Students, Academics and Peace Activists protest whenever David Petraeus is scheduled to teach at Macaulay Honors College. They say his placement and the propagation of ROTC in the City's colleges is a result of the right wing agenda's plan...
Weak UN Report supports US Agenda (09/21/2013) UNITED NATIONS Syria successfully met the first deadline of the Chemical Weapons Convention today by detailing its arsenal to the UN-backed Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. Under duress of air strikes by member...
House Votes To Cut Food Stamps By $4B (09/19/2013) At a time where one in seven Americans receives food stamps, the House of Representatives voted to cut $4 billion a year from the program. The vote was 217 to 210, a win for conservatives. The bill would end waivers for able bodied people...
6 CUNY Students Protesting Petraeus Arrested (09/19/2013) A protest against David Petraeus at CUNY Honors by students and faculty turned violent when police forced demonstrators off the sidewalk into the street. Students were punched and thrown to the pavement. 6 were arrested on Tuesday, arraigned...
What A Trip: Timothy Leary Papers Now Open To Public (09/19/2013) — A trove of Timothy Leary files, much of it previously unpublished, could shed new light on the LSD guru, his controversial research into psychedelic drugs and the emergence of the 1960s counterculture....
Stop and Frisk Reform (09/18/2013) Judge Shira Sheindlin appointed an Academic Advisory Council of local area law professors to help reform the NYPD practice of Stop and Frisk. They will work with Nicholas Turner, President of the Vera Institute for Justice, who was appointed on...
US Prosecutor Says NY Corruption 'Rampant' (09/17/2013) — U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara told a new state commission Tuesday that corruption in New York politics has created a "show-me-the-money culture" that's permeating state and local officials, both Democrats and Republicans, and has reached...
Stop and Frisk: City's Request for Stay - Denied (09/17/2013)
NYC Mayor's Race (09/16/2013) — New York City mayoral candidate Bill Thompson conceded the Democratic primary race to front-runner Bill de Blasio on Monday, averting a runoff and clearing the way for de Blasio to campaign for the general election....
New Low-Income Housing (09/16/2013) — New York plans to create low-income housing for 5,000 Medicaid recipients with significant health care needs....
Birmingham Sunday (09/15/2013)
Fifty years ago, on September 15, 1963, the Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, central to a campaign to register Black voters, was bombed by the Ku Klux Klan. ...
World's Oldest Man Dies (09/15/2013) — The world's oldest man, self-taught musician, coal miner and gin rummy aficionado from western New York, has died. He was 112....
Is the United Nations report on Syria tainted goods? (09/13/2013) United Nations Syrian President Bashar Al Assad marked his 48th birthday on September 11 by committing to join the Chemical Weapons Convention supervised by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. The decision came on the heels of...
Remembering September 11th (09/11/2013) Register for benefits under the 9/11 Victims Compensation Fund if you were affected by the toxic mix in downtown Manhattan. ...
NY City Council Races (09/11/2013)
Many Democratic Council members familiar to WBAI won their districts. They worked for the Community Safety Act to reign in abuse in the NYPD's policy of Stop and Frisk and to put...
Mayor's Race (09/11/2013) Public Advocate Bill de Blasio is the top choice in the Democratic mayoral primary. He reached the 40 percent threshold to avoid a run-off Oct. 1, but the question is whether the 40 percent will hold. About 30,000 votes are yet to...
Exit Polls: NYC Democratic primary voters want a new direction (09/10/2013) Here's a look at some of the key findings from preliminary exit polls of voters in Tuesday's New York City Democratic primaries:...
Scattered problems at polling sites (09/10/2013) — New York City's Board of Elections reported scattered problems at polling sites during Tuesday's primary election for mayor and other offices....
Drumbeat Towards War: Anti-war Protesters Speak Out (09/09/2013) At an anti-war rally in Times Square over the weekend, President Obama's push for a military strike in Syria was met with resistance and outrage by people in our...
Times Square Rally Against War in Syria (09/07/2013) The U.S. Senate could vote as early as Wednesday to authorize military attacks on Syria. House could vote on the resolution passed by the Foreign Relations Committee next week. Meanwhile Progressives are holding rallies and peace vigils throughout...
Fukushima: Highest Levels Yet (09/07/2013) Record high radiation levels were detected at the disaster-stricken Fukushima nuclear plant, Japan's nuclear regulator and plant operator TEPCO said on Wednesday, raising more concerns that the spiraling catastrophe has no end in...
12 U.S. Intelligence Officials Tell Obama It Wasn’t Assad (09/07/2013) Russian President Vladimir Putin insists that the use of chemical weapons in Syria was by rebels and not by the Syrian President. He warned the U.S. that Russia would give Syria military support if America attacks. President Obama insists that the...
Syria Under Renewed Threat of Imminent US Attack (09/06/2013) Vowing to defy the American public, Congress, the United Nations and international law by illegally attacking a fellow member state, Team Obama says "yes we can." After the UN Security Council refused to authorize a strike at member state Syria in...
Stop and Frisk (09/06/2013) On behalf of plaintiffs in the class action lawsuit Floyd v. City of New York, civil rights attorneys filed opposition to the Bloomberg Administration's request that the court stay its remedies order. They said the City's arguments are...
Syria Crisis (09/04/2013) Secretary of State John Kerry made clear that "degrading" Syria means a regime change at the meeting of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday. With few objections, top members drafted a resolution that permits President Obama to order a...
Syria Crisis Commentary (08/30/2013) On Friday, President Barack Obama said he's weighing "limited and narrow" action, accusing Bashar Assad's government of launching a chemical weapons attack that killed at least 1,429 people. He doesn't speak about estimates of...
Stringer and Spitzer (08/30/2013) Poll results for New York City Comptroller are mixed up. A day after a Quinnipiac poll found Manhattan borough president Scott Stringer and disgraced former Governor Eliot Spitzer neck in neck at 46-46, a different poll finds Spitzer with a sizeable...
50th Anniversary of March on Washington for Jobs
and Freedom and MLK's "I Have A Dream" Speech (08/29/2013) In a gathering rich with history and symbolism, tens of thousands of Americans of all backgrounds and colors stood shoulder to shoulder at the National Mall in Washington. They joined with civil rights leaders to mark the 50th anniversary of...
De Blasio Surges Ahead For NYC Mayor (08/28/2013) Bill de Blasio is nearing the 40 percent mark needed to avoid a run-off in the NYC Mayoral Race. This is according to a new Quinnipiac poll which finds 36 percent of Democratic...
Heroes of NYPD Reform (08/26/2013) The City Council convened to override Mayor Mike Bloomberg's vetoes of the Community Safety Act Bills on August 22, 2013. The bills originally passed in the wee hours of the...
Community Safety Act Becomes Law (08/22/2013) The City Council had the votes to override Mayor Mike Bloomberg's vetoes of the Community Safety Act this evening.The bill against profiling for all New Yorkers,Intro 1080. passed 34-15. The bill to create an Office of Inspector General, Intro...
Manning Sentenced to 35 Years (08/21/2013) A military judge sentenced Army Pfc. Bradley Manning to 35 years in prison for giving a trove of military and diplomatic secrets to the website WikiLeaks.
Here's a look at the key elements of the case
:
----WHAT WAS MANNING...
Manning Sentencing 10am Wednesday (08/20/2013) "Perhaps his biggest crime was that he cared about the loss of life and that he couldn't ignore it," defense attorney David Coombs said during closing arguments of the sentencing part of Manning's court martial hearing. "This court has had...
Glen Greenwald Vows to Publish More Leaks About England (08/19/2013) — Glen Greenwald who writes stories based on documents leaked by NSA whistleblower Ed Snowden on Monday said he'll publish with more fervor after British authorities detained his partner, David Miranda, for nine hours at Heathrow Airport in...
Albert Murray, Author-critic dead at 97 (08/19/2013) Albert Murray, the influential novelist and critic who celebrated black culture, scorned black separatism and was once praised by Duke Ellington as the "unsquarest man I know," died Sunday. He was 97.Murray died at home in his sleep, according to...
Override of Bloomberg's Vetoes of Police Reform Bills This Week (08/19/2013) The New York City Council is expected to override Mayor Bloomberg's veto of the Community Safety Act on Thursday. The CSA seeks to end discriminatory policing and bring accountability to the NYPD. One bill sets up an independent permanent NYPD...
Fingerprint NYCHA Residents? (08/16/2013) Mayor Mike Bloomberg has a regular Friday morning appearance on WOR Radio's John Gambling Show. He often makes controversial comments on these broadcasts. They get covered throughout the weekend. This morning's broadcast was no exception....
Bloomberg Criticized Over Plan to Appeal Stop-and-Frisk Rulings (08/15/2013) — As Mayor Bloomberg promised, the city is set to appeal the Judge's ruling in the Stop and Frisk case, Floyd vs. City of New York. The city's top lawyer, Michael Cardozo, said a notice of appeal will be filed Friday in U.S. District...
Brad Manning Took the Stand At His Sentencing Hearing (08/14/2013) — Pfc. Bradley Manning took the stand at his sentencing hearing. Addressing the Judge he said he realizes now that he should have worked more aggressively "inside the system" to draw attention to his concerns about the way the war was being waged....
Spitzer Has 19-Pt Lead In New York City Comptroller Race (08/14/2013) A new Quinnipiac poll estimates that 56 percent of likely Democratic voters support Eliot Spitzer. This gives Spitzer a 19-Point lead over Scott Stringer. A Quinnipiac poll on July 25th had them closer. Then it was Sptizer 49 -- Stringer 45. Now...
New Poll Shows de Blasio Leads The Pack (08/13/2013) NYC Public Advocate Bill de Blasio now leads in the Democratic primary race for NYC Mayor. According to a Quinnipiac University poll of likely voters, de Blasio has 30 percent, Christine Quinn 24 percent, with 22 percent for Bill Thompson, 10...
Judge Rules Stop And Frisk Unconstitutional (08/12/2013) Today, Manhattan Federal District Court Judge Shira Scheindlin ruled in Floyd vs. the City of New York that the NYPD's stop-and-frisk policy violated the constitutional rights of tens of thousands of New Yorkers. The judge said Stop and Frisk...
The NSA Is Scanning The Contents Of All Email Crossing A US Border (08/08/2013) EXTENDED INTERVIEW The National Security Agency is collecting and monitoring virtually all text-based electronic communications coming into of going out of the United States.WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke with Bret Kaufman, National Security Fellow...
A New York Federal Court Judge held a hearing today over the demand for compassionate release for civil rights attorney Lynne Stewart who is terminally ill with cancer. (08/08/2013) Lynne Stewart's attorney filed an emergency motion in US Federal District Court last week asking the Judge to grant her compassionate release.Today Judge Koetl held a hearing over the motion.Outside and inside the court were many of...
NYPD Agrees To Eliminate Stop and Frisk Database of Innocent People (08/08/2013) On Wednesday the Bloomberg administration agreed to end the NYPD practice of keeping the names and addresses of people who had been stopped and frisked and either arrested or issued a summons, but later cleared.The lawsuit, Lino versus the City of...
We Are All Ramarley Graham (08/08/2013) There is outrage in the Bronx over a grand jury which failed to indict the police officer who shot and killed Ramarley Graham.A large rally was held this afternoon outside the office of the Bronx DA Robert Johnson. WBAI’s Linda Perry was there and...
Court Settlement Prohibited Children From Talking About Fracking (08/07/2013) In 2007, shortly after Chris and Stephanie Hallowich had finished building their home in Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, gas wells were drilled and fracked on adjacent land.Soon they and their children, aged 7 and 10, were suffering from burning eyes,...
California Prison Hunger Strike Supporters Respond to Disinformation (08/07/2013) Prisoners in California have been on hunger strike for 31 days to protest solitary confinement.On Tuesday the Los Angeles Times ran an op-ed piece by Jeffery Beard, head of the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, denouncing the...
New York elected officials and community leaders urge Congress to pass revised Voting Rights Act, and do it soon (08/07/2013) New York elected officials and community leaders in Washington Heights today to urge Congress to pass the restore the Voting Rights Act.The US Supreme Court in June ruled a section of the Act unconstitutional that offered protections for...
Hiroshima and Nagasaki Remembered in NYC (08/07/2013) It's a celebration of peace, on the 68th anniversary of when the U.S. dropped a uranium bomb on Hiroshima destroying 140, 000 lives and three days later a plutonium bomb killing 70,000 more in Nagasaki, Japan. Music, poetry, introspection and...
NYS Supreme court rules in favor of Bloomberg administration in overturning prevailing wage legislation; elected officials and advocates say they will fight back (08/06/2013) New York State Supreme court has ruled in favor of the Bloomberg administration in overturning the City Council's prevailing wage legislation; the judge said the legislation is pre-empted by State legislation. Elected officials and advocates...
"I believe that I shouldn't have to worry about every single word in my emails to my friends" says 10 year old at anti Surveillance rally (08/05/2013) Demonstrators in Boston, Carson City, Dallas, New York, San Francisco, Savannah and Washington took to the streets Sunday to protest NSA surveillance.Rebecca Myles covered the rally in New York and has...
DEA Program Gives NSA Surveillance Intelligence to Law Enforcement Then Hides The Source (08/05/2013) An article published by Reuters today outlines the operations of a division of the Drug Enforcement Administration that funnels information gleaned from intelligence sources, including the National Security Agency, to law enforcement agencies around...
Advocates Condemn GOP House Proposal To Cut $40B From Food Stamps (08/02/2013) The Republican leadership of the House of Representatives wants to cut food stamps, known as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, by forty billion dollars. WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke with Joel Berg, executive director of the...
Appeals Court Rules No Warrant Is Needed To Obtain Cellphone Location Data (08/01/2013) On Monday the federal Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled that law enforcement does not need a warrant to engage in surveillance of people’s historical cell phone location information.WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke with Catherine Crump, a...
New Leaked NSA Documents Spark Calls For Congressional Action (08/01/2013) On Wednesday the British newspaper the Guardian published the latest NSA documents released by whistle blower Edward Snowden.As the documents explain, a program called X-Keyscore and other NSA systems allow users to obtain ongoing “real time”...
Supporters of imprisoned activist attorney Lynne Stewart were outside New York Federal Court today. Lawyers were petitioning the court to grant compassionate release to Stewart. (07/31/2013) Lawyers in New York federal court today are asking for compassionate relief for civil rights attorney, Lynne Stewart.WBAI's Rebecca Myles has...
Implications of the Bradley Manning Verdict for Whistleblowers Extended Interview (07/31/2013) The Bradley Manning case has been followed closely not only because it could put Manning behind bars for the rest of his life, but also as another landmark in the treatment of whistle blowers in US courts.WBAI’s Andrea Sears spoke with Beatrice...
New York State Assembly hosted a public hearing over bill that would require food containing GMO's to be labelled (07/30/2013) A New York State bill would, if passed, require manufacturers to label foods if they contain GMO's.The Assembly bill had its first public hearing today at Lehman College in the Bronx.WBAI's Rebecca Myles has...
Bradley Manning Not Guilty of Aiding the Enemy (07/30/2013) A military judge in Fort Meade Maryland today found Private Bradley Manning not guilty of Aiding the Enemy for giving some seven hundred thousand battlefield reports, state department cables and videos to Wikileaks, but found him guilty of multiple...
Harry Belafonte says Bill de Blasio is Best Choice for NYC Mayor (07/30/2013) According to a new Quinnipiac Poll Anthony Weiner has dropped to fourth place in the race for NYC Mayor. Christine Quinn leads the pack, but Bill deBlasio is now in second Place. Today the city's Public Advocate, Bill de Blasio, received new...
The Upper East Side Can't Stand the Second Avenue Subway Construction Says Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (07/29/2013) Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney issued a report card on the MTA's Second Avenue Subway. She gave high marks to the project for completing the tunnel from 92nd to 63rd streets and to construction management, but low marks to the impact of the...
Inmate Advocates Call For Investigation of CA Hunger Striker's Death (07/29/2013) Mediators working on behalf of California prisoners on hunger strike are calling for an independent investigation into the July 22nd death of Billy Sell, a prisoner held in solitary confinement at Corcoran State Prison.WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke...
Fast Food Workers at sites across the US walk off the job for one day strike over low wages (07/29/2013) From Fulton Street to Union Square to Flatbush Avenue in New York today, fast food workers at Burger King, KFC, McDonalds and Wendy's walked off the job in a one day strike protesting low wages. It was of many similar strikes in cities across...
Sandy Regional Assembly Issues Report (07/25/2013) This week, the Sandy Regional Assembly released an analysis of Mayor Bloomberg’s Sandy Rebuilding Report. It looks at gaps in the report for the city's most vulnerable areas, and makes recommendations for the upcoming report by the federal...
ACLU files a lawsuit in New York federal court challenging the constitutionality of NSA's mass collection of phone records (07/25/2013) The American Civil Liberties Union was in New York federal court today over its lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the NSA's surveillance of American's phone records.WBAI's Rebecca Myles has...
House Narrowly Defeats Measure to Curb NSA Domestic Surveillance (07/25/2013) On Wednesday the Amash amendment to the Defense Appropriations bill was defeated by a razor-thin margin, 205 to 217 votes.The amendment, introduced by Republican Representative Justin Amash, and co-sponsored by Democratic Representative John...
Former CIA Station Chief Arrested In Panama On Rendition To Torture Conviction (07/24/2013) Last week former CIA station chief Robert Seldon Lady was arrested and detained in Panama on an international arrest warrant for the kidnapping and torture of a Muslim cleric in Milan, Italy.Then he was put on a plane and sent to the United States...
An ACLU Lawsuit Seeking FBI Documents On Racial Profiling Goes To A Federal Appeals Court (07/24/2013) The American Civil Liberties Union and the ACLU of Michigan were in federal appeals court today, in a challenge to the FBI's refusal to make public information about which American communities it's spying on. WBAI’s Andrea Sears spoke...
City Council Will Override Mayor's Vetoes of Community Safety Act Bills (07/24/2013) City Council Members gathered with activists and youth who have been profiled to denounce Mayor Bloomberg for vetoing the Community Safety Act Bills which would provide new oversight of the New York Police Department. Council Members vow to override...
NYPD To Release Gases on Subways, Buses And On City Streets Again (07/23/2013) At City Hall, concerned New Yorkers gathered with members of the No Spray Coalition-- a group objecting to gases being released into the NYC transit system. They called for transparency, accountability and an end to the next planned gassing...
A 15 State Abortion Rights Freedom Ride Kicks Off In New York And San Francisco (07/23/2013) Abortion rights activists from around the country are launching a month-long, 15-state Abortion Rights Freedom Ride today with kick-off rallies in New York City and San Francisco today.WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke with Sunsara Taylor, who writes...
Defense Appropriations Amendment Would Rein In NSA Spying (07/23/2013) A proposed amendment to the Defense Appropriations Bill, sponsored by Republican Justin Amash and Democrat John Conyers, would cut funding for the mass, dragnet surveillance of every American’s telephone data.WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke with...
Women's Groups Endorse Stringer for Comptroller (07/22/2013) The race is heating up between Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer and former Governor Eliot Spitzer for NYC Comptroller. Today Stringer's campaign got a shot in the arm... WBAI's Linda Perry...
Government Seeks to Dismiss Lawsuit Challenging the Targeted Killings of Three US Citizens (07/19/2013) The American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Constitutional Rights were in federal court in Washington DC today, for oral arguments in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of three US citizens.WBAI's Andrea Sears...
Obama Says Trayvon Martin Could Have Been Me (07/19/2013) Today President Barack Obama spoke about the pain in the African American Community over the death of Trayvon Martin and the verdict in the Zimmerman murder case. He said Trayvon Martin could have been him. In an unexpected news briefing, the...
Motion to Dismiss 'Aiding the Enemy' Charge Against Bradley Manning Has Been Denied (07/18/2013) The judge hearing the court martial of Private Bradley Manning this morning denied a defense motion to dismiss the most serious charge, aiding the enemy.WBAI's Andrea Sears Spoke with Ben Wizner, director of the Speech, Privacy and Technology...
Two Oil and Gas Developers Have Cancelled All Their Leases in Northeast Pennsylvania (07/18/2013) After four years and investments totaling over one hundred fifty million dollars two major owners of gas and oil lease holds in northeastern Pennsylvania are abandoning their leases in the Delaware River Basin.WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke with...
Harlem Celebrates Nelson Mandela's 95th Birthday (07/18/2013) At a birthday celebration in honor of Nelson Mandela's 95th Birthday in Harlem, the verdict in the case of Trayvon Martin and the police tactic of Stop and Frisk were very much in...
Report Documents Huge Expansion of License Plate Tracking of Innocent Americans (07/17/2013) Police departments around the country are rapidly expanding their use of license plate reading technology to track the location of drivers, but few of them have any meaningful rules to protect drivers’ privacy rights. WBAI's Andrea Sears...
One in three children of immigrants has one undocumented parent in the US; NYC administrators create a fund to help undocumented youth (07/17/2013) New York City becomes the first in the country to provide investment in adult education classes and legal assistance to thousands of the City's young immigrants to help them towards legally living and working in the US.WBAI's Rebecca Myles...
Groups Call For Making Water a National Priority (07/16/2013) A coalition of more than two hundred organizations is sending President Obama a draft executive order that would make of water supplies a national priority.WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke with Bruce Ferguson of Catskill Citizens for Safe Energy, one...
Lawmakers Speak Out Against Bloomberg's Fear Mongering (07/16/2013) In the wake of the verdict in the shooting death of Trayvon Martin in Florida, New York lawmakers and activists renewed their pledge to override an expectedveto by Mayor Mike Bloomberg of the Community Safety Act’s End Discriminatory Profiling...
A UN child rights committee asks Vatican officials to disclose details of thousands of paedophilia cases involving catholic clergy; New York anti-child abuse groups were outside St. Patrick's Cathedral today (07/16/2013) New York anti-child abuse groups were outside St. Patrick's Cathedral in Midtown today to draw attention to the recent request by a UN child rights committeefor files on thousands of paedophilia cases involving catholic clergy.It is the first...
EPA Approves Consumption of Fracking Waste By Wildlife and Livestock (07/15/2013) The US Environmental Protection Agency has approved the use of millions of gallons of water contaminated with toxic fracking waste to be used as drinking water for wildlife and livestock.WBAI’s Andrea Sears spoke with Jeff Ruch, executive director...
Hundreds of New Yorkers took to the streets to protest the not guilty verdict in murder trial of Trayvon Martin; New York elected officials demand the Justice Department continue its civil rights violation investigation (07/15/2013) On Sunday, hundreds and hundreds of New Yorkers, joining Americans all over the country, in churches, in public squares, and on the social networking sites, reacted to the not guilty verdict in the George Zimmerman murder trial over the shooting...
Protests against Zimmerman acquittal (07/14/2013) Demonstrations erupted across the United States — ranging from dozens to hundreds — in support of the family of Trayvon Martin. Protesters marched against the not guilty verdict in the trial of George Zimmerman for the shooting of the unarmed...
Jury acquits George Zimmerman of second-degree murder in shooting of Trayvon Martin (07/13/2013) SANFORD, Fla. (AP) — George Zimmerman blinked and barely smiled as a jury found him not guilty of second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Trayvon Martin.Supporters of Martin's family who had gathered outside the courthouse yelled out...
Malala (07/12/2013) The United Nations is calling today Malala Day for Malala Yousafza's courage, strength, inspiration and her message. The Pakistani teen and education for girls advocate who was shot in the head and neck by Taliban for her education activism...
Violence Being Used to Break Guantanamo Hunger Strike (07/11/2013) A new report from the British human rights organization Reprieve says violent, abusive tactics are being used in an ongoing attempt to break the hunger strike by detainees at Guantanamo Bay.WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke with Reprieve investigator...
US Investigative Journalist Faces 105 Years in Prison (07/11/2013) Investigative journalist Barrett Brown faces as much as one hundred five years in prison if convicted on a host of federal charges.WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke with Delphine Hagland, director of the Washington office of Reporters Without...
Raise the Age (07/11/2013) Lawmakers and leading advocates for children rallied for changes to the criminal court system which prosecutes 16 and 17 year olds as adults and sentences them to serve time in adult...
Michael Cordiello, President of ATU Local 1181 (07/11/2013) School bus drivers, aides and mechanics lined the steps of City Hall today to bring attention to Employment Protection Provisions which were cancelled by the city. The protections include seniority-based hiring, training, health care, and benefits....
ACLU Legal assistants and office workers in New York held a lunchtime protest to demand a fair contract (07/11/2013) Legal assistants and office workers at the ACLU held a lunchtime protest to demand a fair contract.They have been negotiating a contract since March.WBAI's Rebecca Myles has...
ACLU Files a Lawsuit Challenging Pennsylvania's Same Sex Marriage Ban, NC and VA Next (07/10/2013) Building on it's victory in the US Supreme Court, the American Civil Liberties Union has filed a federal lawsuit in Pennsylvania seeking to overturn that state’s ban on same sex marriages.Similar suits will soon be filed in North Carolina and...
NEW YORK CITY WOMEN'S RIGHTS GROUPS SPEAK OUT ABOUT ELIOT SPITZER'S RUN FOR COMPTROLLER SEAT; SPITZER RESIGNED AS GOVERNOR FOLLOWING A PROSTITUTION SCANDAL (07/10/2013) WOMEN'S RIGHTS GROUPS WERE SPEAKING OUT TODAY AT NEW YORk'S CITY HALL OVER FORMER GOVERNOR ELIOT SPITZER'S PLANS TO RUN FOR THE COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE IN THIS YEAR'S ELECTION.THE COMPTROLLER IS THE THIRD MOST POWERFUL JOB IN...
Zimmerman Murder Trial Nearing Close (07/09/2013) The George Zimmerman trial in Sanford, Floridafor the deadly shooting of seventeen year old #Trayvon Martin is expected to wrap up this week. As the defense poke holes in state's evidence to plant reasonable doubt in the minds of the jurors,...
Judge Rules Government Cannot Use State Secrets Privilege to Dismiss NSA Lawsuit (07/09/2013) On Monday a federal judge in San Francisco rejected the US government’s latest attempt to invoke state secrets privilege to dismiss a lawsuit challenging warrantless mass surveillance of Americans’ telephone calls and internet records.WBAI’s...
Edward Snowden Offered Asylum in Three Latin American Countries (07/08/2013) Edward Snowden, the former CIA analyst who leaked secret documents to the press, has been named this year’s recipient ofthe “award for Truth Telling” by the Sam Adams Associates for Integrity in Intellingence.Snowden, who at last report was...
Gay and Lesbian Couples In New Jersey Ask Court For Summary Judgment on Equality (07/08/2013) On Friday Lamda Legal, a national LGBT legal advocacy organization, filed a motion with the New Jersey State Supreme Court, asking for summary judgment in its lawsuit seeking full marriage equality for same sex couples in that state.WBAI's...
Former New York Governor, Eliot Spitzer, announces he is running for City Comptroller seat (07/08/2013) Six years after the prostitution scandal that lead New York Governor Eliot Spitzer to resign, he announced he is running for City Comptroller in this year's election.Spitzer was at Union Square today collecting signatures but he is will use his...
Hiroshima Remembered in NYC (07/07/2013) ...
Parents are speaking out over 2000 pink slips handed out to New York school bus drivers and matrons, and an uncertain future for their children's safety (07/03/2013) The month-long strike by New York school bus drivers and matrons in February didn't prevent 2000 pink slips being handed out at the end of the school year.This Fall instead of job protections for seniority, drivers face either retirement or...
Surveillance with Predator Drones Inside US Increasing Rapidly (07/03/2013) US Customs and Border Protection documents show rapidly increasing use of the agency's fleet of Predator Drones for surveillance by federal and state law enforcement.WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke with Jennifer Lynch, a staff attorney with the...
NYPD Critics: Bloomberg Uses Faulty Stats to Criticize Police Profiling and Oversight Bills (07/03/2013) Mayor Mike Bloomberg is in an attack mode over the Community Safety Act Bills.The two bills are designed to foster better policing and community relations. One bill prevents police profiling by age, gender, housing status and sexual orientation.The...
Mounting Student Debt is Damaging the Economy (07/02/2013) On Monday Congress allowed the interest rates on subsidized Stafford student loans doubled from three point four percent to six point eight percent. A survey released Monday by the One Wisconsin Institute found that even without the increased...
Detainees Sue to End Force Feedings at Guatanamo (07/02/2013) A federal judge has given the government until Wednesday to respond to a motion demanding an end to the forced feeding and medication of Guantanamo detainees who have been on a hunger strike for more than four months. WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke...
TWU Local 100 Endorses Bill Thompson for Mayor (07/02/2013) Today Bill Thompson got the endorsement from the Transport Workers Union, TWU local 100, in front of City Hall.WBAI’s Linda Perry was there and filed this...
Community Safety Act Bills Pass (06/27/2013) In the wee hours of the morning the New York City Council passed two Community Safety bills. WBAI's Linda Perry...
Stop the Pipeline Flashmob (06/26/2013) Stop the Pipeline Activists waited for long pipeline like balloons to be hauled towards them, as they sought to protect waters from fracking. WBAI's Linda Perry filed this...
City Hall Roundup (06/26/2013) Historic vote on 2 bills from the Community Safety Act ---- Override of Mayor Mike Bloomberg's veto of the Paid Sick Leave Bill---- Endorsements for Mayoral hopefuls, Chris Quinn and John...
Legal Service Workers are back on the job today after nearly six weeks on strike over a fair work contract (06/25/2013) WBAI's Rebecca Myles spoke to Ian Davie, Staff Attorney for Legal Services in the Bronx, who also served on the bargaining unit for the Legal Services Staff Employees...
Community Safety Act Advocates vs. The Mayor (06/24/2013) On the steps of City Hall, City Council and Community Members and Faith Leaders fed up with Stop and Frisk and NYPD profiling gathered to support passage of two bills from the Community Safety Act. The billscome up for a full council vote this week....
Snowden May Seek Asylum in Ecuador (06/24/2013) NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden was booked on a flight from Moscow to Havana this morning, possibly on his way to seek asylum in Ecuador.But he did not board the plane.WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke with Marjorie Cohn, law professor at Thomas...
New York area elected officials and health advocates launched a campaign today to publicize the expanded 9/11 benefits from the Zadroga Act; some benefits sunset in 100 days (06/24/2013) A Campaign was launched today by New York area elected officials and health advocates to alert people to free health benefits and screenings from 9/11 benefits under the Zadroga Act; you might also be eligible for compensation, too, but you have to...
Folk City (06/21/2013) The Museum of the City of New York's fundraising concert in advance of an upcoming exhibit which explores New York’s role in fueling the American folk music revival in the 1950’s and 1960’s was a huge success.The exhibit called Folk City,...
Details on Lawsuit to Stop NYPD Surveillance of Muslims (06/19/2013) While the Stop and Frisk Trial, Floyd v. City of New York, challenges the NYPD's practice of racial profiling and unconstitutional stop and frisks, the new Muslim Surveillance Lawsuit, Reza v. City of New York, alleges claims of religious...
Lawsuit Challenges NYPD's Muslim Surveillance Program (06/18/2013) A new lawsuit claimst the NYPD’s Muslim Surveillance Program imposes an unjustified badge of suspicion and stigma on thousands of innocent New Yorkers. At a news conference Tuesday religious and community leaders spoke out against the...
End Madison Square Garden Tax Loopholes (06/18/2013) Madison Square Garden has not paid property taxes for 31 years. The City needs that money to pay for essential services says Council Woman Margaret Chin. She spoke with WBAI's Linda Perry at City Hall where she gathered with other officials in...
Scaffolds (06/17/2013) Construction workers risk their lives when they go up on scaffolds. And an amendment to a law which helps workers who are injured is now in jeopardy. WBAI's Linda Perry went to Astoria to attend a rally with Make the Road New York. She filed...
Legal Services staff enter the fifth week of their strike; they rally at City Hall (06/14/2013) Legal Service workers, to include 200 attorneys, paralegals, and support staff, held a rally at City Hall, joined by many of the City council members,to mark the fifth week of their strike before marching down broadway to the corporate offices of...
WBAI Local News Update (06/13/2013) ...
WBAI Local News Update (06/13/2013) ...
Thousands of New York City workers rallied around City Hall over contracts; many of the City's 100 unions have been without working contracts for four years (06/13/2013) Sanitation workers, nurses, teachers, PAs, firefighters, plumbers, professors - thousands of City workers - were at City Hall park for a late afternoon rally. The majority have been without a working contract, some for several years, and this is an...
Mayor Bloomberg's budget would eliminate $ 7.1 million in funding for adult literacy courses (06/12/2013) At City Hall Park yesterday afternoon, hundreds of immigrant New Yorkers rallied to protest Mayor Bloomberg's plan to cut $7.1 million dollars for adult literacy programs. Many of them are direct beneficiaries of the programs.The latest threats...
New York City Council members introduce a revised bill, the Community Safety Act, which if passed, would be landmark police policy reform (06/11/2013) Sponsors of a new version of the Community Safety Act, two bills that could lead to radical police policy reform, will be introduced at the City Council meeting tomorrow.Today, two sponsors of the bill, City Council members Jumaane Williams and Brad...
The National Security Agency is calling for a criminal investigation into the leaker who revealed its dragnet surveillance of Americans; we speak to a former NSA whistleblower (06/10/2013) Former and current intelligence directors are speaking out about the leaks that the NSA conducted and conducts dragnet surveillance on American citizens. The NSA has asked the Justice Department to conduct a criminal investigation of the leaker,...
US Army Private Bradley Manning's trial enters the second week (06/10/2013) US Army Private Bradley Manning's trial enters the second week.Manning has been accused by the Obama Administration of leaking documents to Wikileaks that they claim aided the enemy.His defense said no one was harmed as a result of those...
Youth And Sex Workers Are Scared to Carry Condoms (06/06/2013) At City Hall advocates and city officials criticized the use of condoms as evidence in prostitution cases. They say this sends the wrong message and counters efforts in New York State to stem the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. To correct...
And the Beat Goes On... NYC Budget Dance for FY 2014 (06/05/2013) Parents, families, union and community advocates as well as public officials joined together to protest Mayor Bloomberg’s healthcare budget cuts on the steps of City Hall. Inside NYC Comptroller and Mayoral hopeful John Liu testified on the...
The court martial trial for US Army Private Bradley Manning enters its third day (06/05/2013) The court martial trial of US Army Private enters its third day.Lawyers for the US Government and defense gave opening statements on Monday and on Tuesday the court heard from Adrian Lamo the computer hacker that reported Manning to the...
WBAI's radio host, Ibrahim Gonzalez dies suddenly (06/05/2013) WBAI Radio host, Ibrahim Gonzalez has died.He was the host of the WBAI shows In The Moment and Radio Libre and much, much more.WBAI's Rebecca Myles has...
The only conference that brings together anarchists, radicals and progressives, the Left Forum (06/04/2013) For three days, starting Friday, Pace University in New York is host to the only conference that brings together anarchists, radicals, progressives and liberals for the Left Forum.Over 1000 speakers will be offering workshops and panel discussions...
Arms Trade Treaty (06/04/2013) The Arms Trade Treaty opened for signing at the United Nations this week. The landmark historic treaty prohibits arms transfers that would be used for crimes against humanity, genocide and warcrimes. It is the first time countries will have to...
It's the 21st Century (05/31/2013) There is talk of bringing back the old voting machines for New York City's primary and run-off elections this fall. However advocates warn this would make a bad situation worse. WBAI’s Linda Perry filed this...
Budget Sequester (05/31/2013) At City Hall, community, labor and civic leaders called on President Obama and congress to cancel the budget sequester. WBAI’s Linda Perry filed this...
Legal Services workers are still on strike two weeks later despite several rounds of talks with management (05/30/2013) Legal Service workers held a rally in downtown Manhattan to mark the second week of their strike.They've met with management twice; all they want is a fair contract.WBAI's rebecca Myles was there and files this...
Coalition for a Real Minimum Wage Increase says Minimum Wage Bill Divides Workers, Subsidizes Employers and Corporations. (05/30/2013) Workers, labor and advocacy groups held a rally in Midtown Manhattan today to demand a real minimum wage increase and rigorous Labor Law enforcement. They say the NY State Department of Labor has failed to fulfill its mission of protecting New...
There were nationwide protests today to oppose the sale of the Tribune Company to the Koch Brothers; local groups rallied in New York's midtown (05/29/2013) Groups all across the country staged protests to oppose the sale of the Tribune Company to the Koch Brothers; local groups rallied in New York's midtown to demand politics stay in the hands of the people not in the hands of...
Thousands of New Yorkers rally to protest GMOs and March Against Monsanto (05/28/2013) Thousands of New Yorkers rallied and marched at Union Square at lunchtime Saturday to protest the increasing use of genetic modified organism in the nation's food supply, targeting in particularly the corporation Monsanto. The rally was one of...
Thousands of New Yorkers protest GMOs and March Against Monsanto (05/28/2013) Thousands of New Yorkers rallied and marched at Union Square at lunchtime Saturday to protest the increasing use of genetic modified organism in the nation's food supply, targeting in particularly the corporation Monsanto. The rally was one of...
Jericho Prayer (05/24/2013) As the country looks at immigration reform we continue our look at migrants and religious leaders who came to New York City to pray in front of the Federal Immigration building in lower...
Obama's Speech on Drones and Guantanamo (05/23/2013) ...
Caravan of Hope (05/23/2013) The New Sanctuary Coalition, a NYC interfaith network which resists detention and deportation, joined with Hope Caravan which gives voice to the plight of Central and South American immigrants. They prayed together in front of the Federal...
Soccer Deal (05/22/2013) The New York Yankees baseball team and a British Soccer team owned by an oil rich Arab sheik today announced they will co-own a Major League Soccer team that will begin playing somewhere in New York City in 2015.The announcement, at a charter school...
NYCLU Analysis of 2012 Stop and Frisk Data (05/22/2013) The NYCLU added a detailed analysis of the NYPD's 2012 Stop and Frisk database to the discussion about Stop and Frisk. WBAI's Linda Perry...
Greenwich Village residents were out in their thousands yesterday to protest the shooting death of gay man, Mark Carson (05/21/2013) Last night, thousands of people turned out in New York's Greenwich village to protest the surge of homosexual attacks at an evening march and vigil.The vigil was for Mark Carson, a young gay man who was shot to death on Saturday.A man, Elliot...
The federal trial of Floyd v City of New York, over the contentious NYPD practice of stop, question and frisk, concluded yesterday after nine weeks (05/21/2013) Lawyers for defense and plaintiffs gave closing statements, concluding the 9 week civil rights trail Floyd v City of New York, over the contentious NYPD practice of stop, question and frisk yesterday. Plaintiffs allege the police's policy is...
Federal trial of Floyd v City of New York over the contentious NYPD practice of stop, question and frisk, winds down after 9 weeks of testimony (05/20/2013) In US District Court today, Judge Scheindlin heard summations in the federal trial Floyd v City of New York over the the NYPD' s controversial use of stop, question and frisk.Plaintiffs allege the police's policy is racist by...
Open, Safe City Plan (05/18/2013) City and State Lawmakers, the New York Immigration Coalition, the Black institute, El Fuente, and other groups came together at City Hall this week to support the ”Open, Safe City Plan” put forth by Public Advocate and mayoral hopeful Bill de...
10 Point Womens Equality Act (05/18/2013) Women lawmakers are outraged that Republican Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos is blocking a vote on Andrew Cuomo’s 10 Point Women's Equality Act. State Senator Liz Krueger was at City Hall this week. She said Skelos opposes a vote because...
Stop and Frisk Trial: Week Nine (05/17/2013) A remedies expert for the plaintiff testifies on how NYPD practices can be better monitored and how the police department can work with communities to ensure that constitutional rights are protected. A youth tells his stop and frisk story. It points...
Sequins, feathers, spandex and a dancing horse - Dance Parade New York (05/17/2013) WBAI will be doing a live broadcast from Tompkins Square Park from 4pm on Saturday, May 18 when they cover Dance Parade New York.10,000 dancers from the five boroughs will sashay through the streets of New York to celebrate dance in over 60...
NYC Law Activist Refuses To Testify (05/16/2013) Surrounded by supporters, Jerry Koch went to court today to appear before a grand jury for the second time. The first time was in 2009 during an investigation into a 2008 bombing of an armed forces recruiting center in times square. Koch was a...
Over 200 attorneys, paralegals, secretaries and process servers, who work for NYC Legal Services, went on strike today (05/16/2013) Members of New York Legal Services Staff Association, the union representing over 200 attorneys, paralegals, secretaries, process servers and other professionals, went on strike today rejecting management's contract proposal.Workers have been...
Residents of the lower east side woke up to find a developer tearing up one of their community gardens. (05/15/2013) Lower east side residents and a City elected official were shocked today to find a developer tearing up one of the community gardens. The Children's Magical Garden has thrived in the neighborhood for 30 years and been tended by the hands of...
CCR on City Memo on Stop and Frisk Judge (05/15/2013) An internal review by Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s office on Judge Shira Sheindlin at the Stop and Frisk trial, Floyd v. City of New York, spurred outrage by attorneys outside the courtroom today. WBAI News contacted the City and is waiting to hear what...
Lynne Stewart (05/15/2013) Demonstrators were out in front of the federal courts in lower Manhattan today to ask for the compassionate release of Lynne...
Stop and Frisk Trial: Week Nine. (05/14/2013) Plaintiffs' attorneys Jonathan Moore says the NYPD has a head in the sand approach to policing. He says it's an insult to suggest allegations of racial profiling in Stop and Frisk are created by lawyers, politicians and community...
HUD Secretary, NY Native, Approves Federal Sandy Funding. (05/10/2013) Shaun Donovan, New York Native and United States Secretary for Housing and Urban Development, announces approval of Federal Sandy Relief...
Bloomberg Administration Manages Federal Sandy Dollars (05/10/2013) At a City Hall News conference Friday, Mayor Mike Bloomberg announced HUD, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, is making 1.77 billion in Sandy Recovery dollars available to New York City. Bloomberg outlined how money is to be...
Rep Nydia Velázquez On Managing Federal Sandy Dollars (05/10/2013) Congresswoman Nydia Velasquez at a City Hall news conference on Federal Sandy Relief...
Strike and Frisk Trial: Week Eight (05/09/2013) At the Stop and Frisk trial, Floyd v. City of New York, now in its eighth week, the City delivers witnesses to counter testimony by the plaintiffs. Except some of the witnesses the court has heard from before. WBAI’s Linda Perry has...
New York City Council held a hearing today over a law that could revolutionize voting patterns in the City (05/09/2013) New York City Council held hearings today on the introduction of a law that would amend the New York city charter to allow legal immigrants to vote in municipal elections.If passed, it could revolutionize voting outcomes in the City. WBAI's...
Senior Advocacy Day at City Hall (05/08/2013) Hundreds of seniors gathered on the steps of City Hall today along with elected officials to say restore cuts to vital services, stop dancing the budget dance.WBAI’s Linda Perry was at City Hall and files this...
The Bloomberg Administration is trying to sell off public housing parking lots to luxury developers; NYCHA residents, "Oh, no you don't." (05/08/2013) The New York City Housing Authority is in the news a lot these days. Many residents were hit hard by the effects of Hurricane Sandy, and now residents say City administrators are trying to make deals to sell off parking lots to luxury housing...
Uruguayan writer and journalist, Eduardo Galeano, was one of the highlights of the Pen Voices Festival 2013 (05/07/2013) The Pen Voices Festival, a week-long event, is for the discussion and discovery of political ideas, literature, authors and people who love literature.It closed Sunday. Uruguayan writer and journalist, Eduardo Galaeno, was one of the highlights....
NYC Labor Leaders (05/07/2013) Labor Leaders Remember #Sandy Parking Attendant who drowned and speak out for Safe Working...
After Sandy Action Report (05/04/2013) A new report on Hurricane Sandy by the NYC Mayor’s office lists steps the city should take to handle future natural disasters. WBAI’s Linda Perry has...
New Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit Claims Marijuana Searches By NYPD Are Unlawful. (05/02/2013) New lawsuit filed in Federal Court by Bronx Defenders and civil rights law firm Emery Celli Brinckerhoff & Abady say NYPD conducts illegal stops and marijuana searches to make misdemeanor arrests. WBAI’s Linda Perry has...
NYC City Council Parks Committee asks Parks about its private event deals and whether it discriminates against unions (05/02/2013) New York City Council held an oversight hearing today over an art fair that is due to open this month on Randall's Island Park.Unions argue they are being cut out of jobs and the fair doesn't benefit New Yorkers, park advocates argue it is...
Origins of May Day (05/01/2013) "And I long to see the day when Labor will have the destiny of the nation in her own hands and she will stand as a united force and show the world what the workers can do." --- Mary Harris "Mother" Jones, 1830-1930. Today is Mayday, Workers Rights...
Pen World Voice Festival hosts opening reading night at New York's Cooper Union (04/30/2013) The Pen World Voices kicks off its Festival with an opening night reading at Cooper Union with the theme of Bravery.Authors from Cambodia, Russia, Trinidad and Palestine, read from their work.WBAI's Rebecca Myles has...
Stop and Frisk: Week Seven (04/30/2013) The Center for Constitutional Rights attorneys and their co-counsels along with lawyers for New York City are in court for the seventh week of the stop and frisk trial, the federal class action lawsuit, Floyd v City of New York. At issue is whether...
NYC Mayoral Forum (04/29/2013) A city where real estate interests are put ahead of public green spaces and community gardens was the topic for Mayoral Candidates at the NYC Community Garden Coalition Forum hosted by WBAI's Robert Knight. WBAI’s Linda Perry...
NYC Mayoral Forum on Community Gardens (04/27/2013) Mayoral Candidates came together at Cooper Union's Great Hall for a forum on Community Gardens and Public Spaces.
WBAI’s Linda Perry filed this...
Stop and Frisk Trial: Day 25 (04/25/2013) The defense presents their case in the Stop and Frisk trial in the sixth week of the class action bench trial, Floyd v. City of New York. The lawsuit claims the NYPD policy of Stop and Frisk is unconstitutional, unfairly targets blacks and latinos...
Street vendors up in arms and displaced by New York City's bike station program (04/25/2013) Dozens of street vendors rallied in downtown New York today to protest their sudden eviction by the introduction of the City's bike docking stations.On Liberty Street, just one of the many sites, the docking station is half a block long which...
Stop and Frisk Trial: Day 24 (04/24/2013) The Stop and Frisk trial switches over from the plaintiffs to the defense this week, but first the Center for Constitutional Rights presented their last witness, a police policy expert who said NYPD Supervisors fail to review stop and frisk activity...
Stop and Frisk Trial: Week Six (04/24/2013) The class-action lawsuit, Floyd V. City of New York, challenges the NYPD’s use of Stop and Frisk. Testimony by plaintiffs points to race based stops. Data presented by their attorneys points to race as a deciding factor in stops made by the NYPD....
...It's disturbing we debate New York City childcare and Head Start each year.. (04/24/2013) New York City labor unions, elected officials and children concerned about proposed cuts to child care services and potential job losses in the latest budget negotiations were at City Hall today say both proposals are contemptible.WBAI's...
Don't Evict the Victims (04/23/2013) Families from Far Rockaway who lost their homes due to Hurricane Sandy live in airport hotels. Facing eviction, they came together to say the Department of Homeless Services should grant an extension to their stays until an alternative housing...
A Congressional bill - the Safely Sheltering Disaster Victims Act would benefit residents of public housing (04/23/2013) A congressional bill, the Safety Sheltering Disaster Victims Act, would benefit residents of public housing by implementing emergency measures, creating a jobs program and offering rental assistance in times of emergency.WBAI's Rebecca Myles...
Union of Concerned Scientists convene panel discussion to try and address threats of sea level rise, storm surge and Hurricanes (04/21/2013) Six months after Hurricane Sandy lashed the East Coast, the Union of Concerned Scientists hosted a panel discussion with city and country officials from up and down the Eastern seaboard to discuss plans on ways to protest communities and...
New Yorkers, passionate about their public libraries, tell the Bloomberg administration to stop trying to sell them (04/18/2013) New Yorkers, and their elected officials, were at City Hall to tell the Bloomberg Administration to stop trying to sell off and consolidate the City's public libraries.WBAI's Rebecca Myles was there and has more on this...
Stop and Frisk Trial: Day 20 (04/18/2013) As the Fifth week of the Stop and Frisk Trial continues, evidence mounts on the lack of mechanisms for monitoring and disciplining stop and frisk abuse by the NYPD. WBAI’s Linda Perry was back in the courtroom today and files this...
Union leaders want to know why CIty Hall is freezing them out jobs at a New York City park? (04/17/2013) Municipal unions were at City Hall today demanding to know how City Hall has let a private art show use a public park and hire out of state workers.WBAI's Rebecca Myles has...
Stop and Frisk Trial: Week Five (04/17/2013) An NYPD Supervisor changed his testimony several times at the Stop and Frisk trial, Floyd v. City of New York at Federal District Court in Manhattan. The lawsuit brought by the Center for Constitutional Rightschallenges the legality of Stop and...
Investigation Into Boston Marathon Bombing Continues (04/16/2013) The investigation continues into Boston Marathon bomb blasts which injured 170 people. There are four dead with 17 in critical conditions. WBAI’s Linda Perry has been following developments and filed this...
New York students call on next Mayor to end racial disparities in school suspensions and arrests (04/15/2013) High Schools students were at City Hall today with elected officials and mayoral candidates Bill Thompson and John Liu to call for an end to racial disparities in school suspensions and arrests.During the 2011-12 school year, 96% arrests and 89% of...
Part 2 of the panel discussions on the implications of US Army Private Bradley Manning's trial (04/11/2013) Part 2 panel discussion with Birgitta Jonsdottir, Alexa O'Brien, Kevin Gosztola, Peter Hart and Sam...
Panel Discussion on April 5, 2013 on implications of US Army Private Bradley Manning trial (04/11/2013) Participants in panel discussion Icelandic Parliamentarian, Birgitta Jondsdottir, Alexa O'Brien and Kevin Gosztola - journalists covering the pre-trials, Peter Hart - Fair & Accuracy in Media and host, Sam Seder - The Majority...
In this election year, New York elected officials, keen for the environmental vote, say they support anti-fracking State legislation (04/11/2013) On the steps of City Hall, in this election year, elected officials keen to get the votes from environmentalists came out today to show support for a Senate anti tracking bill.WBAI's Rebecca Myles was there and has...
Stop and Frisk Trial: Day 16 (04/11/2013) This was fourth week of the Stop and Frisk trial, Floyd v. City of New York, the federal class action lawsuit filed by the Center for Constitutional Rights. On Wednesday NYCHA residents packed the court, then held a rally outside the courthouse to...
A panel discussion on US Army Private Bradley Manning case disclosed unusual court withholdings and secrecy (04/10/2013) US Army Private Bradley Manning, who has been accused by the Justice Department of leaking classified documents to the website Wikileaks, faces his court marshal trial in June.This past weekend a group of journalists who have been covering the trial...
A coalition of 100 New York homeless advocacy groups want the new Mayor and City Council to be accountable for solutions to homelessness (04/09/2013) The Coalition United to End Homeless gathered over 100 people on the steps of City Hall today to remind elected officials in this election year to pay attention to chronic homelessness in the City.WBAI's Rebecca Myles has...
Stop and Frisk Trial: Day 15 (04/09/2013) The highest ranking member of the NYPD testifies in Day 15 of the Stop and Frisk trial, Floyd v. City of New York. In attendance were students of a math course studying NYPD statistics from an East Flatbush high school. WBAI's LInda Perry...
Stop and Frisk Trial: Day 14 (04/08/2013) Center for Constitutional Rights attorneys their co-counsel were back in court for the fourth week in the federal class action lawsuit Floyd v. City of New York. Testimony included an expert witness about pressure to increase stop and frisk numbers,...
New New York political committee launches attack ads against Quinn's bid for Mayor (04/08/2013) The political committee New York City is Not for Sale at City Hall today to announce its media campaign in opposition to Mayoral Candidate City Council Speaker Christine Quinn. The committee is co-founded with union support, animal rights activists...
New York City Council committee votes in favor of geothermal bill to study feasibility in the City (04/08/2013) New York City's Committee on Environmental Protection voted on a bill today that would require the City to study the feasibility of developing geothermal energy to heat and cool buildings or heat water.WBAI's Rebecca Myles has...
Civilian Complaint Review Board Report (04/05/2013) The CCRB, the body tasked with investigating NYPD complaints made by the public, released a report on activity in an 18 month period from January 2011 through June 2013. Findings are in line with testimony being heard at the Stop and Frisk Trial in...
Women in brightly colored cloth and drummers meet once a week in a tiny dance studio in the East Village (04/05/2013) The sounds of a Congolese dance class which happens in this tiny East Village studio every Wednesday night, where for a couple of hours, mostly women tie brightly colored cloth around their waists and to the accompaniment of a live drummer learn...
Stop and Frisk Trial: Day 12 (04/04/2013) Testimony on statistics which show racial bias in stop and frisks continued in the class action suit, Floyd v. City of New York. WBAI’s Linda Perry was back in court to report on the proceedings and at a protest outside the courtroom with...
A social media campaign is launched in New York to draw attention to Child Abuse (04/04/2013) At the Tweed Courthouse, a Brooklyn-based anti-children abuse group launches a media campaign to help children take the first, brave steps in reporting abuse.WBAI's Rebecca Myles has more on this...
Good government groups & New York elected officials condemn corruption after FBI arrest of 6 political figures (04/03/2013) Good government groups and elected officials spoke out today about political blackmail, bribery and big legal bills following the FBI's arrest of two New York politicians.They want bans and reform.WBAI's Rebecca Myles has been following...
Stop And Frisk Trial: Day 11 (04/03/2013) Stop and Frisk data is front and center in the courtroom, at the Center for Constitutional Rights trial, Floyd v. City of New York. Outside the courthouse, women's groups and elected officials raise their voices against stop and frisk...
Stop And Frisk Trial: Day 10 (04/02/2013) On the 10th day of the Stop and Frisk in Lower Manhattan Federal Court, secret tapes from a Brooklyn Precinct reveal intense pressure on NYPD Officers to issue summonses, and to make stops and arrests. Outside the courtroom members of the Malcolm X...
New York State lawmakers pass a minimum wage bill; a worker-led coalition says they want a real bill (04/02/2013) A worker-led coalition held a protest outside New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's midtown office today demanding a real minimum wage bill.They say the bill passed in Albany this week is a sham and will only enrich employers and corporations, and...
A regional coalition demands a role in federal, state and city discussions over rebuilding after Hurricane Sandy (04/01/2013) Sandy Regional Assembly, a coalition of 40 organizations from Newark to the Rockaways, released their recovery agenda today.The purpose of the document is let federal, state and city agencies know they want a place in the discussions over the...
Stop And Frisk Trial: Day 9 (04/01/2013) Senator Eric Adams testified on Day 9 of the Center for Constitutional Rights Stop and Frisk Trial, Floyd v. City of New York.WBAI’s Linda Perry was there and filed this...
Undocumented immigrant students speak out in support of the State's Dream Act; ICE-NY in an opposition rally want the laws enforced (03/29/2013) Undocumented students held a rally in support of New York State's Dream Act at New York's Union Square.And New Yorker for Immigration Control and Enforcement held a counter rally saying they want immigration laws enforced.WBAI's...
Stop and Frisk, Day 8 (03/29/2013) Day 8 of Center for Constitutional Rights Stop and Frisk Trial brought more criticism of NYPD tactics, this time by Faith Leaders. WBAI's Linda Perry...
Stop And Frisk Day 8 (03/29/2013)
An NYPD Sargeant testified in the Stop and Frisk Trial, Floyd vs. City of New York. He said a person fumbling with keys in front of his own door was justification for a stop. ...
Paid Sick Leave Bill (03/29/2013) Lawmakers and advocates reach a deal on on the paid sick leave...
Stop and Frisk Trial: Day 7 (03/28/2013) The Stop and Frisk trial continued in Federal District Court with testimony by the three police officers who stopped and frisked David Floyd in front of his own home. #Floyd is one of the plaintiffs in the class action suit brought by the Center for...
New Yorkers Against the Cornell-Technion Partnership hold a protest rally (03/27/2013) New Yorkers Against the Cornell-Technion Partnership say the Bloomberg Administration fast tracked the proposal for building an engineering school on Roosevelt Island.That proper hearings haven't taken place, $100 million of taxpayer monies are...
Stop and Frisk Trial: Day 6 (03/27/2013) Police officers were grilled about the NYPD practice of Stop and Frisk in court Tuesday. The case is Floyd v. City of New York, a Federal Civil Rights Trial brought by the Center for Constitutional Rights over the NYPD’s controversial policy....
Rally for Mohamed Bah (03/25/2013) Mohamed Bah is the young man with a mental health issue shot to death by NYPD officers 6 months ago, on the evening of September 25th. The Manhattan District Attorney’s office is currently investigating circumstances surrounding the shooting,...
Stop And Frisk Trial: Day 3 (03/20/2013) The trial Floyd v. City of New York continued in Federal District Court in Lower Manhattan for its third day when secret recordings of NYPD roll calls were played. The case, brought by the Center For Constitutional Rights, seeks to reform the police...
WBAI Evening News, Tuesday March 19, 2013 (03/19/2013) In the News tonight testimony continues in the civil rights class action lawsuit over the NYPD’s stop and frisk policy--A new report shows New York Police Department wastes resources over small time drug arrests--NYS legislature raises minimum...
Stop And Frisk Trial: Day 1 (03/18/2013) Stop and Frisk is on trial at Federal Court in Manhattan. The case of Floyd v. City of New York brought by the Center for Constitutional Rights contends the NYPD practice targets people of color. It hopes to force the NYPD to curb the practice....
Student Guestworkers From Latin America Protest Working Conditions At McDonald's (03/16/2013) Student Guestworkers rally at McDonald’s in Times Square. They expected a cultural exchange, but instead are exploited by the fast food...
Two Row Wampum Renewal Campaign Honors Native Treaties (03/16/2013) At the Museum of the American Indian this week, there was a kick off event for the Two Row Wampun Renewal Campaign, a statewide initiative to mark the 400th anniversary of the treaty, the first between Native Americans and Europeans. WBAI's...
WBAI Evening News, Friday March 15, 2013 (03/15/2013) Protests continue for 16 year old Brooklyn Teen Kimani Gray---Student Guestworkers From Latin America Protest Working Conditions At McDonald's---The Obama Administration Pushes Clean Energy--- And You Will See Canoes Going Down The Hudson This...
WBAI Evening News, Tuesday March 12, 2013 (03/12/2013) Public School Closures And The Nuclear Crisis Two Years After The Fukushima Disaster: With these and other stories, this is the WBAI Evening News for Tuesday March 12,...
U.S. Sailors Suffered Radiation Exposure After Fukushima Disaster (03/11/2013) US Navy Quartermasters Maurice Enis and Jaime Plym received high doses of radiation while serving aboard the USS Ronald Reagan, on the coast of Japan after the Fukushima Nuclear Disaster. WBAI’s Linda Perry has the...
Parents Up In Arms Over PCB's In Public Schools. (03/08/2013) Parents are outraged over a PCB leak at an Upper West Side Public School in December. Their kids were exposed and they weren't told about it until last week. They rallied with elected officials against the Department of Education. They said it...
New York City’s Open Data Law Goes Into Effect (03/07/2013) Even though New York City continues to develop as a technology center, accessing the city's data has been a challenge for the public.But today a new law, Council member Gale Brewer’s Open Data Law, makes searches...
New Yorkers Pay Tribute To Venezuelan President, Hugo Chavez (03/07/2013) New Yorkers at the Venezuelan Consulate last night paid respects to former President Hugo Chavez, who died on Tuesday afternoon.Their tributes showed how his Bolivarian Liberation inspired many fights for justice and...
Dance With Emma Goldman Says Radio Unnameable's Bob Fass (03/06/2013) Creditors threaten WBAI, Pacifica Radio in New York, broadcasting at 99,5 FM. Former Station Manager and Live Radio Morning Host, Larry Josephson, says there are sharks circling around WBAI's...
NYC Small Businesses To Take $56 Million Hit from Sequester (03/04/2013) Nydia Velázquez, the Ranking member on the House Committee on Small Business, released a report on negative effects of the sequester on the New York economy. WBAI’s Linda Perry...
Fight Brews Over Nassau County Redistricting Plan (03/04/2013) A proposal for redistricting in Nassau County proposed by the Republican majority on the Nassau County Legislature is taking some ugly racial and class turns involving the systematic suppression of minorities when it comes to voting, say the...
WBAI Is The Story (03/04/2013) Jose Santiago, WBAI's News Director, reports on the crisis crippling WBAI Radio in New...
Coalition of Justice Groups Say Youth Are Beaten Repeatedly at Rikers (03/01/2013) In advance of a City Council hearing March 7 on NYC jails, family members, advocates from the Urban Justice Center’s Mental Health Project, New York City Jails Coalition and Committee to End the New Jim Crow rallied to bring attention to abuse of...
Senate hearing on banning assault weapons. (02/27/2013) The Senate is holding hearings on banning certain types of high power weapons. Neil Heslin, father of 6year old Jesse, one of the first graders slain in the Newtown mass shooting, fought back tears as he begged the Senate Judiciary Committee to ban...
New York City Council asks Mayor Bloomberg to settle the lawsuit brought by the Central Park Five. (02/27/2013) A resolution by New York City Councilmember Charles Barron passed in the full City Council. It asks the City of New York to settle the Central Park Five's 250 million dollar lawsuit. The Central Park Five are the men wrongly convicted as boys...
New York City's Rapid Repairs Program comes under fire. (02/27/2013) It’s been 4 months since Hurricane Sandy devastated communities and left residents homeless or with homes in need of repair. Staten Island Council member Jimmy Oddo took the Director of the Mayor’s office of Housing Recovery Operations Brad Gair...
NYCHA residents call on lawmakers to keep leadership in the hands of its residents. (02/27/2013) On the steps of City Hall, the Citywide Council of Presidents which represents 600,000 NYCHA residents called on New York City and State elected officials to stop a plan to restructure NYCHA's board. WBAI's Rebecca Myles has more on this...
Full-length statue of Rosa Parks in the Capitol's Statuary Hall (02/27/2013) President Barack Obama and Congressional Leaders unveiled a statue of Rosa Parks, paying tribute to a woman whose name is synonymous with courage in the face of injustice. She is the first black womanto be honored with a full-length statue in the...
The Anniversary of the Death of Trayvon Martin (02/26/2013) It's the one year anniversary of the death of Trayvon Martin. WBAI's Linda Perry spoke with Michael Skolnik, political director to Russell Simmons, editor-in-chief of GlobalGrind.com and board member of the Trayvon Martin...
The fight over how to cut the deficit continues in Washington as the sequester and its devastating effect on the tri-state area draws near. (02/25/2013) In an effort to apply pressure on Congressional Republicans, the Obama Administration released a state by state report on the effects of the sequester. Sequester is the term used for automatic across the board budget cuts which will go into effect...
US Army Private, Bradley Manning supporters held protests across the U.S. to mark his 1000th day in jail without trial. (02/25/2013) There were protests and rallies across the nation on Saturday, many of them marking the 1000th day U.S. Army Private Bradley Manning has been held in jail without trial. WBAI’s Rebecca Myles talked to a group of supporters in Union Square and she...
Elected Officials demand that City Council Speaker bring the Paid Sick Leave bill to a vote. (02/25/2013) At City Hall elected officials gathered with parents, and members of the Working Families Party to demand paid sick days for workers. Congresswoman Nydia Valasquez says paid sick leave is about doing the right thing for all working...
Did the City illegally give park land for NYU’s expansion plan? (02/25/2013) New York University faculty, community leaders and elected officials will be in court for a hearing tomorrow over whether New York University is engaged in a land grab of public land. WBAI’s Rebecca Myles has been following this story and files...
Bickering at the Hearing in Federal District Court on the Lawsuit brought by the Central Park Five Against the City of New York (02/25/2013) The Central Park Five’s lawsuit against the City of New York has been proceeding slowly. The young men wrongly convicted in the case of the Central Park Jogger are awaiting a resolution to a 250 million dollar lawsuit. Hearings have been going on...
School Bus Strike Ends (02/16/2013) Leaders of the Amalgamated Transit Union said service for New York City schools would resume Wednesday, when classes resume following mid-winter recess. "Though our strike has been suspended, the principles that we fight for remain pressing issues...
Low wage worker organizing symposium (02/13/2013) Politicians and community activists join workers and academics for a symposium at CUNY's Murphy Institute on organizing low wage workers in New York City.WBAI's Linda Perry...
Obama Voting Commission (02/13/2013) WBAI's Jose Santiago spoke with Wendy Weiser from the Brennan Center for Justice on President Obama's Voting Rights Commission. Weiser says the Commission could jump-start the nation's problem-plagued voting...
Fracking Decision Delayed (02/13/2013) New York State Department of Environmental Conservation will postpone its decision on Hydraulic Fracking. It is waiting on the Department of Health's Public Health Review. WBAI's Lucas Reckhaus spoke with Kate Hudson of...
Climate Change March (02/13/2013) Demonstrators call on President Obama to reject the Keysone XL pipeline and show real leadership combating climate change. WBAI's Andrea Sears speaks with Mark Dunlea with 350.org and the Green Party of New York. He says statements by Obama are...
Subway Musicians (02/13/2013) Chosen Voices, seranades straphangers with a Ben E. King classic for Valentines...
Central Park Five Resolution (02/12/2013) The City Council voted on a bill calling on the City of New York to resolve the case of the Central Park Five as expeditiously as possible. WBAI was the only media in attendance at the City Council Hearing. Linda Perry files this...
New Jersey Cop Complaints (02/12/2013) New Jersey ACLU study says 3/4 of the Police Departments in the Garden State don't provide accurate information when callers try to file civilian complaints against officers. WBAI's Jose Santiago files this...
#Fracking Investigation (02/12/2013) Anti fracking groups demand an investigation of Larry Schwartz, Secretary to Governor Andrew Cuomo. WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke with John Armstrong, of Frack Action. Armstrong says Schwartz owns stock in several oil and gas...
DC March for Pentagon Cuts (02/12/2013) Peace Activists call on Congress to cut military spending and use savings to create jobs.
WBAI's Jose Santiago spoke with Madelyn Hoffman with New Jersey...
NJ Lawmakers Urge NY Governor To Ban Fracking (02/11/2013) New Jersey State lawmakers, gas drilling critics and environmental activists have written to New York Governor Andrew Cuomo urging him to pan fracking in New York State. WBAI's Desi K. Robinson files this...
Pope's Resignation Could Affect Criminal Prosecutions For Sexual Abuse By Priests (02/11/2013) Pope Benedict XVI's announcement that he will retire at the end of February could have an impact on efforts to find justice for the thousands of people who were victims of childhood sexual abuse by priests. WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke...
Abuse Survivors Respond To Pope's Resignation (02/11/2013) SNAP, The Survivor’s Network for those Abused by Priests, was formed in 1989 and has played a pivotal role in attempting to bring abusive clergy to justice. Speaking with WBAI’s Jose Santiago, Barbara Dorris, SNAP’s Director of Outreach...
Anti-Corporate Personhood Amendment Introduced (02/11/2013) On Monday Democratic Congress member Rick Nolan of Minnesota announced he will introduce a Constitutional Amendment stating that corporations are not people and money is not speech. WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke with Ben Manski of Move to...
Winter Storm Nemo Threatens Hurricane Sandy Victims (02/08/2013) Blizzard warnings are in effect from coastal Maine to Northern New Jersey. Here in New York Winter Storm Nemo threatens to inflict more suffering on those still displaced by Hurrican Sandy. WBAI's Desi K. Robinson...
USPS Wants To End Saturday Deliveries (02/08/2013) On Wednesday the US Postal Service announced that it wants to end Saturday mail delivery beginning in August. While increasing use of email and other on-line services have significantly reduced the amount of first class mail sent every year,...
Brennan CIA Hearing Leaves Questions Unanswered (02/08/2013) Though President Obama’s nominee to head the CIA spoke of the need to “optimize transparency” at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Thursday, John Brennan’s statements in response to questions about his...
NSA Whistleblower Speaks At NDAA Legal Challenge Rally (02/08/2013) On Wednesday Thomas Drake spoke to the crowd outside the federal Second Circuit Court of Appeals after arguments in the case Hedges versus Obama, a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of a section of the 2012 National Defense Authorization...
Brennan Hearing Focuses On Targeted Killing (02/07/2013) John Brennan, President Obama’s nominee to head the CIA, told a protest-disrupted Senate confirmation hearing today that the United States employs drone strikes only as a deterrent against imminent terrorist threats. WBAI's Andrea Sears...
Haiti Addressing Violence Against Women (02/07/2013) Haiti's government is now considering a legal reform measure that would be a landmark in efforts to address violence against women. WBAI's Desi K. Robinson...
Organizations Respond To Bloomberg's Sandy Recovery Plans (02/07/2013) A coalition of faith leaders and community organizations working with victims of Hurricane Sandy say they are pleased with Mayor Bloomberg's recovery plans, but want a voice in how those plans are carried out. WBAI's Jose Santiago...
Decline In Stop And Frisk Does Not Increase Crime (02/07/2013) In the last quarter of 2012, stop and frisk encounters with the NYPD decreased by 28 percent and the year also had the lowest number of homicides in half a century. WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke with Glenn Martin, vice president of public...
NDAA Lawsuit Hearing In US Court Of Appeals (02/06/2013) Today the National Defense Authorization Act was front and center at the Federal Court of Appeals in Manhattan. WBAI's Linda Perry was there and files this...
Groups Ask For Investigation of NYS Solitary Confinement (02/06/2013) More than three dozen representatives of human rights organizations asked the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture to investigate the use of solitary confinement in New York State prisons. WBAI’s Andrea Sears spoke with Elena...
NYC Parents Sue Cuomo Over School Funding (02/06/2013) Dozens of New York City public school parents have filed a lawsuit against Governor Cuomo and his Education Commissioner for holding up a quarter of a billion dollars in state funding for city schools. WBAI's Jose Santiago spoke with Jim...
Annual Newark Kids Count Study Released (02/06/2013) The state of New Jersey released the Kids Count 2012-2013 Study. WBAI's Desi K Robinson...
Hazardous Travel Advisory For Wednesday (02/05/2013) Snow is will change into a wintry mix of sleet and freezing rain during the day on Wednesday. The OEM, the New York City Office of Emergency Management issued a Hazardous Travel Advisory. “Be ready for a difficult morning commute,” said...
Targeted Killing (02/05/2013) A Justice Department White Paper which justifies the targeted killing of Anwar Al Awlaki was leaked to NBC News. WBAI's Andrea Sears speaks about this with Center for Constitutional Rights Attorney, Pardiss...
Families Displaced by Sandy (02/05/2013) "It's like my heart has a deep hole in it and it's not like anyone can fill that back up," says nine year old isaiah, displaced by Hurricane Sandy.WBAI's Linda Perry...
Parents of Special Needs Students and Public Advocate say, "End the Bus Strike Mr. Mayor. Enough is Enough." (02/05/2013) The School Bus Strike is in its fourth week. Parents of special needs children and city officials gathered at City Hall and called once again on Mayor Bloomberg to come to the negotiating table, establish a cooling off period and resolve the...
Are there plans to build a casino on park land in New York City? (02/05/2013) In Willets Point, Queens, local business owners including the owners of the New York Mets have considered building a gambling casino on City park land. WBAI's Jose Santiago...
NYPD Spying on Muslim Community (02/05/2013) Civil rights lawyers filed a motion asking a federal court to end the NYPD's illegal surveillance of American Muslims and establish an independent monitor to review the Department's counterterrorism efforts. WBAI's Andrea Sears speaks...
New Yorkers Say Goodbye to Ed Koch, the 105th mayor of New York City (02/04/2013) New Yorkers of all stripes today said goodbye to former New York City mayor Ed Koch. WBAI's Jose Santiago...
How New York City Reduced Mass Incarceration (02/04/2013) A recent forum at NYU's School of Law, by the Vera Institute and the Brennan Center examined how NYPD police tactics including stop and frisk are responsible for reductions in prison populations. WBAI's Linda Perry...
Activists in The Bronx rail at news that the U.S. Postal Service may be looking to sell the landmark Bronx General Post Office (02/04/2013) The New York Metro Area Postal Union will lead a rally outside the Bronx General Post Office in The Bronx this Wednesday to say no to the possible sale of that landmark Post Office building on the Grand Concourse and 149th Street. WBAI's...
Voting rights groups speak out on the future of portions of the Voting Rights Act that will be reviewed by the Supreme Court (02/04/2013) Later this year, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear a constitutional challenge to the part of the landmark Voting Rights Act that requires parts of 16 states, including New York, to get federal approval before making any changes to the way they hold...
Ed Koch 1924 – 2013 (02/01/2013) Ed Koch 1924 – 2013 remembered for his quick wit and flair for the camera had many friends and many enemies. WBAI’s Jose Santiago filed this...
New York City Troubadours (02/01/2013) On the 100th birthday of Grand Central Terminal. New Yorkers celebrated with music, speeches and a cake shaped like the main concourse’s famous clock. Former NY Mets star Keith Hernandez called Grand Central the other playing field. With...
There are reactions to Mayor Bloomberg's proposed 2014 budget which hits education and children the hardest (01/30/2013) The proposed budget will make cuts to childcare, firehouses and education. And the City will lose out on hundreds of millions of dollars because the City missed a deadline for having a teacher evaluation system in place. WBAI's...
A coalition of community groups demands corporations pay their fair share in taxes (01/30/2013) Seniors and community groups in 50 US cities today marched and rallied to
protest the government’s Fix the Debt campaign. They argue the campaign is nothing but a cover for tax dodging corporations while also threatening to cut medicare,...
Obama Unveils Immigration Reform Proposals (01/29/2013) Today in Las Vegas, Nevada, President Obama unveiled his ideas for immigration reform. WBAI's Rebecca Myles...
Street Vendors Demand Fairness (01/29/2013) New York City street vendors are calling for passage of fairer vendor laws. WBAI's Linda Perry...
Bloomberg Releases FY 2014 Budget (01/29/2013) Mayor Michael Bloomberg released his proposed budget for the 2014 Fiscal Year today. WBAI's Rebecca Myles...
Brooklyn Man Says He Was Beaten By Homophobic Cops (01/29/2013) Jabbar Campbell of Brooklyn has announced his intention to sue the city and the NYPD for what he describes as a vicious, hate motivated assault by police officers from the Seventy-Seventh Precinct. WBAI’s Andrea Sears spoke with Eric Subin,...
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie vetoes the minimum wage bill but offers residents 25c (01/28/2013) Residents of New Jersey are reacting today to Governor Chris Christie's decision to veto the minimum wage bill. WBAI's Rebecca Myles has...
A bipartisan group of U.S. Senators have agreed on an immigration reform plan for citizenship (01/28/2013) The plan would provide a path to citizenship for the estimated 11 million undocumented immigrants in the United States. WBAI's Jose Santiago has been following this...
Former CIA officer sentenced to thirty months for whistleblowing (01/28/2013) On Friday former CIA officer John Kiraikou was sentenced to thirty months in prison for revealing the name of a covert CIA operative to a journalist. The sentence was determined by a plea agreement that ended government attempts to prosecute...
New York School bus drivers are still on strike (01/28/2013) School bus company owners and union leaders from Local 1181 met a Gracie Mansion today in an effort to resolve the strike. WBAI's Rebecca Myles spoke to Sara Catalinotto founder of Parents to Improve School...
The radical and political Theater for the New City will celebrate this Saturday by burning its mortgage (01/25/2013) Theater for the New City is known for its radical, political plays and community program. It was won 40 Obie Awards and a Pulitzer prize for Drama, and it the place for new, original and not quite completed plays. Its founders have...
New York School bus drivers will meet with a mediator on Monday after striking for 7 days (01/25/2013) There may be an end in sight for New York City School bus strikers. A mediator will meet Monday with school bus companies and union leaders to negotiate a deal. At a rally this week, WBAI's Linda Perry spoke with striking bus...
Elected officials, employees and residents are trying to keep Long Island College Hospital open (01/25/2013) A New York State Comptroller's audit last week showed a fiscal crisis at SUNY Downstate Medical, the hospital's operator, but elected officials, employees and residents want to keep it open. WBAI's Lucas Reckhaus has more on...
Three buildings in the Bronx are getting a new landlord with a good track record with tenants (01/25/2013) With the help of tenant and community organizations, Legal Aid and the elected officials, tenants in three buildings in the Bronx are getting a new landlord with a good track record. WBAI's Linda Perry has...
A new film opens in New York on imprisoned journalist Mumia Abu Jamal (01/24/2013) The film, Mumia, Long Distance Revolutionary, is an examination of Abu Jamal's journalist work and includes appearances by numerous progressive figures from Alice Walker, Angela Davis, Ruby Dee and Amy Goodman. WBAI's Jose...
Innovative program created by unions and immigration groups might help families with Sandy mold problems (01/24/2013) Organizers say mold is considered a biological hazard and poses serious health risks for the elderly, children and the poor. WBAI's Rebecca Myles spoke to Deborah Axt, Executive Director for Make the Road New...
The Pentagon has lifted the ban on women in combat (01/24/2013) The Pentagon has lifted the ban on women serving in combat roles. The policy change was influenced by women's valor in Iraq and Afghanistan. WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke to Leah Bolger, a retired Naval Commander who is now...
Mayor de Blasio bent on taxing the very rich for pre-k (01/23/2013) 23 days and 2 snowstorms into the job, Mayor de Blasio went to Washington to deliver remarks at the U.S. Conference of Mayors. He spoke about shared opportunity and shared prosperity. "Mayors have been at the forefront of the...
Court rules on DEA marijuana classification (01/23/2013) On Tuesday the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia ruled that the Drug Enforcement Agency does not have to reconsider its designation of marijuana as a “Schedule 1” drug. Schedule 1 is the most restrictive category for...
New Jersey city of Newark launches a mentoring program and they are looking for volunteers (01/23/2013) The mentoring program is being organized by the Newark Mentoring Movement and its aim is to find adult mentors for hundreds,if not thousands, of young people. WBAI's Jose Santiago spoke to Melissa Neubart about the...
Secretary of State Hilary Clinton appears before the House and Senate over questions on last year's deadly assault on a diplomatic post in Libya (01/23/2013) Secretary of State Hilary Clinton today defended the Obama Administration's response to last year's deadly assault on a diplomatic post in...
New York City Council members speak out about School bus strike (01/23/2013) It's the Fifth day of the School bus drivers strike. City council members joined union leaders from Amalgamated Transit Union, Local 1181 to demand Mayor Bloomberg return to the negotiating...
New York elected officials, parents, students are calling for a moratorium on school closings and co-locations (01/23/2013) At a City Hall news conference, New York elected officials, community leaders, parents and students are calling for an immediate moratorium on school closings and co-locations. WBAI's Linda Perry has the...
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo delivered his budget in Albany (01/22/2013) Cuomo is proposing a 2% increase in the state budget but no increase in taxes. WBAI's Linda Perry has...
A report shows a dramatic increase in low-income working families nationwide increasing and warns against federal cuts to poverty programs (01/22/2013) The dramatic increase in low-income working families nationwide comes as the government is considering cuts to federal programs that help the working poor. WBAI's Jose Santiago discussed the report findings with Brandon Roberts, Manager...
NDAA lawsuit going to New York appeals court (01/22/2013) Hearings will begin in February on the constitutionality of the indefinite detention provisions of the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act. WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke to Carl Meyer, co-lead counsel for the plaintiffs in Hedges versus...
An Ohio woman has filed a federal lawsuit claiming she was arrested, detained and strip searched because of her ethnicity (01/22/2013) The Ohio woman, Shoshana Hebshi is a freelance journalist. The incident happened on September 11, 2011. WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke to Sarah Mehta, staff attorney with the ACLU of...
Health practitioners are pressing for New York City Council to pass paid sick days legislation because of flu epidemic (01/18/2013) Broad coalition of doctors, nurses, elected officials and public health advocate press for New York City Council to pass paid sick leave legislation. The push comes on the heels of Governor Cuomo's the state is experiencing a flu...
New York City Council held its third public hearing on Hurricane Sandy preparedness (01/18/2013) The City Council heard testimony today over power and communications issues that plagued the city during and after Hurricane Sandy. Officials from Consolidated Edison, the Long Island Power Authority, Verizon and NY1's parent company Time...
Central Park Five plaintiffs back in Federal Court over their case (01/18/2013) The hearing in the case of the Central Park Five against the City has been going on for ten years. Their day in court where they face the prosecutors is still in the future. ...
New Jersey's one year ban on fracking expired this week; environmental advocates are concerned (01/18/2013) Environmental advocates in New Jersey are warning gas drilling companies could be on the move now that the state's one-year ban on fracking has expired. WBAI's Jose Santiago spoke to Megan Fitzpatrick, Clean Water Associate with...
New York Public Housing tenants were at City Hall for a hearing on failures of NYCHA during Hurricane Sandy (01/17/2013) New York City Housing Authority tenants, one of the groups hardest hit by Hurricane Sandy, were at City Hall today. They were there to give testimony at the City Council hearings with NYCHA management over Hurricane Sandy response and...
New York elected official holds town hall meeting in East Harlem over NYPD's Stop and Frisk policy (01/17/2013) New York elected official and other justice groups are holding a town hall meeting in East Harlem to get residents experience of Stop and Frisk policy of the New York Police Department. WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke to Kate Ruben, Director of...
Good government groups launch an effort to fight big money spending in elections and voter suppression (01/17/2013) A national coalition of good government groups is organizing over 100 events in 33 states over the weekend to bring attention to unlimited corporate spending in elections and voter suppression legislation. WBAI's Jose Santiago has more on...
President Obama outlines his gun control proposal, including a proposed ban on military style assault weapons (01/16/2013) President Barack Obama outlines his proposal today for curbing gun violence including a call for renewing the ban on assault weapons and an expansion of mandatory background checks for all gun purchases. WBAI's Jose Santiago has the...
School bus drivers in New York are off the job - fighting to protect their livelihoods (01/16/2013) Some 8 thousand New York City School drivers, mechanics and attendants went out on strike today as they battle the city over the future of their employment. WBAI's Rebecca Myles has...
New York City Council is examining in a series of hearings what went right and wrong when Hurricane Sandy struck New York (01/16/2013) The New York City Council launched a series of hearings to examine the city's response to hurricane Sandy. WBAI's Linda Perry covered the hearing and files this...
A Newark group is organizing a march and rally to commemorate the life and work of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior (01/16/2013) The march and rally on Saturday to commemorate the life and work of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Junior is being arranged by the Newark, New Jersey-based People's Organization for Progress. WBAI's Jose Santiago spoke to...
National reports shows New York City is going in the wrong direction concerning school breakfasts (01/15/2013) The report shows New York City has the lowest school breakfast participation of all large school districts. Joel Berg executive director of the New York City Coalition Against tells WBAI's Andrea, the Bloomberg administration is heading...
The Food Bank releases a report showing the struggle many people have to afford food (01/15/2013) The report by The Food Bank of New York, shows the sacrifices families are making to keep food on the table. WBAI's Linda Perry...
Dozens of low-income families made homeless by Hurricane Sandy will protest Wednesday at the loss of help (01/15/2013) Many of the families are losing public assistance benefits because they've been displaced and can't fulfill welfare to work requirements. WBAI's Jose Santiago got an updates on the families'...
140 New York towns and cities across the state have taken a stand against fracking. (01/15/2013) 140 towns and cities in New York State have banned natural gas drilling within their city limits. WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke to Deborah Goldberg, managing attorney with...
Vermont Supreme Court will hear arguments in complaint over Vermont Yankee Nuclear Power Plant (01/14/2013) The complaint requests an injunction that would shut down the plant and keep it closed until the plant's owners, Entergy, is issued a valid certificate of public good. WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke to Raymond Shadis, a technical advisor...
A bill introduced in the New York State and Assembly would reform Mayoral control (01/14/2013) The measure, if passed, would reform Mayoral control of the Panel on Education Policy, which has long been considered a rubberstamp for the Mayor's education policy rather than a democrat exchange for discussion with parents and teachers. ...
A coalition is demanding answers in the death of Rikers Island inmate Jason Echeverria (01/14/2013) Members of the New York City Jails Action Coalition are demanding answers in the death of Rikers inmate Jason Echeverria which they say appears to have been a poisoning. WBAI's Jose Santiago spoke to Jennifer Parish, Director of Criminal...
People remember computer programmer and activist, Aaron Swartz (01/14/2013) Many people are grieving the suicide of computer activist and programmer Aaron Swartz. WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke to Parker Higgins from the Electronic Frontier...
Demonstrations outside the White House protest the continuing Guantanamo Bay prison (01/11/2013) On the 11th anniversary of the first detainees arrival in the US Naval Base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, protestors marched on the White House to demand justice for prisoners and to close the prison. WBAI's Andrea Sears has...
New York elected officials and Legal Aid sue City over emergency food stamp failures (01/11/2013) Five Brooklyn elected officials have joined poor New Yorkers in filing a lawsuit against the Bloomberg administration over its failure to administer a federal food stamp program when they were most in need. WBAI's Rebecca Myles has...
US Dept of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration report on Hurricane Sandy (01/11/2013) The report is on initial sampling of areas in New York and New Jersey where Hurricane Sandy recovering work is being done. WBAI's Linda Perry...
The public comment period on New York State Department of Conservation fracking regulations has closed (01/11/2013) A grassroots organization, Catskill Citizens for Safe Energy, delivered almost 24,000 written comments on the fracking regulations. WBAI's Andrea Sears speaks to Bruce Ferguson, a member of the...
More details surface over the beached Shell oil rig, the Kulluk, off the gulf of Alaska (01/11/2013) More details are emerging over the decisions that might have caused the Shell oil rig, the Kulluck, to be beached near the Gulf of Alaska, after a failed attempt to move the rig south for the winter. WBAI's Rebecca Myles has...
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo delivers his State of the State address (01/09/2013) New York governor Andrew Cuomo today vowed to tighten gun laws, better prepare the state to handle disasters like Hurricane Sandy and push for an increase in the state minimum wage....
Community groups want to be included in discussions for distribution of Sandy federal dollars (01/09/2013) Members of the Alliance for a Just Rebuilding coalition were in Albany today for the governors state of the state address. Yesterday, the coalition of more than 50 labor and community organizations rallied at New Yorks City Hall where...
Groups protest Governor Cuomo's plan to bring a private operator to run SUNY Downstate Medical Center (01/09/2013) A coalition of labor, community and religious leaders rallied outside the State Capital building in Albany this week to oppose a proposal by the Cuomo administration to bring in a private operator to run SUNY Downstate Medical Center in...
Groups protest Governor Cuomo's plan to bring a private operator to run SUNY Downstate Medical Center (01/09/2013) A coalition of labor, community and religious leaders rallied outside the State Capital building in Albany this week to oppose a proposal by the Cuomo administration to bring in a private operator to run SUNY Downstate Medical Center in Brooklyn.
Peace activists in New Jersey have organized a candlelight vigil this Friday to call for the shutdown of the Guantanamo Bay Prison (01/09/2013) Vice President Joe Biden held the first of three days of meetings of the task force on gun violence set up by President Obama in the aftermath of the December mass shooting at a Connecticut elementary school. WBAI's Jose Santiago has...
Mark-Viverito chosen NYC Council speaker (01/08/2013) — Melissa Mark-Viverito, an ally of Mayor Bill de Blasio, was elected speaker of the New York City Council on Wednesday after a rival for the position conceded.
The 51-member body voted unanimously for Mark-Viverito, who becomes the...
Vice President Joe Biden held the first task force meeting on gun violence following the mass shooting at a Connecticut elementary school (01/08/2013) In Washington, DC today, Vice President Joe Biden held the first of three days of meetings of the task force on gun violence set up by President Obama in the aftermath of the December mass shooting at a Connecticut elementary school. Sitting...
Elected officials and community activists call for sustainable and equitable rebuilding after Hurricane Sandy (01/08/2013) Labor and community organizations and City Council members, came together at City Hall today calling for sustainable and equitable rebuilding after Hurricane Sandy. WBAI's Linda Perry was there and files this...
A New York federal judge declares part of the NYPD's Stop n Frisk progam unconstitutional (01/08/2013) A federal judge today ordered the NYPD to immediately end the practice of unconstitutionally stopping innocent people in public areas outside private apartment buildings in the Bronx. In a class action lawsuit filed last March by the New York...
Mayor Bloomberg is to proposing to close 26 more New York City Schools (01/08/2013) New York City Department of Education added nine more schools to its list of schools it plans to close or phase out this year. The nine are in addition to the 17 closings or phase-outs announced yesterday, bringing the tally to...
A federal judge in New Mexico says former service members will be given their separation pay (01/08/2013) A federal court in New Mexico has ruled that former service members who were honorably discharged under Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell and joined in a class action lawsuit, must be given their full separation pay. People who serve in the military...
A federal judge hears argument in a lawsuit charging an evangelical activist with crimes against humanity (01/07/2013) The lawsuit charges the activist with promoting legislation in Uganda that would make homosexual conduct punishable by long prison sentences and even the death penalty. WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke to Pepe Julian Onziema, Advocacy and Policy...
Obama picks CIA vetran to head agency (01/07/2013) President Obama nominated his countert-errorism advisor John Brennan to become the next director of the CIA. Veteran CIA analyst Ray McGovern says Obama considered Brennan making him head of CIA in 2009 but human rights concerns got in the...
Anti-Fracking Activists rally outside Governor Cuomo fundraiser at Waldorf Astoria (01/07/2013) Activists against fracking are rallying this evening outside the Waldorf Astoria in New York City where Governor Cuomo will be holding his annual Birthday Fundraiser. The fundraiser was postponed from December 6 because of Hurricane...
People rally for People's State of State in Albany (01/07/2013) Before Governor Cuomo delivers his State of the State address on Wednesday, the people rally in Albany for the People’s State of State address. ...
Will the billions in dollars in hurricane relief provide relief for poor families in Staten Island (01/04/2013) The billions of dollars in hurricane relief funds that may soon be coming into the region will undoubtedly help, but many who have lost their homes have a long way to go before their lives are back to normal....
New York elected officials urge resolution in Central Park 5 case (01/04/2013) City and State elected officials were in Harlem today to urge a resolution in the case of the Central Park Five. WBAI's Linda Perry was there and files this...
A national police officers group is asking for an investigation into a cover-ups over assaults in New York hospitals (01/04/2013) A national police officers group has asked New York City's Department of Investigation to look into allegations that officials at Brooklyn's Woodhull Medical Center may be covering up incidents of assault against police officers assigned...
24 national and grassroots environmental groups file comments about nuclear waste with Nuclear Regulatory Commission (01/04/2013) State leadership of Vermont and New York are calling on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to do a more thorough study of the impacts of storing spent nuclear fuel on the grounds of nuclear power plants. The NRC is soliciting comments on...
New Yorkers have just over a week to make comments on Fracking regulations (01/03/2013) The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation has given New Yorkers a 30-day comment period on its revised propose regulations on high volume hydraulic fracturing. New Yorkers are organizing and commenting but many have concerns...
New York Educational Reform Commission releases its action plan for revamping the school system (01/03/2013) The New York school system claims the highest amount of state education funding in the country. WBAI's Karen Scharff, executive director of Citizen Action of New York said the plan included longer school days, consolidating school...
Parishioners in New Jersey rally to save priests (01/03/2013) Parishioners from the St. Mary's of the Assumption Catholic Church in Elizabeth, New Jersey rallied outside the offices of the Newark Archdiocese to protest the removal of four popular priests. WBAI's Jose Santiago discussed the...
A federal judge dismisses a Freedom of Information Request over the government's targeted killings of citizens (01/03/2013) A federal judge has dismissed a Freedom of Information Act lawsuit seeking records about the government's killing of three U.S. citizens in Yemen in 2011. WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke to Nate Wessler a staff attorney with the...
Bill de Blasio's Inauguration (01/02/2013) Democrat Bill de Blasio took the oath of office administered by former President Bill Clinton on Wednesday, formally becoming the city's 109th mayor while pledging to pursue a sweeping liberal agenda. WBAI's Linda Perry was at the...
A new report shows New York City's failure to provide relief to Sandy victims in the Rockaways (01/02/2013) Public Advocate Bill de Blasio joined Rockaway homeowners and members of New York Communities for Change at City Hall today to call on Mayor Bloomberg to do mold remediation in the Rockaways, and reimburse families who paid out of pocket. ...
An economist says the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation's draft regulations for fracking are incomplete and full of errors (01/02/2013) The former chief economist for the MTA is harshly criticizing the state Department of Environmental Conservation for mishandling treatment of the economic impacts of high volume hydraulic fracturing in its proposed regulations. Speaking with...
Shell Oil Rig beached in Alaska; environmental groups criticize lack of safety standards (01/02/2013) A Shell Oil Rig is beached on an island off the Gulf of Alaska after breaking free from a tow ship on Monday night in seas of 35 feet. The rig was being used to drill a prospect oil well in the Beaufort Sea. Environmental and health groups are...
How Outrageous is This: NYC inmate almost as costly as Ivy League tuition (00/30/2013) — New York is indeed an expensive place, but experts say that alone doesn't explain a recent report that found the city's annual cost per inmate was $167,731 last year — nearly as much as it costs to pay for four years of tuition...
How Outrageous is This: NYC inmate almost as costly as Ivy League tuition (00/30/2013) — New York is indeed an expensive place, but experts say that alone doesn't explain a recent report that found the city's annual cost per inmate was $167,731 last year — nearly as much as it costs to pay for four years of tuition...
How Outrageous is This: NYC inmate almost as costly as Ivy League tuition (00/30/2013) — New York is indeed an expensive place, but experts say that alone doesn't explain a recent report that found the city's annual cost per inmate was $167,731 last year — nearly as much as it costs to pay for four years of tuition...
Senate passes five year extension of the FISA Amendment Act (12/28/2012) The Senate voted today to pass a five year extension of the FISA Amendment Act with allows the National Security Agency to conduct dragnet surveillance of Americans' international emails and phone calls through 2017. WBA's Andrea...
EPA proposes plan for cleaning up Brooklyn's Gowanus Canal and wants public comments (12/28/2012) The EPA is considering plans for an estimated ten year project, costing $500 million to clean up Brooklyn's Gowanus Canal. The agency is holding public hearings in the New Year to get public comment on the proposed plans. WBAI's...
Advocates are pressing for smart ideas when rebuilding areas devastated by Hurricane Sandy (12/28/2012) When Congress approves the $60.4 billion relief package, it will include funds for rebuilding areas devastated by Hurricane Sandy. WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke to Mark Dunlea of the Green Climate Project who says sea levels are predicated to...
Environmental and public health groups criticize City's plan to burn Hurricane Sandy debris (12/28/2012) The New York Department of Environmental Protection quietly issued a variance for the Army Corps of Engineers to burn Hurricane Sandy debris in a Brooklyn Park in open burners. Environmental and public health groups say it will create air...
FEMA is abandoning over 100 homeless Sandy families (12/27/2012) FEMA placed more than 100 low income families in Manhattan hotels following Hurricane Sandy but now many of those families are being evicted with no follow up to help them keep a roof over their heads. Many of the families are due to protest...
Whole Earth Bakery will close its doors on December 31; the rent is too damn high (12/27/2012) Fixtures on the New York landscape are disappearing - St. Vincent's Hospital, Lennox Lounge, the Village Chess Shop and a vegan bakery on St. Mark's Place, The Whole Earth Bakery is set to close its doors at the end of December. The...
FBI documents show the agency was spying on the Occupy Wall Street movement (12/27/2012) The documents show the FBI began treating OWS as a potential criminal and terrorist threat even before the occupation of Zuccoti Park in September of last year. The agency collaborated with state and local law enforcement, the Naval Criminal...
A Roman-Catholic Church in New Jersey is struggling to keep its leadership in place (12/26/2012) Parishioners in Elizabeth, New Jersey say they are saddened and stunned at the news they will lose four clergy at St. Mary of the Assumption Church. WBAI's Desi K. Robinson has...
Activists prepare to converge on Florida for a conference on the status of African people across the globe (12/26/2012) The annual International Conference of the Africa People's Solidarity Committee will be held in St. Petersburg, Florida, starting January 6th. WBAI's Jose Santiago spoke to Penny Hess, Chair of the...
President Barack Obama announced today his nomination for Secretary of State (12/21/2012) President Barack Obama announced today at the White House he is nominating Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts as Secretary of...
Christmas Carol from commentator Craig Schley (12/21/2012) ...
National Rifle Association holds a press conference says more guns and less video games (12/21/2012) One week after the mass shooting of elementary school children in Connecticut, the National Rifle Association finally broke its silence. WBAI's Jose Santiago has the...
A network of interfaith pastors were at City Hall to petition for more support for residents of the Rockaways (12/21/2012) Pastors says the Rapid Repair Program is slow, it doesn't provide help for mold abatement and people are getting sick, and they are still without heat, hot water, and electricity. WBAI's Rebecca Myles was there and files this...
Peace activists are organizing a petition to demand cuts to military spending (12/21/2012) Peace activists are petition to have any budget deal show significant cuts to spending on the military. Hundreds of organizations have signed the petition which calls for diverting hundreds of millions of dollars in military spending to fund...
Will Social Security be indexed against the Chained Consumer Price Index? And what does it mean? (12/20/2012) The White House and Congress are still debating the future of automatic spending reduction and tax increases. But some see the impasse as a time to introduce other ideas for the future of Social Security benefits....
Tenants are lobbying Congress to take HUD off the fiscal cliff budget plan (12/20/2012) Tenants and tenants rights groups are lobby Congress to fully fund HUD. Tenants are facing the prospect of federal cuts to funding that would effect thousands and thousands of New York households if they go ahead. WBAI's Lucas...
Unpaid interns fight back for pay in class action lawsuit (12/20/2012) Unpaid internships are de rigueur in workplaces today but are they legal? A recent settlement in a class action lawsuit shows unpaid workers are informed of their rights and now fight back. WBAI's Rebecca Myles has...
Activists in Vieques, Puerto Rico are seeking support for their own community radio station (12/20/2012) Activists in Vieques, Puerto Rico have received FCC permission to start a local community radio station and they are seeking the public's support. WBAI's Jose Santiago spoke to Robert Rabin of the Committee for the Rescue and...
President Barack Obama announced he will give Congress a plan on gun control within weeks (12/19/2012) President Obama said today he’s putting Vice President Joe Biden in charge of formulating new, concrete proposals for gun control by no later than January, and that he will then push Congress to pass the legislation. WBAI’s Andrea Sears...
Pastors say they should be more involved in the community following the shooting in Newtown, Connecticut (12/19/2012) Pastor Bill Devlin at New York City Hall had some suggestions for mental health, gun buy-backs and how to stem gun violence. WBAI's Linda Perry interview Pastor Bill...
A federal program that was to help victims of Hurricane Sandy is being thwarted by City administrator's mishandling (12/19/2012) The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved 12.9 million dollars in disaster food stamp aid to New Yorkers affected by Hurricane Sandy through the D-SNAP program. The program entitled affected families to just over $500. ...
Rules restricting access to New Jersey beaches are contested by environmental groups (12/19/2012) New regulations by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection would limit access to Atlantic coast and coastlines of bays and rivers. Critics are contesting the rules in court and say it is a gift to Governor Chris Christie's...
Tomorrow’s New York Times will feature a full page ad thanking the states of Colorado and Washington for passing laws to legalize and regulate the recreational use of...
New York City Public Housing advocates want to move to avoid health effects of mold in Hurricane Sandy aftermath (12/18/2012) New York City Public Housing advocates and residents are complaining about health effects from mold left since Hurricane Sandy. WBAI's Linda Perry spoke with Brooklyn City Council member Mathieu...
A new report finds immigrant groups were particularly hard-hit by Hurricane Sandy, with many losing their jobs, as well as their homes (12/18/2012) Immigrant supports group released a report chronicling the struggles of hundreds of immigrant families trying to recover from the effects of Hurricane Sandy. WBAI's Jose Santiago discussed the report with Sara Cullinine, an organizer with...
New York City officials introduce a gun recovery initiative which partners with the private sector (12/18/2012) City Officials are proposing a gun recovery initiative following by the massacre in Newtown, Connecticut. WBAI's Linda Perry was at City Hall today and files this...
Newtown, Connecticut is home to a relatively high concentration of shooting ranges (12/18/2012) Newtown is also home to the headquarters of the National Shooting Sports Foundation, or NSSF, a gun industry trade association. WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke to Lisa Graves is executive director of the Center for Media...
New report shows troubling picture of fate of children under four years old in New Jersey who are under the custody of the state (12/18/2012) New Jersey has been credited with improvements in how older children in foster care are protected, it appears that the State is falling short on insuring the well being of toddlers in its child protective system. Cecelia Zalkind is Executive...
ICE agreed to settle a lawsuit over a series of pre-dawn raids where they used force, threats and intimidation (12/17/2012) Immigration and Customs Enforcement today agreed to settle a lawsuit filed in 2008 for a series of pre-dawn raids on private homes conducted without search warrants or the consent of the occupants. WBAI’s Andrea Seasr spoke with Baher Azmy,...
New York Civil Liberties has filed a lawsuit over a a Brooklyn women who was arrested for video recording a stop and frisk encounter (12/17/2012) The New York Civil Liberties Union today filed a federal lawsuit against the City of New York, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly and the three police officers who arrested a Brooklyn woman for recording a stop and frisk encounter in her Brooklyn...
Is American culture violent and does something need to be done about video games and imagery? (12/17/2012) The national dialogue after the Newtown elementary school shooting is on gun control and the mentally ill but other groups are concerned about what they feel is an American culture of violence and something needs to be done about the marketing of...
New York elected officials weigh in on gun control following the shooting at an elementary school in Connecticut (12/17/2012) New York's Mayor and Governor speak out today about gun control following the shooting death of 20 children and 8 adults in Newtown, Connecticut. WBAI's Rebecca Myles has the...
A gunman opened fire inside a Connecticut elementary school today, killing 27 people including 20 children between the ages of 5 and 10 (12/14/2012) ...
City Council member Margaret Chin speaks out about generators in Downtown Manhattan (12/14/2012) The cleanup in Downtown Manhattan is requiring 12 temporary boilers and a 105 emergency generators post Hurricane Sandy. And for residents according to City Council member Margaret Chin, it is too much. WBAI's Rebecca Myles has...
The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence approves a report that investigated CIA torture (12/14/2012) Senate Select Committee on Intelligence adopted a report on its investigation into the use of torture by the CIA. WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke with Christopher Anders, senior legislative counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union, who...
A dozen environmental groups are offering guiding principles for States as they rebuild after Hurricane Sandy (12/13/2012) A coalition of about a dozen environmental groups in New Jersey released a list of guiding principals they say the State should follow as it begins to rebuild in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. WBAI's Jose Santiago files this...
Queens residents are protesting a development that they say threatens their only large park (12/13/2012) The redevelopment proposal for Flushing Meadow-Corona Park residents say threatens their only large park and they were never consulted. WBAI's Lucas Reckhaus...
A petition seeks to halt the rush to Liquefied Natural Gas exports (12/13/2012) Medial professionals, scientists and engineers have sent a petition today to President Barack Obama urging him to half the rush to Liquefied Natural Gas exports. WBAI's Rebecca Myles has...
European Court of Human RIghts has ruled Macedonia violated the rights of a German citizen when he was turned over the CIA (12/13/2012) The seventeen judge panel of the European Court of Human RIghts found Macedonia had violated the European Convention on Human rights prohibition against torture and inhumane or degrading treatment and award Khalid El-Masri $78,000. This marked...
USDA approves D-SNAP, but critics are worried it won't reach the people most in need (12/12/2012) The USDA approved a disaster Supplemental Food Stamp program called D-SNAP. But critics are worried about how the program is going to be administered. WBAI's Linda Perry spoke to Joel Berg, Executive Director of New York City Coalition...
New Stop and Frisk Report (12/12/2012) A new study shows the NYPD continues to illegal stop and frisk hundreds of thousands of people, even though recently released police statistics showed a decline in such stops. WBAI's Jose Santiago spoke to Darius Charney, Senior Staff...
The Judge in the military commission trial of alleged 9/11 plotters approves government censor request (12/12/2012) The judge presiding over the military commission trial of the alleged 9/11 plotters has approved the government’s request to censor any testimony from the defendants about the torture and abuse inflicted on them after their capture. Military...
There are new twists in the case over NSA surveillance of Americans' phone calls (12/12/2012) There are new developments in the lawsuit challenging the National Security Agency's surveillance of Americans' phone calls and emails without court approved warrants. WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke to Cindy Cohn, Legal Director of the...
NYCOSH holds a forum on protecting workers, volunteers and residents in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy (12/11/2012) In a forum on protecting workers, volunteers and residents, government agencies admitted to a lack of coordination and a lack of standards in areas creating health concerns. WBAI's Linda Perry has...
A coalition of Queens clergy members are calling for the City to increase help for homeowners (12/11/2012) At a meeting of 700 local residents and several city and state officials, the coalition Queens Congregations United are calling for help for undocumented immigrants and improvements to the city's Rapid Repair Program. WBAI's Jose...
A petition is filed with the Inter American Commission on Human Rights re Jose Padilla (12/11/2012) The petition was filed for the unlawful detention and torture of Jose Padilla, a U.S. citizen who was detained and interrogated inside the U.S. for four years. Jamil Dakwar, director of the ACLU's Human Rights Program spoke to WBAI's...
FCC is proposing to relax cross-ownership rules over owning newspapers and stations in the same media market (12/11/2012) New Jersey Senator Frank Lautenberg is slamming the Federal Communications Commission for its proposal to relax cross-ownership rules, which would allow corporations, like Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation to own both newspapers and broadcast...
Six weeks after Hurricane Sandy relief, workers in the Rockaways see no end to requests for help (12/10/2012) Rockaway residents, many of the City's poorest, are still reeling from the effects of Hurricane Sandy and living in compromised homes and apartments. WBAI's Andrea Sears was there and files this...
A national housing rights organization looks how well the U.S. government is complying with the right to housing (12/10/2012) The National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty found government is falling woefully short of fulfilling the obligation of housing as a right. WBAI's Jose Santiago spoke to Eric Tars, Director of the Law Center's Human Rights and...
NYCOSH presentation shows troubles coming from clean up efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy (12/10/2012) At a presentation by the New York Committee on Occupational Safety and Health brings to light troubles in the clean up efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. WBAI's Linda Perry spoke to Joel Kupferman, Executive Director and Senior...
A new study shows New York's public schools are not meeting students basic needs (12/10/2012) The report researchers investigated 12 high needs schools in New York City, and 21 in school districts in the State. One school had 25 calculators to share between 60 math students; another didn't have enough text books for students to...
New York Committee for Occupational Safety and Health gives presentation over health concerns and problems with Hurricane Sandy clean up (12/07/2012) NYCOSH's presentation addressed areas of concern brought on by clean up efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. WBAI's Linda Perry spoke to Dr. Ken Spaeth, Medical Director of the Occupational and Environmental Medicine Center...
A national report released finds an increasing percentage of the nation's children are being thrust into poverty (12/07/2012) The national report calls for lawmakers to make protecting children a national priority. WBAI's Jose Santiago spoke to Ed Walz, First Focus' vice...
The State of Michigan is on the verge of becoming the 24th so-called right-to-work state. (12/07/2012) Anti-worker bills steamrolled through both houses of the Michigan legislature yesterday and the Republican Governor, Rick Snyder, is expected to sign the measures into law next week. WBAI's Jose Santiago discussed the legislation New York...
New York Civil Liberties Union files a federal lawsuit over the overuse of solitary confinement in State prisons (12/07/2012) The lawsuit is filed by plaintiff Leroy Peoples who spent 780 days locked in a cell the size of an elevator, with another prisoner, for 24 hours a day as punishment for misbehavior. WBAI's Rebecca Myles spoke to Taylor Pendergrass, senior...
Governor Cuomo gives an update on Sandy relief efforts (12/05/2012) New York Governor Andrew Cuomo and members of his cabinet said today that the work to recover from hurricane Sandy is just beginning and will remain the main focus of his...
Parents, their children and activists were at City Hall today before leaving of a bus tour to protest cuts to education (12/05/2012) Parents and their children and activists were at New York's City Hall today before leaving for abus trip to the State's capital to protest cuts to education. WBAI's Rebecca Myles has...
Parents are speaking out tonight in Williamsburg, Brooklyn about a controversial Charter School planned for their neighborhood (12/05/2012) Parents are rallying outside JHS 126 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn over plans to locate a charter school which they say is elitist and privatization in disguise. WBAI's Rebecca Myles spoke to Brooke Parker from the coalition group,...
An update on the Brooklyn Stop and Frisk trial (12/05/2012) A Brooklyn judge today dismissed disorderly conduct charges against one of the 28 people arrested outside Brooklyn's 73rd precinct last fall during a protest rally against the police department's Stop and Frisk practices. WBAI's...
NDAA Amendment May Not Stop Indefinite Detentions Of US Citizens (12/05/2012) Late Tuesday afternoon the Senate passed the 2013 National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, laying out the military spending priorities for the coming year. The bill contains an amendment that its sponsors say addresses those...
Faith leaders are speaking out about post-Sandy housing (12/04/2012) Faith leaders gathered in front of Mayor Bloomberg's residency today to demand safe housing for those affected by Hurricane Sandy. They say many are forced to stay in their homes which are devastated and filled with mold because the Mayor...
DEC released proposed fracking regulations (12/04/2012) New York State Department of Conservation released its revised proposed regulations for high volume hydraulic fracturing, a method for drilling for natural gas. Environmental groups aren't pleased as they think the rule making for extraction...
Critics say Republican-backed fiscal plan short on details (12/04/2012) Critics say the GOP deficit plan released yesterday would preserve the tax cuts for the rich while claiming to raised tax revenue through eliminating tax loopholes and deduction.
WBAI's Andrea Sears speaks to James Horney, vice...
Peace Activists from New Jersey and Pennsylvania will petition Congress to cut military spending (12/04/2012) Peace activists are petitioning Congress to cut military spending not domestic needs like job creation, education and infrastructure. WBAI's Jose Santiago, spoke to Reverend Bob Moore, Executive Director of the Coalition for Peace...
Students at Cooper Union occupied the top floor today over threats of tuition fees (12/03/2012) At this moment 12 students are occupying the Peter Cooper Union suite in New York City to protest threats to the college's tuition free education. One of the 12 is a student reporter from the New School. The board of Cooper Union is due to...
Is the City ordering volunteer relief services to close down in hard hit Storm Sandy areas? (12/03/2012) News sources have reported that Mayor Bloomberg is ordering volunteer relief services in some of the hardest hit areas of the city to close down. WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke with photographer and photojournalist Syd London who has observed...
New York City trying to do restoration on the cheap, especially in the Rockaways (12/03/2012) The Bloomberg Administration says it plans to use concrete to repair the Rockaway boardwalk, which was devastated in Storm Sandy. Park advocates say this is the latest in short cuts the City has taken to avoid proper restoration and...
WBAI's Bob Fass was inducted into the People's Hall of Fame (12/03/2012) City Lore, which celebrates grass roots culture, and the Museum of the City of New York inducted WBAI’s Bob Fass into the People’s Hall of Fame as one of radios most beloved hosts. New York City radio personality Vin Scelsa presented the...
United Nations voted to recognize the state of Palestine upgrading its status to non-member observer state (11/30/2012) The United Nations General Assembly voted to recognize the state of Palestine. WBAI's Rebecca Myles has...
Secretary of Labor, Hilda Solis, on Staten Island (11/30/2012) Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis visited State island meeting with dozens of immigrant day laborers who have been volunteering their time to help with the clean up and rebuilding effort. WBAI's Santiago was there and files this...
Army Private Bradley Manning speaks at his pre-trial hearing (11/30/2012) Pretrial hearings for Army Private Bradley Manning continued in Fort Meade, Maryland. ...
New York elected officials want to visit political prisoner Oscar Lopez Rivera (11/30/2012) New York elected officials want to make a special visit to political prisoner, Oscar Lopez Rivera, held for over 30 years in federal prison. There is a also a petition drive asking President Barack Obama to grant clemency to Rivera. WBAI's...
UN recognizes State of Palestine (11/29/2012) The United Nations voted overwhelmingly today to recognize Palestine as a nonmember observe...
Workers at McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, Taco Bell walked off the job protesting low wages (11/29/2012) Hundreds of workers at fast food restaurants in New York City walked off the job today. They are protesting low wages and demanded the right to form a union. WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke to Jonathan Westin, organizing director for New...
Legal group and a city council have asked a judge to extend the eviction moratorium on residential housing (11/29/2012) Residents affected by Hurricane Sandy were beginning to receive eviction notices but a consortium of legal groups and a City Council member have requested an eviction moratorium. WBAI's Linda Perry has more on this...
Post Storm Sandy legal assistance in high demand (11/29/2012) One of New York City's largest legal assistance organizations is saying it has been inundated with requests for legal help from hurricane victims struggling to negotiate with insurance companies or government aid agencies like FEMA. ...
Activists support Jeremy Hammond (11/29/2012) Activists gathered in Foiey Square, New York today to show support for Jeremy Hammond. Hammond is charged by the U.S. government with alleged involvement in a 2011 hack of the private intelligence company website, Stratfor, and releasing the...
Photojournalist Documents Medical Needs Of Hurricane Sandy Survivors (11/28/2012) On Tuesday photographer and photo journalist Syd London visited the Rockaways with a doctor and a fourth year medical student from Mount Sinai Hospital to see first-hand what the medical needs of storm victims in that part of the city are, if those...
NYC Begins Burning Storm Debris In Brooklyn (11/28/2012) Over the objections of environmental activists, New York City has begun a six day pilot project, burning wood debris from Hurricane Sandy in the open at Floyd Bennett Field in Brooklyn.WBAI's Jose Santiago spoke with Laura Haight, senior...
Lawyers For Pvt Bradley Manning Seek To Have Charges Dismissed (11/28/2012) Bradley Manning, the army private accused of delivering massive amounts classified documents to Wikileaks, is in a military courtroom in Fort Meade, Maryland this week for an important pre-trial hearing.Manning’s attorney is seeking to have the...
New Report Documents Abuse Of Domestic Workers (11/28/2012) The National Domestic Workers Alliance and the University of Chicago have released a new report called "Home Economics: The Invisible and Unregulated World of Domestic Work".WBAI's Linda Perry...
Southern Poverty Law Center sues New Jersey organization for conversion therapy scam (11/27/2012) The Southern Poverty Law Center today filed a lawsuit accusing a New Jersey organization of consumer fraud for offering so-called “conversion therapy” services, promising to convert people from gay to straight. WBAI's Andrea Sears...
Activists protest what they claim is widespread misuse of solitary confinement cells at Riker's Island (11/27/2012) Members of the New York City Jails Action Coalition rallied outside a meeting of the City's Board of Corrections this week to protest what they claim is the widespread misuse of solitary confinement cells on Riker's Island. The group...
New York City pot busts don't improve public safety according to new report (11/27/2012) Despite strong efforts for reform on the local and state level, and even from the top brass at the NYPD, New York City remains the marijuana arrest capital of the world. But a new study by Human Right’s Watch says that arresting people for...
Colorado city bans hydraulic fracturing in a 60% to 40% vote (11/27/2012) A ballot measure in the recent election changed the City charter of Longmont, Colorado to allow a ban on hydraulic fracturing. It was the initiative by City residents, that was opposed by the City Council, seven mayors and the State's...
Intelligence Authorization Act was on fast track but Oregon Senator Ron Wyden stopped the bill (11/26/2012) Last week Democratic Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon stopped the Intelligence Authorization Act from being passed, saying Title 5 of the bill would reduce access to information that the public has a right to know, by imposing harsh penalties on...
Army Private Bradley Manning claims he's been punished enough in Wikileaks case (11/26/2012) Army private Bradley Manning is expected to testify this week about his treatment being locked up in a small cell for at least 23 days. WBAI's Andrea Sears has...
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo will ask the federal government for $42 billion dollars in disaster aid (11/26/2012) $42 billion in federal government disaster aid would help the City and surrounding communities recover from the effects of hurricane Sandy. Following a meeting today with several county executives, the Mayor of New York City and the...
Mayor Bloomberg adds new measure for storm victims (11/26/2012) New York's Mayor Michael Bloomberg held a late afternoon news conference to introduce new measures aimed at helping people in storm damaged neighborhoods. WBAI's Rebecca Myles has...
Help / Support for Wallmart Strikers (11/24/2012)
When Walmart workers speak out for change, Walmart has sought to silence and intimidate them. But now they’re fighting back. Many have already walked out on strike and many more promised to make this Black Friday, the biggest...
Small businesses in New York are hard hit by Hurricane Sandy but a local elected official has been holding forums to offer help (11/21/2012) Small business owners hard hit by Hurricane Sandy are being offered help in forums across the City. WBAI's Linda Perry spoke to Congresswoman Caroline Maloney who represents the 12th District in New York which encompasses Western Queens,...
Small business and restaurants in lower Manhattan are still shuttered by Storm Sandy (11/20/2012) At South Street Seaport all stores and restaurants are closed. A security agent turns away tourists. Tour buses which used to be full are mostly empty downtown. Those Wall Street tour guides now show people devastation from...
Immigrant Day Laborers In Demand To Rebuild After Sandy (11/19/2012) Over the weekend, hundreds of immigrant day laborers showed up in hurricane ravaged communities to help hurricane victims clean up and restore their damaged homes. Teams of workers assisted homeowners on Long Island, Queens, parts of New...
Food Bank Report Shows Effects Of Increased Demand And Budget Cuts (11/19/2012) The Food Bank for New York today released an alarming report on the state f food pantries and soup kitchens in the city. WBAI's Rebecca Myles...
Demonstrators World Wide Protest Israel Attack On Gaza (11/19/2012) Activists worldwide are mobilizing protests against Israel’s current military campaign against HAMAS in Gaza. Anti-Israel protests have been seen in Egypt, Malaysia, the U.K., Iran, Canada and the U.S. – among other places. Here in...
Knickerbocker Village Residents Speak Out (11/14/2012) In Knickerbocker Village, a large privately owned affordable housing complex on the Lower East Side, more than 1600 residents have been without power, heat or running water since Hurricane Sandy. They are angry and last night elected officials...
Prosecution Rests In Queens Stop Stop And Frisk Trial (11/14/2012) Closing arguments are expected today in the trial of four activists arrested a year ago during a “stop-stop and frisk” demonstration outside the 103rd precinct in Queens. Yesterday the prosecution rested its case with testimony from the...
Reclaiming The Supreme Court (11/14/2012) In the run up to this year’s election a number of states passed laws that critics say are designed to suppress voting, especially by minorities, students and the elderly, groups that are more likely to vote for democratic candidates. Voter...
Grandmothers For Peace Hold Their Last Vigil (11/14/2012) Today Grandmothers for Peace held their last vigil. Since January 14th, 2004 the grandmothers and their supporters have stood on Fifth Avenue every Wednesday. In the beginning to protest the Iraq War, and later to urge an end to the war...
Downtown Manhattan Far From Recovered (11/13/2012) Areas hit hard by Hurricane Sandy like Rockaway Beach, Coney Island and Staten Island have been in news but little has been said about Manhattan's waterfront, places like South Seaport where water surged to 6 to 7ft on the night of the...
Staten Island Officials Give Storm Cleanup Cautions (11/13/2012) A group of elected officials in Staten Island today urged homeowners to make sure all mold is cleaned up before rebuilding homes damaged by Hurricane Sandy. They also criticized the Bloomberg Administration’s recently announced Rapid Repair...
Occupy Sandy Continues Relief Efforts And Plans For The Future (11/13/2012) Occupy Sandy has been at the forefront of relief efforts in the city from the beginning and has often been the first relief group to make it into devastated communities with supplies and assistance.WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke with Tammy Shapiro,...
Two Weeks After Hurricane Sandy Relief Efforts Continue (11/13/2012) It’s been more than two weeks since hurricane Sandy hit and hard-hit communities in New York and New Jersey are slowly rebuilding.As FSRN’s Mathew Patrillo reports, Occupy Sandy continues to offer extra relief where FEMA and city agencies have...
Napolitano Tours Staten Island Flood Damage (11/12/2012) Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano visited Staten Islandyesterday for the second time since Hurricane Sandy struck, killing morethan 20 Staten Islanders and leaving thousands living in damaged, darkenedhomes or seeking spaces in...
Lower East Side Still Suffering From Flood (11/12/2012) While Governor Cuomo has tallied the cost to the State of Hurricane Sandy, many residents on the lower east side are still without heat and hot water, and among them many are elderly.WBAI's Rebecca Myles files this...
Disabled Still Stranded In Flood Damaged NYC Buildings (11/12/2012) Next month a class action lawsuit charging New York City with failing to plan for the evacuation of disabled people in times of emergency goes to trial in federal court.It’s been two week since people living in low-lying areas of the city were...
Anarchists Resisting Seattle Grand Jury (11/12/2012) Last Thursday an activist from Olympia, Washington refused to cooperate with a grand jury empanelled last march in Seattle, Washington – reportedly to investigate May Day demonstrations that took place two months after the grand jury was...
Storm Victims On Staten Island Still Seeking Aid (11/09/2012) Thousand of New York area residents affected by hurricane Sandy continue to seek food, supplies and government support at various disaster centers set up the Federal Emergency Management Agency, FEMA.WBAI’s Jose Santiago was there and files this...
York College Reopens After Serving As Shelter (11/09/2012) York College once again opened its doors to students on Thursday after serving as an emergency shelter in the wake of Hurricane Sandy.WBAI's Lucas Reckhaus was at the school and spoke with President Marcia Keizs about the recovery...
Congress Member Nydia Velazquez Voices Community Concerns Over Hurricane Relief Efforts (11/09/2012) On Thursday city residents affected by hurricane Sandy and community leaders from across the city rallied on the Lower East Side yesterday. As they stood in the cold Congress member Nydia Velazquez voiced the concerns of manyof those whose lives...
Department Of Justice Lawyers File Brief Defending Indefinite Detention In The NDAA (11/09/2012) On Tuesday night, as people across the country were busy watching election returns, lawyers for the Justice Department filed a brief in the US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit here in New York, once again making the Obama administration’s...
Colorado And Washington Voters Approve Marijuana Legalization (11/08/2012) On Tuesday voters in Colorado and Washington state approved ballot initiatives to legalize, regulate and tax the possession, use and sale of marijuana.WBAI’s Andrea Sears spoke with Ethan Nadelmann, founder and executive director of the Drug...
New York Flood Victims Tell Congress To Do The Right Thing (11/08/2012) Two days after voters across America rejected the Romney-Ryan "You're on Your Own " Philosophy to get vital services and provide tax breaks for the wealthy, New Yorkers gathered on the lower east side to urge federal representatives to make the...
Trial Of Stop And Frisk Protesters Continues In Queens (11/08/2012) The defense will begin presenting its case this coming Tuesday in what’s being called the Queens Stop-and-Frisk Protest trial.The trial began two weeks ago in Queens criminal court.Yesterday, developments turned ugly when a juror was arrested and...
As The Waters Rose On Wall Street (11/08/2012) The jury is still out on when the staff of WBAI will be able to return to our building at 120 Wall Street, which was evacuated when it was flooded during Hurricane Sandy. Earlier this week, WBAI’s Jose Santiago visited our darkened studios and...
Notification issued 11/8/12 at 9:15 AM. Con Edison will be distributing dry ice at noon until supplies run out. (11/08/2012) Personnel from Con Ed will also be available to answer questions....
Notification issued 11/7/12 at 8:05 PM. Limited LIRR service is resuming. (11/08/2012) Expect delays and check http://www.mta.info for updates on specific...
Obama Wins (11/07/2012) The big news tonight of course is that President Barack Obama has won a second term in office.The news networks began calling the election for the president around ten thirty last night when exit polling indicated that he would take Ohio. But now...
Voters Approve Same Sex Marriage Referenda (11/07/2012) Among the items being voted on yesterday was a host of ballot initiatives in states across the country.Four of them will expand the freedom of same sex couples to marry.Maine, Maryland and Washington State voted to allow lesbian and gay couples the...
NYS Election Results (11/07/2012) Democratic N.Y. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand was elected to her first full, six-year term Tuesday night, fending off a challenge from Republican Wendy Long.WBAI's Sally O’Brien has more on the New York State Election...
Toxic Hazards In Cleanup From Hurricane Sandy (11/07/2012) Workers, homeowners and volunteers may be exposed to a wide range of hazards in the wake of hurricane Sandy.WBAI’s Linda Perry speaks with Dave Newman, Industrial Hygenist with...
Still Reeling From Sandy Staten Island Braces For The Coming Noreaster (11/07/2012) Hurricane ravaged communities along the New York and New Jersey are keeping an eye on the storm that arrived today, particularly concerned about wind damage and the possibility of surging seas in communities already hit hard by Hurricane...
Notification issued 11/7/12 at 6:55 PM. LIRR service is temporarily suspended system-wide (11/07/2012) Service has been suspended because of multiple weather-related problems. There is currently no estimated time to restoration of service. Please visit http://www.mta.info for...
Hurricane Sandy Just One Of Many Problems Voting In NYC (11/06/2012) Because so many people have been displaced by the storm, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has issued an executive order allowing people to vote in statewide and presidential elections at any polling place in the state. WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke...
Canarsie Residents Say Their Neighborhood Should Have Been Evacuated (11/06/2012) FEMA and Brooklyn officials, held a town hall meeting Monday night in Canarsie.Many are still without power and some say toxic sewage is seeping into their basements.Sally O’Brien was at the meeting and files this...
Lower Manhattan Cleanup Still Has A Long Way To Go (11/06/2012) WBAI’s Jose Santiago was in the financial district late this afternoon where he says the damage from Hurricane Sandy is extensive, and clean up efforts are far from...
Commentary: Natural Phenomenon Or Divine Intervention (11/06/2012) For commentator Playthell Benjamin, the course of events in the closing days of this election cycle have prompted him to ask if the destruction wrought by Hurricane Sandy was a natural phenomenon, or divine...
Storm Damage Disrupts NYC Voting (11/05/2012) Devastation from Hurricane Sandy is wreaking havoc on preparations for Election Day tomorrow. Polling stations in areas hardest hit by the storm are being set up, but spreading information about where to vote is proving difficult. And not everyone...
Voter Suppression Efforts Will Be In Full Force On Election Day (11/05/2012) Today the Election Protection coalition gave an update on voter suppression across the country.After 8 states passed or attempted to pass voter ID laws only two were allowed to stand.But other efforts are under way to complicate the voting process...
Staten Island Communities Still Reeling From Storm Damage (11/05/2012) Hundreds, possibly thousands of Staten Island residents remain homeless this evening as people in the hardest hit areas of the island struggle to recover from the ravages of hurricane Sandy.WBAI’s Jose Santiago was in the Midland Beach section of...
Occupy Wall Street Mounts Grassroots Relief Effort (11/05/2012) Last week a grassroots relief effort was begun that has managed to bring much needed food, clothing and other necessities to some of the communities hardest hit by Superstorm Sandy.WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke with Michael Premo, an organizer with...
Online Streaming Available Again (11/03/2012) As of this evening, Saturday, Nov 3, WBAI is once again, streaming its broadcast to this Web site. Due to Superstorm Sandy, WBAI lost its connection to its streaming server. ...
Hurricane Sandy Update: WBAI Broadcast Interruptions (11/01/2012) Due to the limitations of our remote broadcasting facilities, WBAI may be off the air at various times, especially during late evening and early morning hours....
Hurricane Update: Send us your pics! (10/27/2012) WBAI wants your pics......
New Yorkers were at City Hall today speaking out about the proposed MTA fare hikes (10/26/2012) A coalition Transit Forward at City Hall today says low income New Yorker will be hit the hardest by the MTA's proposed fare hikes. WBAI's Rebecca Myles has...
New poll finds 80% of Americans think corporations have too much influence in politics (10/26/2012) Does America have an alternative political future without the influence of corporations on politics? WBAI's Lucas Reckhaus speaks to Lisa Gilbert from Public...
Boxing trainer, Emanuel Stewart is remembered (10/26/2012) Commentator Playthell Benjamin remembers Emanuel...
Warrantless wiretapping of Twitter and Wikileaks (10/25/2012)
On Friday lawyers from the American Civil Liberties Union and the Electronic Frontier Foundation will be in the federal court of appeals in Virginia, arguing that government...
SCOUTUS and Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (10/25/2012) On Monday the Supreme Court will hear arguments on whether or not plaintiffs in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the National Security Agency’s surveillance of Americans’ international phone calls and emails must be recognized as...
California's Prop 37 would require food manufacturers to label foods that contain genetically modified organisms (10/25/2012) Prop 37 if passed as a initiative by California voters would revolutionize food labeling in the United States. The initiative would require for the first time that foods be labeled if they contain genetically modified organisms ...
New York City Unemployment hovers under 9 percent, but groups are mobilizing to show they are not invisible (10/25/2012) One group in the City is mobilizing to demand jobs and say the unemployed are not invisible, WBAIs Phil...
GOP Vice President candidate Paul Ryan talks about poverty (10/25/2012) Ryan's talk on poverty caught the attention of commentator Playthell...
East Haven Police settle with DoJ after lengthy investigation of racial profiling of Latinos (10/24/2012) The settlement comes months after three police officers and a Sargeant were indicted on charges ranging from using a police cruiser to run down a Latino motorcyclist, to arresting a local clergyman who attempted to videotape an arrest, to...
Environmental groups wants oil and gas industries added to EPA Toxics Releases Inventory (10/24/2012) Environmental groups from across the United States are asking the EPA today to include the oil and gas extraction industry in reporting requirements for toxic releases. The date is already required reporting of most other energy...
Dept of Justice has filed a civil mortgage fraud lawsuit against Bank of America (10/24/2012) The lawsuit seeks damages and civil penalties for engaging in a scheme to defraud Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. WBAI's Linda Perry speaks to William Black from the University of Missouri in Kansas City and an analyst of financial...
How is the Obama Administration refining its killing program (10/24/2012) The Washington Post says the Obama administration has been secretly refining its targeting killing program. WBAIs Andrea Sears spoke with Hina Shamsi, director of the American Civil Liberties Unions National Security...
Political polls show President Barack Obama appears to be losing sectors of the White vote. (10/24/2012) No surprise, says commentator Playthell...
Stop And Frisk Targeting LGBTQ New Yorkers (10/23/2012) A new report says the New York City Police Department’s Stop and Frisk practices routinely violate the rights of people in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer communities. WBAI’s Jose Santiago discussed the reports findings...
Move To Override Christie's Veto Of NJ's Good Samaritan Law (10/23/2012) In New Jersey, drug policy reform advocates are urging the state legislature to override Governor Chris Christie’s veto of the Good Samaritan Emergency Response Act. WBAI’s Andrea Sears spoke with Roseanne Scotti, the New Jersey State...
New York City's New Cybercrime Lab (10/23/2012) This is National Protect Your Identity Week and today New York City officials gathered at City Hall to talk about the dangers of identity theft, how to prevent it and the city's new, state of the art cyber crimes lab. WBAI's Linda...
Third Party Presidential Debate (10/23/2012) Tonight four candidates ‘third party’ for president who were not invited to the presidential debates that concluded last night, will debate each other in Chicago beginning at 9:00 PM Eastern Time. The debate, which will be carried live...
Commentary: Strategy Of A Loser (10/23/2012) On the campaign trail, the political pundits carried on today about Mitt Romney’s multiple reversals on positions he’d taken earlier in the presidential race. Commentator Playthel Benjamin says it was the strategy of a...
How deeply can law enforcement be involved in planning a crime before it becomes entrapment? (10/22/2012) In a case pending in New York Criminal Court involving a bomb plot against synagogues, defense lawyers are arguing undercover detectives in the NYPD Joint Terrorism Task Force engaged in entrapment. WBAI's Rebecca Myles has been following...
Four people arrested for protesting the NYPD's Stop and Frisk program will be back in court (10/22/2012) Four people arrested protesting the NYPD Stop & Frisk policy will be in Queens Criminal Court to answer charges. WBAI's Sally O Brien spoke to one of them, Carl Dix, a representative of the Revolutionary Communist...
Whomever wins the presidential election, they will be nominating justices to the U.S. Supreme Court (10/22/2012) The new president is likely to appoint at least one and possibly as many three new justices to the U.S. Supreme Court. A move that will have lasting impact on legal policy beyond their term of office. WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke to...
Russell Means, American Indian Movement activist, has died at the age of 72 (10/22/2012) Russell Means was an Oglala Sioux and was one of the leaders of the famed 1973 occupation of Wounded Knee, which focused attention on the plight of American Indians and their struggles with the U.S. government. WBAI's Andrea Sears has...
Foreign Policy is the focus of tonight's Presidential Debate (10/22/2012) Playthell Benjamin argues in his commentary the presidential debate on US foreign policy tonight could determine if there is war or peace in our nation's...
More details are emerging in the Quazi Nafis arrest over the bomb plot against the Federal Reserve Bank (10/19/2012) More details in the arrest of the 21 year old Bangladeshi student, Quazi Nafis. WBAI's Rebecca Myles speaks to Lamis Deek, civil rights defense attorney, about terrorists plots, informants and undercover...
A federal judge orders the New York City Board of Elections to make voting at polling sites accessible to people with disabilities. (10/19/2012) A federal judge has ordered the New York City Board of Elections to make voting at polling sites accessible for people with disabilities. WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke to Stuart Seaborn, an attorney with Disabled Rights...
ACLU is challenging the censorship of torture testimony in the trial of 9/11 defendants (10/19/2012) American Civil Liberties Union is challenging a military commission over its attempts to censorship torture testimony at the trail of 9/11 defendants. WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke to Zachery Katznelson, ACLU staff attorney, who said all the...
Jazz musicians in Greenwich Village last night are demanding fairer pay and benefits from Club owners (10/19/2012) Jazz musicians stage a march and rally in front of the Blue Note jazz club last night to make the case for musicians receiving fairer pay and benefit. WBAI's Michael G. Haskins was there and talked to some of the people participating in...
A meditation on art and politics (10/19/2012) Playthell Benjamin meditates on the intersection of art and politics in his...
FBI bomb plot sting (10/18/2012) More details are emerging on the FBI's sting operations to thwart a bombing threat against New York's Federal Reserve Bank with the arrest of Quazi Nafis, a 21-year-old Bangladeshi man. WBAI's Rebecca Myles has...
Journalists reporting on the Pakistani girl who was shot by the Taliban are facing their own death threats (10/18/2012) WBAI's Linda Perry speaks to Bob Dietz, Asia Program Coordinator for the Committee to Protect Journalists whose said the Taliban is threatening reporters for their work on telling the story about Malala Yousufzai, the 14 year old girl shot by...
Both presidential candidates are attending the same fundraiser in Manhattan tonight (10/18/2012) President Obama and Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney are both attending the Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation dinner at the Waldorf Astoria hotel in Manhattan tonight. A group of doctors in lab coats and nurses in scrubs, along...
A federal class action lawsuit contends NYPD's program Clean Halls violates people's rights (10/18/2012) Hearing on Federal Class Action lawsuit against the NYPD's Clean Hall Program. WBAI's Linda Perry speaks to McGregor Smyth from the Bronx...
Green Party Presidential Candidate, Jill Stein and her running mate, Cheri Honkala are cuffed to a chair for 8 hours by Long Island police (10/17/2012) Green Party presidential candidatae, Jill Stein, and her running mater, Cheri Honkala are detained by Long Island police for eight hours cuffed to a chair, and released as the presidential debate ended. WBAI's Andrea Sears speaks to Jill...
Wipe out on Long Island: Barack exposes Romney as Mr. Chameleon (10/17/2012) Playthell Benjamin is quite pleased with the way President Obama handled himself in last night's debate. he is calling it The Wipe Out on Long Island" Barack exposes Romney as Mr....
More than 12 million comments are posted on Facebook and Twitter during the Presidential Debate (10/17/2012) Last night's Presidential Debate sparked more social media exchanges than any previous political debate. WBAI's Linda Perry spoke to Andrew Rasiej, founder of Personal Democracy Media, an organization that tracks the intersection of...
In Syracuse, New Yorkers against Fracking call for proper health study and Californian environmental groups sues the Department of Conservation over fracking threat (10/17/2012) There was a rally outside Syracuse Department of Health today with New Yorkers calling for thorough study on pubic health threats from fracking and several environment groups sue the California Department of Conservation over its lack of oversight...
Micro-financing crash course with New York area students (10/17/2012) Students get crash course in micro-finance. WBAI's Lucas Reckhaus...
Call To Ban Credit Checks By Potential Employers (10/16/2012) Today students burdened with education loans and community activists gathered outside Borough of Manhattan Community College, calling on the City Council to ban credit checks by potential employers.WBAI's Linda Perry...
AIDS Activists Raise Criminalization Of HIV At Presidential Debate (10/16/2012) About two hundred AIDS activists, many dressed in orange jump suits, travelled to the site of tonight’s presidential debate in Hempstead, Long Island, today to focus the candidates’ attention on the criminalization of people based on their...
Green Party Candidate Detained At Debate Venue (10/16/2012) Green Party Presidential Candidate Jill Stein and her running mate, Cheri Honkola, were detained in Hempstead, Long Island as they tried to gain access to the site of the second presidential candidates' debate. WBAI's Linda Perry...
Commentary: Debate Advice For Obama (10/16/2012) President Obama and GOP presidential hopeful Mitt Romney square off tonight for round two of the presidential debates. Commentator Playthel Benjamin has some advice for the guy who the pundits say lost the first...
2012 NYC Conference On Psychedelic Drugs (10/16/2012) Last weekend the annual "Horizons: Perspectives on Psychedelics" has held at the Judson Memorial Church in New York City. WBAI's Rebecca Myles was there and files this...
Nuclear Regulatory Commission begins hearings over challenges to license renewal for Indian Point Nuclear Plant (10/15/2012) The NRC is holding hearings in Tarrytown, New York that will help them to determine whether to reissue licenses to Entergy to operate Indian Point Nuclear Power Plant. The plant is situated in a New York suburb where 17 million people live...
A civil rights lawsuit is filed against Morgan Stanley for discriminatory mortgage lending (10/15/2012) The lawsuit charges Morgan Stanley with discrimination against African American homeowners and violating federal civil rights laws over lenders who issued predatory mortgages. WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke to Stuart Rossman, director of...
France names a street after imprisoned journalist, Mumia Abu Jamal (10/15/2012) France names a street after imprisoned U.S. journalist, Mumia Abu Jamal. WBAI's Jose Santiago spoke to Linn Washington, Jr., who writes for the Philadelphia...
The concept, american exceptionalism, will be a topic for the Presidential Debate tonight (10/15/2012) The second Presidential debate takes place tonight but Playtell Benjamin thinks one of the concepts for discussion, american exceptionalism, rings...
Workers for Bain-owned companies rally (10/15/2012) Low wage wagers rallied in front of Bain's Madison Avenue offices today to show what they think would be the effect of a Romney/Ryan economic program. The rally was arranged before the Presidential Debate tonight at Hofstra University...
Celebrations in Puerto Rico over dropped plans to build a gas pipeline (10/12/2012) Under heavy political pressure, Puerto Rican Governor has dropped plans to build a massive gas pipeline across the island, a pipeline opposed by eighty percent of island residents. WBAI's Jose Santiago spoke to David Galaza, an activist who...
Celebrations in Puerto Rico over the Governor's decision to drop plans to build a gas pipeline across the island (10/12/2012) Under heavy political pressure, Puerto Rican Governor has dropped plans to build a massive gas pipeline across the island, a pipeline opposed by eighty percent of island residents. WBAI's Jose Santiago spoke to David Galaza, an activist who...
Celebrations in Puerto Rico over the Governor's decision to drop plans to build a gas pipeline across the island (10/12/2012) Under heavy political pressure, Puerto Rican Governor has dropped plans to build a massive gas pipeline across the island, a pipeline opposed by 80% of island residents. WBAI's Jose Santiago spoke to David Galarza, an activist who organized many...
The Taliban sent a hit squad to kill Malala Yousufzi, a 14 year old girl education advocate (10/12/2012) More details are emerging over the shooting of a 14 year old Pakistanti girl who is an advocate for education. WBAI's Linda Perry has the...
Paris street named after Mumia Abu Jamal (10/12/2012) Hundreds of Parisians are expected to attend a ceremony on Saturday that will name a street after Mumia Abu Jamal. WBAI's Jose Santiago spoke to journalist Linn Washington, Jr. who is in Paris for the...
Art in Odd Places Exhibition in New York (10/12/2012) An exhibition along 14th Street in New York City will bring Art in Odd Places to the street. WBAI's Rebecc Myles spoke to Lyra Montero from Art in Odd...
Benjamin on the Vice-Presidential debate (10/12/2012) Commentator Playthell Benjamin on the Vice Presidential debate between Joe Biden and VP hopeful Paul...
The MTA is refusing to post anti-war and anti-racism ads in City subways (10/11/2012) The MTA is refusing to post anti-war and anti-racism ads in the City subways that it originally approved. WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke to Sarah Flounder, director of the International Action and Cyrus McGoldrick of the Council on American...
Community activists in Queens are calling for rules for employment agencies ripping off immigrants (10/11/2012) A new report shows storefront immigrant agencies in Queens are ripping off immigrants. WBAI's Jose Santiago discusses the report with Valeria Treves, Executive Director of New Immigrant Community...
Nuclear Regulatory Commission hears petition calling for the closing of a nuclear plant (10/11/2012) The Nuclear Regulatory Commission has agree to partially accept a petition calling for the closing of a nuclear plant. WBAI's Andrea Sears speaks to Jessica Azulay, an organizer with Alliance for a Green...
Affirmative Action on its head (10/11/2012) The Supreme Court hears arguments this week on a controversial Affirmative Action case. Playthell Benjamin...
New York City Council introduces a package of bills for vote (10/11/2012) City Council is set to approve a package of bills that would set limits for commercial bicyclists, change practices at the Human Resources Administration and approve the Seward Park Redevelopment...
City Council holds hearing on Community Safety Act, which would reform NYPD's Stop and Frisk practices (10/10/2012) New York City Council held a hearing today on legislation that would reform the NYPD's Stop and Frisk practices.
WBAI's Linda Perry was there and files this report....
Dozens of healthcare workers picketed a nursing home where they are trying to get a first contract (10/10/2012) In Elizabeth, New Jersey today, dozens of workers picketed outside the Plaza Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, whose nursing home houses senior citizens no longer able to live alone. ...
Two New York journalists arrested at the site of the Tar Sands Blockade (10/10/2012) Two New York journalists were arrested as they tried to leave the site of the Tar Sands Blockade, an on-going encampment in Texas where activists have occupied tree tops in the path of the southern branch of the Keystone XL pipeline to block...
New Green City, an exhibition of innovative ideas about living frugally and sustainably at New York's Union Square today (10/10/2012) New Green City took place in Union Square in New York today. A world’s fair working with City colleges and grassroots organizations presenting innovations for living frugally and sustainably. WBAI's Rebecca Myles was there and...
New York CIty Public Advocate has plans for pre K and after school programs (10/09/2012) New York City Public Advocate's plans for pre K and after school programs for middle school are supported by some elected officials but others offer resistance. WBAI's Linda Perry speaks with Public Advocate Bill de...
AFSCME members says Mayor Bloomberg's Early Learn Program is dysfunctional (10/09/2012) Is Mayor Bloomberg's Early Learn Program working? Members of AFSCME says the program is dysfunctional and ineffective. WBAI's Linda Perry spoke to G.L. Tyler, Political Action Director for District Council 1707...
The family of 27-year old Walwyn Jackson of Queens say they've been kept in the dark over his death by NYPD (10/09/2012) Why are the family of 27-year-old Walwyn Jackson of Queens being kept in the dark over the investigation of his shooting death at the hands of police. WBAI's Jose Santiago spoke to family attorney Neville Mitchell and Jackson's...
New York University Faculty hold benefit to fight Sexton Expansion Plan (10/09/2012) New York University Faculty are hosting a benefit Wednesday to support a plan to fight the University's expansion plans. WBAI's Rebecca Myles spoke to Professor Adam Becker, historian of religion at...
Veterans arrested at Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza (10/09/2012) 25 people, most of them veterans were arrested at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Plaza. WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke to Mike Tork, who served in Vietnam and is one of those...
US Bureau of Labor Statistics releases the latest jobs and unemployment report (10/05/2012) The labor force rose by 418,000 jobs according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. WBAI's Rebecca Myles has...
Asian rights group will send volunteers to assist Asian voters at this year's election (10/05/2012) The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund have a campaign to protect the voting rights of Asian American voters. WBAI's Jose Santiago spoke to Chi-Ser Tran, a voting rights organizer with the Asian American Legal Defense and...
Peace activists rally at Times Square for Memorial for those killed in US occupation of Afghanistan (10/05/2012) Peace Activists will rally at Times Square Recruiting Center on Saturday for a memorial for those killed in the US occupation of Afghanistan and US drone war in Pakistan at 12 noon. WBAI's Rebecca Myles spoke to Debra Sweet from world...
Draft map for New York City Council voting district up for discussion in public hearings (10/05/2012) New York City Districting Commission has drawn up draft City Council voting maps and is wanting the public to weigh in during a month long series of public hearings. WBAI's Rebecca Myles spoke to Jerry Vattamala, staff attorney with...
Mark Lyttle, a mentally disabled US citizen spent 125 days wondering through Central America. Why? (10/05/2012) The Federal government agreed to a $175,000 settlement for the wrongful detention and deportation of mentally disabled US citizen, Mark Lyttle. WBAI's Andrea Sears speaks to Esha Bhandari, attorney with the American Civil Liberties...
Race, Romney and the Republican Party (10/05/2012) Commentator Playthell Benjamin unravels who is playing the race card in Race, Romney and the Republican...
A bill to give workers paid sick days has 37 co-sponsors in New York City Council (10/04/2012) When will Council Speaker Christine Quinn allow the paid sick days bill to the floor for a vote? WBAI's Linda Perry has the...
50 security workers protest at JFK Airport over pay, work conditions and suppression of workers rights. (10/04/2012) 50 security workers at JFK Airport protest pay, work conditions and suppression of workers rights. In response, a contractor says they pride themselves on their ability to have open dialogue. WBAI's Rebecca Myles has...
A broad coalition calls for an investigation into how much money the City lost through bank fraud (10/04/2012) A broad coalition of groups while supporting New York's Attorney General for his lawsuit against JP Morgan Chase, want an investigation to how much the City lost to bank fraud. WBAI's Linda Perry was at the rally and files this...
Final arguments in court on five British Citizens facing extradition to the United States (10/04/2012) British High Court today heard final arguments on behalf of five British citizens facing extradition to the United States where they would be charged with supporting terrorism. WBAI's Andrea Sears speaks to Pardiss Kebriaei, senior staff...
The Presidential Debate (10/04/2012) What can we learn from the Presidential Debate last night. Commentator Playthell...
Governor Cuomo orders a new study on the effects of fracking on public health but what does it mean? (10/03/2012) ...
80 groups petition to New Jersey lawmakers to over-ride Governor over Fracking waste (10/03/2012) An open letter from 80 groups in New Jersey is asking lawmakers to override Governor Chris Christie's veto of the bill banning fracking waste water in the State. WBAI's Jose Santiago has...
Presidential Debate tonight (10/03/2012) The first of three debates before the November election. Tonight's will focus on domestic issues. We hear from Commentator, Playthell Benjamin says it is all...
There is a lot more at stake in this year's election than the Presidency (10/03/2012) Every seat in the House and third of those in the Senate are also up for grabs. WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke to Chuck Collins, a senior scholar at the Institute for Policy...
Peace Action wants to pressure elected officials to reduce spending on war with a campaign (10/03/2012) A new campaign by peace activists seeks to influence elected officials to spend less on war and more on the everyday needs of Americans. WBAI's Jose Santiago spoke to Judith LeBlanc, Field Director for Peace...
Victory for Pennsylvania voters (10/02/2012) A Pennsylvania judge had delayed the implementation of a controversial law that requires Photo ID to vote in the November election. WBAI's Jose Santiago spoke to Keesha Gaskins from the Brennan Center for Justice of the NYU School of...
NYCLU releases a report on solitary confinement (10/02/2012) New York Civil Liberties Union releases report on solitary confinement in New York State prisons. WBAI's Phil Bader has...
Cellphone tracking lawsuit (10/02/2012) US Court of Appeals in New Orleans heard arguments in a case challenging the government's authority to obtain cell phone location data from service providers without a warrant. WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke to Rebecca Jeske from the...
The Human Face of Big Data (10/02/2012) A conference in New York looked at the Human Face of Big Data. WBAI's Linda Perry was there and files this...
A Federal Judge began fairness hearings in the case of charging the FDNY with discriminatory hiring practices - Vulcan Society v City of New York. (10/01/2012) Federal Judge in the Vulcan Society v City of New York heard testimony today in the fairness hearings. WBAI's Rebecca Myles has...
With new rent increases about to take effect; advocates are calling for a modern day "poor tax." (10/01/2012) New rent increases for rent-stabilized and rent controlled apartments and the rising poverty rate have advocates calling for a modern day 'poor tax'. WBAI's Lucas Reckhaus spoke with Sam Stein, The Rent Regulation Campaign...
Child solider held in Guantanamo for ten years, never had a trial and tortured (10/01/2012) Omar Khadr, the youngest detainee held at Guatanamo Bay, has finally been transferred to Canada. Held for 10 years, he was tortured and never had a trial. WBAI's Andrea Sears speaks to Jennifer Turner human rights researcher with...
Is the US Navy going to clean up its mess in Vieques (10/01/2012) Residents of the Puerto Rican island of Vieques have until this Friday to convince the U.S. Navy to do a full clean up of unexploded munitions in the western part of their tropical island. ...
US relations with Israel (10/01/2012) The first presidential debate is on Wednesday but as commentator Playthel Benjamin says the U.N. address of the Prime Minister of Israel from last week's UN General Summit is one that could have long-term implications for U.S. foreign...
Riot at Foxconn factories in China (09/28/2012) Workers at Foxconn factories in China are struggling to keep up withe demand for iPhone 5s, where a week ago there was a riot. WBAI's Linda Perry spoke to Kevin Slaten with China Labor Watch, an organization which advocates for fair and...
NYPD provokes arrest to break up Musician's rally outside New York's Blue Note (09/28/2012) Members of Local 802 hold a rally but NYPD forces arrest to break up the rally. WBAI's Rebecca Myles spoke to Bennett Baruch, Director of Organizing for Local 802 the American Federation of...
NYC Park Department loses $250,000 after Bloomberg Administration raises fees (09/28/2012) A Bloomberg Administration policy for the Parks Department results in loss of revenue. WBAI's Jose Santiago spoke to Geoffrey Croft head of New York City Park Advocates, a non-profit watchdog group dedicated to improving the city's...
Analysis of Israeli Prime Minister's UN address (09/28/2012) Playthell Benjamin's commentary on the Israeli Prime Minister's UN...
Defense of Marriage Act Forces Women To Pay Taxes On Her Late Wife's Estate (09/27/2012) Lawyers representing a woman who was forced by the Defense of Marriage Act to pay estate tax on her inheritance from her wife were in the Federal Court of Appeals in New York today. Edith Windsor and Thea Spyer were together for more than...
A report shows severe and inhumane use of solitary confinement conditions in California prisons (09/27/2012) Amnesty International shows in its new report the widespread use of solitary confinement in Californian prisons. WBAI's Phil Bader has...
Large rally to reform NYPD's Stop and Frisk policy at City Hall Park (09/27/2012) Communities United for Police Reform held a rally at City Hall Park. WBAI's Linda Perry has...
Are New York City's elite high schools discriminating against students of color (09/27/2012) A coalition of parents and advocacy groups have asked the US Department of Education to investigate whether New York City Education Department discriminates against students of color. WBAI's Jose Santiago spoke to Jose Perez of the Puerto...
Customers want Trader Joe's to stop selling antibiotic meat (09/27/2012) New Yorkers and consumer rights groups protested outside the food chain, Trader Joe's, today over their selling meat with antibiotics. They also handed managers a petition of over 5000,000 names from customers who want the practice to...
Locked out National Football League Referees are back at work (09/27/2012) Locked out National Football League Referees return to work after league officials were embarrassed into settling the three month labor dispute....
Over 1 million march in Greek anti-Austerity marches (09/26/2012) Police fired tear gas at rioters hurling gasoline bombs and chunks of marble today during Greece's largest anti-austerity demonstration in six months — part of a 24-hour general strike that was a test for the nearly four-month old coalition...
Activists angry over changes to community child care centers committed acts of civil disobedience (09/26/2012) Four people were arrested Tuesday, including the Reverend Herbert Daughtry, outside the offices of New York’s Administration of Children’s Services. His wife was arrested today. ...
New Jersey ACLU promotes a Stop and Frisk App (09/26/2012) The New Jersey chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union is making available a smart-phone application that allows people to secretly record encounters with police.
The application, or app, is similar to one released by the New York...
Pundits are arguing Obama is the new Reagen (09/26/2012) In presidential campaign politics, many of the weekend political talk shows have taken to comparing the presidency of Barack Obama with that of Ronald Reagan....
Peace Activists Protest At UN Against US Drone Attacks (09/25/2012) President Barack Obama addressed the United Nations General Assembly today. While much of the president’s address was centered on a call for a rejection of violence, outside crowds gathered to protest what they feel is the the violence...
Reporters Group To Document Diplomats Spending (09/25/2012) All this week visiting dignitaries are in town for the opening of the UN General Assembly, attending meetings, rubbing elbows with leaders from other nations and spending money. Lots of money. In response, a group of journalists has...
Subway Voter Registration Drive Aims for 10,000 New Voters (09/25/2012) Today is National Voter Registration Day and here in New York City hundreds of volunteers fanned out in the subways with the goal of registering thousands of new voters. WBAI's Linda Perry...
Groups Rally to Close Attica (09/25/2012) A coalition of groups seeking to shut down the notorious Attica Prison plans a rally tomorrow outside the New York City offices of Governor Andrew Cuomo. WBAI’s Jose Santiago discussed the action with King Downing of the September 14th...
New Jersey Environmental groups are pressing both houses to override Gov. Christie's veto (09/24/2012) Environmentalists in New Jersey today called on the two houses of the state legislature to over-ride Governor Christie’s veto of a bill that would ban the dumping of fracking waste water in the Garden State....
Tree sitters try to halt construction of Keystone XL pipeline today (09/24/2012) Today eight people from a group called Tar Sands Blockade climbed 80 feet into trees in the path of Keystone XL construction outside Winnsboro, Texas. Work can’t proceed until the tree-sitters come down so TransCanada can cut down hundreds of...
New York City Council to vote on legislation today (09/24/2012) New York City Council will vote on several pieces of legislation that will improve access for the disabled, start a public information campaign to prevent suicide amongst teens and new technology over permits. WBAI's Rebecca Myles has...
Latino and Latina elected officials and labor and community groups support NYPD reform (09/24/2012) New York Latina and Latino elected officials, community, labor and religious leaders at City Hall today to show support for the Community Safety Act which would reform NYPD's Stop and Frisk policy. WBAI's Rebecca Myles has...
It's the International Day of Peace at the United Nations (09/21/2012) The United Nations celebrates The International Day of Peace, and Yoko Ono presents the John Lennon and Yoko Ono Peace Award to the punk band, Pussy Riot. Linda Perry has more on this...
A new survey report released shows NYCHA residents don't feel safe in their homes. (09/21/2012) A new report was released that shows NYCHA residents don't feel safe in their homes because of failures in maintenance. WBAI's Rebecca Myles has...
A new study shows nearly one in ten New Yorkers live in poverty. (09/21/2012) New poverty data released today a borough by borough breakdown of growing inequality in wealth and growing racial divides in New York City, despite politicians saying the City is leading in economic gains. WBAI's Linda Perry speaks to Matt...
NYPD Sued For Arrest Tactics At Occupy Wall Street Protests (09/20/2012) A federal lawsuit was filed in New York today challenging the New York Police Department’s targeting people for false arrest based on their association with or proximity to dissent and protest. The lawsuit is filed by the Washington DC based...
Report Shows The True Cost Of Fracking (09/20/2012) A new report from Environment New York shows the real costs so far from the decade-long fracking boom. WBAI's Rebecca Myles spoke with David van Luven, Director of Environment New...
Census Data Shows Growing Child Poverty (09/20/2012) The U.S. Census Bureau’s annual American Community Survey is out and it is painting a troubling picture of the growing percentage of Americans living in poverty. WBAI’s Jose Santiago spoke with Cecilia Zalkind, Executive Director of...
Court Of Appeals Hears ACLU Targeted Killing FOIA Suit (09/20/2012) Lawyers for the American Civil Liberties Union were back in court in Washington today seeking records about the CIA’s supposedly secret use of unmanned drones to carry out so-called ‘targeted killings’ around the world. WBAI's...
Commentary: Romney and the Forty Seven Percent (09/20/2012) Commentator Playthel Benjamin returns to discussion of the secret tape of Mitt Romney speaking with wealthy contributors that continues to dog the GOP presidential...
Environmentalists Sue Cuomo For Documents (09/19/2012) A Washington, DC environmental research group has filed a lawsuit against the Cuomo Administration and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation for the release of public records concerning natural gas drilling in the state. ...
Anti-Fracking Activist Rally And Speak Out In Philadelphia (09/19/2012) On Thursday, September 20th, Shale Gas Outrage, a coalition of anti-fracking groups, will hold a rally and speak-out outside a meeting of the Marcellus Shale Coalition, a gas industry lobbying group, in Philadelphia. WBAI's Rebecca Myles...
Chicago Teachers Return To Work (09/19/2012) Students and teachers returned to classrooms in Chicago today, ending a strike that had closed the doors of the nation’s third largest public school system for more than a week. WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke with long-time teacher Susan...
Justice Department Says NC Sheriff Discriminates Against Latinos (09/19/2012) After a two-year investigation, the U.S. Justice Department has found that a North Carolina Sheriff and his deputies routinely discriminated against Latinos by making unwarranted arrests with the aim of maximizing deportations. WBAI’s Jose...
Commentary: Mitt Writes Off Half Of America (09/19/2012) On the presidential campaign trail, New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez, who spoke on Mitt Romney’s behalf at the Republican National Convention, today distanced herself from the GOP presidential nominee.Commentator Playthell Benjamin says, try as...
Federal Judges Stays Injunction Against NDAA Indefinite Detention (09/18/2012) Monday night a federal judge issued an emergency order allowing the indefinite detention provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act to be in effect until the injunction blocking it can be reviewed by the Second Circuit Court of...
Commentary: Will Muslim Protests Affect The US Election? (09/18/2012) Outrage over the made-in-USA film that many Muslims feel dishonors the Prophet Muhammad spread to Asia Monday with protests reported outside the U.S. Embassy in Jakarta, capital of the most populous Muslim nation. Commentator Playthel Benjamin...
Occupy Wall Street Turns Its Focus On Monsanto (09/18/2012) As Part of the one year anniversary of Occupy Wall Street organizers are staging over seventy-five protests around the world this week. WBAI's Linda Perry spoke with Adam Eidenger, a spokesperson for Occupy...
Chinatown Residents Want More Affordable Housing In City Plan (09/18/2012) Later this week, the New York City Council will hold a hearing on the Bloomberg Administration’s proposal to develop several acres of publicly owned lots in the Chinatown section of Lower Manhattan - lots that have sat vacant for some forty...
More Than 100 Arrested During Occupy Wall Street Protests (09/17/2012) Today is the first anniversary of the Occupy Wall Street movement. Hundreds of protesters and an army of police swarmed through downtown Manhattan beginning around seven AM with what was described as a swirl of mobile intersection occupations...
Environmentalists Call For Federal Investigation Of Indian Point Security (09/17/2012) The environmental group Riverkeeper is calling for a Congressional investigation off allegations by a security guard of lapses in security training and regular crashes of security systems at the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plants. WBAI's...
New Jersey State Polcie Sued For Withholding Public Documents (09/17/2012) The New Jersey chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit against the New Jersey State Police today, accusing the agency of failing to comply with state law governing the release of public documents. WBAI’s Jose Santiago...
Census Data Says Number Of Uninsured Young People Fell (09/17/2012) While last week’s Census Bureau figures showed that income has fallen for the majority of Americans, health care advocates say there was at least one bright spot in the data. The percentage of young adults who are not covered by health...
US Embassy in Libya attacked as retribution (09/14/2012) Lawrence Korb from the Center for American Progress says the US embassy in Libya was attacked as retribution for the Obama administrations killing Al-Qaeda's number 2 man, Abu Yahya al-Libi. He speaks to WBAI's Linda Perry...
We hear from two of the six arrested at Spectra Pipeline construction site (09/14/2012) There were six arrests at the Spectra Pipeline Construction Site, we hear from two of them, Sandra Kaponen and Peter...
Twitter hands over records to court (09/14/2012) Twitter hands over tweets to judge in Malcolm Harris...
Wheelchair uses get taxi access by phone app, internet, phone, text or 311 (09/14/2012) Wheelchair users in Manhattan will have new ways to hail a cab in the...
Playthell Benjamin on Smiley/West Poverty tour (09/14/2012) TV host Tavis Smiley and Princeton scholar, Cornel West are taking a poverty tour around the US but Playthell Benjamin in his commentary tonight says it might be for a good cause but the strategy is...
New App For Reporting Irregularities At The Polls (09/13/2012) It's primary day in New York and a new smart phone app that allows people to report irregularities at polling places is being tested.. WBAI's Linda Perry spoke with Susan Lerner, executive director of Common Cause...
Indian Point Security Guard Sues Entergy (09/13/2012) Citing recurring security failures, a security guard at the Indian Point Nuclear Power Plants has filed a $1.5B lawsuit against plant owner Entergy. WBAI's Rebecca Myles spoke with attorney Amy Bellantoni, who represents the plaintiff in...
Federal Judge Blocks NDAA Detention Provision (09/13/2012) A federal judge in New York yesterday permanently blocked enforcement of a section of the National Defense Authorization Act allowing for the indefinite detention without charges or trial of virtually anyone the President decides has helped...
Commentary: The Brains Behind Romney's Foreign Policy (09/13/2012) Immediately after Mitt Romney condemned President Obama for a statement issued by the US Embassy in Cairo before the attacks that led to the death of US Ambassador Christopher Stevens, he would have been hard pressed to find much support, even among...
Obama Condemns Attack On US Embassy In Libya (09/12/2012) President Barack Obama today condemned a fiery attack on the U.S. Embassy in Benghazi, Libya in which the U.S. Ambassador to Libya and three other Americans were...
Commentary: Romney's Latest Attack Of Foot In Mouth Disease (09/12/2012) The developments in Libya quickly became an issue in the U.S. presidential race when Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney condemned the Obama administration for essentially appeasing angry Islamic protestors. Commentator Playthell...
Students Call Pro Fracking Report Junk Science (09/12/2012) Students today complained that a study on fracking released by a State University of New York Institute was unfairly influenced by the gas industry. WBAI's Rebecca Myles...
New US Census Bureau Figures Show Increasing Poverty In New York (09/12/2012) The US Census Bureau released figures today showing that nationwide median household income has gone down by one and a half percent since last year. But here in New York the data shows an increase of six percent. WBAI's Andrea Sears...
City Council Cracking Down On Illegal Hotel Conversions (09/12/2012) Today the City Council set fines for landlords who illegally convert apartment buildings into tourist hotels. WBAI's Linda Perry...
Zadroga Law Expanded To Include Cancer (09/11/2012) In the years since the September 11th attack on the World Trade Center hundreds of first responders have been diagnosed with cancer. Now the Zadroga law, giving health coverage to those suffering illness from 9/11 exposures, has been expanded...
CIA Torture Whistleblower Going On Trial (09/11/2012) On Wednesday, September 12th, former CIA agent John Kiriakou goes on trial in the only prosecution to date connected with the Bush administration’s torture program. But John Kiriakou didn’t torture anyone. He blew the whistle on...
Commentary: 9-11 Remembered (09/11/2012) For many years Commentator Playthel Benjamin could see the twin towers from the window of his apartment – and the day of the attack, he watched those towers come...
Peace Activists Mark 911 As A Day To Remember Those Who Died In Iraq And Afghanistan (09/11/2012) There are those who feel that on September 11th we should also be mourning those who have died in what many feel were the unnecessary wars the terrorist attacks. WBAI’s Jose Santiago spoke with Madelynne Hoffman, Director of New Jersey Peace...
New York University faculty hold benefit to fight sexton Expansion Plan (09/10/2012) Wednesday night musicians will gather in the Village for a benefit to support New York University faculty's fight against the University expansion plan. WBAI's Rebecca Myles spoke to Professor Adam Becker, historian of...
New York University faculty hold benefit to fight sexton Expansion Plan (09/10/2012) Wednesday night musicians will gather in the Village for a benefit to support New York University faculty's fight against the University expansion plan. WBAI's Rebecca Myles spoke to Professor Adam Becker, historian of...
New York University faculty hold benefit to fight sexton Expansion Plan (09/10/2012) Wednesday night musicians will gather in the Village for a benefit to support New York University faculty's fight against the University expansion plan. WBAI's Rebecca Myles spoke to Professor Adam Becker, historian of...
Prisoner Rights Advocates Solitary Confinement At Critical of Rikers Island (09/10/2012) Prisoner rights group in New York says too many prisoners with mental health issues are being placed in solitary confinement and that plans to increase the number of solitary confinement cells at Riker’s Island are misguided. WBAI’s Jose...
State Ethics Panel Investigating Lopez Scandal...Maybe (09/10/2012) The New York State Joint Commission on Pubic Ethics, or JCOPE, met today to decide whether or not to go public about its private investigation into the handling of the sexual harassment case against Assembly member Vito Lopez. WBAI's...
Bronx Residents Organize Against Fresh Direct Deal (09/10/2012) Residents of the South Bronx are fighting back against Fresh Direct's plan to move its major NYC processing and shipping facility to their neighborhood. WBAI's Lucas Reckhaus spoke with Mychal Johnson of South Bronx...
Chicago Teachers Strike Over Education Reform (09/10/2012) Chicago public school teachers went out on strike today. One of the main sticking point in negotiations between the union and the city has been a new system of teacher evaluations. WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke with Kevin Kumashiro is a...
Commentary: Answering Obama's African American Critics (09/10/2012) On the campaign trail, the policies and campaign promises of President Barack Obama are being challenged not only by the Romney campaign but by some on the left, including a number of Black Academics. Commentator Playthell Benjamin sounds...
Spectra Gas Pipeline Protesters Arrested (09/06/2012) Two women were arrested this morning when a group of activists protested at the Spectra Pipeline construction site in the West Village. WBAI's Rebecca Myles filed this...
Anti Fracking Activists Target Cuomo At The DNC (09/06/2012) Governor Andrew Cuomo spoke to the New York delegation at the Democratic National Convention in Charlotte, North Carolina today. Anti fracking activists placed a full page ad in the Charlotte Observer newspaper, reminding him of the political cost...
Commentary: Bill Clinton At The Democratic National Convention (09/06/2012) Former President Bill Clinton delivered his much-awaited speech at the Democratic National Convention last night, speaking for almost and hour and taking on GOP nay sayers. Commentator Playthell Benjamin took it all in and offers these...
New Report Documents CIA Torture And Rendition to Libya (09/06/2012) According to a new report by Human Rights Watch, during the George W. Bush administration the Central Intelligence Agency captured opponents of Libyan ruler Muammar Gaddafi, tortured them, and then sent to Libya where they were almost certain to be...
Community Groups Call On Lopez To Resign (09/05/2012) Leaders of community groups gathered on the steps of City Hall today to demand that Assembly member Vito Lopez resign. WBAI's Rebecca Myles was there and files this...
Hunger In The US Is Increasing While Congress Plans Cuts To Food Stamps (09/05/2012) The latest numbers from the US Department of Agriculture show the percentage of American households experiencing food insecurity is continuing to rise, but Congress is still talking about how much it will cut from the food stamp program. ...
Many NJ Schools Do Not Serve Federally Funded School Breakfasts (09/05/2012) In New Jersey, a survey of hundreds of school officials across the state finds that many schools have yet to tap into federal money to fund school breakfast programs. WBAI’s Jose Santiago discussed the survey’s findings with Cecelia...
Protests As Trans Pacific Partnership Talks Resume (09/05/2012) As the fourteenth round of negotiations over the Trans-Pacific Partnership get underway in the Virginia suburbs of Washington, DC, Occupy Wall Street and other social justice organizations are planning a major mobilization from September 6th through...
Protests Mark The Opening Of The Democratic National Convention (09/04/2012) The Democratic National Convention opened this evening in Charlotte, North Carolina, and there are protesters in Charlotte as well. WBAI’s Andrea Sears spoke with Medea Benjamin, co-founder of Code...
Commentary: What The Democrats Must Do Now (09/04/2012) On the presidential campaign trail, the Republican National Convention is history and now its time for the Democrats to put on their show. Commentator Playthel Benjamin says there are a number of things the Democrats must do to counter the...
NJ Pathmark Shootings Bring Calls For Federal Assault Weapons Ban (09/04/2012) Last Friday’s fatal shooting at a Pathmark Supermarket in Old Bridge, New Jersey prompted a number of activists working on gun violence issues to call for federal legislation to renew the ban on assault weapons. WBAI’s Jose Santiago spoke...
Bronx Community Activists Hold Cop Watch Training (09/04/2012) Community activists in The Bronx will hold what they are calling a Cop Watch training session this Thursday to teach volunteers how to safely document potentially abusive police behavior in their communities. WBAI’s Sally O’ Brien spoke...
Shulamith Firestone is dead at the age of 67 (08/31/2012) Feminist writer Shulamith Firestone has died in New York City at age 67. She was found dead in her Manhattan apartment by her sister and had died from natural causes. ...
Good government groups are calling for an ethics investigation over the Vito Lopez sex scandal (08/31/2012) The Brooklyn District Attorney's office is calling for a criminal investigation into the claims of sexual harassment against Assemblyman Vito Lopez. Lopez has been accused of harassing four women and creating a toxic work...
Yoko Ono spoke out about Fracking this week (08/31/2012) In New York this week Yoko Ono spoke out against hydraulic fracturing as did industry insider, Dr. Tony Ingraffea, Engineering Professor...
Atlantic seashores facing major threats if climate change goes unchecked (08/31/2012) A new report shows that climate change is already affecting seven national seashores on the Atlantic Coast from Cape Cod to Cape Canaveral. And those effects will only get worse if heat trapping pollution is not reduced according to Stephen...
Hundreds to march in annual Labor Day parade in Paterson, New Jersey (08/31/2012) The 21st Annual Labor Day Parade is organized by the American Labor Museum and will take place this Sunday in Paterson, New Jersey. Lawrence Hamm, head of the Newark-based People's Organization for Progress is Grand Marshall this year,...
Final Speeches at the Republican National Convention 2012 (08/31/2012) Depending on whom you ask, last nights' closing session of the Republican National Convention either inspired viewers or insulted them. The evening fare was highlighted by a Mitt Romney acceptance speech, preceded by comments by Florida...
Protesters Call Attention to Romney's Record At Bain Capital (08/30/2012) Advocates with Untied New York today joined low wage workers outside Bain Capital on Madison Avenue to bring awareness to Mitt Romney's legacy of penalizing workers when he worked for Bain. WBAI's Rebecca Myles spoke with United New...
Commentary: Lies, Damned Lies and the GOP Part 2 (08/30/2012) Another night of speech making at the GOP National Convention in Tampa, Florida, did not escape WBAI commentator Playthell Benjamin's...
New Anti-Fracking Film A Message To Cuomo (08/30/2012) Josh Fox, who produced the Emmy Award winning film Gasland, has a new film, The Sky is Pink. It specifically addresses the harm he says would be caused by hydraulic fracturing in New York State. WBAI’s Linda Perry spoke with the Documentary...
Former Teacher Remembers Rachel Corrie (08/30/2012) On Tuesday and Israeli judge ruled that the state of Israel is not responsible for the death of Rachel Corrie, an International Solidarity Movement activist who was run over by a bulldozer in Gaza in 2003. WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke with...
NYPD Releases New Stop And Frisk Training Guidelines (08/29/2012) After years of criticism, New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly has released a new “command level instructor’s guide” on stop and frisk. WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke with Robert Gangi, director of the Police Reform Organizing Project...
Asian Americans Join Suit Against PA Voter ID Law (08/29/2012) A national Asian-American rights organization has joined the legal battle against the state of Pennsylvania’s controversial Voter ID Law. WBAI’s Jose Santiago spoke with Glenn Magpantay, Director of the Democracy Program at the Asian...
Disability Rights Advocates Sue NYC For Access to Polling Places (08/29/2012) Lawyers for people with disabilities are suing the New York City Board of Elections to force compliance with federal laws for access to polling sites. WBAI's Phil Beder...
Artists Against Fracking (08/29/2012) Today Sean Lennon and Yoko Ono announced the formation of a new coalition called Artists Against Fracking. WBAI's Linda Perry...
Commentary: Lies, Damned Lies and the GOP (08/29/2012) After a daylong rain delay, the Republican National Convention finally got underway yesterday with an array of speakers taking the stage last night. For commentator, Playthell Benjamin, the evening’s fare was rife with lies, racism and voter...
Obama Lays Out Preparations For Impact Of Hurricane Isaac (08/28/2012) Today President Obama laid out what his administration has done so far to prepare for hurricane Isaac, which is expected to reach the Louisiana coast on the 7th anniversary of Hurricane...
Code Pink Confronts the GOP in Tampa (08/28/2012) Tonight in Tampa Code Pink and Art 2 Action will host an open mic to speak out on the GOP war on women, and to give a live response to Ann Romney’s comments at the Republican National Convention. WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke with Medea...
NY Democrats Speak Out Against Romney/Ryan Policies On Women's Issues (08/28/2012) As Republicans hold their national convention in Tampa, Florida, Democratic women in New York blasted the Romney/Ryan ticket. WBAI's Linda Perry...
Justice Department Defends Blocking South Carolina Voter ID Law (08/28/2012) Republican South Carolina lawmakers told a panel of federal judges yesterday that the state’s controversial voter ID law does not disenfranchise Black voters and should be allowed to be implemented. WBAI’s Jose Santiago spoke with Nancy...
As Cuomo Fracking Decision Nears Protesters Rally In Albany (08/27/2012) As anti-fracking demonstrators rallied in Albany today, New York State Senator Adriano Espaillat said Governor Cuomo should visit Pennsylvania to see the impact of the gas drilling in person. WBAI's Rebecca Myles...
Haiti Earthquake Victims Hit Again By Tropical Storm Isaac (08/27/2012) Hundreds of thousands of Haitians still living in tents after the 2010 earthquake are jeopardized by tropical storm Isaac. WBAI's Lucas Reckhaus speaks with Melinda Miles, director of Let Haiti...
March on Washington 49th Anniversary Commemoration (08/27/2012) Organizers with the Newark-based People’s Organization for Progress will lead a rally in Newark tomorrow to mark the 49th anniversary of the March on Washington of 1963 – a critical moment in the Civil Rights Movement. WBAI’s Jose...
Commentary: A Torrent of Bad Ideas (08/27/2012) The Republican National Convention officially opened today but just for a few minutes to announce that all convention activities have pushed back until Tuesday because of Tropical Storm Isaac. Commentator Playthel Benjamin predicts it will...
2 people were killed and 9 others injured in a shooting this morning near the Empire State Building (08/24/2012) 2 people were killed and 9 others injured in a shooting this morning near the Empire State Building. Officials quickly assured the public the shooting was not an act of terrorism but the incident tied up traffic and sent several people to are...
Newark wants a Municipal Utility Authority? (08/24/2012) Municipalities from coast-to-coast are facing looming budget deficits. Some councils are filing for bankruptcy to survive like Stockton, California, Central Falls, Rhode Island and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. ...
How to fight stress (08/24/2012) Paul Huljich ran a successful organic foods company in New Zealand in the 1908s then drove himself to a nervous breakdown at the age of 45. After being diagnosed with manic depression and told he would spend the rest of his life on medication,...
What does social unrest look like? (08/24/2012) ...
Parents Sue the East Ramapo School District (08/23/2012) Parents in East Ramapo, New York, have filed a class action lawsuit against their school district, saying funding has been unfairly distributed to favor private Jewish institutions over public schools. WBAI's Rebecca Myles speaks with...
Civil Liberties Advocates Push For Passage of the Community Safety Act (08/23/2012) Civil liberties advocates are lobbying the New York City Council to sign onto a package of bills that together make up what they are calling The Community Safety Act. The measures are a response to the controversy surrounding the New York City...
Homeland Security License Plate Reader Data Going to Private Businesses (08/23/2012) The license plate numbers of cars crossing the US borders with Canada and Mexico are being recorded and tracked by license plate reading cameras operated by US Customs and Border Protection. But documents recently obtained by the Electronic...
Plans In Place For Protests at the Republican Convention (08/23/2012) Organizers say thousands of people are making their way to Tampa, Florida to take part in daily protest demonstrations against Republican policies during the Republican National Convention. WBAI’s Jose Santiago speaks with Coalition to March...
Commentary: For Women and People of Color, There's Only One Option (08/23/2012) The latest polls say the public has mixed feelings about who should win this year’s presidential election, depending on what question is asked. But commentator Playthell Benjamin says considering what’s at stake there’s no question about...
In Response to Surveillance Muslims Call For Improved Oversight of NYPD (08/22/2012) The Council on American-Islamic Relations is calling for passage of package of bills in the New York City Council that would improve oversight of the NYPD. WBAI’s Jose Santiago spoke with Cyrus McGoldrich, Advocacy Director with the New York...
NYC Sikhs Call for Unity (08/22/2012) At City Hall, Queens Council member James Sanders and members of the Sikh community held a ceremony seeking unity and understanding. WBAI's Linda Perry...
Anti-Fracking Rally Targets Cuomo NYC Policy Meeting (08/22/2012) NY Governor Andrew Cuomo today attended a policy meeting at the midtown Sheraton Hotel, while outside people rallied against gas drilling in the state. WBAI's Rebecca Myles...
Appeals Court Overturns EPA Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (08/22/2012) On Tuesday a federal appeals court in Washington, DC overturned the Environmental Protection Agency’s Cross-State Air Pollution rule. WBAI’s Andrea Sears spoke with Emily Davis, a lawyer with the Natural Resources Defense Council’s Clean...
Community Organizers Rally to Regain Control of Senior Center (08/21/2012) Today community organizers and seniors rallied to bring attention to a senior center that is changing hands. The Institute for the Puerto Rican and Hispanic Elderly lost its bid to continue to run a Senior Center that they’ve been operating...
US Accused of Paying Journalists to Influence Cuban 5 Jurors (08/21/2012) In Miami, Florida, an appeals lawyer for one of the Cuban Five filed an affidavit this week accusing the U.S. government-run Radio and TV Marti of secretly paying local journalists to influence the jury that convicted the Cuban Five in 2001. ...
ACLU Asks Military Commission to End Censorship of Torture Testimony (08/21/2012) On Wednesday lawyers from the American Civil Liberties Union will present arguments before the military commission at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, challenging the censorship of testimony by 9-11 defendants about their torture at the hands of American...
Riverside Church Event to End Mass Incarceration (08/21/2012) On September 14th Riverside Church will host an event focusing on ending mass incarceration in the United States. WBAI's Jose Santiago speaks with Suzanne Ross of the International Concerned Family and Friends of Mumia Abu...
Commentary: Rudy Redux (08/21/2012) In presidential politics, the GOP sent former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani onto the Sunday political talk shows to slam Vice President Joe Biden over his “they want to put you back in chains” comment. The wrong move, says...
Officials Approve Proposed New Tappan Zee Bridge Despite Objections (08/20/2012) New York elected officials and county executive today voted to approve plans for a new Tappan Zee Bridge. WBAI's Rebecca Myles...
Nurses Seek Aid to Stop Mt Vernon Hospital Closing (08/20/2012) The NYS Nurses Association is calling for emergency aid to keep Mount Vernon Hospital from closing. WBAI's Lucas Reckhaus...
Activists Petition to Ignore PA Voter ID Law (08/20/2012) Voting rights activists in Pennsylvania say they’ve gathered thousands of petition signatures urging county election officials not to comply with Pennsylvania’s voter ID law. WBAI’s Jose Santiago discussed the issue with Steven Singer, a...
NJ Senate Passes Good Samaritan Law (08/20/2012) The New Jersey State Senate today passed the Good Samaritan Emergency response Act, a bill designed to cut down on the number of people who die of drug overdoses every year. WBAI's Andrea Sears speaks with Roseanne Scotti, New Jersey...
Commentary: Legitimate Rape? (08/20/2012) On the presidential campaign trail, just when the GOP was piling on a gaffe by Vice President Joe Biden, one of the Grand Old Party's own has put his foot in his mouth. Playthell Benjamin offers this...
City Witness Testimony in Stop and Frisk Class Action Lawsuit Unreliable (08/17/2012) A federal judge has ruled that a major portion of a key city witness' testimony in the Stop & Frisk class action lawsuit is unreliable and will be excluded from the trial. WBAI's Andrea Sears speaks with Darius Charney, a senior...
Three members of Russian Punk Band were sentenced to two years in jail (08/17/2012) Three members of the Russian punk group were sentenced today for their controversial video. New York residents held rallies in the city in support. WBAI's Iman McDonnaugh files this...
Lawyers are squaring off over Pennsylvania's Anti-Immigrant law (08/17/2012) A Pennsylvania anti-immigrant law is in federal appeals court again. The law never went into effect because it has been found as unconstitutional but Supreme Court rulings over Arizona's anti-immigrant law is given it a new review. ...
A hydro-geologist finds global use of groundwater is unsustainable (08/17/2012) A study in Nature magazine by a McGill University hydrogeologist finds global use of groundwater is unsustainable at the present rate. Tom Gleeson talks to WBAI's Rebecca...
Julian Assange Granted Diplomatic Asylum by Ecuador (08/16/2012) The government of Ecuador today granted diplomatic asylum to Wikileaks founder Julian Assange. Assange has been living in the Ecuadorian Embassy in London while fighting extradition to Sweden where he is wanted for questioning over...
MoveOn.org Hands Out Pink Slips (08/16/2012) Across the country members of MoveOn.org handed out one million pink slips today to raise awareness about plans championed by Mitt Romney and Rep. Paul Ryan that they say would cost the U.S. one million jobs in just one year. WBAI’s...
Commentary: Romney's Running Mate (08/16/2012) Commentator Playthell Benjamin says Romney’s selection of Wisconsin congress-member Paul Ryan as his running mate continues to generate...
Envronmentalists Cry Foul Over Clean Water Rules Expemtions for NYS Dairy Farmers (08/16/2012) New York environmental groups are reacting today to Governor Andrew Cuomo’s proposal to deregulate diary farming from clean water protections rules to support yoghurt production in the state. He made the announcement at a Yoghurt summit in...
Young Immigrants Apply for Temporary Legal Status (08/15/2012) Some young immigrants facing deportation can get a break starting today. President Obama's deferred action for childhood arrivals offers two years of protection from deportation for some undocumented immigrants under 30 years old. ...
New Jersey National Guard Resolution (08/15/2012) Peace Activists in Teaneck, New Jersey are launching a new campaign to generate support for resolutions in the state legislature calling for the recall of New Jersey National Guard members currently deployed – and the cancellation of plans to...
Domestic Surveillance: Watching the Watchers (08/15/2012) Last week Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly unveiled a new data collection and analysis system they call the Domain Awareness System. Developed by the NYPD and Microsoft, the Domain Awareness System is being called a...
Commentary: Campaign Rhetoric Unchained (08/15/2012) On the presidential campaign trail all the talk today was about Vice President Joseph Biden’s comments yesterday in which he said Mitt Romney’s desire to repeal newly enacted banking regulations would put the middle class “back in...
City Council Looks Into NYCHA Problems (08/14/2012) NYCHA, the New York City Housing Authority, has been under attack for failing to use federal funds for necessary building repairs. Today City Council members said they're willing to address problems at the agency. WBAI's Linda...
Environmentalists Push for Federal Ocean Protection (08/14/2012) The environmental group Clean Ocean Action is sponsoring a fifteen day event to push for federal legislation to protect the ocean environment. WBAI's Phil Beder...
City Parkland for a Soccer Stadium? (08/14/2012) A report in Monday’s New York Post says Major League Soccer is close to finalizing a deal with the city and state to build a professional soccer stadium on 9 acres of parkland in Flushing Meadows Park in Queens. It would require city and...
Corporate Tax Dodgers Hall of Shame (08/14/2012) For years corporations in New York State have gotten huge tax breaks for promising to create new jobs. But a new website, GettingOurMoney'sWorth.org, shows that these same corporations hardly ever create the promised jobs. WBAI's...
Commentary: Romney, Ryan and LIBOR (08/14/2012) Republicans are all aflutter over the energy that Mitt Romney’s selection of Paul Ryan as his running mate has infused into the campaign. But for commentator, Playthel Benjamin, Ryan’s anti-regulation credentials provide 800 trillion more...
Romney Chooses Ryan As Vice Presidential Nominee (08/13/2012) Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney has chosen Wisconsin Representative Paul Ryan to be his running mate. WBAI’s Andrea Sears spoke with Robert Kraig, executive director of Citizen Action of Wisconsin, who says the news of Ryans...
Commentary: Romney Chooses Ryan for VP (08/13/2012) Commentator Playthell Benjamin says while some are hailing the choice of Wisconsin Representative Paul Ryan as Mitt Romney's running mate, others are calling it political...
Homophobic Spanish Language TV Show Cancelled (08/13/2012) Liberman Broadcasting, a Spanish languish, broadcasting company, has pulled the plug on its controversial program “Jose Luis sin Censura” in which gay guests were subjected to insults, anti-gay slurs and even physical violence. WBAI’s...
Peace Activists Protest NBC Reality Show (08/13/2012) Anti-war organizations are protesting the NBC premier of a "reality" TV show called "Stars Earn Stripes" that features B-list celebrities competing in military training exercises. WBAI's Lucas Reckhaus...
Obama Administration Appeals NDAA Ruling (08/13/2012) In May Federal Judge Katherine Forest issued an injunction blocking enforcement of section 1021 of the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA. Last week lawyers for the Obama administration filed an appeal of that ruling, and returned to...
Pacifica Archives being used in new exhibit "Before We Were Queer" (08/10/2012) Pacifica Archives are being used in an art installation part of exhibition Before We Were Queer which opens Saturday. The multimedia exhibition is about the times before homosexuals were known as queer and before the vocabulary was used. ...
The sewage leak in the Hudson River is only part of the story of water quality according to a spokesman from Riverkeeper. (08/10/2012) Westchester County officials say repairs on the broken pipe that leaked millions of gallons of raw sewage into the Hudson River is almost complete. The leak also endangered an Ironman swim scheduled for Saturday; organizers will decided today...
Plowshare activists could face up to 10 years in jail for their recent protest. (08/10/2012) A federal grand jury has expanded the charges against three anti- war protesters who allegedly broke into weapons manufacturing facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The Plowshares activists, including 82-year-old Sister Megan Rice, a Catholic...
Report Finds Hospital Visiting Policies Inconsistent (08/09/2012) A new report on visiting policies in New York State hospitals shows inconsistencies in web information and general confusion about federal and state regulations. WBAI's Rebecca Myles...
NY Times Photographer Beaten and Arrested (08/09/2012) Freelance photographer Robert Stolariks was arrested Saturday night in the Bronx while taking pictures of the arrest of a teenager. WBAI's Andrea Sears speaks with Delphine Hagland, Washington, DC director of Reporters Without Borders, who says...
Puerto Rico Anti-Protest Law Challenged (08/09/2012) Political activists in Puerto Rico are in a battle with the island’s conservative governor and legislature over a law set to go into effect next month that could lead to prison sentences for people who protest at Puerto Rico’s capital. ...
The Great Drought of 2012 (08/09/2012) More than half of the counties in the United States are experiencing drought conditions and the coming grain shortage will have global implications. WBAI's Andrea Sears speaks with Hampshire College Peace and World Securities professor...
FBI Expands Sikh Temple Shooting Investigation (08/08/2012) The FBI revealed today that the investigation into Sunday’s deadly shooting at a Sihk Temple in Wisconsin is now reaching beyond the borders of the United States. While still classified as an act of Domestic Terrorism, an FBI official said...
NRC Suspends Nuke Plant License Decisions (08/08/2012) The Nuclear Regulatory Commission yesterday suspended issuing final decisions on new licenses and on license renewals for nuclear power plants until the agency decides how to deal with the issue of spent nuclear fuel. That includes the...
Housing Activists Call for NYCHA Accountability (08/08/2012) Today a coalition of housing activists gathered in front of NYCHA, the New York City Housing Authority’s Headquarters. Then they marched over to HUD, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, demanding accountability...
OWS Disability Caucus Occupies Bloomberg Dinner (08/08/2012) The Disability Caucus of Occupy Wall Street is protesting outside Gracie Mansion where Mayor Michael Bloomberg is hosting the annual Disability Barbecue. WBAI's Rebecca Myles speaks with Danny Robert, a co-founder of the...
New York City Sikhs and Elected Officials Respond to Wisconsin Shootings (08/07/2012) We are all Sikhs. This is the message at City Hall today as elected officials donned turbans and spoke out about the shooting in...
Council Members Call for More Phys-Ed in NYC Schools (08/07/2012) As Mayor Bloomberg pushes legislation to control the size of soft drink containers as a way to curb childhood obesity, two City Council Members are saying there's a better way to address the problem. WBAI's Phil Beder speaks with...
Boycott Carlos Slim (08/07/2012) Two Countries One Voice, Occupy Wall Street and elected officials call for a four day boycott of Sacs Fifth Avenue to protest the store's largest shareholder, Mexican telecommunications mogul Carlos Slim. WBAI's Lucas Reckhaus...
Caravan for Peace with Justice and Dignity (08/07/2012) Later this month, family members of people killed in Mexico’s drug war will embark on a 20-city caravan across the United States to bring attention to the cost in lives of U.S. drug policy. WBAI’s Jose Santiago discussed the issue with...
Commentary: Farewell My Queen (08/07/2012) Commentator Playthel Benjamin has been to the movies and he liked what he saw. The movie – a French Film titled: Farewell My Queen, now playing in New York. Playthell says while it is yet another recounting of the French Revolution,...
Authorities Identify Suspect in Wisconsin Sikh Temple Shootings (08/06/2012) Authorities today identified the man accused of killing six people in a Sikh temple in Oak Creek, Wisconsin yesterday as a former Army soldier who may have served as an Army psy-ops or psychological operations specialist....
Commentary: The Right's Words Incite Vioence (08/06/2012) The shootings at the Sikh temple in Wisconsin have prompted commentator Playthell Benjamin to ask why policy-makers are doing so little to acknowledge the toll that gun violence is taking on the...
Nassau County Religious Leaders Protest Youth Services Cuts (08/06/2012) Nassau County religious leaders held a news conference and prayer vigil today to protest cuts to youth services programs. WBAI's Rebecca Myles speaks with Rev. Dr. Nelly Taylor Walthrust of the Westbury Gospel...
Rise in Gangs Tied to Cuts in Youth Programs (08/06/2012) The 19 people arrested in East Harlem last week are among 132 members of seven gangs police and the DA’s office have arrested in recent months. Many community leaders say the proliferation of gang activity has been aided by years of cutbacks...
Texas Cops Settle Civil Forfeiture Lawsuit (08/06/2012) On Friday police in the city of Tenaha and surrounding Shelby County in Texas agreed to a consent decree to settle a class action lawsuit brought by the American Civil Liberties Union on behalf of Black and Latino drivers. The plaintiffs in...
The Labor Department released its latest job report. (08/03/2012) The latest report on employment was released by the Labor Department today. WBAI's Rebecca Myles has...
A new report finds increases in income segregation. (08/03/2012) A report released this week by the Washington-based Pew Research Center finds an increase in what the Center calls income segregation. Looking at 2012 Census figures, researchers found an increase in the number of Americans living in poor and...
Car washers in Queens are fighting for better pay and working conditions. (08/03/2012) Queens car washers have been joined by a coalition of groups to fight for better pay and working conditions. WBAI's Desi K. Robinson has...
67th Anniversary of the dropping of the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. (08/03/2012) This Sunday marks the 67th anniversary of the dropping of the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima, Japan - followed by the Atomic bombing of Nagasaki....
History of the Olympics (08/03/2012) The 2012 Olympic games taking place in London continue to generate dramatic stories of athletic accomplishment and the many obstacles competing athletes must overcome to get to the Olympics. But for commentator, Playthell Benjamin, there are...
A major bust of alleged drug gang members accused of controlling a large area of East Harlem (08/02/2012) New York City police and prosecutors today announced the indictments of 19 alleged gang-members they accused of conspiring to sell crack cocaine from a public housing building in East Harlem. Authorities said the alleged gang-members turned a...
Growing scandal at the New York City Housing Authority (08/02/2012) Manhattan Borough President, Scott Stringer today recommended widespread reforms of the New York City Housing Authority. His plan was accompanied by a report he released today amid a growing scandal at the highest levels of the authority,...
New Jersey environmentalists say rain and snowstorms are increasing in the Garden State. (08/02/2012) Environmentalists in New Jersey released a report today that shows rain and snowstorms in the Garden State are increasing dramatically and are clearly the product of global warming....
Senate Intelligence Committee passes bill intended to remedy intelligence leaks to the press. (08/02/2012) But critics say a close reading of the bill by reporters and justice organizations this week, finds the National Intelligence Authorization Act does little to address the source of leaks, could limit intelligence contacts with the media, and could...
Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney's Tax Problem (08/02/2012) The campaign of Republican presidential hopeful, Mitt Romney, defended his tax plan today, in response to an independent study that concluded it would lead to big tax cuts for the wealthy and place a heavy burden on the other 99% of Americans. ...
Judge won't step down in ZImmerman murder trial. (08/01/2012) Judge won't step down in murder trial of George ZImmerman. Jose Santiago has...
An engineer at Pacific Gas and Electric Company warned his supervisor about a fatal gas pipeline. (08/01/2012) Gas pipeline record keeping was shoddy. WBAI's Jose Santiago has...
Women's groups speak out against an Arizona law they say would put the lives of women at risk... (08/01/2012) Women's groups across the country were scrambling today to try to halt implementation of an Arizona law banning abortions 20 weeks after a women's last period. Signed into law by Governor Jan Brewer, the law was to take affect at...
Congressional GOP tries to strangle Violence Against Women Act (08/01/2012) The Violence Against Women Act traditionally gets reauthorized easily and provides programming and funding for domestic violence victims and survivors, and for rape crisis centers and hotlines....
What is GOP presidential candidate Romney's relationship with Casino Magnate Sheldon Adelson? (08/01/2012) Only a handful of reporters were allowed into a fundraiser in Israel for GOP Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney - and while those reporters heard what Romney was promising his contributors, they were not allowed to ask questions when Romney took...
New York City Straphangers release their Subway Report Card (08/01/2012) The Straphangers Campaign releases its annual State of the Subways Report Card today. System-wide, they found subways have fewer breakdowns, overall subway announcement clearer, but subway cars are dirtier and one of the trains rated worst in...
Anti-Imperialist, free thinker, American Man of Letters, Gore Vidal is dead at 86 (08/01/2012) Raconteur, anti-imperialist, acerbic witted, American man of letters and screenplays, Gore Vidal, died yesterday at the age of 86. He died in his home in the Hollywood Hills of complications from pneumonia. According to his nephew he had...
The world's largest power blackout? (07/31/2012) Hundreds of millions of people are without electrical power in India in what's being called the largest blackout the world has ever...
What is behind the continuing clashes with police in Anaheim? (07/31/2012) The City of Anaheim California has been rocked by clashes between community residents and police last week or so, following the police killing of what community activists say was an unarmed young, Latino man....
New Yorkers demand passage of Paid Sick Days legislation. (07/31/2012) New York's City Council has yet to pass legislation that would grant workers paid sick days. Meanwhile, workers are losing their jobs when they get sick as was the case with Celina Alvarez who lost her job when she had to go to hospital...
A new report confirms global warming is increasing rainfall in our region - leading to more and more flooding. (07/31/2012) The report, When it Rains it Pours, concludes that extreme rain events are on the increase in New York State and that global warming is to blame. The analysis done by the National Climate Data Center, looked at rain data from around the...
New Jersey chapter of the American Civil Liberties investigating local police department over license plate tracking (07/31/2012) The New Jersey chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union has sent public records requests to nearly two-dozen local police departments, and several state law enforcement agencies, in an effort to learn if they are using the new controversial...
Mitt Romney's foreign adventures (07/31/2012) The foray to far off lands of Republican presidential hopeful, Mitt Romney, continues to peak the interest of Playthell Benjamin. Here's tonight's...
Man accused of carrying out the so-called Colorado Massacre is hit with more than a hundred felony counts (07/30/2012) The man accused of carrying out the so-called Colorado Massacre is hit with more than a hundred felony counts of murder and attempted murder. WBAI's Jose Santiago has...
Banning Ammo sales online (07/30/2012) The Colorado shooting has generated widespread calls for gun control legislation ranging from a renewed ban on assault weapons to a crackdown on internet sales of ammunition....
State Senator calling for restoration of funding for anti-violence programs. (07/30/2012) Following yet another street shooting in which six people were injured including a two year old girl, State Senator Eric Adams of Brooklyn is calling on Albany to approve an emergency allocation of $50 million to combat gun-related violence in New...
Nine days of protests in Anaheim over police shooting of a young unarmed Latino man (07/30/2012) Community Activists are calling for an investigation into the police shooting of a young Latino man. WBAI's Jose Santiago has...
Fair Tax report. (07/30/2012) Three advocacy groups are weighing in on whether and how to end the Bush era tax cuts. They have issued a report to show how much revenue would be generated and how the revenue might be spent. WBAI's Christine Black spoke with Karen...
Mitt and Michelle (07/30/2012) First Lady Michelle Obama exchanged hugs with U.S. Olympic athletes competing in London this weekend - while Republican presidential hopeful, Mitt Romney, was in Israel hoping to look presidential and talking tough. Commentator Playthell...
Con Edison workers have a tentative agreement (07/27/2012) Consolidated Edison union workers are back at work today after a tentative agreement was reached with management and ends a three week lockout. WBAI's Rebecca Myles has...
New York elected officials, religious leaders offer solutions to cut gun violence (07/27/2012) New York religious leaders, business owners and elected officials from across the city came together on the steps of CIty Hall today to collectively condemn gun violence and offered solutions. WBAI's Desi K. Robinson was there and has...
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie vetoes a clean air bill (07/27/2012) New Jersey Governor Chris Christie vetoes an environmental program that was saving the state money, creating jobs and cutting pollution. WBAI's Rebecca Myles speaks to Matt Elliot, Clean Energy Advocate for Environmental New...
Is the City really thinking of privatizing the City Park system? (07/27/2012) Members of District 37 and New York Traffic Employees Local 1455 will speak out at City Hall on Monday against the Bloomberg Administration's plan to privatize the City parking system. WBAI's Rebecca Myles spoke to Michael DeMarco is...
Pennsylvania court rules Oil and Gas Act 13 unconstitutional (07/27/2012) Pennsylvania has found the State's recently passed Act 13 is unconstitutional. The Act would have given oil and gas companies rights to bypass municipal zoning regulations. WBAI's Rebecca Myles spoke to Tracy Carlucio, Deputy...
When in doubt ask a horse...commentary by Playtell Benjamin (07/27/2012) Mitt Romney is attending an elite London fundraiser, $25,000 to $75,000 per plate hosted by the CEOs at the center of the Libor interest rigging scandal. Executives of at least three other banks are under investigation are co-chairs of the...
Consolidated Edison and the union agreed today some workers would return to work. (07/26/2012) WBAI's Jose Santiago has...
Police abuse a young man on Sunset Park subway platform (07/26/2012) Community activists in the Sunset Park section of Brooklyn released a video today showing what they say is the police abuse of a young man on a Sunset Park subway platform. The video, which was to go on YouTube, was shot by long-time community...
A new report uncovers trillions of dollars the wealthy are accused are hiding from us. (07/26/2012) A new report on the super-rich finds the wealthy are basically hiding tens of trillions of dollars in tax havens - thereby avoiding paying income taxes. The report also says not only are the American super-rich making use of foreign tax...
Are farm subsidies contributing to the nation's obesity epidemic? (07/26/2012) Is the U.S. policy of providing subsidies to farmers contributing to the nation's obesity epidemic? That's the question at the heart of a new report by the U.S. Public Interest Research Group Fund. WBAI's Desi K. Robinson...
Commentary on the effectiveness of the current U.S. Congress. (07/26/2012) Commentary on the effectiveness of the current U.S....
TWU wants buses and subways restored, MTA wants to expand to new routes (07/24/2012) State and city elected officials joined the Transportation Workers Union to announce a new campaign to demand the restoration of buses and subway services cut in 2010. The cuts hit hardest working New Yorkers, children and the...
New Jersey activists are calling for financial incentives for wind power (07/24/2012) Some 217 environmental groups, labor organizations, businesses and public officials today called for action to bring what one activist called the Saudi Arabia of Wind to the Atlantic Coast. ...
Commentary on Mitt Romney's business ethics (07/24/2012) A new poll, conducted in part by Reuters News Service, finds the Obama campaign’s portrayal of Mitt Romney as an out of touch business man who has worked to outsource jobs is working. The on-line survey showed that a large slice of...
Latino rights group pressures U.S. Justice Department over voting irregularities (07/24/2012) One of the nation’s oldest Latino Rights organizations is continuing to pressure the U.S. Justice Department to investigate possible voting irregularities in the recent primary race between Congress-member Charles Rangel and State Senator Adriano...
New York City Council to vote on NYU expansion plan to the dismiss of residents and faculty (07/24/2012) The New York City Council is expected to approve New York University’s massive, $ 5 billion expansion plan tomorrow, much to the dismay of community activists, NYU staff and Greenwich Village residents who say it will ruin their...
The man accused of carrying out the so-called Colorado massacre makes his first court appearance (07/23/2012) The man, James Egan Holmes, accused of carrying out the so-called Colorado massacre makes his first court...
Congressional Republicans trying to tamper with food safety laws; Democrats are fighting back (07/23/2012) Congressional Democrats are blasting a Republican-authored bill called the Red Tape Reduction and Small Business Job Creation Act. They say the measure would halt all new federal regulations an shut down creation of safety rules governing everything...
ACLU's Lawsuit over Pennsylvania Voter ID Law (07/23/2012)
Voting Rights advocates will be in a Pennsylvania courtroom this week for a challenge to that state’s recently enacted Voter ID law.Supporters of the law, pushed through by Republicans, say it is needed to avoid voter fraud.Its...
Representatives at the United Nations discuss Small Arms Trade Agreement treaty. (07/23/2012)
Representatives from across the globe are at United Nations headquarters in New York this month working toward an Arms Trade Agreement. Such a treaty would create strict regulations on the international trade of weapons of all...
Commentary on 2nd Amendment (07/23/2012)
Last week’s mass shooting in Aurora,Colorado has reopened the debate over whether the federal governmentshould limit the sale of assault weapons.It is an idea that wastried for a time but eventually struck down –...
State Senator calling for restoration of funding for anti-violence programs (07/20/2012) Following yet another street shooting in which six people were injured including a two year old girl, State Senator Eric Adams of Brooklyn is calling on Albany to approve an emergency allocation of $50 million to combat gun-related violence in New...
State Senator calling for emergency funding for violence reduction programs (07/20/2012) Following yet another street shooting in which six people were injured including a two year old girl, State Senator Eric Adams of Brooklyn is calling on Albany to approve an emergency allocation of $50 million to combat gun-related violence in New...
Massacre in a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado (07/20/2012) The massacre in a movie theater in Aurora, Colorado where 70 were injured and 12 are dead, and the shooter is under...
Environmental activists protest outside the Peruvian Consultate in New York over gold mining operations (07/20/2012) Environmental activists protested outside the Peruvian Consulate in New York today over the recent death of protestors who are fighting the expansion of gold mining operations in Cajamarca, Northern...
Lation Rights organization demands Justice Department investigate voting irregularities (07/20/2012) One of the nation's oldest Latino Rights organizations is calling on the U.S. Justice Department to investigate possible voting irregularities in the recent primary race between Congress-member Charles Rangel and State Senator Adriano...
FDA Spies On Then Fires Whistle Blowers (07/19/2012) In 2010 the Federal Food and Drug Administration began secretly monitoring the email accounts of five of its own research scientists. They were whistle blowers who claimed that the public was being exposed to dangerous levels of radiation by...
Pennsylvania Towns Fight Back Against a Fracking Gag Law (07/19/2012) A number of municipalities on Pennsylvania are passing resolutions challenging Act 13, a law that gives broad protections to gas drilling companies. WBAI's Rebecca Myles speaks with Tracy Carlucio, Deputy Director of the Delaware...
Report: South Asians Hold NYC's Lowest Paid Jobs (07/19/2012) A report by Desis Rising Up and Moving and the Urban Justice Center finds that South and Southeast Asians hold the lowest paid jobs in New York City. WBAI's Jose Santiago speaks with Monami Maulik, executive director of Desis Rising Up...
Commentary: Rush's Rants 2 (07/19/2012) Conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh's recent charge that President Obama hates this country and is trying to destroy the American dream continues to irritate commentator Playthell...
Lawsuit Filed Over Targeted Killing of US Citizens (07/18/2012) Today the American Civil Liberties Union and the Center for Constitutional Rights filed a lawsuit against senior CIA and military officials for ordering drone strikes that killed three US citizens in Yemen. None of the three had been charged...
Con Ed and Workers Still Far Apart (07/18/2012) Negotiations between Con Edison and Utility Workers Union local 1-2 continued today, but the two sides are still far apart. WBAI's Linda Perry...
Tito Kayak Halfway Through 1,000 Mile Trip (07/18/2012) The Puerto Rican Independence activist known as Tito Kayak is about halfway through his Kayak trip through the Caribbean, which is aimed at calling attention to the continued incarceration of political prison Oscar Lopez Rivera....
Commentary: Nelson Mandela International Day (07/18/2012) The United Nations today marked Nelson Mandela International Day, celebrating the South African leader’s 94th birthday and honoring his contributions to democracy, racial justice and reconciliation with events at its Headquarters in New York and...
Latino Officials and Low Wage Workers Rally for an Increase in the Minimum Wage (07/17/2012) Latino elected officials, low wage workers and community leaders rallied on the steps of City Hall today to demand an increase in the state's minimum wage and respect for workers' rights. WBAI's Linda Perry was there and filed...
New York Woman Takes DOMA Challenge to the Supreme Court (07/17/2012) A New York Woman who was forced to pay more than three hundred fifty thousand dollars in federal estate taxes on her inheritance from her same sex spouse has asked the US Supreme Court to hear her case. WBAI's Andrea Sears speaks with...
Protests Continue at NYS Drone Base (07/17/2012) Peace activists in Central New York say they’ll continue to protest against the use of the Hancock Airbase outside Syracuse as an operations center for Reaper Drones being used to kill suspected terrorists in Afghanistan. ...
Commentary: Rush's Rants (07/17/2012) On his national talk show yesterday Rush Limbaugh said President Obama was indoctrinated as a child, raised by a communist father and that his contempt for America was reinforced in the Ivy League school he attended. Commentator Playthell...
Report Shows a Spike in Extrajudicial Killings of Black Americans (07/16/2012) A report recently issued by the Malcolm X Grassroots Movement has documented what the group claims is a spike in the number of Black Americans being killed by police....
Hempstead Village Mayor Lays Out Redevelopment Plans (07/16/2012) The Village of Hempstead on Long Island is considering a $2 billion development plan. Speaking with WBAI's Rebecca Myles, Hempstead Village Mayor Wayne Hall says job creation is a key part of the...
NYS Bill to Stop Police Confiscation of Sex Workers' Condoms (07/16/2012) A bill that has been pending in the New York State legislature for 14 years would stop the practice of police confiscating condoms from sex workers and prosecutors presenting them as evidence in prostitution cases. WBAI's Andrea Sears...
New Bill Would Halt Mountaintop Removal Mining (07/16/2012) A bill introduced in Congress would place a moratorium on mountaintop removal coal mining until a health study has been done by the Department of Health and Human Services. WBAI's Rebecca Myles speaks with Bo Webb, campaign coordinator...
Commentary: Romney, Taxes and Bain Capital (07/16/2012) The controversy surrounding Mitt Romney's refusal to release more tax returns and the debate over when he stepped down from Bain Capital have caught the attention of WBAI commentator Playthell...
Soho Planter Boxes Displace Veteran Street Vendors (07/13/2012) Large planter boxes illegally installed on the sidewalk on Prince Street in Soho have displaced veterans who have been setting up tables to sell wares to passers by. WBAI's Rebecca Myles...
NYC Jewelers Arrested fof Trading in Illegal Ivory (07/13/2012) The underground trade in illegal ivory harvested from threatened and endangered elephants has increased sharply. And the market for these goods is right here in Manhattan. WBAI's Linda Perry...
City Bill to Curb Electric Powered Bicycles (07/13/2012) A bill introduced in the City Council would increase fines for those who ride electric powered bicycles on the sidewalk, run red lights and stop signs and ride against traffic. WBAI's Iman McDonnaugh...
Book Reading to Protest NYU Expansion Plans (07/13/2012) On Sunday, July 15th, there will be a free book reading by authors protesting NYU's Sexton Expansion Plan. WBAI's Rebecca Myles speaks with Anne Pellegrini, Associate Professor of Performance and Religious Studies at...
Dreaming In Public, Building the Occupy Movement (07/13/2012) A new book, "Dreaming In Public: Building the Occupy of Movement", is a collection of blogs, reportage, and public statements written by Occupy participants. WBAI's Andrea Sears speaks with Amy Schrager Lang and Daniel Lang/Levitsky,...
Woody Guthrie Centennial Celebration (07/13/2012) Saturday, July 14th marks the 100th anniversary of legendary folk singer Woody Guthrie's birth. The festivities were kicked off Thursday night with a concert by his grand daughter, Sara Lee...
Consolidated Edison and workers reach a tentative agreement (07/12/2012) Consolidated Edison management and union workers have a tentative agreement. WBAI's Rebecca Myles has...
Pennsylvania Court rules Act 13 unconstitutional (07/12/2012) Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court found the State's recently passed Act 13 is unconstitutional. The Act would have given oil and gas companies rights to bypass municipal zoning regulations. ...
Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court found the State's recently passed Act 13 is unconstitutional. (07/12/2012) Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court found the State's recently passed Act 13 is unconstitutional. The Act would have given oil and gas companies rights to bypass municipal zoning regulations. ...
A New Banking Scandal Has Spead Across the Atlantic (07/12/2012) A new banking scandal has erupted with charges of anti-trust law violations, fraud and collusion to fix daily bank lending rates. WBAI's Rebecca Myles speaks with William K Black, Associate Professor of Economics and Law at the University...
Abuse-Deterrent OxyContin Leads to an Increase in Heroin Use (07/12/2012) Two years ago Perdue Pharma LLP introduced a new version of OxyContin that it had reformulated to deter abuse. A report published today in the New England Journal of Medicine says the new formula works, but OxyContin addicts are switching to a...
Talks Between Con Ed and Locked-Out Workers Continue (07/12/2012) Talks between Con Ed and union workers continued today. But as Linda Perry reports, there's been little...
Commentary: Are We Better Off Without Stop and Frisk? (07/12/2012) Though opposition to the NYPD's Stop and Frisk program has been growing commentator Playthell Benjamin says there's a question that those who would end it need to...
Hempstead Village Residents Fault Development Plan (07/11/2012) Residents of Hempstead Village on Long Island are meeting tonight to discuss the town's two billion dollar proposal to revitalize downtown. WBAI's Rebecca Myles speaks with Mimi Pierre Johnson, an organizer with New York Communities...
Peoples Organization for Progress Protests End After 381 Days (07/11/2012) Today the Newark, New Jersey based People's Organization for Progress concluded 381 consecutive days of protests, commemorating the 1955 Montgomery Bus Boycott. WBAI's Linda Perry speaks with Larry Hamm, chair of...
Guitarmy Arrives at Zucotti Park (07/11/2012) Today the Guitarmy March, a ninety-nine mile trek from Philadelphia to New York City, completed its journey to Zucotti Park where four people were...
Confessions of a Microfinance Heretic, Part 2 (07/11/2012) In part two of an extended interview with WBAI's Andrea Sears, Hugh Sinclair, author of "Confessions of a Microfinance Heretic: How Microlending Lost Its Way and Betrayed the Poor", says the betrayal began when the focus shifted from economic...
Romney Booed at the NAACP (07/11/2012) Mitt Romney was greeted with polite but subdued applause when he spoke a the NAACP annual convention today. At least until he said, if elected, he'll repeal...
Why Mitt Won't Release His Tax Returns (07/11/2012) Commentator Playthell Benjamin says thoughtless comments in speeches to the NAACP aren’t the only problems Mitt Romney faces in his quest for the White...
Neighborhood Residents Say Seward Park Redevelopment Plans Don't Meet Their Needs (07/10/2012) The city has plans to build on five lotsin the Seward Park Urban Redevelopment Area. But area residents say the plans don't include enough affordable housing, schools and senior services. WBAI's Rebecca Myles speaks with Soo...
Confessions of a Microfinance Heretic (07/10/2012) Microfinance, giving small loans to the poor so they can invest in the tools they need to improve their lives, has been touted as the way to end poverty forever. In 2006 Bangladeshi banker Mohammed Yunus and the Grameen Bank received the Nobel...
Use of Private Security Firms by the United Nations Is Increasing (07/10/2012) A UN watchdog released a report today on the increasing use of private military and security companies by United Nations agencies. WBAI's Rebecca Myles...
TLC Holds Public Hearing on Proposed Fare Increase (07/09/2012) The New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission held a public hearing today on a proposed 17% fare increase. WBAI's
Lucas Reckhaus was there and files this...
House Farm Bill Would Cut Billions From Food Stamps (07/09/2012) Last week the House Agriculture Committee released a version of the Farm Bill that would cut millions of people off the Food Stamp roles.WBAI's Andrea Sears speaks with Mark Dunlea, executive director of the Hunger Action Network of New York...
Romney Has a Koch Problem (07/09/2012) On Sunday activists crashed a fundraiser for presidential candidate Mitt Romney at billionaire industrialist David Koch's South Hampton estate.WBAI's Linda Perry speaks with Harry Waistbren, an organizer with the Job Party and Occupy Wall...
New Reports Says Fracking Fluids Are Seeping Into PA Drinking Water (07/09/2012) As protesters shut down a fracking drill site, a new report finds that fracking fluids are seeping into Pennsylvania drinking water. WBAI's Rebecca Myles...
Commentary: The God Particle (07/09/2012) The announcement that evidence of the "God Particle" has been detected by the Large Hadron Collider leads commentator Playthell Benjamin to ask if modern science can determine the existence of...
Con Edison workers are on their 6th day of the lockout (07/06/2012) For the second day in a row, Con Edison and union workers are at the bargaining table trying to hammer out a contract, but the sides are far apart. Governor Cuomo office says he is monitoring the situation closely as the City faces a weekend...
George Zimmerman posts $1 million bail (07/06/2012) George Zimmerman, the man accused of the shooting death of Treyvon Martin, posts $1 million...
New York judge reinstates prevailing wage contracts for City workers (07/06/2012) A New York State Supreme Court rules that New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg exceeded his authority when he overturned long-standing prevailing wages for 10,000 city municipal workers set by the City Comptroller's office. The ruling affects...
Con Ed and Union Leaders Meet (07/05/2012) The management of New York's monopoly utility corporation, Con Edison, is meeting with union leaders and members today 5 days after a lockout began when contract negotiations broke down. Union workers have been picketing the utility's...
Police Target Stop-Stop-and-Frisk Activists (07/05/2012) Two activists involved in the Stop Stop and Frisk movement have found themselves being targeted by the NYPD. Aside from participating in demonstrations, Christina Gonzalez and Matthew Swaye have been videotaping police engaged in stop and...
Fukushima Meltdown Declared a Man Made Disaster (07/05/2012) Today the Japanese Parliament released a scathing report on the Fukushima nuclear disaster, saying it was man-made. WBAI's Linda Perry speaks with Kevin Kamps, Radioactive Waste Watchdog with Beyond...
Crashing Romney's Koch Party (07/05/2012) A bipartisan coalition of activists and occupiers plan to crash David Koch's Hampton fundraiser for Republican Presidential candidate Mitt Romney this Sunday to protest the influence of money in politics....
Frederick Douglas' Independence Day Address of 1852 (07/05/2012) The fireworks of another Fourth of July are over. But commentator Playthell Benjamin recalls an Independence Day 160 years ago when the real fireworks were in a speech given by one of the great orators of the...
Court Allows Subpoena for Protesters' Twitter Data (07/03/2012) A criminal judge in Manhattan on Monday denied a motion to dismiss a prosecutor's subpoena for three and a half months of Twitter data from an Occupy Wall Street protester who was arrested on the Brooklyn Bridge. WBAI's Andrea Sears...
Media is Being Slow to Connect Extreme Weather to Climate Change (07/03/2012) Media outlets are being slow to connect the extreme weather experienced in the United States with global warming. WBAI's Linda Perry speaks with Dr. Jerome Romme, a physicist at the Center for American...
Was the Supreme Court's Commerce Clause Ruling a Victory for Conservatives? (07/03/2012) Though the Supreme Court ruled the Affordable Care Act constitutional, the majority of the court ruled that Congress does not have the authority to impose the "individual mandate" under the Commerce Clause of the Constitution. Conservatives...
European Scientist to Announce Progress In the Search For the Higgs Boson (07/03/2012) On July 4th the European Organization for Nuclear Research will make a major announcement about the quest to find the elusive Higgs Boson, often called "the God particle". WBAI's Linda Perry speaks with theoretical physicist Sean Carrol,...
Animal Rights Activists Protest At Hot Dog Eating Contest (07/03/2012) If you're heading to Coney Island for the 4th of July look for a ten-foot-long inflatable puppy in a hot dog bun. WBAI's Rebecca Myles speaks with Phil Letten of Mercy for...
Civil Rights Lawsuit Filed Over White Plains Police Shooting (07/02/2012) On Monday in federal court in Manhattan the son of police shooting victim Kenneth Chamberlain Senior filed a twenty one million dollar civil rights claim against the city of White Plains. WBAI's Andrea Sears speaks with Randolph McLaughlin, the...
Union Workers Picket Con Ed Headquarters (07/02/2012) Members of the Utility Workers of American are picketing Con Edison at its main office in Manhattan after contract negotiations ended in a deadlock early Sunday. Over a hundred union members and supporters flanked both sides of Irving Place...
As UN Arms Control Talks Begin, Protesters Call For a Stronger Treaty (07/02/2012) Delegates from around the world gathered at the United Nations today for the start of month-long negotiations on a treaty to regulate the global weapons market, valued at more than $60 billion a year. Arms control campaigners say one person...
Humanitarian Aid to Cuba Stopped at US/Canadian Border (07/02/2012) US Customs officials have stopped a shipment of aid to Cuba from crossing the Canadian border. The aid, collected in Canada as part of the 23rd IFCO Pastors for Peace Friendshipment Caravan, includes medical and educational supplies. ...
Film Review: Woody Allen's To Rome With Love (07/02/2012) Commentator Playthell Benjamin takes a break from his usual quest for truth in politics to pursue another of his passions, a love of good cinema. He says that passion has been amply rewarded by Woody Allen’s latest film, “To Rome, With...
Lynne Stewart's prison sentence upheld (06/29/2012) A panel of federal judges in New York's Court of Appeals upheld the 10-year prison sentence imposed on civil rights lawyer, Lynne Stewart. Stewart was convicted in 2005 for smuggling messages from her imprisoned client, Sheik Omar Abdel...
New York City Council public hearing on NYU expansion plans (06/29/2012) At City Hall today, those for and against New York University's expansion plans held separate press conference before a full day of hearings before the City Council subcommittee on Land Use, Zoning and Franchises. WBAI's Iman...
Congress passes Transportation bill has a provision for BP oil spill victims (06/29/2012) Congress passed the Transportation bill, which President Barack Obama is expected to sign into law tomorrow. The 127 billion dollar bill doesn't include approval of the Keystone XL pipeline or the prohibition of government regulation of...
The Supreme Court Upholds the Obama Administration's Health Care Reform Law (06/28/2012) The US Supreme Court today handed the Obama Administration a major victory by upholding most of the provisions of the Affordable Care...
Progressives Are Divided Over Obama Care (06/28/2012) While conservatives appear to be united in their opposition to the Affordable Care Act, progressive are expressing a variety of opinions. WBAI's Andrea Sears speaks with Ron Pollack of Families USA and Steffie Woolhandler of Physicians...
The Roberts Court and the History Books (06/28/2012) The Roberts Court has built a reputation as one of the most partisan courts in history. But commentator Playthell Benjamin says it may have been a sense of history that drove Roberts to abondon his fellow conservatives and uphold the...
Student Loan Interest Rate Hike Averted (06/28/2012)
Congress reached a deal Wednesday to avert a doubling of the interest rates on student loans, at least for now. WBAI's Rebecca Myles...
US-Cuba Friendshipment Caravan Ready To Go (06/28/2012) The Annual US-Cuba Friendshipment Caravan is preparing to set out to deliver much needed aid to the people of Cuba. WBAI's Jose Santiago speaks with Gail Walker, co-director of IFCO, Pastors for...
National HIV Testing Day (06/27/2012) June 27th is National HIV Testing Day and marks the beginning of National HIV Testing Month in July - an annual campaign to raise awareness about the importance of HIV testing. WBAI's Linda Perry has the...
Lesbian Couple Shot in Texas (06/27/2012)
Police in Portland, Texas are investigating the recent shooting of a young lesbian couple in a local park - in investigation being closely watched by gay and lesbian groups across the country.
19 year old Mollie Judith Olgin and 18...
Commentary: Killers of the Dream (06/27/2012) The Supreme Court subverts democracy and promotes...
Schneiderman Subpoenas US Chamber of Commerce Records (06/27/2012)
New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman has issued a subpoena seeking email, bank records and other documents regarding the possible illegal transfer of millions of dollars of charitable...
Group demands 100% low income housing for new development project (06/27/2012)
A coalition of groups to protect Chinatown and the Lower East Side held a rally today over development plans for the largest tract of under-developed New York City-owned land below 96th Street.
Lauren's Law (06/22/2012) New York State lawmakers passed a measure this week that, if signed into law by Governor Cuomo, would increase the number of organ donors through a mandatory choice on driver's license applications....
New York University plans over 2 million square foot expansion; faculty are fighting back (06/18/2012) New York University administrators are planning to expand its campus by two million square feet when they build four high-rises on two university-owned blocks in Greenwich Village. The towers would be anywhere from 162 feet to 300 feet....
Senior Advocacy Day at City Hall (05/08/2012) Hundreds of seniors gathered on the steps of City Hall on Wednesday along with elected officials to demand cuts to vital services be restored. WBAI’s Linda Perry was at City Hall and files this...
Senior Advocacy Day at City Hall (05/08/2012) Hundreds of seniors gathered on the steps of City Hall on Wednesday along with elected officials to demand cuts to vital services be restored. WBAI’s Linda Perry was at City Hall and files this...
...It's disturbing we debate New York City childcare and Head Start each year.. (04/24/2012) New York City labor unions, elected officials and children concerned about proposed cuts to child care services and potential job losses in the latest budget negotiations were at City Hall today say both proposals are contemptible.WBAI's...
Assault Weapons Ban (02/28/2012) The Senate is holding hearings on banning certain types of high power weapons. Neil Heslin, father of 6 year old Jesse, one of the first graders slain in the Newtown mass shooting, fought back tears as he begged the Senate Judiciary Committee to ban...
Solitary Confinement - for Training Use (01/26/2012) What follows are two scripts of stories on solitary confinement in New York State prisons.
These serve as script sample for interns and volunteers interested in doing news for WBAI.
Part One Script:
Intro:...
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo delivers his State of the State address (01/09/2012) New York governor Andrew Cuomo today vowed to tighten gun laws, better prepare the state to handle disasters like Hurricane Sandy and push for an increase in the state minimum wage....
Deborah Danner (10/20/1016) Attorney General Eric Schneiderman won't be the Special Prosecutor investigating the death of 66 year old Deborah Danner in the Bronx.
Danner was shot by a NYPD Sergeant Barry in her Bronx apartment Tuesday night. When...
New Yorkers on 13 years since 9/11 (09/11/1014) New yorkers living their lives on 9/11 2014, walking along, riding a train, working in a grocery store.
Click the arrow to hear the...
NAACP Pursues Civil Rights Charges against Zimmerman Through DOJ (07/13/0203) The NAACP says a jury acquitted George Zimmerman but they are demanding justice for Trayvon Martin. They are asking people to sign their petition to Eric Holder and the Department of Justice for civil rights charges against Zimmerman....
Celebrations in Puerto Rico over the Governor's decision to drop plans to build a gas pipeline across the island (10/12/0201) Under heavy political pressure, Puerto Rican Governor has dropped plans to build a massive gas pipeline across the island, a pipeline opposed by eighty percent of island residents. WBAI's Jose Santiago spoke to David Galaza, an activist who...
Budget Fight (10/01/0201) — It's a political perfect storm: The pairing of a government shutdown with the rollout of a big chunk of the health care law is illustrating all sorts of partisan and cultural tensions that are roiling America. Big government...
WBAI Evening News (03/13/0201) —Snowday for Public School Students tomorrow as Nor-easter blankets the City on Tuesday — Reaction to firing of Federal Prosecutor Preet Bharara &mdash The ACLU launched a People Power training over the weekend to ensure...
WBAI Evening News (03/13/0201) —Snowday for Public School Students tomorrow as Nor-easter blankets the City on Tuesday — Reaction to firing of Federal Prosecutor Preet Bharara &mdash The ACLU launched a People Power training over the weekend to ensure...
Workers at McDonald's, Burger King, Wendy's, Taco Bell walked off the job protesting low wages (11/29/0012) Hundreds of workers at fast food restaurants in New York City walked off the job today. They are protesting low wages and demanded the right to form a union. WBAI's Andrea Sears spoke to Jonathan Westin, organizing director for New...
Morning News (00/00/0000) -U.S. Senate fails to act on Gun Reform measures and what that means
-People's Monday honored Janisha Fonville #BlackQueerLivesMatter
-US Attorney Preet Bharara announces arrest of NYPD brass who expedited gun...
Bernie Sanders - The Revolution Continues (00/00/0000) ...
WBAI News (00/00/0000) In the news tonight two of the suicide bombers in the attack on an airport and a metro in Brussels are identified.
New York City officials speak out against islamophobic statements by Republican Presidential Candidate, Ted...
WBAI News (00/00/0000) -Changes in how NYPD is to treat low-level offenses in Manhattan, which will have ripple affects on criminal courts and at Rikers
-Protest by JVP over the Hebron Fund in Brooklyn which pays funds Israeli settlements in Palestinian Territories...
Haiti's leader departs as he came: amid uncertainty, disorder (00/00/0000) Michel Martelly came to office promising a stronger Haiti following a messy election that provoked widespread skepticism. He is due to leave power Sunday at the close of his five-year term with few accomplishments and a legacy clouded by a new...
The Latest on Flint and More on the WBAI Evening News (00/00/0000) — In the News tonight: Davos The Pope on inequality and a new report on plastics in the Ocean—The attack on a school in Pakistan—Food shortages in Syria and the Central African...
Report from the Left Forum: Clemency for Oscar Lopez (00/00/0000) Oscar Lopez Rivera, a name unfamiliar to some who attended the Left Forum in New York City, but more familiar as the conference went on.
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Corruption Conference (00/00/0000) The specter of criminal cases against New York's assembly speaker and other lawmakers should help deter political corruption, but more ethics reforms are needed to root it out further, a high-profile federal prosecutor said...
Morning News (00/00/0000)
-We are facing a historic snowstorm: Caution to evening commuters
-NYS Assembly Speaker Shelley Silver steps "back"as he faces Federal charges
-Left Wing Party wins in Greece
-Egypt: Tahrir Square Labor...
Changes in Marijuana Arrests (00/00/0000) Mayor de Blasio Holds Press Conference with Commissioner Bratton to Make an...
New York Officials Update Ebola Protocol (00/00/0000) On Sunday Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams says we have a responsibilty to make the demystification of Ebola part of our everyday conversation.
New York City's Mayor Bil de Blasio made a point of praising...
Journalists are Dodging Rockets and online Attacks as Gaza Crumbles (00/00/0000) The role of the press in the turbulent conflict playing out in the Gaza Strip is becoming more and more a part of the story, with journalists forced to defend themselves in an online flame war over media coverage of this latest Middle Eastern...