D15 — Sandy survivors' day of action in Rockaways, NY

Residents of Rockaways joined together with Occupy Sandy on December 15, marching the streets and demanding that the government do something to help rebuild the neighborhood after Hurricane Sandy. 

It is now two months since Superstorm Sandy hit the area, but the disaster is far from over for these residents, and relief needs are still great. 

 

Heat and electricity are still absent in many areas, and many homes are uninhabitable, with black mold taking hold. Those living in homes with mold are becoming sick. 

 

With some landlords increasing rents by huge amounts, to try and cover their costs, and with other property owners deciding not to repair properties and evicting tenants, times are very hard in the Rockaways. Some people had household insurance on their houses and are now finding that the response from the insurance companies is taking much too long. 

 

Yet with all the problems still ongoing, government and FEMA response has been glaringly absent. As they did with Hurricane Katrina, and other recent disaster-and-recovery events, reconstruction resources and responsibility have been handed off by city, state and federal agencies, to corporations and markets. This hand-off has pushed affected people further out of their communities, further into crisis and vulnerability, and further from the decision-making tables that allocate public resources. 

 

Where the government has failed, Occupy and other groups have stepped in. Occupy Sandy Relief NYC has done the very best it can, but it cannot restore electricity and replace homes. 

 

On December 15, citizens, activists and community leaders took to the streets to demand change from the government and to take charge themselves. The people are demanding that power is restored to the people.

The people also now understand that climate change has turned a corner and they know they will be hard hit again by extreme weather events. Hence they are taking to the streets to ask "whose interests our government serves? Is it polluters, predatory lenders, and disaster profiteers?" 

 

"Or can we build a stronger, better, resilient New York where all of us, regardless of race, class or power, can weather future storms?" Do you live near the Rockaways? Have you also been affected by the lack of government and FEMA support after Sandy? Please comment below.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/339478

Occupy Sandy organizer Diego Ibañez in Far Rockaway

In the video we meet an Occupy Sandy Relief organizer, Diego Ibañez, and learn more about the group's incredible efforts in the Rockaways area.

The efforts of Occupy Sandy Relief, part of Occupy Wall Street (OWS) movement, continue in the Rockaways. In the interview, Ibañez talks about how the group is organizing themselves and that they have recently moved into the premises of a business that lost everything to the hurricane. While the owner is devastated, as he only started the business a few days before the hurricane struck, he is more than happy to help with rescue and rehabilitation efforts.

Ibañez explains that while some of the volunteers had experience with Hurricane Katrina, for the most part the members of Occupy Sandy Relief are thankful for their experiences in Zucotti Park, which set them up perfectly for organizing, community building, helping and feeding a crowd of people affected by the storm.

He compared the situation to that of the Chilean students, who were not taken seriously when protesting, but how those students helped during the earthquake in Chile, because they had the infrastructure in place, just as OWS does right now. 

At 7 pm every evening, they have a community meeting with local residents, in an effort to establish a place for people to go for more than just their basic needs. Ibañez says how many local residents are becoming organizers themselves and are becoming committed to helping in their neighborhood. He says that many have said that it is so sad that they have waited until a moment like this to actually create a community and become involved with each other.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/336619#ixzz2BuSlsjzh

Occupy Sandy Relief: Rockaway devastation and recovery (video)

Occupy Wall Street and the Occupy Sandy Relief projects are still continuing in New York. Rockaway residents reflect, recover and rebuild the community after Hurricane Sandy brings destruction and chaos to the beachfront neighborhood. 

Surveying the surrounding devastation in Rockaway, one resident opens the *video with, "The weather reports usually exaggerate. Just in case something catastrophic happens, just to come out and say, hey, you know, we warned you. But this time they were right. They were dead on. If not, it was actually worse than they said."

Other residents share the experience of windows popping out under the stress of the water, living in the dark, with no electricity, no water, no gas. We see residents in the area trying to make repairs, clean up the mess and get back to normal, but it is difficult under the circumstances.

Another resident reflects on his experience and says, "I don't want to die with 85 year old people, trying to make them swim, and deal with them drowning and so on. It just makes you appreciate life, even the wind on my face, which is freezing right now, feels nice."

A lady speaks of her neighbor, "You think of heroes as these big cops and firemen, and believe me they are too, and they always are. But here's someone, who just comes out of the blue, she calls me up when I'm being evacuated and says "What can I do." The day before we had to evacuate she called me to say let me help you to get the stuff off the terrace. She was going from terrace to terrace." 

We are introduced to rescue workers and Occupy Sandy Relief members, bringing food and water to residents who are unable to get out and about. We watch a community barbeque on the go.

One resident says, "You see the people come together more, you see everyone going out of their way to do the right thing. It's interesting, because sometimes you ask yourself, why can't it be done all the time like that."

Another says, "You know, it don't make no sense, that it takes death or a tragedy like this for people to come together and help. You know, and that's the main time you see people coming together to help each other, when its a death or funeral, you know, or tragedy like this." 

* Regrettably, blogger does not bring up the correct YouTube video - you can watch the video here 

NYC marathon runners ignore cancellation, raise money for victims

The ING New York City Marathon was cancelled, due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy. 2,000 runners ignored the cancellation and held the "Run Anyway NYC Marathon 2012" to raise money for Sandy's victims.

The 2,000 runners ran approximately 26.2 miles (42.2 km), four times around Central Park – some clockwise, others counterclockwise, some running straight through the park... read more and watch video.

Dogs and cats suffer in the wake of Superstorm Sandy

In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, on top of the devastation to the city and the toll on the people in the area, thousands of pets from New York City and surrounding areas are missing.

While the storm raged, many people were parted from their pets. The Humane Society of the United States reported that around 15 million dogs, 14 million cats and 1.5 million horses were in the path of Hurricane Sandy's wrath. 

In many cases, owners had to part with their pets when they evacuated their homes, while others tried to find accommodation where they could take their pets with them. Often the Humane Society collected pets for safekeeping, while the owners were evacuated to safety. But many were lost during the ordeal. 

Shortly before the storm hit, New York City mayor, Michael Bloomberg announced that all the city shelters were pet friendly and that around 70 pets had already arrived. However, since Sandy passed through, there are thousands of pets desperately in need of shelter, as their homes have been destroyed, or cannot safely be occupied at present.

Hurricane Sandy Lost and Found Pets

Yonkers, NY - found wearing raincoat, male - please call 201-981-3215.

 

There are also many dogs and cats who simply panicked and ran when the storm hit and various lost and found pages are being set up on the Internet, including a Facebook page, Hurricane Sandy Lost and Found Pets. 

Their "about" reads, "Posting photos of lost or found pets in the areas affected by Sandy, as well as posting animal shelters in need and temporary shelters that allow animals. We are animal lovers and advocates trying to help with networking to get animals reunited with their families." 

Their photo feed of lost and found pets can be viewed here. Craigslist is also getting many posts. 

The American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) reports that New York and Long Island shelters became temporary homes to only around 400 animals, which is worrying to many desperate owners that cannot find their pets. 

In New Jersey, Governor Chris Christie announced on Friday that a rescue hotline has been set up for residents who had to leave their pets behind when evacuating. The number is 1-855-407-4787 and the hotline is open 24 hours a day. There is also a statewide pet hotline available: 1-866-407-4787.

 

There are many moving stories doing the rounds including one in Suffolk County. ASPCA chief Roy Gross told Long Island Press, “We had one couple who just left the shelter, they lost their house and their car, all they had left was each other and their little Pomeranian dog.” 

“They kept thanking us over and over for everything,” he added. 

Gross said that the agency has been staffing Pet Friendly Shelters around the clock since Sandy hit and asked for help: "Our biggest need is for supplies; dog and cat food; blankets; bowls leashes and volunteers," Gross said, adding that volunteers are also needed to help staff the Mobile Animal Hospital (MASH Unit) where dogs and cats are being sheltered. Volunteers will then be trained to staff the shelters in the event of another disaster. 

 

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/336155#ixzz2BFM7tMnJ

Alert as 26 nuclear plants in Hurricane Sandy's path (video)

The projected path of Hurricane Sandy could impact as many as 26 nuclear plants. Arnie Gundersen, the chief engineer of energy consulting company Fairewinds Associates, warns of the dangers.

 

As the Frankenstorm hits the east coast, leaving millions without power, Gundersen warns that even if engineers at plants from North Carolina to New England say their plants have been shut down and are safe from disaster, this could already be too late... read full article and watch video of the interview.

Obama Supporters Actually Hate Obama's Policies

In a case of sheer irony, Luke Rudkowski of We Are Change got out on the streets in New York City, interviewing Obama supporters in a slightly underhanded way about the NDAA, the Patriot Act, Drone Wars and the "Kill List."

Pretending that Mitt Romney, should he be elected, is threatening to sign a bill called the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), is planning on extending the Patriot Act, saying he would instigate a "Kill List" and planning to use drones in foreign countries, Rudkowski of We Are Change interviews unsuspecting Obama supporters. 

Rudkowski states on the video page that he is not, in any way, supporting or endorsing Romney, but just used these methods to get an honest reaction and opinion from the people interviewed. After each interview, he told the people what he was up to, and the reactions are mixed, and very telling, to say the least. It seems Obama's supporters are unaware of the NDAA, know little about the Patriot Act, and had no idea there was such a thing as a "kill list" and how the US is using drones to kill people, including civilians.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/335520#ixzz2ALYXKmsd

Anti-Jihad ads heading for Washington, DC

In a court ruling, it was decided that anti-Jihad adverts could be displayed in the Washington, DC metro, as has already been done in New York City and San Francisco. 

Washington Metro asked for an injunction against the notorious posters, which were scheduled to appear on trains throughout the city from late September, saying they should be delayed indefinitely in the wake of the recent fallout from the "Innocence of Muslims" film. 

 

They were concerned that these posters might provoke fallout, as with the riots and demonstrations over the film, throughout the Islamic world. 

 

Devised by the controversial American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI), the posters read, “In Any War Between the Civilized Man and the Savage, Support the Civilized Man. Support Israel. Defeat Jihad.” These ads have already appears in the New York City subways and on buses in San Francisco. 

 

The Washington Metro requested that the date for publication should be moved to November 1, providing there is no “verifiable terrorist threat." However, Judge Rosemary Collyer has ordered that the ads should be displayed by no later than 5 pm on Monday. While the Judge openly described the posters as "hate speech", she said that the message is protected under the First Amendment as "core political speech." She did not accept the argument by the Metro that the ads would incite violence and constituted "a gamble with public safety." 

 

Attorney for the AFDI, Robert Muise, said, “It’s a victory for everyone. It’s a victory for all freedom-loving Americans.” The AFDI had to fight (and win) a similar court battle in New York City to place the ads. 

 

In New York City, counter-ads are being published by the Rabbis for Human Rights - North America, the Sojourners Christian group and the United Methodist Women. Posters published by the United Methodist Women read “Hate speech is not civilized. Support peace in word and deed.” Rabbis for Human Rights plan their ads to read, “In the choice between love and hate, choose love. Help stop bigotry against our Muslim neighbors.” 

 

The Sojourners Christian Group are planning to use the message, “Love your Muslim neighbors.” Timothy King, of the Sojourners Christian Group, said his group will post ten ads on Monday, in close proximity to the controversial anti-Jihad ads. "We are going to go out of our way to make sure Muslims are treated well here, and we hope our fellow Christians will be treated well abroad," King said. 

 

The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), are running an ad of their own on every bus displaying the anti-Jihad message. Their ad reads, “SFMTA policy prohibits discrimination based on national origin, religion, and other characteristics and condemns any statements that describe any group as 'savages.'" 

 

Despite all the controversy over the ads, Pamela Geller of the AFDI has no regrets, and says, "There's nothing either hateful or false about my ad.”

"My own ad is not hate speech. It's love speech. It's love of life speech," she told CNN in an e-mail. Speaking of her critics, Geller added, "Their moral myopia is immense. They are confusing resistance to hatred with actual hatred." 

However, many of the posters have already been defaced, or marked with graffiti counter messages. 

Mona Eltahawy, an Egyptian-American anti-Israel activist was recently arrested for vandalizing one of the ads in the NYC Times Square subway station. She reportedly sprayed pink paint on the ad until a passerby, Pamela Hall, intervened to stop the defacement.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/334356

Jewish & Christian groups respond to anti-Muslim NYC subway ads

Three different groups are responding to the launch of anti-Muslim ads in the New York City subways last month, by hanging posters of their own, right next to the "hate ads." 

Digital Journal reported on September 22, that a federal judge had ruled that the city’s transportation authorities could not legally refuse to host anti-Jihad ads in the subway. The ads, prominently displayed in the subway, read, "In any war between the civilized man and the savage, support the civilized man. Support Israel. Defeat Jihad" and were placed by the executive director of the American Freedom Defense Initiative (AFDI), Pamela Geller. 

 

The three groups are planning to place their own ads right next to them, including Rabbis for Human Rights - North America, the Sojourners Christian group and the United Methodist Women. The United Methodist Women have already added posters of their own to the New York subways, reading “Hate speech is not civilized. Support peace in word and deed.”

United Methodist Women

During an interfaith press conference on September 25, Harriett J. Olson, General Secretary of the United Methodist Women said, “We needed to be present with a counter voice, we need to stand for the work of peace, and to say that free speech should not be used recklessly or in an inflammatory way.” The groups want to respond with a message of love by hanging these pro-Muslim posters, in order to condemn intolerance and to celebrate the city's diversity. Rabbis for Human Rights plan their ads to read, “In the choice between love and hate, choose love. Help stop bigotry against our Muslim neighbors.”

Rabbis for Human Rights - North America

On their website, a message reads: “Our subway platforms and buses should not be the platform for messages of hate that divide friends, neighbors, and colleagues.” A petition on their website reads: “These disturbing and misguided ads are not meant to educate; they are meant to increase hatred and discrimination against New York City’s Muslims, and to drive a wedge between Muslims and Jews. The subway ads demonize Islam and ignore the positive contributions that our Muslim friends, neighbors and colleagues make to our country every day,” The Sojourners Christian Group are planning to use the message, “Love your Muslim neighbors.”

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/334226