World Refugee Day : Back The Ban vs March to Iftar

June 20, 2017 - 6 pm -  NYC World Refugee Day  - Stop the Refugee Ban, Save Asylum and Defend Temporary Protected Status (TPS)"

At 6 pm  African Communities Together (ACT) and City of Refuge Coalition partners gathered at  59th/ 5th Ave'.   Other than lots of signs and those orange dinghies it was low-key at this point. Voice of America did a few interviews, but the march and the Iftar, these were the main events.

6:30pm - 7:30pm: March to/ Rally at Trump World Tower and Dag Hammarskjold Plaza (47th Street, between 1st and 2nd Avenue)

8:30pm - 9:30pm: Interfaith Iftar* at Dag Hammarskjold Plaza (47th Street, between 1st and 2nd Avenue)

*An Iftar is the ceremonial 'breaking of fast' observed by Muslims during the month of Ramadan.

Wasn't able to follow them to the U.N. and the Iftar, (I found plenty of reportage on the Iftar). Meanwhile, I focused on the preliminaries and their Signs of Love and Inclusion ( unless you are Trump and company)

 

The orange dinghy brigade returned [waiting in the background]

No love for all things Trump

Interviews with Voice of America included this familiar protestor

6:30 pm and the march to the U.N. was almost ready to go...til someone picked up those ORANGE dinghys

Video - brief interview quotes and then the ---  parade passes by----




The sponsors were the usual suspects

Flickr slide show




As expected, they made sure the "Iftar for infidels" would be covered - links were easy to find.  Videos posted show happy infidels praying at the Iftar -  in the name of PEACE- snookered in to praying  Islam: Greater New York Labor-Religion Coalition The Interfaith Center of New York Lab/Shul Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus Jews for Racial and Economic Justice [JFREJ

http://pix11.com/2017/06/20/new-yorkers-rally-on-world-refugee-day/

African Communities Together

 We thank our faith leaders, who led us in prayer and unity on#WorldRefugeeDay #CityofRefuge.

                                       

 Photo Credits: David Moriya

African Communities Together and Audu Kadiri

 

"Thanks to everyone for organizing such an inspirational demonstration....The Iftar meal was delicious! ---The Last Raft.

The Observer: 

The action [...] condemned the administration’s efforts to bar refugees from war-torn Syria and other Muslim lands and defended Temporary Protected Status, which gives arrivals from nations enduring an armed conflict or natural disaster deportation immunity and work authorization. The march kicked off on 59th Street and Fifth Avenue and concluded [...] (when) demonstrators held an interfaith iftar—the evening meal breaking the daytime fast during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

“We are celebrating the heritage and existence of refugees in this country and throughout the world,” Fatou Waggeh, a civic organizer for African Communities Together[...] “But we’re also coming together as a community to say that we stand against the refugee ban.

Waggeh recalled “feeling very sad and depressed” when Trump was elected in November but that she is now feeling “mobilized and hopeful."

Working Familes video link at Iftar 

https://www.facebook.com/WorkingFamilies/videos/10155153546906418/

 The DSA Immigration Justice Working Group  aka  NYC Democratic Socialists of America:  Just remember: It's not you. It's Capitalism"

 PressSenza:

"United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called on the international community to provide support and solidarity to refugees. “We reflect on the courage of those who fled and the compassion of those who welcome them,” the Secretary-General said."

There's always a protest somewhere. NYC  soc/commie/progs never rest: next up. an Emergency Town Hall meeting Against the Supreme Court Decision.

[Where indicated, pictures and video property of Pamela Hall]

City of Refuge : Stop the Refugee BAN action for Refugees NYC

The original "City of Refuge : Stop the Refugee BAN 24 hour Action" planned  for March 14 had been postponed because of SNOW: the blizzard that didn't.



Still it was a lot of snow, so they rescheduled to March 28 and NOW... we had RAIN.




 Cameras and Rain, an even less friendly combination, but curiosity took me down town anyway to 40 Wall St.


Day 1, March 28, 2017 (Noon-1pm) began outside a TRUMP Building at 40 Wall Street, followed by a night sleeping in a temporary "Tent City" outside historic Trinity Church.

[Trinity Church was a partner in this action]

"To bring attention to the need for more humanitarian refugee policies, Trinity is partnering with a coalition of organizations, including African Communities Together and the Interfaith Center of New York, to host a refugee action, including two marches, teach-ins, interfaith services, and an overnight “refugee tent city.”  

From Protest Press Release:

“We are calling for an end to the refugee ban, the preservation of asylum and TPS (temporary protected status), and truly humanitarian immigration policy. We will organize 24 hours of powerful actions in solidarity with refugees. We are invoking the spirit of the Statue of Liberty and the history of New York as a City of Refuge for immigrants and refugees from around the world.”

On Day 2, March 29, 2017,  the protestors would march to Federal Plaza, past the African Burial Ground, ending at Foley Square. But, first, March 28. Noon. I arrived outside the 40 Wall st Trump Building as the protestors were stacking their rafts. Inflatable dinghies. Very Orange.

Typically the Left knows street theatre photo-ops, making the trip worth the inclement weather. Lots of cameras were on-hand waiting. Ready.



As the small crowd grew, there were now a few signs carried by Koreans of MinKwon amongst the umbrellas.



Rafts laid out. Photos in rafts. A banner from African Communities Together. And a steady rain that was not abating. Still no one was leaving. Waiting patiently



The sound system spazzing in the rain caused a brief delay and then the speakers began. [VIDEOS next ]

The speakers included, Cesar Vargas , New York’s First Undocumented Lawyer

After a nearly three-year wait, a five-judge panel in New York ruled this week that César Vargas — a native of Mexico and longtime New Yorker — can be admitted to practice law in the state he’s called home since he was 5, even though he remains an undocumented immigrant.

Rabbi Rachel Grant Meyer,  a refugee advocate

 Nisha Agarwal, Mayor's Immigrant Affairs Commissioner

 Amaha Kassa, African Communities Together

Elizabeth Arjok, Sudanese model and actor.

 Elizabeth fled South Sudan at seven years old and waited five years to be resettled in the U.S.
 


Their messages were clear: "Stop the attacks on illegal immigrants, Mr President. Stop ICE. Open Borders, Si. No to immigration laws. YES to Sanctuary Cities." Nothing new here but, still, they managed to hold a decent rally in the rain.

[Slide show of pictures]

After the speakers, I headed back up town so I didn't walk the brief jaunt to Trinity Church - a short hop away (see picture below) - as they carried their VERY orange rafts to the temporary Tent City they set up outside the church.
 

At Trinity Church the schedule would include:

1:30pm: Opening at Trinity Church (including interfaith prayer service)

2:30-3:15pm: Teach-In: Immigration Law & Know Your Rights
3:30-4:15pm: Teach-In: Sanctuary in the Workplace
4:30-5:15pm: Teach-In: Criminalization
5:30-6:15pm: Teach-In: Foreign Policy & Migration

6:30-7:30pm: Dinner /Break
7:30-9pm: Cultural Jam
9-10pm: Torchlight Vigil

10pm: Doors of Trinity Church are closed. Camp out will begin.

Preferring rain to a 'blizzard", the protestors spent the night in a Tent City at Trinity Church as they protested the REFUGEE BAN. (Picture from Trinity Church's Twitter feed)

 https://twitter.com/TrinityWallSt/status/847065420439977984

DAY 2 - March 29 - Foley Square.

The Sun was out. Temperature pleasant, even though the wind was a bit brisk. The protesters spent the night at Trinity Church and were now, after passing the African Burial Ground, ended their Action in Foley Square (across from Federal Plaza) and STILL with those orange dinghies and drums (lots of African Drums).

Wednesday's schedule - Day 2- included:

8:30-9:30am: Morning activity (leafleting, story sharing, “Call your Congressman/Congresswoman”)
9:30-10am: Closing at Trinity Church
10am-noon: The March to African Burial Ground & Federal Plaza
Noon: Closing Rally at Foley Square

Other than laying out those bright orange dinghys, this was a decidedly low impact second day protest/rally EXCEPT for some unplanned street theatre, unplanned by the protestors, was "Chairman Mao's", Gary Pneuff.

 
 "Build The Wall" Gary was back and he was NOT going to leave

But now wears a Trump hat and holds a Build the Wall sign, portable radio in hand, pacing back and forth during the speeches; chanting and singing LOUDLY (Kumbaya was his song of the day).


 
Crazy Gary from Staten Island is a "professional" heckler. May Day aka Commie Day is a favorite of Gary's. Every year he marches through Union Square giving grief to those who support Russian/ Soviet/Lenin  style Communism. Known to hurl profanities as he aggressively promotes his love for Red Chinese Communism.



So, Gary sporting a Trump hat and carrying a Trump/Pence sign, as well as "Build the Wall", begs the question from even the protestors on the LEFT, "WHAT is going on with Crazy Gary?"

He caused quite a bit of noise pollution for the intended speakers but the police took a tame approach to his presence. They tried to move him a few times, but he wasn't breaking any laws, so Kumbaya droned on loudly through Foley Square. Must say, had a bit of schadenfreude, watching the Left be harassed by one of their own- Gary certainly isn't one of ours ....

As for the Refugee Action, today was perhaps a smaller crowd. The African contingent was solid but minus the Korean faction. Rally points unchanged, focus was still on (illegal) Immigrants. Sanctuary. Trump and .... Killer Cops aka the NYPD.(Demoralizing the police is a huge non-stop campaign going on for DECADES.)



We heard a few speeches with GARY chanting and Kumbaya-ing in the background. Union shills. African immigrants. And Hawa Bah, the mother of a Muslim immigrant, Mohamed Bah. She claims he was murdered by the NYPD on September 26, 2012.

Not much if any media present. Not my problem. Nor probably theirs either. Act like the media is there. Recruitment rather than media impact is often the goal. One day. One protest. One new recruit at-a-time keeps the ranks-of-resistance and discontent roiling. A decades old methodology.

They. Never. Rest.

++ pictures and videos property of Pamela Hall ++

Patriots March FOR #MAGA vs "Peoples" March for Free Press

March 25, 2017 - 1 PM - Patriots marched in support of TRUMP and #MAGA in Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, across from the U.N.



In NYC the actual march didn't seem to happen, though about 40 Trumpers gathered first at Trump Tower - at 11 am- and then walked to the gathering in the UN Park. So, you could say there was a mini-march.  A peaceful gathering. DIVERSE (as always).



Once at the rally, I saw a nice solid assemblage of patriots. Not huge, but not tiny either. Maybe 100 or even a bit more.

With lots of signs...

And lots of banners....

Heard a few speeches of support for Trump's America. The main speaker was immigration enforcement expert, Michael Cutler. Cutler has 30 years of experience as an Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) agent.



He was followed briefly by Jimmy McMillan, founder of The Rent Is Too Damn High Party.

Found a few anti-Trump protestors across the street with impeachment issues.

No matter the conflicting Chinese factions ...

.... the mood stayed uplifted amongst the MAGA crowd.

There was, also, a disturbing faction that attached itself to this Trump Rally: the Larouchies. [see Lyndon LaRouche Party - Wiki] Way too many La Rouch signs and clip boards in-hand as they worked to recruit New Larouchies.

These weird groupies, will they become a trend at the NY Republican rallies? Hope not.

Then there was Gary Phaneuf - a 'professional" heckler - and Chairman Mao's faithful disciple. Gary walked through the Republican crowd with his Trump cap, Trump-Putin sign and his Communist China Daily rag. What happened? Why are the Trump rallies attracting these bizarre creatures?



Whatever, the many group of patriots were on message with the National Anthem. The Pledge-of-Allegiance as well as plenty of smiles and good-will.

... Slide show of #MAGA Rally...

 

Two marches in one day with the Patriots vs the Socialists. On  my way to the #MAGA rally, I stopped by the "People" March for a Free Press protest/rally


It was Noon in Bryant Park (42nd and Sixth ave) just a couple of avenues from the NY Times.(another mini-march) It's the gesture that matters, 'cause they are 'marching".

Their aim was to show SUPPORT for a Free Press while resisting Trump's "Fascist" America.

Trying to LOOK Patriotic - after all,  resistance is patriotic - they spoke of the Constitution, the American Revolution and claimed their protest was a living example of what our Founding Fathers fought for. The TRUTH will keep us FREE.

So, now all those racist, dead WHITE males are okay?

Holding large and small American flags while reciting the Pledge of Allegiance the speakers' focused on, Trump and his minions who they claim oppose a Free Press. And Fox news. Of course. 

TRUMP is a threat to PATRIOTIC Americans, like themselves; a danger to the NY Slimes and ... a Free Press...

(People for a Free Press & Tax The Rich) Couple this display with their signs, masquerading as patriotic Americans, resulted in a confused message (for some).

Passers-by wondered, "For or against the NY Times?"

The NEW Socialist Left, inquiring minds want to know,  are they the real patriots? Exposing those fools who support President Trump and Fox News. The fight is on for WHO represents a patriotic, FREE Press America.

... Slide show of the "Peoples Protest "...

Even the NY Times seemed to ignore this rally. Saw lots of photographers, but found no reports. (Too peaceful, I guess).



I did read that nationwide, things were not as peaceful in the Peoples Republic of California and Omaha, of all places. Were the aggressors plants? Were they really Trump supporters?

"Violence erupted at a “Make America Great Again” rally in California. (and) more than 1,500 miles away, counter-protesters also caused chaos at a Trump rally in Omaha. The ruckus did not disrupt the rally, but it saddened some of the Trump supporters. “Today was a perfect example of how divided we have all gotten,” said Shayla McShannon, 36."

Still, NYC was TAME in comparison. But, whether a fight with fists or a battle for a FREE Press. A battle for the TRUTH vs propaganda is a seriously important pursuit. I left the Peoples Protest. Heading to the U.N Trump supporters with this thought,

Holding a large American flag, saying the pledge of allegiance. These are not hallmark of a hanging-on-the-Left crowd. Yet they do manage to deliver the photo-ops the media enjoys. Winning? In some circles. With the help of that Free Press, can they sucker the public in to thinking this is the NEW America?

[Pictures and Videos property of Pamela Hall]