Category Archives: Uncategorized

Housing Forum Oct 26th!

Come join the One County Many Faces coalition of community organizations, and local church leaders, to discuss solutions to the local housing crisis. The forum will be held on Saturday, October 26th at the United Presbyterian Church at 42 Chenango St. from Noon to 3 pm. where local and regional leaders will be leading a wide-ranging discussion including speakers from

  • BC Urban League
  • Family Enrichment Network
  • CNY Fair Housing

And more!

We hope to revive a public voice on housing needs and develop long-term programs.

The forum is open to the public and food will be provided. 

Those of us in Justice and Unity for the Southern Tier (JUST) bring to the discussion extensive experience with the needs and stigma of the formerly incarcerated, particularly around coming home and establishing a long-term transition to family and community life.

Please inform and invite your friends and congregants to attend. A flyer is attached below.

Questions? Write to us at justice.southern.tier@gmail.com or call Rozann at 607 348 3868

FINAL BC Housing Justice Flyer

 

Forum on Racial Justice & Social Justice: Aug 24 2024


One County Many Faces coalition invites you to a forum on Embracing Racial Justice and Diversity in Broome County. Hear from people building equitable communities. Connect to resources. Strategize for an inclusive future. 

When: Saturday August 24. Music starts at 11, with the forum going from 11:30-1pm. 

Where: Cheri Lindsay Park

Over 10 organizations and programs will do short presentations on the impact of exclusionary policies in our community and strategies for overcoming it together. The forum will examine the impact of structural inequalities in different areas, including education, voting, economic development, mental health, housing, and the criminal justice system  Each organization will discuss the ways they are working to combat racism and inequality in Broome County and will be present after the event to connect and strategize with attendees. 

Oh, and don’t miss the kids empowerment, T-Shirt decorating activity with the Astor D. Rice Foundation following the Forum! 

One County, Many Faces highlights and addresses the ways community members are systematically excluded from full participation in our civic, social, and economic life. As a collection of groups representing different parts of Broome County we advocate for an inclusive county, free of racism and other forms of discrimination. Our goal is to build community, get to know one another, and share our stories and knowledges to ensure every person in Broome is respected and has access to the resources they need to thrive. 

JUST Press Release: Vega’s Victory

 

For Immediate Release                  

Justice and Unity in the Southern Tier (JUST)

October 1, 2023

Contact: justice.southern.tier@gmail.com

 

 

Celebrate Taej’on Vega’s and Legal Services of Central NY win against the Broome County Jail

 

Today we celebrate another movement to justice:  the striking legal decision that came down in favor of Taej’on Vega’s abuse case against Broome County and BC Jail Correction Officers.

 

On February 11, 2020 he was handcuffed, dragged across the floor of his cell, stripped naked, and beaten, leaving him badly bruised and sexually and mentally traumatized. Like many others, Taej’on had been denied prescribed medications for his mental health disabilities; like African Americans in the jail, he was called the n-word repeatedly. In June 2020 Legal Services of Central NY filed a lawsuit on his behalf. (Fuller background from that time may be found here.)

 

The Court’s decision confirms the County and its officers gave misleading testimony regarding incidents at the jail, failed to provide and maintain basic evidence, and engaged in a coverup of video and other evidence. Multiple requests by the County’s lawyers to dismiss the case were denied. The decision is here.  A final financial settlement will likely come in the near future.

 

We thank Taej’on and his mother who so diligently pursued the case at considerable personal cost.

 

This decision follows in short order the transgender rights victory of Makyyla Holland and the NYCLU in their lawsuit against Broome County, the Sheriff, Undersheriff, officers, and medical staff as reported. Under that settlement Broome County committed to prevent further discrimination and violence against transgender, bisexual, gay, intersex, and lesbian people in the county jail. NYCLU provides details in their press release here.

 

Officers cited in these and related abuse and wrongful death lawsuits remain on duty at full pay.

JUST Lobbies in Albany May 16 2023

On May 16th, 2023 members of JUST joined over 40 activists from Cortland, Ithaca, and around the state, gathered together by the Jails Justice Network, to lobby in Albany for oversight, humane conditions, and reduction in county jail operations.  Three legislative bills focused on jails were particularly pushed in meetings with legislators;  a brief is here.  A TV news story is here:  https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/capital-region/politics/2023/05/16/legislation-would-give-county-officials-unrestricted-access-to-local-jails . And here is a picture of some of the members and activists from Cortland, Broome, and Tompkins counties outside Senator Lea Webb’s office.

I Can’t Breathe in Binghamton 2023

I Can’t Breathe in Binghamton 2023:
Press Conference, Speak Out at City Council Meeting,
Protests Continue….

 

Shortly after 3AM on January 1st, 2023, Binghamton Police assaulted Hamail Waddell, 24, on State Street. Waddell, who is Black and Asian, was a bystander attempting to de-escalate a fight when police seized him and threw him to the ground. Officer Brad Kaczynski then proceeded to kneel on the back of Waddell’s neck, which is illegal under New York’s Eric Garner Anti-Chokehold Act and barred in BPD’s use of force policy. Waddell sustained injuries to his face, head, neck, and back, and required stitches in his chin.  Community rallies began immediately see video here, fuller story here, and local news reports here and here) and continue:  read the full press release with demands here. At the Binghamton City Council meeting on Jan 10th over 100 local people spoke out in support of Mr. Waddell, one after another, for near on two hours.  City council members made no supportive comments, with  members Giovanni Scaringi and Council President Sophia not attending. New story here.