Tag:

First Amendment

Tolland
News
More Than 20 Protestors Arrested At UConn's Storrs Campus More Than 20 Protestors Arrested At UConn's Storrs Campus
More Than 20 Protestors Arrested At UConn's Storrs Campus More than 20 pro-Palestinian protesters have been arrested at the University of Connecticut after being told to leave by university officials. CBS affiliate WFSB Eyewitness News 3 reported that 23 protestors were arrested on Tuesday, April 30 as UConn Police moved in to take down the encampment. They were charged with charged with disorderly conduct and criminal trespass.  According to Stephanie Reitz, spokeswoman for the university, on Friday, April 26, UConn shared guidelines with protest organizers and the university community for larger outdoor gatherings, including prohi…

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by Kathy Reakes
Northampton
Schools
Satanic Temple To Receive $200K From Northampton County School District: ACLU Satanic Temple To Receive $200K From Northampton County School District: ACLU
Satanic Temple To Receive $200K From Northampton County School District: ACLU (Note: This story has been updated to include a statement from the school district.) The Saucon Valley School District has agreed to pay $200,000 in attorney's fees to The Satanic Temple, according to the American Civil Liberties Union.  The Salem, Massachusetts-based Temple had filed suit against SVSD early this year after administrators blocked the group from sponsoring an "After School Satan Club" at Saucon Valley Middle School.  Under the settlement inked this week, the district will give the club "the same access to school facilities that other comparable organizations receive," said…

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by Mac Bullock
Berks
Schools
ACLU Files Suit Against School District In Berks County Over Mascot ACLU Files Suit Against School District In Berks County Over Mascot
ACLU Files Suit Against School District In Berks County Over Mascot The American Civil Liberties Union is suing Twin Valley School District in Berks County over an alleged violation of a student's First Amendment rights, the organization says.  ACLU said it filed suit on behalf of high school student Sloane Wolfe, who "has been advocating to end her school district’s use of its 'Raider,' mascot based on its stereotypical depiction of North American indigenous people." The civil suit claims TVSD has "refused" to allow Wolfe and others to form an officially recognized student club called "Retire the Raider."  Recognition from administrators, ACLU n…

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by Mac Bullock
Arlington
News
Protest Turns Violent Outside DNC Headquarters In DC (DEVELOPING) Protest Turns Violent Outside DNC Headquarters In DC (DEVELOPING)
Protest Turns Violent Outside DNC Headquarters In DC (Developing) Police squared off against a group of protesters who flooded the streets outside the Democratic National Committee headquarters on Wednesday night, authorities confirmed. Metropolitan and US Capitol Police were called in to help restore order when approximately 150 people began demonstrating in the area of Canal Street and Ivy Street SE.  Right now our officers are working to keep back approximately 150 people who are illegally and violently protesting in the area of Canal Street and Ivy Street, SE. Officers are making arrests. All Members have been evacuated from the area. Please stay …

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by Zak Failla
Port Chester
News
Ousted School Board President Sues Port Chester, Rye District, Claims 'Bogus' Investigation Ousted School Board President Sues Port Chester, Rye District, Claims 'Bogus' Investigation
Ousted School Board President Sues Port Chester, Rye District, Claims 'Bogus' Investigation A former school board president who was removed from office for allegedly making racist social media comments is now suing the Westchester district where he once served.  Thomas Corbia, who was removed from the Port Chester-Rye Union Free School District Board of Education in April 2021 for his alleged racist Facebook posts, is now suing the district and claiming that his ousting was the result of a "bogus investigation" that was a "pretext to settle personal vendetta," according to the lawsuit. Earlier Report - School Board President In Westchester Fired Over Facebook Post…

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by Ben Crnic
Northampton
Schools
After School Satan Club Can Meet In Saucon Valley, Federal Judge Rules After School Satan Club Can Meet In Saucon Valley, Federal Judge Rules
After School Satan Club Can Meet In Saucon Valley, Federal Judge Rules Saucon Valley School District in Northampton County must allow the "After School Satan Club" to meet on campus, a federal judge decided in a ruling dated Monday, May 1.  The controversial club will be allowed to meet on school grounds, though district officials will not be required to distribute their permission slips, US District Court Judge John M. Gallagher ruled in a preliminary injunction.  The After School Satan Club, sponsored by the Salem, Massachusetts-based Satanic Temple (TST), garnered controversy in February when its flyers made the rounds on local social media.  The flyer…

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by Mac Bullock
Baltimore
News
Baltimore Officials Comment On Tyre Nichols' Death, Peaceful Protest Protection Baltimore Officials Comment On Tyre Nichols' Death, Peaceful Protest Protection
Baltimore Officials Comment On Tyre Nichols' Death, Peaceful Protest Protection Baltimore Police Commissioner Michael Harrison issued a moving statement to the public following the release of new details surrounding the recent police-involved death of Tyre Nichols. The video message was released after the body-worn camera footage of Nichols was made public on Friday, Jan. 27. Harrison addressed Baltimore residents, calling the incident "horrific". "I, along with the leaders in this department, are in full support of Memphis Police Department Chief CJ Davis' decision to condemn the actions of these officers and terminate them", stated Harrison. "They are not an accurate…

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by Annie DeVoe
Alexandria
News
Non-Kneeling Ex-Virginia Tech Soccer Player Settles With School After Benching Non-Kneeling Ex-Virginia Tech Soccer Player Settles With School After Benching
Non-Kneeling Ex-Virginia Tech Soccer Player Settles With School After Benching Former Virginia Tech women’s soccer star Kiersten Hening has reportedly reached a six-figure settlement with her former coach Charles "Chugger" Adair over a dispute about kneeling before games that ultimately led to her benching. Hening was rewarded at least $100,000 as part of an agreement to dismiss a federal lawsuit that was previously filed regarding the former defensive midfielder’s First Amendment rights. According to reports, the terms of the settlement do not involve Adair admitting any wrongdoing, though few other details were initially released pending the finality of the agreem…

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by Zak Failla
Alexandria
News
Non-Kneeling Ex-Virginia Tech Soccer Player Moving Forward With Lawsuit Against Former Coach Non-Kneeling Ex-Virginia Tech Soccer Player Moving Forward With Lawsuit Against Former Coach
Non-Kneeling Ex-Virginia Tech Soccer Player Moving Forward With Lawsuit Against Former Coach Former Virginia Tech women's soccer star Kiersten Hening is moving forward with a lawsuit against her former coach Charles "Chugger" Adair over a dispute about kneeling before games that she alleges led to her benching after a promising start to her collegiate career. A judge ruled that Hening, a defensive midfielder for the Hokies from 2018 until 2020, can move forward with her trial on First Amendment grounds after she was allegedly pressured to leave the team for declining to kneel during a social justice demonstration. Hening alleges that after she refused to kneel in support of social…

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by Zak Failla
Saratoga
News
Gag Order: Saratoga Springs Barred From Speaking About Shooting Involving VT Deputy: Report Gag Order: Saratoga Springs Barred From Speaking About Shooting Involving VT Deputy: Report
Gag Order: Saratoga Springs Barred From Speaking About Shooting Involving VT Deputy: Report City officials in upstate New York have been barred from making further public comments about the officer-involved shooting of a Vermont sheriff’s deputy, WNYT reports.  On Wednesday, Nov. 23, the Saratoga County District Attorney’s Office got a temporary restraining order from a Supreme Court judge prohibiting Saratoga Springs officials from talking about or releasing video or audio from the incident, the outlet said. Earlier Report: Off-Duty Deputy From Vermont Shot By Police In Capital Region (Video) The shooting, which was captured on officer-worn body camera footage that was released…

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by Michael Mashburn
Newtown
News
Alex Jones Ordered By Jury To Pay Nearly $1B To Sandy Hook Families For Mass Shooting Lies Alex Jones Ordered By Jury To Pay Nearly $1B To Sandy Hook Families For Mass Shooting Lies
Alex Jones Ordered By Jury To Pay Nearly $1B To Sandy Hook Families For Mass Shooting Lies Far-right radio host and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones has been ordered by a Connecticut jury to pay nearly $1 billion to the families of students killed in the December 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown. In a unanimous decision Wednesday, Oct. 12, the jury said the Infowars founder must dole out $965 million in damages to eight families of students killed, as well as an FBI agent, for repeatedly claiming that the school massacre in December 2012, which killed 20 students and six staff members, was a hoax carried out by “crisis actors.” Earlier Report: Alex Jones Order…

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by Michael Mashburn
Suffolk MA
News
Anti-Semitic Signs Hung Over Route 1 In Saugus Likely Linked To Neo Nazi Group Anti-Semitic Signs Hung Over Route 1 In Saugus Likely Linked To Neo Nazi Group
Anti-Semitic Signs Hung Over Route 1 In Saugus Likely Linked To Neo Nazi Group EDITOR'S NOTE: This story contains images that feature hate language.  Drivers taking Route 1 in Saugus this weekend in were greeted with a hate-filled sign hanging from the Walnut Street overpass that blamed Jewish people for the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11 a day before the anniversary. Photos of the signs that quickly made the rounds on social media showed three masked men standing proudly behind the anti-semitic graffiti.  A similar sign appeared in Danvers on an overpass on Route 114 Sunday, the 21st anniversary of the attacks. No group has officially taken credit for the stunt, but w…

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by Josh Lanier
Newtown
News
Alex Jones Ordered To Pay Sandy Hook Shooting Victim's Family A Total Of $49M Alex Jones Ordered To Pay Sandy Hook Shooting Victim's Family A Total Of $49M
Alex Jones Ordered To Pay Sandy Hook Shooting Victim's Family A Total Of $49M Far-right radio host and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones has been ordered by a Texas jury to pay nearly $50 million to the family of a young boy killed in the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut. In a unanimous decision Friday, Aug. 5, the jury said Jones must pay $45.2 million in punitive damages in a lawsuit filed by the parents of 6-year-old victim Jesse Lewis. That’s in addition to the $4.1 million in compensatory damages the jury awarded the family the day prior. Jones had already been found liable in a default judgment for defamation and “intentional inflicti…

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by Michael Mashburn
Brookfield
Schools
School District In New England Held Racially Segregated Events, Lawsuit Claims School District In New England Held Racially Segregated Events, Lawsuit Claims
School District In New England Held Racially Segregated Events, Lawsuit Claims A national parent-led organization that aims to “reclaim our schools from activists promoting harmful agendas” is suing a New England school district for alleged discrimination against white students. The Parents Defending Education organization in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, is accusing Wellesley Public Schools of discrimination by creating certain affinity groups for communities of color. It is further alleged that Wellesley held segregated events for students where some were invited but white students were excluded. 
“It is appalling that an American public school has consciously im…

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by Zak Failla
Union
News
NJ Homeowner Refusing To Remove Profanity-Laced Anti-Biden Signs Backed By ACLU NJ Homeowner Refusing To Remove Profanity-Laced Anti-Biden Signs Backed By ACLU
NJ Homeowner Refusing To Remove Profanity-Laced Anti-Biden Signs Backed By ACLU A New Jersey homeowner who is refusing to remove profanity-laced anti-Biden signs is being backed by the state's American Civil Liberties Union chapter, local officials confirmed. Andrea Dick was warned by Roselle Park code enforcement officers in June that if she didn't remove her signs in a timely manner, she'd face up to $500 in fines. Now, the Willow Avenue resident and her mom, Patricia Dilascio, are trying to appeal the fines in Union County Superior Court, with help from ACLU attorney Alexander Shalom, NJ Advance Media reports. Roselle Park Mayor Joe Signorello emphasized …

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by Cecilia Levine
Dauphin
News
US Supreme Court Rules In Favor Pennsylvania Cheerleader In First Amendment Case US Supreme Court Rules In Favor Pennsylvania Cheerleader In First Amendment Case
US Supreme Court Rules In Favor Pennsylvania Cheerleader In First Amendment Case The Supreme Court overturned a lower court's ruling in the case of a cheerleader who took to SnapChat to vent her frustrations for not making the cheer squad. When Brandi Levy, of Mahanoy City, Schuylkill County was 14 she posted on SnapChat after she did not make the school’s junior varsity cheerleading squad by posting, “F——— school f——— softball f——— cheer f——— everything,” in a post over a photo of her and a friend giving the middle finger, as the Daily Voice previously reported. The Supreme Court ruled in her favor in this first amendment case, in an 8 to 1 ruling, with Justice Cl…

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by Jillian Pikora
Dauphin
News
Snapchatting Cheerleader Will Have Landmark Freedom Of Student Speech Case In SCOTUS Snapchatting Cheerleader Will Have Landmark Freedom Of Student Speech Case In SCOTUS
Snapchatting Cheerleader Will Have Landmark Freedom Of Student Speech Case In SCOTUS A 14-year-old girl from Pennsylvania who blasted her school on Snapchat is getting her day in court: The Supreme Court. This is the first case addressing the freedom of speech of students or minors that the Supreme Court has heard in 50 years. The last was the landmark case of Tinker v. Des Moines in 1969, when students wore armbands to protest the Vietnam War and their school suspended them.  The Supreme Court sided with the students, declaring students do not “shed their constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate.” Brandi Levy, of Mahanoy Cit…

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by Jillian Pikora
Nassau
Politics
Cuomo Signs Bill Banning Sale Of Confederate Flags In New York Cuomo Signs Bill Banning Sale Of Confederate Flags In New York
Cuomo Signs Bill Banning Sale Of Confederate Flags In New York A new bill signed into law by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo will ban the sale of Confederate flags and other “hate symbols” on state property. Cuomo announced the new ban this week, which includes the flag, Nazi symbols, and other similar symbols of hate that can no longer be sold in public in New York, though there are some exceptions if they are used for educational or historical purposes. “This country faces a pervasive, growing attitude of intolerance and hate — what I have referred to in the body politic as an American cancer,” Cuomo said. "By limiting the display and sale of the confed…

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by Zak Failla
Newtown
News
Alex Jones Sandy Hook Lawsuit To Continue While He Appeals, Judge Says Alex Jones Sandy Hook Lawsuit To Continue While He Appeals, Judge Says
Alex Jones Sandy Hook Lawsuit To Continue While He Appeals, Judge Says Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones’ defamation lawsuit that was filed by families of the Sandy Hook school shooting victim will continue as he attempts to delay proceedings. Several families are pursuing lawsuits against Jones for allegedly spreading lies about the shooting, going so far as to call it a plot orchestrated by family members during his “blood in the streets” rant. Jones has called the shooting everything from “staged” to “synthetic,” and “manufactured” while calling the shooting - which took the lives of 20 elementary school children and six staff members at Sandy Hook E…

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by Zak Failla
Mount Pleasant
News
Judge In Hudson Valley Rules Mary Trump Can Publicize Newly Released Tell-All Book On Her Uncle Judge In Hudson Valley Rules Mary Trump Can Publicize Newly Released Tell-All Book On Her Uncle
Judge In Hudson Valley Rules Mary Trump Can Publicize Newly Released Tell-All Book On Her Uncle There’s going to be another member of the Trump family making the media rounds after a New York Judge gave the green light for Mary Trump to promote her controversial tell-all book. Hal Greenwald, a judge for the 9th Judicial District Supreme Court in the Hudson Valley, lifted a temporary restraining order on President Donald Trump’s niece, much to the chagrin of her father, Robert. In a lawsuit last month, citing a confidentiality agreement Mary signed in 2011, Robert sought an injunction to prevent promotion of "Too Much and Never Enough: How My Family Created The World's Most Dangerous M…

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by Zak Failla
Suffolk NY
Police & Fire
Protesters Won't Be Permitted To Enter Roadways, Hinder Traffic Under New Suffolk PD Procedures Protesters Won't Be Permitted To Enter Roadways, Hinder Traffic Under New Suffolk PD Procedures
Protesters Won't Be Permitted To Enter Roadways, Hinder Traffic Under New Suffolk PD Procedures New procedures are being enacted in Suffolk County for protesters who have flooded some streets and highways in recent weeks after the George Floyd killing. Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart announced the new methods to help protect protesters’ rights to peacefully demonstrate. Hart said that officials have determined that the new protocols will increase safety for both protestors and the general public. During protests, there will now be a safe path provided for protestors to walk and congregate, while enabling a safe flow of traffic for motorists. The new protocols will a…

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by Zak Failla
Monmouth
News
Prosecutor: Asbury Park Police Justified In Arresting Reporter During Protest Prosecutor: Asbury Park Police Justified In Arresting Reporter During Protest
Prosecutor: Asbury Park Police Justified In Arresting Reporter During Protest Asbury Park police were justified in arresting a newspaper reporter during a June protest, authorities said Wednesday. An internal affairs investigation led by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office concluded that the Asbury Park officers who arrested APP journalist Gustavo Martinez Contreras during the June 1 George Floyd protest "reasonably believed he was one of the protestors," Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni said. "Arresting officers had no knowledge they were apprehending a reporter." Martínez was covering the demonstration for APP.com and arrested while live-stream…

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by Jon Craig
Pascack Valley
Police & Fire
Police Unions Respond To 'Inflammatory Hate Speech' Police Unions Respond To 'Inflammatory Hate Speech'
Police Unions Respond To 'Inflammatory Hate Speech' With "vile ideology" festering in their communities in the form of "ACAB" posts and signs, three Bergen County police locals banded together Friday morning to have their say. "Please remember, and remind your children, that police officers in the Pascack Valley are your friends - not your enemies," presidents and delegates of Hillsdale PBA Local 207, Montvale PBA Local 303 and Pascack Valley PBA Local 206 wrote in a public letter issued Friday morning. "We are the men and women who stood tall over these past few months during the health pandemic and put ourselves and our families at risk wh…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Suffolk NY
News
Three Arrested At Long Island Protest Three Arrested At Long Island Protest
Three Arrested At Long Island Protest Three people were arrested after about 100 protesters walked down the streets of East Meadow in what was a peaceful protest on Friday, June 12.  The three men were charged with disorderly conduct, Nassau County Executive Laura Curran and Police Commissioner Patrick J. Ryder said in a joint statement. "For the demonstrators' safety, Police repeatedly made attempts to keep protesters off moving lanes of traffic," the statement said. "This safety precaution was met with strong opposition and resistance which resulted in the arrests. "We continue to support the rights of individuals …

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by Daily Voice
Nassau
News
Thousands Of LIers Protest Throughout Weekend With Limited Number Of Arrests Thousands Of LIers Protest Throughout Weekend With Limited Number Of Arrests
Thousands Of LIers Protest Throughout Weekend With Limited Number Of Arrests Thousands of Long Islanders continued peaceful protests of the police-related death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, though some were arrested during demonstrations over the weekend. Sign-wielding protesters marched along streets in Suffolk and Nassau County over the weekend, chanting rallying cries as the two-week anniversary of Floyd’s death approached on Monday, June 8. Most of the protests remained peaceful, though nearly a dozen protesters were arrested on Saturday, June 6, when two Nassau County Police Department officers suffered injured attempting to suppress them. In Merrick, Nass…

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by Zak Failla
Clarkstown
News
'Protesters Are Not Same As Rioters,' Rockland County Exec Says, Clarifying Earlier Comments 'Protesters Are Not Same As Rioters,' Rockland County Exec Says, Clarifying Earlier Comments
'Protesters Are Not Same As Rioters,' Rockland County Exec Says, Clarifying Earlier Comments Rockland Executive Ed Day is clarifying comments he made earlier this week after saying the county is ready to “take on anarchists” who were posting social media threats online. While many peaceful protests have been held in the wake of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis, there have been some opportunists taking advantage of the situation by looting and committing other violent acts. “These anarchists come to this county at their own peril,” Day wrote on Facebook after some threats were made on social media earlier this week. “This is not de Blasio nor Cuomo territory and there will be n…

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by Zak Failla
Ocean
News
Lakewood Rabbi Arrested For Violating COVID-19 Order Promises To Do It Again, Report Says Lakewood Rabbi Arrested For Violating COVID-19 Order Promises To Do It Again, Report Says
Lakewood Rabbi Arrested For Violating Covid-19 Order Promises To Do It Again, Report Says A Lakewood rabbi accused of violating Gov. Phil Murphy’s executive order banning gatherings during the COVID-19 outbreak was recently arrested for holding a religious service in his own backyard. Rabbi Yisrael A. Knopfler "absolutely" plans on doing it again, he told NJ.com. Monday's arrest, captured on this FAA Facebook video, came after Lakewood police broke up an event that Knopfler organized on Lag B’Omer, a minor holiday commemorating the end of a historic plague.  Public celebrations, which include bonfires, concerts, graduations and weddings, are prohibited because of coronavir…

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by Jon Craig
Hackensack
News
Justice Dept: COVID-Related Directives Can't Treat Religious Groups Differently Than Businesses Justice Dept: COVID-Related Directives Can't Treat Religious Groups Differently Than Businesses
Justice Dept: Covid-related Directives Can't Treat Religious Groups Differently Than Businesses Although state and local governments may issue coronavirus state-of-emergency directives, "there is no pandemic exception to the Constitution and its Bill of Rights," the Justice Department said Sunday. Federal authorities issued the statement in support of a Virginia church whose pastor was charged criminally with conducting a worship service attended by 16 people in a 225-seat sanctuary. But its message extends well beyond the specific case, as federal authorities continue examining state and local emergency orders to see whether they'd stand up to a constitutional challenge. The Lightho…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Mercer
Police & Fire
Woman Who Organized NJ Anti-Lockdown Protest Charged With Violating Lockdown Woman Who Organized NJ Anti-Lockdown Protest Charged With Violating Lockdown
Woman Who Organized NJ Anti-Lockdown Protest Charged With Violating Lockdown A Toms River woman who helped organize an anti-lockdown protest in Trenton has been charged with violating New Jersey's emergency stay-at-home orders during the event, authorities said. Kim Pagan helped organize Friday's Trenton rally against Gov. Phil Murphy's stay-at-home order amid the coronavirus crisis, State Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and Superintendent of the New Jersey State Police Colonel Patrick J. Callahan said. Pagan was charged by New Jersey State Police with violating the orders, in which protestors gathered outside the State House and along Trenton streets in their car…

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by Cecilia Levine
Southwest Dutchess
News
Nazi Flag Displayed In Poughkeepsie Apartment Window Removed After Complaints Nazi Flag Displayed In Poughkeepsie Apartment Window Removed After Complaints
Nazi Flag Displayed In Poughkeepsie Apartment Window Removed After Complaints A Nazi flag that was hanging in a Poughkeepsie apartment window, has been removed after complaints from the Dutchess County Democratic Committee and area leaders. The flag was hanging, until Tuesday, Sept. 24, in an apartment window on Main Street in Poughkeepsie, one building away from the office of Joe Ruggiero, who is running for Dutchess County Executive, and not far from Vassar College. In a statement, Ruggiero said: "When one segment of our community is attacked, none of us can say we are attack-free. These acts of hate, symbols of hate, hide under the guise of the First Amendmen…

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by Kathy Reakes
Bedford
News
Westchester Man Convicted Of Sending Anti-Semitic Emails To Local Official, Family Westchester Man Convicted Of Sending Anti-Semitic Emails To Local Official, Family
Westchester Man Convicted Of Sending Anti-Semitic Emails To Local Official, Family This story has been updated. A 44-year old man has been convicted of committing a hate crime after sending anti-Semitic emails to an elected official in Westchester. White Plains resident Timothy Goetze was found guilty of three counts of aggravated harassment, misdemeanors, for threats he made against Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner and his family in 2017. Goetze was found guilty this week following a bench trial in White Plains City Court. Goetze was sentenced to a one-year conditional discharge, 75 hours of community service and orders of protection were issued for Feiner, his wi…

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by Zak Failla