The nightmare of the Trump presidency has finally ended.
There is, as everyone knows, a huge amount of work still to be done to heal the scars of the hate that Trump fomented and unleashed. Still, today, we can look past the 4 years of lies, unchecked greed, and the betrayal of America’s promise and rule of law.
Let’s all pledge to work towards a more perfect union together – as citizens and as neighbors.
Join volunteers across New York as we honor the legacy of Dr. King and celebrate the Biden+Harris administration with a day of service to distribute masks to those in need and educate our neighbors about Covid-19 and its vaccine.
This event has two options. Please sign up for one or both:
Daytime – In-person volunteer opportunity. 2-hour volunteer shift (10am, 12pm, 2pm). Sign up to distribute masks and materials in a socially distanced manner to your community. Masks and resources will be provided by our team and shared with you so you can distribution them to NYCHA residents, seniors, families, restaurant workers, and commuters in your local neighborhood.
Evening – Virtual educational opportunity (6:30pm – 8pm) Hear representatives from the Dept of Health present an update on Covid transmission rates by zip code and information about access to the vaccine for your community: https://www.mobilize.us/wakedems/event/368212/
A number of HNBA members had a great time in June of 2019 when we joined the first night of the Presidential Primary Debates in Harlem, NYC. Tonight it’s the (first) Election 2020 debate!
Our democracy, humanity, and sanity are on the ballot this November.
#NewYorkStrong #ItsUpToUs
Cemeteries of New York
Most of us are likely aware of the great cemeteries in New York like Woodlawn (straight up the 4 train, and open to the public – dogs permitted after signing a waiver) and Green Wood (Brooklyn), as well as the cemetery ‘belt’ in Queens. You may also be aware of the lost cemeteries like the African Burial Ground (behind City Hall) and our own East Harlem African Burial Ground that is now covered by the abandoned MTA bus depot at 126th and 1st Avenue.
Cemeteries of NYC, however, has not only mapped the ones we’ve all heard of, but countless others that were (or are) burial grounds in the 5 Boroughs:
Zooming into Harlem, I was surprised to see some cemeteries (long gone) that once existed. In particular, note how much of Wards and Randall’s Island were used as potters fields:
In this, zoomed in view, note how there was a cemetery, on both sides of Lexington, between 125/126:
On the map you can click on each of the features to learn more about how many people were/are buried there, and when/if they were transferred to another location at some point:
Some of the images of East Harlem’s shanty towns that were soon swallowed by the grid and development, are remarkably striking. This one is from 1870:
And is looking at the intersection of 5th Avenue and 117th Street.
This photo (above) is not located, but dated 1894 and called East Harlem Shanty town.
Debate Watch Party
A number of HNBA members had a great time in June of 2019 when we joined the first night of the Presidential Primary Debates in Harlem, NYC. Now it’s time to prepare for the Election 2020 debates!
New York for Biden+Harris has been asked to coordinate an official statewide Debate Watch Party for Tuesday, September 29th at 8pm!
Please share the image and link below far and wide. Instagram: @newyorkforbiden2020 / Facebook: @newyorkforbiden / Twitter: @newyorkforbiden https://www.mobilize.us/joebiden/event/331934/
We have to move quickly as our democracy, humanity, and sanity are on the ballot this November.
Let’s show the world who we are! #NewYorkStrong #ItsUpToUs
