May. 31, 2024 By Czarinna Andres Western Queens is known for being a progressive hub, with the majority of its elected officials being heavy critics of the Israeli government and calling for a cease-fire in Gaza. Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist who has represented Western Queens since 2021, has been a fierce critic…
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Tag: Palestine
Queens electeds offer contrasting viewpoints on pro-Palestinian encampment at Columbia
Apr. 25, 2024 By Iryna Shkurhan As Pro-Palestinian encampments emerged at over a dozen college campuses across the country following in the footsteps of Columbia University, local elected officials pushed out statements in response. The “Gaza Solidarity Encampment,” built on the campus’s south lawn, drew strong voices of support, as well as objection, from Queens…
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26 Pro-Palestine protesters arrested for blocking traffic at JFK
Dec. 29, 2023 By Iryna Shkurhan Dozens of protestors in solidarity with Palestine briefly blocked traffic at JFK Airport on Wednesday, amid one of the busiest travel periods of the year. Video footage of the incident shared on social media shows travelers leaving cars with their luggage in tow to walk around the blockage on the Van Wyck Expressway, leading to Terminal 4. The Port Authority Police Department was first notified of the disruption at approximately 11:30 a.m. The protesters formed a human chain that blocked three lanes of traffic heading towards the airport. Traffic heading out of the airport was…
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Food or politics? Palestinian and Israeli restaurants in Queens choose both
Dec. 22, 2023 By Iryna Shkurhan You can’t go inside King of Falafel and Shawarma on Broadway in Astoria without first stepping on the face of Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister of Israel. Floor stickers with headshots of highly criticized world leaders who some have accused of crimes against humanity greet customers at the front…
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More than 1,000 protesters gather in western Queens calling for ceasefire in Gaza
Dec. 18, 2023 By Gabriele Holtermann More than 1,000 pro-Palestinian supporters rallied in Queens on Saturday, calling for a ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. The protest, dubbed Flood Queens for Gaza, kicked off in Astoria, with pitstops in Sunnyside and Long Island City, before making its way into Manhattan. The crowd, chanting “From the River… Read more »
Queens Assemblymember shares bigoted voicemail calling for ‘death of all Muslims’
Nov. 10, 2023 By Aidan Graham
Queens Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani, an outspoken critic of the Israeli government, took to social media to share a profanity-laced voicemail his office received from a man advocating for the “death of all Muslims.”
Where to donate amid the Israel-Hamas conflict
Oct. 14, 2023 By Aidan Graham Following Hamas’ attacks in Israel over the weekend, which included the militant group firing thousands of missiles while kidnapping and killing hundreds of civilians, local organizations have stepped up to help — providing financial aid and donating much-needed resources to those in the line of fire. Those looking…
Queens lawmakers push controversial bill banning NY charities from supporting Israeli organizations in West Bank settlements
Aug. 30, 2023 By Michael Dorgan and Paul Frangipane Assembly member Zohran Mamdani and state Senator Kristen Gonzalez hosted a town hall in Long Island City on Tuesday, Aug. 29, to discuss their legislation that aims to prohibit New York registered charities from funding Israeli organizations operating in the West Bank. The event took place… Read more »