PROTEST in BEACON: Saturday, April 5th: "Hands Off! Beacon Fights Back"

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⚾️⚾️⚾️🏟️ Corey Booker has you all excited!! You’re writing in to ALBB asking where are the protests for April 5. Finally the answer came in! This has been updated in ALBB’s Calendar, and republished below.

PS: some of you might want to organize one at the local Poughkeepsie and/or Newburgh Targets for DEI rollbacks! 🤷🏼‍♀️🙅🏼‍♀️ Like they did in Mount Vernon, NY.

🇵🇸 Free Palestine. It’s all connected. 🖤

PROTEST: Hands Off! Beacon Fights Back
Day: Saturday, April 5, 2025
Time: 3pm-5pm
Location: Pohill Park
As part of the Hands OFF! protests being organized around the country, Beacon's will be at Pohill Park (near Bank Square Coffeehouse) from 3pm-5pm.

This protest is inspired by protecting:
Medicaid + Medicare + Social Security + Our Jobs + Our Wallets + Our Bodies + Fair Elections + Personal Data + Public Lands + Beteran Services + Cancer Research + NATO + Consumer Protections + Clean Air + Clean Energy + Schools + Libraries + Free Speech + LGBTQ+ Rights + Immigrants + Courts + More

About this event:
From the Organizers: “Donald Trump and Elon Musk think this country belongs to them. We are fighting back!”

“They're taking everything they can get their hands on—our health care, our data, our jobs, our services—and daring the world to stop them. This is a crisis, and the time to act is now.”

🚨 On Saturday, April 5th, we're taking to the streets to fight back with a clear message: Hands off! 🚨

“This mass mobilization day is our message to the world that we do not consent to the destruction of our government and our economy for the benefit of Trump and his billionaire allies. Alongside Americans across the country, we are marching, rallying, and protesting to demand a stop the chaos and build an opposition movement against the looting of our country.”

“A core principle behind all Hands Off! events is a commitment to nonviolent action. We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values.”

Check out handsoff2025.com for more information.

Trending: People "Dumping Teslas;" Tesla Dealerships, Sales and Stock Price Sliding As Elon Musk Slashes Federal Programs

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Elon Musk, one of the loudest Pied Pipers in the world, is feeling repercussions from slashing and burning federal social programs and firing large swaths of people at whim. As his so-called Department Of Government Efficiency (DOGE) added Beacon’s closest Social Security Office in Poughkeepsie to the DOGE list of upcoming canceled leases, Tesla dealerships around the world are being attacked, Tesla charging stations burned, the number of Tesla vehicles is declining, as is the stock. And Wired Magazine reports that Cheryl Crow dumped her Tesla.

When ALBB first published Elon Musk news at Facebook or Instagram, some of the readers got upset. For some reason, they equate criticism of Elon Musk, seemingly CEO Of Everything But Master Of Nothing, as “liberal.” ALBB does not understand the correlation, but is here for keeping our eye on Musk, as he is impacting all of our lives. Just three weekends ago, we learned that one of our friends using SNAP at the Beacon Farmer’s Market experienced their SNAP being slashed in half.

So. All eyes on Musk. As for reader reactions to ALBB touching “political” issues, well, it’s just enjoyable to watch Elon slash and burn his brand as he tries to slash and burn our lives. Equally enjoyable is making some Beacon locals angry when shown Elon protest videos, to where one person, Maggie Doggo at Facebook told ALBB to rename to “A Little Liberal Blog.” Loving the alliteration.

It’s a pivot from when others of you were calling ALBB “Katie’s Palestinian Plight,” as dubbed by Erin Hunt via email. Maggie Doggo said that ALBB has been in a “temper tantrum” since November 5th (does Maggie mean October 7th?). Tracy Eraca Pavlovic agreed: “they sure have!!!!!” with 2 angry face emojis.

Either way, ALBB is glad you are reading and feel so connected with ALBB that you feel like this publication is putty in your hands, to change as you wish.

Yes, we are getting back to Beacon News today!! Because we really need to get you that Sue Serino + Hulk Hogan = 💗💅🏼 while Elon and DOGE close the Social Security Office in Poughkeepsie. More to come! ✍🏼

Journalist Max Blumenthal to Antony Blinken As He's Escorted Out: "You Helped Destroy Our Religion Judaism By Associating It With Fascism;" Elder Journalist Sam Husseini Carried Out

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Journalist Max Blumenthal says to Secretary of State Antony Blinken during Blinken’s last official press briefing to the media: “You helped destroy our religion Judaism by associating it with fascism …Why did you allow the Holocaust of our time to happen?”

After Max was escorted out, journalist Sam Husseini also begins interrupting. He is lifted out as he asks his questions in the middle of Blinken’s speech. This clip includes Sam’s lead up to when security approached him, and who told them to approach. Sam said: “I’m a journalist. Not a potted plant.” Before Sam is lifted out of the room by three security guards ordered by Matt Miller and agreed to by Antony Blinken, Sam says that Matt Miller would not answer any questions from him.

As security wraps their arms around his, Sam states: “You are hurting me. You are hurting me. You are hurting me,” as he proceeds to try to ask questions. When CNN reported on this, they said the interruptions were activists. This is a press room. How dare CNN blatantly lie like that, thinking that the entire show would not be revealed in social media - from multiple cameras and camera angles. Shame on CNN.

This video was from @hazami:
“BREAKING NEWS— Journalists confront US Secretary of State during his last official press briefing. The role of media is to be a watch dog of governments— not to cover up their lies Journalists Sam Husseini and Max J. Blumenthal show us courageous journalism. “

Videos by @amrhsayed:
“We won’t stop calling out his war crimes.”

Anti-Genocide Jews From Beacon Hosted Human Menorah On Last Night Of Hanukkah

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Flyer Artwork: Artist Unknown - Please Contact Us if you would like credit.
Photo Credit: Rebekah Azzarelli

Some Jews from Beacon hosted a human Menorah Lighting at Polhill Park on the last night of Hanukkah with the theme “Nobody Is Free Until Everybody Is Free: Lighting the Menorah For Solidarity and Peace.” The flyer for the this second lighting was distributed during the first lighting hosted by Chabad Beacon, which did not mention the genocide at all. This second lighting was in response to that.

The artwork for this flyer included the red watermelons and poppies, synonymous with Palestine’s liberation; peace doves, synonymous with the end of violence; the menorah; and the Star of David, which has come to be synonymous with Judaism, which is on the flag of Israel.

The Beacon Coalition group, which was formed during the Ceasefire movement in Beacon, also shared the lighting to their subscribers. A resident of Beacon who spoke out during that movement, Phoebe Zinman (see her Letter To The ALBB Editor here), was one of the organizers of this human menorah for freedom. Last year, at least 50 Jews from Beacon dedicated their 8th night of Hanukkah to demanding a ceasefire from NY Congressman Pat Ryan.

“Beautiful celebration,” said Rebekah Azzarelli to A Little Beacon Blog about this lighting. “Each candle lighting in the human menorah had their prayers.” In attendance were other citizens of Beacon, including Loren Miller, Dara Silverman, Arthur Camins and Tina Bernstein (listen to Tina’s podcast with ALBB, “A Jewish Voice Wanting To Be Heard Regarding Palestine And Israel” here), Ilana Friedman, Elizabeth Greeblatt, and others.

Beacon Jews Host 2nd Menorah Lighting: "Nobody Is Free Until Everybody Is Free" In Beacon January 1st, 4:30-5:30pm

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Beacon Jews have answered the first Menorah Lighting at Polhill Park with a second Menorah Lighting at Polhill Park, themed: “Nobody Is Free Until Everybody Is Free.” The first Menorah Lighting at Polhill Park was hosted by The Chabad Beacon, but did not acknowledge the genocide that Israel is committing on Palestine, which has been condemned by most humanitarian organizations around the world. The UN Special Rapporteur on Palestine, Francesca Albanese, published her report one year into the genocide, and accuses Israel of 'settler-colonial genocide' against Palestinians. Francesca says: "Member states must intervene now to prevent new atrocities that will further scar human history." Jews in Beacon are doing that now.

Public Menorah Lightings have been held by Beacon Hebrew Alliance each night of Hanukkah at Memorial Park, the last of which is on January 1 at 5:30pm. Beacon Hebrew Alliance used to host the Menorah Lighting at Polhill Park, at times in partnership with Beacon Arts.

Said Phoebe Zinman, one of the Jewish organizers of the “Nobody Is Free Until Everybody Is Free” Menorah Lighting: “We can’t celebrate. We can’t participate in this holiday while this is happening. A celebration that doesn’t acknowledge what’s happening is not appropriate.”

Beacon Jews who attended the 1st Menorah Lighting at Polhill Park, holding their messages: “Not In Our Name,” “Not In My Name” and “From Darkness To Light; Stand For Palestinian Rights”
From left: Loren Miller, Phoebe Zinman, and Lucky Longo.

Menorah Lighting From Chabad of Beacon Had Donuts, Latkes, Fire; But No Mention Of Genocide

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For the second year in a row, newly established Chabad of Beacon hosted a Menorah Lighting at Pohill Park, with a temporary structure that cannot remain overnight. Unlike in year’s past where the Bicycle Menorah from Beacon Arts and Beacon Hebrew Alliance would set up a menorah sculpture for 8 nights of differently themed dedications (aka Illumin8), this current City Administrator won’t allow such temporary structures to remain daily. The full video of this menorah lighting, and a bit of the fire show, are at the bottom of this article.

Donuts and Latkes at the Menorah Lighting.

The evening before dusk was full of neighborly spirit, plump donuts, fresh latkes, and music from a DJ playing remixes of Chanukah songs set to Top 40 beats. Sharing of treats is important to this holiday, as per one of the blessings that was passed out on a flyer: “Chanukah, Oh Chanukah, come light the Menorah. Let’s have a party, we’ll all dance the hora. Gather round the table, we’ll all have a treat.”

The main emphasis for the lighting of the candles, as presented by Rabbi Shaya of Chabad Beacon, was the presentation of the idea of being a light in the darkness. He said there are two opinions to lighting the menorah:

  1. Light 8 candles all at once, starting with 8, and going down from there. Signifies a group, working together to light the darkness. The only way to be a light in the darkness is to be all together. You can't be alone. “Once you do all 8 together, you're tighter as a group, you can fight the darkness,” he said as he explained the opinion.

  2. Light 1 candle first, then 2, then 3, “like we are doing tonight,” Rabbi Shaya said.

    What is the difference of opinions, he asked? “The Menorah is all about being a light in the darkness. Lighting 1 light can light the darkness…You don't need a group with you,” he said. “You don't need 15 people. Whatever the good deed is that you're doing, you are lighting up the darkness.”

Rabbi Shaya's message was: "Let's be the light."

There was no mention of the genocide that Israel is enacting onto the people of Palestine in the name of Jewish people, some of whom insist “Not in my name.” This omission made celebrating the music difficult for those in attendance who do acknowledge and are following the genocide, which is being live streamed on our phones every second of the days and nights for 449 dark days, with no lighted end in sight.

The Fire Show

The Chabad of Beacon encouraged all to attend, promising a fire show to accompany the candle lighting. While the fire dancer was talented, watching the bursts of flames twirl around her was triggering for those who care about people being genocided with fire.

Those who witness the genocide have been watching decapitated babies burn, their charred bodies remaining in the arms of men trying to save them. At least three people including Aaron Bushnell, the active duty member of the US Air Force who fatally set himself on fire in protest of the genocide.

Rabbi Shaya with a second Rabbi who lit the rest of the candles after Mayor Kyriacou.

The day before the Menorah lighting in Beacon, the Israeli army burned down Kamal Adwan Hospital, the last functioning hospital in Northern Gaza. “Doctors have been kidnapped, medics were burned alive, anyone who was mobile was forced to strip and told to travel by foot to the Indonesian hospital, which is not currently functioning,” reported @HealthCareWorkersForPalestine, who are encouraging people to call major media outlets to demand that they report on this, which US media outlets continue to black out. Keeping the genocide in darkness.

That, plus the homeless woman who was burned alive in a New York subway car as she stood paralyzed in pain, her identity of which cannot be found as of yet. The fiery visuals of the Chanukah fire show in Beacon were difficult to absorb.

The Lighting

Rabbi Shaya invited Mayor Lee Kyriacou to light the first candle. As Mayor Lee accepted the flame with which to light the first candle, he said: “So this is a tiki torch. A cross cultural event. But only to say…Thank you all for being here. Please enjoy your holidays however you celebrate them. Let's always be a Welcoming community. And that's all.”

Under the previous administration of Mayor Randy Casale, citizens of Beacon pushed for it to be a Welcoming City in 2019, when all could not agree on risking federal funding to be a Sanctuary City. After Mayor Lee lit the menorah, he said: “Mai Tais are going to be in the back, after we finish the lighting. And then we do the Polynesian hula dance.”

“Not In Our Name”: Beacons Of Light Represent Jews Against Genocide

Silently, and in the periphery of the menorah lighting, stood five people representing some Jewish people in Beacon who are protesting the Israeli genocide of Palestinian people.

A second Menorah Lighting has been organized for January 1, 2025, for people who need to recognize the genocide in order to celebrate. The theme is “Nobody is Free Until Everybody Is Free.”

A courageous thing to do, as those in the Jewish community are split. Those opposing Israel’s murder of Palestinians (sometimes known as Anti-Zionist Jews) have been mocked by other Jews who do not acknowledge, or defend the genocide (sometimes known as Zios or Zionist Jews), which follows the belief that the founders of Zionism weaponized Judaism to gain and maintain white supremacy.

One representative of the anti-genocide group passed out flyers promoting a second menorah lighting for January 1, 2025, with the theme “Nobody Is Free Until Everybody Is Free.” They did so safely and comfortably throughout the crowd, talking to some neighbors.

One of the organizers of the anti-genocide group, Phoebe Zinman, told A Little Beacon Blog: “Some people were really appreciative and grateful that we were there.” One neighbor approached the small group to ask who they were with. Phoebe said: “I told them we weren’t a coalition with a name. We were a group of Jewish people who had been in conversation and doing things since October of 2023.”

The Reception Of Anti-Genocide Jews At The Chabad Menorah Lighting

Three of the attendees of the anti-genocide group that attended the Chabad Beacon’s Menorah Lighting. From left: Loren Miller, Phoebe Zinman, and Lucky Longo.

“One man waving an Israeli flag told the anti-genocide Jews from Beacon: ‘You’re ruining our celebration.’ The anti-Zionist, anti-genocide Jews went on to describe what a different man said to them, who was wearing a tank top and was adorned in tattoos: “He said he would come ruin Christmas for us, and I said ‘We’re Jewish.’ And he said ‘I don’t care. You’re chickens for KFC.’ Which is hilarious to me. Does that make Palestine KFC? Does that make him a chicken standing up for being a chicken? So he just wants to be free to live as a chicken who won’t be slaughtered…like how Gazans are being slaughtered?”
— Phoebe Zinman, as told to ALBB

ALBB asked Phoebe how their presence was received at the menorah lighting. “We wanted to be here as a presence, showing that Palestine will not be erased. It’s part of this, and it’s not appropriate to celebrate Chanukah when this is happening. Like we’re killing….their children are our children.”

Speaking as a Jewish person, Phoebe and the other Jewish organizers wanted to make it explicit: “We can’t celebrate; we can’t participate in this holiday while this is happening. A celebration that doesn’t acknowledge what’s happening is not appropriate.”

The “Tank Top” guy who called the anti-ceasefire group “chickens for KFC.”

On the reverse, some celebrating attendees told the anti-genocide group that their presence was not appropriate. One man waving an Israeli flag told them: “You’re ruining our celebration.” Phoebe described what a different man said to them, who was wearing a tank top and adorned in tattoos: “He said he would come ruin Christmas for us, and I said ‘We’re Jewish.’ And he said ‘I don’t care. You’re chickens for KFC.’ Which is hilarious to me. Does that make Palestine KFC? Does that make him a chicken standing up for being a chicken? So he just wants to be free to live as a chicken who won’t be slaughtered…like how Gazans are being slaughtered?”

Lucky Longo, a non-Jewish participant with the anti-genocide group, told ALBB: “My sign says “From Darkness to Light; Stand For Palestinian Rights.” Lucky told ALBB that she wanted to be inclusive for Chanuka, “but I wanted to bring awareness as a non-Jewish person to this as a community member also.” As for their reception, Lucky said: “It was slightly ignored, but also, not super receptive. I still think in the back of people’s minds it will bring awareness.”

The man waving the Israeli flag who told the anti-ceasefire group that they were “ruining” the celebration. Overall the celebration was very celebratory. The anti-genocide group was standing in the background silently.

Ceasefire City

Beacon is a Ceasefire city. Through a pressure packed few weeks, Beacon’s City Council did sign a Ceasefire Resolution. It takes courage to be the light in the face of white supremacy. Supremacy is maintained through the darkness of intimidation by bullies. Perhaps Chabad Beacon will be that light for others to follow in their new home of Beacon.

Perhaps one day, Chabad Beacon will acknowledge and denounce the genocide, and stand against leaders doing so in the names of so many.

Israel Has Killed The Soul Of Our Soul, Khaled Nabhan, After Killing His Grandchildren (Reem) - Videos Included

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Illustration by @folkloren_

Editor’s Note: ALBB publishes on Palestine because American media either does not, or reports misleading information, sometimes on purpose. Locally, coverage has either been misleading (Mid Hudson News), deleted (thanks, Times Union) or not published at all. Only the Chronogram has published any representation of this cause, and that was thanks to ALBB’s vulnerability in the ceasefire movement in Beacon. Therefore, in the spirit of Beacon that is giving, caring, and inclusive, we have expanded coverage.

The soul of our soul was killed yesterday. “Palestinian grandfather Khaled Nabhan, who gained attention around the world through a viral video in which he mourned his granddaughter, Reem, who he tenderly called the ‘soul of my soul,’ was killed by an Israeli strike on Nuseirat camp in central Gaza,” reported @trtworld.

For those who acknowledge the genocide on Palestine by Israel with U.S. support, there are no words after this news broke yesterday. Except as @muslim exclaimed when they posted this illustration of Khaled and Reem with the weeping roses or poppies, (art by @folkloren_ ): “Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon. 💔 May he be reunited with the “soul of his soul” Within the highest ranks of jannah.”

What is happening is, what the occupation and imperialist powers here in the U.S. don’t realize is, with each kill, our souls run deeper to resist. Methods change. Beauty is incorporated. Stealth mode activated. Because what these occupiers don’t realize is that the ground has been broken. The flowers rising up out of the darkness under the cement sidewalk. Our bodies turned inside out. Muscles and blood exposed, like the chart of the human body when viewed as layers of muscles and veins. Raw. It is not numbness we feel. It is conviction. It is the throwing of dirt onto the fire of fear to smolder the fear out.

What the occupiers don’t realize is that with each kill, we are learning new things. History is re-opened, and we examine histories we glanced over in years past. Syria is re-opened and examined. Like it hasn’t been for years at this level by so many people. Examination and debate about the Middle East is in full view, with details emerging that usually get brushed off as “not my problem,” and “over there.”

The pages are turning so fast now. Invisible ink becoming visible in gold on the page. We don’t know what will happen. Or how it will happen. But the quill is writing the story each day.

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi rajioon. May Allah grant mercy.

Videos from @wearthepeace @boutainaazzabi @queenofpalestine @europe.palestine.network @thesunbirdmovement @noor.harazeen

Beacon Parent Asks For Palestinian Flag To Be Added To Flag Mural In Rombout Middle School Cafeteria

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After a learning-session about the 7th grade Boston trip one night at Rombout Middle School, where Principal Soltish was standing in front of the flag mural on the front wall of the cafeteria, presenting need-to-know facts about the 7th grade Boston trip to prepare parents, this parent/writer was noticing the mural artwork and flags from around the globe, but noticed that there may not have been a Palestinian flag. Or a Yemeni flag, and maybe not a Lebanese flag. Or a Syrian flag

After the meeting, this parent/writer emailed Principal Soltish to inquire if the flags were there, and if they were not there, could they be considered to be added there, since there are Palestinian Americans living in the Beacon community, as well as Yemeni Americans, Lebanese Americans, and Syrian Americans.

However, Principal Soltish did not seem to respond, unless the email went missed somewhere. During this week’s BCSD Long-Range Planning Community Survey, in the question box asking if there was anything else the district could do, this parent/writer asked for them to consider adding the Palestinian, Yemeni, Lebanese, and Syrian flags to the mural wall in Rombout Middle School. If there is such a flag mural in the High School or Elementary Schools, could such an inclusive gesture be considered as well.

On the flag mural wall in the middle school is a quote from Steven Covey that reads:

“Strength Lies In Differences, Not In Similarities.” This quote has been attached to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) work, the framework you can read briefly about here, which adds more considerations.

Perhaps students in the Beacon City School District would start a petition to request this addition be made by the administration.

Remembering That Time The Old Dutchess Mall Was Marked "Free Palestine"

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On December 17, 2023, just 3 months into the genocide carried out by Israel on Palestine which is financially and legislatively supported by the United States, but not condemned by most local politicians who watch the tax dollars get spent on mass murder for maintaining imperialism, under the guise of “safety” and a “war on terror,” the Old Dutchess Mall was tagged with the message “Free Palestine” almost a year ago.

The Old Dutchess Mall is next to Home Depot in Fishkill on US-9. Once a retail destination, is remains a dilapidated, neglected building surrounded by trash and flooding from its parking lot. However, the “Free Palestine” message was cleaned within days of its marking. It is a wonder why the property owners are allowed to keep it in this unmaintained condition.

In terms of development, The Old Dutchess Mall has a long history of “almosts,” which you can read about here. Among other things, it almost became a women’s prison as part of a “Dead Malls” competition, according to Wikipedia. While it is deserted, someone or someones appeared quickly to make the “Free Palestine” disappear.

"Free Palestine" Spray Painted Onto American Flag Mural In Wappingers Falls

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On what appeared to be Tuesday evening, October 8, 2024, the American Flag mural in Wappingers Falls on the khaki building on East Main Street and Market Street had the message “Free Palestine” spray painted onto it in black, with splatters of red paint dripping down, a technique used in the past to symbolize blood of those slaughtered in Palestine during the Israeli assault on Gaza, the West Bank, other parts of Palestine, and now Lebanon, that has been intensified during the past year. Many international institutions call it a genocide, and popular opinion has been referring to it as a holocaust, with recent burning of people alive and rounding up of people to be executed or tortured.

Wappingers Department of Public Works covering a “Free Palestine” message spray painted onto a building.
Photo Credit: Possibly North Nelson in a Wappingers Falls Facebook group.

According to reporting at ESPN Radio 104.5FM, the “Free Palestine” message on the building was covered up and the flag repainted by noon on Wednesday by the Wappingers Department of Public Works and a local businessman Anthony Hardisty, who is a real estate agent with Sam’s Realty in Beacon, and a developer in Wappingers.

Reporting at ESPN Radio 104.5PM personified the building in the description of the application of the message, assigning emotions and actions to it: “The iconic American flag mural that greets visitors to the Village of Wappingers Falls has been vandalized with a political message.”

And “The flag has been a source of inspiration and pride for the village, standing tall during some of its darkest times, such as building collapses, fires and the devastating explosion on Market Street that occurred a year ago,” even though these events had nothing to do with the message written onto the building.

According to the article: “Wappingers Town Supervisor Joseph Cavaccini criticized the act, saying ‘Disrespecting the American Flag and acts of vandalism have no place in our community.’"

Not The First Time “Free Palestine” Tagged On A Building

In Fishkill near Home Depot, in December 2017, the Old Dutchess Mall was tagged with an enormous mural saying “Free Palestine.” While that part of the mall is trash, is surrounded by trash and is falling apart, someone or someones appeared within days to clean the message to make it disappear. They cleaned nothing else. The same trash lay in the puddles that had been there the day before the cleanup.

In Beacon in March 2024, a temporary “Free Palestine” was chalked onto a building in removable chalk. It was the back of the Sun River Health building. The first time it happened, someone threw white permanent paint over it. The person who threw the paint was never pursued, punished or discussed as a perpetrator. Only the artist who used temporary chalk was targeted with police action.

The ESPN Radio 104.5FM article pointed out that this is not the first time an American Flag was targeted with the “Free Palestine” message. An American Flag sculpture in New Paltz, as well as other objects, were painted with “Free Palestine,” as reported by the currently country radio station, The Wolf 97.7FM.

Fragility In The “Free Palestine” Message

Addressing the marking of a building without mentioning the message indicates the fragility of those who oppose its implication, which is a breakage of American imperialism, and thus, some may feel, a kink in their feelings of “safety” if they cannot be allowed to bomb Black and Brown and Arab and Muslim and Palestinian people with impunity.

“Free Palestine” means freedom to not be bombed and occupied, and it has also come to have more meanings for Americans, now that most of the country has become aware that billions of American tax dollars are and have been consistently sent to Israel to pay for the weaponry committing the mass murder in this genocide, as well as lifestyle amenities like free healthcare. Therefore, the “Free Palestine” message has patriotic meaning in America for Americans:

  • Free Healthcare for all Americans.

  • Free healthcare and mental health care and housing and groceries for all American Veterans.

  • Free School Lunches for all students in America.

  • Free politicians from AIPAC (American Israel Public Affairs Committee) bullies and money so that American politicians will listen to their constituents demanding an arms embargo.

  • Free College tuition for all students in America.

  • Free Senior Living communities for all Americans.

  • Free care for people taken by Alzheimers so that they can be safer.

  • Free _____(fill in the blank) for all Americans. For all of this money spent to murder Black and Brown children, men and women, you might as well stick out your hand and demand free amenities for living here.

Jews In The Hudson Valley Dedicate Tashlich Ritual To Call For Arms Embargo On Israel

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On Sunday, October 6th, 2024, Jewish Voice for Peace Hudson Valley organized a Tashlich ritual "to acknowledge the horrors of the past year, and to take action together to end the genocide" at Kingston Point Park on Delaware Avenue. They explain: "Tashlich is a ritual 'casting off' to help us repent, reject and begin to repair harm done in our names." All were welcome to participate in this ritual.

Little sale boat that reads “FREE PALESTINE” on the sail.
Photo Credit: JVPHV

Tashlich is a customary Jewish atonement ritual performed at the beginning of Rosh Hashanah. The ritual is performed, if possible, at a large body of flowing water. During the Tashlich prayer, participants throw their sins into the water.

Some in the group paddled out canoes with a large sign that read "ARMS EMBARGO," while others floated little sail boats with "FREE PALESTINE" typed onto the sails.

Photo Credit: JVPHV

Said Jewish Voice For Peace Hudson Valley of the event: "Community came together today to 'cast off' and mourn the past year of horrors that Israel and U.S. are carrying out against the people of Palestine. We recommit ourselves to escalating our efforts and mobilizing to end the genocide. We say 'not in our name' and call for an ARMS EMBARGO NOW!"

Follow JVP HV on Instagram.

Photo Credit: JVPHV

Photo Credit: JVPHV

Beacon Bread Co. and Ziatün Invite You To Share Beauty, Power, Resilience of Palestinian People One Year Since Genocide Began

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Artwork by Adam Osterfeld

You are invited on a journey to share the beauty, power, and resilience of Palestinian people and culture as these Palestinian-owned businesses commemorate a year since the genocide began.

Kamel Jamal of Ziatün and Beacon Bread Company, his wife Lena, and members of his family will prepare a traditional Palestinian supper. Music will be played by John Vergara of Lord of the Strings.

Capacity is limited to 40 seats at each seating, so be sure to book your tickets on Eventbrite asap, and bring a friend!

Click to Reserve for 5pm

Click to Reserve for 7:30pm

Editorial Note: Ziatün and Beacon Bread Company are sponsors of A Little Beacon Blog’s Restaurant Guide. ALBB posts this with support, pleasure and in partnership.

Beacon/Newburgh Photojournalist Captures NYPD Cell Phone Text And Pro-Palestine/Lebanon Protesters At UN

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Texts on a “White shirt” phone text with NYPD Chief McCarthy, as reported by Independent Photojournalist Alexa B. Wilkinson at a Pro-Palestine protest the day before Netanyahu's arrival to the UN in NYC.

Alexa B. Wilkinson (they/them) is an independent Photojournalist and digital media strategist living in Newburgh after moving out of Beacon. They have been capturing the Pro-Palestinian movement for months, and attended the protests this week at the UN in New York City in anticipation for Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netenyahu’s arrival and speech at the UN.

Alexa captured the screen of a phone with a text that confirmed Netenyahu had landed in NY on September 26, 2024, and said: “Taken this morning at 8:37am during a @jvpny (Jewish Voices For Peace NY) @nycpym (NYC Chapter Of The Palestinian Youth Movement) @nycpsl (The New York City branch of the Party for Socialism and Liberation) shut down of 48th & 1st Ave outside the UN. White shirt phone text with Chief McCarthy (peppa pig) confirm Netanyahu will be landing this morning. Proof of their ongoing daily communication and links to the IOF. Screen protectors apparently not in the budget. Stay safe today, Free Palestine.”

Alexa confirmed that they do have several zoomed out shots of the person holding the phone, for verification of the individual. While Netenyahu delivered his speech to the UN, suburbs were bombed by Israel in Lebanon. Al Jazeera reported: “Israel’s military launches an ‘unprecedented’ attack on southern Beirut with dead and wounded at the scene and a block of buildings brought down as the assault on Lebanon intensifies. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decries ‘lies and slander’ at the UN General Assembly, threatens Iran, and vows to continue ‘degrading’ Hezbollah in Lebanon as delegates storm out in protest.”

What follows below is Alexa’s reporting of what they experienced at this Pro-Palestinian and Pro-Lebanon protest in NYC:

First Photo Series By Alexa B. Wilkinson

By Alexa B. Wilkinson
First published on their Instagram.

“By the time I’m posting this I’m sure we will have all seen multiple angles of police violence through many different lenses. Last nights protest was somehow more of the same and also smaller pockets of escalation. The number of cops during Palestinian led rallies and marches has increased tenfold since Oct 2023 resulting in thousands of frivolous arrests, hospitalizations, injuries, witch hunts, & lives ruined. Millions paid out in overtime to turn NYC into a militarized zone from the rooftops down into the subway.

“While this city and state’s top officials host an indicted war criminal to speak at the UN (protected with frozen zones and federal level security), the SRG is given orders from the top down to suppress and silence anyone who dares stand up and speak out against a genocide. Even while corruption at the highest level has opened up public investigations into Mayor Adams’s administration, he continues to wield his power as top cop to unleash the full military might of the NYPD on peaceful protestors… even as he now has become the first mayor brought up on criminal charges.

“It’s been almost a year. A anniversary we never hoped to have. Through the assaults, the rain, the snow, the broken bones, the 10 mile marches, the encampments, the sit ins, the disruptions, and the shutdowns… we have exposed the corruption of this empire at every level. We have found community and friends. We have connected with and let some people go we probably never thought we would have. The success of this movement will be in inches and interactions, but as we continue to weave our webs of community and solidarity we will keep reaching branches that will span the globe.

“Keep fighting, and remember that when an empire feels itself falling it will try to hold on through violence and chaos. We must persevere by any means necessary.

“For Palestine, for Lebanon, for Syria, for Congo, for you…for us. Globalize the intifada.”

Second Photo Series By Alexa B. Wilkinson

By Alexa B. Wilkinson
First published on their Instagram.

“Last night, thousands flooded the streets to protest and disrupt Netanyahu’s appearance and speech at the UN. As the NYPD created “frozen zones” all around the east side of Manhattan, WOL lead a march from GCT stopping at the MET and onto the Lowes Regency Hotel where Netanyahu is staying.

“For the first hour and a half, the NYPD and SRG largely stayed ahead of or on the sides of the march, being uncharacteristically tame about marching up avenues and on cross streets. There was no obvious violence or arrests up until we got to the MET, where a UN reception was being held and a demonstration was being formed. Through footage from multiple otg reporters like @madisonswart we saw SRG target and grab a protestor through the bike line and body slam them onto the steps before arresting. After that, it was back to business as usual.

“As they kettled us back onto 5th Ave, the protest moved east towards Park Ave where SRG used the LRAD system and state that we were all now “illegally walking in the roadway”. In the course of a 10-15 minute stretch around 20 people were grabbed, tackled (footage of this by @nickybla ), body slammed, knocked unconscious, assaulted, and arrested. In spite of the kettling and typical breakage of protest blocs, the remainder of the anti-genocide protestors made their way to the hotel for a noise demonstration before being brutally pushed out and more arrests made. In the aftermath of the NYPD violence, writing on the building across from the hotel was spotted, like battle scars in the architecture.

“Through barricades and batons, it cannot be denied that the NYPD are amazingly outmatched in strategy and execution of protestors breaking through frozen zones and check points. You can tell they were given orders from the top down to avoid arrests at the start due to numbers and previous days of public violence at the hands of SRG. Their tactics are predictable, but what the lack in imagination they make up for with endless funds and support from a corrupt Mayoral administration and the federal government.

“Numbers matter, and we must keep showing up for Gaza and Lebanon.”

Revisiting Beacon's Ceasefire Resolution Details, And Where Are We Now In Death, Doxxing, and Humanitarian Aid

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After the City of Beacon passed the Ceasefire Resolution on March 4th, 2024, people asked what did it mean. You can read it below in this article. Community members who helped shape the resolution with their input made sure that concerns for both Palestine and Israel were addressed. Five Councilmembers voted in favor (Paloma Wake who introduced the resolution, Pam Weatherbee, Molly Rhodes, Dan Aymar-Blair, Amber Grant) while Mayor Lee Kyriacou and Jeff Domanski abstained.

At the time of the passage of this resolution in March 2024, 30,000 Palestinians were known to have been killed. By September 16, 2024, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry, as reported by Middle East Eye, 41,226 Palestinians are known to have been killed. Of those, 710 were newborn babies, and 16,700 of those were children.

On October 7, 2023, it was reported that 1,200 Israelis were killed and 240 hostages taken. Since then, it has been reported that Israel killed some of their own hostages at different times, including on the first day. Israeli settler Yasmin Porat described in a radio interview how she survived as a hostage, but those around her did not. “Israeli settler Yasmin Porat has claimed that Israeli civilians were killed by Israeli forces and not by Hamas. This came in an interview by Porat with an Israeli radio station on 15 October, where she said: ‘They eliminated everyone, including the hostages. There was very, very heavy crossfire and even tank shelling.’ The 44-year-old mother of three stated that she and other civilians were held by the Palestinians for several hours and were treated ‘humanely’.”

The issue of humanitarian aid was included in Beacon’s Ceasefire Resolution. Humanitarian aid was being blocked. The BBC reported in May 2024 that “Israeli Protesters Block Aid Trucks Destined For Gaza.” This week, ProPublica published: “Israel Deliberately Blocked Humanitarian Aid to Gaza, Two Government Bodies Concluded. Antony Blinken Rejected Them.” The subheading for the article read: “Blinken told Congress, ‘We do not currently assess that the Israeli government is prohibiting or otherwise restricting’ aid, even though the U.S. Agency for International Development and others had determined that Israel had broken the law.”

The ProPublica article further revealed: “The U.S. government’s two foremost authorities on humanitarian assistance concluded this spring that Israel had deliberately blocked deliveries of food and medicine into Gaza. The U.S. Agency for International Development delivered its assessment to Secretary of State Antony Blinken and the State Department’s refugees bureau made its stance known to top diplomats in late April. Their conclusion was explosive because U.S. law requires the government to cut off weapons shipments to countries that prevent the delivery of U.S.-backed humanitarian aid. Israel has been largely dependent on American bombs and other weapons in Gaza since Hamas’ Oct. 7 attacks.”

Beacon’s Ceasefire Resolution also called for no “doxxing” of people speaking for Palestine or Israel, however, since the passage of this resolution, A Little Beacon Blog has been harassed by an Anonymous Letter Writer who is consumed with the notion that ALBB remove the word “Beacon” from the publication title. It is unknown if the Anonymous Letter Writer is a resident of Beacon, or works in Beacon, or works for the City of Beacon.

The City of Beacon’s Administrator Chris White dismissed the passage of the Ceasefire Resolution in this way to the Chronogram in May 2024: “The council, at first, was not going to pass a resolution because they felt it's not a local issue. After public comments, the majority passed it, mostly so we could get back to city business."

Beacon’s City Administrator Chris White unplugging the microphone while Palestinian Jordanian Speaker Neesee Lee spoke, after she gave some of her time to point out the prior speaker using Islamaracist insults got more time.

Beacon’s Mayor Lee Kyriacou got up after Neesee’s microphone was unplugged by City Administrator Chris White.

Beacon’s Mayor lee Kyriacou approached and stood in front of Neese Lee, calling other people’s names in line, while Neesee finished her pre-written speech that ended shortly after her 3 minute allotment.

The reporter for that Chronogram article reviewed the footage of the second and final large meeting of the night the Ceasefire Resolution passed, describing it this way: “On March 4, tensions flared at a Beacon City Council meeting as 68 speakers debated over adopting a resolution for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The room was split. While many there supported the resolution, a sizable group opposed it.

Chaos erupted when audience members objected to a man who compared resolution supporters to "people terrorizing their own citizens." After the interruption, Mayor Lee Kyriacou reset the man's three-minute time limit, prompting Neesee Lee—a Wallkill resident of Palestinian descent—to refuse her own limit, accusing Kyriacou of allowing racist remarks. After her time expired, Lee began to shout, and city administrator Chris White unplugged her microphone. Ultimately, after over three hours of public comments, the measure passed 5-0, with Kyriacou and Ward Two councilmember Jeff Domanski abstaining.”

The Ceasefire Resolution can be read in full below, and has been published by the City of Beacon here.

CITY OF BEACON
CITY COUNCIL
RESOLUTION NO. 30 OF 2024
CALLING FOR AN IMMEDIATE, PERMANENT, AND NEGOTIATED MULTILATERAL
CEASEFIRE AND UNITING FOR PEACE

WHEREAS, all human life is precious; and

WHEREAS, the City of Beacon aspires to be a safe and welcoming community, and is

committed to promoting peace, unity and respect for all of its residents and community members; and

WHEREAS, on October 7th, 2023, 1,200 Israeli citizens were killed and 240 taken hostage, and

since then more than 30,000 Palestinian citizens have been killed and more than 1.5 million are at risk of starvation; and

WHEREAS, the City of Beacon expresses its unwavering support and empathy for all members of the Beacon community who have been impacted by the violence happening in Palestine and Israel; and

WHEREAS, the City of Beacon acknowledges the deep personal impact that the violence in Palestine and Israel has had on numerous members of our community, and extends its sincere condolences to those who have lost loved ones and extended family members in this conflict; and

WHEREAS, the City of Beacon encourages all residents and community members to treat one another with empathy, compassion, and respect; and

WHEREAS, the City of Beacon condemns all forms of racism, discrimination, and violence (and support thereof) which target Arab, Palestinian, Muslim, Jewish, Israeli, or other communities, as well as any other form of intimidation, “doxxing,” harassment, public shaming, and hate speech, whether online or in-person; and

WHEREAS, the United States holds immense diplomatic power to facilitate an effective peace process; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Beacon urges the Biden Administration to:

1. Call for and facilitate an immediate and permanent negotiated multilateral ceasefire, towards a formal regional peace process, as well as normalized regional relations; and

2. Call for the release of all hostages and those unjustly imprisoned, both Israeli and Palestinian; and

3. Call for the immediate increased flow of humanitarian aid into all of Gaza, facilitated by mutually-trusted third parties.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the City of Beacon:

1. Calls for continued open, honest, respectful, and tolerant conversation among our local community in support of our common humanity; and

2. Recognizes the importance of addressing the root causes of crises to the development of a pathway to lasting peace and justice, and to educating the public on the interconnectedness of climate change, global conflicts, and fostering awareness and dialogues within the community.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that upon passage, a copy of this Resolution shall be sent to the Office of U.S. President Joe Biden, the Office of U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, the Office of U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, the Office of U.S. Representative Pat Ryan, the Office of Governor Kathy Hochul, the Office of State Senator Rob Rolison, and the Office of State Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson

Beacon Jews Signed This Open Letter In Support Of Ceasefire Resolution

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When the City of Beacon/s City Council was debating signing the Ceasefire Resolution which it passed, several Jewish community members in Beacon signed and published an Open Letter In Support Of A Ceasefire Resolution. That was a contentious time that has tempered today, but will not go away, as a Ceasefire was never established, Palestine continues to get bombarded by Israel, funded by the Untied States who is supplying the weapons to massacre Palestinians, and Israel has escalated its bombardment of Lebanon again.

Since that time, A Little Beacon Blog faced harassment from a few people, including an Anonymous Letter Writer who was relentless in sending dozens of letters to businesses in Beacon who do an do not work with A Little Beacon Blog. This action created fear in us, and hesitation to publish more. But we know we must continue on with the rest of the world in resisting this violent, colonialist takeover.

Worse, is the strain it has put on the Jewish community globally, who has risen up shakily but loudly to say “Not in our name.”

Below is the Open Letter as it has been published. Should it be updated, we will update it here as well. The original can be found here. More people who are Jewish and live in Beacon or pay Beacon taxes can sign here.

Open Letter From Beacon Jews In Support of a Ceasefire Resolution

If you are Jewish & you want to sign on, please go to: https://bit.ly/BeaconJews4CF

We are Jewish Beaconites who represent a wide array of Jewish spiritual, religious, and cultural practices and beliefs. We have a range of experiences with, perspectives on, and personal connections to, the land and people of Israel and Palestine. In all our diversity, we are united in our support of a Ceasefire Resolution for the City of Beacon.

Over the past weeks, we’ve heard some Jewish community members cite their fear of speaking out, fear of pro-Palestinian protestors, and fear of their own public comments being posted on social media in their opposition to a Ceasefire Resolution. The Rabbi of BHA wrote in our local newspaper that a Ceasefire Resolution “will strain, if not shred, the social fabric here in Beacon.” We have heard other Jewish leaders suggest that there is a sinister, antisemitic underbelly to the local Ceasefire movement. A highly inflammatory and personally targeted petition is circulating with the aim of discrediting the growing Ceasefire movement and painting it as broadly antisemitic.

As Jews, we understand what antisemitic hate looks and feels like. We know the fear. Our ancestors endured pogroms, concentration camps, expulsion, discrimination, and exclusion. We have lived through the rise of antisemitism and anti-Jewish violence in this country along with a rise in hate-crimes of many kinds over the past decade (and some of us live at the intersections of multiple marginalized identities). These traumas live in our memories and in our bodies.

We, too, were deeply affected by the events of October 7th. Some of us have loved ones in the region for whom safety is a daily concern. Many of us feel fear when speaking out publicly on this issue, due both to antisemitism, and to pressure to conform coming from within our Jewish communities. It is risky to enter a heated and difficult debate that directly affects the people and communities we love.

It is from this place of deep knowing that we say: we will not let our fear be used to silence the urgent cries of our neighbors, who are calling out, “Ceasefire, NOW!”

“In our Ceasefire Resolution debate here in Beacon, we are seeing anti-Zionism and critique of Israeli military actions being conflated with antisemitism. As is often the case when Jews confront criticism of Israel, discomfort is reported as danger, and complex language around activism and resistance is flattened into a simple attack on the Jewish people.

This is dangerous for Jews and non-Jews alike.”
— Beacon Jews In Support Of Ceasefire Resolution

Antisemitism exists in all movements, because antisemitism exists everywhere. It is all of our responsibility to confront antisemitism wherever it surfaces. In our Ceasefire Resolution debate here in Beacon, we are seeing anti-Zionism and critique of Israeli military actions being conflated with antisemitism. As is often the case when Jews confront criticism of Israel, discomfort is reported as danger, and complex language around activism and resistance is flattened into a simple attack on the Jewish people.

This is dangerous for Jews and non-Jews alike. For Jews, the conflation of Israel and Judaism means that Jews can be targeted for the Israeli government’s actions, regardless of their stance on Israel. For non-Jews, antisemitism is a serious accusation. When used broadly, and when not clearly defined, it can be defamatory. To be wrongly accused of antisemitism can result in harsh consequences; it can cost someone their job, reputation and standing, before the accusations can be addressed. We as Jews must call out when the threat of antisemitism is used to mischaracterize a legitimate call to action.

At the same time, we have heard our Palestinian neighbors describe experiences of explicit xenophobia and racism: being called “terrorists'' on our city streets, harassed at their places of work, and warned against wearing their keffiyehs. They confront racism in all its forms, all while their family members in Gaza are dying and their families in the West Bank are under constant threat and surveillance.

As Jews we have been taught about the Nazi Holocaust: never again. With over 100 Palestinians being killed every day, Never again is right now.

There is no time to wait.

“Many local Jews are in community and communication with our Palestinian neighbors, and stand with them. The need for conversation between and among Jews of differing perspectives has also been made clear by this debate.”
— Beacon Jews Who Support Ceasefire Resolution

We agree that dialogue is a productive way of building understanding across lines of difference, and of addressing and rooting out bias in ourselves and others. And in the simplest sense, we are in dialogue. Many local Jews are in community and communication with our Palestinian neighbors, and stand with them. The need for conversation between and among Jews of differing perspectives has also been made clear by this debate.

These last few weeks at City Council we have been in lively and passionate exchanges about these issues. A call for mediated, formal dialogue, no matter how well intentioned or needed, cannot be used to divert attention from the urgent call for a Ceasefire. Palestinians do not have the luxury of tabling this in exchange for careful conversation. People are dying now, and we must act now.

We appreciate that the City Council is listening, and that there is renewed interest in pursuing a Ceasefire resolution.

We stand united for a Ceasefire Resolution, and against all forms of oppression including Islamophobia and antisemitism, and call on the Beacon City Council to pass a resolution now.

SIGNED:

(List in formation, will be updated several times daily. Current number of signers: 76.)

Abigail Shapiro Taylor Ward 4
Arthur Camins Ward 2
Avis Olsen Ward 1
Brandon Vote in Fishkill/Glenham, pay Beacon School Taxes
Daniel Fisherman Ward 1
Dan Spitzer Ward 1
Dara Silverman Ward 1
Daria Gates Ward 1
David Ross Ward 1
David Smolen Ward 2
Deborah D. Vote in Fishkill/Glenham, pay Beacon School Taxes
Diana Cowdery Ward 4
Donna Minkowitz Ward 1
Elizabeth Greenblatt Ward 1
Emily Joslin-Roher Ward 2
Emma Myers Ward 2
Erica Patterson Ward 2
Eve Morgenstern Ward 4
Gracelyn Woods Ward 2
Hana Feit I work, worship, go to school, or live part time in Beacon
Harper Horwitz Ward 4
Harry Teitelman Ward 4
Ilana Friedman Ward 2
Jen Clapp Ward 1
Jennifer Clair Ward 4
Jessica Simkovic Ward 3
Jillian Heller Ward 3
Joan Unterweger Ward 3
Joshua K. Burghardt Vote in Fishkill/Glenham, pay Beacon School Taxes
Julie Beth Napolin Ward 4
Katya Levitan-Reiner Ward 1
Laura Bellizzi Ward 2
Lauren A. Ward 2
Lauren Spiro Ward 4
Lev Olsen I work, worship, go to school, or live part time in Beacon
Lila Barchetto Ward 4
Margo Sivin Ward 4
Martin Z. Vote in Fishkill/Glenham, pay Beacon School Taxes
Masha Schmidt Ward 4
Matt Harle Vote in Fishkill/Glenham, pay Beacon School Taxes
Matthew Ward 2
MJ Witenberg Ward 2
Nicolette Dakin Vote in Fishkill/Glenham, pay Beacon School Taxes
Noga Cabo Vote in Fishkill/Glenham, pay Beacon School Taxes
Ori Alon-Ray Ward 3
Parisa Karami Ward 3
Paula K. Vote in Fishkill/Glenham, pay Beacon School Taxes
Paula King Ward 1
Peggy Ross Ward 1
Phoebe Zinman Ward 3
Randy Bennis Ward 2
Randy Patterson Ward 1
Ray Roy Vote in Fishkill/Glenham, pay Beacon School Taxes
Ray Simons Ward 2
Rebecca Wisotsky Ward 1
Rusty Stahl Ward 1
Ruth Danon Ward 1
Sadie Greene-Kaufman Ward 1
Sam Adels Ward 2
Sarah Capua Vote in Fishkill/Glenham, pay Beacon School Taxes
Sarah From Ward 1
Sarah Richardsen Ward 4
Sasha Stim-Fogel Ward 2
Sergio Perez Ward 2
Sharon Strauss Ward 2
Sheila Webb-Halpern Ward 3
Steve Gold Ward 4
Stuart Gabriel Ward 4
Susan Myers Ward 1
Suzy Konecky Ward 1
Tina Bernstein Ward 2
Tom Stringer Ward 3
Tyler P. Ward 2
Valerie Barela Ward 2
William P. Ward 3
Yael Korman Ward 2