Tree Trimming Happening Friday - No Parking On That Side Of The Street

Tree trimming (not the Christmas kind - but actual clippers) is happening on Friday in Beacon. Parking on one side of the street is restricted while the trucks go up to do their work. No trees will be cut down, says the City of Beacon. But limbs will be pruned back.

With the new “parklets” going up in front of restaurants, where restaurant seating is in a parking spot to help restaurants accommodate customers to increase business, it’s something to keep up with now when parking is amended temporarily.

Rejoice! New Mini Free Parking Signs At City Of Beacon's Free Public Parking Lots

At last…there is a modern looking, conversational-style Free Parking sign at Beacon’s free municipal parking lots. This is something we have dreamed of for years, and is why A Little Beacon Blog created our Free Parking Guide.

Granted, there is the traditional and official green P sign that stands for “Free Parking,” but when was the last time you studied for your drivers license test to remember what that sign stands for? Granted, you don’t forget what the red STOP sign looks like, but a green P can be a little vague and un-mememorable. Let alone un-noticable.

In addition to this little parking sign, you’ll notice the fancy new Dutchess County sign, where you’ll find the DMV, Family Services, Astor Services, Office of Probation and Community Correction, and other county offices. For years, this sign was pretty trashed and tired. Last year, it got a makeover. This particular parking lot is owned by Dutchess County, so is only free on the nights and weekends.

Beacon Pride Pop-Up Event This Friday At Roosevelt Bar (HV Food Hall) And Pride Caravan This Weekend

This year is the 50th anniversary of the first Pride march which took place in June 1970, a year after the Stonewall Riot in New York City, beginning the Gay Liberation movement. With this milestone year, big celebrations were in store throughout New York, but with the COVID-19 outbreak, the celebration has been switched to online events.

In addition, the Black Lives Matter protest came to forefront also reminding us that #blacktranslivesmatter and that the Stonewall Riots was lead by people of color like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera. This year, Global Pride celebrations are more subdued with virtual events and replacing parades with protests organized along side with Black Lives Matter organizations - as both groups come together to rally for change.

Staying Local? Beacon Pride Pop-Up Event

It has come to our attention that while there is a healthy population of LGBTQ+ residents in Beacon and nearby, there are not many ways to connect regularly and have some social recognition of Pride. This is where Beacon resident Joe Waring comes in! Joe is member of the Beacon Human Relations Commission focused on LGBT issues and concerns. This year, Joe is arranging a Beacon Pride Pop-Up event at The Roosevelt Bar at the Hudson Valley Food Hall, Friday, June 26th from 7-12am.

Joe’s intention in organizing this pop-up is to create community and opportunity, he shares with us “While Beacon and the surrounding communities are chock full of amazing LGBTQ+ folks and allies, it can be isolating for many of them as its hard to actually get to know new friends.... and with Pride / Racial Change being so intertwined, I feel like this is an opportunity for likes minds to come together….I am doing this solely to bring community together in a strange and tenuous time in our lives.”

The event will include a remote DJ who’s being sponsored by The Solstad House, a local LGBTQ+ owned business in Beacon.

Social Distancing Still In Place

A Little Beacon Blog only agreed to publicize this socializing event if pandemic-safety measures were in place. We want to help people meet, but safely.

According to Joe, “Hudson Valley Food Hall has all of the appropriate signage up for COVID Protocols and taped off 6-ft markers visible. There will be welcome sign at the entrance to reinforce Mask Wearing and Social Distancing. The main Food Hall space will be closed off as will the bar seating area so this will be outside and will have a counter in place to limit the size. Inside tables will be off-limits and outdoor seating on sidewalks to the side and in front of HVFH will be available.”

Joe continues: “I don't envision people being there for more than 1-2 hours in general but if so we will rotate folks to socially distant areas should crowding be an issue.” That’s nice - give others a chance to meet.

Pride Caravan Protest, Local Resources & Support

This Sunday, The Newburgh LGBTQ Center is hosting a Pride Caravan Protest For Black Lives Matter Against Police Brutality. This is the First Pride Caravan in the Mid-Hudson Valley and you must sign up ahead of time. You can read more about this event on their Facebook page. The Newburgh LGBTQ Center are the only POC led LGBTQ+ led organization in the mid-Hudson Valley.

Mid-Hudson LGBTQ+ Resources

Dutchess Pride Center in Poughkeepsie
The Newburgh LGBTQ Center in Newburgh
Hudson Valley LGBTQ Center in Kingston
Big Gay Hudson Valley

Senator Sue Serino Voted Against 50-a Repeal For Police Record Transparency, And The Beacon PBA's (Police Union) Position

Governor Cuomo signed the repeal of 50-a, which now allows for transparency of prior disciplinary records of law enforcement officers. Records can be acquired through a FOIL (Freedom Of Information Law) request. The repeal was part of a broader 'Say Their Name' reform agenda to reduce inequality and reimagine the state's criminal justice system.

The shielding law was originally passed in 1976. Since then, it has been fought against by “advocates, including New Yorkers United for Justice, and legal organizations such as the Legal Aid Society and the New York Civil Liberties Union, have pushed for the repeal of 50-a in the name of transparency,” according The Daily News.

According to the press released issued by Governor Cuomo’s office: “Section 50-a of the New York State Civil Rights Law creates a special right of privacy for the personnel records of police officers, correction officers, and firefighters and paramedics employed by the State or political subdivisions. The current law prevents access to both records of the disciplinary proceedings themselves and the recommendations or outcomes of those proceedings, leading to records of complaints or findings of law enforcement misconduct that did not result in criminal charges against an officer almost entirely inaccessible to the public.”

The vote was passed down party lines, with all Democrats voting for, and all Republicans voting against, including Senator Sue Serino, whose senate district includes the Highlands. As reported in the Highlands Current, she explained: “In a statement on Thursday, Serino said she could not ‘in good faith’ vote to repeal 50-a. While there must be ‘zero tolerance for police brutality, racism, hate or violence,’ she said the bill ‘goes too far in allowing for the release of false accusations, unfounded and unsubstantiated claims.’”

While that possibility exists, reports are made public about citizens who are involved in a dispute, or medical professionals who have their licenses revoked for misconduct, whether made vengefully or not. To have zero indication about someone’s behavior, who has the right to behave physically against your person to to speak rudely to your person, seems like a mis-match. To not be able to learn how it was judged by a review board or investigation does not help anyone who wants to learn more about someone who has a powerful physical and emotional advantage over them - by law.

Senator Anna Kaplan (Monahemi) explained why she voted in favor of repealing 50-a. Senator Kaplan is the first “Iranian-American to be elected to either of New York state's legislative chambers, and she is the first former political refugee to serve in the New York Senate, according to Wikipedia:

“I came to this country as a 13 year old girl fleeing the revolution that had overtaken the only home I had ever known because my family, and people like us, were no longer welcome or safe in our own communities. While I can’t compare my experience to that of African Americans living in this country, the emotions on display in recent protests throughout our community resonate with me in a deeply personal way. Being raised in that environment also gave me a profound appreciation for our country’s founding principles that we are all equal in the eyes of the law and none of us are above it, and that all public officials be transparent and accountable to the public they serve.

”When 50-a was enacted decades ago, it carved out our Police and a select few public servants from the same rules and responsibilities that all who serve the public in New York State are accountable to, myself included as an elected official. We place an enormous amount of trust in our law enforcement community to wield enormous power on our behalf, but the public is right to demand an ability to “trust, but verify.” Doing so isn’t an attack on the good work of the vast majority of our law enforcement community who puts on a uniform every day to protect and serve with honor and courage…

“With tensions in many communities beyond the breaking point, now is the time to take meaningful steps to develop a durable relationship of trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve, and the only way we do that is by being open and honest with each other. I believe by repealing 50-a, we are taking that first step together towards a safer community for everyone.”

During the research for this article, A Little Beacon Blog discovered that police unions, Patrolman’s Benevolent Associations (PBA), tended to not favor the repeal either. We reached out to Beacon’s PBA for comment, and received the following response from Mike Confield, Beacon PBA Vice President:

The Beacon PBA disagrees with the Governor’s signing of the repeal of 50-a. We feel that the state legislature and the governor passed and signed this bill without taking the necessary time to properly weigh the pros and cons of releasing officers disciplinary records. The potential release of a disciplinary investigation report, especially when it is unfounded of any wrong doing can still damage the reputation of not only the officer involved, but the department and municipality. We also believe that when an officer needs testify at a trial from now on, the trial focus will move from the defendant to the officer. Therefore attempting to slander the officers name enough so a potentially dangerous criminal can walk and cause more damage to the innocent public.

We also feel that rushing this repeal may cause confidential and personal information to be released that has potential to make good officers, good people and our families subject to targeted harassment and violence.

- Mike Confield, Beacon PBA Vice President,
on behalf of the PBA

The bill was sponsored by Jamaal T. Bailey, and co-sponsored by Luis R. Sepúlveda, Alessandra Biaggi, Brian A. Benjamin, and Neil D. Breslin.

The New York Post pointed out here and here that several Republican senators are not seeking reelection next term, including “Sens. John Flanagan, Michael Razenhofer of Buffalo, Betty Little of Queensbury, George Amedore of Kingston and freshman Bob Antonacci of Syracuse. Sen Chris Jacobs (R-Buffalo) is also on his way out, as he’s seeking the vacant seat of disgraced US Rep. Chris Collins in Congressional District 27.”

The Story Behind The Bench - The Memorial To Dustin James - A Beaconite, An Officer, and A Son

Former mayor Randy Casale, sitting on the bench that was made for his stepson, Dustin James.
Photo Credit: Randy Casale

There is a black bench with a thin blue line through it that is a memorial to a fallen police officer in front of Beacon’s City Hall. The bench is in memory of former Beacon Mayor Randy Casale’s stepson, Dustin James, who died in a motorcycle accident while off-duty. At some point, there has been a call for and a decision to remove the bench. This article is the exploration of what has transpired so far.

To give context: we are in a time of a revolution. A time of an awakened civil rights movement for black lives that gained strides, but got quiet and complacent for white people. Until police videos of violence came along. The pandemic gave everyone time to think and re-evaluate. We have been through the beginning of the #MeToo movement, where women’s voices began to be heard and believed. We are in the Black Lives movement, where black and brown and mixed-race voices are being heard and believed. Monuments all around us are toppling. Monuments of white men who conquered and defined this country. Toppled by regular white and black and brown people who have wanted these personified statues of oppression down for years, but nothing happened (well, in New Orleans, they were removed), and common people have taken it into their own hands, literally, by seizing the monuments and pulling them down, or voting them down (the City Council for Charleston, S.C. just unanimously voted to remove Calhoun’s statue and construction of removal has begun).

Imagery is also in question. Flags, logos, colors. What means what, and what did it used to mean? Three weeks ago, the American stars and stripes black flag decals with a blue line through them that had been placed onto police vehicles in Cold Spring were called into question by residents of Cold Spring. This black stars and stripes flag with a thin blue line decal was used to represent the Blue Lives Matter campaign, a movement started as a counter-response to the Black Lives movement. The decals were placed onto Cold Spring’s police cars one year ago, which is past the time when proud white supremacists used the black stars and stripes flag symbol to protest in Charlottesville, VA and run over people with a van. For an article covering the vehicle decals at A Little Beacon Blog, we reached out twice to Beacon’s Mayor Lee Kyriacou, City Administrator Anthony Ruggiero and then Police Chief Kevin Junjulas for comment as to their opinions of the black stars and stripes flag, but received no response.

This black stars and stripes flag imagery however, is separate from the decades honored symbol of a fallen police officer, which is a solid black rectangle with a thin blue line. The black stars and stripes flag design is also a possible obstruction of United States flag code, which states that the flag cannot be altered in its design. The discussion for this article is on the traditional marking for the fallen officer, which is a solid black rectangle with a thin blue line running through it. This design has been inspired onto a bench which sits outside of City Hall in Beacon, with these words on it: “In Loving Memory Of Police Officer Dustin James.”

Today, there is a call to move the bench. The memorial to Dustin James. Who is Dustin James, and why is there a call to remove, or move, the memorial? As we do with many little details, A Little Beacon Blog looked into it. We were already pursuing the history of the years past federal investigation by the Department of Justice into the Beacon Police Department, when suddenly, Beacon’s former mayor, Randy Casale, broke his silence after losing the mayoral election to Mayor Lee Kyriacou, a self-imposed silence Randy enacted to give the new mayor a fresh platform.

A Little Beacon Blog has been working on starting a new podcast with known podcaster Brandon Lillard. While we were recording practice episodes and finding our voices, Randy fired up his Facebook to suddenly announce his disapproval of removing the memorialized bench in front of City Hall, the decision of which had otherwise not been in the public domain. We reached out to Randy for an interview, which he granted. The recording of our discussion will be published shortly on our new podcast so that you can hear his voice, but as local debates swirl around Dustin’s memorial, we wanted to share what of the story we knew.

Who Is Dustin James?

Dustin James is the son of Etha Grogen and Bryon James. Dustin is the stepson of Beacon’s former mayor Randy Casale, who was the life partner of Etha. Before being Beacon’s mayor for 2 terms, Randy served on the City Council for years. Randy served as Beacon’s Highway Superintendent, coached high school basketball and was involved in numerous community initiatives in Beacon.

Dustin James grew up in Beacon and had many friends. He and Etha came into Randy’s life while Dustin was 8 years old. Randy recalls bouncing him on his knee as they watched the show “Cops” together at night. “Etha would come down and want him to go to bed, and I told her it was alright, we’d stay up and watch together.” Dustin grew up wanting to be a police officer. Randy helped him pursue the police academy, and to make good choices while being a police officer.

According to Dustin’s obituary: “Dustin was a Police Officer with the Walden Police Department where he started his career 10 years ago as a dispatcher and was recently promoted to Investigator. He was also a part-time police officer with the Village of Montgomery. Dustin started his career dispatching in the Town of Fishkill. Throughout his career, he received numerous awards for his achievements. He was the President of the Walden PBA and a member of the Warthogs. Dustin also organized Walden's National Night Out for several years.”

Dustin was a motorcycle rider, and while off-duty when a woman ran a stop sign, ending Dustin’s life on Tuesday, April 17, 2017. Dustin was 31 years old and married to Maryellen James. The Highlands Current wrote about it at the time.

“I always told Dustin to be a good cop, and to not turn into one of them,” Randy recalled during our interview. “I never knew if he was until his funeral. When I saw how many people were at his funeral.” According to friends of Dustin, and confirmed by Randy, some people who Dustin arrested were even at his funeral.

Dustin’s friends took to creating a bench to memorialize him. They built the bench that sits in front of City Hall today that is black with a blue line running through it. The traditional symbol of a fallen officer, and a symbol of support for the family the officer leaves behind.

“I’ve Never Seen Or Heard Of This Bench Before”

Right. Neither had we. When interviewing Terry Nelson 3 weeks ago for his story about attending the first big Black Lives Matter protest in Beacon as an African American, he mentioned this bench with the blue line through it. Being new to this symbol entirely, and fresh off reporting about the consideration of the removal of the black flag decal (different symbol) from the police cars in Cold Spring (the black flag stickers have since been removed), a knee jerk reaction could be to feel negative emotions about the blue line. Three weeks ago, Terry said that the City Council had been discussing removing the bench for a period of time, and that no one had brought it up to Randy yet.

There was no ceremony or public discussion in City Council for the installation of the memorial, which according to Randy, is normal for memorialized benches. “It was placed like every other bench was placed. Someone calls and asks can we donate a bench in honor of someone, and the administration usually says yes.”

So What Is Happening Now?

Randy first learned of proposed removal of the bench from his friends who are police officers across the river. Mayor Kryiacou texted (or emailed) Randy to tell him that the bench was being moved. There was no discussion in any public City Council meeting or police related community workshop.

To date, according to Randy, the only person who has spoken to him in person about the memorial is Councilperson George Mansfield.

After Randy published his disapproval of the removal of the bench on his Facebook on June 18th, his Facebook friends went back and forth in Comments, with a majority in strong support of leaving the memorial in place. For those friends who did not know who Dustin was or why the memorial was placed there, or why the bench was being removed, things got confusing. Beacon, and politics in general, has been a place where names aren’t always mentioned, but topics are alluded to. It can get confusing to cover and figure things out.

On June 22, 2020, A well known community leader, Brooke Simmons, who is from a mixed-race family, wrote an open letter to the administration, protesting the move of the memorial, advocating for it to stay in place. Brooke is on the board of I Am Beacon and was on the founding committee for Beacon Speaks Out, a coalition that Randy formed after the killings of Eric Garner (2014) and Freddie Gray in 2015. While the City of Beacon’s police department was under federal investigation (which closed in 2016 under Randy’s administration), Randy wanted to get ahead of the racial divide and bring the community together at the local level - to an actual table in a room - to discuss. He brought together the then Police Chief Doug Solomon (Beacon’s recently retired Chief Kevin Junjulas was the Captain at the time), religious leaders, the City Administrator Anthony, and others. Not all parties were eager to come to the table. Randy strong-armed them. Brooke and her brother Reuben Simmons were part of the organization of that group.

Brooke started a Change.org petition to keep the memorial in place, and emailed her open letter all City Council members: Air Nonken Rhodes, Amber Grant, Jodi McCredo, George Mansfield, Terry Nelson, Dan Aymar-Blair, and Mayor Kyriacou. She also CCed media publications, including A Little Beacon Blog. The letter read:

City Administrator, Mayor, and City Council,

It is my understanding there has been discussion regarding the memorial bench dedicated to Dustin James. I believe in having all voices heard, especially in matters that question the values of our city.

With that, I began a petition on Change.org in support of keeping the bench in place and here is the response in less than 48hrs:

Signatures: 2,530
Shares: 783 (this metric speaks to further engagement, care, concern)
Comments:
- "The outpouring of love for Dustin across the Hudson Valley shows that he made a positive difference for all who knew him as a boy, as a man, and as a police officer. He exemplified the character we need more of in this world!"
- Theresa Yanerella
- "Dustin was a fine, upstanding Young man. He comes from a wonderful family. His death was so unfair and tragic. The thought of anyone having a problem with how he is honored sickens me. I hurt for his family. I can’t believe that this is even being considered."
- Shelley Piccone
- "I can’t believe this is even an option. Dustin was an amazing human and an even more amazing police officer. This has gotten way out of hand do remove a MEMORIAL of someone who had such an amazing impact on this city. This man who is no longer with us to be under attack is truly disgraceful."
- Colleen Carey
- "So much of the community knew Dustin and were inspired by him, which is the reason the bench was put there in the 1st place."
-Jessica Lubben
Petition Site: https://www.change.org/standfordustin

On behalf of 2,530 signatures and counting, I ask that you stand for the values of this city, stand for the many voices represented on this petition, stand for Dustin. Stand for Dustin's contribution to the city of Beacon and the legacy his bench represents.

In this moment, as the leaders of this city, it is critical to act with integrity - that means being willing to stand for what is right over what is convenient.

We ask that you leave the memorial bench for Dustin James in place.

Thank you for your time.

-Brooke Simmons

Note: As of 6/23/2020, the petition has 3,034 signatures.

---

City Of Beacon’s Response

The morning Brooke sent her letter, A Little Beacon Blog responded with a series questions directed to the Mayor, but CCed to all of the City Council and Administrator, at about 11am Monday. The questions went unanswered. On Tuesday, the questions were sent again. At 6pm on Tuesday, the City Administrator Anthony responded. Here are the questions and responses from Anthony:

“I am responding for the Mayor who is away.”

ALBB: When was the bench placed there?
”Summer of 2019.”

ALBB: Why was the bench placed there?
”It was donated to the City, and placed there by former Mayor Casale to honor Police Officer Dustin James who grew up in Beacon.”

ALBB: When did consideration begin for the bench to be removed?
”Residents raised concerns to individual council members.”

ALBB: What has been the discussion regarding the treatment of the bench?
”This has not been raised or discussed at a City Council meeting.”

ALBB: When was this topic brought up and proposed? To whom was it proposed to, and in what format?
”Residents raised concerns to individual Council Members.”

A Little Beacon Blog followed up with this question: “Can you provide when residents raised concern?”

If this clarification on time is provided, this question will be updated.

Symbols and Flags and Who Owns What Meaning

During our podcast interview, Brandon and I explored the meaning of a symbol, and what happens when a symbol takes new meaning, or gets hijacked by a different group. Is it possible, we wondered, if the thin blue line has gotten weaponized by the white supremacists, and suppressed its true meaning? Or, do people want to dismantle police theory 100% and change colors and symbols?

Brandon and I admitted that the red, white and blue American Flag has gotten caught in the middle for us. We are openly non-Trump people, and the tendency for Trump supporters to wave the American flag and attach it to their cars, the American flag has come to lean towards Trump. A couple years ago, fashion magazines were even advocating not to wear red, white and blue at 4th of July events, as doing so would be unpatriotic. This made me uncomfortable, as the American flag is mine also. If I have it flying outside my house, does that mean I am a Trump supporter? My instinct has become to take the American flag back.

Brandon admitted to questioning his favorite face mask - which has red, white and blue American flag on it. Also not a Trump-supporter, he wanted to wear his American flag face mask into the grocery store, but hesitated.

Randy, a straight shooter, understood the analogy, but saw no problem with the American flag or the thin blue line. “The only way the family got through was with the support of the officers. They were there at the time of the accident, at the funeral, and after. That is what the thin blue line means.”

In Middletown, CN, a divided debate is in progress after residents wanted a flag removed from flying outside their police department (unclear if it is the black stars and stripes flag, or the solid black flag). Their police chief provided an explanation in a video of his position on the flag before removing it for now, in an effort to “give some release to the ‘us versus them’ mentality.” Their mayor also contributed to a TV interview on the topic.

In the podcast, Brandon and I discuss with Randy what the blue line stands for, and the value in speaking about that meaning. We discuss how logos like the NHL logo have been co-opted by Antifa, and the difficulty in reclaiming a visual symbol. That podcast to hear Randy’s answers will be posted in the next few days, as well as more of Randy’s thoughts on police reform and where that reform is needed.

As for the fate of Dustin’s memorial, we do not have the final status as of now.

Beacon's Union (PBA) Publishes Letter To City Council In Response To Stories Told By Public At Scheduled Listening Sessions After Peaceful Protest Marches

After a series of scheduled story and listening sessions outdoors after peaceful protest marches down Beacon’s Main Street, the Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association of Beacon issued a statement via letter published on Facebook on June 19, 2020 in response to one of the stories shared with the public on the stage following one of the marches. The story involves a black man being shot by a police officer in 2006. You can read a picture of the letter here on Facebook, and we have retyped it below for easy access:

View fullsize

To The Beacon City Council,

We feel it necessary to address some issues that could greatly impact this great community. The members of the PBA stand by our previous statement condemning the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis officers. We have also kept our word by setting up a safe environment for each protest and demonstration over the past few weeks.

We have performed our sworn duty to this city with professionalism as we watch police across the nation being villainized, slandered and attacked. Our members have not been exempt from these feelings here in our own city. Thankfully, we are able to keep some kind of morale due to a large of amount of support from the community as well.

Regardless of people’s assumptions, we are listening to the people at the protests, council meetings and general interactions with the community. While we still support the right of free speech, we cannot stand by and allow the truth to be twisted and inaccuracies to be used as the continued rhetoric against police. Many of the incidents as told by speakers of the movement are not accurate. We implore you, as elected leaders of this community to do your due diligence and research the facts of some of these incidents.

We must specifically address the inaccurate story of the police involved shooting that took place on October 26th 2006. The statement that a City of Beacon police office shot a woman’s son for “no reason” is a complete mistruth and dangerous statement for the public to believe. The event in question started with a suspicious vehicle complaint, called into our station by a resident of the city. As a uniformed City of Beacon police officer approached the vehicle to speak with the male occupant, the male occupant immediately fired two shots at that officer through the vehicles window, striking the officer in the chest. If not for the body amour worn by officer, on a Tuesday at 1:45pm, responding to a simple suspicious vehicle call, that officer would have been killed as testified to by a medical expert. If not for the firearm carried, as per department guidelines by his backup officer, that officer would not have been able to return fire, saving his injured partner, himself and possibly another uninvolved innocent person.

It is false allegations, like the public allegations that an innocent man was shot for “no reasons” by a Beacon police officer with no repercussion that creates a greater anger towards and mistrust of the police. This story should have been corrected publicly to the crowd to prevent fear and anger to spread.

We ask that prior to making any statements or decisions regarding your police department that may slander the good, hard working members of the Beacon Police, you do your research. Please seek the truth in regards to allegations used as examples of police brutality, as any misinformation could cause irreversible damage to this city.

Thank you,

The members of the Beacon PBA

EDITOR’S NOTE: That story was published as part of a transcript series on A Little Beacon Blog. The story was told at the first march with the listening session. You can read that story here.

Fireworks Postponed In Beacon This Year - 3 Alternative Dutchess County Drive-In Experiences Planned (And A Note About Juneteenth)

The City of Beacon has decided to postpone the fireworks this year, opting to wait until later. Says Beacon’s City Administrator, Anthony Ruggiero during a recent City Council meeting and via email to A Little Beacon Blog: “We are looking to schedule them for either later in the summer or for the Spirit of Beacon Day.” The fireworks display is usually funded by individual fundraisers in Beacon, and is not a full city-funded event.

The Spirit of Beacon Day is a large outdoor street event, which involves a parade from each of Beacon’s six schools, plus churches, non-profits, and businesses. It was created in the 1970s in response to racially based riots between Beacon and Cold Spring. You can read all about it here.

September is the beginning of the school season, which also launches the sick season to follow from October to March. October usually kicks off the germy season with upsets tummies from Halloween candy, and coincidental stomach bugs that follow. Valentine’s Day in February tends to launch the same thing with the candy disbursed to friends in class. Several families with young kids are usually sick for family holiday events in December.

Pair that with COVID, and one should have a delightful school season, if school is back in session, which every parent wishes it is, but knows that it may be with several restrictions, like half-class sizes or a class rotation of some kids going on AB days, and other kids going on CD days. Maybe Fridays will be off. Who knows! Totally made that up, don’t quote us.

Fireworks At 3 Alternative Dutchess County Drive-Thru Experiences Planned

Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro announced Dutchess County Government, in partnership with the Hudson Valley Renegades, Silo Ridge Field Club, the Dutchess County Fairgrounds and iHeartMedia of the Hudson Valley, will host “Dutchess County Goes Renegade,” 3 free, socially distant fireworks displays around the County, open to all residents on Saturday, July 4th.

County Executive Molinaro said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has robbed us all of so much, but nothing will stop Dutchess County from honoring the birth of our nation. Our residents deserve the chance to celebrate this most American of holidays – even as we remain safely and socially distant – and our County is proud to collaborate with our community partners to present a patriotic observance worthy of our country, as we strive every day to fulfill the radical undeniable truth, that all are created equal endowed with certain unalienable rights: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. I urge residents to join Dutchess County and honor those first renegades who battled tyranny and founded our beloved United States, all while we savor a nighttime spectacle that will light up the sky!”

2 Independance Days: Juneteenth (June 19) vs “The 4th Of July”

The celebration of Juneteenth in 2020 woke up many white people that the holiday of Juneteenth existed at all: the holiday of emancipation and Independence for black people from enslavement and ownership as property by white people. This year, Juneteenth was a joyous day celebrated in many backyards and public parks. When Juneteenth was first created, black people were not allowed to celebrate it in public parks because of state-sponsored segregation, inspiring a small group in Texas to buy their own property and invite people to come on down. When the 4th of July celebration started in 1777, black people were still slaves.

Emancipation was signed in 1863, yet African-Americans not granted residency until 1868 when the 14th Amendment was ratified. Since the citizenship of black people was not recognized, they feared being removed from their homes, and colonized, as their Indians had been onto reservations.

Indeed, in Beacon, there was a colonized community of African-Americans in the Bank Square area, which is where Mattie Cooper first began her church on near South Avenue and Academy Street and Rombout Avenue (send in a correction if you know it!). Her church was bulldozed down during Urban Renewal in the 1960s, where African-Americans were paid to relocated to other areas of the city. My neighbor’s mother was paid $27,000 to move from the Bank Square to buy a home further into Beacon.

It should also be noted that when early Americans were battling tyranny, like during the Boston Tea Party, some did so in disguise as Native American Indians. Thereby framing a race of people when they were protesting taxation. In theory, those Americans were not represented as they were hiding behind costumes.

The 3 Dutchess County approved venues are:

• Dutchess Stadium, 1500 Route 9D, Wappinger (500 cars)

• Dutchess County Fairgrounds, 6636 Route 9, Rhinebeck (3,000 cars)

• Silo Ridge Field Club Equestrian Center (Keane Stud), 217 Depot Hill Road, Amenia (300 cars)

Arrival: Gates will open to vehicles at each location at 7:30 p.m.

Start Time: 9:30pm at each site. iHeartMedia of the Hudson Valley will host live remotes from each of the sites, broadcasting on several of its stations, and will synchronize patriotic music to the fireworks.

Social Distancing: According to the county’s press release, vehicles will be properly spaced to conform to social distancing.

Food? Yes, bring your own.

Drink? No alcohol is permitted in any venue.

Bathrooms? None. Go before you leave!

No City Council Meeting Tonight: A Scheduled Skip

Regular attendees - and new attendees! - of the weekly Monday night City Council Meetings can enjoy the night off, as the weekly session has a scheduled skip. Beacon’s City Administrator, Anthony Ruggiero sent out a reminder to the media this morning, stating: “Please remember that today is the 4th Monday, and there is no Workshop Meeting tonight. The next regular schedule Workshop Meeting is Monday, June 29, 2020.”

When there are 5 Mondays in a month, one week is usually skipped.

You can watch past meetings at the City’s website, or here at A Little Beacon Blog’s Easy Access Local Government section, which also includes Zoning meetings and Planning Board meetings.

Outdoor Seating Licenses For Dining Is Expanded By City Of Beacon - Fencing Provided To Enlarge Spaces

The City of Beacon along with Dutchess County has made a large effort to increase seating in outdoor spaces in Beacon. Dutchess County has been working with the State Liquor Authority to increase opportunities for restaurants to serve food and alcoholic beverage outside. According to a press release sent 6/3/2020 by Dutchess County: “For weeks, Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro, working with local supervisors and mayors, has pushed the state and State Liquor Authority for a series of innovative actions to help restaurants provide alternatives to traditional ‘dine-in’ set-ups, and enable them to take advantage of the important summer dining season. New York State has taken Dutchess County’s suggestions and yesterday (6/2/2020) authorized restaurants to offer outdoor dining once the region is in Phase II.”

Cities and towns are also allowed to expand dining space into public spaces such as sidewalks and streets “which are beside, but not immediately adjacent to, the licensed premises for service of food and/or beverages” according to the SLA guidance.

According to the same press release from Dutchess County: “County Executive Molinaro, during his biweekly conference call with local Mayors & Supervisors, reviewed the new SLA guidance and strongly encouraged local leaders to assist their local restaurant operators in taking advantage of this opportunity.”

The City of Beacon, in group meeting conversations with local business owners on Tuesday morning conference calls, have been talking about “parklets,” where more city space will be created for businesses to set up tables and chairs to serve patrons. The City of Beacon has purchased fencing and cones that businesses can use without charge to help create these boundaries for “parklets,” and can decorate them.

Some business owners in retail are in favor of expanding dinging spaces into parking spots, which encourages walking. Courtney Sedor, owner of Raven Rose, was on the business conference call and was in favor of encouraging walking foot-traffic as opposed to cars, since the intersection down by her shop and across from Echo is a dangerous one with cars coming around the sharp bend in the road. Courtney was also in favor of lending her sidewalk space to her restaurant neighbor Beacon Falls Cafe if they wanted to expand seating as much as possible.

Said City Manager Anthony Ruggiero in response to Courtney’s question on if she would need a special permit: “I think the restaurant would [need to]. We wouldn't be opposed here. The whole goal is to help people and to provide as much social distancing as possible.”

During last night’s 6/15/2020 City Council Meeting, the City voted to approve making this process easy.

Outdoor Business Area Permit applications for Beacon can be downloaded here: https://www.cityofbeacon.org/index.php/2020/06/12/main-street-parklet-program-applications-and-guidelines/.

Please direct any questions relating to the permit to the experts in the Building Department at 845 838 5020.

Juneteenth Events in Beacon, Poughkeepsie, Newburgh And More Including Marches, Cookouts

Winners of ALBB’s 2020 Juneteenth art contest, Cameron and Zora of Millennial_Matriarch and Blue Green Lawns.

Juneteenth is a critical time in Black History as it commemorates the emancipation of the last remaining enslaved African Americans in the Confederacy in 1865 - two years after the Emancipation Proclamation was formally issued. Juneteenth has been celebrated by Black people since the 1800s when it was referred to as “Jubilee Day” but the name changed to Juneteenth in 1890. Juneteenth is also known as Black Independence Day, Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, Juneteenth Independence Day or Juneteenth National Freedom Day.

In his daily press conference Wednesday, Governor Cuomo announced he's proposing to make Juneteenth a paid NY State holiday beginning 2021. There are currently 46 states that recognize Juneteenth as a holiday including Texas, the first state to pass this into law in 1979. At the June 15th City Council Meeting in Beacon, Mayor Lee Karyiacou declared Juneteenth official in Beacon.

Happening This Friday & Saturday

This weekend there will be several events to join your community and learn about the history of this date that is not often discussed in school. 

See the fliers below, all designed by Beacon resident Justice McCray, from the group Beacon 4 BlackLives (@beacon4blacklives on Instagram). Here are the following events taking place in the lower and mid-Hudson Valley this weekend:

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Beacon, NY

Juneteenth Celebration March/Protest
Day: Friday, June 19, 2020
Time: 6:30pm
Location: Meet at Pohill Park, Beacon, NY
An opportunity for community. March from Pohill Park to Memorial Park in Beacon.

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Croton-on-Hudson, NY

Croton Black Lives Matter Protest
Day: Friday, June 19, 2020
Time: 3pm
Location: Vasallo Park, Croton-on-Hudson, NY
Organized by The Black Student Activists of Croton.

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Newburgh, NY

March For Justice
Day: Friday, June 19, 2020
Time: 5-7pm
Location: Downing Park, Newburgh, NY (North side South St & 9W)
The members of the Youth Arts Group of Rural & Migrant Ministry, Inc. will lead a marchin support of the Black Lives Matter Movement.  The march will start at Downing Park and it will at City Hall at 7pm. 

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Poughkeepsie, NY

Juneteenth Cookout Celebrating Freedom
Day: Friday, June 19, 2020
Time: 5:30pm
Location: Tubman Park, Poughkeepsie, NY
An opportunity to learn more about African American History. Any and all donations welcome - from food, silverware, plates, drinks, DJs, etc.

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White Plains, NY

March For Justice & Change
Day: Saturday, June 20, 2020
Time: 6pm
Location: Greenburgh Town Hall, 177 Hillside Ave, White Plains, NY
Coming together for a peaceful protest. Wear masks, bring signs, bring water, social distance.

Beacon Police Chief Kevin Junjulas and Captain Gary Fredericks Retire

Today at 4:30pm, the Mayor’s office of the City of Beacon sent out a press release to announce that Beacon’s Police Chief Junjulas and Captain Fredericks have retired starting on July 7, 2020. Chief Junjulas had been promoted to the position of Chief when former Chief Doug Solomon left abruptly to take the position in Newburgh. Solomon was suspended and has since resigned from that position after riots over the fatal shooting of a black man in March.

Both officers participated in a City Council Workshop last week in which the public was able to watch but not comment with questions, because the City Council Meeting happened to fall on a Workshop night, which is every other Monday, and does not allow for public comment. The video on that meeting and brief summation can be found here.

Also on that presentation call was Lieutenant Figlia, who is the officer in charge of training and has been participating in the protests by listening to the speakers. At the last protest this past Saturday, he shared his personal story of fleeing his abusive father with his mother, which became his turning point in becoming and officer and wanting to help people.

During the following week’s City Council meeting, which was last night 6/15/2020, the public is allowed to call in during a “Public Comment” session, where a person can speak for up to 3 minutes. During that meeting, there were about 27 callers (members of the public), when normally there are about 5 (hey, don’t you want to spend your Monday nights at City Council meetings? come on down all the time! they are all important! you can view on their YouTube channel now!).

Several callers spoke in favor of defunding the police by 50%, and advocated for change in training, and in re-allocating a portion of police budget to be spent more on programs for youth, the Recreation Center, and other educational opportunities.

What follows below is the press release issued by the Mayor’s office of the City Of Beacon:

After more than three decades of service each, Police Chief Kevin Junjulas and Police Captain Gary Fredericks are retiring from the Beacon Police Department as of July 7, 2020. Both have indicated their willingness to assist in the City in the transition process.

Junjulas and Fredericks were appointed Police Chief and Captain respectively in 2018, with the unexpected departure of the prior chief. Both were eligible for retirement at that time, and have been contemplating retirement for some time. Both have 31 years of service, more than 2 dozen of which were with the City of Beacon, rising through the department ranks together.

Chief Junjulas, who holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Police Science, said, “It has been a privilege to serve the City of Beacon over the last 25 years and to lead the men and women of the Beacon Police Department. It has been an honor to serve this great community, and stand ready to assist in the transition.”

Captain Fredericks added, “I am grateful and honored to have served the residents of the City of Beacon over the last 26 years. I have great respect for the men and women of the Beacon Police Department, and full confidence that they will continue to serve the City to the highest standards.”

Mayor Lee Kyriacou said, “I want to thank Chief Junjulas and Captain Fredericks for their decades of service and leadership for the city, and their willingness to afford me some initial time in office before retiring. I appreciate their guiding the department toward increased professionalization. Their calming and dedicated approach will be missed, and I wish them both well in their future endeavors.”

The Mayor continued: “I note, that as a City Council member from 2002-07, I was at first alone calling for control of police chief, actions and budget. Eventually the unanimous Council brought U.S. Justice Department oversight of the police, demoted the then chief, settled multiple lawsuits, and helped professionalize the department. The Justice Department ended its oversight four years ago. While the department has reformed substantially, the ongoing national tragedy points out there is more to do, even locally, and we will look carefully again at multiple issues.”

The City will initiate a recruitment process immediately to begin a search for a new chief. The process is anticipated to take several months.

A Little Beacon Blog emailed Mayor Kyriacou and Chief Junjulas with followup questions, inquiring about the level of safety an officer felt if major changes are proposed, to public perception. We have not heard from Chief Junjulas yet.

For the Mayor’s answers, we received a reply from the City Administrator, Anthony Ruggiero. Anthony prefaced his answers with: “As you know you, the Mayor is always available for additional questions or information. I understand that you may be speaking to him later.” For context, Mayor Kyriacou has agreed to an interview with ALBB on a new podcast ALBB is working on, which will record next week.

ALBB: Are there any other reasons [for the retirement] other than what was stated in the press release?
No, the Press Release details the full information.

ALBB: Has the public been calling in about those two officers specifically?
No, not at all.

ALBB: Are these two officers not looking forward to reforming? Or to changes in police training?
No. Both have looking towards retirement for some time.

ALBB: Do they feel unsafe if changes are made?
No. Both have been looking towards retirement for some time.

ALBB: Were the numerous callers on last night’s City Council Meeting too much for them to want to work with?
No. Both have been looking towards retirement for some time.

ALBB: Was this resignation a surprise?
No. Both have been looking towards retirement for some time.

ALBB: Does each officer collect the same salary they are collecting now? In their retirement?
Both fall under the NYS Retirement Pension System. Police Officers are able to retire with 20 years of service and receive 50% of their Final Average Salary. More information can be obtained on the NYS Comptrollers website.

In Related Police News:

• An officer in Cold Spring resigns amid public pressure for his involvement in a shooting of an unarmed black man during a drug search. (Highlands Current)

• The black flag with the blue line decal that stands for support for fallen police officers but has also been recently embraced by white supremacists has been removed from Cold Spring police vehicles by the Officer-In-Charge Larry Burke. (Highlands Current print edition)

• New York City has disbanded local plain-clothes anti-crime teams who are tasked with walking around to look for violators, stating that it is a final step in removing the stop-and-frisk era. (Bloomberg via LinkedIn editorial pick)

• “The U.S. Supreme Court refused to re-examine the legal doctrine shielding police and other government officials from lawsuits over their conduct." (Washington Post via LinkedIn editorial)

Beacon To Host Online Forum To Hear From Public Regarding Beacon Police Department And Improving Community Relations

DETAILS:
When: Saturday, June 20, 2020
Time: 10am-12pm
Moderated By: Former City Council Member John Rembert, who served in the United States Army for 27 years, retiring as a First Sergeant in October 2010. He is active member of the American Legion, and is an Ordained Minister of Star Bethlehem Baptist Church on Main Street. Sadé Barksdale is co-moderator, is a 2011 Beacon High School graduate and Licensed Creative Arts Therapist and Educator working at a Community School in the Bronx, New York.

After 4 protests in Beacon against police brutality, 2 of which had platforms on which anyone could speak after each of them (click here to read about the first Saturday protest that involved stories), the City of Beacon has issued a “listening session” to receive input on the Beacon Police Department. The idea for this forum came during the public City Council Meeting call where 3 officers from the Beacon Police Department participated in the call to answer questions about training. This also comes before Governor Cuomo repealed 50-a, which allows police records to be made public, a vote which Senator Sue Serino voted against that initiative.

The press release announcing the listening session is below:

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Beacon Mayor Lee Kyriacou and the City Council will host a community listening session to receive input on the Beacon Police Department and improving community relations on Saturday, June 20 from 10 am to 12 pm. The community forum is being held in response to the national discussion arising from the killing of George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement.

This listening session will be moderated by former City Council Member John Rembert and Sadé Barksdale, a 2011 Beacon High School graduate and Licensed Creative Arts Therapist and Educator working at a Community School in the Bronx, New York.

City Residents can access the forum online or by phone:
• Visiting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84751711976 Webinar
ID: 847 5171 1976
• Calling 1-929-205-6099 Webinar
ID: 847 5171 1976

Questions or comments can be submitted ahead of time to cityofbeacon@cityofbeacon.org

Letter from the Beacon Police Union, Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, In Response To George Floyd's Murder

On June 3, 2020, Beacon’s Police Union, known as the Patrolman’s Benevolent Association, Inc. published a letter on Facebook in response to the murder of George Floyd. The letter document itself was not dated, but there is a date indicated on the the social media platform. From a linguistic point of view, the language used in this letter is the strongest used when paired with the Mayor Kyriacou and the Police Chief Kevin Junjulas’ statements, which can be found here.

Mayor Kyriacou began reading this letter aloud during a large protest in Beacon at the riverfront on June 6, 2020, and was interrupted by young adults at the protest, who rejected the letter and felt compelled to share their stories of treatment by the Beacon police. In Facebook, people responded by thanking the police for their service, and for issuing the statement, and noting that there had been silence since the initial rejection of police policy with the nation-wide protests.

To Our Beacon Community and Friends,

Since the unconscionable murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers last week we, the members of the Beacon PBA have been struggling to find the words to express our emotions. It should not have to be said, but absolutely needs to be said that each and every member of the Beacon PBA condemns the murder of Mr. Floyd and the actions by all four of the involved officers in Minneapolis.

As police officers we take our oath seriously to protect and serve each and every one of you and your constitutional rights regardless of race, gender, religion, political party, or age. On the much larger scale, as human beings we respect and cherish all life. That is why watching the video and following this incident, it is sickening to all of us to see evil in those that have taken similar oaths.

Please believe that we are proud to serve in the City of Beacon and respect the lives and rights of every single resident, business owner and visitor. We will still stand proud wearing the uniform and patch of the City Beacon Department. We will stand tall and strong with you and protect your rights to express you voices, beliefs and causes in a peaceful and safe setting.

We are a diverse community and with support and respect for each other we will continue to be a strong community.

On behalf of the Beacon PBA, thank you and God bless all of you.

Officer Michael Confield
Beacon PBA Vice President

Beacon's Mayor Lee Kyriacou Speaks At Protest; Is Interrupted By Young Adults Rejecting Police Union's Letter; Young Beaconites Share Their Stories Of Abuse

Mayor Lee Kyriacou is speaking during the 3rd protest march on Beacon that happened on June 6, 2020. As he reads the letter issued by Beacon’s Police Union, the Patrolman’s Benevolent Association, he is interrupted by young adults who reject the letter. The contents of the letter, which condemn the killing of George Floyd, prompt several people who are black, brown, or a person of color, to come forward and share their stories of abuse and assault from the Beacon police.

What follows below is the beginning of the Mayor’s speech, and shared stories at the microphone that follow.

To bring this story out of the video and into words for more to access, A Little Beacon Blog has transcribed this story as best we can, as close to the spoken word as possible. To give you context, we indicate where different actions took place, like applause or movement. We highly encourage you to watch this spoken in the video, so that you can feel the moment and the words and remember it forever as it helps you make future decisions. You can listen and watch this story in our Instagram here.

If we made a typo in your words, please let us know and we will correct it promptly.

BEGIN
Mayor Lee Kyriacou + Young Adults In Response

Hi everybody. I’m the new mayor. I got in January 1. Little did I know I’d have a health crisis and then you have this here.

Let me read two other things, I’ll be brief in all of them. One I’m reading for the County Executive Marc Molinaro. He and I share a special bond in that we both have children with autism. He could not be here. He led the march in Poughkeepsie. And he wrote “Once again our nation’s soul has been cracked open wide by the senseless and heinous killing of George Floyd. This inhumane act has revealed once again that America’s fundamental promise that all men are created equal is a promise yet fulfilled. It is heartbreaking that his final… (this part is unintelligible) … and true equality and universal application of rights has not been achieved. We can and we must do better.”

So that’s his piece. I won’t read it all. Know that we have his support.

This one is a letter from Beacon’s Police Union, and again I won’t read it all. “To our community, friends in Beacon. Since the unconscionable murder of George Floyd by the Minneapolis police officers last week, we, the members of the Beacon PBA (that’s the union) have been struggling to find the words to express our emotions. It should not have to be said but absolutely needs to be said that each and every member of the Beacon PBA condemns the murder of Mr. Floyd and the actions by all four of the involved officers in Minneapolis. As police officers, we take our oath seriously to protect, and serve each and every one of you and your constitutional rights regardless of race, gender, religion, political party, sexual preference or age.”

It goes on, “We stand tall and strong with you to protect your right to express your voices, and causes in a peaceful and safe setting.” And I think they did their job today.

Finally some words from me. The reason…

Hang on. I’m sorry?

(Interruption)

NEW SPEAKER ENTERS

Something’s not sitting right with me today. Hasn’t been sitting right with me yesterday. That’s why I haven’t spoke today. And I’m sorry to interrupt you Mr. Mayor, but that letter from the Beacon Police was bullshit.

Come on! Come on! I understand that you have to read this from the police, but I can’t listen to something that’s not true. And I’ve been scared to speak today cause I don’t wanna be a target and I need y’all to be here behind me. (audience member calls out)

They can’t be here ‘cause they’d be too uncomfortable to be here, I promise you that.

I met this woman today. Her son was shot in 2006 by the Beacon police. For no reason, for no reason he was shot in his stomach. Targeted shot in his stomach, in his arm, in his back. She told me he went to prison. I said “Who went to prison? The cop?” NO, her son’s in prison.
[UPDATE: The Beacon Patrolmen’s Benevolent Association (the Union) has issued a statement in response to story, which you can read here.]

Why? Why?

And where is that cop today? He’s not working for Beacon Police and that’s fine, but he’s in Rockland County now. He’s still a cop. He’s still out here. And let’s talk about it. Let’s talk about it.

Let’s talk about the cop who pulled me and my ex-boyfriend over a few years ago and took him to jail and left me in the middle of the street with no thought and no reason. 2 o’clock in the morning, left me there for no reason. So what’d I do? I found that ticket. I looked up his name, right, and last night I found that in 2009 there’s a lawsuit. In 2009 he arrested somebody outside of Dunkin’. Arrested him, tased him, beat him, and let the dog bite him. And he’s still working for Beacon! WHY?

(Audience screaming support, etc)

I’m sorry. (Mayor tries speaking…)

Okay, so let’s talk about it even further. When I looked at that thing I was reading last night, there was two other cops names on there that also were involved. Also didn’t give a fuck and also did the same thing. Let’s talk about how this cop came up to me today and asked to take a picture with me and said: “You know, like, I’m here to help whatever” and I look at his name tag and it was the same name I seen on the thing I read last night.

Let’s talk about it. Why are you here? Why are you here? Uggghhhhhh.

“I don’t wanna disrespect the Mayor, but I wanna let him know it’s time to take action and you gotta, you gotta look and you gotta open your eyes. (Crowd cheers)

You might not be able to feel my personal pain, you might not be able to feel all our personal pain, but you’re not deaf. You’re not blind. You can see what’s going on, and you’re the one. You can take power, you can take control of this. ”

— Young Adult Protester

I wanna say his name so bad. But can you believe I’m actually scared? Can you believe that I’m actually scared someone come down to my house and hurt my family if I say his name. That shouldn’t have to be! … watching my house at night. I don’t know what’s gonna happen at night. I don’t know what’s gonna happen to me in five months from now if I say this person’s name, but I will sit down and I will sit down in the office and I will make sure they don’t have their jobs no more and you will go back to working at the bank! Just so you know who I’m talking about, you will go back to working at the bank!

And not just that. Let’s talk about every person who’s been harassed by the Beacon police. Let’s talk about it. We got my brothers right here next to me, all harassed by the police every day. (Audience calling back about their own harassment.)

“Put your fist up if you can hear her?” (FISTS GO UP)

Yes, and I don’t wanna disrespect the Mayor, but I wanna let him know it’s time to take action and you gotta, you gotta look and you gotta open your eyes. (Crowd cheers)

You might not be able to feel my personal pain, you might not be able to feel all our personal pain, but you’re not deaf. You’re not blind. You can see what’s going on, and you’re the one. You can take power, you can take control of this.

Systems fucked, y’all. it’s fucked up. This country is fucked up. This country is so fucked up. We gotta do something. We gotta do something for our small town, regardless, this is a small part of a big world and we gotta start somewhere.

NEXT SPEAKER

Mr. Mayor, your entire city is with us in solidarity. We do not want to hear a letter from the cops talking about how they stand with us. Where are they? Are they here? NO. They’re waiting for someone to act up so they can do what they always do.

Mr. Mayor, what are you doing for us? Your whole city is here talking to you. What are you gonna do for us? What are you gonna change. How are you gonna hold the police department accountable? How are you gonna make sure this does not happen in our city ever again? I don’t want no letter!

MAYOR LEE KYRIACOU:

Wow. Let me start with a historical note. What I wanted to say, that someone said that what we need now is action and change. I agree. I think what we need now is a resolve and progress, and I want to offer you three quotes.

Just a moment, I do need the opportunity to speak. (person in crowd yells “we can’t hear you!”)

Let me start with a historical note. Those who have been here long enough recall that as a City Councilman, almost two decades ago, I had to challenge at first alone, but eventually with the unanimous council agreement, and despite repeated lawsuits leveled against me personally, and the rest of the city, I had to challenge the leadership and the practices of our police department. This was in the 2000s, not in the 2020, which led to Justice Department oversight, change of leadership, departure of certain officers, and the gradual transition to a professional and more community oriented police department.

That was in the last 15 years. That doesn’t mean we don’t have progress to do. But I’ve been taken on this battle and when I started it, I was alone on the Council, alright?

And to say that there is nothing to be done now is wrong. But to say that there has been no past of progress is also wrong. So let me just offer you that history. We have work to do. So I ran [for Mayor] in part to make change, and I hear you. Right? I look forward - (interruption)

Let me offer a couple of quotes. One, of course, (interruption…mention of the next public City Council meeting at which the Chief of Police was going to be attending, which he did) well you’d be better if you dialed in but there is some room for public, uh, in person. Everyone can dial in and there’ll be opportunity for input and we will have that dialogue and input.

Let me offer a quote from Frederick Douglass, the abolitionist orator who spoke here in Beacon at the Dutch Reform Church that we walked past. This quote was on my wall as a graduate student and an undergrad. “If there is no struggle, there is no progress. We will have to struggle. If we want progress, there will be struggle. How that struggle occurs…

(audience member yells: “if you really believed it put the paper down and speak from the heart!”)

(audience cheers)

I’m sorry, I wrote my heart on this sheet of paper, alright? I wrote my heart on this sheet of paper. Uh, how we should do it, I look to Ghandi. Ghandi said “Nonviolence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind.” And finally I have a quote from King, and King said and offered us hope. And this is President Obama’s favorite quote from King. “The arc of the moral universe is long but it bends towards justice.”

We have work to do, we have to make resolve here, and we have to make progress. Thank you.

FIRST SPEAKER

I didn’t wanna pull a Kanye west right here but I almost had to. Um, that…I don’t have any fuckin’ words. Let’s go.

NEXT SPEAKER

How y’all doin’? This guy, that this, the Mayor, our Mayor, what he just said about the Beacon police is not true. They don’t mean nothing they say, don’t mean nothing they say.

I used to go to school in Albany. When I came home, I worked for the city of Beacon. And we came down here [to Riverfront Park] one day. We had to cut the grass. I parked the truck next to a water fountain and I hit, I tapped the water fountain.

So our job is to report back to the boss, and they, they write it up, they tell the cops and they file a police report. So the cop called my boss and told me I had to come back down here. I came back down to the riverfront. The cop slammed me on the car and arrested me and told me I did a hit and run. If I work for the City of Beacon, and I hit city property, I did a hit and run on my own property? They brought me down to the station and chained me to the wall for like an hour. Fuck what the Beacon police gotta say.

NEXT SPEAKER

By show of hands, how many people here have been harassed or beaten by the Beacon police? Put your fists up. Someone, you know somebody, you’ve seen a video of it.

FORMER SPEAKER

If you’ve been harassed, let’s take everyone who’s been harassed step at the front. (Interruption)

Everyone who’s been harassed by the Beacon police, if you’re still left here, I know a lot of people left because they couldn’t even bear listen to the bullshit anymore. I’m ready to leave my damn self but we gon’ stand up.

NEXT SPEAKER

I’m…I’m so humbled to stand up with all of you today, to fight for what you actually believe in. I had no idea what it’s like. But I refuse to let my kids grow up because (words are unintelligible) scared still. So I wanna know how many people does it take to get an Accountability Bill against the police? Is there a way to get insurance so that it stops coming from their pockets and comes from the people doing the damage instead? Is there a way to make that happen now, instead of putting it off, putting it off, and putting it off and we have to keep having protests to fight for it? And I say this with all due respect because I know you are a man of authority but I need you to act as a man for all of the people.

NEXT SPEAKER
Chris

Hey what’s up everyone. My name is Chris. Let me talk about my experience. So back in 2009, probably like in the beginning of August, me and two other gentlemen got arrested over in front of Citizen’s Bank on Main Street. Now we got arrested because I guess we were hanging out in the back of the building and some, we were there kinda late, too, kinda like 10:30/11pm, and I guess there was a lady who was still in the bank and they called the cops.

The cops came, you know, chased us over by the gas station which is now known as Valero. And they arrested us, it was two Hispanic cops. So pretty much, the other guy arrested with me was Black and the other one was Hispanic, both of them close friends of mine. So pretty much, the cop came, and while we were running, he hopped in the car and said “freeze before I tase you.”

So we all stopped, he handcuffed us against the wall. They asked us what we were doing behind the bank. Pretty much I told him we were hanging out. We were 17 years old. We just didn’t happen to be 18. Another friend of mine was 17, his birthday was…he was actually gonna be 18 at 12 o’clock am, right before they arrested us.

So while he was questioning us, he told me since he didn’t like what I had to say, he told me that he was gonna take me to the back of the building and beat the shit out of me. And then he talked to my other friend who was Hispanic in Spanish, and I don’t know what he said to him but he let him go, and he kept me and the other dude and he was Black. And they waited until 12 o’clock, until he was able to turn 18 so they could put it on his record. And they arrested him. (Person in crowd yells)

Yeah. So uh, I had other experiences too, but I could say that letter was bullshit as well, you know, so.

NEXT SPEAKER

“And I shouldn’t be scared. I shouldn’t be scared to have my kids go out in public to ride around in a car, even go out and hang out with their friends and walk around. But, but, I just wanna say it traumatized me for a long time and kinda I felt bad to let it, you know, I kinda, I don’t wanna say let it go, but I put it in the back of my head and i thought, you know. ”

Yes. Imma talk loud so everybody can hear me. I was born in Poughkeepsie, but raised in Beacon. From 3 years old until I say about 21 years old. I was maced, doused in mace, in the face 7 months pregnant with my son. Not my younger son. I have two boys, a 16 year old and I have a 12 year old. (Person yells)

Because they were beating the shit out of the person I was with at the time and I refused to sit back and watch it. And as I was about to reach over and grab the officer from the back, he turned around, doused me in mace, threw me to the ground, clearly 7 months pregnant, so it wasn’t like you couldn’t tell. Thrown to the ground.

When my son was born, six months after, he had breathing problems. None of my family members wanted to watch him because they were scared. At the time, I was 19 years old. I wasn’t thinking about a lawsuit, or justice served, anything like that. So to see this right now, this is close to my heart and this is beautiful. This is beautiful to see.

So, so, I had two boys…I gotta really fear like with my kids like this lady said earlier when they get their first car they’re just getting pulled over for a routine traffic stop. And that what it was that time, it was a routine traffic stop. He happened to be driving without a license. And the cops, these two cops, that was just mentioned, I don’t know where they are, don’t, Imma say their name, Patro (?) And Paul Pillio (?) was both, and they were both around and I don’t know what happened to them, I’m scared as hell to even say the names which is, is, is sad but it is what it is.

And I shouldn’t be scared. I shouldn’t be scared to have my kids go out in public to ride around in a car, even go out and hang out with their friends and walk around. But, but, I just wanna say it traumatized me for a long time and kinda I felt bad to let it, you know, I kinda, I don’t wanna say let it go, but I put it in the back of my head and i thought, you know.

It just brought out a lot of memories with this shit happening. And it’s just, I don’t have…I do wanna say that love outweighs hate. So thank you, guys.

NO Justice, NO Peace! No Racist Police! No Racist Police! No Racist Police!

Frantz Dumel Speaks Out: "George's Mother Was Summoned; To All Mothers In The Nation. Now If You’re A Mother That Heard That Loud And Clear, Say Hell Yeah!"

Frantz Dumel speaking out at a Black Lives Matter protest in Beacon on June 6, 2020.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin

This speaker is sharing during the 3rd protest march on Beacon that happened on June 6, 2020. The march started at Pohill Park, wound all the way down Wolcott, taking a right toward the river, over the bridge above the train track, and ending at the land stage at Pete and Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park.

To bring this story out of the video and into words for more to access, A Little Beacon Blog has transcribed this story as best we can, as close to the spoken word as possible. To give you context, we indicate where different actions took place, like applause or movement. We highly encourage you to watch this spoken in the video, so that you can feel the moment and the words and remember it forever as it helps you make future decisions. You can listen and watch this story in our Instagram here.

BEGIN
Frantz Dumel
Uncle of one of the organizers, Stefon Seward.

Clap it up for the people who went before me. Clap it up for the gentlemen who just left the stage. Clap it up for the sister who talked before me, very powerful sister. Now my name is Franz Dumel (crowd source name spelling needed), I’m from neighboring Rockland County and I am so proud of my neighbors in Middletown, my neighbors in Beacon, my neighbors in Duchess County as a whole - you guys have made me proud. Clap it up for yourselves, please.

Now cameramen, cameramen, help me out here, because you guys prove them wrong. They said, “Frantz don’t waste your time going further north. The further north you go, the less they care about justice for all.”

Now if they were completely wrong, and if that isn’t true, say HELL NO (Crowd yells “Hell no!”).

If that wasn’t true say, Hell No! (Hell no!).)

“As George was facing death, and death was approaching he called out for his mother. I read a post over the week that said, his mother was summoned, to all mothers in the nation. Now if you’re a mother that heard that loud and clear, say hell yeah! (Hell yea!). Repeat after me. I (I) heard you! (Heard you) Justice (Justice) is coming! (Is coming!).”

— Frantz Dumel

Alright, so we’re gonna prove them wrong. Cameramen here, help me out. Everybody in here, we gonna, we gonna expose the true energy of Beacon to the world. Every sign out here up in the air for me, please. Stefon, one of the organizers. Can we crack it up for the organizers, you guys? Stefon, lead us in the chant so the world can see what Beacon is about.

(Crowd chants: “No Justice! No Peace! No Racist Police! Say His Name: George Floyd!”)

Beautiful, thank you guys. Now Beacon shouldn’t be no different from any other town or city in the world that won’t stand for a man being handcuffed, basically hog tied, suffocated, tortured. So his body was lifeless. If Beacon never stands for that say HELL NO (Hell no!).

As George was facing death, and death was approaching he called out for his mother. I read a post over the week that said, his mother was summoned, to all mothers in the nation. Now if you’re a mother that heard that loud and clear, say Hell Yeah! (Hell Yeah!).

Repeat after me.

I (I)

Heard you! (Heard you)

Justice (Justice)

Is coming! (Is coming!).

“Now George Floyd’s mom was a single mother, which means she probably played the role of both father and mother and the community probably played the rest of the role as far as guidance is concerned. So together, as a community, mothers, fathers, repeat after me! I (I) Heard you! (Heard you!) Justice (justice) Is coming (is coming).”

— Frantz Drumel

Now George Floyd’s mom was a single mother, which means she probably played the role of both father and mother and the community probably played the rest of the role as far as guidance is concerned. So together, as a community, mothers, fathers, repeat after me! I (I) Heard you! (Heard you!) Justice (Justice) Is coming (is Coming).

Now, if you watch the news, social media, they will make you think this is white vs, black. They’ll make you think this is police vs. the people. If that’s not the case, say Hell No! (Hell No!)

Now, if that notion is starting to seep into your conscious, don’t let it, my people. Do not let hate metastasize like cancer and spread before it’s too late. If you won’t let that happen, say Hell No! (Hell no!) This is not about the people vs. police, or white vs. black. This is good vs. evil, and I for one think the good people outnumber evil by far. Now, he called out and it seems like the whole world heard his call.

“Do not let hate metastasize like cancer and spread before it’s too late. If you won’t let that happen, say Hell No! (Hell no!) This is not about the people vs. police, or white vs. black. This is good vs. evil, and I for one think the good people outnumber evil by far. Now, he called out and it seems like the whole world heard his call.”

— Frantz Drumel

Now this is a story that keeps playing over and over again. But for some reason, there’s something different this time. Do you guys feel it? (Yes)

There’s something different about this time. Almost as if George Floyd’s life was a sacrifice for real change. George Floyd’s life was a sacrifice to galvanize the people good, white, and Black combined. To fight for justice. If that’s what you’re here for say Hell Yeah! (Hell Yeah!)

My people change is coming. And this is not about the people vs. police, because as much as they want you to believe that’s what it’s about, it’s not. And if nobody has said it lately, to our good officers, we love you. If nobody has said it recently to our good officers, we love you. Because they protect and serve us every day. But in the same token, we call on you to push evilness out of your precinct. To push evilness out of your stations. To push wickedness out of your circles. we call on you to expose the intentions of the wicked and push them to the people to face judgement.

“if nobody has said it lately, to our good officers, we love you. If nobody has said it recently to our good officers, we love you. Because they protect and serve us every day. But in the same token, we call on you to push evilness out of your precinct.”

— Frantz Drumel

I call on the community at large to also shape this, after this incident here, in moving forward, to shape America into a place where all inhabitants encourage each other to do better, and not seek to judge. Seek to understand, ‘cuz only then will you have the vision to see what’s goin’ on and what’s broken and how we can fix it. Only then will you have the vision to stand side by side, no matter the color, and stand up for justice.

No justice! (No Peace!).

Here’s a new one. More Justice, More Peace! More Justice (More Peace!). More Justice (More Peace!)

My people of Beacon, you guys have proved me wrong.

I also thought that, “I don’t know what I’m walking into but I’m going anyway.” And I’ve walked into the energy of love. I had an epiphany the other day where I came to realize the real power of God is in numbers. The Bible says where more than one are praying, the presence of God is there. I think the presence of God is definitely here. Clap it up for yourselves Beacon.

Now I’m also calling on my young protestors to protest peacefully. Because one of the things that’s being used, is that Martin Luther King said “Riots are the voice of the unheard.” Which is true, so we understand. We understand the anger. But after the anger subsides, it has to be organized. And Dr. Martin Luther King also said, let me read it for you guys, that, “Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate. Only Love can do that.” Power to the people! Power to love and harmony! And one more time, let’s talk to George directly, repeat after me:

I (I)

Heard You (Heard You!).

Justice (Justice)

Is Coming (Is Coming!)

Justice (Justice)

Is coming (Is Coming!)

Justice (Justice)

Is Here (is Here!)

Thank you, my people.