On Monday night, June 8th, the City of Beacon Police Chief Kevin Junjulas will join the City Council for a conversation on best practices and training for the Beacon Police Department. As a reminder, all City Council meetings are being held virtually on Zoom right now.
If you wish to listen in on conversation, the invitation to the virtual meeting below.
Also please see this link to a video from June 1st of City Council members commenting on the protests https://vimeo.com/425223009
How To Watch On YouTube:
Click this link. Be sure to subscribe for easy access next time.
In an article published at the Highlands Current, a Cold Spring resident spoke out against the decal that was placed on police vehicles last year. The decal (sticker) is a black flag with a thin blue line running through it. The symbol is a display of support for fallen and living police officers, and has been created by the Blue Live Matters movement, which has become known as an anti Black Lives Matter movement. According to the article, the resident is concerned that the symbol has racist overtones.
The article brings up the violent, Unite the Right march in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017, where “the flag was raised by white supremacists alongside the Confederate flag.” The Confederate flag has 13 stars for the original colonies. The current United States flag has 13 stripes, and 50 stars for all of the states. One blue line is a stripe in the Blue Lives Matter flag. The Blue Lives Matter sells hoodies and sweatshirts for their movement.
The Highlands Current article pointed out: “Last year, the police department in Germantown, Maryland, removed a donated thin-blue-line flag after a public outcry. In December, flags appeared outside two police stations in New York City, prompting similar protests. And on May 31, in Hamilton County, Ohio, the sheriff’s department flew the flag following days of unrest in Cincinnati, prompting a rebuke from the county commissioner, who said, ‘I know I am not alone in my view that flying the flag was provocative and inappropriate, especially in the context of this weekend’s events.’”
The board members in Cold Spring debated the topic while on a Zoom meeting (which is how most public town meetings are happening now, including Beacon’s), with most of them wanting the decals removed. One board member, Trustee Lynn Miller, pointed out that altering the flag is against flag code. One board member disagreed with removing them, in favor of showing support for police.
Trustee Steve Voloto acknowledged that police departments fly the flag “to show support for the men and women who put their lives on the line every day to protect us. That’s why our guys have them on their cars.” But he also added: “Did they not know the history? Did they have it before and the [white supremacists] used it as their symbol? It doesn’t belong on our cars with what’s going on in the world. If the stupid bumper sticker pisses people off, take it off the cars. Why are we even talking about it? Pick a sticker that has more positive meaning.”
To recall Beacon and Cold Spring’s recent documented run-ins with white supremacy, in October 2018, white supremacist flyers were posted to churches and public poles in Beacon along Main Street. From that article:
“In October 2018, a swastika was sprayed onto the home that is owned by a Jewish man in Nelsonville. So far, three teenagers have been arrested for that crime. One teenager is a male who is 18, and is a graduate of Haldane High School in Cold Spring. He was arrested in February 2019, and just appeared in court last week. The other two were arrested in December 2018, one from Philipstown and the other from an unspecified location. They are 18 and 17 years old.”'
It should be noted: LinkedIn has made the editorial decision to not display the blue line flag on its platform when an article is being shared.
According to a press release by Dutchess County, the County Executive Marcus Molinaro cut red tape to make it easier for restaurants to go around regulations to serve outside by signing this Executive Order today. Recently, that has been confusing for business owners and patrons, as public space was available to anyone to use (such as a picnic table in a park), but private property was not (such as a patio behind or adjacent to a restaurant). According to a business briefing last Tuesday by Beacon’s retained law firm, Keane & Beane, restaurants could use public spaces such as sidewalks, but not private property yet.
The press release:
“To help facilitate outdoor dining, which can begin tomorrow, Tuesday, June 9th in Dutchess County as part of Phase II, Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro today signed a local Emergency Order waiving local regulations and requirements that could cause a potential burden or delay for local establishments to expand outdoor dining space. The executive order will also aid in the local efforts to provide access to municipal-owned land, including sidewalks, streets, etc. contiguous to a licensed establishment in coordination with the local municipality.
”County Executive Molinaro said, “By partnering with our twenty towns, eight villages and two cities we are working to remove every obstacle possible to support our small businesses and Open Main Street. As you can, with what you can, please support our neighborhood businesses as we reignite our economy and restart Dutchess.”
After that shooting, a riot broke out on First Street and Carpenter Avenue. Back in Beacon, it was a regular Friday afternoon, and those who work in Newburgh came home after work to tell the story as they knew it.
After the work day ended, trash burned in the street long into the night. According to News12, the city brought in mutual aid from the state and county police. Many pictures of the night from photojournalist Allyse Pulliam were published for the Record Online.
One week later, Newburgh’s Police Chief, Doug Solomon, was suspended “after allegedly failing to report for duty during last week's riots,” according to News12.
One month later, on April 30, 2020, Chief Solomon resigned. According to the Poughkeepsie Journal, Mayor Harvey “could not share details of the resignation because it is a personnel issue.” Lt. Kevin Lahar remains the “officer in charge” of the department.
Fast forward to last weekend in Beacon during the 3rd anti-police brutality protest in Beacon, the Newburgh shooting was alluded to by protest participants, with protestors bitterly mentioning that they knew of an “incident” about the shooting, but so far, no details have emerged.
Chief Solomon was the Chief of Police for Beacon, before leaving to take the position in Newburgh. At the time, then Mayor Randy Casale had no prior news of the departure, and learned about it on the radio, he said during a public City Council meeting. At the time of accepting the job in Newburgh, Chief Solomon had also been the Mayor of the Village of Monticello. He later resigned from the position of Mayor, citing time conflicts and being over-committed. He had previously served as the Police Chief for Monticello, according to the Record Online.
Then Captain Kevin Junjulas for Beacon was promoted by Mayor Casale to be Chief of Police for Beacon. The transition was dramatic, and you can read about the announcement of that appointment here in the Highlands Current. According to the article, Chief Junjulas was a then 23-year veteran of the police department, and resides in Cold Spring.
Chief Solomon was on the original committee for Beacon Speaks Out a community-based group that “was born out of a meeting called on and facilitated by Mayor Casale,” recalls Brooke Simmons, co-founder of the non-profit Beacon Speaks Out. According to Brooke, through the beginning of 2015, residents of Beacon, NY had been “meeting to discuss their hopes and ambitions for police/community relations in their city. What emerged is a clear desire for closer ties between the police and the community they serve and protect.”
That's right folks...An old phrase has been added to our subject line: "Happening" Because things are Happening! This week was a big week. And it's not over yet.
Last Saturday: A gentle protest was held in Beacon by Southern Dutchess Resist. Details >
Monday: A large peaceful protest was organized by these young people: Xavier Mayo, Ciarda Hall, and Stefon Seward was held in Beacon. Police provided an escort by way of moving street closure for protection, and two of Beacon's highest ranking police officers were granted permission to join. A Little Beacon Blog was there and covered it. See this article to get a feel for the experience, watch 2 videos of chanting in the beginning, and 1 video of the entire march, from inside the march. This article includes responses from the Chief of Police Kevin Junjulas and Mayor Kyriacou to A Little Beacon Blog's questions. Get The Story >
Tuesday: Tuesday turned into Blackout Tuesday. With many white people learning and unlearning themselves, and black people asking white people to speak, there was a lot of words and social media flying around. This became a day of silence and reflection. A Little Beacon Blog was honored to get a call by Terry Nelson, Beacon's City Councilmember for Ward 1. He was at the march, and we reached out to fact check his daughter's name for an article. We came away with an incredible interview with Terry's experience when a member of the NYPD putting a gun to his face when he was 17, and how he lives as a black man in America today. Details >
Wednesday: Wednesday turned into a day of heaviness. When the reflection started, and vital sharing continued, many black and brown friends released their personal experiences of growing up black in America, and they were very sad and tired. Tired because they have been living with this for all of their years as a normal part of their lives, and now, some white people, were finally beginning to hear and see it. You may have received business emails from black owned businesses who don't normally talk about race in their marketing material, but on this day, they did.
Also on this day, Beacon's Patrolmans Benevolent Association issued a letter in response to George Floyd's killing. Signed by Officer Michael Confield, they referred to the death as an "unconscionable death."
Friday: That's today! See below for what's in store... PS: Yes, we have started a comprehensive list of black owned businesses in the Hudson Valley and we wanted to release it to you today, but it's still being formatted and linked up.
Absentee Ballots Arrive - Vote
Ballot box locations have been posted by the Beacon City School District. You only have until Tuesday, June 9pm at 5pm to get these in, and at their scheduled times. Learn where the ballot boxes are. Details Here >
Beacon City School District Virtual Art Show
Day: Happening Now
Location: Beacon Public Library's website
The show must go on! It's time for the Howland Library's annual Beacon City School District Art Show. Every year, students, teachers, and library staff look forward to seeing the colorful and vibrant art of our community's young artist. Starting June 1st, we'll be having a Virtual Exhibit celebrating these talented young people and their hardworking teachers! While we may not be able to see the work in person, we hope you will be able to experience the energy of their creativity through this virtual exhibit. Information >
Postcards From A Pandemic
Day: Friday, June 5, 2020 Time: 7pm Location: Instagram Live
Garrison Art Center is pleased to announce an ongoing worldwide exhibition of postcard art entitled Postcards From A Pandemic. This exhibition invites artists from near and far to mail a postcard to the Art Center that reflects their thoughts and creative expressions during this troubled time of social distancing and gallery closures due to COVID-19. Information >
Black Lives Matter Protest - Pohill Park to Pete + Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park
Day: Saturday, June 6, 2020 Time: 2:45pm Location: Pohill Park, Beacon, NY
This protest is organized by Ciarda Hall, Stefon Seward and Xavier Mayo (Monday's protest), and is backed by the Southern Dutchess Resist, (organized Saturday's), I Am Beacon, and several other groups in Dutchess County. The Mayor of Beacon as well as other local government officials will be speaking.
Story Screen Virtual Night
Day: Saturday, June 6, 2020 Time: 7:30-10pm Location: ZOOM Story Screen Trivia returns for yet another series of movie related questions and categories, with your favorite brainy movie nerds: Bernadette Gorman-White and Mike Burdge. And now they're using satellites to ask questions! Information >
Virtual Hudson Valley Pride Festival
Day: Sunday, June 7, 2020 Time: 4-6pm Location: Facebook Live - https://www.facebook.com/hvlgbtqcenter/
Join the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Center on Facebook Live on Hudson Valley Pride Sunday for amazing performances by local performers Denise Parent, Nia & Ness, Ryan Cassata, and Salem Corwin! Information >
The Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) Virtual 5K Run & Walk
Days: Now through June 17, 2020 Time: At Your Own Pace Location: Favorite trail, your neighborhood, the park, your treadmill!
Complete a 5 Kilometer run and/or walk (5K kilometers = 3.1 miles) in the comfort of your own neighborhood or on a treadmill between May 17th and June 17th, 2020. You choose the date, the time and location. Registration ends June 10th! Information >
Beacon's Police Chief Will Attend Monday Night City Council Meeting For Conversation (Meeting via Zoom/YouTube)
On Monday night, June 8th, the City of Beacon Police Chief, Kevin Junjulas, will join the City Council for a conversation on best practices and training for the Beacon Police Department. If you wish to listen in on conversation, an invitation to the virtual meeting is below. Also please see this link to a video from June 1st of City Councilmembers commenting on the protests https://vimeo.com/425223009 YouTube: You can watch the meeting live on the City's YouTube channel. Zoom: You are invited to a Zoom webinar. When: Jun 8, 2020 07:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Topic: City Council Workshop
Please click the link below to join the webinar: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82201559958?pwd=eHdHNjlNTXM1S0xueWRZYWRESmJyQT09
Password: 027050
INDUSTRIAL ARTS BREWING
As we begin Pride Month 2020, this year’s design from Industrial Arts Brewing has added a brown stripe to show their solidarity with POC everywhere. These are now available in their web store and would make a nice addition to your beer order, but no other purchase is necessary. 100% of proceeds from the sale of these shirts will go to @rocklandcountypridecenter and @dutchesspride. Information >
EAT CHURCH
This weekend special is going to hit the spot: It's the “Mission Style Burrito:” Black beans, yellow rice, queso, avocado, salsa, crema, hots. Old school vegetarian. $10. For those of you who have picky eaters, you will love the Bang Bang Spring Rolls. The easiest eatery to social distance in, as it is surrounded by parking lot, with a straight-on view of Mount Beacon. Order Now > Eat Church is a ALBB Sponsor!
BAJA 328
¡Salud! Baja 328 has made it to the final round of Hudson Valley Magazine's "Best Margarita"! There is still time to get your votes in! Visit this voting page to support your local canteen! Cast Your Vote! > Baja 328 is a ALBB Sponsor!
I AM BEACON
To shop local has never been more important as it is today. The beauty of the Beacon community has many wonderful qualities - our small businesses being one of them! It is often said, charity begins at home- the pride of Beacon lies in our dedication and support of one another. Pick up your I Am Beacon Strong T-shirt at Key Food to be entered in to win a $100 gift card to a local shop! Add this to your collection of other I Am Beacon t-shirts. Information >
BINNACLE BOOKS
Looking for literature related to Black History and educate yourself further on the issue of civil rights in this county? Binnacle Books has many titles to choose from such as:
- Jabari Asim, “We Can’t Breathe: On Black Lives, White Lies, and the Art of Survival”
- Ibrahim X. Kendi, “How To Be An Antiracist”
- “Chronicles of Black Protest” ed. Bradford Chambers
If those concepts are new to you - or you've seen them before but didn't want to engage - engage now. Binnacle Books is a ALBB Sponsor, thank you!
LUXE OPTIQUE
It's getting too hot outside to wear your glasses and exercise at the same time. For those of you who are daily glasses wearers, you may need to open a new box of contacts! Luxe Optique is shipping contacts, and working on a new online ordering system. Deals:
Get $25 off all year supplies of contacts + free shipping
Get $10 off 6 month supplies + FREE SHIPPING
FREE SHIPPING FOR ALL DIRECT SHIP CONTACT LENS ORDERS
Your order might also be eligible for a manufactures rebate of up to $150! Order: Text 845-838-2020 or email at info@luxeoptique.com Luxe Optique is a Sponsor, thank you!
PTACEK HOME
Your indoor plant collection has been growing, we get it, it's happening in our Managing Editor Marilyn's home as we speak! Look at these beautiful Sustain Planters with heart pine from PTACEK Home. Beautiful. OMG. Shop Now > PTACEK Home is a Sponsor, thank you!
COLD FIT CRYOTHERAPY Cold Fit Cryotherapy is thrilled to announce that they will re-open on Wednesday, June 10th! "All NYS requirements for sanitation will be strictly followed!" they say. They look forward to “freezing” with you soon!
ANTALEK & MOORE
Scheduling a Zoom call with Antalek & Moore is a convenient, safe and easy way to talk to any of their agents.
Contact your insurance representative or email them at info@antalek-moore.com to schedule your call today. They miss you! And did you see Terry's bike for National Bike Day? Antalek & Moore is a Sponsor, thank you!
TIN SHINGLE
Tin Shingle is a resource and empowerment platform for business owners, artists and makers to get the word out about their business. This is done through webinars (called "TuneUps") to be watched on replay any time; an online safe-space forum to ask questions and get answers and support; and in-person opportunities to bounce ideas off experts in a live video format. Learn More >
KATIE JAMES, INC.
Couture branding boutique, Katie James, Inc. designed the website for Beacon-based Knot Too Shabby in Shopify last year. Designed with the shop owner in mind, this website features various types of products, including paint, stencils, furniture, and classes. Katie James, Inc. can design your website too, or consult with you as you build it.
We got a suggestion in from a reader, who wanted to know how to send A Little Beacon Blog financial support to help us continue to produce. Even just $5. First of all: THANK YOU to that reader for wanting to do this! Support Here >
People Who Have Given Reading your comments of what ALBB means to your life has been humbling and keeps us going. Thank you. See Who Supported >
The Vote By Mail initiative for Beacon’s 2020-2021 School Budget has arrived today in the mail. Beacon’s Superintendent, Dr. Matthew Landahl emailed district parents and posted to the district website that ballots should be arriving in the mail this (Friday) afternoon. Details about a delay the district was experiencing in getting the ballots out to the public is described below the schedule published here.
You are encouraged to drop your ballot off in a Ballot Drop Box. The schedule is below.
All ballots must be received by mail or dropbox by 5:00pm Tuesday, June 9th.
Ballot Drop Box Locations and Hours
Friday, June 5 Beacon High School 11-5 Glenham Elementary 11-5 District Administration Building 11-5 Saturday, June 6 District Administration Building 12-4
Sunday, June 7 District Administration Building 12-4
Monday, June 8 Beacon High School 8-5 Glenham Elementary 8-5 District Administration Building 8-5
Tuesday, June 9 Beacon High School 6am-5 Glenham Elementary 6am-5 District Administration Building 6am-5
Ballots are due Tuesday, June 9 by 5:00pm.
The Delay In Absentee Ballots
On May 31, 2020, Dr. Landahl emailed the district about an expected delay in the ballots. The Howland Public Library also emailed their subscribe list with the news. Dr. Landahl explained:
“We contracted with a company named NTS Data to print and mail our absentee ballots to all of our registered voters. NTS Data is a company we have worked with on our elections for several years and many districts in New York State and the area have as well.
”On Friday, May 29, 2020, NTS Data informed us that they were having trouble with our ballot mailing due to an envelope shortage and supply chain issue. This is an issue that about 50 districts in New York are also having with NTS Data.”
This (Friday) morning, Dr. Landahl emailed again to let the public know that we should be receiving a ballot by this afternoon. For this writer, the ballots came. For some of our readers, they are reporting that they have not received it yet, but did receive the promotional postcard about voting. Keep looking in your junk mail. And cross your fingers.
Terry Nelson and his daughter marching in the protest in Beacon against police brutality and racial injustice. Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin
Terry Nelson was at the student led protest in Beacon on Monday early with his daughter. She came with a sign, as she wanted to elevate her participation out of her Instagram and into the street with other supporters. Terry came with his mask and his phone to what he later realized was the brightest moment of the past two months of quarantine.
He didn’t care that he wasn’t socially distancing. Later that night at the regularly scheduled City Council Meeting, Terry confessed he had “trouble making it through” the meeting, as he choked on his words, took a breath and looked at the ceiling. Earlier that day, he had been chanting “I Can’t Breath” with the protesters, and on this usual Monday night, he shared with his fellow councilpersons and members of the public listening about the time when he was 17 years old, walking in NYC, and had a gun put to his face by a member of the NYPD.
The hearts of black and brown people have been heavy this week (well, quite a bit heavier). The day after Blackout Tuesday, a social media movement to take a pause to go silent and reflect (but not go silent on news impacting black lives), many black and brown friends expressed sadness and extreme tiredness. On the business side of things, many black business owners sent emails to their customers, sharing their personal stories of growing up black in America.
On Blackout Tuesday, Terry called me to tell his story. I had emailed him to confirm that his daughter was in the photo. He responded with a phone call. This is his story of being black in America, in New York City, growing up on West 112th between Broadway and Amsterdam, in a community he loved.
ALBB: Terry, I would ask you how you are, but I was listening to the City Council Meeting last night and heard how you are. But how are you? ”Whenever I see someone - a story where someone gets stopped by the police or killed by the police, it definitely makes me think about my experience. I feel grateful that nothing bad happened, and that I was able to live a pretty decent life for the next 38 years. The last 3.5 years have broken me, because we've allowed racism to be normalized. Even more a part of the system. I'm sad more than angry. They kind of alternate.”
ALBB: I really want to ask you…but I know you recounted your experience at the meeting last night. So I can re-listen and type it up, as I don’t want you to have to recount it. But… ”Katie, I called you. I will share my story. I was 17 years old. I wasn't even driving. I was walking with some friends, hanging out late, down by the Bowery. And I got stopped. Out of nowhere. A member of the NYPD put a gun in my face and I was told that I fit the description of a robbery suspect. When you're in New York, you're used to hearing sirens and police cars. We just didn't think that one of us would be a part of it.”
ALBB: Where did you grow up in NYC? ”I grew up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and 112th between Broadway and Amsterdam. Near Tom’s Diner from Seinfeld.” Editor’s Note: This area is near Columbia University and is known as Morningside Heights.
ALBB: How was that block? ”It was great. My neighbors never had a problem. The Dominicans lived one one side and the Puerto Ricans lived on another side. We played stick ball across the street together. It was during a different time when you could sit on people’s cars. It was great experience.”
ALBB: The protests all over are so large. It’s hard to social distance. Did you care? ”No. It didn't matter to me because racism is a much more prevalent, more difficult disease to get rid of. I've been basically indoors this whole time. I'll take a walk around the block and come back. It's been that way for the past 12 weeks. Yesterday (Monday) it didn't matter to me.
“My daughter wanted to come with me. She felt like putting up messages on her Instagram and talking to her friends wasn't enough.
“I had my reservations, I've been telling people social distance and put your mask on. There I was, not doing that. What happened yesterday was really important.
“I wanted to show why it was important that I be there. God bless those kids for doing that. It was the best thing that happened since the shut down. Ironically. This is me the atheist saying God Bless.
ALBB: What are things you see now that can bring out a life change? ”When people say All Lives Matter - I want them to know that when someone says Black Lives Matter - it doesn't degrade anyone's life. It is evident that black lives clearly do not matter. In what we have seen in the last 30 years. If you want me to go down a list I can. People who say All Lives Matter are not taking into consideration what we are trying to say. The chances of me being stopped vs a white person and are greater.
”Someone said to me: “That's a myth. My parents were immigrants and they made a better life for themselves.” And that is a clear lack of understanding of our history.
”I would like to see more of my white friends, allies, friends, neighbors, call out racism when they see it. If Uncle John makes a racist remark at the dinner table, you have to stamp it out right away. If you say: "Oh that's just him, it's a different time," that won’t work. That time has passed.”
ALBB: Does the tone matter? When white people are speaking? ”It does matter. I've heard it enough to know when there is malice behind it. I can tell when the other person saying it to me, they have no interest in why that offends me. Even great people that I know don’t understand why that offends me. I don't think you can ever fully explain to a white person what it's like. What it's like to get in your car, and say: "I hope I don't get stopped if I'm on the highway." It's an ongoing dawn to dusk siege that we can never fully explain or tell them about.”
ALBB: Should a white person not try? ”No. I say try by all means. Try! And don't be afraid if you get something wrong. I would rather correct the mistake, than have them compound it. Than making it worse. It cannot be left up to black people to fix this issue. This is an issue that we never started. It has to come from my white friends and my white sisters.”
ALBB: Is your wife white? ”Yes. We have been married 15 years (as a couple, together 17 years). It's been an ongoing learning process. The amazing thing about my wife is that she is very intelligent. This is not finite. You are going to learn something new all of the time. I'm learning something new all of the time about racism.
“Fortunately, early on in our relationship, we were pulled over in the car. One cop talked to me, one cop talked to her. "Where are you going to?" They asked us the same questions to see if we had the same answers. And we did. I've been only pulled over in a car once. Luckily there is a PBA sticker for state troopers in my window that my friend gave me. The trooper asked me "Who do you know?" I told him my friend’s name. It turns out they work in the same unit. He said "Oh, OK. Please slow down next time."
“That's why I make such a concerted effort to have people go the speed limit.” Editor’s Note: If you follow City Council Meetings, you’ll hear Terry repeatedly ask for people to follow the speed limit.
Editor’s Note: Terry’s wife, Alison Chi, contributed her side of the experience: “I’d just like to add to Terry's story about us being pulled over together. The only fortunate things about it were that we emerged unharmed and that it was when the first threads of the mask that had blinded me to understanding how my white skin protected me in the world were torn abruptly off. Understanding the impact of racism and what it is like to live in this world as a person of color is a continuous journey which I will never fully complete - because I am not black. My my loved ones are. Fear is an underlying constant. So for them, for the world around us, I will always point out racism when I see it. And will always talk to anyone about it - it's what I can do.”
Terry continues: ”This experience has changed me. And how I approach things. I will have to be more blunt with people. And not be so concerned about not seeming like a nice person. I think the time has come for honest talk across the board from everyone.”
Word about this march floated through Instastories, passed from friend to friend, that a march down Main Street was planned in Beacon to speak and chant and kneel against police brutality and racism. One mom heard about it from her teenager. Organized by a student who is black and wanted to not use his name in the initial organizing, citing fear of being targeted as others have in other cities. Lineup was at 2:45pm at Chase Bank, and by 2:30pm, dozens of students - black and brown and white - young and old and with canes and knee braces - were walking down Main Street towards the mountain to start at the beginning - the parking lot of Chase Bank - before marching down Main Street.
White youths who carry tennis racquets in backpacks. Maybe there’s a round-robin after the march? After the march, as people gathered at Pohill Park, the speakers conjured Martin Luther King in their inspiration. Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin
One white youth carried 3 tennis racquets in his back pack, while his 2 friends each carried at least one racquet while another eagerly passed out water bottles. When offered the water bottles, several march participants declined. Water bottles have come to be symbolic as they are hurdled at police cars in other cities across the country. There was no police presence around Chase during the warm-up of the crowd as more and more people gathered. People held signs and left the drive-way open at Chase for bank customers to drive out after doing transactions at the window.
One protestor’s sign asks: “Beacon Police: How are you speaking out?” This photo taken while marchers were chanting: “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot” Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin
Participants kneeling for George Floyd against police brutality. Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin
Before the march began, two students rallied the crowd. In the crowd was one of Beacon’s City Council members Terry Nelson of Ward 1, who attended with his daughter (see ALBB’s full interview with Terry here). One student who is brown circled around in the group, breathing phrases into everyone’s lungs, as he encouraged people to shout: “I Can’t Breath,” “Hands Up, Don’t Shoot” and “Say My Name: George Floyd.” Everyone put their hands up as they shouted “Don’t Shoot.” At other times, the march leader told everyone to take a knee against police brutality, which they did. A young woman with caramel skin got up on his shoulders and thanked the people for coming, getting choked up as she looked at the variety of faces who were there to show support. “This means everything right now. Everything. To see all of you out here. Every skin color…This is real and it’s happening everywhere!” After the march, she encouraged participants to educate their white friends.
One of the organizers, thanking the participants for showing up, and stressing the importance of why they were there. Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin
Signs read: “Skin color is not reasonable suspicion,” and “No Justice No Peace Black Lives Matter” Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin
The march began down Main Street, headed away from the mountain and to the Hudson River and Pohill Park, the traditional meeting spot for rallies, protests, and celebrations. Shortly after the people began marching in a sea of signs, a police presence appeared up ahead. At least 3 police cars spaced themselves out in front of march in a moving street closure, where they drive with the marchers by escorting in front. Today it was providing protection for the marchers, who by now had grown to a quarter mile long. Main Street is one mile long.
Beacon Police created a moving street closure for the march. The street closure lasted until Wolcott Avenue, where traffic was stopped both ways to create a safe space on Wolcott for when the crowd arrived at Pohill Park. Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth Martin
After The March, The Speeches
The people filed in at Pohill Park, with the overflow people people going up South Avenue and Main Street. Police blocked off Wolcott Avenue from Rombout Avenue to West Main Street (the street that takes you to the train). Police officers were gathered in the middle of that intersection, with one directing traffic and the others discussing among themselves. A few people from the march approached the group of officers to say: “Join us!” The officers discussed, and later, after two speeches by the organizers, one officer, whose face many regular attendees would recognize from City Council Meetings as he weighs in on questions about enforcement regulations, emerged from crowd.
During the speeches, the two organizers continued to lead the attendees in chanting, while still more new people joined the group. One grandmother standing on the sidewalk nodded her head. Ali T. Muhammad spoke after the student organizers spoke. Ali is a former Beacon City Council person for Ward 4, and ran for Mayor of Newburgh last year. He pushed for the next steps and asked the rhetorical question of why everyone had gathered and participated, emphasizing that after all this, things must change. He implored people to register to vote, and to show up to vote.
A third speaker described his experience with the police. He described how dangerous it is for him to raise his hands from the steering wheel, reminding the crowd of black people who get shot during traffic stops. “Don’t reach for the keys, don’t reach for anything, except your phone. Turn it on. Turn on your camera, or go live on your Instagram.” His message was of driving in fear - constant fear of being pulled over and how that can end in death.
If you are a white person reading that sentence, and if you think it is exaggerated, simply recall your own story of being pulled over. Think about how it might have funny moments. How you sweated it out while digging through your glove compartment, trying to find your insurance card. Then ask your black or brown or South American friends about their experiences being pulled over, and you will hear very different stories. Stories of them sweating it out as they insist to an officer that they don’t have drugs in the car, as they drive home from a babysitting job and had a break light out.
Beacon’s Chief of Police Responds To ALBB’s Questions About Protest
A Little Beacon Blog reached out to Beacon’s Chief of Police, Kevin Junjulas, to hear his reaction to the march. Chief Junjulas was formerly Captain in Beacon, and was promoted to Chief after Beacon’s at the time current Chief, Doug Solomon, had left the Beacon Police force. At that time, according to then Mayor Randy Casale during a City Council meeting, Mayor Casale heard about the departure from a radio report.
Back to Beacon’s current Chief of Police, Kevin Junjulas, who was promoted into the position with high aclaim by then Mayor Casale, and has been involved with community events when they are organized in order to contribute dialogue. Here are Chief Junjulas’ answers to ALBB’s questions:
ALBB: Was the Beacon Police Department alerted to the march in advance? ”We were aware of the event and were monitoring social media to anticipate crowd size and to try to identify an organizer. We were able to identify the organizer and had conversation with him prior to the event in order to coordinate how best to facilitate a safe protest for all involved.”
ALBB: Some people from the march asked the officers at the intersection at the end of the march who were directing traffic form Main Street to join them. Did any Beacon Police officers join the protesters? ”Obviously patrol officers assigned to the detail are tasked with certain duties to assure the safety of the protestors and the public, it would not have been feasible or appropriate for them to join in. I assigned Lt Figlia and Lt Frost to the detail as the highest ranking detail supervisors.
ALBB: Do you have a statement about the march? About why the people feel the need to have one? And how that makes you feel as the leader of the police force? At today’s march, there were black and white students as well as black and white grandparents and parents with strollers. ”Like all reasonable people, we are outraged by the actions of the officers in the killing of George Floyd and strongly condemn their actions. We also support the first amendment and the right to peacefully protest.”
Beacon’s City Council Responds To Police Brutality and Racial Injustice
“Every time I hear about another black person getting stopped or killed by the police, it’s a trigger for me. It is taking every ounce of courage for me to get through this meeting, and get through this week.”
— Terry Nelson, Beacon City Council Member, Ward 1
Every Monday night, Beacon’s City Council holds a meeting. During the Reports section of tonight’s meeting, when the City Council members bring anything on their minds to the table, council people delivered. On this night, several council members gave comment. Mayor Kyriacou, who was on a scheduled trip on the day, said: “I can speak for the entire council and city when I say that we are shocked at the precipitating death of Mr. Floyd, and fully supportive of peaceful protest. I thank the community for speaking up in the non-violent tradition of Gandhi, King and Mandela, and the Police Chief and department for honoring and protecting our community.“
Dan Aymar-Blair estimated that 450 people attended the march. He thanked the protesters for “putting themselves out there.” Amber Grant encouraged people to register for an upcoming climate event, and then fell into an emotional grip as she acknowledged the pain of everyone now, and proceeded to have trouble speaking. Amber proposed to explore what Beacon can do at the municipal level.
Air Rhodes stood “in solidarity” and shared anger and encouraged people to reach out with what they need help with. Jodi McCredo said she stands with the protestors and would never want to tell someone how to protest, but encouraged social distancing, and to be aware of dissenters and to tell the difference between a protester and someone else,
Terry Nelson, who walked this march, calling it the one bright spot in his month, also had trouble finding his voice as he told the viewers and his fellow council members of the time when he was younger, he was walking at night in NYC with his friends when he was 17 years old, and was “stopped by a member of the NYPD and I had a gun in my face and I was told that I fit the description of a robbery suspect.” He said he is a 55 year old man now, and 38 years later, it resonates with him. “Every time I hear about another black person getting stopped or killed by the police, it’s a trigger for me. It is taking every ounce of courage for me to get through this meeting, and get through this week…We really need allies to be on our side right now. We need each other. We cannot do this alone.”
EDITORIAL NOTE: A Little Beacon Blog has reached out to Beacon’s Chief of Police, Kevin Junjulas, and Mayor Lee Kyriacou for comment for this article. Replies come in, and this article was updated.
Photo Credit: Video screenshot, A Little Beacon Blog
The march began at Pohill Park in Beacon on Main Street at about 3pm, which is across the street from Town Hall and the Police Department, and is the location for most marches and parades. The march was organized by Southern Dutchess Resist!, and mirrored a march in New Paltz also scheduled for Saturday. The march was designed to go from the far west end of Main Street to Rite-Aid, and marchers were directed to turn around at the traffic light.
Marchers walked peacefully and enthusiastically with each other, wearing face masks and carrying signs that read (this is a sampling):
“Justice For George”
“Stop Killer Cops”
“Racism Is Deadly”
“It Stops With Cops: Good Cops Don’t Let Bad Cops Kill Defenseless Citizens”
Signs encouraged cars to honk in support, which several did. In this video, a line of cars are stopped at a red traffic light while honking, When the light changed to green, the cars proceed.
The message of the march, according to its Facebook page, is: “We are marching in solidarity with those demanding Justice for George Floyd who was executed by racist police in Minneapolis this past week. We are marching for justice in his case and for all colonized people suffering at the hands of the white supremacist occupation in the United States and across the globe. We are marching for justice, against police brutality and against racism and state violence.“
Immunocompromised people were encouraged not to attend, but to participate from home in other ways.
This march happened on a day when protests, which have been happening in Minneapolis for 6 days so far, have spread to other cities across the United States. Some protests have lead cities to impose curfews, including LA, Denver, Columbus, Cincinnati Minneapolis, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Milwaukee, and others. The National Guard has been activated or requested by Minnesota, Georgia, Ohio, Colorado, Denver and Kentucky (CNN).
The officer who killed George Floyd has been arrested and charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. His bail has been set at $500,000, according to this CNN article.
The other officers who also kneeled on Mr. Floyd have not been charged. While the police report says that he resisted arrested, camera footage of the incident does not show that, according to the CNN article. CNN’s chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta contributed this thought: “An officer should have started CPR after one of them told the others he couldn't find a pulse.”
The final message on the organizer’s page for Saturday’s march in Beacon was: “--BE SAFE, BE WELL, BE DECENT of course.”
For those looking to get involved with an activism group, there is the Beacon Activist Collective, which “is a collaborative group formed on the strength of the community concern of citizens of Beacon, around the potential erosion of civil rights, social and environmental justice occurring after the election of” this current president.
Today is Friday. At the time of this writing (9am) a black reporter and the production crew filming him has been arrested by 6am, and later released (CNN's Omar Jimenez). The president has been neutered on Twitter for glorifying violence with a "looting and shooting" part of the tweet that was hidden. Debates on censorship and safety for humans between person to person contact as fueled by race and racism are happening all at once and very quickly (to see how we really feel about censorship of privately held social media companies, visit ALBB's sister company, Tin Shingle).
Safety is also being debated about (sad that the word "also" just slipped into there) about protecting one's self from a virus that you can't see. Writing about these different concepts happening at the same time is extremely difficult.
As it is to live it - on a sunny day on the weekend - as we slide into the first weekend of the Phase 1 opening, where we are jubilant with hope of doing old "normal" things like seeing each other easily out on Main Street glimmers into our minds.
Stay safe out there, as we learn the new normal as it gets developed.
Beacon Farmers Market Reopens - Slowly
With a new setup and schedule-based shopping experience in place, the Beacon Farmers Market is opening their outdoor market this Sunday. Delivery remains available for quarantined and immune-compromised people. All others are encouraged to come to the market, but are cautioned: "This is not the usual social gathering space as we know it.” Photo Credit of greens: Maple View Farm Read More >
Poughkeepsie Farmers Market Accepting SNAP
To address the extreme food need during the pandemic, the Poughkeepsie Farmers Market opened one month early to serve customers and bring their vendors access to selling their wares. The market is open on Mondays and serves people using SNAP benefits. Details about accessing the market can be found in this article. Photo Credit of greens: Poughkeepsie Farmers Market Read More >
The Animal Rescue Foundation (ARF) Virtual 5K Run & Walk
Days: Sunday May 17-June 17, 2020 Time: At Your Own Pace Location: Favorite trail, your neighborhood, the park, your treadmill!
Complete a 5 Kilometer run and/or walk (5K kilometers = 3.1 miles) in the comfort of your own neighborhood or on a treadmill between May 17th and June 17th, 2020. You choose the date, the time and location. Registration ends June 10th! Information >
Beacon of Love Fundraiser for Fareground
Days: Preview Friday, Fundraiser Saturday-Tuesday Location: Online!
The virtual doors opened at 9am Friday Featuring works by 31 local artists and with prices tiered at $100, $150, and $250, this on-line fundraiser for Fareground runs Saturday through Tuesday June 2.
The Fundraiser benefits Fareground, a Beacon-based nonprofit organization that is helping to feed local individuals and families who are experiencing food insecurity because of Covid-19. Funds raised will be split 50/50 between the artist and Fareground. They have coordinated so many free bags of groceries, made available during Beacon City School meal pickup. They also have been delivering to housing developments in Beacon, where leaving the house to get food to kids can be difficult.
Artwork clockwise from top left: Andrea Moreau, Richard Bruce, Julia Whitney Barnes, James Case-Leal Information >
HOMESPUN FOODS Homespun Foods is working with local farmer to offer their Farm Kits every Saturday, from 10am-2pm, for curb-side pick-up or delivery. Lots of new wines available, granola, carrot cake, vegan cookie dough and scone dough available, farm eggs, local milk. Each kit costs $30, and is stocked with beautiful local produce from organic farms in the area. Order online through their eStore on our website, homespunfoods.com/estore. Order by Monday for the following Saturday pickup. That gives their farmer time to harvest. If you order this weekend, you'll pick it up next weekend.
GLAZED OVER DONUTS
GIFT CARDS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE! And they are making the store safe for their customers and staff in an effort to open soon. In the meantime, you can order gift cards online on their website (www.glazedoverdonuts.com) so you can surprise your family and friends with a nice treat . Gift cards must be used in store.
EAT CHURCH
Do you know what Thursday means? Beacon’s freshest food truck up on the hill of Industrial Arts Brewing at 511 Fishkill Ave (just past Auto Zone) is open from 4-8pm all weekend. Their new online ordering system is so easy! You can even assign a time to when you want to pick up. Or order when you’re there. Social distancing is super easy there. First of all, there is tons of parking. You could tailgate! Second of all, “curbside” is possible, as they bring it to your car.
Eat Church is a sponsor of A Little Beacon Blog’s Restaurant Guide, which has helped elevate everyone’s Open/Paused status and special ways of working. Thank you, Eat Church! Eat Church is a ALBB Sponsor!
BAJA 328
$10 Frozen Margaritas! You have a choice of Mango or Strawberry - swing by and cool down with one of our DELICIOUS Margaritas for take out. Open 12 to 8 PM. Baja 328 is a ALBB Sponsor!
LUXE OPTIQUE
Stylists from Luxe Optique have been spotted inside of the shop during this Phase 1 time to prepare the store for the new shopping experience that will come in a later Phase. Pictured here is Teya who you have seen as a model on their website and as a stylist helping to pick out frames. Right now, you can call-in to pre-order your contacts, you can drop off frames to be adjusted, and you can pick up any orders. Browse their collections online and purchase if you're ready! This line of frames is on sale. Luxe Optique is a Sponsor, thank you!
KNOT TOO SHABBY
We are thrilled for businesses when things sell, and they are able to continue selling through closed doors. Said Knot Too Shabby to her followers in Instagram: "This Pretty Petite Hutch came out of quarantine today. She sold and is 100% essential! Thank you Karen Perrault! Enjoy!" Knot Too Shabby carries some of the best furniture paint in the world - yes, in the world. It's the Chalk Paint from Annie Sloan. Normally, store owner Karen hosts classes on how use the paint (but she stresses that the paint is so great, you don't even need classes). Furniture and stencils are also for sale in the store, available online. ALBB's media company, Katie James, Inc., designed Knot To Shabby's website last year.
BEACON BEE
Just added to our growing Face Covering/Mask Maker Guide is Beacon Bee. Beacon Bee has added a handmade, 100% cotton, bee print face mask to their line of honeybee related products. The mask has two layers of fabric (backing fabric comes in dark or light blue), and a versatile loop strap. $10.00 each and 10% goes to Fareground Community Kitchen.
Information >
RAVEN ROSE
As the weather gets warmer and we spend more time outside, it's still nice to bring a touch of the outside into our homes. New plants continue to be added to Raven Rose's online shop for sale- because you can't have too many plants, right? Some are in limited supply so don't delay! #plantsmakepeoplehappy Shop online >
BINNACLE BOOKS
Just a reminder that if you’re looking to order a NEW BOOK and have it shipped to your door, Binnacle Books have got you covered! It’s as simple as visiting their website and clicking SHOP ONLINE — or just go straight to binnaclebooks.indielite.org. From there you can search and browse, order and pay!
Oh and when we say “NEW BOOKS” we mean new as opposed to used. It doesn’t have to be recently published! Just as long as it’s in print, they will get it for you. Binnacle Books is a ALBB Sponsor, thank you!
PTACEK HOME
Their Spring Sale ends Saturday, May 31st! You still have time to take advantage of these great deals from PTACEK HOME like picking up one of these Matrix Nine Planters - because succulents deserve a beautiful home too. Shop Now > PTACEK Home is a Sponsor, thank you!
BEAUTY TIP
Are you trimming your own bangs? Shaping your own beard? Plucking your own eyebrows? Massaging your own neck? If you miss your stylist for these things, go ahead and send them some cash when you're doing this beauty update to yourself. They will thank you, and it helps them see you on the other side.
BALLET ART STUDIO Ballet Arts Studio has announed its Summer Dance Programs for June and July 2020! Despite the impact of COVID-19, Ballet Arts continues to provide an experienced faculty and thoughtful curriculum online. All classes have been redesigned to optimize the use of smaller spaces, and their knowledgeable faculty, while vigorously correcting students during the online classes, is also guiding dancers in developing the very useful and beneficial skill of self-correction. These classes provide structure during a very unstructured time, normalcy in a positive and familiar context, and healthy safe activity. A full summer schedule of online classes in ballet, pre-ballet, modern, jazz, tap and theater dance for ages 3 to 18. Information >
ANTALEK & MOORE
The vestibule at Antalek & Moore is open during regular business hours to drop off payment or paperwork contact free. The office is now open for regular business hours, Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM. Their staff will be split into 50% working in the office while 50% will continue to work remotely and this will rotate on a weekly basis. Updates to our new office procedures can be found on their website. Antalek & Moore is a Sponsor, thank you!
TIN SHINGLE
Tin Shingle is a resource and empowerment platform for business owners, artists and makers to get the word out about their business. This is done through webinars (called "TuneUps") to be watched on replay any time; an online safe-space forum to ask questions and get answers and support; and in-person opportunities to bounce ideas off experts in a live video format. Learn More >
KATIE JAMES, INC.
Couture branding boutique, Katie James, Inc. designed the website for Beacon-based Knot Too Shabby in Shopify last year. Designed with the shop owner in mind, this website features various types of products, including paint, stencils, furniture, and classes. Katie James, Inc. can design your website too, or consult with you as you build it.
We got a suggestion in from a reader, who wanted to know how to send A Little Beacon Blog financial support to help us continue to produce. Even just $5. First of all: THANK YOU to that reader for wanting to do this! Support Here >
People Who Have Given Reading your comments of what ALBB means to your life has been humbling and keeps us going. Thank you. See Who Supported >
To address the extreme food need during the pandemic, the Poughkeepsie Farmers Market opened one month early to serve customers and bring their vendors access to selling their wares. The market opens on Mondays and serves people using SNAP benefits. All details about accessing the market can be found here.
The Poughkeepsie Farmers Market, known as the Poughkeepsie Waterfront Market, is normally a vibrant marketing destination, and remains so in spirit, though with COVID-19 social distance guidelines in place, like set-back lines at vendor stations and employees to help enforce social distancing and cue people waiting in line. According to the new expectations listed on their website, there is a one-way movement through the market, and pre-packaged produced and food selections for vendors to give to shoppers.
People will be able to find seasonal foods, which at this time are “early greens, eggs, poultry, apples, cider, baked good, vegetable plant starts, and more!” according to their website.
The Poughkeepsie Waterfront Market is supported by the Dutchess Relief Fund (organized by Dutchess County and The Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley), the City of Poughkeepsie, the Dyson Foundation and the Mid-Hudson Children’s Museum’s Annual Fund.
This Sunday, May 31, 2020, the Beacon Farmers Market will open on its usual outdoor summer spot on Veterans Place, in between the Post Office and Towne Crier and across the street from Beacon Natural. For the past several weeks, the Beacon Farmers Market has been doing pre-order and delivery only, which was a huge undertaking that involved two different website builds, and order fulfillment from several vendors.
The market will remain offering online pre-orders for those who are immune-compromised, at risk, or quarantined, as well as for any SNAP customers participating in the pre-order coupon program. SNAP customers who need to use it for pre-ordering online can learn how to do that here for SNAP which includes $30 worth of groceries. Otherwise, SNAP will be accepted in person at the market on Sunday.
Like the rest of the Phase 1 opening, this will be a slow reopen, and will not be the socialness as usual. Expressed on the market’s Instagram and website: “Please be mindful that our number one priority is human health. Our mission is to make local and responsibly harvested food available to you while helping the local food economy and supply survive. It is important to remember that New York is still on pause, and undergoing a slow, phased reopening. This is not the usual social gathering space as we know it.”
While farmers markets were deemed essential businesses and could remain open, the Beacon Farmers Market opted to go delivery and pickup only. “We are taking COVID 19 very seriously,” continued the reopening message on their Instagram. “We have re-designed the layout and protocol for the safety of our patrons, vendors, and staff for this upcoming season.”
How To Shop Properly At The Beacon Farmers Market COVID-19 Style
You’ll need a shopping spot that is a 30-minute opportunity to walk the market to get your things. Sign up for your shopping time-slot here. But, according to the Beacon Farmers Market, if your desired time slot is full, or if it’s full when you arrive, walk-ins will be accommodated. In other-words, everyone is figuring it out, and you can wait in a social distanced manner around the are of the market.
About shopping: The time you pick to shop is not an appointment. It’s an approximation, according the Beacon Farmers Market: “Time slot registrations are not appointment times. If the market is at capacity when you arrive, please wait patiently for entry.”
Theo “Tree” Arrington, the founder of R.E.A.L. (Relationship Empowerment Affirmation Leadership), a program hosted by Family Services’ Family Partnership Center, has passed. He did not know how to read until he was 30, and earned his GED in prison. He went on to become an educator and earned his Masters. He was a dean of Poughkeepsie High School, and served on the board of Family Services. He conceived of the idea of R.E.A.L. in 2007 while on dialysis, because he “needed something to keep my concentration,” he told the Poughkeepsie Journal.
According to the Poughkeepsie Journal, “Mayor Rob Rolison confirmed Arrington's death in a statement Monday afternoon. It was not clear when he died or the circumstances. Brian Doyle, CEO of Family Services, said Arrington had been ill, but his passing was unexpected.”
R.E.A.L. offers after-school and summer programs designed to help students navigate through social, educational and judicial systems to obtain mainstream skill competency and social values. It is rooted in empowering youth to engage in their communities, school or job.
The Mayor of Poughkeepsie, Rob Rolison, said in a statement: “Tree was larger than life. His heart was as big as he was. You simply can’t replace people like Tree. Tree understood that some youth need extra care to navigate through the various societal systems, to develop better skills and social values. Tree had a way of connecting with youth, and he led by example."
The Founder and CEO of Community Matters 2, L’Quette Taylor, said: “Theo "Tree" Arrington raised and helped a lot of generations.”
Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro said in a statement: “He leaves a legacy of mentorship, leadership and inspiration for so many in the City of Poughkeepsie. Theo lived up to his nickname, "‘Tree,’ laying down strong roots in the city and helping so many youths blossom into strong, responsible young men and women, each reaching their potential and giving back to their community in his memory. Theo will live on through the R.E.A.L. Skills program he founded more than a decade ago and the countless city residents who have and will continue to benefit from his altruism.
PIctured here are “Mammoul cookies, which are tea cookies stuffed with dates (spiced with cardamom) and are traditional across Arab culture and popular on Eid in Muslim countries. The tea is Yemeni style black tea, which means it’s brewed loose leaf and steeped with mint and cardamom,” explains the writer, Izdihar. Photo Credit: Izdihar Dabashi
Editor’s Note: During quarentine for this coronavirus pandemic, holy holidays like Easter and Passover were experienced in this unknown time. Ramadan, the month-long Muslim holiday started shortly after, and ends today (Sunday) with a celebration of Eid Al-Fitr. A Little Beacon Blog asked writer Izdihar Dabashi to explore the holiday with us, to come closer understanding to what many in Beacon’s community are celebrating today. Take it away, Izdihar!
If you’re scrolling through images of lanterns and intricate graphics of mosques and moons on social media and wondering what about Ramadan, you are not alone. As a Muslim with plenty of non-muslim friends, I can confidently say most of my friends were unaware of what occurs during the Islamic holy month until I explain the significance of this month.
First and foremost, Ramadan celebrates the month in which the Qur’an, the Islamic holy book, was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Ramadan begins on the 9th month of the Islamic lunar calendar that varies due to the cycle of the moon. The first sighting of the crescent of a new moon indicates the beginning as well as the end of the month of Ramadan.
During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from sunrise to sundown in which they refrain from food and drink. Anyone of good health is expected to fast excluding young children, pregnant/breastfeeding and menstruating women, travelers, those in battle, and people with any health condition in which fasting may risk their well-being. Muslims wake up before sunrise for suhoor, which is an early morning meal before the beginning of the fast. After sunset, Muslims break their fast with the after sunset meal is known as iftar. Traditionally, as set by the Prophet Muhammad’s example, the fast is broken by eating dates but it is not mandatory.
Side Note: I have Ramadan to blame for my obsession with dates. Seriously, you won’t understand the value of dates until you have them spiced with cardamom and stuffed in a maamoul, a traditional Arab tea cookie. To be fair, dates are eaten in their natural form when breaking fast, so perhaps my obsession with dates in dessert is no one’s fault but my own.
The significance of Ramadan goes beyond refraining from food and drink. It’s a month of dedication to the cleansing of your mind and body. Reconnecting to your spirituality occurs through intentionally devoting time to prayer, family and community, and faith. Muslims pray 5 times a day- dawn (Fajr), early afternoon (Duhr), late afternoon (Asr), sunset (Maghrib), and night (Isha’a). The spiritual, physical, and mental act of prayer remains constant all year but Ramadan encourages greater time spent on reading the Quran and praying Du’a, a type of prayer best described as making requests such as asking for Allah (the Arabic word for God) for strength, peace, or more personal supplications.
Allah is believed to ascend to the lowest rank of the sky, referred to as the heaven, every night of the year. Muslims believe that prayers have a greater chance of being accepted and forgiven during Ramadan, which may be explained by people holding an authentic intention during this month or the belief that the gates of heaven are open in the third part of the Ramadan night, a few hours before dawn. The Nabulsi Encyclopedia of Islamic perfectly describes the weight prayer holds for many Muslims, “work is based on vision and vision is based on light and prayer is light”.
Connecting to family and community is easier when you refrain from distractions and focus on priorities during this month of peace, Muslims abstain from listening to music, limiting excessive attention to our surface-level appearances, and entertainment television. During this month, being unkind, using foul language, displaying rude or aggressive behavior without attempting to redeem the harm you cause will result in your fast being unaccepted.
Since this month is spent effortfully limiting bad deeds and focusing on committing good deeds while connecting to the people around you, Muslims donate food and money. Some Muslims may focus on actively feeding a family, others may donate to charity or put together organizations for people in the community who need extra support such as someone with cancer needing assistance in covering medical bills.
When I reference the “community,” it does not allude to only Muslims, religion is not a barrier as to who Muslims choose to offer aid to, anyone they know who needs help will be cared for. Muslims are not awarded by Allah for committing charitable acts, they need to have an earnest intention and intentionally set aside what you can of money and time instead of simply giving away unwanted items around the house. Charity needs to be done wholeheartedly.
“The pandemic changed the bond that comes with the redemption of Ramadan. In my family, we’d usually try to invite people over for iftar or people would invite us, and soon the home becomes alive and filled with warm laughter as everyone bustles around the kitchen to prepare for breaking our fast. ”
— Izdihar Dabashi
Prior to the current pandemic, mosques are normally filled with people breaking their fast or coming to night prayer (Isha’a); especially weekends, when families are able to bring food and break their fast with other Muslims in the community. Some mosques even invite other faiths and non-Muslims to experience a Ramadan iftar. Muslims who are able to make it to the mosque after sundown will follow prayers lead by the Imaam usually to ask for forgiveness, peace, and relief in the world.
The pandemic changed the bond that comes with the redemption of Ramadan. In my family, we’d usually try to invite people over for iftar or people would invite us, and soon the home becomes alive and filled with warm laughter as everyone bustles around the kitchen to prepare for breaking our fast. After iftar and the final prayer of the night, we would gather in the living room with tea and dessert and experience time passing by as we exchange stories and laughter.
Nevertheless, the true spirit and purpose of Ramadan remain intact despite the various hardships experienced this year. Ramadan teaches mindfulness, empathy for those in need, generosity, and humbleness across generations. Any social confinements of age, socioeconomic status, and gender cease to exist in Ramadan. We become equals striving for balance and nourishing individual connection between God and oneself. Ramadan reminds you to be conscious of your role within the community and our earth.
The end of Ramadan is marked by Eid al-Fitr (prounounced “eed,” like “feed” without the f), the religious holiday to celebrate completing a month of fast. Muslims attend Eid prayer at the mosque held in the morning, listen to a khutba (a sermon), and give Zakat al-Fitr before the Eid prayer. In traditional Islam, zakat al-Fitr used to be a charity given in the form of food. In the United States, it is common for $10 to be donated for every household member, others may send money if they have family in different countries or they may gather people to donate to communities in need of money. It is only important for the donation to be made before the Eid prayer for it to be accepted as Zakat al-Fitr. After a morning spent in the mosque, Muslims spend the day with friends and family. Some may choose to dine at restaurants or celebrate outside while others may choose to prepare a feast at home. This year, many Muslims are using Zoom to connect with family or participating in drive-by parades. The pandemic may have brought on adversity but the spirit of Ramadan and Eid will only grow as Muslims are reminded of the blessings of proximity and kinship.
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The City of Beacon entered into a contract with Legal Services of the Hudson Valley to provide increased access to Beacon tenants facing eviction. They may also be able to help with sources of rent arrears assistance. Call the paralegal, Steven Mihalik at 845-253-6953 to inquire.
Dutchess County Helpline. Open 24/7 to take your calls, listen, and give you resources.
