Multiple Hudson Valley Community Organizations Unite Through Middletown Commemorating Nakba, Demanding End Of Genocide In Gaza

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###Press Release Reprinted in full from Rally Middletown ###

Community Organizations Unite Across the Hudson Valley to March Through Middletown, Commemorate the Nakba, and Demand an End to the Genocide in Gaza.

All photos are by Alexa B. Wilkinson

MIDDLETOWN, NY – May 18, 2025 — Today, a powerful coalition of community organizations from across the Hudson Valley and beyond gathered in Middletown, NY to mark the 77th anniversary of the Nakba and demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, along with a complete halt to U.S. arms transfers to Israel. Hundreds of marchers filled the streets to protest Israel’s ongoing genocide in Gaza and the U.S. government’s central role in enabling it.

The event began at Thrall Park, with about 100 people marching through downtown Middletown, including a pass by City Hall, where organizers spoke out against the mayor and city council’s refusal to issue a resolution demanding a ceasefire. Participants carried Palestinian flags, banners, and signs calling for an end to the mass killing in Gaza and justice for Palestinians everywhere.

Organizers included Rally Middletown, A Little Beacon Blog, HeartBeads4Palestine, Hudson Valley for Free Palestine, Jewish Voice for Peace Hudson Valley, Mid-Hudson Valley DSA, New Paltz Women in Black, SUNY BDS, Protect Orange County, Vets About Face, Wednesday Walk for Black Lives, CPUSA: Hudson Valley Club, Upper Delaware Actions, Framed Unrest, Party for Socialism and Liberation: Hudson Valley, and Middle East Crisis Response.

Groups representing a wide spectrum of faiths, races, and political backgrounds. The event was also co-sponsored by Palestinian-owned restaurant, Ziatün - located in Beacon, NY.

Rally Middletown, a local grassroots group committed to racial, economic, and global justice, helped lead the organizing effort. “If we are Americans, we are supposed to support the inalienable rights for all,” said April, one of the Rally Middletown march organizers. “We include not only Americans, but the people of Gaza and Palestine, and all oppressed and vulnerable populations.”

Since October 2023, Israel has carried out a campaign of mass killing and ethnic cleansing in Gaza, with tens of thousands killed, entire neighborhoods razed, and basic necessities like food, water, and medicine deliberately blocked. Meanwhile, the U.S. continues to send weapons and provide political cover, shielding Israel from international accountability.

The Nakba—Arabic for “catastrophe”—refers to the 1948 forced expulsion of over 700,000 Palestinians, and murder of about 15,000 more, by Zionist militias that would later become the Israeli army. But as today’s organizers emphasized, the Nakba is not just a historical event—it is ongoing.

What makes this moment urgent, they said, is not only the increased human rights violations and inhumane violence and starvation in Gaza, but also the rising threat of fascism in the U.S. as well. Under the newly installed Trump administration, dissent is being criminalized and immigrant, Muslim, Black, and Brown communities are under direct attack. These diverse Hudson Valley organizations recognize they are facing a common threat—and a shared struggle.

Amel, one of the locals who joined the march, holding a sign that said “Free Palestine, Save Gaza,” said “I’m here today for the freedom of Palestine, to allow food and water into Gaza, and stop this horrendous war on innocent people.”

“I want the mass extermination of babies and children to end,” said May, one of the attendees. “Stop killing innocent children. It’s not complicated.”

Another protestor said, “[We need] freedom of speech, freedom to boycott, and freedom to peaceably assemble—all rights that we used to have, until we started speaking up for Palestine and against genocide.”

A Brief History of Rally Middletown’s Push In Middletown

ALBB Editorial Note: Rally Middletown has been fighting for Middletown to pass a ceasefire resolution for months. They have been met with cruelness from their Common Council. Their Common Council called them names - even Jewish activists for Palestine. In fact, the reason for the squirrel t-shirt up above is because the Aldermen Paul Johnson of their Common Council said this about them: “The Gaza Gang are the squirrels. They are the nuisance. And I think they graduated to be classified as thugs.”

The following is an additional section to this press release from Rally Middletown:

Halfway through the action, the crowd returned to the steps of Middletown City Hall — the very place where residents first demanded the Common Council pass a ceasefire resolution. For ten consecutive meetings, community members delivered moving testimonies and exposed the devastating reality unfolding in Gaza, urging city leaders to take a moral stance and send a message to state and federal officials: we do not support U.S.-funded genocide.

In response, local advocates were met with insults, slander, dismissal, and even threats. Instead of standing with their constituents, the Middletown Common Council and Mayor Joe DeStefano repeatedly shut down their appeals. Though fully informed on the issue, they insisted it wasn’t their place to act — only to later restructure council meetings in a clear attempt to suppress public input.

“Imagine that! An entire democratic council mirroring the Trump administration by trying to silence us. We will never be silenced!” declared Amanda Krump in a powerful address on the City Hall steps.

As the crowd rallied outside, their voices echoed through the streets with chants like:

“Mayor DeStefano, you can’t hide- we’re fighting back against your lies.”

“Silence is complicity. This will be your legacy.”

“You’ll go down in history- for suppressing free speech!”

While local leaders refused to act, the message from the people was undeniable. Residents, business owners, and bystanders showed strong support — clapping, honking, and stepping out of their storefronts to cheer as the marchers passed by.

Nakba To Be Commemorated In Middletown As Community Organizations March Through Town Sunday May 18th

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Organized by Rally Middletown, who has been demonstrating consistently every Sunday in Middletown after appealing to Middletown's Town Council unsuccessfully to pass a ceasefire resolution as several neighboring municipalities did, this march will remember Palestinian victims of Israel's mass murder and ethnic cleansing.

Local community organizations will march through Middletown on Sunday, May 18th, 2025 to commemorate the 78th anniversary of the Nakba, and call for an end to the genocide in Gaza. In 1948, Zionist militias killed 15,000 Palestinians and ethnically cleansed 700,000 Palestinians from what is now Israel. Palestinians refer to this event as the Nakba, or catastrophe. Israel refers to this time as their Declaration of Independence.

Community organizations such as Rally Middletown, A Little Beacon Blog, HeartBeads4Palestine, Hudson Valley for Free Palestine, Jewish Voice for Peace Hudson Valley, Mid-Hudson Valley DSA, New Paltz Women in Black, PSL Hudson Valley, SUNY BDS, Protect Orange County, Vets About Face, and Wednesday Walk for Black Lives are organizing this march to remember the victims of the Nakba. Local restaurant Ziatun from Beacon, NY is also sponsoring this march.

March Details

The march will take place on Sunday, May 18th, at 1:00 PM.

The march will begin and end at Thrall Park in Middletown, NY.

The event will begin with several speakers from local communities and community organizations. People will march through downtown Middletown and past Middletown City Hall, carrying banners, flags, and signs.

More About Palestine

The ethnic cleansing of Palestine continues to this day. Israel has prohibited Palestinians from returning to their homes for the past 77 years in violation of international law. Since October 2023, Israel has been waging a genocide against Gaza, at times cutting off food and water completely and planning the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians from Gaza. We call on our government to enact an arms embargo on Israel until it ends its occupation and genocide of Gaza and allows Palestinian refugees to return to their homes as stipulated in UN Resolution 194.

About Rally Middletown

Rally Middletown is a grassroots coalition in Middletown, NY, organizing for Palestinian liberation and collective justice through direct action, political education, and mutual aid. We oppose all forms of oppression — local and global — and are committed to building people-power rooted in solidarity, care, and sustained community action.

Based in Middletown, NY, Rally Middletown is a grassroots collective that holds weekly rallies in solidarity with Palestine and is committed to building people-power through direct action, political education, and resistance to all forms of oppression.

Ziatun Closed For Nakba Day (Thursday). Here's A Refresher On What Nakba Is. Plus A Podcast

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🖤♥️🤍💚 Please take note, Ziatun is closed this Thursday, May 15, 2025, to mark Nakba Day. “Nakba Day (aka ‘Memory of the Catastrophe’) is the day of commemoration for the Nakba, also known as the Palestinian Catastrophe, which comprised the destruction of Palestinian society and homeland in 1948, and the permanent displacement of a majority of the Palestinian people. It is generally commemorated on 15 May, the day after the Gregorian calendar date of the Israeli Declaration of Independence on 14 May 1948. For Palestinians, it is an annual day of commemoration of the displacement that preceded and followed Israel’s establishment,” as described in Wikipedia.

Ziatun will be open again on Friday for their regular daily open availability. 🖤♥️🤍💚

Saturday: Rally and March for Palestine: End the Occupation, Free Them All

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“Jewish Voice for Peace Hudson Valley, and our partners of conscience are calling people into the streets for an All Out for Palestine Rally and March,” say Tina Bernstein and Anna Jacobs, representatives for the group.

“With the US as its collaborator, the Israeli Government has been committing a live-streamed genocide and now is brazenly proclaiming its plan to completely occupy Gaza and execute this plan through forced starvation and displacement of millions of Palestinians.”

Tina Bernstein, who is Jewish, has been speaking out against the genocide of Palestinians since the day it started, and recorded a podcast episode with A Little Beacon Blog, describing her feelings so early in the extinction.

“As Jews, we have lived this before and recognize this moment as a dangerous rise in fascism, and an escalation of the ongoing genocide in Palestine. We will not stay silent and we will continue to stand up for Palestine, and demand the US government stop supporting Israel. We say ‘Not in our name’ and ‘Never Again is Now.’

Who: Jewish Voice for Peace Hudson Valley and partners partners.
What: All Out for Palestine Rally and March
Where: Kingston, NY Mini Park. 21 North Front st
Day: Saturday, May 10, 2025
Time: 6PM
Visuals: Banners, live music, participants are asked to wear black, bring pots and pans and an offering to leave in remembrance.

"Did You Go Out For The Hands Off Protest The Other Day?  Curious About Your Impressions?"

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A few friends have asked for my take on the April 5th Hands Off protest that happened last Sunday in Beacon. Due to the recent and increasing number of disappearances for those vocalizing support for Palestine and its liberation, I was reluctant to go. I can’t afford to disappear, as I’d like to remain the primary caregiver to my children.

However, the reporter in me couldn’t stay away. If you don’t know this part of my story, I was scheduled to fly and move to NYC with only a cat sitting job and a couch waiting for me on what became the morning of 9/11. That day, driving back from the Akron airport, not to return to NYC until the following February, I wanted nothing more than to be in NYC to experience what was happening, and report on it.

This article will explore a lot of concepts, but all in all, I am glad the people who went went. It was estimated there were 500-1,000 people. According to one resident with an ear to the ground, the online registration form closed out at 500 signups, which is why it disappeared. According to another ALBB reader who read our protest FAQs, which included exploration of why NATO was on the flyer, said that she did not see any NATO posters.

Several seniors wanted to go and did attend. Despite parking being tight to walk there. Several children were there. Generally, the mood was upbeat, where people do not want to lose their social services and want to retain free speech. Police presence was next to nil except for one car on South Avenue that I saw, and otherwise was peaceful.

While friends in my Palestinian sphere cautioned me from going, I did walk down, albeit without my keffiyeh on. I wanted to be able to move and observe freely, and without showing a target for pickup. As soon as I reached the main crowd, however, I did see other keffiyehs, so turned around to get mine, and head back down.

BEACON AS Beautifully DYSFUNCTIONALLY FUNCTIONAL

On the walk down to Polhill Park, I spoke to a new business owner in town. They were delighted at the foot traffic walking past their store, and could feel the enthusiasm of the soon-to-be protesters headed down with their signs.

They had moved their business from Poughkeepsie to Beacon and were grateful that any opinion could be expressed here in Beacon, even if everyone did not agree. In Poughkeepsie, they said, opinions are locked up tight from being displayed in public. The business owner was here for all of it, and happy to see turn-out against Trump.

A BIT Pali-MELANCHOLY

I passed another friend who was indulging in her golden Matcha Thomas drink, savoring it after Matcha’s brief shutdown when the tariff war randomly started. She was wearing her keffiyeh and while is anti-Trump, couldn’t help but feel the bitterness from seeing all these people out who were not out during Palestinian protests.

The continued silence on the Palestinian genocide is cruel. As we have entered a new phase of punishment for defending humanity, student protesters are getting disappeared and locked up, and now American attorneys representing them getting detained at airports. Demanding their safe return wasn’t a main theme in the protest posters.

This gathering was one of the first times the Beacon Ceasefire crowd merged with the Anti-Ceasefire crowd. Admittedly, it was refreshing to be on the same side again with neighbors who were and still are opposing an end to the genocide, or still saying things like “both sides” or “it’s complicated” or “hostages.” It’s cruel how neighbors aren’t vocalizing for Palestine. If not for protection of fellow Palestinian liberation voices, and for the protection of anti-Zionist Jews, but for the protection of the bedrock of free speech. Which has been shattered with the disappearances of the Pro-Palestine students. In addition to the kidnappings of Brown people who are in America legally.

Don’t you see…? That all of your posts against Trump and Teslas and calling Elon a Nazi, could maybe now get you disappeared too? Don’t you see that Palestine is connected to everything? It’s just a low thud to my heart as we continue to not hear so many of you. Or to hear others of your microaggressions. In the 3/24/2025 issue of The New Yorker, Benjamin Wallace-Wells said this about Mahmoud Khalil, the first student stolen: “No specific actions were even alleged; Khalil was evidently being deported simply because the Administration did not like what he had to say.”

Kamel Jamal, Palestinian owner of several restaurants in town and a vocalist during Beacon’s Ceasefire Resolution movement, said: “But only a handful of brave humans that dare stand up to a genoc*de.”

The local attorney David Jensen agreed with him, saying: “A good point; the ability to stand up for right and wrong often has a lot to do with how many other people are already standing up.”

“My Black Friends”

Most of my Black friends weren’t there. Certainly none of my Brown friends were there. Wait, that’s not true. Some of my Brown friends were there, but I don’t know their citizenship status and if they were born here.

It was a very white crowd. That’s because this is a very white problem. Black people are resting. And Brown people might be hiding.

It’s white on white on white. The first two whites are Trumper vs Any Other White Person, and the second white on white is White American vs Zionist. All sets of the whites have entitlement disorders.

“It Was A Good Turn Out!”

Yes. It was a nice time to come out, despite the rain, and see one’s neighbors. It was a good networking event. I did see one Black friend actually, who is exactly who I needed to see for an article I’m working on. We got to talking and I got the…white chocolate mocha. She poured the tea.

Demonstrators lined up on both sides of Wolcott Avenue on both sides of the street. A couple of fire fighters watched from the roof of their new firehouse. Several children were there who had made their own signs. For some, this was their first protest. For others, they had been out on the sidewalk and marching years prior during Black Lives Matter marches in Beacon.

Trumpers

Unlike at the Pro-Palestine demonstrations, where white men routinely called us “Terrorist!!” swore and gave the middle finger, there did not seem to be as many vocal push-backers. Someone did yell out “Kamala lost,” in what may have been a tired voice because they just don’t care. Maybe more of a yawn.

Others said: “At least they didn’t burn things down,” which was another eye roll, and testament to why Black people continue to opt not to come out, as they get blamed for escalating. I saw one Beacon police car parked up the hill on South Avenue. When there was a fight between two Black people at Loopers Plaza last summer on a Saturday afternoon, there were over a dozen police vehicles from three police agencies who rushed to the scene. One observer there at the time couldn’t imagine how the police could service other parts of the region, because they were all at Loopers in Beacon.

What they do care about, however, is the City of Beacon’s eviction of the retired volunteer firefighters from Beacon Engine One, which is a story I’ve been working on and have an audio interview for, that I was slated to work on that Sunday. But…I went to the protest instead because it was such a large event. We needed to know what was going on. Back to the eviction of the retired fire fighters from their community center, and I need to get you more of the interview I had with the corrections officer about the “lawlessness” he calls the corrections industry in New York State.

What I’ve noticed about Trumpers and MAGAs is that they too felt very dictated to by the Biden administration and past Democratic administrations. COVID especially traumatized many who were forced to close their businesses permanently because of the shutdown, or who went into deep debt with no sales, or with the Economic Relief Loan the federal government made available but made everyone pay back. So many business owners are still owing tens of thousands of dollars back because of that loan, even if they have since closed their businesses.

People forced to take vaccinations that they were not comfortable taking yet - from regular people to corrections officers to first responders. Some of those people got very sick. Remember how first responders were fired for not taking the vaccination? And some corrections officers too? These are real issues that do not get mutually respected, usually by the Democratic side, and has deepened the divide. To where Trumpers now are simply enjoying watching Democrats suffer under what they feel they are dictator moves.

Where we had mandated masking, we now have the same Democrats banning masking. The first in the name of health, the second to identify people protesting for Palestine. Don’t you see how it all contradicts?

Obviously, this version of the dictatorship is much more extreme, and more openly lawless, with mass firings of federal workers, cutting of federal investments, threats of cutting off federal aid, lawless deportations, assumptions of guilt with no evidence presented, etc.

At this point, Trumpers who are not upset by what is going on may just be shorting the stock market and profiting off of the cratering Dow, just like the Trump administration and other politicians on either side may be doing. This happened during the COVID shutdown, where people profited off the lock-down. Same thing is being recreated in this forced COVID-like scenario.

In Conclusion

It is clear that no one is coming to save us. Someone is profiting very much. People are being stolen out of their lives. And extreme selfishness is rooted in what we are experiencing.

After the April 5th protest, while it was nice to see everyone, I don’t anticipate much else happening. Politicians have to do something. Anything. And CEOs need to figure out how to buck back. Judges need to keep judging to keep innocent people from being deported. And more attorneys need to resign from law firms who are doing pro-bono work for Trump out of fear of losing federal contracts (oh! here’s a new one).

I always said that if Trump was elected, there would be an Insurrection 2.0. I’m just not sure what that will look like. Maybe some of the January 6ers will change their minds, lead a charge, and return back for a storm on Washington. I’ve heard some of them have become advocates for prison reform after having spent time in there.

Palestine broke me. Where “I see both sides” now, only it’s both sides with these political parties. Neither are in it for us. They use us, and maybe it’s been a dictatorship all along.

I continue to watch journalists be targeted and killed in Palestine. And be burned alive. Israel or the United States are not held accountable.Nor are United States elected politicians held accountable for letting Trump use this entire government to manipulate the stock market.

Back here in Beacon, I’m directing that helpless energy into local causes I can impact, like advocating for the build of the new Dunkin’ Donuts (one was already there but died *edit* before COVID, when several other Dunkin’s closed in the Hudson Valley, this would be a new one), the extreme push-back of which I view as another form of redlining. Only the colors are the branded ones orange and pink.

Just let the people have their avocado toast and egg-whites. With a cheat of a glazed donut. From the safety of their car. Especially for those who cannot walk long distances, as is the dream of this anti-Dunkin’ Donuts effort. People just can’t walk as much as you’d like them to. And, people of all colors work in and eat in and buy from Dunkin’ Donuts. So what are you doing.

Meanwhile, I will continue to mess you up here at A Little Beacon Blog about Palestine until you put FREE PALESTINE and any of the abducted students onto your posters.

But. I don’t hold back my advocacy for issues that are under attack. This is not a tit for tat trade.

Cheers.

Another Percolating Question: "Why Are Hands Off! Rallies Supporting NATO?"

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Another question that has come in after A Little Beacon Blog published the FAQs that have been coming in for this rally is: “Why is NATO in the flyer? I support everything else, but this doesn’t make sense.”

Let’s figure this out.

The first question came in as a response to a reader asking if they needed to register to the event. Upon reading that, more than one reader wrote into ALBB to warn against registering into any protest. “RSVP for protesting is kind of a red flag in my opinion. That doesn’t feel like true protesting.”

Another local resident reached out to express concern that many of today’s “Hands Off!” protests around NY State are organized by Indivisible (@IndivisibleNet on Twitter), an organization known to be “liberal Zionist” that often registers people participating at its protests. “Beacon’s protest isn’t listed on the Indivisible flyer for today, but the graphic design and list of demands are identical,” the reader said. “Our solidarity must include Palestine. Be safe!”

Max Blumenthall, editor of The Grayzone, an independent news and investigative journalism source on politics and empire, said as he retweeted CodePink’s opionion: “The ‘Hands Off’ protests planned for today call for Trump to take his hands off NATO, the permanent war alliance that is a boon for the arms industry, and which has destroyed several countries through regime change wars. Just like the original pussyhat rallies, this one is pro-war.”

Another resident in Beacon agreed with Max, saying “NATO killed the dream of a unified Africa and they should never be forgiven. Just cross out where it says NATO and write Gaza and you should be all set.”

Code Pink’s Opinion

CodePink laid out their opinion in a blog post, and we have republished it in full here.

Medea Benjamin and David Swanson are coauthors of the book NATO: What You Need to Know. 

By Medea Benjamin and David Swanson

 

We are passionate supporters of all but one of the items on the Hands Off agenda for the April 5 rallies. We couldn’t agree more that the corrupt U.S. government should stop destroying, privatizing, firing, and giving away the post office, schools, land, Social Security, healthcare, environmental protections, and all sorts of essential public services. But we are deeply disturbed to see NATO (The North Atlantic Treaty Organization) on the list of items that we are rallying to protect.

Many people believe that NATO is a peace-loving, defensive alliance, but the opposite is true. During the past 30 years, NATO has fomented a vast arc of violence stretching from Libya to Afghanistan, leaving villages bombed, infrastructure destroyed, and countless dead.

Originally formed in opposition to the Soviet Union, NATO not only failed to disband with the fall of the Soviet Union, but it increased from 16 members in 1991 to 32 members today. Despite promises not to expand eastward, it ploughed ahead against the advice of senior, experienced U.S. diplomats who warned that this would inflame tensions with Russia. While Russia bears full responsibility for invading Ukraine, in violation of the UN Charter, we cannot deny the disastrous role played by NATO in provoking and then prolonging the war in Ukraine. Two years ago, then NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg admitted that insisting on NATO membership for Ukraine had brought on the Ukraine war. “[Putin] went to war to prevent NATO, more NATO, close to his borders,” he said.

The inclusion of NATO in the Hands Off list contradicts the basic Hands Off agenda. Right now, at the bidding of President Trump, NATO is openly and aggressively pressuring its member nations to move money from healthcare, retirement funds, and clean energy to weapons and militarism. Watch a video of the Secretary General of NATO publicly telling the European Union to move money from healthcare and retirement to war. It should be clear which side of the Hands Off agenda NATO is on. 

NATO is a destabilizing, law-breaking force for militarization and war provocation. Its existence makes wars, including nuclear wars, more likely. Its hostility toward the few significant militaries in the world that are not among its members fuels arms races and conflicts. The commitment of NATO members to join each others’ wars and NATO’s pursuit of enemies far from the North Atlantic risk global destruction.

We would be happy to expand the Hands Off demands to international issues, such as Hands Off Palestine or Yemen or Greenland or Panama or Canada. But we do object to including a destructive institution like NATO, an institution that systematically and grossly violates the commitment to settle disputes peacefully contained in the UN Charter. If we are truly committed to human needs and the environment, as well as peace, diplomacy, and the UN Charter, then we should eliminate NATO from the Hands Off agenda.

We should go beyond that. We should recognize that while many government agencies are being unfairly cut and need to be defended, one enormous agency that makes up over half of federal discretionary spending is being drastically increased and needs to be cut. That is the Pentagon. The U.S. government spends more on war and war preparation than on all other discretionary items combined. Of 230 other countries, the U.S. spends more on militarism than 227 of them combined. Russia and China spend a combined 21% of what the U.S. and its allies spend on war. Of 230 other countries, the U.S. exports more weaponry than 228 of them combined. The U.S. spends more on war per capita than any other nation, except Israel.

This is not normal or acceptable, or compatible with funding human and environmental needs. NATO has taught people to measure military spending as a percentage of a nation's economy, as if war were a public service to be maximized. Trump has recently switched from demanding 2% of economies for war to 3%, and then almost immediately to 5%. There's no logical limit.

Companies that profit from war, like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, will always push for more military spending. So will NATO. While NATO allies consider Russia their most immediate and direct threat, their long-term adversary is China. The constant search for enemies leads to a vicious cycle of arms races. But there is a different path: the pursuit of disarmament negotiations, the rule of law and global cooperation. If we pursued that path, we could move massive amounts of money away from weapons to invest in addressing the non-optional dangers of climate, disease, and poverty.

The rational and moral international piece of the Hands Off agenda should be to eliminate both NATO and the voracious militarism that threaten the future of life on this planet. 

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Check out handsoff2025.com for more information.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Donuts and Latkes at the Menorah Lighting.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Fire Show

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

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

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

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

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

The Lighting

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Ceasefire City

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

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

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

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Illustration by @folkloren_

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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