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.

The Wynotte Sisters To Play At Southern Dutchess Country Club Thursday Dec. 5th

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Stop the presses!! This flyer just flew in to Artisan Wine Shop! The Wynotte Sisters are popping up for their annual Christmas concert special, this year at the Southern Dutchess Country Club (1209 North Avenue aka Wolcott Ave at the intersection of Verplanck Ave), with special guest The Lousin’ Brothers. December 5th. Doors open at 6pm, show starts at 7pm. Last year they filled up the Howland Cultural Center, so needed a larger space.

Says band member Sara Milonovich @daisycutter “We do everything from Andrew Sisters covers, to Willie Nelson to Yoko Ono. We do *not* do covers of other songs that are played to death at any shops or bars.” Sara tells ALBB about this Christmas show specifically: “We do songs about eggnog, cheese, and naughty Santa’s. Listen for our fan favorite, ‘Santa wants to take you for a ride.’”

The Wynotte Sisters don’t pop up often together. It’s more of a Christmas collab for them as they perform separately all over the county.

Singing in the 🎵 snippet on ALBB’s IG is Vibeke Saugestad @vibekesaugestad from her album.

All three musical artists are:
Sara Milonovich
@daisycutter

Vibeke Saugestad
@vibekesaugestad

Daria Grace
@deegee99

Transgender Day of Remembrance Recognized In Beacon By BeaconLGBTQ

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Wednesday, November 20, 2024 was Transgender Day of Remembrance. One place it was recognized in Beacon was by BeaconLGBTQ at The Yard Beacon. The event featured food, drink and community. The event was designated free, sober, and kid friendly. BeaconLGBTQ described the day as: “Transgender Day of Remembrance: A day dedicated to honoring the memory of transgender individuals whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.”

The artwork they used to promote the event was a portrait of Cecilia Gentili by the artist Gabriel García Román who is based in Newburgh. He describes his experience photographing her here. Learn more about Cecilia’s expansive life, community service, and death here.

BeaconLGBTQ listed names on what they called an “official record of community members we have lost this year to anti-trans violence.” However, they emphasized: “Not listed are the countless Trans folks whose lives gone too soon from a million micro-aggressions, trauma and no hope. As well we know that many of our community members are mis-gendered and/or ignored, so the numbers and the names are under reported.” More names and portraits can be found here at www.transremembrance.org

San Coleman
Honee Daniels
Kassim Omar
Redd (also known as Barbie)
Tai Lathan
Vanity Williams
Dylan Gurley
Monique Brooks
Shannon Boswell
Kenji Spurgeon
Pauly Likens
Liara Kaylie Tsai
Tayy Dior Thomas
Jazlynn Johnson
Kita Bee
Andrea Doria Dos Passos
Starr Brown
Nevaeh “River” Goddard
Tee Arnold
Meraxes Medina
Alex Franco
Diamond Cherish Brigman
Reyna Hernandez
África Parrilla García
Sasha Williams
Kitty Monroe

Organizer KkDevina Naimool expanded on more of their thoughts here in their Instagram post.

Air Quality Returns To Green Good After Light Rain Overnight In Hudson Valley

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After last night’s rain in Beacon and elsewhere, the air quality for the Lower and Upper Hudson Valley regions is Good, according to the Air Quality Index (AQI) of New York State.

By Sunday night, the Times Union reported that The Whitehouse fire in Ulster County in the Town of Denning burned across 600 acres (there are 640 acres in a mile) and that 90% of the fire had been contained.

It took the work of 139 firefighters from 18 different fire companies and forest rangers to contain, the Times Union reported.

Hocus Pocus Halloween Parade Details For 2024 - It's A Weekend Event!

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You’ve been asking, and ALBB can confirm, a Halloween Parade Weekend is happening in Beacon. Sponsored and organized by Gatehouse Realty, which is connected to COMPASS, this event is an extension of the spirit of Halloween Parades in years past, where businesses participate to hand out candy to kids. Only this year (as with last year), there is a Seek and Find game involved with prizes.

Halloweekend Event Schedule

All are welcome to dress up in costume and walk down Main Street.

Friday, October 25th, 2024

3-6pm

  • Main Street Trick of Treating and Black Cat Scavenger Hunt

  • Each business with an orange pumpkin in the window will have a black cat hidden in their store. Find the black cat and get your passport stamped.

  • Win Grab Bag Prizes for every 15 stamps collected!

Passports available for pickup at participating stores, then can be redeemed for Grab Bag prizes.

Grab Bag Locations:

To redeem your prize after collecting 15 stamps (sounds like one can collect groups of 15 stamps for multiple prizes), visit these locations:

226 Main Street: Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices

490 Main Street: The Gate House Team at Compass

Saturday, October 26th, 2024

11am-5pm
Black Cat Scavenger Hunt Continues

1:30pm
Parade Lineup (Corner of Main Street and South Avenue)

2pm
Parade Start (Parade ends at Veterans Place near the Beacon Post Office)

Businesses who have questions about hiding a black cat in their store can email chrguer@gmail.com.

Spirit of Beacon Day 2024: Who Will Be There! Maps Of Vendor Tables

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For the 47th year of the Spirit of Beacon Day, which started in 1977 as an answer to racial tensions between youth and the community, there will be 85 vendor tables in the center of Main Street with the goals of reaching people in the community about their services, providing joy, and food! One of the goal’s of this year’s Spirit of Beacon Committee was to incorporate more cultural food and vendors.

Food from some Main Street businesses who are also setting up tables on the sidewalk, like Nansense (Afghan burgers newly opened on Eliza Street), Matcha Thomas, Pats Kitchen Corp, St. Rocco Society, Masjid Ur Rashid, Hidden Rose Catering/Single Hungry Club, Hudson Valley Food Hall, Keyfood, Mama La’s Food For The Soul, The Potluck Eatery, and more.

Plus, all of the restaurants in Beacon (see ALBB's Restaurant Guide here) and shops (see ALBB's Shopping Guide here).

Visit vendor tables from organizations including (but no limited to) Queer Family Network, Chabad Of Beacon, Nails By Yoshii, Growing And Empowering Myself And My Sisters Inc., Beacon Light Tabernacle Sda Church, Beacon Of Health Collective, Midnight Ferry, Goodwill Church Beacon, Kadampa Meditation Center New York - Beacon Branch, Beacon Prison Rides, Rapp- Release Aging People From Prison, Makerdale, Daydream Collaborative Clinic, Piano Adventures Beacon, and many more.

A Little Beacon Blog will be there in the Kids Section offering face painting. The Kids Section is once again in the front yard of the generous Salvation Army Beacon Corps.

Remember, don't ask the businesses for their bathrooms! Use the Porta Potties that the Spirit of Beacon Sponsors have generously provided for you. Sponsors in part this year include Keyfood, Ziatün, Roundhouse, Dia:, and Hudson View park. Find this year’s banner once again on Keyfood (because Beacon remains in a Banner Ban).

See you out there!

Palestine Education Event: "Pulling Back The Curtain On The US-Israel 'Special Relationship'"

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Pulling Back The Curtain On The US-Israel "Special Relationship"
Day: Sunday, September 15th
Time: 2-4:30pm
Location: Old Dutch Church, 272 Wall Street, Kingston, NY

A teach-in and panel discussion about geopolitical interesting driving US support of Israel. Will talk about Zionist propaganda and AIPAC (the Israel lobby), and reports from the front lines of resistance and activism.

LARRY GOLDBETTER, President of the National Writers Union, sister union of the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate

ELLEN ISAACS, Retired physician, co-editor of Multiracialunity.org blog, led medical/ general delegations to Israel, Palestine and the West Bank

TALAL JABARI, Palestinian political scientist, award-winning filmmaker, journalist and long-time activist

MALIKA ZOUHALI-WORRALL, Award-winning British-Moroccan film director and organizer of Film Workers for Palestine

Catoberfest 2024 Happening At Hudson Valley Brewery With Food From Beacon Daily And Music

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Music, Food, Craft Beer, Family Friendly Activites, and Prizes; Proceeds to Help Care for and Find Loving Homes for the Hudson Valley’s Abandoned and Special Needs Cats

Mid Hudson Animal Aid (MHAA) will hold its 12th annual Catoberfest at the Hudson Valley Brewery in Beacon, 3:00PM to 7:30PM on Sunday, September 22nd, where supporters will enjoy live music, craft beer, delicious food, family friendly activities, and amazing raffle prizes. Proceeds will benefit the felines of this unique no-kill free range cat sanctuary.

Established in 1979, Mid Hudson Animal Aid, based in Beacon, NY, has given shelter to thousands of lost, unwanted, and mistreated cats, rehabilitating them and seeking forever homes for them. The sanctuary serves the whole of the Mid Hudson Valley and has earned acclaim from many animal welfare organizations for its work. It is the only shelter in the area to house and provide care for special needs cats with feline leukemia (FELV) and feline AIDS (FIV). The sanctuary currently houses many feline residents, most of whom are eagerly awaiting adoption.

What To Look Forward To At Catoberfest

Hudson Valley Brewery will be serving its excellent selection of crafted beers and beverages and The Beacon Daily will be serving up its menu of tasty treats. Both Hudson Valley Brewery and The Beacon Daily will donate for every beer or meal sold during Catoberfest’s event hours. There will also be raffle prizes featuring gift certificates and merchandise from generous local businesses and Catoberfest merchandise for sale during the event. An online auction will be held during the week of Catoberfest.

There will be live music featuring local Beacon favorites Tony DePaolo’s Electric Gypsies, The Costellos, The Last Minute Soulmates, The Judith Tulloch Band, and The Black Coffee Blues Band. Among the family friendly activities during Catoberfest will be a face painting booth hosted by Fun2seefaces, with proceeds of sales going to MHAA. Marion Jones will host a jump-a-thon where Catoberfest attendees can sponsor her efforts during the event.

Supporters who cannot attend the benefit are invited to make a tax-deductible donation at midhudsonanimalaid.org or via PayPal to info@midhudsonanimalaid.org (where they can include a note that the donation is for Catoberfest).

From The Catoberfest Organizers

“We’re proud of our long history of serving the community and rescuing vulnerable cats,” said Ira Chavis, MHAA Board Member and Catoberfest organizer. “We’re very grateful to this year's Catoberfest sponsors and to everyone who can come to enjoy a fun-filled afternoon while doing so much good for our feline residents. We are also grateful for all the supporters of the previous years’ Catoberfest, who’ve helped us raise tens of thousands of dollars for MHAA. With the help of our supportive community, we can make our Twelfth Catoberfest the biggest and best yet.”

For more information, please visit catoberfest.brownpapertickets.com

Sponsors of Catoberfest

The 12th annual Catoberfest is made possible with the help of Hudson Valley Brewery as host, and The Beacon Daily serving up amazing food. Business Sponsors include Middlehope Veterinary Hospital, DocuWare, Berkshire Hathaway - Nancy Rosaler, Greenbaum Optometry, Kathleen Andersen Art, Hudson Valley Vinyl, Costello’s Maverick Pop, and Mountain Bear Crafts.

Kayak Demonstration For A Free Palestine And Arms Embargo Set For Sunday Sept 15 From Long Dock Park

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Picnic and Paddle for Palestine
Day: Sunday, September 15th
Time: 4:30pm
Location: Long Dock Park Kayak Launch
Join the Beacon Ceasefire and Arms Embargo Now Coalition for Kayak demonstration on the water for a Free Palestine! Meet at the Kayak Launch by 5:10pm (to be seen by train passengers arriving at 5:21PM)

Organizers say: "We will paddle between Long Dock and Pete and Toshi Seeger park and back with signs and flags. Free Palestine! Stop the Genocide! Arms Embargo Now!" Bring a dish! You do not need to be a paddler or kayaker to join in from the shore to show your support and enjoy community of fellow supporters.

Paddle/Boaters can sign up here: bit.ly/paddleforpal

"The True Story of Bannerman’s Island" :: Bannerman Castle Trust’s 30th Anniversary Exhibition in Beacon, NY

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The Bannerman Castle Trust, (BCT) and Bannerman Island Gallery located at 150 Main Street in Beacon, NY proudly present a special 30th Anniversary Exhibition and Celebration featuring artwork, photographs, antiques & artifacts from historic Bannerman Island and Castle, that begins with a public opening reception on Saturday September 14th from 4:00-6:00pm. All are welcome.

Photo Credit: Bannerman Castle Sunset - by L.A. Clark

What Is The Bannerman Castle Trust?

Photo Credit: Bannerman Island Museum Interior - by L.A. Clark

The Bannerman Castle Trust organization has existed and operated as a not-for-profit “Friends” group comprised of dedicated volunteers and staff for over 30 years. Working with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation, the BCT has made incredible advances on Bannerman Island, taking it from an abandoned and over-grown island of historic ruins (dating back to 1900) to the incredible public destination it is today.

Photo Credit: 1. Gordon Colby (Francis Bannerman's great-great grandson) donates original Bannerman Desk, - standing with BCT Executive Director Neil Caplan and BCT Development Director, Kelly Ellenwood (Photo by Lili Colby)

Since 1994, the BCT has been working to find resources and funding to stabilize the island’s historic structures and has made it their mission to educate the public on the value and history of Bannerman Island (originally known as Pollepel Island), to make it a safe and welcoming place for the public to enjoy as an educational, cultural, historical and recreational facility, promoting heritage tourism in the Hudson Valley.

Who Is Francis Bannerman?

Military Antiques dealer and amateur architect Francis Bannerman worked and resided on his island from 1900 until his death in 1918 and had built several structures including the iconic “folly” castle (arsenal) to store surplus militaria, and a summer residence that resembled a small castle where he and his wife Helen Boyce Bannerman would stay during weekends and summer months away from their city residence at the Hotel Margaret in Brooklyn Heights. Bannerman’s restored roll-top desk that that was gifted by Gordon Bannerman Colby and his wife Lili will be featured in the show. 19th century paintings by artist Francis William Loring (found in the Bannerman residence) were donated by Jane Bannerman and will also be on exhibit.

The Bannerman Exhibition

Photo Credit: From Bannerman Island Tour Boat - by Neil Caplan

The exhibition will be on display through January 2025. Gallery hours are Saturday’s & Sunday’s from 12:00 noon to 5:00pm and most weekday afternoons by chance or appointment by calling 845-831-1001.

The exhibition is FREE and open to the public, and group tours are also available. Additional 30th Anniversary programs include a special Community Accessibility Excursion to the island in October, and a High Tea & Talk with Executive Director Neil Caplan at Beacon's Swann Inn on Sunday, September 29th. The historic Gothic Revival era Swann Inn houses a number of extraordinary Bannerman Island paintings and drawings.

Bannerman's Island is accessible by the Estuary Steward Tour Boat, leaving the Beacon, NY Dock by reservation only from May – October each year. If you are interested in taking a tour of the island or in attending one of the BCT’s fabulous events, please visit www.bannermancastle.org for tickets.

I Am Beacon's Back 2 School Block Party Is This Saturday From 12-3pm

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The Beacon Back 2 School Block Party from I Am Beacon is this Saturday, August 24, 2024 from 12-3pm. It is a time for excitement as kids and their caregivers get ready to go back to school. With the school schedules released on Friday, kids are abuzz with what classes they have when, and with whom. The Beacon Back 2 School Block Party is a great free way to connect with new and old friends outside.

Look for the Girl Scouts Girl Scouts Heart of the Hudson, Cub Scouts Pack 1, Fl!p It 4 Life, Beacon Girls Soccer Booster Club, A Little Beacon Blog, Beacon Hood Chicken, City of Beacon Police Department, A-Sicka Foundation, The Beacon Players, Beacon City School District PTO Collaborative, Howland Chamber Music Circle, Hudson Valley Concierge Service, Safe Haven Animal Shelter & Wildlife Center, Highlands Current, NAMI- Mid-Hudson, Howland Library, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, Dutchess County Commission on Human Rights, NY Project Hope and more.

A Little Beacon Blog will be popping up for our Face Painting table! See you there!

Beacon Ceasefire Coalition Rallying For "Not Another Bomb Campaign" Arms Embargo On Israel Sat/Sun August 17/18

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From a press release issued by the Beacon Casefire Coalition:

Please join the Beacon Ceasefire Coalition for 2 events this weekend on Saturday (Kingston) and Sunday (Woodstock) as part of the Not Another Bomb campaign. Not Another Bomb is a national initiative started by the Uncommitted Movement to rally across the country for an arms embargo on Israel.

From the mission statement on the Not Another Bomb petition page: “We know that in order to achieve a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the U.S. must stop arming Israel’s war and occupation against Palestinians. That’s why we are calling for an immediate embargo on US arms to Israel. Join us in calling on presidential candidate Kamala Harris to distance herself from Biden’s disastrous policy of arming Israel’s ongoing genocide and occupation in Palestine. Not another bomb!”

This weekend's actions take place just before the Democratic National Convention (DNC), as a way to demand that our politicians in the current and upcoming administrations end the U.S.'s unlimited funding and arming of Israel's violent assault on Palestinians.

Whether you can attend one event, both, or neither, please also sign and share the main Not Another Bomb petition here: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/not-another-bomb-sign-on-letter

We look forward to seeing you this weekend, and thank you for your ongoing support. Free Palestine!

“Not Another Bomb” Weekend of Action 8/17 -8/18

KINGSTON: Saturday 8/17, 12PM
Rally at Pat Ryan's office
307 Wall Street, Kingston

Cosponsored by JVP Hudson Valley, Mid-Hudson Valley DSA, Beacon Climate Action Now, Mid-Hudson Islamic Community, and more!

*Donations of college dorm supplies accepted for the Gaza Scholarship Initiative for Displaced Students!*

More details and RSVP: https://www.mobilize.us/nab/event/663649/

WOODSTOCK: Sunday 8/18, 12:30PM
6 Tinker Street, Village Green, Woodstock

More details and RSVP: https://www.mobilize.us/nab/event/663605/

SUNY Schools BDS Globalize the Intifada: International Solidarity Panel, July 19

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This Friday, on July 19th at 11am est, SUNY BDS will be hosting an international panel with participants around the globe to discuss the student movement in support of Palestine. Since the beginning of israel’s genocide, we have seen that complicit rulers and capitalists stand on the side of israel while peoples of the world and students continue to stand up for Palestine. It is time we bring together all our movements for a stronger and more coherent resistance against Zionism and imperialism internationally!

Following the massacres committed by the Zionist entity upon innocent men, women, and children, students across the world have joined forces to take an unconditional stance in solidarity with Palestine. The unconscionable human rights violations committed with our taxpayer money– with our complicity –demands that we fight and do our part for the Palestinian liberation movement.

Just as SUNY BDS strives to bring together the 64 SUNY schools in New York state, we are hosting this panel to bring this effort to a global audience. We witnessed in the past 9 months how student organizers become more empowered and successful when allowed to organize in spheres with like-minded comrades. This panel will be a first step to truly Globalizing the Intifada.

Our panel will include students who organize and fight for Palestine on 4 continents:

  • SUNY BDS (New York)

  • Columbia University (New York)

  • Özgür Üniversite Hareketi (Türkiye)

  • Swaziland National Union of Students (SNUS)

  • Students for Palestine (Netherlands)

  • American University of Beirut (AUB) SJP Lebanon

  • University of Tokyo Komaba Campus Encampment

  • Glasgow University Ghassan for Rector, Scotland, UK

Students will be sharing their experiences from their respective countries, discuss the state of the Palestine solidarity movement across the world, and think about ways to develop our coordination as the struggle continues. We invite everyone to join the conversation in a spirit of international solidarity that we will advance going forward!

Registration here >

**SUNY BDS is proudly not affiliated with SUNY or NYS

Community Potluck & Picnic for Palestine - Open To All - Tuesday 6pm

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A Statement from the Beacon Ceasefire Coalition:

Picture of picnic spot at Long Dock Park.

Dear HV Neighbors,

We would like to warmly invite you to a community potluck in support of Palestine this Tuesday July 2nd at the picnic tables at Long Dock Park. We will share food, conversation, and convene in solidarity with our siblings in Palestine. Come and meet your neighbors, contribute funds for mutual aid in Gaza, and learn other ways to get involved. Please bring your loved ones too - whether they are brand new to this work or have been at it for years, all are welcome!

What: Community Potluck & Picnic for Palestine
When: Tuesday, July 2nd at 6PM
Where: Pavilion (covered area with picnic tables) at Long Dock Park, Beacon
Access: The event will be fully outdoors. Masks are welcome but not required, and people will be eating unmasked. Free parking with accessible spaces available at the Long Dock parking lot, and the Beacon Free Loop bus or the Metro North services the nearby Beacon Train Station. Our gathering area is accessible from the paved parking lot via a wide, paved pathway. Seating available at picnic tables, or BYO chair. The pavilion area is covered. Family friendly. Porta potties are available at Long Dock.

We also wanted to share a statement below from the Beacon Ceasefire Coalition about who we are and our experiences organizing for Palestinian liberation in Beacon this year, as well as some pictures! Thank you for all the ways in which you’ve shown up for Palestine thus far, and we look forward to being in community together on the 2nd.

Statement From The Beacon Ceasefire Coalition Regarding A Permanent Ceasefire and Land Back In Gaza

A few Regulars of the Beacon Ceasefire Coalition.

We are the Beacon Ceasefire Coalition, a diverse group of local individuals who are united in our support of an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. We celebrate that on March 4th, 2024, the Beacon City Council voted to pass a resolution calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza. As our work for a safe and free Palestine continues, we would like to introduce ourselves, and to share more about why this resolution is important to us.

The Beacon Ceasefire Coalition is a diverse, multicultural, and multi-ethnic group of individuals from Beacon and the greater Hudson Valley. We are Palestinian, Arab, Indigenous, Black, Asian, and white. We are Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Sikh, spiritual, non-religious, and atheist. We are 3rd generation Beaconites and recent transplants. We are LGBTQIA+. We are disabled. We are parents and grandparents, mentors and caregivers. We are students and professionals, business owners and day laborers.

Our beliefs are as varied and complex as our different identities, yet what unites us is the shared conviction that Israel’s war on Gaza since the Oct 7th attacks is unjust, inhumane, and must stop immediately. Our coalition’s common goal is to do everything in our power to end the death and destruction currently happening in Gaza.

Since the October 7th attacks, Israel has bombed, shelled, sniped and otherwise attacked Palestinian civilians and their way of life in Gaza. Israel has destroyed Palestinian homes, religious buildings and institutions, schools and universities, roads, bridges, desalination plants, bakeries and all other infrastructure. In addition, since Israel controls the borders of Gaza by land, sea and air, it has stopped food, water, fuel, medicine, humanitarian supplies and other aid from entering Gaza.

Currently every person in Gaza suffers from food insecurity, and people in the north of Gaza are already experiencing famine. The number of Palestinians who have been killed (over 37,000), injured (estimated over 100,000), and displaced (1.9 million) as of June 2024 horrifies us, and our work is in their honor.

We condemn the carpet bombing of Gaza, the forced displacement of its people, their forced starvation and blockade of food, water, medicine, electricity, and humanitarian aid, the constant shelling and targeting of civilians, and the humiliation and abuse of their abandoned homes by IOF. Most importantly, we believe there must be an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the establishment of safety and security of all Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, and the right of Palestinians to return to their homes in Gaza. It will take action on the world stage, including the cessation of military and financial support from Israel’s many allies, to stop and sanction Israel’s war on Gaza.

We see our coalition’s work as twofold: to send a local message to our national leaders that they have a moral and professional imperative to act, and to build a community and solidarity with those locally impacted by the violence in Gaza.

In January, our coalition began working with the community in Beacon and our City Council members to draft a concise resolution that would send a strong message to our electeds that the people of Beacon want the United States to stop funding Israel’s war on Gaza. We are appalled that Beacon alone contributes an estimated $200,000+ in taxpayer revenue to arming Israel. In working towards this resolution, many of us testified at City Council meetings, sharing how our personal experiences led us to the shared goal of an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

While this process built solidarity and community, we also endured injustice as a result. During public comment at City Hall many citizens who spoke against the resolution were permitted to use dangerously racist, violent, Islamophobic and xenophobic rhetoric. In contrast, several times, the Mayor called out our group’s impassioned speeches as violent or inappropriate even though our group was following the Council’s guidelines. The unfair treatment was jarring, and through this process, we were given a window into the Palestinian experience of invisibility and degradation.

Our goal since the beginning of this effort has been to work towards an immediate and permanent ceasefire, with the right of Palestinians to return to their homes in Gaza. We do not value one people over another, nor are we advocating for a particular solution to the Israel/Palestine issue. We utilized the democratic process towards passing a resolution with the Beacon City Council – and together we made it happen. We are grateful that the majority of the Council met the moment and voted for the resolution. We see Beacon’s ceasefire resolution as an expression of our community’s conviction that people everywhere from the Levant to the Hudson Valley have the right to live in peace, safety, and security. Together, we will continue our work for Palestinian liberation.