Hatching :: Things To Do 4/11/2025
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Road Ripped Into At Main Street And Fishkill/Teller Avenues For Infrastructure Upgrade
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Photo Credit: Ledion Shtanaj
Work to the sidewalk on Fishkill Avenue and Main Street was still underway on Thursday 4/9/2025 5pm, but traffic on Main Street was restored to normal.
Photo Credit: Katie Hellmuth
Main Street at the intersection of Fishkill/Teller Avenues was ripped into this past week, starting early Monday morning (4/7/2025) and continuing through Thursday. A robo-call from the City that went out to subscribers stated: “The City’s Water and Sewer Department will be partially closing the intersection in order to address necessary manhole excavation and reconstruction work. Work will continue around the clock until very early in the morning on Thursday, April 10th.”
While Fishkill and Teller Avenues underwent infrastructure upgrades to pipes under the sidewalk all last summer, it is not confirmed if this manhole excavation work was planned, or if an event caused for emergency work. There is a rumor as to the price tag, and ALBB is awaiting delivery of the FOIL as to the cost and detail of this project.
The City provided a traffic re-routing plan, and encouraged people to go around. Temporary traffic lights were placed in the middle of the road further up from the main intersection to direct traffic around the roadwork.
On Wednesday 4/9/2025, the City of Beacon issued an updated via Facebook that the work had completed and traffic returned to normal. Work to the sidewalk was still underway as of Thursday 5pm.
Photo Credits: Ledion Shtanaj
That Billionaire Who Made Money During The Tariff Pump and Fake Is Charles Schwab, Founder Of The Homonymous Investment Company
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Just so we are on the same page as this news circulates today, the “billionaire buddy” that Trump referred to in that Oval Office video, Charles Schwab, who Trump said made $2.5 billion during yesterday’s tariff pump and fake, is the founder and chairman of the Charles Schwab Corporation, which started in 1975 as a “discount sales of equity securities” company.
Acquiring smaller but still large trading companies like TD Ameritrade, Charles Schwab became the largest discount securities dealer in the United States, and put power into the hands of individuals to make their own trades in the stock market that did not cost a lot. Charles Schwab is also in the mortgage business.
The company Charles Schwab is publishing articles that guide its customers and readers in how to deal with this “volatile” tariff market. Clearly Mr. Schwab is just fine with it. Why this isn’t criminal for being insider trading is not clear. Martha Stewart went to jail for less.
Warren Buffet had been selling off his shares in stock in what some industry insiders say was in preparation for days like yesterday. Where the market would crash and he would be safe, and buy lower priced stocks at a bargain.
In this chaos, readers may find clarity in doing homework on this Charles R. Schwab (born 1937), and on the earlier Charles M. Schwab (1862-1839), the steel tycoon. During that time period, wealthy white men (and white women who were widowed, daughters, or not married and had money) worked for and influenced federal government, calling it public service, but really just running the government. Kind of like what is happening now, but not as obvious.
Katharine Graham was one such white woman who came from money of both her parents, was financially secure before her marriage, remained financially secure after her husband’s suicide, inherited her father’s ownership of The Washington Post with her husband, and then managed all of it after his death, and steered the newspaper through Nixon and Watergate and several other presidents.
She became close friends with investor Warren Buffet, who became an investor in The Washington Post and basically advised her as a friend and curious person of newspapers and the public.
This book is a good read right now as a way to revisit the time before Civil Rights, during 1948 when Israel was formed, during Civil Rights (but she barely talks about Black perspective, even though segregation was a top social issue for her husband before his death).
Buy the book from Binnacle Books, Stanza Books (both in Beacon), Split Rock Books in Cold Spring, or Blackbird Info Shop in Kingston.
"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.
Beacon Grants Wishes Of More Traffic Enforcement: Traffic Stops and Tickets Increasing
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Some Beacon residents have consistently demanded more traffic and parking enforcement. About 14 years ago, one could not park on the yellow lines outside of a boutique or coffee shop to run inside to get a birthday present or cup of coffee without getting a parking ticket. These days, however, this parking infraction can happen, and does happen regularly on the yellow lines outside of Bank Square Coffee, for instance. Between the hours of 2-3pm, Carman the Crossing Guard is the main enforcer of shooing cars along who do attempt to pull over into the yellow lines.
This lax parking will not last for long, implied Chief Figlia during his presentation of the Police Department Annual Report to the City Council during the 3/31/2025 Workshop Meeting, where he presented multiple data sets to illustrate what the department has been working on and achieving.
Parking Tickets
Thanks to a new contract with a new parking ticket vendor, the City of Beacon Police are using a new ticketing system for parking violations. The vendor they had been using was satisfactory, Chief Figlia said, until the company got absorbed by another company, and provided new equipment. “The new equipment they provided was poorly designed and rarely worked. This led to a sharp decline in our parking enforcement as officers struggled with increasingly frequent equipment failures.”
“The new vendor also provides much-improved handheld, electronic ticket-writer units, which have proven much more dependable,” he explained. This has resulted in a spike in parking tickets. Where there were 20 parking tickets issued in December 2023, there were 187 parking tickets issued in December 2024, according to the report.
Traffic Violations
One resident saw an officer issuing a ticket to a Tesla. Other residents have noticed the Beacon Police on Wilkes Avenue during school drop off rush-hour, consistently nabbing people. The police have been in other areas of town as well.
Traffic Stops made by Beacon Police from 2022-2024.
Photo Credit: City of Beacon Police
According to the monthly and yearly data Chief Figlia presented, traffic stops were at their highest during 2023 (of the 2022-2024 period), and remained the low in 2024. The Beacon Police Department has been understaffed for quite some time, resulting in their trying new initiatives to recruit.
In October 2024, when traffic stops hit their second lowest moment in the three year period, traffic stops started to spike, and continued to increase into 2025. “In January of 2024, 62 stops were performed, whereas in January of 2025, there were 97 stops. Similarly, in February 2024, there were 75 stops made and in February 2025 there were 94 made,” Chief Figlia stated.
After his presentation, Chief Figlia asked the Council if they liked the monthly data set, or if they wanted it yearly only. Mayor Kyriacou said he preferred it lumped into yearly. Reducing the months into an annual snapshot reduces the amount of detail the public can see, in order to notice any seasonal, regional or global trends.
ALBB votes for the monthly data presentation.
The Roaming Turkey In Fishkill Is Fine, According To The Internet. Enjoys People Watching.
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The roaming turkey that keeps being spotted in Fishkill is fine, according to many locals in the Inside Scoop Fishkill, NY Facebook Group. General consensus is that the turkey is female, is named Tammy, and while some are concerned for her that she may be frightened, she seems to be just very comfortable in Fishkill watching the comings and goings of traffic. There is bird-watching for humans, and there seems to be human-watching for turkeys.
Maria Lammens made a Facebook post for the turkey, starting off with: “Poor thing…wish I could relocate it to the land by my home where the wild turkeys roam. Fishkill Turkey still hanging out on Rt 9 and Rapalje by Burger King.”
After receiving feedback, Maria expanded: “I have worked with wildlife rehabilitation over the years and understand the complex issues with capturing and relocating a wild animals. I have no intention to attempt a capture and release of this bird. My post was meant to indicate a level of sympathy for the bird that is living his life in an unnatural habitat.”
Most have cautioned not to try to trap it or disturb it. Some have suggested that Tammy is a traffic concern.
However, the behavior of the people hoking at Tammy or stopping and staring may be what is herding Tammy into unsafe directions. Brian Voght observed: “It’s not stuck. It can fly if it wants to. It keeps coming back. Been around fishkill for months; just comfortable there. But I agree, it’ll get hit eventually.”
Residents have apparently tried to universally organize for the turkey. Diane Burkart said: “They won’t do anything about her unless she is injured. The people who live in the Roundhill development where she came from looked into it. We have called wildlife people and they won’t help.”
Nicole Altuchoff, a vet tech, instructed: “Please leave Tammy alone. She flies and is very smart. She does not need saving or capture. Capturing a turkey incorrectly can cause them to die and go into shock. She is fed and healthy. There are flocks all over Dutchess County and in the area she will find her way. She is checked on daily. I am a vet tech and have been in contact with many rescues and wild life rehabilitation places that work with injured turkeys specifically. It is more dangerous to try and trap her/relocate her. Many things can go wrong.
Said: Maryann Tamilio-Coviello “He’s famous - walking the streets for days. K104 was just talking about his adventures.”
Melissa Baumann insisted: “I’m going to say it again. There is nothing wrong with this turkey. They walk, they fly, they move around a lot. It is just about mating season for turkeys. They are more active. He is not lonely, lost, or scared. He is hanging around hens and getting food. Just happens to be by a busy street. It doesn't need rescue, there is absolutely nothing wrong. It is doing what turkeys do. Leave it alone and do some research on animals. They best thing you can do for wild animals is leave them alone.”
Mike Mazzuca contributed with his thoughts on the turkey’s gender: “This is a Tammy not a Tommy. 5% to 10% of the females have beards, its a rarity. The give away that she is a female is the feathers on her head. Males don’t have them. It wasn't easy at first, until I used my professional camera to get up close and detailed shots. You can check out the post I did that shows her head. As for not trapping her. Even though I personally rather see her in a more ideal environment for her, wildlife and humans are mixing more and more due to expansion and the lessening of wildlife habitat. Plus it is safer for her concerning predators. She can fly like all turkeys, and if needed, be will roost in a tree at night. So lets all slowdown when we see her. Maybe some "Turkey at Play"signs around Fishkill. Lol.”
Patricia Marmo whispered: “Be patient.”
For more turkey photos, see the Inside Scoop Fishkill, NY group.
Cigar On Main Is Moving From East End To Middle Main Street In Former Dentist Office
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The former Prospect Dental office on Main Street, that has been vacant for some time, is getting a new tenant: Cigar On Main. The cigar store opened early last year on the east end of town, with a double-room layout to accompany their walk-in, temperature-controlled cigar cave. Cigar On Main are moving to 288 Main Street where they will now occupy two floors. This is right next door to Hudson Valley Food Hall.
In their new location, which is being completely renovated and built out, they are dedicating a the second floor “to all the cigar smokers in our community to come and interact with each other,” the owner told A Little Beacon Blog.
The ground floor will showcase the products Cigar On Main is known for (see a sampling here on their website). The new location will be open in a few months. During the renovation, Cigar on Main remains open at their current location of 520 Main Street, near the Hudson Valley Marshmallow Co.
Below are photos of what Cigar on Main looks like inside right now, before they head west for the former Prospect Dental spot.
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.
FAQs For Today's HANDS OFF! Protest In Beacon, NY
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Protest FAQs
Some readers have submitted questions, so we will answer them here. As always, submit your questions on any topic at any time.
"We are 2 seniors. Where is the best place to park?"
Polhill Park is located in a hilly area, no matter what direction you come from. Free parking is available at the Beacon Police Station, which is across the street (Wolcott Ave.) from Polhill Park. You will need to walk uphill from there to get to Polhill Park. Otherwise, you could park in the back roads on this side of Wolcott, behind South Avenue. Be mindful of people's driveways and fire hydrants. Don't block any. You'll still need to walk downhill a bit.
"Do we need to register?"
No. You can just show up. Registration at that web page was created because this is a nation-wide protest. When this happens, there are registration platforms created so that people can search by zip code to find the nearest protest. In theory, you could protest-hop. Go from one protest to another. But don't tire yourself out :)
“Is registering normal? Why is NATO mentioned in the protest flyer?”
That question has been answered in full here. With contributions from other concerned readers.
"How are the Beacon Police?"
From my experience as a white woman who has covered many protests in Beacon starting in 2020 with Black Lives Matter, the Beacon Police serve as facilitators of a protest. Even if one springs up without advance notice to them, they make their presence at the protest. Sometimes just their presence makes people uncomfortable. This was especially so during 2020 BLM. But as far as I have seen, their presence was there and they did not interfere. In fact, the police chief now, Chief Figlia, spoke at one of the BLM Open Mics, sharing his personal experience and wanting to connect with the community.
At this protest, I personally would not be afraid of Beacon Police. In this climate, however, I would remain alert as to who I can't tell is police in plain clothes, or posing as ICE, or is enforcement from another police agency.
"Should I attend?"
Up to you. Your safety is the most important. If you feel safe attending, I would say to smother yourself in calm vibes. If there are any agitators, or a$$holes, they may try to say things to poke you. Remind yourself to take deep breaths and to not respond. Zip your lips, and keep to any chants if you feel like chanting, or just listen and be present.
“This was removed from the mobilize us website is it still happening in Beacon?”
Interesting. I just called Beacon Police to verify, and as far as they know, it is happening. They said they were planning on checking in a little later in the day before it starts to make sure, but as far as they know, yes. I checked in with a few others with ears to the ground, and they have heard nothing about it being canceled.
UPDATE: A reader sent in this link, that the registration has “Reached Capacity”. It was not removed from the site, but apparently that site has a "capacity." Registering for a protest is never necessary, and personally, ALBB does not recommend registering, as who knows who is getting your data. A protest against a dictatorship and purposeful cratering of an economy can be organized by Zios who may be aligned with a viewpoint of no dictators, but not aligned with leveling Palestine and not caring about Pro-Palestine harassment. So be careful.
"Is this protest for Pro-Palestine? Because if so, I'm not attending."
That's an annoying question. If you're going to fight tariffs and dictatorship, then you might as well absorb a Free Palestine into your life. Because the federal budget did not decrease for sending Made In The USA bombs to kill children, women, men, medics, journalists, scholars, and artists in Palestine. Not to mention completely level cities. If you're pro-gun control but can't bother yourself to be vocal about Palestine, then you might as well start now. Ammunition and blowing things up is big business. It's all connected.
Stay safe.
Protest Details
Day: Saturday, April 5, 2025
Time: 3pm-5pm
Location: Polhill Park
As part of the Hands OFF! protests being organized around the country, Beacon's will be at Polhill 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.
This Weekend :: Things To Do 4/4/2025
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"Reimagined" With Joel McHale Films In Beacon At The Old Beacon High School (Ethan Cohen's KUBE)
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Film trucks, including the Haddad equipment trucks, were parked in the parking lot of the Old Beacon High School, which has long been owned by Ethan Cohen and is called KUBE (different Ethan Cohen than the movie star), located at Verplanck and Fishkill Avenue. A source confirmed it was for the production called “Reimagined” with the American actor and comedian Joel McHale attached.
Additionally, people who live in a neighborhood on Rombout Avenue (very long street) confirmed that “Reimagined” was also being filmed over there.
According to IMDB, “Reimagined” has the following story-line: “When a cherished Christmas pageant faces disaster, 13-year-old Felix must find a way to save the show his late mother once directed. With friends by his side and music in his heart, he brings fresh magic to a holiday tradition.”
Anyone with more information about additional locations or trivia about this filming can send it to A Little Beacon Blog.
Car Crashes Into 2 Houses On Washington Ave. Around Lunchtime, Thursday, April 3rd
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Photo Credit: Beacon Professional Firefighters IAFF L-3490
As first reported by the Daily Voice, with information and photos promptly provided by Beacon Professional Firefighters IAFF L-3490's, a white Audi was driving along Washington Ave. at approximately 12:52pm on Thursday, April 3rd, where it veered off the road and into a house, striking the house’s fence, and coming to a stop after it smashed into the stone steps, coming to rest just before a single white hyacinth.
According to the Beacon Professional Firefighters IAFF L-3490, the Beacon Fire Department, Beacon Volunteer Ambulance, and Ambulnz (the private ambulance company contracted by the City of Beacon), were dispatched for and arrived to assist the car who struck 2 houses on Washington Avenue.
“Units arrived on scene to find a vehicle had left the roadway, struck a section of fence, proceeded through a front yard patio, and finally came to rest after striking a front stoop. The driver was the sole occupant and transported to the hospital with minor injuries. The City of Beacon Building Department was notified for minor structural damage. City of Beacon Police and Beacon PBA assisted on scene.”
Ferry Dock Remains Unrepaired, Halting Beacon/Newburgh Ferry Service - A Look Back At Other Cuts
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The Beacon/Newburgh Ferry has stopped running due to “extensive damage to the landing in Beacon,” the NY Waterway announced on March 10, 2025. According to people familiar with the area at the dock, the landing was removed from the water. People familiar with the area told A Little Beacon Blog that aside from an ongoing small leak, damage to the landing had not been noticed above water, and no one could speak for conditions under the water. Some say it was ice damage.
NY Waterway and MTA have not responded to questions about the details of the damage.
The Newburgh/Beacon Ferry was cut during the initial COVID shutdown in April 2020, and then was restored when a flush of federal funding was made available during the passage of the CARES Act, which then Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney voted for, as reported by ALBB at the time.
In 2011, the Newburgh/Beacon Ferry was suspended for 10 weeks “after one of the worst ice seasons in 6 years,” Times Herold-Record reported. This year in 2025, the landing was removed and cited for damage after the ice season, not before or during. State and federal funding covered $1.3 million of the operational funding in 2011, according to that report.
It was reported this year in March 2025 by LoHud that the Trump administration threatened to withdraw federal funds from the MTA for the subway in NYC unless they improve safety, the U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said. Trump also rescinded federal approval for NYC’s congestion pricing program.
Beacon’s City Administrator Chris White is the Harbor Master of the dock and has not made an announcement about the ferry closure that ALBB knows of. Please write in a correction if you know different.
The ferry used by Bannerman Castle Trust is not impacted by this, nor is Clearwater. All events scheduled for Bannerman are proceeding and will be on ALBB’s Calendar, and classes and events for Clearwater are continuing and will be in ALBB’s Classes Guide.
Commuting across the river is delayed 20 minutes, as the substitute bus service takes 20 minutes longer, not accounting for unexpected traffic delays on the Newburgh/Beacon bridge, according to the Times Herold-Record in 2011. Also in 2011, ridership would drop from 150 people per day to 100, when the ferry stopped running and went to bus.
On the substitute bus schedule, it is stated that the bus can leave up to 4 or 5 minutes early if all passengers from the train are on board the bus. For people walking or transporting down to the station from Beacon or Newburgh to take the bus (not the train), they would possibly miss the bus if it left early and they did not read the small print on this substitute bus schedule.
Beacon High School Theatre Students, The Beacon Players, Build Sets And Costumes For April's Performance
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The sewing machines are spinning again back stage of the Pete and Toshi Seeger Theater as the students of the Beacon High School Theater Group, the Beacon Players, build sets and costumes for their production of Guys and Dolls, which will open on the stage from April 25-27th. Tickets are on sale now.
Known for their elaborate sets and costumes, this production looks to be on mark. With dozens of costumes on the sewing tables, the stitchers are busy. Crew can include both actors, builders and stitchers, with ample opportunity to try new things.
Anthony Scarrone, Director of the Beacon Players, told A Little Beacon Blog: “The current officers that are in charge of our organization have proven that the heart of our young people today can be in the right place. The legacy that these students will be leaving behind is one of beauty, tenderness, and above all else, caring about the future. Goodbyes will be hard - a bittersweet - farewell - but I know that the future will bring them much happiness, and they will leave an amazing legacy.”
Donations of costumes or set pieces can be made any time to the Beacon Players by contacting Beacon Players. Monetary donations can be made online here,
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.
