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More injuries pile on for the Mets

webadmin on May 19, 2021

Injury woes are only getting worse for the Mets, but despite losing key players, NY is still clinging to the top of the NL East.
On Monday, New York went down to Atlanta for their first series against their divisional rivals.
The Mets came off a brutal sweep by the Rays in Tampa Bay, but their 7-game winning streak gave them a half-game cushion over the Phillies for 1st.
While in Tampa, New York had a few more players put on the Injured List. Both Jeff McNeil and Michael Conforto suffered hamstring strains in the early innings of the final game against the Rays.
Additionally, the Mets lineup went into the road trip without JD Davis, Albert Almora, Luis Guillorme, and Brandon Nimmo. The pitching staff also had a fair share of losses, with Jacob deGrom, Carlos Carrasco, Seth Lugo, and Dellin Betances on the IL.
Noah Syndergaard is still recovering after receiving Tommy John surgery, but the Mets got a much needed piece of positive news as he and Lugo are set to make their first rehab assignments.
The major league roster isn’t the only one affected by injuries. A few top prospects in the Mets farm system have also had their season cut short.
Two of the Mets’ top pitching prospects underwent season-ending surgery, 2019 3rd round pick Matt Allan and 2020 1st round selection Pete Crow-Armstrong.
The Mets announced that Allan was receiving Tommy John surgery in early May, but this week, Crow-Armstrong also underwent surgery to repair his labrum and cartilage in his shoulder.
The constant wave of injuries means that a handful of NY’s top prospects are making early MLB debuts. The Mets were forced to add outfielders Johneshwy Fargas and Khalil Lee and infielders Jake Hager and Wilfredo Tovar.
Monday night’s starter was Taijuan Walker, a gem picked up in Free Agency. He faced off against young Braves ace Max Fried. Pitching for both sides was untouchable, with only seven players reaching base in the first six innings.
Unfortunately for the Mets, Walker’s night ended after just three innings of near-perfect pitching. Walker exited due to left side discomfort and was replaced by Sean Reid-Foley.
Reid-Foley picked up where Walker left off, throwing three perfect innings in relief with five strikeouts to keep the game scoreless.
In the 7th inning, the Mets bats finally got going. Backup catcher Tomas Nido picked up his second hit of the night, the final batter faced by Fried, who threw a season-high 95 pitches.
As Fried exited and Jacob Webb came in, James McCann stepped up to pinch hit. McCann promptly doubled in the go-ahead run to break the deadlock.
Webb allowed a few more baserunners to load the bases with two outs, but it was clear that while his velocity was there, his control wasn’t.
Kevin Pillar stepped up to the plate with a chance to break the game open. Instead, the fifth pitch of the at bat hit him directly in the face, breaking open his nose.
Pillar hit the ground immediately, clutching his face as blood covered the plate. The cleanup required a lengthy delay before play resumed.
Pillar walked off the field on his own power and a CT scan confirmed multiple nasal fractures. The Mets put Pillar on the 10-day IL and he will meet with a specialist to determine the steps he should take.
“Scary moment, but I’m doing fine,” Pillar tweeted later that night, alongside the hashtags “#RBI and #GameWinner.”
Pillar’s HBP drove in the Mets’ second run, the deciding run in a 3-1 New York win.
The Mets remain a hair above Philadelphia, but with so many injuries, the next weeks will be crucial for NY as the NL East starts to heat up.

Knicks host Hawks, Nets await Boston in Round 1

webadmin on May 19, 2021

The 2020-21 NBA season came to an end on Sunday, and after another great year of basketball, it’s time for the top teams in the league to face off on the biggest stage. This year, primetime playoff basketball returns to New York City, with two of the toughest teams in the league hosting in the first round.
The New York Knicks were projected to crawl through another disappointing season in their constant rebuild. However, the Knicks defied expectations, building a remarkable defensive team that managed to keep pace with the rest of the pack.
The Knicks ended the season as the East’s 4th seed, capping the year with a win over Boston to break what was close to a 3-team deadlock for 4th place. New York caught fire towards the end of the season, and a 9-game winning streak was instrumental in their ascension up the standings.
In round one, the Knicks’ defensive prowess will be tested as they take on the Atlanta Hawks.Led by dynamic third-year guard Trae Young, Atlanta has been one of a handful of teams putting up wild numbers each night.
While the Knicks were able to win all three games between the two, the Hawks did not go quietly. All three matchups were tightly contested, with the Knicks finding separation in the final minutes.
The third contest between the two came during New York’s impressive winning streak, and the two teams fought hard in a game that came down to the wire. A Julius Randle basket gave the Knicks a late lead, but in the dying seconds Bogdan Bogdonovic sent the game into Overtime.
In Overtime, Randle put the finishing touches on his monster 40-point night. The Knicks’ breakout star picked up three points, two assists, and a rebound in the extra period as New York outscored Atlanta 15-5 to win 137-127.
In the game, all five Hawks starters recorded double digit points, with Trae Young, Clint Capella, and Bogdonovic each scoring over 20. Aside from Randle, the only Knicks to score 20 came off the bench. Huge games from Derrick Rose and Immanuel Quickley kept New York in the game as the backcourt reserves made an impressive impact.
If the Knicks can hold Atlanta’s scoring and take advantage of their lackluster defense, they should be able to take the series. Still, the Knicks may have some trouble on rebounds, something that has been a pivotal part of their game.
Hawks center Clint Capela had another monstrous season, this time averaging a career-best and NBA-leading 14.3 rebounds-per-game. While containing Young is a must for the Knicks, beating Capela for rebounds could be the key to a first round victory for the Knicks.
The season sweep gives New York home court as the two ended with identical 41-31 records.
Playoff basketball hasn’t been played at Madison Square Garden since 2013, and with fans allowed back in the building, the ‘Mecca of Basketball’ is sure to be rocking when the Knicks and Hawks open their series on Sunday.
Across town, the Nets are also preparing to host their first round matchup. Unlike their crosstown rivals, Brooklyn had to wait until Tuesday night to find out their opponent, the winner of the Celtics/Wizards play-in game.
Brooklyn closed the season on Sunday with a dominant win over the Cavs, solidifying their spot as the East’s second seed.
No play-in opponent should be much of a test for the Nets in the opening round, but if they advance, they’ll play the 3rd seeded Milwaukee Bucks or defending Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat.
The Nets breezed by Boston in the regular season, sweeping the season series, but injuries have halted any hopes of a Celtics playoff run. After losing Jaylen Brown to a season-ending wrist surgery, Boston lacks the pieces they need to keep pace with the top teams in the East.
Jayson Tatum put up 50 points in Boston’s play-in win over Washington, but he’ll likely have to average that through the upcoming series if the Celtics want to make it a series.
When Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant, and James Harden take the floor on Saturday night for Game 1, it will be just the 9th time they play together. In Brooklyn’s eight games with their Big Three, they’ve gone 6-2.
Even without a consistent lineup, the Nets put together a franchise record season, finishing at 48-24 for a .667 winning percentage. Their second best season came in 2002, when they finished at 52-30 for a .634 winning percentage en route to a trip to the NBA Finals, beating Boston on the way.
A long season of thrilling basketball has finally reached its conclusion, and this year all eyes are on New York as the Nets and Knicks get set to tip-off.

The Nets host the Celtics on Saturday, May 22nd at 8pm.
The Knicks host the Hawks on Sunday, May 23rd (time TBA).

New exhibit features work of BIPOC artists

webadmin on May 19, 2021

South Queens Women’s March (SQWM) held the opening night of its inaugural art exhibition “Made in Queens” last Saturday.
The exhibit is on view at King Manor Museum at 150-03 Jamaica Avenue inside Rufus King Park in Jamaica.
“We exist to connect women, girls and gender-fluid people with the tools they need to thrive,” said Aminta Kilawan-Narine, founder and director of SQWM. “This includes access to the arts.”
“Made in Queens” is SQWM’s attempt decolonize the art world. The exhibit highlights local BIPOC artists, one of the least represented groups in the art world.
“We’ve made it a point to use art as a catalyst for social and political change, and as part of healing in our work to curb gender-based violence,” added Kilawan-Narine. “What you will see in King Manor Museum is emblematic of our voice being our power. These pieces literally live out loud.”
The exhibit will feature works by Veli V, Kerry Cox, Amy Simon, Seema Shakti, Amelia Inderjeit, Farhana Akther, Movina Seepersaud, Kim David, Juliet James, Angela Miskis, Maria Liebana, Shristi Sookram, Sherese Francis and Giancarlo Vargas.
It is curated by SQWM board member Fatima Shabbir.
“Art has the ability to heal, provoke, tell stories and build communities,” said Shabbir. Through the selection and design process, I was constantly thinking about art accessibility and community representation. This is an exhibit I wanted to see growing up in Queens and one I‘ve always wanted to participate in.”
The opening night was sponsored by The Nest Restaurant and Bar, Mr. Wonton Queens, High Profile Sounds and Events, and Renee K Productions.
Artists were presented with citations from Mayor Bill de Blasio in recognition of their contributions to New York City’s cultural and arts landscape.
Made in Queens will be open to the public from May 16 through September 15 at the former home of Rufus King, a framer and signer of the United States Constitution.
“Once Rufus and Mary King’s bedroom, this room had been a cluttered storage space for decades and we look forward to welcoming more artists and other community members into the space,” said museum executive director Kelsey Brow. “The contrast of contemporary art with the nearly 250-year-old architecture brings such vibrancy to the museum and fits perfectly with our vision of using lessons from the past to shine a light on contemporary issues.”

To view the exhibit, members of the public must book a reservation at kingmanor.org.

Using House Money

webadmin on May 19, 2021

The last two decades haven’t exactly been a whole lot of fun if you are a fan of the New York Knicks.
Plenty of dysfunction combined with a whole lot of losing put the franchise in a predicament going into the 2020-2021 season, where the bar was set perhaps at an all-time low.
The Knicks season win total in Vegas for a 70-plus game season was in the low 20’s and expectations were minimal.
Well, a lot has changed in a year.
The Knicks hired Tom Thibodeau last summer, and in many ways he’s the true architect of this remarkable franchise turnaround.
Coach Thibs established a culture, and his players bought. It became obvious very early in the season that this team was not going to be the Same Old Knicks.
The Knicks compete nightly. The players have taken on the personality of their hardworking head coach.
Team MVP Julius Randle put together an All-Star season and the best of his professional career. RJ Barrett made a gigantic leap from a solid rookie season to an even better second year.
The professionalism of Derrick Rose combined with the shot-making ability of Immanuel Quickley and Alec Burks has provided much needed competence in the back court.
The fact that you can pinpoint the growth and development of multiple players on the roster throughout the season speaks volumes to the job the coaching staff has done.
The Knicks defense has been the calling card of this team all season, but look at the improvements regarding ball movement and three-point shooting.
The improved offensive play has been the catalyst to their incredible surge over the final 20 games of the season.
The Knicks finished 10 games over .500 and will host a playoff series. Who in their right mind could have imagined that before the start of the season?
Up first in round one this weekend is the Atlanta Hawks.
The Hawks bring two specific challenges to the table: the shooting skills of guard Trey Young and the size of Clint Capela and John Collins.
Atlanta has been a red-hot team in the second half of the season and played much better under interim head coach Nate McMillian.
The Knicks must be able to neutralize Young and control the pace in order to win this series. It’s a manageable ask.
Of the potential first-round opponents, Atlanta is by far and away the most winnable series for the Knicks.
Vegas says it’s basically a pick‘em series.
I’ll take the playoff-tested head coach and the team with home-court advantage to keep the feel-good ride going.
My money is on, yes, the Knicks in six.

You can listen to my NEW Podcast on all things NY Sports “New York, New York” on The Ringer. Download and subscribe on Spotify, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts.

STJ players end careers on high note

webadmin on May 19, 2021

Already some of the most decorated players in the history of St. John’s softball, graduate students Gretchen Bowie, Kaitlin Mattera and Marissa Rizzi each earned spots on the 2021 All-Big East Teams.
Bowie and Rizzi were selected to the First Team for the fourth and second times in their careers, respectively, while Mattera landed on the Second Team, marking the third time she has been honored by the conference over her collegiate career.
“Gretchen and Marissa will be remembered as two of the most successful student-athletes in the history of St. John’s softball,” said coach Bob Guerriero. “The leadership and on-field performance of Kaitlin will not be easily replaced either.”
Bowie, Mattera and Rizzi have combined for nine selections to the All-Big East First and Second Teams over their respective careers.
The trio of graduate students combined to hit nearly .375 in Big East play this season, with Bowie and Rizzi each finishing in the top-ten in batting average in conference play.
The three five-year athletes were an integral part of the Red Storm’s success over the last few years, having been keys to the program’s 2017 and 2019 Big East Regular Season Championships.
This marks the fourth season that Bowie was named to the All-Big East First Team, the most in program history. The Red Storm third baseman hit .378 in conference play this season, adding eight doubles, which was tied with Rizzi for second in the conference.
The former Big East Defensive Player of the Year’s 28 hits were tied for the best mark in the conference this season, while her ten stolen bases were also tied atop the Big East in conference action.
Overall, Bowie’s .340 average on the season was the second best of her career. In 200 games played, the Johnnies third baseman caps off her career as the program leader in triples in a career with 13, while just three RBIs short of the all-time program mark.
Bowie also recorded 193 hits, finishing just seven shy of 200.
As for Rizzi, the Red Storm first baseman earned her second consecutive First Team selection. The graduate student hit .386 in Big East play, finishing ninth in the conference, while smacking eight doubles, tied for second, and landing tied atop the conference in stolen bases.
Rizzi’s 22 hits were good enough for fifth while she led the conference in triples with two in Big East action.
Overall, Rizzi finished the 2021 campaign with a .402 batting average, just one point off her pace from 2019. She finished the season in the top five overall in the conference in batting average, slugging percentage, on-base percentage, runs scored, doubles and stolen bases.
The Red Storm first baseman is the only player in program history to bat over .400 in multiple seasons in their career, as just eight other Johnnies have done it even once in the 40-year history of the program.
Mattera got stronger as the season went on in 2021. The Red Storm catcher hit .375 in conference play this season, finishing just three points outside the top ten, while collecting 24 hits, good enough for fourth in the conference.
Each of Mattera’s three home runs this season came against Big East opponents as well.
Overall, Mattera finished the season with a .354 batting average, which was the third-highest mark on the team and in her career. Like Bowie and Rizzi, she down as one of the top players in program history, as she caps off her career a .324 lifetime hitter.
Mattera racked up 157 hits, 31 doubles and 85 RBIs as a member of the Red Storm, while also holding the program record for hit by pitches in a career with 23.

Queens College Knights make All-ECC teams

webadmin on May 19, 2021

Four Queens College Knights were named to the East Coast Conference All-Conference team.
Freshmen first basemen Reed Hoskins earned a First Team selection. Freshmen outfielder Andrew Smith, sophomore left-handed pitcher Liam Pulsipher, and sophomore left-handed pitcher Dean Fazah made the Second Team.
Hoskins is the second freshmen for the Knights to earn First Team honors. He started in 24 games and in 77 at-bats went on to lead the Knights in batting average (.351), doubles (7), total bases (41), hits (27) and triples (2).
On the season, Hoskins was awarded Rookie of the Week honors in the last week of the regular season.
“Reed was a big part of our success this season,” said coach Chris Reardon. “He transitioned into a new role and excelled at first base and was a mainstay in the starting lineup while batting in the middle of the order for us.”
Smith was a consistent performer in his first year as a Knights as he appeared and started in 21 games either in right field or as the designated hitter in the starting lineup.
He ranked among the top five leaders in several categories, and he produced eight multi-hit performances on the year.
One of two pitchers to be named all-conference for the Knights, Pulsipher was a pillar in the starting rotation. Starting seven games, he produced a 3-2 record pitching 38.2 innings with a second-best ERA of 3.26, with opponents batting only .196 against the lefty.
Among the Knights pitching rotation, he ranks second in strikeout (40), while tied for eighth among conference pitchers.
Nationally he is ranked 42nd in Hits Allowed Per Nine Innings (6.12).
He opened the season with a win pitching 5.0 IP, allowing 4 hits, ER, and struck out five in the Knights 7-4 win over the Cougars.
On April 10, he produced a complete-inning gem, as he shut out the D’Youville College Saints, allowing only three hits and striking out a career-high 12 batters.
Fazah showed his experience throughout the season as one of the backbones in the Knights pitching rotation.
On the season, he appeared in eight games and made four starts to finish the regular season with a 3-1 record. He pitched 32.0 innings, leading the Knights in strikeouts (42) with an ERA of 3.94. He held opponents to a .260 batting average.
Nationally he ranked 41st in Strikeouts Per Nine Inning (12.49).
“In his first year with us Dean showed us his versatility and value throughout the season,” said Reardon. “He could be a spot starter as well as being a relief pitcher out of the bullpen.”

Alcohol: Risks and benefits

webadmin on May 19, 2021

Alcohol is one of the most widely used over-the-counter drugs, and there is much confusion over whether it is beneficial or detrimental to your health. The short answer: it depends on your circumstances, including your family history and consideration of diseases you are at high risk of developing.
Several studies have been published – some touting alcohol’s health benefits, with others warning of its risks. The diseases addressed by these studies include breast cancer, heart disease and stroke.

Breast Cancer Impact
In a meta-analysis of 113 studies, there was an increased risk of breast cancer with daily consumption of alcohol. The increase was a modest, but statistically significant, four percent, and the effect was seen at less than one drink a day. The authors warned that women who are at high risk of breast cancer should not drink alcohol or should drink it only occasionally.
It was also shown in the Nurses’ Health Study that drinking three to six glasses a week increases the risk of breast cancer modestly over a 28-year period. This study involved over 100,000 women. Even a half-glass of alcohol was associated with a 15 percent elevated risk of invasive breast cancer.
The risk was dose-dependent, with one to two drinks per day increasing risk to 22 percent, while those having three or more drinks per day had a 51 percent increased risk.
If you are going to drink, a drink several times a week may have the least impact on breast cancer. According to an accompanying editorial, alcohol may work by increasing the levels of sex hormones, including estrogen, and we don’t know if stopping diminishes the effect, although it probably does.

Stroke Effects
On the positive side, the Nurses’ Health Study demonstrated a decrease in the risk of both ischemic (caused by clots) and hemorrhagic (caused by bleeding) strokes with low to moderate amounts of alcohol. This analysis involved over 83,000 women.
Those who drank less than a half-glass of alcohol daily were 17 percent less likely than nondrinkers to experience a stroke. Those who consumed one-half to one-and-a-half glasses a day had a 23 percent decreased risk of stroke, compared to nondrinkers.
However, women who consumed more experienced a decline in benefit, and drinking three or more glasses daily resulted in a non-significant increased risk of stroke. The reasons for alcohol’s benefits in stroke have been postulated to involve an anti-platelet effect (preventing clots) and increasing HDL (“good”) cholesterol. Patients shouldn’t drink alcohol solely to get stroke protection benefits.

Heart effects
In the Health Professionals follow-up study, there was a substantial decrease in the risk of death after a heart attack from any cause, including heart disease, in men who drank moderate amounts of alcohol compared to those who drank more or were non-drinkers.
Those who drank less than one glass daily experienced a 22 percent risk reduction, while those who drank one-to-two glasses saw a 34 percent risk reduction. The authors mention that binge drinking negates any benefits.

Alcohol in Moderation
Moderation is the key. It is very important to remember that alcohol is a drug that does have side effects. The American Heart Association recommends that women drink up to one glass a day of alcohol. I would say that less is more.
To get the stroke benefits and avoid the increased breast cancer risk, half a glass of alcohol per day may be the ideal amount for women. Moderate amounts of alcohol for men are up to two glasses daily, though one glass showed significant benefits.
Remember, there are other ways of reducing your risk of these maladies that don’t require alcohol. However, if you enjoy alcohol, moderate amounts may reap some health benefits.

Need for Reconciliation Sign of a Bad Bill

webadmin on May 19, 2021

“Budget Reconciliation” may be the most popular phrase on Capitol Hill right now. This special legislative process allows certain bills to be passed in the Senate with a simple majority so long as they impact the budget.
With the Senate evenly divided – and the vice president holding the tie-breaking vote – Democrats used budget reconciliation to pass President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package.
Some lawmakers now suggest they’ll also try to use the budget process to overhaul the prescription drug market, as well. They plan to do this by reviving a bill passed by the House – but not the Senate – back in 2019, known as H.R. 3.
Here’s the thing about reconciliation, though: The fact that Democrats even need it is a sign of a bad bill. Under the normal process, bills need at least 60 Senate votes to become law. With the current congressional makeup, that would mean all the Senate Democrats plus at least 10 Republicans.
Such a split would compel the kind of debate and compromise that often leads to better laws. Through budget reconciliation, though, the party in power can pass occasional budget-related legislation without negotiation.
H.R. 3 is a bad bill. While it would reduce Medicare spending on prescription drugs by $456 billion over ten years, those savings would come at a steep price.
Under H.R. 3, Medicare would cap the price of 250 common medications at an amount pegged to the average price in other developed nations.
We all want lower costs, obviously, but independent experts confirm that would mean fewer new medicines.
According to the Congressional Budget Office, the bill would lead to 38 fewer new drugs coming to market over the next two decades.
The consideration of this measure is shocking considering the COVID-19 pandemic is still raging. We stand at a point in human history where all of our creativity and ingenuity and innovation have been brought to bear on a virus that has locked us inside, in many cases alone and without hope.
We’ve incurred great suffering and pain – economic and health – and we’ve likely damaged the future of many, many children, mostly black and brown, who cannot escape the cold clutches of government closures.
And what have we learned? Science wins. Human investment in research and partnerships paid off in that multiple vaccines were developed in record time.
The simple fact is our political leaders haven’t come clean with Americans. We can impose price controls on drugs and that will lower government spending, at least in the short-term. But we will also have less hope in return.
If you ask Speaker Nancy Pelosi, we can have our cake and eat it too: price controls without downside. Americans know the truth is more complicated.
There are plenty of ways to reduce what patients spend on drugs without stalling medical progress that could win bipartisan support. The whole purpose of Congressional debate is to arrive at the wisest and most effective policy.
Instead of an ill-conceived law rammed through without debate, American patients deserve a solution that works for the long term. Will Democrats deliver?

Joel White is president of the Council for Affordable Health Coverage, a coalition of organizations seeking to lower the cost of health care for all Americans.

LEGO Brings BeatBit Studio to Domino Park

webadmin on May 19, 2021

Last weekend, the world famous LEGO Group brought a brand-new virtual experience to Domino Park in Williamsburg. Titled BeatBit Studio, the event introduced Brooklyn families to the LEGO Group’s futuristic VIDIYO technology with an interactive pop-up store.
VIDIYO is a new music-making video experience developed by The LEGO Group in collaboration with Universal Music Group. The VIDIYO platform allows kids to create their own LEGO-themed music videos using augmented reality technology.
In a statement on their website, The LEGO Group expressed their hope that the new platform would foster a love for directing, producing, and making music and films in the minds and hearts of young people.
The Brooklyn event was housed in a pop-up store in Domino Park, and allowed interested families to try out the VIDIYO technology. With the help of on-site staff, families could use a combination of barcodes, cameras, and large screens to create their own impromptu music videos.
Before leaving the pop-up, participants are then able to view and download their creations for safekeeping. Attendees also received a free exclusive BeatBit bundle that they can use to make more music videos from the comfort of their own homes.
Guests at the event experienced a safe, COVID-conscious operation that required no physical contact. Visitors were first able to que up on a virtual line before entering the pop-up. During waiting times, participants were encouraged to explore the rest of Domino Park.
LEGO VIDIYO is aimed at children aged 7–10, and provides a safe platform where they can bridge the gap between physical and digital play.
Combining new technology with the LEGO System in Play, and music from many of the world’s leading artists covering multiple genres, LEGO VIDIYO provides a refreshing opportunity for children to express themselves creatively. LEGO BeatBits (which utilize the VIDIYO technology) are currently available for purchase.
The Brooklyn event is part of a nationwide tour to promote the new product. Previous stops include Salt Lake City and Broomfield, Colorado, with future stops scheduled for Chicago and Seattle.

Thousands gather in Bay Ridge to support Palestine

webadmin on May 19, 2021

Thousands of community organizers and activists gathered on the streets of Bay Ridge this past Saturday to support Palestine amid rising tensions with Israel.
Saturday’s march started on the corner of 74th Street and Fifth Avenue before proceeding through the portion of the neighborhood commonly known as “Little Palestine.”
The event was organized by the Palestinian community organization Within Our Lifetime and was also meant to commemorate Nabka Day, which Palestinians mark as the beginning of their displacement from the State of Israel in 1948.
The group has organized multiple marches and events since its founding in 2015, but none have matched the size and attention of the Saturday event. Within Our Lifetime estimates that approximately 50,000 people attended.
Protestors repeated the refrain “Free Palestine” throughout the afternoon, and continued marching and chanting well into the evening. In addition to Palestinians, members of the group Jewish Voice for Peace attended the march and expressed their support of the Palestinian people.
“As one ummah we stand united together,” Malik Ismail, a Palestinian Bay Ridge resident, told the Star. “For our brothers and sisters in Palestine we will continue to fight for your freedom till there is no more oppression and genocide anymore.”
Elsewhere in Brooklyn, members of the Jewish Voice for Peace marched to the home of Senator Chuck Schumer and demanded that he work to cut funding to Israel. Outside of the politician’s home the protestors left cards with the names of Palestnians who have been killed by Israeli airstrikes.
The pinnacle of Saturday’s activity came when a crowd blocked one side of the Brooklyn Queens Expressway, halting traffic.

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