The Indian Panorama

Tag: NYPD

  • 18 Months Later, Rozario family and DRUM’s organizing pushes NYPD To Serve Misconduct Charges on Officers Alongi and Cianfrocco for Killing Bangladeshi Teen, Win Rozario

    18 Months Later, Rozario family and DRUM’s organizing pushes NYPD To Serve Misconduct Charges on Officers Alongi and Cianfrocco for Killing Bangladeshi Teen, Win Rozario

    NEW YORK (TIP): The  NYPD, on September 18,  served the Civilian Complaint Review Board’s (CCRB) misconduct charges on officers Salvatore Alongi and Matthew Cianfrocco for killing Win Rozario in March 2024. The Bangladeshi teenager was safe at home until NYPD officers Salvatore Alongi and Matthew Cianfrocco arrived. Alongi and Cianfrocco recklessly shot Win five times in less than two minutes of entering the apartment, as his mother pleaded for the officers not to shoot – endangering the lives of Win’s mother and younger brother in the process.

    While the CCRB ruled last week that the officers engaged in serious misconduct, including excessive force and abuse of authority, there was concern amongst the community that the NYPD would try to stop any disciple to the officers involved, especially given the NYPD’s history of stopping or delaying discipline of officers in other high profile police killings, including Eric Garner, Kawaski Trawick, Allan Feliz and more.

    The news of charges being filed came after a protest held by Win Rozario’s family, Desis Rising Up and Moving (DRUM), the Justice Committee, elected officials like Public Advocate Williams and State Senator John Lie and others at NYPD headquarters, calling for Commissioner Tisch and Mayor Adams to charge the officers before the deadline. A group of almost forty city and state elected officials also sent a letter to the commissioner and mayor, urging them to “move forward without delay or obstruction, so that New Yorkers and Win’s family do not have to wait another year for Justice.

    In response to the news that charges were served on Alongi and Cianfrocco, Notan Eva Costa, the mother of Win Rozario, issued the following statement: “I’m relieved to hear that the NYPD has done the right thing and served the CCRB’s charges, but I wish me and my family and so many others didn’t have to fight to make that happen. The truth is Alongi and Cianfrocco should already have been fired and it’s painful that we still have the whole discipline process ahead of us. I hope this means the NYPD won’t try to play tricks in the months ahead and that Alongi and Cianfrocco are fired as soon as possible. Without Win this past year and a half, I have felt like I lost a part of myself. I am fighting for Win and all New Yorkers so that all our children get a chance to grow up. Young people struggling with mental health issues should not live in fear of being killed by the NYPD.”

    Sherry Padilla (she/her), Organizer with Desis Rising Up & Moving (DRUM) said: “For too long, the lack of accountability for NYPD officers has fueled the recklessness we saw in the murder of Win Rozario. The serving of the charges substantiated by the CCRB on Alongi and Cianfrocco is a welcome step, but only possible because the Rozario family and others fought relentlessly for it. The gap left in the Rozario family by Win’s absence can never be filled. All the more important that the remaining steps of firing and prosecution go through so that the family has even a bare opportunity to move forward.”

    Loyda Colon (they/them), Executive Director of the Justice Committee and a representative of the family shared: “The facts related to the NYPD murder of Win Rozario, a teenager who was safe in his home prior to Alongi & Cianfrocco’s arrival are clear. Commissioner Tisch did the right thing by making sure the CCRB’s misconduct charges were served but we shouldn’t have had to fight to ensure this would happen. Now, a discipline trial date must be set so Alongi & Cianfrocco can be fired – and Attorney General James must indict and prosecute them. Anything less sends the message that NYPD officers can kill with impunity – and that families like Win’s must bear the brunt.”

    Luna Droubi (she/her), Partner, Beldock Levine and Hoffman, said: “NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch’s service of the charges is a step in the right direction towards ending the culture of impunity that has persisted in the NYPD. I hope this leads to accountability, but I know it won’t lead to justice, because if we could have justice, Mr. Rozario would be alive with his family.”

    BACKGROUND

    On March 27, 2024, teenager Win Rozario was killed in front of his mother and younger brother in his family’s Ozone Park apartment by NYPD Officers Salvatore Alongi and Matthew Cianfrocco. Officers Alongi and Cianfrocco recklessly shot Win at least five times in less than two minutes of entering the apartment, as his mother pleaded for the officers not to shoot. Alongi & Cianfrocco violated numerous NYPD protocols, including when they tased Win without warning while he was standing still with nothing in his hands, chaotically escalating the crisis that they had created without properly taking steps to de-escalate in spite of sufficient time to do so, and shooting Win while his mother and younger brother were nearby, endangering their lives.

    Immediately following the shooting, NYPD officers forced Win’s mother and younger brother to go to the precinct to be interrogated, preventing them from accompanying Win to the hospital. Ms. Costa was questioned at length without counsel before being told her son had died, and Win’s 17-year-old brother was also interrogated alone. NYPD officers blocked re-entry to the Rozario family’s home for more than two days, refusing the family’s requests to retrieve belongings, access medications, or even to have someone feed their cat.

    For over a month after Win Rozario was killed, the NYPD blocked transparency, including refusing to release the names of the officers involved. Alongi and Cianfrocco’s names were first publicly identified by the Attorney General’s Office when they released officer body camera footage on May 3, 2024. Mayor Adams’ first and only public statements regarding the killing were issued only after the Attorney General released body camera footage, over five weeks after Win was killed, after he was questioned by press. After being questioned by reporters, Mayor Adams falsely claimed that he had reached out to the family after the incident and that discipline would have to wait until after the Attorney General’s investigation concluded with a determination, which has never been accurate.

    For the past year and a half, Win Rozario’s family, along with the Justice Committee, Desis Rising Up & Moving and others have called for the NYPD to fire – and for the NYS Attorney General to prosecute – NYPD officers Alongi and Cianfrocco. Win’s family is also calling for police to be removed from the city’s mental health response. Win Rozario’s mother wrote about the year since Win was killed and the NYPD’s mistreatment of her family in a March 2025 Daily News Op-Ed.

    On September 19, the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) substantiated eight misconduct allegations  against officers Alongi and Cianfrocco, including excessive force and abuse of authority. The CCRB filed “charges and specifications” with the NYPD against Alongi and Cianfrocco– the highest class of discipline against officers, reflecting the severity of misconduct. The NYPD is responsible for officially serving the CCRB’s charges on the officers, to formally commence disciplinary proceedings.

    The NYPD’s Force Investigation Division (FID) was required to investigate the killing, but the family has received no information or updates from Mayor Adams or the NYPD about their mandated investigation since Win was killed in March of 2024. The New York State Attorney General is also investigating the killing.

    About Desis Rising Up and Moving:

    DRUM – Desis Rising Up and Moving is a multigenerational, membership led organization of low-wage South Asian and Indo-Caribbean immigrants, workers and youth in New York City. Founded in 2000, DRUM has mobilized and built the leadership of thousands of low-income, South Asian and Indo-Caribbean immigrants to lead social and policy change that impacts their own lives- from immigrant rights to education reform, racial justice, and worker’s justice.  Our membership of over 5,000 adults, youth, and families is multigenerational and represents the diaspora of the South Asian communities – Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Guyana, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, and beyond.  In over a decade, we have built a unique model of South Asian and Indo-Caribbean undocumented workers, women, and youth led organizing for rights and justice from the local to the global rooted in base building, leadership development, running short and long term campaigns to reform policies on all levels, strong cross-community alliances locally and nationally, and building democratic and mass participatory spaces.

    About the Justice Committee:

    Since the 1980s, the Justice Committee (JC) has been dedicated to building a movement against police violence and systemic racism in New York City. The heart of our work is organizing and uplifting the leadership of families who have lost loved ones to the police and survivors of police violence. We empower our community to deter police violence, hold law enforcement accountable, and build people-led community safety through grassroots organizing campaigns, community empowerment, political education, our CopWatch program, and by developing safety mechanisms and projects that decrease reliance on police. By building solidarity with other anti-racist, immigrant and people of color-led organizations, the Justice Committee seeks to contribute to a broad-based movement for racial, social, and economic justice.

  • A Happy Holidays Thought: New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ Challenges and Opportunities

    By Prof. Indrajit S Saluja
    By Prof. Indrajit S Saluja

    New York City Mayor Eric Adams finds himself navigating a labyrinth of challenges in his tenure as leader of the world’s largest cosmopolitan hub. His administration faces criticism from multiple fronts—political opposition, a law-and-order crisis, an unrelenting influx of immigrants, strained city finances, and a visible decline in public services. With New York’s reputation as a global epicenter at stake, Adams must address these pressing issues to restore the city’s grandeur.

    One of the foremost challenges facing Mayor Adams is the City Council, a body often seen as resistant to his policies. Dominated by opposing voices, the council has consistently pushed back against Adams’ proposals, whether related to policing, housing, or budgetary measures. This gridlock has hindered swift decision-making, exacerbating the city’s pressing problems. The clash between the executive and legislative branches of city governance underscores the need for greater collaboration and compromise to address New York’s multifaceted crises.

    New York City’s law-and-order situation has reached a critical point. Crime rates, particularly violent crimes and property-related offenses have surged. For instance, NYPD statistics from 2023 revealed a 15% increase in felony assaults and a 10% rise in robberies compared to the previous year. This alarming trend has sparked widespread concern among residents and businesses alike.

    Frequent changes in the police leadership further reflect the administration’s struggle to find a stable, effective approach to policing. In just two years, the city has seen three different police commissioners. Each change signifies Mayor Adams’ attempt to identify a leader capable of addressing these challenges, but stability and clear strategic direction remain elusive.

    The influx of immigrants into New York City has added another layer of complexity. In 2023 alone, the city received over 100,000 migrants, many seeking asylum. This unprecedented wave has overwhelmed shelters, public schools, and healthcare facilities. According to city officials, the crisis could cost New York more than $4 billion by 2024, straining an already tight budget.

    Public sentiment toward the situation has also soured. Many New Yorkers view the arrival of migrants as an unwelcome burden, leading to protests and growing divisions within the community. The city’s inability to accommodate the influx effectively has amplified frustrations, making it a political and social powder keg.

    New York’s streets and public spaces have seen a noticeable decline in cleanliness and maintenance. Piles of garbage are a common sight along sidewalks, causing not only aesthetic concerns but also public health issues. Mayor Adams’ recent initiative to implement covered garbage bins is a step in the right direction, but more comprehensive measures are needed to address the root causes of the problem.

    The city’s infrastructure further exacerbates the situation. Roads riddled with potholes and uneven surfaces make commuting a daily ordeal. For instance, a 2023 survey found that over 60% of New York’s streets were rated in poor condition, with repair backlogs spanning years. The current 25-mile-per-hour speed limit is more a reflection of necessity than policy, as driving at higher speeds on these roads is virtually impossible.

    Another area of concern is the near disappearance of greenery in the city. Parks and tree-lined streets, once a hallmark of New York’s urban charm, have given way to concrete expanses. Restoring greenery would not only improve the city’s aesthetic appeal but also provide much-needed environmental and mental health benefits for its residents.

    During the COVID-19 pandemic, outdoor dining structures were a lifeline for restaurants and a creative solution to social distancing measures. However, their continued presence in a post-pandemic era has become a source of contention. These structures occupy valuable street space, contributing to traffic congestion and reducing already limited parking availability.

    With winter approaching, the utility of these outdoor spaces is further diminished. Mayor Adams has the opportunity to take decisive action by ordering their removal, offering both residents and visitors a more navigable and less cluttered urban experience. Such a move would also symbolize a shift toward normalcy and signal that New York is ready to reclaim its pre-pandemic vibrancy.

    Despite these challenges, New York City’s potential for greatness remains undiminished. Mayor Adams must adopt a multi-pronged approach to tackle the city’s issues effectively:

    Strengthening Law and Order: Establishing a clear, long-term strategy for crime reduction is paramount. Stability in police leadership, combined with community policing initiatives, could help restore trust and safety.

    Managing Immigration: The city must collaborate with state and federal governments to secure additional resources for housing, healthcare, and education for migrants. A transparent and equitable approach can mitigate public backlash.

    Improving Cleanliness and Infrastructure: Expanding sanitation services, enforcing stricter waste disposal regulations, and accelerating road repair projects are critical steps. Increasing greenery through tree-planting drives and park restoration could also rejuvenate public spaces.

    Addressing Political Gridlock: Mayor Adams must work toward building consensus with the City Council. Open communication and shared priorities can pave the way for more effective governance.

    Removing Pandemic-Era Structures: Clearing outdoor dining setups and reclaiming street spaces for traffic and parking can significantly improve the city’s functionality and aesthetics.

    New York City is undeniably at a crossroads. The challenges facing Mayor Eric Adams are formidable, but they also present an opportunity for transformative leadership. By addressing the city’s most pressing issues with urgency and vision, Adams can restore New York’s reputation as a global beacon of culture, innovation, and resilience.

    A concerted effort to clean up the streets, enhance public safety, and invest in infrastructure can make the city not just livable but exceptional once again. In the words of those who hold New York close to their hearts, “Let’s make New York a great city again.” With the right measures, Mayor Adams has the potential to deliver on that promise.

    Happy Holidays!

  • Swimming against the current: How Suozzi won the special election

    Swimming against the current: How Suozzi won the special election

    The media is dumbfounded at how Suozzi won in an increasingly red district. The answer is simple: follow policies and programs that make common sense and benefit the people, and you will have their vote. Tom Suozzi has just proved that point to the nation!

    “There is little doubt that Suozzi won in a Republican majority district because of his sensible stand on several issues. He didn’t shy away from discussing the border crisis. For many of the residents in the Bellerose-Floral Park area, the migrant crisis is no longer an issue affecting Texas or Arizona. The migrants are at their doorstep as the city has housed hundreds of them on the grounds of the Creedmoor Psychiatric Center. It has unsettled many of the residents in the area, who are concerned about the safety and security of their families. The recent attack on NYPD cops has only heightened their apprehensions about the soundness of policy the Biden Administration is pursuing. The Eastern part of Queens is home to a large number of immigrants from around the world. Yet, they are not ready to endorse the current wave of illegal migration that is rocking many parts of the country and inflicting heavy financial burdens on taxpayers. Mr. Suozzi truly understood the pulse of the people in that regard and distanced himself from Biden’s policies.”

    By George Abraham

    Mr. Tom Suozzi, who recently won the special election to replace George Santos, the disgraced Congressman, stood at his campaign headquarters in Bayside Terrace, addressed his supporters last Friday, and urged them to go out and knock on doors. While speaking, he said, “There is said to be no Chinese dream or French dream or Russian dream but only American dream and let us keep that alive.” It is a slogan that we hardly hear from many of the progressive democrats who portray this country as inherently racist and beyond redemption. He also talked about finding solutions to the array of problems the country is facing rather than keeping bickering and engaging in a never-ending turf battle.

    Undoubtedly, Suozzi’s message resonated with the electorate in Long Island and the eastern part of Queens comprising the New York District 3, and he won a great victory. Pat Mathew, a resident of New Hyde Park, summed up the reason for his victory and said: “I am a registered Republican, and along with 3 of my friends, we cast a vote this time for Suozzi. He is a known quantity and not part of the extreme leftwing fringe of the Democratic Paty”.

    There is little doubt that Suozzi won in a Republican majority district because of his sensible stand on several issues. He didn’t shy away from discussing the border crisis. For many of the residents in the Bellerose-Floral Park area, the migrant crisis is no longer an issue affecting Texas or Arizona. The migrants are at their doorstep as the city has housed hundreds of them on the grounds of the Creedmoor Psychiatric Center. It has unsettled many of the residents in the area, who are concerned about the safety and security of their families. The recent attack on NYPD cops has only heightened their apprehensions about the soundness of policy the Biden Administration is pursuing. The Eastern part of Queens is home to a large number of immigrants from around the world. Yet, they are not ready to endorse the current wave of illegal migration that is rocking many parts of the country and inflicting heavy financial burdens on taxpayers. Mr. Suozzi truly understood the pulse of the people in that regard and distanced himself from Biden’s policies.

    The Asian Indian community, known for its hard work and disciplined living, is increasingly wary of the rising crime in their neighborhoods. Even riding the subway in New York has become a life-challenging experience as many people are pushed in front of the oncoming trains, and some have paid with their dear lives. Many immigrants who have come ashore have fled crime and violence in their own homelands. America was a breath of fresh air, a nation that respected individual liberty and freedom. The Constitution guaranteed protection for the lives and property of every citizen. However, the progressive policies of those governing us appear to be ripping apart that safety and security layer we took for granted. The defunding of the police movement and the cash bail reform in New York have all contributed directly or indirectly to the lawlessness that is taking place before our eyes. Suozzi once again rose to that challenge and positioned himself on the side of the citizens who were concerned about the rising crime in the neighborhoods.

    Moreover, the labor movement has also embraced him as someone who champions their cause. He supports a higher minimum wage, which could be a double-edged sword if that results in reduced labor participation or higher prices. Nevertheless, he argued that one may not be able to survive in New York with the current wages. He also agreed that higher taxes and rampant inflation are putting undue hardships on the middle class.

    Although the Asian Indian community is generally in agreement with most of the policy positions by Suozzi, there is a fringe group among the Hindu community from the North that posted negative comments across social media. One of them wrote, “No Indians should vote for Suozzi as he is anti-India and anti-Hindu. He wrote a letter against the revocation of the 370 article and refused to retract”. Their ire towards Suozzi is palpable because he stood for the human rights of all people in India, including the Christians and Muslims. Many of these Hindutva Vadis want it both ways: they want all the freedom and opportunities as minorities in the U.S. but are unwilling to grant the same rights to the minorities in India. They are mostly aligning themselves with the Christian nationalists in America while remaining silent on the onslaught of Hindu fundamentalists who are destroying churches and persecuting Christians. Their duplicity on this issue is hardly surprising! However, most South Asians sided with Suozzi because of his even-handed human rights and religious freedom policies.

    It is obvious that People want the gridlock in Washington to end, and towards finding effective solutions to improve the lives and safety of every citizen of this nation. The media is dumbfounded at how Suozzi won in an increasingly red district. The answer is simple: follow policies and programs that make common sense and benefit the people, and you will have their vote. Tom Suozzi has just proved that point to the nation!

    (The author is Vice Chair of IOC USA)

  • Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison announces surprise resignation

    Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison announces surprise resignation

    SUFFOLK, NY (TIP): Suffolk County Police Commissioner Rodney Harrison, who helped the department finally crack the infamous Gilgo Beach serial killings case, suddenly announced Thursday night that he is stepping down after nearly two years on the job.

    Harrison, a former NYPD chief of department, told officers he will inform Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone on Friday about his decision to resign, the message states.

    “Serving as the Suffolk County Police commissioner for the past two years was not only a privilege but one of the greatest highlights of my law enforcement career and that is because of you,” Harrison said in the memo.

    “It has been an honor to be part of this organization and work with so many talented individuals,” he also said. “Each day, I have been impressed by stories of heroism, bravery, and dedication to the residents of this county. To say I appreciate and admire each one of you, is an understatement.” Harrison told staff Thursday, November 2, he was stepping down.

    Harrison took the job in January 2022 and vowed his police force would work tirelessly to capture a suspect in the Gilgo Beach murders, which had gone unsolved for over a decade. He created a special joint task force dedicated to cold-case killings. In July, Rex Heuermann was arrested near his Manhattan office and charged with the murders of three women in the case.

    Harrison took the commissioner job after leaving his post as chief of department at the NYPD. He joined the Big Apple police force in 1991.

    Harrison lauded the efforts of the Suffolk department Thursday, November 2, and noted, “I leave knowing Suffolk County is in good hands.”

  • Faith leaders and elected officials denounce Hate attacks against the Sikh community members

    Faith leaders and elected officials denounce Hate attacks against the Sikh community members

    • I.S. Saluja

    RICHMOND HILL, NY (TIP): “STOP THE HATE” was a call given by faith leaders and elected officials at a press conference to denounce hate at the Sikh Cultural Society Gurdwara (Sikh temple) at 118 Street, Richmond Hill on October 25. The press conference was called by an upcoming Sikh politician Japneet Singh who had earlier in 2022 contested election for NY State Senate to represent District 15 and lost in Democratic Primary in August 2022.

    Present at the press conference were the wife and son of Jasmer Singh, 66, who was punched to death in a hate crime earlier this week. Also present was Mani Singh Sandhu a 19-year-old turbaned Sikh who was subjected to a hate attack on an MTA bus last week. “I don’t feel safe … when I come out from home,” said Mani Singh Sandhu. Subeg Multani, son of the deceased Jasmer Singh described how brutally his father was hit. “He just hit my father so intense, like so hard on his head. His two front teeth were taken out,” he said.
    The NYPD came for a bitter criticism. While NYPD numbers show overall hate crimes in the city are lower than last year, Japneet Singh says hate crimes against Sikhs are rising.
    “They (NYPD) are making as many excuses as possible to make sure it doesn’t get investigated as a hate crime. I don’t know why that is,” Japneet Singh said.

    For a community who has been dealing with bias and hate since 9/11 because of their religious attire, the fear is back once again.

    “This is the NYPD’s job to protect us. They failed to do so. They failed to do so,” said Subeg Multani. There was consensus that the incidents of hate, discrimination and bullying must stop , and that the faith leaders, the politicians and the community leaders should come together to educate people about the Sikhs and the Sikh faith to create a better understanding about the Sikh community.

  • Indian American Punjab-born police officer Pratima Bhullar Maldonado becomes highest-ranking South Asian woman in NYPD

    Indian American Punjab-born police officer Pratima Bhullar Maldonado becomes highest-ranking South Asian woman in NYPD

    NEW YORK (TIP): Captain Pratima Bhullar Maldonado, an Indian-origin police officer has become the highest-ranking South Asian woman in the New York Police Department, a position she was promoted to recently.
    Maldonado runs the 102nd Police Precinct in South Richmond Hill, Queens. She was promoted to the rank of Captain last month, media reported on Monday, May 15. The mother of four was born in Punjab and lived there until she was 9 before moving to Queens in New York. “It feels like coming home. I spent more than 25 years of my life in this precinct when I was growing up,” Maldonado said.
    South Richmond Hill is home to one of the largest Sikh communities in the country.
    “Going to the same Gurdwara that I did as a child, and now as a captain, I love it,” Maldonado said as she visited the Gurdwara. She told the media her new role will help with community policing.
    “There are language barriers, people who can’t speak the language, English is a second language. I’ve seen that firsthand growing up here,” she said.
    Maldonado is the highest-ranking South Asian woman in the NYPD—a position she was promoted to last month. But it wasn’t easy climbing the ranks, the report said.
    “Getting out there and working and protecting people that are cursing you out sometimes and not appreciating what you’re doing, but you still got to do what you got to do,” Maldonado said.
    “It’s a big responsibility. I want to be a better and positive example, not only for my community, for other females, kids that see us every day. Because that would change their perspective of how they view law enforcement,” she added.
    According to the NYPD, of the department’s 33,787 members, 10.5 per cent are Asian.
    “I feel extremely proud. It’s good to show other up and coming Asian, South Asian females that if you work hard enough you too can climb the ladder of success,” Maldonado said.
    As New York City celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Maldonado reflected on her late father.
    “My dad actually drove a taxi for many years. He supported us. He was a hard worker. He passed away in 2006, before I became a cop. He would have been so proud right now,” she said.

  • Sikhs Take out an Impressive Parade in New York City

    Sikhs Take out an Impressive Parade in New York City

    It’s a celebration of birth of Khalsa

    New York City Mayor Eric Adams joined the parade as the Guest of Honor. Deputy Commissioner of International Affairs Dilip Chauhan is seen on the extreme left.

    I.S. Saluja

    NEW YORK (TIP): Despite rain, Sikh men, women and children in thousands thronged New York City to participate in the annual Sikh Day Parade, April 29. It is a day of the birth of Khalsa, the pure Sikhs. It was on the day of Vaisakhi in 1699 that the Tenth Master of the Sikhs, Shri Guru Gobind Singh Ji created Khalsa, the pure among the Sikhs. The Master (Guru) enjoined upon his Sikhs to fight for basic human rights and against all kinds of injustice, oppression and tyranny. Which made them a martial community. During the British rule of India, the Sikh soldiers were recognized for their valor and the most Victoria Crosses, the highest gallantry award were won by them. In independent India, Sikhs have proved time and again they are the sword arm of the country.

    The Sikhs number more than 30 million and are present in every part of the world. Their adventurous spirit has taken them far and wide in search of greener pastures. They created a great impression of themselves as honest and hardworking people. Many Sikhs have won laurels in various fields in countries across the world. The Sikh religion-Sikhism is one of the five major religions of the world. Sikhs believe in unity of mankind and seek good of all. On or around the day of Vaisakhi, which usually falls in the middle of April, Sikhs organize parades and prayers to celebrate their birth. In New York, as elsewhere, every year, thousands of Sikhs gather to celebrate the day. Unconfirmed estimates suggested presence of over 5000 Sikh men, women and children in the parade this year. Over the years, the size of parade has grown, with non-Sikhs also joining in the parade.

    The Sikh Day Parade is more a religious affair than a mere social gathering. That is why, the parade is led by the Living Guru of the Sikhs- The Holy Guru Granth Sahib in whose presence a perfect decorum and an atmosphere of spirituality is maintained. On display at the parade were Sikh history, culture and traditions, as also the Sikhs’ holy places. Various forms of Sikh martial art were displayed by the young and not so young.

    Many bands, including the NYPD band participated. NYPD Desi officers also were part of a contingent.

    A conference was a part of the celebrations where community leaders spoke about their religion and the community. A few politicians and officials also attended the parade and the conference.

    A community kitchen (Langar) proved to be a great attraction, with people enjoying many delectable dishes absolutely free. Sikhs are the only community in the world who have the unique tradition of langar. In every Sikh temple, food is provided free to everyone without any discrimination on any basis. The park at 23rd Street was a great place for people to sit in and enjoy the food which was served free to all.

    A contingent of NYPD police officers in the parade.
    The huge crowds, following their Guru, at the Parade in Manhattan on April 29.
  • Off-duty NYPD cop Adeed Fayaz dies three days after being shot

    Off-duty NYPD cop Adeed Fayaz dies three days after being shot

    NEW YORK (TIP): The off-duty NYPD cop and married father of two who was shot and critically wounded during a botched robbery attempt in Brooklyn over the weekend was declared dead on Tuesday, February 7, law enforcement sources said.
    Officer Adeed Fayaz, 26, a five-year veteran of the NYPD, had been on life support at Brookdale Hospital since the cowardly attack in East New York on Saturday, February 4 evening.
    He was pronounced dead at 3:25 p.m., sources said. Flags were later seen flying at half-mast at his 66th Precinct stationhouse in Borough Park.
    NYPD Commissioner Keechant Sewell and both rank-and-file and brass from the department were at the hospital throughout the day, comforting grieving relatives, including several who flew in from Pakistan.
    “What can you say about a police officer, it’s someone who dedicated their life to serve and protect,” said retired cop Ahmed Nasser, who knew Fayaz from the NYPD Muslim Officer’s Society.
    “To me, it’s a family,” Nasser said. “It doesn’t matter if I know them. A cop is a family.”
    Hundreds of cops, including top NYPD brass, lined the streets outside of the hospital as officer Fayaz’s body was led into the back of an ambulance destined for the city Medical Examiner’s Office shortly before 7 p.m.
    His grieving relatives held onto Fayaz’s two young sons during the somber scene.
    A fellow police officer and friend of Fayaz who was outside the hospital described the slain cop as “my own nephew.” Police Benevolent Association President Patrick Lynch said Fayaz’s family was at his bedside when he was taken off life support.
    “It’s a difficult day. You see police officers standing shoulder to shoulder with tears in their eyes,” said Lynch.
    “This was a police officer who loved his job. Since he was a young person, he wanted to become not just a police officer, but a New York City police officer. He was viciously gunned down in the streets of Brooklyn.”
    “The hole in their heart will never go away,” he said about the family. “There is no such thing as closure.”
    Fayaz was shot once in the head after he and his brother-in-law responded to a Facebook Marketplace ad for a Honda Pilot and the two were ambushed by an armed would-be robber. The pair had $24,000 in cash on them at the time, police sources said.
    The gunman, identified by police on Tuesday as Randy “Popper” Jones, 38, of Harlem, was charged with murder and attempted robbery in the attack, according to police officials.
    Jones allegedly lured Fayaz and his relative down a dark alley on Ruby Street, pulled a gun and demanded money — opening fire “almost immediately.”
    The cop was struck once in his left temple, with the bullet exiting the back of his skull, and went down.
    His brother-in-law then pulled the gun from the cop’s holster and returned fire as the shooter fled.
    Jones fled but cops tracked him down to a Rockland County hotel — where they took him into custody on Monday, February 6, using Fayaz’s handcuffs.
    Police found the getaway vehicle, a black BMW SUV registered to Jones’ mother, on 129th Street and Park Avenue on Sunday and impounded it, with crime-scene detectives examining it at the 75th Precinct in Brooklyn on Monday.
    Randy “Popper” Jones, 38, of Harlem, is now expected to face murder charges in the attack.

  • Sikh Day Parade in New York City takes place on April 23

    Sikh Day Parade in New York City takes place on April 23

    RICHMOND HILL, NY (TIP) The Sikh Community is taking out a  massive and  impressive Parade in New York City in celebration of the community’s birthday on Saturday, April 23. Sikhism is the youngest and the fifth largest religion of the world, with a following of about 30 million across the world. Gurdwara Sikh Cultural Society President Davinder Singh Boparai who gave program details to The Indian Panorama has requested all Sikhs and non-Sikhs to participate in the parade in large numbers. Organized by the Sikh Cultural Society, Richmond Hill, New York, in cooperation with Sikh Temples and Sikh organizations of the Tri-States of New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, the Sikh Day Parade on April 23  in Manhattan, New York is expected to attract large crowds of Sikh men, women and children, and contingents of Sikhs from as far as Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Maryland. The parade that will start at 12 PM from 38th Street  and Madison Ave, would wind its way  through the city and end up at 26th Street and Madison Ave for the conference on 23rd Street. There will be a dozen or so  floats depicting Sikh history, culture  and religion. Thousands will be marching  in the parade singing hymns from the Holy Sikh Scripture.

    An interesting feature is  participation in parade of NYPD band and police officers. Another impressive feature of the parade  is langar (free food). The whole 26th Street between Madison and Park is  dedicated to food stalls where free food will be  served to the thousands  irrespective of color or creed. A conference will be  held as the closing part of the parade.  The event is held annually to mark Vaisakhi, the harvest festival of Punjab that coincides with the day the Tenth Master of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, created the order of Khalsa in 1699.

  • Indian Consulate in New York condemns assault on elderly Sikh man in Queens

    Indian Consulate in New York condemns assault on elderly Sikh man in Queens

    NEW YORK (TIP): The Consulate General of India in New York has condemned the assault on an elderly Sikh man here, terming it as “deeply disturbing”, and said they were in touch with the police who are investigating this heinous hate crime. Nirmal Singh, believed to be in his 70s, was reportedly punched in the unprovoked assault on Sunday, April 3  morning in Richmond Hill in Queens.

    Images shared on social media showed Singh with bloodied turban, face and clothes, which has shocked the Indian community. The Consulate tweeted on Monday, April 4  that it is “deeply disturbed” by the incident.

    “We condemn the violent attack and are in touch” with the New York Police Department and local authorities who are investigating the matter. We are also in touch with local community organizations to ensure the well-being of the victim,” the Indian Consulate General said in a tweet on Monday.

    New York Police Commissioner Keechant Sewell said that NYPD Chief of Detectives James Essig is investigating the case. “Together in every community, we denounce violence in our city—and the person(s) responsible will be apprehended,” Sewell said.

    The police have asked anyone with information about the attack to call the department.

    A report in Spectrum News NY1 said that Singh was allegedly repeatedly punched on the face by an unknown attacker around 6.45 am on Sunday. According to Singh’s translator Harpreet Singh Toor, the attacker “approached” Singh from behind and fled the scene, the report said.

    The news report added that Singh is a “tourist visiting from India” and he was able to walk back after the assault to the Sikh Cultural Center, where he has been staying since he arrived in New York.

    Singh was transported to a local hospital where he had been receiving treatment, the report said. Community-based civil and human rights organization, The Sikh Coalition, said that Singh had been retained with the group to provide him with free legal aid. The organization said it is currently in touch with the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force. The task force has “confirmed that they are investigating the assault” as a “hate crime”, The Sikh Coalition said, adding that it had also provided law enforcement video footage of the attack to help them in their investigation.

  • Indian-origin NYPD officer hailed hero for shooting gunman in New York

    Indian-origin NYPD officer hailed hero for shooting gunman in New York

    NEW YORK (TIP): A 27-year-old Indian-origin “super rookie” NYPD officer is being hailed as a hero after he shot a convicted felon who killed his colleague and seriously injured another while investigating a domestic-violence call in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City.  Sumit Sulan is still struggling to deal with Friday’s deadly ambush and “his brain is stuck on the situation”, his mother told the New York Post newspaper.

    According to the police, 47-year-old crazed career criminal Lawshawn McNeil on Friday, January 21,  ambushed the three policemen — Sulan, Jason Rivera, 22 and Wilbert Mora, 27, who visited the Harlem address to investigate a domestic-violence call. McNeil opened fire and killed Rivera while critically injuring Mora.

    Officer Sulan fired back at McNeil and wounded him during the deadly mayhem. Accused McNeil, a convicted felon, is currently hospitalized in a critical condition. Speaking to the Post, the Indian-origin NYPD officer’s mother Dalvir Sulan, 60, said that her son is “shaken” and cannot get what happened out of his head.  “I’m proud. Everyone says he did good,” she said.  “I feel bad for the other (officer). He died. We really feel bad. We’re sorry. We’re hurt. The other guy is critical and we’re hurt,” she said from her Queens home.  A law-enforcement source described Sulan as a “super rookie,” noting that he has been on the job since April and at Harlem’s 32nd Precinct for only two months.

    “He did a great job,” Sulan’s mother said of her son, who emigrated from India about 15 years ago.  “We’re proud of him, but we’re sorry for both of (the other officers),” she added. The media, citing a source, said that the call to the Harlem apartment appeared to be a routine run until things went sideways once the officers arrived. The expectation, he explained, was the situation could be resolved without an arrest after a chat with accused McNeil.

     The accused’s mother never told the arriving officers that her son was armed, the report said, citing the source. Flags across the five boroughs of New York City flew at half-staff on Saturday to honor Rivera, a son of Dominican immigrants who once wrote that he joined the NYPD to make a difference in “this chaotic city.”  Rivera, who was killed after just 14 months on the job, is survived by his wife.

  • Tropical Storm Elsa slams East Coast; at least 1 dead in Florida and 10 injured in Georgia

    Tropical Storm Elsa slams East Coast; at least 1 dead in Florida and 10 injured in Georgia

     

    July 6,2021

    ARLINGTON, Va. (TIP): Tropical Storm Elsa powered its way up the East Coast on Thursday, July 8, an unrelenting weather system that has claimed one life, injured at least 10 people and flooded parts of New York City. About 27,000 homes and businesses remained without power in the eastern U.S. on Thursday, July 8, and flooding was a concern as isolated areas could see up to 8 inches of rain before the storm passes.

    A flash flood watch was issued for tens of millions of people along the East Coast because of the threat of heavy rain. The National Hurricane Center issued the tropical storm warning as far north as Boston and Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

    In New York City, pictures and video on social media showed flooded subway stops and shut down highways and roads. The NYPD had to rescue several motorists from rising waters, they said on Twitter. As of 11 p.m. EDT Thursday, Elsa was centered about 65 miles north-northwest of Norfolk, Virginia and 170 miles southwest of Atlantic City, New Jersey, moving northeast at 25 mph, the hurricane center said. The storm has strengthened slightly, and sustained winds howled at 50 mph.

    Elsa was expected to gain speed over the next couple of days, pass near the eastern mid-Atlantic states by Thursday night and then edge near or over the Northeast on Friday and Friday night, said Jack Beven, a senior hurricane specialist at the hurricane center in Miami.

    The system should move over the Atlantic off Canada by Friday night and Saturday, Beven said.

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    The storm, which killed three people last week as it swept across islands in the Caribbean, caused flooding in parts of Florida the past couple of days. Jacksonville Fire and Rescue reported that a tree fell on two cars Wednesday, killing one person. Rescuers pulled a person from a car swamped on a flooded street.

    Possible tornado strikes Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base

    In Georgia, a suspected tornado touched down at Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base, injuring about 10 people, commanding officer Capt. Chester Parks said. Multiple recreational vehicles in the base RV park were damaged, along with some buildings, he said.

    “I want to thank all of our first responders and Camden County first responders for their quick actions,” Parks said. “Their quick response most certainly helped.”

    Sergio Rodriguez, who lives near the RV park, said he raced to the scene, fearing friends staying at the park might be hurt. The area was under a tornado warning Wednesday evening.

    “There were just RVs flipped over on their sides, pickup trucks flipped over, a couple of trailers had been shifted and a couple of trailers were in the water” of a pond on the site, Rodriguez said.

    New York City could see flooding

    The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch for New York City, starting at midnight Thursday and lasting until noon Friday.

    Although heavy rainfall will be possible as early as Thursday afternoon, the greater chances for this will begin Thursday night, the weather service said. Total rainfall from Thursday afternoon through Friday is expected to range from 2 to 3 inches, and higher amounts are possible in areas.

    “Damaging winds are the primary threat from these storms,” NYC Emergency Management warned.

    Boston in danger of feeling Elsa’s wrath

    Incredibly, the tropical storm that smashed through the Caribbean a week ago is now a threat in Massachusetts.

    A tropical storm warning is in effect through Friday evening for coastal parts of Massachusetts as well as parts of Connecticut and Rhode Island. Heavy rains could bring localized flooding to parts of Boston.

    “Main threats are damaging winds, isolated hail & locally heavy rainfall which may lead to street flooding,” the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency tweeted.

    South Texas sees flooding from separate system

    A separate area of tropical storminess brought showers and thunderstorms to South Texas on Thursday. “Although development of this system is not anticipated since it is expected to remain over land, heavy rainfall and flash flooding will be possible along the Texas Gulf coast over the next few days,” the hurricane center said.

    In Corpus Christi, Texas, more than 100,000 gallons of domestic wastewater overflowed as rainwater overwhelmed the city’s wastewater pipelines.

    Elsa made landfall Wednesday in Florida; 9 missing after boat capsizes

    Elsa made landfall around 11 a.m. Wednesday in Taylor County along Florida’s northern Gulf Coast, the hurricane center said. Earlier, Key West streets had turned to roaring rivers, and Tampa was blasted by high winds and heavy rains.

    Tuesday, July 6,the Coast Guard and a good Samaritan boat rescued 13 people off the coast of Key West. Coast Guard officials said the group was among 22 that left Cuba on a boat that capsized in waters churned by the storm. Seven men and two women were missing.

     

     

     

     

  • Nassau County Executive Curran Unveils Newly Redesigned Park Dedicated to Champion of 9/11 Responders

    Nassau County Executive Curran Unveils Newly Redesigned Park Dedicated to Champion of 9/11 Responders

    Curran with officials, family of the late Detective Alvarez and neighbors. (Photos : Courtesy Nassau County)

    MINEOLA, NY (TIP): Nassau County Executive was joined by the family of the late 9/11 champion Detective Luis G. Alvarez, elected officials, Nassau County Police Department, members of the NYPD and other distinguished guests to officially unveil Detective Luis G. Alvarez Memorial Park in Oceanside, May end. It is with great honor that we officially rename Terrell Avenue Park after the late 9/11 patriot and champion of first responders, Detective Luis G. Alvarez. We owe Det. Alvarez an enormous debt of gratitude and it is my sincerest hope that this newly redesigned park will forever serve as a tribute to his life, a reminder of his sacrifice and a tranquil spot for his family, neighbors and community to enjoy.

    Retired NYPD Bomb Squad Detective and leading champion for September 11th Victim Compensation Fund, Det. Luis G. Alvarez passed away in June 2019 at 53 after a battle with cancer stemming from his assignment at Ground Zero. Det. Alvarez transfixed the nation just weeks before his death with his testimony alongside activist and comedian Jon Stewart, to extend the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act. His advocacy resulted in the passage of the “Never Forget the Heroes: James Zadroga, Ray Pfeifer, and Luis Alvarez Permanent Authorization of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act” which provides funding through the year 2092.

  • ERIC ADAMS UNVEILS “WeRISE” AGENDA TO RAISE IMMIGRANT SAFETY AND EMPOWERMENT

    ERIC ADAMS UNVEILS “WeRISE” AGENDA TO RAISE IMMIGRANT SAFETY AND EMPOWERMENT

    NEW YORK (TIP): Front running mayoral candidate Eric Adams, on June 3, unveiled his “WeRISE” agenda to raise immigrant safety and empowerment,  at a town hall for ethnic and community media. The Indian Panorama editor Prof. Indrajit S Saluja was one of the attendees. Adams noted that New York City is “not only home to the United Nations; we are the home of people from every nation.” A 2015-19 estimate from the U.S. Census Bureau showed that 36.8 percent of this city’s residents — more than one out of every three — is foreign-born, living across the five boroughs.

    “My Administration will lift up immigrants as high as Lady Liberty lifts her torch in our harbor, as a beacon of hope for all who come to our shores,” said Eric Adams. “Too many of our neighbors live in the shadows, scarred by the abusive rhetoric and tactics of the Trump era and fearing a denial of their rights. The intimidating complexity of our City bureaucracy is compounded by the challenges that immigrants with limited English proficiency face in navigating everything from education to housing to healthcare. In addition to building on our existing efforts to increase civic engagement to new levels and foster the leadership of voices from every community, we will ensure that together WeRISE.”

    Adams announced that he would launch a $50 million annual Immigrant Venture Fund for small businesses started by first- and second-generation New Yorkers, with a special weight toward businesses that support the immigrant community. According to a 2018 report from the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA), 52 percent of the city’s businesses are immigrant-owned. To pay for this Venture Fund, his administration would divert funds from the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC)’s budget that are historically allocated for discretionary tax benefits and tax-exempt financing for major companies seeking City support.

    Regarding immigrant safety, Adams declared that he would direct all city agencies to make their services accessible without putting immigrants at risk of law enforcement action, expand already existing legal services, and severely restrict cooperation between the New York City Police Department (NYPD) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) — including ensuring that ICE is removed from all City buildings and facilities — until there is major federal reform, including the use of body cameras by all ICE agents. He also reaffirmed that he would combat hate crime with a zero-tolerance policy, including attacks targeting immigrant communities.

    Noting that more than 150 different languages are spoken in the city, Adams said he would direct the NYPD to prioritize language justice for victims to make it easier to safely report, as well as work in partnership with district attorneys to ensure that they have the resources they need to swiftly identify, apprehend, and prosecute those who prey on innocent New Yorkers through these cowardly acts. Additionally, his administration would take a more robust approach with the Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes that includes rapid graffiti removal, support for expanded anti-hate curriculums in our public schools, and innovative cross-cultural dialogue initiatives like his “Breaking Bread, Building Bonds” program at Brooklyn Borough Hall that brings together everyday people each from all various ethnicities, identities, and faiths around a dinner and conversation.

    Adams’ “WeRISE” agenda also includes:

    • Boosting funding for NYC Cares to expand outreach to immigrant communities and enroll them in the City’s health plans for which they are already eligible;
    • Creating one-stop-shop health centers in underserved communities, sited in NYCHA complexes and open storefronts that are accessible to any New Yorker — no matter their legal status in the U.S., as well as pairing safety-net hospitals with wealthier ones to share cost burdens;
    • Prioritizing language justice, and funding it, with qualified City translators and stipend-based fellows expand language access for City services and resources.
    • Enhancing the IDNYC program with extraordinary security to protect users, an improved MyCity platform that provides direct connection to social services through a single portal, and mandating access to this program for any person leaving Rikers Island and needing proof of identity.
    • Using our leverage as a client to create a fairer economy for immigrants, rewarding businesses that hire local workers and benefit minority and female owners and workers — especially on City-financed projects.
    • Hiring a Chief Diversity Officer to drive change on equity for minorities and women, and also create a tool to track the share of M/WBE contracts and how much the City is spending on those companies versus others in real-time.
    • Bolstering City legal services battling discrimination in the workplace, such as cases of wage theft and unjust denial of Section 8 vouchers, as well as any other forms of harassment based on immigration status.
    • Instituting a robust program for culturally aware professional development of educators.
    • Opening a new Mayor’s Office of Community and Ethnic Media, to expand the resources they need to continue bringing vital information to New Yorkers.

    “Eric is a proven champion for immigrants in our city,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “He knows that when they rise, we all rise. The focus that he will bring to empowering immigrants and keeping them safe, as shown in this plan, shows how committed he is to making the American Dream a citywide reality.”

    “New York City has always been a beacon of opportunity for immigrants to live, grow, and thrive,” said Council Member Adrienne Adams. “We continue to welcome, with open arms, those who want to create better lives for themselves and their families. I am proud to endorse Eric Adams’ immigrant empowerment plan, which will further help, protect, and support immigrants in New York City. We must continue to address the issues facing our immigrant communities to ensure that their voices are heard, and that they are safeguarded in all levels of government.”

    “Eric Adams’ ‘WeRISE’ plan demonstrates that he totally gets that our greatest asset as New Yorkers is our diversity–but that diversity must be supported and nurtured in order for this City to grow,” said Council Majority Leader Laurie Cumbo. “A lot of candidates are giving lip service to the value of our immigrant community, but few are backing it with a plan that is backed by experience except Eric Adams.”

     “As the first Haitian-American woman and first African-American woman to lead the largest Democratic County in our city, I am proud to support a mayoral candidate in Eric Adams who respects and values all our immigrant communities,” said Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte-Hermelyn. “He sees us and he knows that combating inequality and injustice means lifting all of us up. From empowering our M/WBEs to battling hate crimes, I look forward to working with Eric in City Hall to support our immigrant neighbors.”

    “I thank Eric Adams for his strong support of immigrant entrepreneurship and defense of any New Yorker facing discrimination,” said Council Member Peter Koo. “Eric is a true friend to immigrants, and his ‘WeRISE’ plan is the right plan to connect every New Yorker — no matter where they come from or what language they speak — to the City services and resources that will help them succeed.”

    “Eric Adams has been assisting individuals and families of immigrant New Yorkers for the past four decades, even in isolated neighborhoods many average New Yorkers didn’t know existed,” said Sheikh Musa Drammeh, head of the National Community Peacebuilding Commission. “His ability to build the largest and most diverse networks of supporters is the result of the investment he has made in building relationships through public service. Every immigrant group thinks they know Eric Adams better than anyone else. Eric Adams is the only public servant that walks into any room anywhere in the city and knows half of them. He will be the most effective political leader to articulate and efficiently provide constituent services for the immigrant communities, because he knows them and their needs and they know him and his leadership.”

    “Mr. Adams is a long-standing friend of the Bangladeshi community,” said Shamsul Haque, president of Rise Up New York. “He has visited dozens of Bangladeshi events, mosques, mingled with community leaders, and cultivated friendships. Seeing the recent spike in violent crimes, the Bangladeshi community feels the city is going back to the 1990’s. Mr. Adams’ campaign slogan, ‘public safety is prerequisite to prosperity,’ struck a chord with Bangladeshi New Yorkers. When public safety deteriorates, our families, friends, and neighbors will not be safe. People and businesses will leave the city, which will cause a decline in revenue.”

    “Every American should have the opportunity to pursue entrepreneurship,” said Emil Skandul, immigrant rights advocate and entrepreneur. “The defining characteristic of the immigrant experience is the drive to build a better economic foundation for one’s family in this country. For so many immigrants and first-generation Americans, entrepreneurship is their raison d’etre — a chance to control their future by working hard and smart. However, too often traditional networks of fundraising are the limiting factors for ventures. An Immigrant Venture Fund will establish a path toward achieving the American Dream.”

  • New York State attorney general sues NYPD

    New York State attorney general sues NYPD

    NEW YORK (TIP): New York State Attorney General Letitia James is suing the New York City Police Department and its leadership over its “excessive, brutal and unlawful” handling of George Floyd protests, James said in a news release. The suit, filed Thursday, January 14,  in Manhattan federal court, comes after a monthslong investigation into the NYPD’s actions during protests over the killing of Floyd that found that officers allegedly used “indiscriminate, unjustified, and repeated use of batons, pepper spray, bicycles and a crowd control tactic known as ‘kettling’ against peaceful protestors,” the release said.James also wants to install an external monitor to oversee the department’s policing tactics.