New York Amsterdam News July 16, 2026 - July 22, 2026

Extreme heat is not an equal-opportunity killer

By WILLY BLACKMORE Word in Black

It wasn’t extremely hot when Shauna Thomas’ electricity was shut off in early June last year after she fell behind on her bills. In St. Ann, Missouri, the small city just north of Saint Louis, where Thomas lived, it was 88 degrees that day.

But in the weeks that followed, the temperature skyrocketed as a heat dome weather system settled over a large swath of the eastern half of the country, including Missouri.

On the day Thomas, 55, was found dead in her sweltering apartment, the temperature hit 96 degrees, and the heat index was well over 100.

In Dallas, a week earlier, the temperature was in the 90s as Jacob Taylor, 28, and a veteran letter carrier, delivered mail in one of the U.S. Postal Service’s older mail trucks that lacked air conditioning. He never made it home from his shift.

“I was told that a customer saw him entering his mail together to make deliveries, all of a sudden, collapsed,” Kimetra Lewis of the Dallas Union for Letter Carriers said. Taylor died later that day. He was only 55.

Heat Is a Killer — and Victims Are Often Black

Extreme heat can be fatal, but it’s not always easy to see it as such. While high

temperatures are the deadliest form of extreme weather, deaths from extreme heat are difficult to identify and are frequently misattributed to other causes.

But as temperatures soar due to climate change, a growing number of heat-related deaths are gaining attention from researchers and the media. And, like Thomas and Taylor, the victims are often Black.

In 2024, inmate Adrienne Boulware died in the Central California Women’s Facility when the temperature in Chowchilla hit 110 degrees. In 2023, Eugene Gates, another Dallas letter carrier, died while working his Dallas route during a heatwave.

A 2025 Center for American Progress report put it plainly: “Those who are most vulnerable to heat-related health effects include working-class, low-income, and majority Black or Latino communities, as well as people with disabilities and chronic illnesses, people who are pregnant, people who work or exercise outside, older adults, and young children.”

There were more than 21,000 heat-related deaths in the U.S. between 1999 and 2023, according to CAP, with the number of deaths per year steadily rising since 2016.

Thomas, the resident whose electricity was cut off, and Taylor, the letter carrier, fell victim to broader issues that turn dangerous heat into deadly heat: a rapidly warming climate triggering extreme weather

events, a lack of air conditioning, and outdoor work.

Changing Laws

It was reported that Thomas had preexisting health issues before the heat wave, but officials concluded high temperatures and lack of air conditioning were factors in her death, if not the outright cause of it. Had the heat hit a few days earlier, or had state laws been a little different, her air conditioning might have been available to her when she needed it most.

There’s no provision for turning power back on when it gets dangerously hot.

Missouri has what’s called the Hot Weather Law, which bars utilities from shutting off electric or natural gas service when the temperature is forecast to reach at least 95 degrees or when the heat index reaches 105 degrees or higher. The law is in effect between June 1 and September 30 every year.

While Thomas’ electricity was shut off after the Hot Weather Law took effect for the year, the temperature was below the 95degree threshold. There’s no provision for turning power back on when it gets dangerously hot.

“We are saddened to learn about the passing of one of our customers,” a spokesperson from Ameren Missouri, the electric utility in St. Ann, said in a statement. “While we cannot share specific customer account

details due to privacy considerations, our thoughts are with the individual’s family and friends.”

Incompatible With the Climate Crisis For delivery drivers, the problem of extreme heat is twofold. Besides the outdoor portion of the work, they often drive for hours on end in vehicles that, more often than not, lack air conditioning.

The classic USPS mail truck is officially called a Grumman Long-Life Vehicle, and the postal service built up its fleet of these utilitarian trucks over the course of a decade starting in 1987. While many have surpassed their expected 25-year lifespan, in many ways, they’re incompatible with the climate crisis era.

“The only form of cooling in the USPS’s old Grumman LLV mail trucks…was a hilariously small fan or opening the side doors and driving as fast as possible,” according to Car and Driver.

Without A/C, the temperature inside the mail trucks can exceed outdoor temperatures on hot, sunny days, which can quickly become dangerous. The Postal Service is updating its fleet, replacing LLVs with airconditioned Next Generation Delivery Vehicles. The majority of the trucks will be all-electric too.

But the process will take time, and summers are only getting hotter.

Why primary position poised New York women to take powerful seats in Congress

By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff

With New York’s Democratic primary elections wrapped up, and some of the tension between the state’s old-school Democrats and largely younger Democratic Socialists having subsided, there are probably more women of color on their way to office this November alongside longtime incumbents than ever before. An exciting trend, advocates say.

Even though New York City has failed to elect a woman mayor in its 400-year history, there have been shifts in its political hierarchy that see women — especially Black and Brown women — taking center stage at the state and federal levels. They’re using their diverse backgrounds to dominate the conversation and win offices long held by their male counterparts. They are no longer just seeking a seat at the table — they are the ones determining what the conversation at it will be.

According to the Center for American Women and Politics (CAWP), women make up 30% of major-party nominees for Congress in New York State. In the June primary, incumbent Congressmember Yvette D. Clarke won her primary in the 9th Congressional District with a sweep of 68% of the votes, Congressmember Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) with 87% in the 14th District, and Congressmember Grace Meng with 56% in the 6th District. A new slate of Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) candidates won their elections by defeating incumbents, including Darializa Avila Chevalier and Claire Valdez.

Although Clarke has been in Congress since 2007, she’s technically represented two districts: the 9th and 11th Districts, which were redrawn to increase the voting power of Black and Latino voters in Central and South Brooklyn. She is also the current chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC).

A founding member of the CBC, Brooklyn native Shirley Chisholm changed the game when she was elected to the House of Representatives in 1968. She later made a historic run for president in the Democratic primaries in 1972 before Senator George McGovern clinched the nomination. Clarke said she is following in the footsteps of women like Chisholm.

“Central Brooklyn overall had been sort of the epicenter in Brooklyn of Black political empowerment, so … my district and Congressman Hakeem Jeffries’s district together … represent one of the largest concentrations of African Americans historically, and in Brooklyn,” said Clarke. “With that came sort of an inheritance, if you will, of service, particularly to Black communities. I was also the beneficiary of a lot of the activism of the late ’60s and early ’70s, when civil rights and Black Power [were] a major push in New York City. As a beneficiary, I sort of took the torch and ran with it.”

Clarke added that she was the only Black woman elected to Congress in 2007, but has noticed in subsequent sessions that more and more Black women were running for office.

“They were doing the work that needs to be done in our communities. We’re probably, in many cases, first- or second-generation elected in those communities. It’s a natural progression in the battle for what our communities need,” she said.

Changing faces and women in politics

At least a number of the city’s Black and Brown voters are showing weariness toward the traditional Democratic machine, but they are also cautious about discarding decades of hard-won political capital. They worry that national groups recruiting “insurgent” Democratic Socialist candidates of color are bypassing established community leaders, but are open to change as the city’s political dynamics and voting blocs shift exponentially. Clarke, who had a minor DSA challenger — Joshua Bristol — and another Dem candidate — Mike Goldfarb — in the primary, said that changing demographics in any given neighborhood are actually more of the norm than not.

Today, the 9th District consists largely of immigrants from the Caribbean, but Clarke can remember her Jamaican parents being the fourth or fifth Black family on her street in a predominantly Italian, Irish, and Jewish community decades ago. Wanton gentrification remains a problem for her constituents, which is why she’s laser-focused on comprehensive immigration reform, addressing the skyrocketing cost of living, fighting voter suppression, and protecting constitutional rights, she said.

Despite systemic challenges, a record number of Black women have been running for and winning political offices since 2022, according to the CAWP. As a result, a record number of Black women also serve in Congress nationwide, in statewide executive offices, and in state legislatures.

Jean Sinzdak, CAWP’s associate director, posited that younger Democratic and socialist voters crave fresher voices, particularly women of color, in government over the “gerontocracy” and that cultural attitudes about who can lead have shifted to encourage diversity. “We’re definitely seeing more engagement and more women overall, in the aggregate. More women are self-starters and not waiting for the party nod, not waiting to be asked to run for office, which is kind of more traditional,” said Sinzdak. “It’s an interesting moment to think about. What message does that send? It really says that there’s potentially an opportunity for new leadership and new voices in the process that may not have been there before.”

Avila Chevalier, an Afro-Latina Democratic Socialist who once helped organize proSee story on next page

Mardina

Stephen

Suzanne

Tanesha

Tareyah

Thomas

Yvonne

(Jan. 1 - June 30 donors)

Labor & Workplace

NYC’s healthcare workforce at risk as Haitian TPS protections near end

By KAREN JUANITA CARRILLO Amsterdam News Staff

Healthcare workers, labor leaders, and elected officials came to 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East headquarters on July 10 to speak out against the ending of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitian nationals. Speakers warned it could destabilize New York City’s healthcare system and displace families who have lived here for years.

In New York City, many Haitian immigrants work in hospitals and nursing homes as certified nursing assistants, housekeepers, and dietary workers, and with home care agencies. As caregivers, they help older adults and people with disabilities bathe, dress, eat, move safely, take medication, travel to appointments, keep homes clean, avoid isolation, and remain connected to family life.

“This is a cruel, heartless, and inhumane policy that will rip parents away from their children and devastate whole communities,” said Andy Cassagnol, executive vice president of 1199SEIU. “It will also exacerbate the existing worker shortages in nursing homes and home care programs. Who will care for our seniors and individuals living with disabilities if TPS ends?”

TPS allows people to stay in the U.S. and work legally when their home countries are at war or dealing with natural disasters. Haiti was first designated for TPS status after the 2010 earthquake and has faced political and economic turmoil and had to deal with gang violence ever since.

On June 25, in a 6-3 decision, the U.S. Su-

preme Court allowed the Trump administration to terminate TPS for Haitian and Syrian nationals.

“Washington may see immigration policy. We see canceled visits, disrupted relationships, exhausted family caregivers, and vulnerable New Yorkers wondering whether someone will be there tomorrow.

That is the reality these decisions create,” said Kevin Thomas, president & CEO of the New York State Association of Health Care Providers.

The Kaiser Family Foundation, which provides information about national health issues and healthcare policy research, found that immigrant workers have become integral to long-term care. Immigrants are 30% of direct care workers in long-term care settings, including nursing assistants, personal care aides, and home health aides. The leading countries of origin for immigrant long-term care workers are Mexico at 14%; the Dominican Republic and the Philippines, both at 7%;

and China, Jamaica, and Haiti at 6 % each. In New York City, the Center for Migration Studies of New York estimates that immigrants make up 57% of the city’s healthcare workforce and 73% of its home health aide and personal care aide workforce, making the city especially vulnerable to disruptions in immigrant workers’ legal status.

Genevieve Artamin, a certified nursing assistant and 1199SEIU union delegate, said, “I’ve been doing this work for 38 years, and I came here today to speak for the many nursing home workers with TPS status who cannot be here with us.”

Another TPS holder, who asked to remain anonymous, said, “I work at a nursing home where I’m a housekeeper. I get up at 5 a.m. every morning and I take two buses to work to clean the rooms of the residents. I give my heart. These residents are like my grandmother. I want to stay here in New York where I can be safe and care for my residents. I cannot return to Haiti. It is not safe. I’m afraid that I would be killed if I return.”

New York State Nurses Association President Nancy Hagans said she is a witness to the contributions immigrants make to the healthcare system –– and she knows what happens when immigrant patients delay their own care because of fear of going to hospitals. “We are in solidarity with Haitian TPS holders and all our immigrant communities,” Hagans said. “NYSNA nurses care for all our patients, regardless of immigration status, and I am proud to reaffirm our commitment to not only care for them, but to advocate for immigrants to receive the dignity, respect, and justice all residents of this country deserve.”

veterans hired since 2015 20k 10k more to be hired by 2031

$2MM donated in FIFA World Cup 2026™ tickets

We’ve proudly been serving communities around the country for 240 years.

Here in New York City, we have an ongoing commitment to the veterans who make us stronger — helping them access careers, transition programs, housing, and now unforgettable experiences like FIFA World Cup 2026™ tickets.

Members of Congress must reject Palantir money or step aside

By AMALIA OLIVIA ROJAS

President Trump’s attacks on immigrants have left my community in fear and silence. Fear and silence are the goals of any authoritarian government, and ICE has delivered, not only by tearing families apart and raiding neighborhoods across the country, but by surveilling the rest of us. The people behind these surveillance systems are giving money to our Democrat representatives, who have no problem taking it.

So, how does ICE surveil us? The answer lies in ICE’s use of Palantir Technologies, a data analytics company that got its start identifying targets in America’s “War on Terror.” Since then, Palantir has grown its government contracts that place the American public in the crosshairs of its invasive surveillance techniques, and the company has played a critical role in President Trump’s attacks on immigrants.

Palantir’s Enhanced Leads Identification and Targeting for Enforcement system, or “ELITE,” is used by ICE officers for identifying and locating targets for deportation. This system operates on sensitive data from the

Department of Health and Human Services and from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, allowing ICE insight into information for which it would normally (and constitutionally) require a warrant.

Palantir is culpable for the fear and silence that now permeates through communities in New York and nationwide, and yet, many of the same representatives who say they want to protect us from ICE are linked to the company. When we allow Palantir into our government, we diminish our constitutional rights of privacy and of free speech. As constituents, we must stand against Palantir and demand that our representatives reject Palantir’s dirty money.

It’s no secret that money often supplants the will of the people in American politics. Lobbying in Washington is a multi-billion-dollar industry, but we cannot allow its ubiquity to become a free pass for elected officials to take money from whoever will offer it. It is imperative that constituents draw a line, that we demand our representatives not take money from corporations that profit off violence, mass surveillance, and a disregard for our rights.

Despite the fact that

Palantir is a uniquely harmful company and antithetical to Democrats’ platform, New York Democrats, including Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Rep. Josh Riley, have taken tens of thousands of dollars from the company.

Rep. Jeffries, whose district is among the most diverse in the country, has referred to ICE as Trump’s “violent mass deportation machine.” Yet he has received $25,000 in Palantir donations and, according to Politico, his victory fund received another $44,000 from a Palantir manager. Rep. Josh Riley has received over $76,000 from Palantir.

As long as elected officials like Jeffries and Riley continue to accept money from billionaires and surveillance corporations, the actual needs of the people will continue to be eschewed. The millions that Palantir has spent lobbying our representatives seems to have paid off for them: Since just the beginning of 2024, Palantir has received 162 federal contracts totaling more than $2.5 billion in taxpayer money that could have gone toward improving their lives. Palantir — which, in 2025, paid exactly $0 in federal income tax de-

spite enjoying $1.5 billion in income — is not a taxpayer. It’s time we call for Jeffries and his Democratic colleagues to put their money where their mouth is and reject any future donations from Palantir, money that is deeply entangled with ICE’s oppressive surveillance of immigrants. Jeffries would not be the first to do so. A handful of U.S. representatives, including New York’s Rep. Pat Ryan, have made the pledge to put their constituents over donors by refusing any future Palantir-linked donations and donating past contributions to immigrant aid groups.

You can help not only by calling your representative and telling them to reject dirty money, but also by taking the solidarity pledge to stand with your neighbors against authoritarianism and surveillance. As a leader for the Solidarity Organizing Initiative, I have worked with my peers in the New York theater scene — an industry that thrives thanks to immigrants and their stories — to organize against constitutional threats. It has strengthened and prepared my community to stand up for our civil rights, and it can strengthen your community too.

See REJECT PALANTIR on page 28

Marrakech Blues shows Moroccan jazz is as appealing as name would suggest

By HERB BOYD

Moroccan jazz? Yes, Virginia, there is such a thing and according to Professor Hisham Aidi, a noted music critic and historian, it goes back to the 1920s; something he discussed at length at the Metropolitan Museum of Art last week. After tracing the history of the merger between America’s great improvisational music and traditional Gnawa music of Morocco, he turned the stage over to TK Blue and his ensemble, who is perhaps best known for his years with the late Randy Weston.

Before the group’s surging music filled the space, embellished by an Arabic motif of books and artifacts, the sizable audience had a chance to survey the surroundings, partake of wine and hors d’oeuvres, and anticipate the music, prefigured by a screen showcasing a poster of the Oscar Dennard quartet, featuring Idrees Sulieman, Buster Smith, and Jamil Nasser. They were given further insight into the soaring sound that would fill the space when Aidi laid out a litany of jazz musicians and African American performers

who had traveled to Morocco, including Weston, Yusef Lateef, Quincy Jones, Josephine Baker, Adam Rudolph, and Ornette Coleman, to entertain and participate in the Gnawa culture. Blue’s powerful saxophone and sizzling flute were a brilliant soundtrack for Aidi’s introduction. In one tune after another, Blue and crew captured the essence of Gnawa music — the trance-like repetition of notes with his saxophone playing against Yayoi Ikawa’s cascading passages on piano and Román Lajara’s rhythmic guitar. All of this

Now is the time to be honest about Black mental health

CHRISTINA GREER, PH.D.

There is no better time than now, during National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, to have an honest conversation about the unique challenges people of color, and Black people in particular, face when dealing with the micro and macro issues of the world.

For far too long, mental health was something not discussed or adequately processed, so many members of communities of color suffered in silence. Whether it was issues pertaining to depression or bipolar disorder, self-medicating, or self-harm, I am so glad more and more brave people are coming out of the shadows to share their stories and help others learn and/or feel less alone.

left with feelings of loss and despair, even as we were expected to continue on with our lives … as though a global pandemic did not occur. Some people lost their jobs and sense of self-worth and stability while others lost loved ones, and many lost both. Many are not only dealing with mental struggles, but others in their family and community are as well. It is important for us to keep our eyes open and really see our neighbors and loved ones.

received added intensity from vocalist Malika Zarra’s lyrical sonority and Samir Langus’s bass emphasis on one of the music’s main instruments, the guembri.

At one point toward the end of the concert, I thought I heard elements of Ornette Coleman’s beautiful “The Blessing,” and if that was the case, it must have certainly delighted his son, Denardo, who was there among a coterie of musicians.

It was an entertaining evening at the Met for the “Marrakech Blues — A Century of Moroccan Jazz,” and it deserves an annual event.

My dear friend and colleague, Dr. Michael Lindsey, is the dean of NYU’s Silver School of Social Work. His research specializes in child and adolescent mental health services; adolescent depression; adolescent suicide; school mental health; adolescent risk behaviors; and Black mental health. He is a leader in the search for knowledge and solutions to generational poverty and inequality. In some of our conversations, he said Black boys are demonstrating suicidal ideations before they are even out of elementary school.

So many individuals, families, and communities have been affected by the carceral state, inadequate schools and services, and housing conditions, all of which can exacerbate feelings of isolation and depression. We can no longer dismiss subtle cries for help. After COVID subsided, so many people were

If you live in New York City, you can call or text 988 and be connected to a free, confidential crisis counseling, mental health, and substance misuse support, information, and referral. You can reach the toll-free help line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by phone, text, and online chat (988lifeline.org/chat). If you do not live in NYC, you can call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) National Helpline, 1-800662-HELP (4357) for free, confidential, 24/7, 365-daya-year treatment referral and information service.

It is imperative that we take care of ourselves … and one another. If you need assistance, know there are people and organizations here to help.

Christina Greer, Ph.D., is a professor at Fordham University; author of the books “How to Build a Democracy: From Fannie Lou Hamer and Barbara Jordan to Stacey Abrams” and “Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream”; and co-host of the podcast FAQ-NYC.

Caribbean Update

EU demands shutdown of golden passports scheme. Small islands say no

By BERT WILKINSON Special to the AmNews

The European Union (EU) and a Caribbean Community sub-grouping are fixing for a protracted fight over EU demands that these small, finance-starved island nations stop selling local passports and citizenships to wealthy foreigners, or their citizens will lose visa-free travel privileges.

The fiat from the EU to most of the nations in the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) was contained in a demand letter to the governments of Antigua, St. Kitts, Dominica, St. Lucia, and Grenada in late June and it called for a complete abandonment of

the citizenship by investment (CIP) or so-called golden passport scheme.

Through this program, wealthy foreigners — from countries whose citizens traditionally struggle to obtain visas, mostly to Western countries — can pay as little as $100,000 and invest in a local development sector in exchange for a local passport and citizenship. Once they obtain citizenship, this allows them to travel on local passports and enjoy visa-free travel to more than 100 countries around the world.

The EU and the U.S. have been arguing that these small island nations do not have the ability to conduct proper due diligence checks on applicants from far-flung Cen-

tral Asian, Eastern European, and some Middle Eastern countries, for example, so their citizens who actually qualify for an OECS passport can pose a threat to security by becoming Caribbean citizens and traveling visa-free. They made it clear that the CIP is a financial lifeline to their economies.

Alarmed by the latest developments, leaders held an emergency meeting in Dominica late last week, traveling there after attending the wider regional summit in nearby St. Lucia.

Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua, for example, is adamant that his island’s version of the program will remain in place as it is a “critical pillar” of the economy

and cannot be abandoned without “viable, concrete, and credible replacement revenues. The government will not be pressured into a unilateral phase-out that would cause irreparable harm to the national economy and the welfare of our citizens,” he said.

But the EU appears to be holding its ground as well, making it clear that any failure of the governments to act will result in visa-free travel privileges being withdrawn for citizens from the participating countries.

“The EU now treats the mere operation of an investor citizenship program as inherent grounds for visa suspension, moving away from past practices of only targeting spe-

cific administrative flaws. Until the programs are fully phased out, the EU expects immediate safeguards, such as stronger due diligence checks and the exclusion of any applicants currently subject to EU sanctions,” the bloc said in its missive to governments.

Startled by the most pressing threat to the program in recent years, the leaders say they will soon mount an emergency mission to EU headquarters in Belgium for high-level talks on the issue with the EU Council, the commission, and senior policy advocates.

“These engagements will seek to deepen mutual understanding of the unique vulnerabilities and de-

When another immigrant dies, do we even notice anymore?

FELICIA PERSAUD

IMMIGRATION KORNER

Another immigrant was shot dead. Another died in immigration detention. Sadly, those headlines no longer seem to shock America’s conscience. Instead, they arrive with disturbing regularity, briefly making the news before disappearing beneath the next political debate, the next immigration raid, the next headline.

But what happened after the latest deaths should make us pause. Last week, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum announced that Mexico intends to pursue criminal and civil action in the United States over the deaths of Mexican nationals during ICE enforcement operations and in immigration detention.

After sending repeated diplomatic protests with little satisfaction, Mexico says it will now seek accountability through U.S. prosecutors, the Department of Justice, international human rights bodies, and legal action against private detention companies that operate ICE facilities.

That is extraordinary. Not because nations protest the treatment of their citizens abroad. Governments do that every day. What is remarkable is that one of America’s closest neighbors has concluded that diplomatic notes are no longer enough.

The immediate catalyst was the

IMMIGRANTS WHO HAVE DIED IN ICE CUSTODY SINCE DONALD TRUMP CAME INTO OFFICE

(Per U.S. ICE’s own published data)

(DATE OF DEATH — NAME)

June 4, 2026 — Artmeladze, Mamuka

April 28, 2026 — Adan Gonzalez, Denny

April 12, 2026 — Carbonell Betancourt, Aled

April 11, 2026 — Cabrera Clemente, Alejandro

April 1, 2026 — Bui, Tuan Van

March 25, 2026 — Ramos Solano, Jose Guadalupe

March 16, 2026 — Perez Jimenez, Royer

March 14, 2026 — Paktiawal, Mohammad Nazeer

March 2, 2026 — Damas, Emmanuel

March 1, 2026 — Najafabadi, Pejman Karshenas

February 27, 2026 — Gutierrez Reyes, Alberto

February 16, 2026 — Garcia Hernandez, Jairo

February 16, 2026 — Sim, Lorth

January 14, 2026 — Diaz, Victor Manuel

January 14, 2026 — Sanchez Dominguez, Heber

January 9, 2026 — La, Parady

January 6, 2026 — Yanez Cruz, Luis

death of 52-year-old Lorenzo Salgado Araujo, a Mexican construction worker who had lived in Texas in the United States for 35 years and reportedly had a work permit application pending. ICE says an officer fired in self-defense after Salgado Araujo allegedly used his vehicle as a weapon. His family disputes that account, saying they learned of his death through videos circulating on

January 5, 2026 — Nunez Caceres, Luis

January 3, 2026 — Lunas Campos, Geraldo

December 15, 2025 — Gantchev, Nenko Stanev

December 14, 2025 — Francisco Rodriguez, Delvin

December 14, 2025 — Abdulkadir, Fouad Saeed

December 12, 2025 — Brutus, Jean Wilson

December 6, 2025 — Sachiwani, Shiraz Fateh Ali

December 5, 2025 — Montejo, Pete Sumalo

December 3, 2025 — Gaspar-Andres, Francisco

October 25, 2025 — Wong, Kai Yin

October 23, 2025 — Garcia-Aviles, Gabriel

October 23, 2025 — Castro Rivera, Jose

October 11, 2025 — Saleh, Hasan Ali Moh'd

October 4, 2025 — Cruz-Silva, Leo

September 30, 2025 — Garcia Hernandez, Miguel Angel

September 29, 2025 — Xie, Huabing

September 24, 2025 — Guzman Fuentes, Norlan

social media rather than from government officials.

His death is not an isolated tragedy. According to Mexico’s Foreign Ministry, 17 Mexican nationals have died in connection with ICE enforcement since the current immigration crackdown began — 14 inside detention facilities and three during enforcement operations. Meanwhile, immigration advocates

September 22, 2025 — Ayala Uribe, Ismael

September 18, 2025 — Reyes, Banegas

September 12, 2025 — Villegas Gonzalez, Silverio

September 8, 2025 — Duarte Rascon, Oscar

August 31, 2025 — Batrez Vargas, Lorenzo Antonio

August 5, 2025 — Ge, Chaofeng

July 19, 2025 — Phan, Tien Xuan

June 26, 2025 — Perez, Isidro

June 23, 2025 — Noviello, Johnny

June 7, 2025 — Molina-Veya, Jesus

May 5, 2025 — Avelleneda-Delgado, Abelardo

April 25, 2025 — Blaise, Marie Ange

April 16, 2025 — Nguyen, Nhon Ngoc

April 8, 2025 — Rayo-Garzon, Brayan

February 23, 2025 — Tineo Martinez, Juan Alexis

February 20, 2025 — Chernyak, Maksym

January 29, 2025 — Dejene, Serawit Gezahegn

report that at least 21 people have died in ICE custody this year alone, following 33 deaths in 2025, the highest annual total in more than two decades. Numbers matter. But numbers can also make us forget that every statistic was once a person. The list above shows all the immigrants who have died in ICE custody since Donald Trump came into office, per

U.S. ICE’s own published data. Each had a family; each had friends; each had plans for tomorrow that never came. Before we debate immigration policy and throw around inhumane terms like “illegal aliens,” before we argue about deportation numbers or border security, perhaps we should first acknowledge

See ICE CUSTODY DEATHS on page 28

Shaggy celebrates culture at SummerStage Arts & Entertainment

Mavis Staples,De La Soul,and more are part of the summer lineup

By JOHNNY KNOLLWOOD Special to the AmNews

Reggae hitmaker Shaggy had hundreds of New Yorkers dancing into the night at the Capital One City Parks Foundation SummerStage in Central Park on July 9. The Jamaican-born NYC transplant who brought the world hits like “Mr. Boombastic” and “It Wasn’t Me” was joined by special guests that included Robin Thicke, Tanto Metro & Devonte, and more for an evening that celebrated the city’s diverse culture

and strong sense of community.

“Anybody here from Guyana?” an announcer asked the audience before Shaggy took to the stage.

“From Trinidad? From the Dominican Republic? From Panama?” The audience cheered. “All my Africans make some noise!” It was a hot day, but the community was out in full force — packing out a little slice of Central Park that has hosted a diverse array of some of the world’s finest artists for four decades.

The event, titled Shaggy’s Yaad, was presented in partnership with Shaggy’s Boombastic Radio, a show

on SiriusXM, and VP Records, a Queens-based record label specializing in reggae and soca and the largest independent label of its kind.

The label is still run by co-founder Patricia Chin and has a storefront in Jamaica, Queens. Shaggy’s latest output, “Lookin’ Lovely,” which features singer Robin Thicke, was released on July 10 by VP Records.

The pair performed the song, as well as Thicke’s controversial hit, “Blurred Lines,” at the park on Saturday among a myriad of Shaggy’s hits, including “Angel,” and his rendition of “In the Summertime.”

“This is New York City, we represent the culture,” he told the audience. The audience responded throughout the night in cheers and dance, united by rhythm and sound.

The event is part of a diverse season of programming that celebrates SummerStage’s 40th anniversary series, which has provided New Yorkers access to free artistic resources, including their host of concerts across multiple boroughs, since 1986. Forthcoming highlights include a free performance by soul queen Mavis Staples at Central Park on June 16 and a performance by

hip hop progenitors De La Soul at Corona Park on July 17. To coincide with this special anniversary series, a photo exhibit, “40 in Focus: SummerStage through the Lens of Photographer Jack Vartoogian,” is on display through August 21 at the Arsenal Gallery in Central Park. The exhibit displays iconic images from the series’ past, including performances by Sun Ra, and backstage shots of artists like Buddy Guy. You can learn more about all the exciting programming cooking at SummerStage by visiting cityparksfoundation.org.

‘Idea of You’ author, actress Robinne Lee, talks second novel ‘Crash into Me’

By NADINE MATTHEWS Special to the AmNews

Robinne Lee, whose new novel “Crash Into Me” debuted July 7, is a study in perseverance, risk-taking, and reinvention. She came to prominence as an actress appearing in “Being Mary Jane” and “Fifty Shades Darker,” and costarring with Mario Van Peebles in the series “Superstition.” Educated at Yale, she was a lawyer before becoming an actress.

In her 2017 bestselling novel “The Idea of You,” Lee bravely navigated the terrain of a MayDecember romance where the woman was closer to the end of the calendar than the man. The novel became a bestseller and was adapted into a film starring Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine.

However, Lee had always seen herself as a writer. “I was a writer long before I was a lawyer,” she said in a recent interview with the AmNews. “I wanted to be a writer and actor for as long as I can remember.” So serious was she that she completed her first novel — handwritten — in ninth grade, followed by several unpublished manuscripts, before writing “The Idea of You,” which she finished in about 15 months.

Many aspects of photographer Cecilia Chen, the protagonist of “Crash Into Me,” draw from Lee’s own life. While Lee lived in the Los Angeles area for many years as an actress, she fulfilled a lifelong dream four years ago and made Paris her new home base. Like Cecilia, Lee is a married mother of two, of biracial (Asian and AfroCaribbean) ancestry, interested in photography, and an American francophile who relocated to Paris. Lee’s love for French culture was an unlikely inheritance from her Caribbean parents. “My parents were huge Francophiles. I just kind of followed in their footsteps.”

Cecilia becomes entangled with Anouk Ferrand, a supermodel she knew in her youth. Lee also had firsthand exposure to fashion. Her cousin Gail O’Neill was a leading Black model, and Lee interned at Elle magazine in New York and Paris while in college.

“Crash Into Me” uses a relationship that finally ignites after several decades to examine important themes of identity and belonging. “I was born and raised in America,” Lee said, “but I spent a great deal of time with family in the Caribbean and so I feel like

that part of the story, that culture, the Jamaican-ness is all very similar. The struggle to assimilate is similar, and trying to fit in multiple cultures.”

Lee said that as someone from an immigrant family, she had to come to a more nuanced understanding of Blackness apart from the relatively flattened characterizations shaped by mass media.

“Growing up, I didn’t really think about it a lot. I was cushioned

by my Jamaican-ness, and not seeing what the different dynamics [were] that my African American friends were going through.”

Lawrence Otis Graham’s seminal work, “Our Kind of People,” played a critical role in expanding the boundaries of Lee’s own understanding of Black identity. “It was this huge eye-opening moment — looking at our culture and who we are through one of our own’s eyes, but [real-

back and forth between the 1990s and the 20-teens. “I had to figure out how to make my characters in 2015 believable as the adults of the 20-somethings we saw in 1996. It was tricky. It was not an easy book to write at all.”

The sexuality of the “Crash Into Me” characters in the ’90s as young adults vs. the 20-teens mirrors different sociopolitical realities. “I’m Generation X,” said Lee, “and I feel there are labels put on Gen X about sexuality that are no longer as adherent on these younger generations. I kind of feel like Gen Z, even millennials, are much more comfortable with being fluid.”

That is also something Lee has considered from a very personal perspective. “There are definitely attractions one way or another that I didn’t act on, because I was kind of like, ‘Well, that’s not who I am’ as opposed to, ‘Why can’t I be this person or that person? Why can’t I try this out?’ I think a lot of Gen X people who read this book will feel similarly — what if we didn’t have those stigmas attached?”

izing] that ‘our own’ wasn’t even mine. There were so many of us who had different perspectives of what it is to be Black in America, or what it is to be middle- or upper-middle-class, or working class Black in America.”

Like “The Idea of You,” “Crash Into Me” explores another unconventional romance, this time between a married woman and a globally famous supermodel from her past. The book travels

Asked whether Cecilia’s white husband and rarefied world distance her from Blackness, Lee said, “I feel, for Cecilia, it’s coming to figure it out and feeling comfortable saying, ‘Okay, I can be all these things. That’s who I am, and I don’t have to be this textbook definition of what people are expecting that to be.’ And who writes those definitions? Is it white Hollywood? Is it a certain class of black people deciding this?”

Lee, like Cecilia Chen, continues to chart her own course, writing and rewriting her own definition of who she is.

Visit robinnelee.com for more info.

Get thee uptown for Classical Theatre of Harlem’s ‘Othello’ in Marcus Garvey Park

The Classical Theatre of Harlem (CTH), the award-winning theater company dedicated to bringing accessible, world-class classical theater to diverse audiences, is currently presenting William Shakespeare’s “Othello” as its 2026 Uptown Shakespeare in the Park production. Directed by Carl Cofield, the free outdoor production runs through July 26 in Marcus Garvey Park. The cast for this summer’s production includes Princess Grace Award-winning actor James Udom as Othello, Drama Desk Award recipient Nick Westrate as Iago, Isabel Arraiza as Desdemona, Orlando Grant as Cassio, and Keren Lugo as Emilia. For more info and for tickets, cthnyc.org. (Contributed by CTH)

AmNews FOOD

Lost Borough Ice Cream brings Dominican-inspired flavors to Inwood

KYSHA HARRIS FOOD EDITOR, @SCHOPNYC

It is that time of year: Heat waves, shorts, sandals, sweaty brows (and everywhere else, really), hot pavement, and thick humidity. Summer has arrived, and we’re all looking for relief. Air conditioning certainly helps, but a frozen treat makes cooling off far more joyful.

Last week I had the opportunity to visit Lost Borough Ice Cream as it opened its newest location in Inwood. I’d heard of them before, via social media, and looked forward to trying them. Clad in a bubblegum-pink sweatsuit (thankfully on one of the week’s

cooler, 70-degree days), I made my way to Lost Borough Ice Cream (4791 Broadway) for some unique ice cream and treats.

Lost Borough’s name comes from its birthplace of Yonkers, which, along with Mount Vernon, decided not to join Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island as boroughs of New York City in 1898. Co-owners Patrick Cruz and Ka-wana Jefferson applied their former careers in public health and as a school psychologist, respectively, in creating Lost Borough Ice Cream. Their love of culture and community is churned together with an entrepreneurial spirit, generously sprinkled with creativity, and served in a waffle cone of independence (Yonkers style) and joy.

By the time I arrived at the opening, the line was out the door. The community had

come to welcome Lost Borough and was eager to see what all the excitement was about. I stepped into the railroad-style space with chevron-patterned black tile and a hand-painted wall in primary colors, paying homage to Yonkers.

Lost Borough proudly showcases Dominican flavors like Cafe Bustelo, Grape-Nut, Bizcocho, Brigadeiro, and Mangochinolada (mango passionfruit sorbet). I couldn’t decide on my flavor combination immediately — my usual M.O. is to sample everything before deciding, but I was not going to postpone anyone else’s joy with my craziness. Fighting that instinct, I took the recommendation of Dominican vanilla and had to add a scoop of their cream-based Watermelon Sugar.

I strolled out to the front of the store to enjoy my cone that was delivering all the watermelon Now & Later nostalgia I didn’t

know I needed. It was wonderful to watch community leaders and neighbors show up with genuine excitement to welcome Lost Borough to Inwood.

So when the summer heat gets to be too much, lose yourself in Lost Borough — and cool off in Inwood, Manhattan.

Thanks for reading and happy eating!

Kysha Harris is a chef, culinary producer, and food editor for the NY Amsterdam News. As a consultant and owner of SCHOP!, a personalized food service in NYC for over 23 years, she remains on the hunt for the city’s next great bite. Follow her on Instagram and on Facebook, @SCHOPnyc.

Questions, comments, requests, feedback, invitations! Email us at AmNewsFOOD@ SCHOPnyc.com. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook, @NYAmNewsFOOD.

Trends

Iris van Herpen’s sculptures now on view at Brooklyn Museum

By RENEE MINUS WHITE Fashion & Beauty Editor

Now on view on the Brooklyn Museum’s fifth floor, the sensational exhibit, “Iris van Herpen: Sculpture the Senses,” showcases 140 haute couture creations. On mannequins, in a short video of a garden fashion show, and in photos and sketches, the exhibit showcases amazing fashion shapes created from seashells, fish fins, coral reefs, skeletal fish parts, tree roots, and even glass. Beneath the ocean’s surface, there’s a tremendous unseen world invisible to the naked eye, yet essential to the earth. Van Herpen teams her design expertise with complex organisms and deep sea subjects and inhabitants. It’s a must see for the family, and one of the most informative museum exhibits in town.

Her show opens in an oceanic atmosphere of sorts, with sound and images of water accompanying the fashion designs and sea objects on display. Herpen introduces how water plays such a vital role alongside contemporary art design and scientific artifacts. At the entrance, a

beautiful white-flared dress set against a water- and wave-like background was stunning. Room after room, van Herpen merges her expert craftsmanship with cutting-edge sustainability and technology. Her designs are mesmerizing masterpieces that will enthrall you for hours as you wander throughout the exhibit. The mushroom, an entire kingdom of life, inspired her 2021 collection of “Roots to Rebirth.”

She also drew inspiration from mushrooms to replicate the delicate, thread-like networks they weave underground. In a similar concept, her cathedral dress with its branching root, root-like element celebrates the intricate flamboyance of Gothic architecture. This design also reimagines how clothing is constructed and worn.

“I am honored to present ‘Sculpturing the Senses’ at the Brooklyn Museum in New York City,” said van Herpen. “This city’s energy, creativity and openness to new ideas have long inspired me, and Brooklyn, with its vibrant community of artists and innovators, feels like the perfect place to share

this exploration of transformation and possibility.” Born in 1984, Iris van Herpen grew up in the Dutch riverside village of Wamel, where she fostered her close connection with nature. Her sculptural designs have been worn by Beyoncé, Bjork, Naomi Campbell, Lady Gaga, Rosalía, Sarah Jessica Parker, Jordan Roth, and Zoë Kravitz.

With an international team, Iris van Herpen works out of her Amsterdam atelier, a former warehouse that overlooks the IJ waterfront. Her creations are characterized by their balance of experimentation. You’ll see in a large room at the exhibit how she sketches, photographs, and puts it all together. There’s even a microscope for you to see the minute size of the objects used on her designs. You can also touch some of the materials. She utilizes techniques that range from silicone molding, 3D printing, and magnetic sculpting to classical pleating and threaded embroidery, and also works with numerous collaborators and calls her design approach “craftolution.”

For Brooklyn Museum hours and tickets, visit brooklynmuseum.org.

What's on at the Blue Note, 92NY, Tilles Jazz Fest, Children’s Art Carnival, Palmieri Way

Singer-songwriter Lisa Fischer is successfully traveling the music terrain’s spiraling road, having won a Grammy for her 1991 hit single “How Can I Ease the Pain” from her debut album “So Intense.” She was a background singer for Luther Vandross for 22 years and later during that period, she toured with The Rolling Stones, often performing duets with Mick Jagger, as did her former bandleader, Tina Turner. Like jazz and blues vocalist Catherine Russell, she has effortlessly hurdled genres of R&B, rock, and jazz as a background and solo vocalist.

On July 16-19, Fischer will bring her eclectic song stylings to the Blue Note (131 West 3rd Street), featuring the Orrin Evans Trio with bassist James Genus and drummer Mark Whitfield Jr., for two shows nightly at 8 p.m. and 10:30 p.m.

The singer has collaborated with Evans in the past, together they brew a soulful concoction of R&B, gospel, rock, and blues with Fischer’s versatile vocals flowing inside out of Evans’ imaginative piano arrangements — leaning into their shared roots in Black American Music. For reservations, visit bluenotejazz.com.

The walls of 92NY will vibrate with their Jazz In July: Echoes of Miles festival July 15-25, celebrating the legacy of futurist Miles Davis on his centennial, with 25 rousing artists building on his genius.

The esteemed drummer Gregory Hutchinson arrives at 92NY’s Kaufmann Concert Hall on July 18 with music from his just-released Warner Music album “Kind of Now-the Pulse of Miles Davis,” A penetrating reconstruction of his take on such Miles’ classics as “Black Comedy,” and covering Miles’ bebop origins through the fearless electronic “Bitches Brew.” He will be joined by a fierce supergroup of invigorating young voices: trumpeter Marquis Hill, tenor saxophone Walter Smith III, guitarist Emmanuel Michael, pianist Aaron Diehl, and bassist Matt Brewer. Performance time is 7:30 p.m.

On July 21, the 92NY welcomes the creative duo of Aaron Diehl and John Patitucci. A first-ever evening of duets from renowned artists bassist and composer John Patitucci and pianist-composer Aaron Diehl. They will come together for an evening of inventive playing, introducing resourceful ideas for the moment and beyond. Diehl has a boastful tone and harmonic flow that stands out like the summer sun; he has the sophistication of Tommy Flanagan with the curiosity to dive deep into masters like Jelly Roll Morton or Art Tatum.

Patitucci’s longtime work with Chick Corea in his legendary Akoustic and Elektric Bands established him as a premier

artist. The influence of Miles, with whom Corea worked in the late 1960s and on the pivotal jazz-fusion albums “In a Silent Way” and “Bitches Brew,” flows through Patitucci’s inventiveness.

Artistic director Aaron Diehl described Jazz in July as “all about creating a communal space where musicians and concertgoers can come together to experiment with artistic honesty and vulnerability, drawing open-minded, open-hearted audiences into their worlds and taking them on a journey,” he stated during an interview with WBGO. This idea, he noted, comes directly from Miles Davis, whose skill in identifying musicians and how they might work together inspired his own curatorial vision. For tickets and complete schedules, visit 92ny.org.

The third annual Tilles Jazz Fest, produced by Tilles Center for the Performing Arts in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center, kicks off on July 18. This one-day event will take place on four indoor and outdoor stages across the Long Island University Brookville campus, with performances starting at 1 p.m. and grooving into the night! A cross-genre of artists will include Buena Vista Orchestra; prominent percussionist, composer, and historian Bobby Sanabria & Ascension; Jarien Jamanila Trio: Coltrane at 100 Celebration, and Kal Ferretti Quartet Celebrates Miles Davis Centennial.

Visit the Swingin’ Kidz Zone, with a live instrument petting zoo. Participants can make their own instrument to take home, and more; children 12 and under are free. For more information, visit tillescenter.org.

It’s not unusual for entertainers to have a one-name moniker, but in the art world, Souleo has distinguished himself as one of Harlem’s creative art curators. His latest curation is the Children’s Art Carnival in Harlem: The Making of Contemporary Art-

Street and Park Avenue. The pianist and composer changed the groove of New York City and the world with his rich tone, flagrant trombones, singing flute, and melodic percussive beats, now known as “the Palmieri sound.” His Latin rhythms spoke to joy, passion, injustice, and hope.

The NEA Jazz Master, who transitioned in 2025, recorded over 40 albums. The recipient of 11 Grammy awards, he pioneered the Salsa movement; introduced the Latina singer La India to the music world; and shaped the sound of Latin jazz, expanding the spectrum of Afro-Caribbean music.

“Having a street named for my father is such an honor for me and my family,” said Eydie Palmieri. “This is our culture, where we came from. La Marqueta is right down the block where my parents and the entire community shopped.” The Palmieri brothers are holding down the block where they were born. Eddie Palmieri Way is now officially linked to Charlie Palmieri Way (named in 2014).

ists at Wallach Art Gallery, Columbia University, now through September 13.

With this fourth iteration of its Uptown Triennial series, the Wallach presents an exhibition that traces the impact of this community arts center through 30 of its affiliated artists. For over five decades, the Carnival has been a seminal cultural force in Harlem — a place of creativity and learning where social history, especially Black identity and culture, is taught alongside art-making techniques.

The exhibition presents work by the program’s founder, Betty Blayton, as well as instructors, students, and interns like Jean-Michel Basquiat. The wide array of media, including painting, prints, photographs, quilts, ceramics, sculpture, and assemblage, is representative of the range of art-making workshops and learning activities that made up the curriculum over the years. Photographer Carmen de Jesus contributes photos from the Million Youth March, advocating youth empowerment while Milagros Batista created a handmade coat celebrating Black is Beautiful and the Grandassa Models.

Souleo, who’s been curating distinct Harlem art exhibits since 2012, says this project began three years ago when Blayton came to him with this concept to celebrate the many artists who came through the Arts Carnival program. “We wanted to highlight how the Art Carnival has transformed the many lives of those who participated in the program from teachers to students,” said Souleo. “Over the years, this program reflects a community connection and celebration of our children.” For information and visiting hours, visit childrensartcarnival.org.

What better recognition for a native son of East Harlem than a street named in his honor: Eddie Palmieri Way on East 112th

The occasion was beaming with friends, fans, a host of politicians, and musicians paying tribute to one of the country’s most prolific Puerto Rican musicians. Devoted band members from his various ensembles performed as the Eddie Palmieri Experience Tribute Band and included Karen Joseph Flute, Nelson Gonzalez, Little Johnny Rivero, Ruben Rodriguez, Orlando Vega, Jimmy Bosch, and Donald Harrison Jr., who recorded five albums with the maestro. “People made me laugh out loud with all the experiences they shared with me about my dad,” said Eydie. “What I experienced on his special day was beyond words.”

In the late 1950s and early ‘60s, Latin music, mambo, and cha-cha were happening in the Black community, particularly in East Harlem and the Bronx, both then hotbeds for Latin music, and the home of many Latino musicians, including the Palmieris (who moved to the Bronx). In the Edenwald projects (home of Jerry and Andy Gonzalez, and Juan Rodriguez), carrying Eddie Palmieri and Miles Davis albums guaranteed instant hip status.

Going to see Eddie in the Bronx at the Concourse Plaza, Savoy Manor, or the Carlton Terrance, and downtown to Manhattan Center, Palladium, Corso, or Hotel Diplomat was a must. When his salsa anthem

“Azucar par ti” (Tico Records 1965) came on, whether live or in the blue light party room, everyone rushed to the dance floor as if it was covered with 20-dollar bills. During our phone interview, Eydie noted how much Eddie loved “Azucar.” In 2009, the album was added to the United States National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress for being “culturally, aesthetically, or historically significant.”

“Our father’s passion was to perform — he loved teaching and mentoring others,” said Eydie. “This has been a tremendous year. He received the 2026 Trustees Grammy Award and now this, I know he’s smiling down on us, my family is so pleased.”

Notice of Class Action Settlement

Authorized by the U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York

— Notice of Class Action Settlement —

Si desea leer este aviso en español, llámenos o visite nuestro sitio web.

TO: All merchants in the U.S. who accepted Visa or Mastercard credit or debit cards at any time since December 18, 2020.

This notice (“Notice”) is authorized by the Court to inform you about an agreement to settle the equitable relief claims in a class action lawsuit, called In re Payment Card Interchange Fee and Merchant Discount Antitrust Litigation, No. 05-md-01720 (BMC)(JAM)(E.D.N.Y.). The lawsuit claims that Visa and Mastercard, separately, and together with certain banks, violated antitrust laws and caused merchants to pay excessive fees for accepting Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards, including by adopting interchange rules and rates, and other network rules, which the lawsuit has claimed constituted unlawful price fixing, unreasonable restraints of trade, and monopolization.

The defendants say they did nothing wrong. They maintain that their business practices are legal, justified, and the result of independent competition, and have benefitted both merchants and consumers. The Court has not decided who is right because the parties agreed to a settlement, which was preliminarily approved by the Court on June 9, 2026.

A. What Merchants Will Get from the Settlement

During the lawsuit, the Court previously certified an Equitable Relief Class under Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 23(b)(2) and has now preliminarily approved a settlement of the Class claims (the “Rule 23(b)(2) Class Settlement” or “Settlement”). Under the Settlement, Visa and Mastercard have agreed to substantive changes to the Visa and Mastercard rules applicable to merchants who accept their cards as a form of payment.

The Class includes all persons, businesses, and entities that accept any Visa-Branded Cards and/or Mastercard-Branded Cards in the United States at any time during the period between December 18, 2020 and the date of preliminary settlement approval, or June 9, 2026. The Court has set November 16, 2026 as the date for a final approval and fairness hearing (the “Fairness Hearing”) in connection with the Settlement, after members of the Class have had the opportunity to evaluate the Settlement and exercise their rights, as set forth in the Notice. Further information regarding the Settlement and the Fairness Hearing will be posted on www.InterchangeEquitableReliefSettlement.com.

Under the Rule 23(b)(2) Class Settlement, Mastercard and Visa will modify certain rules to preserve, establish, or expand the circumstances in which merchants can, among other things, do the following:

• Decline acceptance of Visa- or Mastercard-Branded Commercial Credit Cards and/or Premium Consumer Credit Cards.

• Surcharge customers a fee for the use of any Visa or Mastercard-Branded Credit Cards, including based on the type of card used (e.g., a different surcharge for rewards and non-rewards cards).

• Offer discounts to customers who do not pay with Visa or Mastercard-Branded Credit Cards, or based on the financial institution that issued the Visa or Mastercard-Branded Credit Card.

• Decline acceptance of Visa or Mastercard-Branded Cards at all outlets that operate under the same trade name or banner, even if that merchant accepts those same cards at outlets that operate under a different trade name or banner.

• Engage in Pilot Programs whereby they accept Visa or Mastercard-Branded Credit Cards at some but not all outlets operating under the same trade name or banner for a limited duration or test out various acceptance, surcharging and discounting options at some but not all outlets operating under the same trade name or banner, including not accepting Commercial or Premium Consumer Credit Cards, for a limited duration.

• Accept some digital wallets at brick-and-mortar locations but decline others and enable some digital wallets for on-line transactions but not enable others, and “steer” among the cards within a digital wallet under the same rules that govern steering among traditional cards.

• Receive the benefit of credit interchange rate reductions: Visa and Mastercard will reduce published and negotiated Credit Card interchange rates for U.S. merchants.

• Receive the benefit of Credit Card interchange rate caps: The Settlement Agreement reduces and caps “Standard” Consumer Credit Card rates at a specified level and otherwise caps Credit Card interchange rates, such that neither Visa nor Mastercard will increase any of its published Credit Card interchange rates above the rates effective as of March 31, 2025 and each will reduce its network-wide average Credit Card interchange rate to or below the specified level.

• Form Merchant Buying Groups that meet certain criteria to negotiate with Visa and Mastercard.

• Receive access to a Merchant Education Program, established and administered under the Settlement Agreement, to help understand and maximize the benefits of the rule changes, including how to effectively “steer” in States that restrict surcharging.

B. Monetary Aspects of the Rule 23(b)(2) Class Settlement

There is no monetary payment to members of the Class in this Settlement. This Rule 23(b)(2) Class Settlement concerns only the Equitable Relief Claims set forth in the lawsuit. Claims for monetary damages arising out of the defendants’ alleged antitrust violations are the subject of a separate settlement for the Rule 23(b)(3) Class. For information concerning the separate Rule 23(b)(3) Cash Settlement Class, please visit the website: www.PaymentCardSettlement.com

The Settlement does provide for Visa and Mastercard to make certain payments into the Rule 23(b)(2) Class Settlement Escrow Account, which money will be used to pay:

• The cost of settlement administration and notice, as approved by the Court,

• The cost of Merchant Education Program expenses, as approved by the Court,

• The cost of an Independent Auditor who will ensure that Visa and Mastercard comply with the credit card interchange-rate reduction commitments, and

• Attorneys’ fees and expenses, including any named Class Representative service awards, as approved by the Court.

The money in this fund will be distributed only if the Court grants final approval of the Settlement, and the money for attorneys’ fees and expenses, and service awards to Class Representatives, will be distributed only if the Settlement has become final and all appeals are exhausted, and the Court approves the application for attorneys’ fees and expenses, and Class Representatives’ service awards.

Attorneys’ fees and expenses, and service awards to the Class Representatives: For work done through final approval of the Settlement by the Court, as well as any work they will be required to do in the future, Class Counsel will ask the Court for attorneys’ fees and reimbursement of reasonable and necessary litigation expenses, and any service awards to the named Class Representatives that the Court may award, in an amount not to exceed $206,000,000. The Settlement Agreement requires Visa and Mastercard to pay these fees and expenses separately from the other Settlement financial obligations and they will not reduce any other benefits of the Settlement; members of the Class will not be required to pay any amount toward these fees and expenses.

C. Legal Rights and Options

Merchants who are included in this lawsuit have the legal right to Object to the Settlement. The deadline to object is: September 14, 2026. To learn how to object, visit: www.InterchangeEquitableReliefSettlement.com or call toll-free: 877-318-7713.

Note: You cannot elect to be excluded from the Rule 23(b)(2) Class Settlement. For more information about these rights and options, visit: www.InterchangeEquitableReliefSettlement.com or call toll-free: 877-318-7713.

D. If the Court Grants Final Approval of the Settlement

If the Court grants final approval to the Settlement, members of the Rule 23(b)(2) Class will be bound by the terms of the Settlement and will release all claims against all released parties listed in the Settlement Agreement. The Settlement will resolve and release any claims by payment card acceptors against Visa, Mastercard and other defendants that were or could have been alleged in the lawsuit, including any claims based on interchange or other fees, no-surcharge rules, no-discounting rules, honor-all-cards rules, and any other network rules. The Settlement will also resolve any payment card acceptor claims based upon the future effect of any Visa or Mastercard rules as they were or are in place on December 18, 2020 and up to the Settlement Final Date (as defined in the Settlement Agreement), the modified rules provided for in the Settlement, or any other rules substantially similar to those rules. The release will not bar claims involving certain specified standard commercial disputes arising in the ordinary course of business.

For more information on the release, see the Superseding and Amended Rule 23(b)(2) Class Settlement Agreement at: www.InterchangeEquitableReliefSettlement.com.

E. The Court Hearing About This Settlement

On November 16, 2026 at 11:00 am ET, the Court will hold a hearing to decide whether to approve the proposed Settlement, Class Counsel’s request for attorneys’ fees and expenses, and service awards for the named Class Representatives. The hearing will take place at: United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York U.S. District Judge Brian M. Cogan 225 Cadman Plaza East Brooklyn, NY 11201

You do not have to attend the Court hearing or hire an attorney, though you may do either at your own expense. The Court appointed the law firms of Hilliard Shadowen LLP; Grant & Eisenhofer P.A.; Freed Kanner London & Millen LLC; and Nussbaum Law Group, P.C. to represent the Class (“Class Counsel”).

F. Questions?

For more information about this case (In re Payment Card Interchange Fee and Merchant Discount Antitrust Litigation, MDL 1720), you may:

Call toll-free: 877-318-7713

Visit: www.InterchangeEquitableReliefSettlement.com

Write to the Class Administrator: Interchange B2 Class Administrator, P.O. Box 6340, Portland, OR 97228-6340

or Email the Class Administrator: info@InterchangeEquitableReliefSettlement.com

Yonkers NAACP President Kisha Skipper secures Democratic nomination in Westchester race

By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff

Kisha Skipper has won her long-shot Democratic primary election for the Westchester County legislator position in District 15. She’s hoping to keep the momentum going all the way to November and oust Republican incumbent James Nolan.

According to the Westchester County Board of Elections, Skipper earned 1,341 votes, narrowly pulling ahead of her opponent, Anthony Nicodemo, who got 1,182 votes.

Skipper, who was backed by the Working Families Party (WFP), doesn’t consider herself a politician but rather a concerned member of the community. She is a disability and civil rights advocate, as a permanently disabled person suffering from breathing issues because of long-COVID. She is president of the Yonkers NAACP chapter and founder and chairperson of the Little Lions Big Hearts Foundation, which supports families with infants born with congenital heart defects.

In the general election, she’ll be facing off with Nolan, who is the Republican nominee.

“The incumbent is a Republican that perpetuates Trump-era politics and propaganda,” said Skipper. “He's polarizing, similar to the commander in chief, consistently attacking the Democratic electeds and so it's a challenge for him to get anything for our district, to fight for anything for our district, even if he wanted to.”

The Westchester County Board of Legislators is composed of 17 legislators. Each legislator serves a two-year elected term and represents a district of about 59,000 residents. The board can create laws, approve the county budget, and provide oversight of county government operations. The board works under the current Westchester County Executive, Ken Jenkins.

“Our county government is responsible for infrastructure, our roads and highways, our parks, our department of social services, and transportation. So our Bee-Line busing all comes out of the county budget,” said Skipper.

Skipper said she decided to run for office because she feels like the district doesn’t have fair and equitable representation. Her district covers Yonkers, Bronxville, and Eastchester.

Skipper worked as an aide to the Yonkers City Council and an election technician with the Westchester County BOE. During the pandemic in 2020, Skipper became oxygen dependent after having COVID pneumonia in both lungs. With her limited mobility, she saw the inequities when it came to transportation, access to voting or polling places, and health care.

“So physical limitations and getting access to buildings to even go vote was a challenge. Waiting two hours or more for paratransit to and from medical appointments because

I wasn't able to drive. Having to move into public housing because I had zero income when I was not able to work. And the process for disability benefits is very lengthy. I had two school-age children,” said Skipper. “All of these things gave me a front row seat to the inequities and the challenges that we made, we need to do better.”

She’s always been a “worker bee” behind the scenes and hit the streets doorknocking with her family in full force to canvass for votes, starting in February during a blizzard all the way up to the most recent heat wave in June. Skipper said that she was supported by senior residents and dedicated volunteers.

“It was exhausting, and I was an insurgent candidate, so it was not the party candidate. I ran against the establishment against the machine, as they say, with very limited resources,” she said. “A few volunteers and just resilience and tenacity. My son and I knocked on doors every single day, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. We stopped [and] we did homework. Later in the evening. We would stop and do dinner together. And just hit as many doors as possible.”

Skipper said that despite the incredible diversity within the district, its Black, Hispanic, Asian American, and white residents are still divided. Back in the day, residents in Yonkers had to file a school and housing desegregation case in 1980 to be treated equally. The county settled the case in 2007, with Yonkers agreeing to build more equitable housing but residents say that never really came to fruition.

“On my side of town, desegregation in

Yonkers was in the 90s,” said Skipper.

“So the federal government said you have to build low-income housing east of the saw mill. Like you have to desegregate your schools, you're busing like everything. This was in the 90s,” she continued. “And unfortunately, since that time, there hasn't been much movement on that, meaning most of the low-income housing or “affordable housing” is overdeveloped west of the sawmill. And then everything east has been, is kind of segregated, very little people of color.”

Because of the history in the Black community, Skipper wants to platform affordability, housing, and job opportunities. She also wants to invest in more senior citizen exemptions and disabled persons' rent exemptions. Skipper notes there’s still some resistance to her as the Democratic nominee, but she’s hoping the “Mamdani effect” will help her win people over in the end. She said that her strategy for winning is going to be continuing her on-the-ground voter engagement. She refuses to be distracted by online rhetoric and Trump-era propaganda.

Play Ball! FDNY Vulcans 3-on-3 basketball tournament

By ARIAMA C. LONG Amsterdam News Staff

Despite a Saturday downpour, the Fire Department of New York (FDNY) Vulcan Society for Black firefighters got a chance to adorn a different uniform this past weekend as they kicked off their annual 3 v 3 basketball tournament at Thomas Jefferson High School in Brooklyn. FDNY Fire Chaplain Dr. Rev. V. Simpson Turner Jr. founded the tournament in 2021 initially to honor Captain Vernon A. Richards, one of the 12 Black firefighters who died in the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001. Since then the tournament has evolved to include the anti-gun violence youth program that is in partnership with Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Brooklyn. Thomas Jef-

ferson High School, where the tournament is held, also has a robust FDNY/Emergency Medical Services (EMS) curriculum and training program.

“A lot of the time when people see firefighters, or police officers, or corrections officers, it’s the worst day of their lives,” said Turner. “It’s about creating less adversarial moments. Humanizing us. See each other as people.”

The tournament was split up into four color-coordinated teams with mostly firefighters and a few civilians who subbed in for injured players.

The roster for Team Blue featured Team Captain Sasha Forde, Akeem EL Bey, and Bryceton Perdomo from Manhattan’s Battalion 7, alongside truck driver Shavon Allen and Sebastien Dalmacy, who is a New York

State Mental Health worker.

Representing Team Green was Team Captain Kaseem Porter of the Bronx’s Ladder 50. He is joined by fellow Ladder 50 members Moustapha Mbaye, Jerome Brown, and Mikiel Maloney, with Alonzo Martinez, a civilian, completing the roster.

Team Maroon’s roster was Team Captain Olawale Lawal and Joey Augustin, both from Brooklyn’s Engine 234, as well as Romane Green from Engine 227 and Muhammad Karim from Engine 205 in Brooklyn.

And rounding off Team Aqua Blue was the distinguished FDNY Chief Special Ops Command (SOC) Malcolm Moore as team captain, with SOC Denzel Wilson, Leef Allieoll, Jamie Zeigler, and Ola Alabi.

CLASSIFIED ADS

RULES AND REGULATIONS

CANCELLATIONS must be made in writing by 12 Noon Monday.

The forwarding of an order is construed as an acceptance of all advertising rules and conditions under which advertising space is sold by the NEW YORK AMSTERDAM NEWS. Publication is made and charged according to the terms of this card.

Rates and regulations subject to change without notice. No agreements as to position or regulations, other than those printed on this.

Til forbid orders charged for rate earned. Increases or decreases in space take the rate of a new advertisement.

The New York AMSTERDAM NEWS reserves the right to censor, reject, alter or revise all advertisements in accordance with its rules governin g the acceptance of advertising and accepts no liability for its failure to insert an advertisement for any cause. Credit for errors in advertisements allowed only for first insertion.

CLASSIFIED

• Classified advertisements take the regular earned rate of their classification. Four line minimum on all ads except spirituals and horoscopes (14 lines).

CLASSIFIED DISPLAY

• Classified Display (boarder or picture) advertisements take the regular earned rate of their classification. Display (boarder or picture) advertisements one column wide must be 14 lines deep; two columns, 28 lines deep; 3 columns, 56 lines deep. Classified Display (boarder or picture) placed as close to classifications as rules and makeup permit.

CLASSIFICATIONS

All advertisement accepted for publication is classified according to the standard classifications. Misclassification is not permitted.

BASIS OF CHARGE

Charges are based on point size and characters per line. Upon reaching 15 lines the rate converts to column inch. Any deviation from solid composition such as indentation, use of white space, bold type, etc., will incur a premium.

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF New York, U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee for the Registered Holders of J.P. Morgan Chase Commercial Mortgage Securities Corp., Multifamily Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates, Series 2019-SB62, Plaintiff, vs. 419 East 114 LLC, ET AL., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Consent Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on May 12, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse, room assignment will be posted outside of room 130, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007 on August 4, 2026 at 2:15 p.m., premises known as 419 East 114th Street, New York, NY 10029. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County of New York, City and State of New York, Block 1708 and Lot 11. Approximate amount of judgment is $1,514,907.96 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index #850240/2025. Matthew D. Hunter III, Esq., Referee McCarter & English, LLP, 250 W 55th Street, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10019, Attorneys for Plaintiff

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NEW YORK JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association, Plaintiff AGAINST Allison Scollar; Brook Altman; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered May 20, 2026 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse, see posted location outside room 130, at 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on August 11, 2026 at 2:15PM, premises known as 59 John Street, Unit 11A, New York, NY 10038. The Condominium Unit (“the Unit”) in the premises known as Five Nine John Lofts and by the street Number 59 John Street, Borough of Manhattan City, County, and State of New York, Block 78 Lot 1667. Approximate amount of judgment $1,264,998.16 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 850317/2024. Scott H. Siller, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792 Dated: June 2, 2026 90393

VESPER HOSPITALITY STUDIO LLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 03/12/2026. Office in New York Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to Reg Agent for SOP: Kristen Mitchell, 180 Pearl St Apt 609, New York, NY 10005. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT NEW YORK COUNTY TOORAK CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC, Plaintiff against MGM PROPERTIES VENTURES LLC, et al Defendant(s) Attorney for Plaintiff(s) Margolin, Weinreb & Nierer, LLP, 575 Underhill Boulevard, Suite 224, Syosset, NY 11791. Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered June 8, 2026, I will sell at public auction to the highest bidder at Room 252 at the Supreme Court, New York County, 60 Centre Street, New York, New York on August 4, 2026 at 2:15PM. Premises known as 517 West 158th Street, New York, New York 10032. Block 2117 Lot 48. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, City, County and State of New York. Approximate Amount of Judgment is $2,129,890.06 plus interest, fees, and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No 850090/2024. The foreclosure sale will be conducted in accordance with 1st Judicial District's Covid-19 Policies and foreclosure auction rules. The Referee shall enforce any rules in place regarding facial coverings and social distancing. Referee will only accept a certified bank check made payable to the referee. Paul Sklar, Esq., Referee File # 22-0783

SUPREME COURT ‑ COUNTY OF NEW YORK. SIG CRE 2023 VENTURE LLC, Plaintiff ‑against‑ 161‑21 JAMAICA HOLDING LLC, et al Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered and dated on June 2, 2026, I, the under signed Referee will sell at public auction at the New York County Supreme Courthouse, 60 Cen tre Street, New York, NY, in the courtroom designated by the posting outside of Room 130, on Tuesday, August 11, 2026 at 2:15 p.m. premises situate, lying and being at Jamaica, Borough of Queens, City of New York, County of Queens and State of New York, the Condominium Unit known as the Retail Unit known as "161‑21 Jamaica Av enue Condominium" together with a 27% undivided interest in the common elements.

Block: 9760 Lot: 1001

Said premises known as 161‑19/161‑25 JAMAICA AVE NUE, RETAIL UNIT a/k/a 89‑74 162ND STREET, RETAIL UNIT, JAMAICA, NY 11432

Approximate amount of lien $6,830,564.65 plus interest & costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 850180/2025.

DORON LEIBY, ESQ., Referee

Holland & Knight LLP

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 787 Seventh Avenue, 31st Floor, New York, NY 10019

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF New York , CAPITAL ONE, N.A., Plaintiff, vs. KENNETH LAUB, ET AL., Defendant (s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered on October 7, 2022 I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007 on August 11, 2026 at 2:15 PM, premises known as 163 EAST 64TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10065 F/K/A 10021. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County, City and State of New York, Block: 1399, Lot: 25. Approximate amount of judgment is $10,653,559.26 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index # 159315/2017. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Mortgagee's attorney, or the Referee.

DORON LEIBY, Esq., Referee Halliday, Watkins & Mann, P.C., 6851 Jericho Turnpike, Suite 185, Syosset, New York 11791, Attorneys for Plaintiff

SUPREME COURT-NEW YORK COUNTY- HILTON RESORTS CORP., Pltf. v. TRACY C. MATTHEWS and STACY L. MATTHEWS, Defts. - Index # 850162/2025. Pursuant to Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated May 14, 2026, I will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the NY County Courthouse located 60 Centre Street, NY, NY on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 2:15 pm, an interest of an undivided 10,000/28,402,100 tenant in common interest in the timeshare known as Phase I of HNY CLUB SUITES located at 1335 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York. Approximate amount of judgment is $118,875.42 plus costs and interest as of January 23, 2026. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale which includes annual maintenance fees and charges. Thomas R. Kleinberger, Esq., Referee. Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY.

Ahern Painting Contractors, Inc is seeking M/WBE and SDVOB Subcontractor Proposals for the following MTA Project: “AW-9Y Security Upgrades at the Cross Bay Bridge and Marine Parkway Bridge”. Please contact Anna at 718-639-5880 for details.

SUPREME COURT-NEW YORK COUNTY- HILTON RESORTS CORP., Pltf. v. TALIA N. PLAUT, Deft. - Index # 850015/2025. Pursuant to Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated May 28, 2026, I will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse located at 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 2:15 pm, an interest of an undivided 0.047201260419194% tenant in common interest in the timeshare known as 48TH STREET VACATION SUITES located at 12 East 48th Street, New York, NY. Approximate amount of judgment is $23,658.41 plus costs and interest as of March 4, 2026. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale which includes annual maintenance fees and charges. Jeffrey R. Miller, Esq., Referee. Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY.

SUPREME COURT-NEW YORK COUNTY- HILTON RESORTS CORP., Pltf. v. MARIO J. PUJOL and VALESCA C. PEREZ, Defts. - Index # 850224/2025. Pursuant to Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated June 18, 2026, I will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse located at 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at 2:15 pm, an interest of an undivided 0.0343469607644787% tenant in common interest in the timeshare known as 48TH STREET VACATION SUITES located at 12 East 48th Street, New York, NY. Approximate amount of judgment is $31,009.11 plus costs and interest as of May 20, 2026. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale which includes annual maintenance fees and charges. Elaine Shay, Esq., Referee. Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY.

ANNITA RETAIL GROUP LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the SSNY on 06/02/2026. Office: New York County. SSNY designated as agent of the LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to: 845 United Nations Plaza, Apt 53A, NY, NY 10017. Purpose: Any lawful.

Notice of Formation of JOANNA VARGAS MANAGEMENT LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/08/26. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 501 5th Ave., Fl. 3, NY, NY 10017. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at the addr. of its princ. office. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK

392 CENTRAL PARK WEST CONDOMINIUM BY ITS BOARD OF MANAGERS, Plaintiff -against- PERRY KNIGHT, et. al., Defendant(s). Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated May 28, 2026 and entered on June 8, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction on August 18, 2026 at 2:15 p.m., at the New York County Supreme Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY, in the courtroom designated by the posting outside of Room 130, or at such other location within the Courthouse as may be designated by the Clerk of the Court and/or the Office of Court Administration, the premises situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, City, County and State of New York, known as Unit No. 16-H in the condominium building known as "392 CENTRAL PARK WEST CONDOMINIUM " together with an undivided .21667590 percent interest in the common elements as described in the Declaration of 392 Central Park West Condominium. Block 1833, Lot 3312. Said premises known as 392 Central Park West, Unit No. 16H, New York, New York. Approximate amount of lien $27,392.92 plus attorney’s fees and costs as awarded in the judgment, along with interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 160092/2025

GREGORY M. LaSPINA, ESQ., Referee

Levin & Glasser, P.C., Attorney(s) for Plaintiff, 551 Fifth Avenue, Ste. 1200, New York, NY 10176 {* AMSTERDAM*}

SUPREME COURT-NEW YORK COUNTY- HILTON RESORTS CORP., Pltf. v. DONALD CHANNELL and SALLY LEWIS, Defts. - Index # 850157/2025. Pursuant to Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale dated May 14, 2026, I will sell at public auction in Room 130 of the New York County Courthouse located at 60 Centre Street, New York, NY on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at 2:15 pm, an interest of an undivided 0.0137327137830400900% tenant in common interest in the timeshare known as CENTRAL PARK VACATION SUITES located at 101 West 57th Street, New York, NY. Approximate amount of judgment is $139,318.19 plus costs and interest as of January 26, 2026. Sold subject to terms and conditions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale which includes annual maintenance fees and charges. Thomas R. Kleinberger, Esq., Referee. Cruser, Mitchell, Novitz, Sanchez, Gaston, & Zimet LLP, Attys. for Pltf., 341 Conklin Street, Farmingdale, NY.

INDEX NO.: 850399/2025

Date Filed: 5/26/2026

SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMONS WITH NOTICE

MORTGAGED PREMISES:

131 Bank Street, Unit 3, New York, New York 10014

BL #: 635-1103 fka BL 635-1

Plaintiff designates NEW YORK County as the place of trial; venue is based upon the county in which the mortgaged premises is situate.

STATE OF NEW YORK

SUPREME COURT: COUNTY OF NEW YORK

JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

Plaintiff, vs.

Otsego County Treasurer, as Limited Administrator of The Estate of George Cangialosi, deceased; Unknown Heirs of the Estate of George Cangialosi and all the heirs at law, next of kin, distributees, devisees, grantees, trustees, lienors, creditors, assignees and successors in interest of any of the aforesaid defendants, next of kin, distributees, devisees, grantees, trustees, lienors, creditors, assignees and successors in interest of any of the aforesaid classes of person, if they or any of them be dead, and their respective husbands, wives or widows, if any, and all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to plaintiff, except as herein stated; Shira Small Cangialosi, as Heir to The Estate of George Cangialosi, deceased; Donna Boscolo, as Heir to The Estate of George Cangialosi, deceased; Steven Cangialosi, as Heir to The Estate of George Cangialosi, deceased; David L. Zinsser a/k/a David Zinsser, Individually and as Heir and Next of Kin of The Estate of John S. Zinsser a/k/a John S. Zinsser, Jr., deceased; Salisbury Bank & Trust Company n/k/a NBT Bank, as Trustee of the John S. Zinsser a/k/a John S. Zinsser, Jr. Revocable Trust u/a dated June 7, 2007; Stephen W. Zinsser, as Heir and Next of Kin of The Estate of John S. Zinsser a/k/a John S. Zinsser, Jr., deceased; Amanda Z. Moffat, as Heir and Next of Kin of The Estate of John S. Zinsser a/k/a John S. Zinsser, Jr., deceased; Ann C. Zinsser, as Heir and Next of Kin of The Estate of John S. Zinsser a/k/a John S. Zinsser, Jr., deceased; Cathy Austrian, as Co-Executrix of The Estate of Joan Kadushin, deceased; Rachel Kadushin as Co-Executrix of The Estate of Joan Kadushin, deceased; Matthew Kadushin, as Co-Executor of The Estate of Joan Kadushin, deceased; United States of America o/b/o Internal Revenue Service; New York State Department of Taxation and Finance; Board of Managers of 131 Bank Street Condominium; New York City Transit Adjudication Bureau; New York City Environmental Control Board; New York City Parking Violations Bureau; New York State Department of Taxation and Finance; United States of America o/b/o Internal Revenue Service; John Doe #1 through #6, and Jane Doe #1 through #6, the last twelve names being fictitious, it being the intention of Plaintiff to designate any and all occupants, tenants, persons or corporations, if any, having or claiming an interest in or lien upon the premises being foreclosed herein.

TO THE ABOVE NAMED DEFENDANTS: YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or,

herein. TO THE ABOVE NAMED DE-

FENDANTS:

YOU ARE HEREBY SUMMONED to answer the Complaint in this action and to serve a copy of your answer, or, if the Complaint is not served with this Summons, to serve a notice of appearance on the attorneys for the Plaintiff within 20 days after the service of this Summons, exclusive of the day of service (or within 30 days after service is complete if this Summons is not personally delivered to you within the State of New York). In case of your failure to appear or answer, judgment will be taken against you by default for the relief demanded in the Amended Complaint. NOTICE YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME IF YOU DO NOT RESPOND TO THIS SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE MORTGAGE COMPANY WHO FILED THIS FORECLOSURE PROCEEDING AGAINST YOU AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT, A DEFAULT JUDGMENT MAY BE ENTERED AND YOU CAN LOSE YOUR HOME. SPEAK TO AN ATTORNEY OR GO TO THE COURT WHERE YOUR CASE IS PENDING FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON HOW TO ANSWER THE SUMMONS AND PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY. SENDING PAYMENT TO YOUR MORTGAGE COMPANY WILL NOT STOP THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION. YOU MUST RESPOND BY SERVING A COPY OF THE ANSWER ON THE ATTORNEY FOR THE PLAINTIFF (MORTGAGE COMPANY) AND FILING THE ANSWER WITH THE COURT. THE OBJECT of the above captioned action is to foreclose a Mortgage to secure $100,000.00 and interest, recorded in the Office of the City Register of the City of New York on December 5, 2007, as CRFN 2007000599788, covering premises known as131 Bank Street, Unit 4, New York, NY 10014, BL #: 635-1103 fka BL 635-1.

The relief sought in the within action is a final judgment directing the sale of the premises described above to satisfy the debt secured by the Mortgage described above. The Plaintiff also seeks a deficiency judgment against the Defendants and for any debt secured by said Mortgage which is not satisfied by the proceeds of the sale of said premises. TO the Defendants Unknown Heirs of the Estate of George Cangialosi and all the heirs at law, next of kin, distributees, devisees, grantees, trustees, lienors, creditors, assignees and successors in interest of any of the aforesaid defendants, next of kin, distributees, devisees, grantees, trustees, lienors, creditors, assignees and successors in interest of any of the aforesaid classes of person, if they or any of them be dead, and their respective husbands, wives or widows, if any, and all of whom and whose names and places of residence are unknown to plaintiff, except as herein stated, the foregoing Supplemental Summons with Notice is served upon you by publication pursuant to an Order of the Hon. Francis A. Kahn, III, J.S.C. of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New York, dated May 19, 2026 and filed May 21, 2026.

Dated: June 10, 2026

/s/ Deborah M. Gallo

Deborah M. Gallo, Esq. McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLP

2026 and filed May 21, 2026.

Dated: June 10, 2026

/s/ Deborah M. Gallo

Deborah M. Gallo, Esq.

McCalla Raymer Leibert Pierce, LLP

420 Lexington Avenue, Suite 840

New York, New York 10170

Phone: 347.286.7409

Fax: 347-286-7414

Attorneys for Plaintiff, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. HELP FOR HOMEOWNERS IN FORECLOSURE NEW YORK STATE LAW REQUIRES THAT WE SEND YOU THIS NOTICE ABOUT THE FORECLOSURE PROCESS. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY.

SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR HOME. IF YOU FAIL TO RESPOND TO THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT IN THIS FORECLOSURE ACTION, YOU MAY LOSE YOUR HOME. PLEASE READ THE SUMMONS AND COMPLAINT CAREFULLY. YOU SHOULD IMMEDIATELY CONTACT AN ATTORNEY OR YOUR LOCAL LEGAL AID OFFICE TO OBTAIN ADVICE ON HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION AND ASSISTANCE.

The State encourages you to become informed about your options in foreclosure.

In addition to seeking assistance from an attorney or legal aid office, there are government agencies and non-profit organizations that you may contact for information about possible options, including trying to work with your lender during this process.

To locate an entity near you, you may call the toll-free helpline maintained by the New York State Banking Department of Financial Services at 1-800-342-3736 or visit the Department's website at www.dfs.ny.gov.

FORECLOSURE RESCUE SCAMS

Be careful of people who approach you with offers to "save" your home. There are individuals who watch for notices of foreclosure actions in order to unfairly profit from a homeowner's distress. You should be extremely careful about any such promises and any suggestions that you pay them a fee or sign over your deed. State law requires anyone offering such services for profit to enter into a contract which fully describes the services they will perform and fees they will charge, and which prohibits them from taking any money from you until they have completed all such promised services.

REFEREE'S NOTICE OF SALE IN FORECLOSURE

SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK

ROCKET MORTGAGE, LLC

F/K/A QUICKEN LOANS, LLC

F/K/A QUICKEN LOANS INC.,

Plaintiff - against - NAKIYAA RYANS AS ADMINISTRATRIX OF THE ESTATE OF ANN DAVIS AKA ANN M. DAVIS AND INDIVIDUALLY, et al Defendant(s).

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale entered on May 8, 2026. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse located at 60 Centre Street, New York, New York 10007 on the 4th day of Au-

Foreclosure and Sale entered on May 8, 2026. I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse located at 60 Centre Street, New York, New York 10007 on the 4th day of August, 2026 at 2:15 PM. All that certain plot, piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, City, County and State of New York. Premises known as 221 West 148th Street, New York, (City of New York) NY 10039. (BL#: 2034-1106)

Approximate amount of lien $471,442.92 plus interest and costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed judgment and terms of sale.

Index No. 850470/2024. Paul Sklar, Esq., Referee.

Davidson Fink LLP Attorney(s) for Plaintiff

400 Meridian Centre Blvd, Ste 200

Rochester, NY 14618

Tel. 585/760-8218

For sale information, please visit Auction.com at www.Auction. com or call (800) 280-2832

Dated: May 26, 2026

During the COVID-19 health emergency, bidders are required to comply with all governmental health requirements in effect at the time of sale including but not limited to, wearing face coverings and maintaining social distancing (at least 6-feet apart) during the auction, while tendering deposit and at any subsequent closing. Bidders are also required to comply with the Foreclosure Auction Rules and COVID-19 Health Emergency Rules issued by the Supreme Court of this County in addition to the conditions set forth in the Terms of Sale

SUPREME COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK COUNTY OF NEW YORK

U.S. BANK TRUST, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR LSF9 MASTER PARTICIPATION TRUST,

-againstMOSHE RAHIMI, ET AL. NOTICE OF SALE

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN pursuant to a Final Judgment of Foreclosure entered in the Office of the Clerk of the County of New York on June 10, 2026, wherein U.S. BANK TRUST, N.A., AS TRUSTEE FOR LSF9 MASTER PARTICIPATION TRUST is the Plaintiff and MOSHE RAHIMI, ET AL. are the Defendant(s). I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the NEW YORK COUNTY CIVIL SUPREME COURTHOUSE, 60 CENTRE STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10007, on August 4, 2026 at 2:15PM, premises known as 627 WEST 42ND STREET, UNIT 38 AKA UNIT 38-H, NEW YORK, NY 10036; and the following tax map identification: 1090-1330.

THE CONDOMINIUM UNIT (THE "UNIT") IN THE PREMISES KNOWN AS THE ATELIER CONDOMINIUM AND BY THE STREET NUMBER 635 WEST 42ND STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK, BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, CITY, COUNTY AND STATE OF NEW YORK, SAID UNIT BEING DESIGNATED AND DESCRIBED AS

STREET NUMBER 635 WEST 42ND STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK, BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN, CITY, COUNTY AND STATE OF NEW YORK, SAID UNIT BEING DESIGNATED AND DESCRIBED AS RESIDENTIAL UNIT NO. 38H IN THE DECLARATION ("DECLARATION") ESTABLISHING A PLAN FOR CONDOMINIUM OWNERSHIP OF SAID PREMISES UNDER ARTICLE 9-B OF THE REAL PROPERTY LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (THE "CONDOMINIUM ACT"),

TOGETHER WITH AN UNDIVIDED 0.17879% PERCENTAGE INTEREST IN THE GENERAL COMMON ELEMENTS (AS SUCH TERM IS DEFINED IN THE DECLARATION):

THE LANDS ON WHICH THE BUILDING CONTAINING THE UNIT IS LOCATED ARE MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: ALL THAT CERTAIN PLOT, PIECE OR PARCEL OF LAND, SITUATE, LYING AND BEING THE BOROUGH OF MANHATTAN CITY, COUNTY AND STATE OF NEW YORK

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index No.: 850246/2019. Jeffery R. Miller, Esq. - Referee. Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Crane & Partners, PLLC, 900 Merchants Concourse, Suite 310, Westbury, New York 11590, Attorneys for Plaintiff. All foreclosure sales will be conducted in accordance with Covid-19 guidelines including, but not limited to, social distancing and mask wearing. *LOCATION OF SALE SUBJECT TO CHANGE DAY OF IN ACCORDANCE WITH COURT/CLERK DIRECTIVES.

SUPREME COURT ‑ COUNTY OF NEW YORK.

BOARD OF MANAGERS OF OT SUN MANSION, Plain tiff ‑against‑ FUJIAN XI BIAN QIAO LIAN INC., et al Defen dant(s). Pursuant to a Judg ment of Foreclosure and Sale and Decision + Order on Motion dated June 4, 2026 and entered on June 10, 2026, I, the under signed Referee will sell at public auction at the New York County Supreme Courthouse, 60 Cen tre Street, New York, NY, in the courtroom designated by the posting outside of Room 130, on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at 2:15 p.m. premises situate, ly ing and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County, City and State of New York, known and designated as Unit‑Office C in the condominium known as "Ot Sun Mansion Condomini um" together with an undivided 9.46488% interest in the com mon elements. Block: 292 Lot: 1007

Said premises known as 1‑3 ELDRIDGE STREET, OFFICE C, NEW YORK, NY Approximate amount of lien $64,843.84 plus interest & costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 160534/2023. TOM KLEINBERGER, ESQ., Referee

Law Office of Allison M. Fur man, P.C.

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 260 Madison Avenue, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10016

{* AMSTERDAM*}

LEGAL NOTICE OF POST PONEMENT OF SALE

SUPREME COURT ‑ COUNTY OF NEW YORK.

CRS EQUITIES LLC, Plaintiff ‑against‑ M R LUCKEY PROP LLC, et al Defendant(s). Pursu ant to a Judgment of Foreclo sure and Sale entered herein and dated May 7, 2026, I, the

LLC, et al Defendant(s). Pursu ant to a Judgment of Foreclo sure and Sale entered herein and dated May 7, 2026, I, the undersigned Referee will sell at public auction at the New York County Supreme Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY, in the courtroom designat ed by the posting outside of Room 130, on Tuesday, August 4, 2026 at 2:15 p.m. premises situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, City, County and State of New York, bounded and described as fol lows: BEGINNING at a point on the southerly side of 146th Street, distant 198 feet west erly from the corner formed by the intersection of the souther ly side of 146th Street and the westerly side of St. Nicholas Avenue; being a plot 99 feet 11 inches by 20 feet by 99 feet 11 inches by 20 feet. Block: 2060 Lot: 140

Said premises known as 412 WEST 146TH STREET, NEW YORK, NY 10031

Approximate amount of lien $708,444.82 plus interest & costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 850287/2025.

PAUL R. SKLAR, ESQ., Refer ee

Offit Kurman, P.A. Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 590 Madison Ave, 6th Floor, New York, NY 10022

The above sale, originally scheduled for July 7, 2026 at 2:15 p.m. has been postponed. The new sale date has been re scheduled for August 4, 2026 at the same time and place.

PAUL R. SKLAR, ESQ., Refer ee. {* AMSTERDAM*}

Notice of Formation of 121 VARICK STREET, FIFTH FLOOR LLC

Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 09/25/25. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Subhash Makhija, 910 Durham Ave., Westfield, NJ 07090. As amended by Cert. of Amendment filed with SSNY on 12/09/25, name changed to 121 VARICK STREET, THIRD FLOOR LLC. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Tru Arrow Technology Partners CIV XI, LP Auth. filed w/ SSNY 5/15/26 w/ fict. name Tru Arrow Technology Partners CIV XI, L.P.. Off. in NY Co. Cert of LP filed w/ SSDE 5/13/26. Process served to SSNY - desig. as agt. of LP & mailed to the Discern Registered Agent Inc., 1252 Forrest Ave, Dover, DE 19904. Add. Maintd. in DE: 1252 Forrest Ave, Dover, DE 19904. Names & address of general partner(s) available from SSNY. Name & add. of auth. officer in where Cert. of LP filed: SSDE, Div. of Corp., John G Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St, Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Any lawful Purpose.

Notice of formation of Aura Medical Management LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/09/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Zhaonan Wang: 9 SHADETREE LANE, ROSLYN HEIGHTS, NY, 11577. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK

U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRUSTEE FOR STRUCTURED ASSET

INVESTMENT LOAN TRUST MORTGAGE PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES, SERIES

2006-BNC3

Plaintiff,

Against MAY Q. MANGOSING; et al

Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale, duly entered 03/13/2025, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction, in Room 130 at 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007 on 8/18/2026 at 2:15PM, premises known as 240 East 41st Street a/k/a 235 East 40th Street, New York, New York and described as follows:

ALL that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Residential Unit (The "Unit") known as Unit No. 11F in the premises known as the Vanderbilt Condominium and by the street number 240 East 41st Street and 235 East 40th Street, Borough of Manhattan, City, County and State of New York, said Unit being designated and described as Unit No. 11F in the Declaration. Together with an undivided .210026% interest in the general common elements.

Block 1314 Lot 1096 Unit 11F.

The approximate amount of the current Judgment lien is $1,281,897.89 plus interest and costs. The Premises will be sold subject to provisions of the aforesaid Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale; Index # 850124/2015

Bruce N. Lederman, Esq., Referee. – Please note: Referee does NOT accept cash.

MCCABE, WEISBERG & CONWAY, LLC, 10 Midland Avenue, Suite 205, Port Chester, NY 10573

Dated: 6/5/2026 File Number: 19-300840 CA

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT ‑ COUNTY OF NEW YORK.

HNY CLUB SUITES OWNERS ASSOCIATION INC., BY AND THROUGH ITS BOARD OF DIRECTORS, Plaintiff ‑against‑ UNKNOWN HEIRS AND DIS TRIBUTEES OF THE ESTATE OF THOMAS A. FITZGERALD, if living, and if they be dead, etc.., et al Defendant(s). Pursu ant to a Judgment of Foreclo sure and Sale dated June 18, 2026, I, the undersigned Refer ee will sell at public auction at the New York County Supreme Courthouse, 60 Centre Street, New York, NY, in the courtroom designated by the posting out side of Room 130, on August 18, 2026 at 2:15 p.m. premises being an undivided ownership interest as tenant‑in‑common with other owners in the Time share Unit in the building lo cated at 1335 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY; known as The NYH Condominium. Together with an appurtenant undivided 0.0381% in common interest percentage. This is a

cated at 1335 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY; known as The NYH Condominium. Together with an appurtenant undivided 0.0381% in common interest percentage. This is a foreclosure on ownership inter est in a timeshare unit, a studio penthouse on a floating use basis every year, in accordance with and subject to declara tions. Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions dated October 27, 2003 and November 3, 2003 as CFRN # 2003000442512 as recorded in the Office of the City Register, County, City and State of New York. The Timeshare Unit is also designated as Block 1006 and Lot 1302.

Said premises known as 1335 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS, NEW YORK, NY 10019

Approximate amount of lien $23,067.72 plus interest & costs.

Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment and Terms of Sale. Index Number 850036/2020. PAUL SKLAR, ESQ., Referee DRUCKMAN LAW GROUP PLLC

Attorney(s) for Plaintiff 242 Drexel Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590 DLG# 38644 {* AMSTERDAM*}

NOTICE OF SALE SUPREME COURT COUNTY OF NEW YORK HSBC Bank USA, N.A., Plaintiff AGAINST Pedro Domingo Arevalo Alvarez Arenas a/k/a Pedro Domingo a/k/a Pedro Arevalo a/k/a Pedro Alvarez a/k/a Pedro Arenas, if living and if dead, the respective heirs at law, next of kin, distributees, executors, administrators, trustees, devisees, legatees, assignors, lienors, creditors and successors in interest and generally all persons having or claiming under, by or through said defendant who may be deceased, by purchase, inheritance, lien or otherwise of any right, title or interest in and to the premises described in the complaint herein, and their respective husbands, wives or widows, if any, and each and every person not specifically named who may be entitled to or claim to have any right, title or interest in the property described in the verified complaint all of whom and whose names and places of residence unknown, and cannot after diligent inquiry be ascertained by the Plaintiff; et al., Defendant(s) Pursuant to a Judgment of Foreclosure and Sale duly entered March 22, 2022, I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse in Room 130, located at 60 Centre Street, New York, NY 10007 on August 4, 2026, at 2:15PM, premises known as 15 William Street, New York, NY 10005. All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County, City and State of New York, Block: 25 Lot: 1503. Approximate amount of judgment $792,245.73 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment Index# 810049/2012. Mark McKew, Esq., Referee LOGS Legal Group LLP f/k/a Shapiro, DiCaro & Barak, LLC Attorney(s) for the Plaintiff 175 Mile Crossing Boulevard Rochester, New York 14624 (877) 430-4792 Dated: June 2, 2026 90395

NOTICE OF SALE

SUPREME COURT - COUNTY OF NEW YORK

U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUST-

EE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION

OF NEW YORK

U.S. BANK TRUST NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, NOT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY BUT SOLELY AS OWNER TRUSTEE FOR RCF 2 ACQUISITION TRUST , Plaintiff, AGAINST MUGE MA, FENGXIANG MA , et al. Defendant(s)

Pursuant to a judgment of foreclosure and sale duly entered on May 7, 2026.

I, the undersigned Referee, will sell at public auction at the New York County Courthouse, 60 Centre St, New York, NY 10007 on August 11, 2026 at 2:15 PM premises known as 1 West End Ave, Unit 9L, New York, NY 10023.

Please take notice that this foreclosure auction shall be conducted in compliance with the Foreclosure Auction Rules for New York County, and the COVID 19 Health Emergency Rules, including proper use of masks and social distancing.

All that certain plot piece or parcel of land, with the buildings and improvements thereon erected, situate, lying and being in the Borough of Manhattan, County of New York, City and State of New York. Block 1171 and Lot 4741.

Approximate amount of judgment $1,373,438.59 plus interest and costs. Premises will be sold subject to provisions of filed Judgment. Index #850454/2024.

Scott H. Siller, Esq. , Referee, Aldridge Pite, LLP - Attorneys for Plaintiff - 40 Marcus Drive, Suite 200, Melville, NY 11747

NOTICE OF QUALIFICATION OF ATEA PROPERTY MANAGEMENT, LLC. Appl. for Auth. filed with the Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 6/12/26. Office Loc. New York County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 6/9/26. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to: ATEA Property Management, LLC at 16027 Ventura Blvd., Ste 301, Encino, CA 91436. Reg. Agent: eResidentAgent, Inc.1 Rockefeller Plaza Ste 1204, NY, NY 10020. DE address of LLC is 500 Delaware Ave., 903, Wilmington, DE 19801. P/B/A: 16027 Ventura Blvd., Ste 301, Encino, CA 91436. Cert. of LLC filed with Secy. of State of DE located at 401 Federal St, 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: any lawful activity

Notice of Qualification of AI Infrastructure OpCo II, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/01/26. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 03/04/26. Princ. office of LLC: 500 Howard St., San Francisco, CA 94105. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, DE Div. of Corps., PO Box 898, Dover, DE 19903. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

M/WBE bids sought for 2054 Walton Avenue, Bronx, NY construction project. A scope meeting will be held on July 20 Contact bidding@taxaceny.com for details

Notice of Qualification of CHARTBOOST, LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/06/26. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 12/10/24. Princ. office of LLC: 26 O'Farrell St., 10th Fl., San Francisco, CA 94108. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co. (CSC), 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: CSC, 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Mobile in-app programmatic advertising and monetization platform.

Notice of Qualification of Asymmetrical Management LLC. Certificate of Authority filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 12/23/2025. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). Limited Liability Company (LLC) formed on 5/22/2022. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to LEGALZOOM.COM, INC.: 228 PARK AVE S, SUITE 708 NEW YORK, NY, 10003, USA. Articles of Organization originally filed with Secretary of State (SOS). 401 Federal Street, Suite 4, Dover, Delaware 19901 Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

MTA PROCUREMENT

The MTA encourages vendors who have not done business with us to register for our bidders list using MY MTA Portal for vendors at www.mymta. info. Registered vendors can search for procurement opportunities across all MTA agencies and receive invitations to bid or propose on the types of goods and services they can provide. Certified minority and women-owned businesses (M/WBE), service-disabled veteran-owned businesses (SDVOB), and disadvantaged businesses (DBE), are strongly encouraged to compete for MTA opportunities. Visit our website at https://new.mta.info/doingbusiness-with-us for detailed information and guidelines.

Notice of formation of MACLLAREN & CO. BARBERS N.Y. LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/19/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to New York Secretary of State: 35 E 1ST ST, WEST STOREFRONT, New York, NY 10003. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of STRIVERS ROW 215 LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/29/26. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 122072543. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

NOTICE OF FORMATION OF STUDIO JONES DESIGN LLC. Arts. of Org. filed with the Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 5/12/26. Office Loc. New York County. SSNY designated as agent upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail a copy of any process to: Studio Jones Design LLC at 340 E 66th St, Apt 3G, NY, NY 10065. Reg. Agent: eResidentAgent, Inc.1 Rockefeller Plaza Ste 1204, NY, NY 10020. P/B/A: 340 E 66th St, Apt 3G, NY, NY 10065. Purpose: any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of Highmark Building Systems LLC. Certificate of Authority filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/02/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). Limited Liability Company (LLC) formed on 11/26/2025. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Highmark Building Systems LLC: 49 West 45th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10036. Articles of Organization originally filed with Secretary of State (SOS). 1209 Orange Street, Wilmington, New Castle County, Delaware 19801 Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Qualification of MONICA VINADER SPRING STREET NY LLC Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/18/26. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 03/18/26. Princ. office of LLC: 151 Spring St., NY, NY 10012. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, Div. of Corps., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Retail sales of jewelry and related services.

Notice of formation of NOW SHE SPEAKS TRAINING AND CONSULTING LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/18/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to LEGALCORP SOLUTIONS, LLC: brian.johnston@swyftfilings.com. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Qualification of QUIETT LUXURY FOODS GROUP L.L.C. App. for Authority filed with NY Secy. of State (SSNY) on 05/13/2026. Office: NY County. Formed in CA on 04/05/2024. SSNY designated agent for process; mail process to 167 E 111ST APT 5F, NY, NY 10029. CA office: 4082 BAKMAN AVE, STUDIO CITY, CA 91602. Purpose: any lawful purpose.

M/WBE bids sought for 2435 Crotona Avenue, Bronx, NY construction project. A scope meeting will be held on July 6th Contact bidding@taxaceny.com for details

Notice of formation of C&R Prestige, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 05/16/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to LEGALZOOM USCA, INC: 45 Main Street Suite 238 Brooklyn NY 11201. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Qualification of CRITERION ORIGINAL PRODUCTIONS LLC

Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/08/26. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 05/29/26. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State, John G. Townsend Bldg., 401 Federal St., Ste. 4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Formation of HENRY JACQUES NEW YORK LLC

Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/11/26. Office location: NY County. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to c/o Tarter Krinsky & Drogin LLP, Attn: Emily Ayoob, Esq., 1350 Broadway, 11th Fl., NY, NY 10018. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

HIGH FALLS PARTNERS LLC

Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 02/09/2026. Office in New York Co. SSNY desig. agent of LLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 500 W 30th St Apt 18C, New York, NY 10001. United States Corporation Agents, Inc. desig. as agent for SOP 7014 13TH Avenue , Suite 202, Brooklyn, NY 11228. Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of Julia Stevens LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/14/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Julia Stevens: 82 IRVING PL, 6A, New York, NY 10003. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Qualification of SAKS EQUITY ACQUIROR LLC

Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/10/26. Office location: NY County. LLC formed in Delaware (DE) on 06/05/26. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Corporation Service Co., 80 State St., Albany, NY 12207-2543. DE addr. of LLC: 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of Form. filed with Secy. of State of the State of DE, Div. of Corps., 401 Federal St., Ste. #4, Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice of Qualification of The National Guitar Museum, LLC. Certificate of Authority filed with Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/12/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). Limited Liability Company (LLC) formed on 10/06/2008. SSNY designated as agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to Trini C. Newquist: trini@newquist.net. Articles of Organization originally filed with Secretary of State (SOS). 303 E. 83rd Street 31A, New York, NY 10028 Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of Yellow Artemis, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/16/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Yellow Artemis LLC: 108 W 39th Street, STE 1006, #2511 New York, NY 10018. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of formation of Douceur from the heart LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 7/1/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Secretary of State of the State of New York: 356 East 78th Street, New York, NY 10075. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Formation of STRETCH WANNIGAN 2, LLC Arts. of Org. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 06/30/26. Office location: NY County. Princ. office of LLC: 97 Perry St., Apt. 4, NY, NY 10014. SSNY designated as agent of LLC upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the LLC at the addr. of its princ. office. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Notice is hereby given that a license, serial #NA-0340-25103028 for beer, wine & liquor has been applied for by the undersigned to sell beer, wine & liquor at retail in a restaurant under the ABC Law at 994 Columbus Ave., New York, NY 10025 for on-premises consumption; Limone LLC

Notice of formation of Salt & Story, LLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 5/57/26. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Limited Liability Company (LLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to LEGALZOOM USCA, Inc.: 45 Main Street, Suite 238, Brooklyn, New York 11201. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

NOTICE is hereby given that a license, number NA-0370-24135212 for liquor, wine, beer & cider has been applied for by the undersigned to sell liquor, wine, beer & cider at retail in a bar/tavern under the Alcoholic Beverage Control Law at 4371 3rd Ave; Bronx, NY 10457 in Bronx County for on premises consumption. Zion Restaurant and Lounge Corp d/b/a Zion Restaurant and Lounge

YS NEXUS LAW PLLC Articles of Org. filed NY Sec. of State (SSNY) 05/28/2026. Office in New York Co. SSNY desig. agent of PLLC upon whom process may be served. SSNY shall mail copy of process to 1608 Nogales Street, Suite C13, Rowland Heights, CA 91748. Any lawful purpose.

M/WBE bids sought for 869 Linden Blvd, Brooklyn, NY construction project. A scope meeting will be held on July 21. Contact bidding@taxaceny.com for details.

212 Jefferson

Continued from page 2

Bernard Mitchell Alter, Carmella Charrington’s lawyer, said that the most important issue in the Housing Court case is whether the Georgia conservatorship is legal and has any authority to sell 212 Jefferson.

Judge Arrindell explained that Housing Court handles possession cases, not ownership disputes, and he noted that a possession order and warrant had already been issued in the case. Arrindell said that 227 Group LLC’s attorney, Burton, had not pointed out which court order Carmella Charrington

had violated.

The judge said his earlier order had only called for people to be evicted from the first and second floors of 212 Jefferson, and not from the third floor, where residents still live.

“What provision in that order is Ms. Charrington in violation of?” Judge Arrindell asked the 227 Group LLC’s attorney.

Burton told the judge: “She admitted today she’s in possession; she hasn’t allowed them in; she has physical possession.”

“My order didn’t prevent her from being in possession; my order gave the Marshal the authority to take possession,” the judge responded. “And she violated that order,” answered Burton. “She’s not in violation,” Judge Arrindell countered. “I didn’t order her to do anything. I ordered the Marshall to take possession. If what you’re saying is true, then it would be common practice that we could hold tenants in contempt of court when they fail to give up possession of a property — that’s why we have warrants, that’s why we have Marshals, because people are not going to willingly leave the homes that they’ve lived in. You need an officer to remove them. If a tenant refuses to leave the apartment, the Marshal evicts them.

“…What you’re saying is that we should be bringing contempt against tenants who refuse to leave the apartment because the Marshal had to come and get them. There is no clear, unequivocal mandate. I did not order Miss Charrington to give up possession, that she needs to vacate the apartment. There’s nothing in my orders that says that. It says that the Marshal may execute on the warrant of eviction. The order is to the Marshal.”

The judge said the contempt motion was not the correct way to deal with the current status of 212 Jefferson.

Notice of formation of Verse Architecture PLLC. Articles of Organization filed with the Secretary of State of NY (SSNY) on 07/01/2026. Office location: New York County (Manhattan). SSNY designated as an agent of Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC) upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY should mail process to Dyuthi Prakash: 1350 Ave of the Americas, Fl 2-1047. Purpose: Any lawful purpose.

Notice of Qualification of AP CREDIT SOLUTIONS HOLDINGS (AIV) II, L.P. Appl. for Auth. filed with Secy. of State of NY (SSNY) on 01/08/25. Office location: NY County. LP formed in Delaware (DE) on 12/26/24. Princ. office of LP: Attn: General Counsel, 9 W. 57th St., 43rd Fl., NY, NY 10019. Duration of LP is Perpetual. SSNY designated as agent of LP upon whom process against it may be served. SSNY shall mail process to the Partnership at the princ. office of the LP. Name and addr. of each general partner are available from SSNY. DE addr. of LP: c/o Corporation Service Co., 251 Little Falls Dr., Wilmington, DE 19808. Cert. of LP filed with The Secy. of State of the State of DE, Dept. of State, Div. of Corps., John Townsend Bldg., Dover, DE 19901. Purpose: Any lawful activity.

Occupational Therapist Priority Care Staffing. Full time. Bronx. 75,712/year (36.4/ hour) Evaluate patients’ conditions; Develop and implement treatment plans; Demonstrate exercises to help relieve patients’ pain; Evaluate results and progress of occupational therapy on patients; Educate caregivers and family members of clients on patient care. usotjobs@prioritycarestaffing. com.

CDL training

Continued from page 4

Continued from page 3

M/WBE bids sought for 2060 Walton Avenue, Bronx, NY construction project. A scope meeting will be held on July 20. Contact bidding@taxaceny.com for details

M/WBE bids sought for 2102 44th Drive, Queens, NY construction project. A scope meeting will be held on July 21. Contact bidding@taxaceny.com for details

M/WBE bids sought for 3377 Eastchester Rd, Bronx, NY construction project. A scope meeting will be held on July 20. Contact bidding@taxaceny.com for details

“Expanding Next Mile NYC ensures more New Yorkers have the chance to gain valuable skills, secure stable employment, and successfully reintegrate into their communities,” said NYC Probation Commissioner Sharun Goodwin. “That is how we build safer neighborhoods and [a] stronger future. Every person deserves the opportunity to write a new chapter. At the Department of Probation, we see the potential in the people we serve every day, and we know that access to meaningful employment can change the tra-

Reject Palantir

Continued from page 13

ICE custody

Continued from page 14

something simpler: every one of these deaths deserves to

Every nation has the sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws. That principle is not in dispute. But every democracy also has a duty to account for deaths that occur while exercising that power. Transparency, independent investigations, and public accountability are not obsta-

Next Mile NYC stems from a three-year pilot tied to the fiscal calendar and initially recruited justice-impacted individuals staying in transitional housing through a 20-person cohort. Not only did the program help participants leave the shelter system, but some are on the pathway to buying their own home.

Since then, more than 300 participants have obtained their permit and another 187 participants have acquired their CDL already through the program. Among them, 111 already secured a full-time job and another 72 have pending offers — oftentimes multiple offers from

different employers. And not a single participant has been rearrested since the program’s start.

In March, another expansion brought Next Mile NYC to people currently detained on Rikers Island through the Department of Corrections. Individuals detained in city jails could still put in the 40 hours for the online course over a tablet in preparation for the road test after release. 22 people have so far completed the training.

While paying for CDL training is far from cheap, the expenses pale in comparison to the roughly halfmillion dollars needed to incarcerate a single person

in New York City. As the city looks to reduce the jail population to meet a legal mandate to close Rikers Island and transfer a smaller incustody population to four borough-based facilities currently under construction.

“People are taking advantage of the opportunity so you’re not seeing recidivism,” said Deanna Logan, MOCJ Director. “For Rikers to be able to close, you need to not add people in. You need to make sure that there are meaningful pathways for people on Rikers to move out. And you need to make sure that the people who have left do not have a reason to go back.”

Rep. Jeffries and every member of Congress face a choice: Continue investing in surveillance that harms our most vulnerable communities, or invest in the people they were elected to serve. It’s time our elected officials prioritize the community that elected them over corporate profits. The choice is clear. Our communities are watching.

cles to law enforcement; they are what distinguish the rule of law from the unchecked exercise of government authority.

Perhaps that is why Mexico’s decision resonates so deeply. It is not simply asking questions about individual deaths; it is asking whether America is still willing to ask those questions itself.

Because something troubling happens when society becomes accustomed to tragedy. The extraordinary becomes routine; the names

become statistics; the families become footnotes.

And eventually, another death no longer commands our attention, and it simply becomes another headline.

America has long presented itself as a nation governed by laws and committed to justice. That reputation is strengthened not when mistakes never occur, but when governments confront them honestly, investigate them thoroughly, and hold those responsible accountable where appropriate.

The families of those who

Amalia Oliva Rojas is a New York activist, awardwinning playwright, and poet.

have died deserve answers; the public deserves transparency. And those whose lives ended in government custody or during immigration enforcement deserve something even more basic: to be remembered!

Felicia J. Persaud is the founder and publisher of NewsAmericasNow.com, the only daily syndicated newswire and digital platform dedicated exclusively to Caribbean Diaspora and Black immigrant news across the Americas.

Strategic Response Group

pledge so far, but he has still reiterated his support for making sure that the SRG is out of protest, and that is a pledge that we look forward to him following through on. It is one that we don’t need to wait for because the council also has the ability to act by passing the CURB Act.”

For roughly a decade, police reform advocates documented SRG misconduct, particularly at protests and other large, unplanned gatherings. Critics long accused the unit of suppressing free speech and operating with little oversight, while former Mayor Eric Adams defended it as “the elite of the department.”

When Black Lives Matter demonstrators took to the streets in summer 2020 after the murder of George Floyd, many were met with the SRG’s bikes, shields, and batons. Those incidents led to Payne et al. v. City of New York, a class action settlement brought by civil rights groups like the NYCLU and the State Attorney General’s Office, which led to court orders limiting the unit’s deployment to a tiered system.

“For Black New Yorkers in particular, we are not unfamiliar with tactics that would silence our advocacy [and] our right to protest,” said Donovan Tavares of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund. “We’re always going

WPA: Jasmine Gripper

Continued from page 3

Cuomo’s resignation, she said.

Gripper was elected co-director of WFP in 2023 along with Ana María Archila, who was appointed to Mamdani’s Commissioner for International Affairs this February 2026. Archila’s exit bumped Gripper up to sole state director recently.

The first order of business was backing the mission to flip five congressional seats in 2024 elections from Republican to Democrat. Then in 2025, the WFP targeted former Mayor Eric Adams and Cuomo in the primary election by endorsing a slate of candidates, including Mamdani.

“That was ultimately successful in keeping the left from being divided, stopping the candidates of the billionaire, and to help Zohran emerge as the next mayor. Really proud of that moment,” said Gripper.

Gripper asserted that there are, of course, ebbs and flows in politics, but voters in New York tend to take the “Blue state” status for granted having lived in a battleground state during a presidential election year.

“Now we’re continuing to build our power,

Caribbean & EU

Continued from page 14

velopment realities of small island developing states, to explore practical and mutually beneficial solutions to the issues identified by the EU, and to strengthen the longstanding partnership between the European

to have to do work to attain the same level of rights as everybody else in this country, like many minority groups … and the NYPD should not have the right, void of accountability, [to] control, dictate, and suppress these protests.”

Beyond protests, the SRG was also involved when the NYPD killed Saheed Vassell, a Black Brooklyn man diagnosed with bipolar disorder, in 2018. Isabelle Leyva, a NYCLU senior organizer who long led the civil liberties group’s efforts to disband the unit, said a lack of transparency remains after all these years. Headcount numbers, deployment areas, and exact parameters for what SRG is responsible for are still a mystery to this day.

Credible information often stems from hearings and reports from the NYPD’s inspector general, which boasts subpoena powers and looked into police misconduct during the George Floyd protests. Little of what is known points to the SRG starting as a counter-terrorism unit. Projections indicate the unit’s budget grew by a hundredfold between its inception in 2015 and 2024.

“We have this militarized entity that essentially can be deployed at will, and we actually do not know, despite us asking many times, is the SRG present in plain clothes in communities?” said Leyva. “[In] the horrific case of Saheed Vassell, he was very wellknown to the local officers in his community, but when SRG officers were deployed to that

build our movement, and grow our ranks in the state legislature. At the end of the day, it’s about our commitment to win tangible change in the lives of New Yorkers. The thing I can say about the party from its history is that the party has been at the helm of every major fight that has meant real relief for working families,” Gripper said. “From the minimum wage fight to paid sick days and paid family leave to the fights for education and campaign finance reform … and we still have a long way to go. The affordability crisis is worse than we could have ever imagined. The rent is too high or homeownership feels out of reach for many New Yorkers.”

Fighting disenfranchisement among voters

Whether Democrats or Republicans have been in charge, though, Gripper said there has always been a level of voter disenfranchisement targeted toward Black and Brown voters and low-income voters. She said the status quo of the current political system disappoints a lot of voters who care about making a fair wage, housing, and affordability.

“We’ve always tried to make sure our folks understand that they have a right to participate in our democracy … and sometimes that takes convincing, because I’ve

Union and the Eastern Caribbean,” the regional leaders said in a statement after the Dominica meeting. They argued that any dismantling of the program as a significant revenue source “must be accompanied by a comprehensive framework that safeguards economic stability, protects development gains already achieved, and supports the creation of sus-

neighborhood, they did not know him. They were not familiar with him and any of the kind of struggles that he was having … [The SRG] can come into communities, with no relationship to that community, trained with militarized crowd control tactics, where they treat protesters and people like enemy combatants, so they’re a danger across the board in and out of protests, and until we really get a handle on removing them from those spaces, part of our goal is to get more answers around where they are right now.”

“Vassell was one example, but no New Yorker benefits from a police department that is rogue and void of accountability,” added Tavares. “That’s just not how public safety works.”

A Mamdani spokesperson pointed to previous comments made by the mayor affirming his stance on disbanding the SRG. “I continue to believe in the importance of decoupling our response to protest from our response to threats of terrorism, and that’s something that I am continuing to work with the commissioner on — to disband SRG and ensure that we have responses that are separate from each other,” Mamdani said last month. “We’re doing so on a timeline that will ensure we keep New Yorkers safe as we deliver that.”

His office did not comment on whether he would sign the CURB Act into law if it is passed by the City Council. Of course,

been outside and people [say] ‘I don’t vote. It doesn’t matter. Who cares?’ And I believe that’s true. I think the Democratic establishment has let us down in the same way that Republicans have,” said Gripper. To move the needle on policy issues, the WFP prioritizes taxing the rich.

“Every New Yorker deserves quality housing. We all deserve healthcare we can rely on. We all deserve childcare for our children and our families. New York has always been a place, and should continue to be a place, where immigrants are welcome,” said Gripper. “That is essential to being a healthy New York and the things that I … get annoyed about is [that] gentrification didn’t just happen; people allowed it to happen.”

Sometimes doorknocking gets it done

Over the past 30 years, the evolution of technology has affected how grassroots organizations pool support. Many have deployed new tools to mobilize voters, such as digital canvassing platforms to identify supporters, like MiniVAN, texting campaigns, and virtual engagements.

“Nothing still beats face-to-face conversations with people and meeting them at the

tainable alternative sources of financing,” they said, meaning that the EU should assist in assisting with alternative revenue sources. Countries sell citizenship and passports for as little as $100,000, coupled with investments in real estate and other development avenues. Western nations have railed against the scheme, suggesting that these small island nations lack the international due dil-

the bill still requires an initial hearing to pass committee. During the bill’s potential journey to Mamdani’s desk, the council — which is more moderate than when Councilmember Chi Ossé first introduced the bill during the Adams administration — may amend the language significantly. However, a recent victory holding Mamdani to a campaign promise regarding a flat NYPD headcount spells confidence for police reform advocates whom former Mayor Eric Adams often overlooked.

Sisitzky was among several speakers during a rally outside City Hall last month who helped deliver a letter against an officer hiring spree, signed by roughly 70 organizations, including the Democratic Socialists of America, an organization often synonymous with the membership-card-holding Mamdani. Days later, the projected 580 officer headcount was nixed from the budget.

“What the headcount debate proved is that the administration is willing to listen when they are pushed,” said Sisitzky. “It was really encouraging to see … we are going to continue to push for the administration to deliver on the rest of their campaign platform and their promises with respect to policing, [with] disbanding the SRG being one of those commitments that the mayor has again reiterated his commitment to, and we are going to continue to organize and put pressure on the administration to deliver on that.”

doors. Texting voters doesn’t land as well as talking to them on the phone, and that doesn’t land as good as it is to meet them at the door and talk to them on their stoop,” said Gripper. The WFP, like many progressive and socialist organizations, is notorious for its hordes of volunteers. “We still knock [on] doors. It’s still a core tactic of ours and, I think, the entire movement. I think Obama was the one who demonstrated the power of community organizing and door-knocking. I think that playbook is still the playbook,” said Gripper.

Gripper said that part of what was compelling and great about Mamdani’s mayoral campaign was how he leveraged social media with good-quality content that was engaging, had a plan that targeted his core voters, and was present in the community.

“I see my role as supporting the Black electors who we help to get into office and making sure that they’re governing well and that they have the resources and tools that they need to be successful, while also working with them to develop the bench of who’s coming behind them and making sure that we are building up folks from our communities to do the work, to know how to to run politics on our behalf,” said Gripper.

igence abilities to properly scrutinize the background of applicants who buy the passports to enjoy visa-free travel that would not otherwise be available to them. Just recently, Ireland suspended visa-free travel to St. Lucia and St. Kitts, citing a lack of faith in the passport scheme, while the U.S. has warned that it is also moving in this direction because of similar concerns.

Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson impresses in UFC debut

By DERREL JOHNSON Special to the AmNews

Gable Steveson, arguably one of the most impressive combat sports prospects in recent memory, made his Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) debut this past Saturday in Las Vegas at UFC 329 and didn’t disappoint. The 26-yearold only needed 151 seconds to defeat Elisha Ellison by KO. Steveson, who briefly competed in the WWE, is 4-0 in MMA and has not allowed an opponent to get out of the first round.

Raised in Apple Valley, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneapolis, Steveson was the 2020 Summer Olympics gold medalist in the 275pound freestyle wrestling division and two-time NCAA Division I national champion for the University of Minnesota.

Former UFC heavyweight and light heavyweight champion Jon Jones, whom many close followers of the sport place as the greatest MMA fighter of all time, was in Steveson’s corner. Those familiar with Jones’ fighting style could recognize his influence on Steveson, particularly Steveson landing crushing kicks to open the contest.

“I’ve got great mentors in my corner,” Steveson said when asked about the impact of Jones. “With the athleticism that I have, I can pull off a lot of things that Jon did. But with the height that I have (listed at 6’1”), my explosiveness can get me to that point to close

that distance a lot. Jon shows me what Jon knows best. He knows my body style, he knows what I can do, and he knows what I’m going to do — because I don’t think there’s anything I can’t do.”

The confident Steveson now has his sights set on the so-called

World’s Most Famous Arena.

“MSG would be amazing,” he shared. “To go out there in Madison Square Garden, the last time I was in MSG, Jon Jones spinning back kicked Stipe (Miocic in November 2024) so it would be cool to keep that legacy going in Mad-

ison Square Garden.”

In the main event of UFC 329, Conor McGregor, one of the most popular MMA competitors ever, who had not fought since July 2021, suffered a devastating knee injury in the first two seconds of his clash with Max Holloway. The referee stopped the fight after 69 seconds.

Boxing returns to New York City when two Brooklynites battle at Infosys Theater at Madison Square Garden on July 26. Puerto Rican power puncher Edgar Berlanga (23-2, 18 KOs) looks to get back into the win column when he faces Steven Butler (38-5-1, 32 KOs) of Montreal, Canada, in a 10-round super middleweight battle. Berlanga last fought in July 2025 at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, where he fell in an upset to Hamzah Sheeraz via a fifth-round knockout.

Another Brooklyn native, undefeated former super lightweight champion Richardson Hitchins (20-0, 8 KOs), will take on Mexican Ricardo Salas (24-2-2, 18 KOs) in a 12-round welterweight contest. Hitchins will move up to 147 pounds. He was a late scratch in his IBF super lightweight title defense against Óscar Duarte in February due to an undisclosed illness.

During the off-season, the PWHL works to increase diversity in ice hockey

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews

Last week, the Women of Color Hockey Collective (WCHC), a Canadian non-profit organization dedicated to increasing access, representation, and belonging in ice hockey for girls and women from underrepresented communities, held its WCHC Summer Camp in Etobicoke, Ontario.

Sophie Jaques, a graduate of Ohio State University and member of Canada’s 2026 Olympic silver medal team, and Jade Iginla, a recent graduate of Brown University and the 18th overall pick in the recent Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) Draft, served as coaches.

“To be a part of hopefully growing the game and providing representation for young girls is really important to me, but also thanks to our sponsors to bring everyone in for free is just unbelievable,” said Iginla, one of three Black women selected in the 2026 PWHL Draft. She will play for the new team in Hamilton.

Iginla’s entry into ice hockey was

seamless as her father, Jarome Iginla, played in the NHL and is in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Knowing everyone doesn’t have that access, she’s creating paths. “Now more

than ever we’re trying to create a space for everyone and bring everyone in,” she said. “It’s not just to see how good you can be, it’s to enjoy it, and that’s why this camp

is so special. Everyone comes in and has a lot of fun.”

The PWHL and longtime league partner e.l.f. Beauty has come together with the WCHC to support

programs aimed at increasing diversity for women and girls in hockey. There were more than 200 participants at the WCHC Summer Camp, all of whom attended the three-day hockey camp for free. In addition to Iginla and Jaques, PWHL player Mikyla Grant-Mentis also served as a coach. As the PWHL revs up for its fourth season, it expands to 12 teams. The four new cities will be Detroit, Hamilton, Las Vegas, and San Jose.

“It’s wonderful to see all the friendships that have bloomed from this camp,” said Jaques, who has played in the PWHL since its inception. “Having completed my [undergraduate and] graduate degrees was a great stepping stone for me and I learned a lot. While people might say engineering has nothing to do with hockey, I think it does, especially problem-solving. I apply it to my everyday life. Talking to the girls and sharing with them my experiences in hockey, where hockey could take them, and the opportunities that can come from the sport, is something I enjoy so much.”

Former DII player advances her pro career with the UPSHOT League

By LOIS ELFMAN Special to the AmNews

Five-foot-11 guard Lauryn Taylor is making some noise with the Savannah Steel of the UPSHOT League. While the team works to get more wins, Taylor is honing her skills to advance her opportunities in professional basketball. She played one season at Division I Florida Gulf Coast University, but the bulk of her collegiate career was at Division II Francis Marion University in Florence, South Carolina, where she earned national honors in her four years playing for the Patriots.

“I’m from South Carolina,” Taylor said. “In high school is when I really started to take off with basketball, but I ended up committing to a Division II because I thought it was really important to go somewhere where I felt like I fit and would be able to grow and make a name for

myself without being a small fish in a big pond. In the era of the transfer portal, it would have been all too easy to leave and try to pursue something more, but I felt like for the four years I was there, I wasn’t necessarily ready.”

In her senior year at Francis Marion, Taylor broke an NCAA record for most rebounds in a single game with 43. After earning her bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in sociology and gender studies, she was ready to take her game to the next level, heading to FGCU, where she earned a master’s degree in business administration. “I wanted to make it to the NCAA Tournament and have that experience,” she said. “I was All-Conference, All-Tournament, and made it to the NCAA Tournament. Now, I’m a pro.”

After playing for two different teams in Romania, Taylor received the opportunity to play with

UPSHOT. “This atmosphere was something I was really interested in,” she said. “On top of it, it’s an avenue to help us to get to higher levels.”

While the education and athletic resources at Francis Marion were very good, Division II developed “that gritty mindset that you can adapt to anything,” which helped tremendously overseas. “Overseas is definitely a different beast…but it’s also something that’s very exciting,” she said. “Wherever this ball can take me, I’m willing to go.”

Playing with UPSHOT allows her to play before friends and family. “I take every day with gratitude,” Taylor said. “When I heard about this opportunity, I was a little surprised and I’ll be real, a little skeptical…but now I think it’s one of the greatest opportunities that’s out right now. I’m so glad to be a part of the pioneers who get to start this league.”

Former Liberty KB Sharp launches a language training and translation company

By LOIS ELFMAN

Special to the AmNews

During her six-year WNBA career, which included two seasons with the New York Liberty (2003 and ’04), Kristen Brooke “KB” Sharp also played overseas during the offseason. She played in Russia and Israel, but from 2006 on, France proved to be a perfect fit, and she continued to play there for more than a decade after her WNBA days ended, becoming a French citizen in 2012. Today, she lives near Sancerre with husband Yann and four-year-old son Scott.

While Sharp had learned French in school, she said, “It took me two years [playing here] to be able to really have a conversation.” After becoming proficient, she sharpened her skills by assisting basketball teammates new to France.

“I had been planning to play basketball until I couldn’t walk anymore,” Sharp said jokingly. “I

Gun violence

Continued from page 32

from the Bronx.

Access to guns, most alarmingly for youth, remains an urgent epidemic. Socioeconomic factors have been debated but few efficacious solutions have stemmed the tide of what is undeniably a public health crisis. The issue has been pro-

played in the [top French] league until 2021. I was going to play one more year in the second division for a team in Normandy, but the week I signed the contract, I found out I was pregnant.”

While pregnancy was a blessing, it also pushed her to think of a career after basketball. She earned a cybersecurity certification and then a translation certification while being a stay-at-home mom.

“Teaching English kind of fell into my hands because we have a lot of private schools here,” said Sharp.

“People were saying I should get an English teaching job. I sent my resume in, had an interview, and that was that.”

Over time, she also received requests for one-on-one tutoring in English. Sharp saw the potential, and she has officially launched KB Language Bridge, a language training, translation, and interpretation business. She does language training for people of all ages. There are

foundly examined in this publication by writer Shannon Chaffers in her recent three-part series “Under the Gun.”

“The lack of early childhood education, violence prevention programs, community centers in NYCHA complexes, and more importantly, [vital readjustment and rehabilitation] programs in juvenile facilities” are critical reasons for youths’ engagement in violent

also standard translation services. Upon request, she can serve as an interpreter.

“In teaching and tutoring, I like the contact with other people,” she noted. Basketball is still in her life as she coaches a nine-and-under team with boys and girls, and she plays once a week in a competitive rec league.

The next phase of her business will include teaching French to English-speaking students. She also likes the idea of tutoring French students desirous of attending college in the U.S. With her background in basketball, she feels well qualified to work with potential student-athletes.

Bringing it back to the New York Liberty, Sharp played alongside current Liberty guard Marine Johannès when Johannès was a teenager.

“I got to play with her in her professional debut,” said Sharp. “Then, I got to play with her in my end-of-career years. It was cool to watch her.”

behaviors involving guns, said Derek Haynes, a Harlem native, fixture in New York City basketball circles, and former 15-year counselor in the city’s juvenile justice system.

However plausible these solutions may be, they haven’t stemmed the trauma inflicted on communities, where cries of “When will it end?” ring out at funeral after funeral.

Continued from page 32

Giannis Antetokounmpo now a Heat and Jaylen Brown part of a young, dynamic 76ers contingent, both arriving at their new teams this summer via trades, the addition of James elevates them substantially. He remains a top 25 player and an

All-Star. Last season, James averaged 20.9 points, 7.2 assists, and 6.1 rebounds in 60 regular-season games, and scaled in the playoffs with his costars Luka Dončić and Austin Reeves sidelined with injuries. In 10 postseason games, he posted 23.2 points, 7.3 assists, and 6.7 rebounds.

Another decision for James, another shifting of the NBA’s landscape. Remarkable!

Sports

When Will It End?: In Harlem, gun violence tragically devastates a community sports event

By JAIME C. HARRIS AmNews Sports Editor

For several generations, the Kingdome has been a site where basketball reputations have been built and affirmed. Many of New York’s best hoopers and numerous players from around the country have electrified the crowds at the outdoor court in the belly of the Martin Luther King Jr. Towers — the 13.75acre, 10-building housing development situated between 112th and 115th Streets and Malcolm X Boulevard, still referred to as Lenox Avenue by longtime New Yorkers even after its co-naming in 1987.

Last Friday night, King Towers — formerly the Stephen Foster Houses, erected between 1949 and 1951 and renamed in 1968 for the slain civil rights leader — became the belly of the beast. Gun violence upended opening night of this summer’s Kingdom Games tournament: three people were shot, and one of them, a standout former college and professional player, was killed.

Kinu Rochford, 35, of Brooklyn, was rushed to Mount Sinai Hospital in critical condition but did not survive the gunshot wound

to his head sustained while standing on the sidelines between games. As of AmNews press time, no one had been arrested for the shootings and the NYPD had not provided a motive for the heinous act, perpetrated in a setting occupied by dozens of bystanders, mostly teenagers and young adults.

“I am heartbroken for the family of the man who was killed last night at a basketball tournament in Harlem,” wrote New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani of the social media platform X. “This senseless violence must stop. New Yorkers deserve to spend the summer watching and playing sports, attending community events, and enjoying our public spaces — places where families, friends, and neighbors joyfully gather, not where people are at risk of becoming victims of violence.”

From James Madison High School in Brooklyn to Globe Tech in Manhattan, then Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey (where he averaged 14.7 points and 8.9 rebounds as a senior in 2013), basketball took Rochford to the Netherlands, France, and Lithuania among other countries over his nine-year professional playing career, which

ended in 2021. With a degree in sports administration from FDU, Rochford worked as a coordinator for Win NYC, a homeless service provider, while still playing basketball simply for the love of the game.

The account of the shooting at King Towers is one that is sadly too common, even in spaces presumed safe like basketball tournaments. Last August 23 at Haffen Park in the Baychester section of the Bronx, also known as “The Valley,” 32-year-old Jaceil

Banks was shot in the torso and 17-yearold Anthonaya Campbell was shot in the head at a similar tournament. Both died. Four suspects, including a 17-year-old and 16-year-old were charged with murder. Meanwhile, last August at Gardella Park in White Plains, New York, a short drive from the Bronx, 20 shots were fired after the semifinals of the well attended Ferris World Ball Tournament. All three of the surviving victims were

LeBron James’ next decision can tilt the NBA’s balance of power

By JAIME C. HARRIS

AmNews Sports Editor

LeBron James may not indisputably sit atop the subjective list of the greatest players in NBA history in the company of Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The debate, which will continue into the next century, is redundant.

A more compelling discussion is whether James is the most remarkable player of all time. At the age of 41 and preparing for his unfathomable 24th NBA season, he holds the record for the most seasons played (23) and is one of only twelve players to log 20 or more seasons, a registry that includes legendary figures Vince Carter (22), Dirk Nowitzki (21), Kevin Garnett (21), Abdul-Jabbar (20), and Kobe Bryant (20).

Drafted No. 1 overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2003, James is also the NBA’s all-time leader in games played (1,622) and points scored (43,440).

The best? Perhaps.

The most remarkable? Definitively, yes! Here’s compelling evidence for the latter. After playing the past eight seasons for the Los Angeles Lakers, leading them to the NBA title

in 2020 during a period in which the league’s entire postseason was played in isolation in the aptly named Bubble at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, James’ next decision could dramatically shift the balance of power in the pursuit of the 2027 championship. Never in the 80-year existence of the NBA

has a player had as much sway over the league’s standings for the length of time that James has dictated terms. Which team he chooses has been a leading storyline this offseason (the term offseason being a misnomer as the league’s operations are perpetual) since June 30, when Rich Paul, James’

agent and longtime friend, the CEO of KLUTCH Sports Group, informed the Lakers that James was opting out of the final year of his contract with the franchise.

James, who has proven to be auspiciously calculating and measured, has not publicly stated which teams he is considering. The four-time NBA champion and four-time finals MVP has mastered conjuring — like a supreme sorcerer — intrigue and speculation, finding pleasure in manipulating the masses to the disfavor of those critical of his theatrics.

James purportedly will sign with either the Cleveland Cavaliers, Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat, or Golden State Warriors. The Heat and 76ers are the squads that will instantly become dangerous contenders the second James joins them. With