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Friday, August 4, 2023
Vol. 11, No. 31
HOME & DESIGN
UUCSR GIVES $325K IN GRANTS
KEY WITNESS AGAINST MANGANO SENTENCED
PAGES 21-32
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Lawsuit alleges county map unfair to Dems Residents, Dem Committee say new districts detrimental to voters of color BY C A M E RY N O A K ES Nassau County residents and the Nassau County Democratic Committee filed a lawsuit against Nassau County’s recently redrawn legislative map, citing an alleged illegal partisan advantage for the Republican Party in county Legislature elections. “This is an illegal map that prevents all voters, especially voters of color, from electing candidates of their choice,” NAACP New York State Conference Civic Engagement Chair H. Scottie Coads said. “This lawsuit is about ensuring everyone’s votes mean something.” The new Nassau County Legislative District map, which would be in effect for the next 10 years, was approved Feb. 27 by the Republican-controlled Legislature along party lines. The map was presented on Feb. 21 by the majority caucus. The map set off a firestorm when Democrat Minority Leader Kevan Abrahams (D-Freeport) criticized the Republican legislators for working in “secrecy” so they could keep their advantage over the next decade. Abrahams has been placed into a district inhabited by more Republicans than the current 1st District. Democratic County Legislator Ar-
nold Drucker expressed in a February statement his displeasure with the proposal that splits Plainview and redraws the lines in his district. “The current proposal is an extreme partisan gerrymander that carves apart Plainview and other communities across the 16th Legislative District,” Drucker previously said. “This is not about the political fate of one person over another – it is much more significant. This is a brazen attempt to dilute and render irrelevant the voices of all Democrats residing in the 16th District and it must not stand.” Legislator Josh Lafazan will also be pushed into the 16th Legislative District, represented by Drucker, according to the map. Other changes to North Shore areas include the expansion of the 10th District into Munsey Park, Plandome and Plandome Manor. The lawsuit cites the same grievances Democratic legislators previously expressed, attributing the reason for the suit to a favoring of the Republican Party with the purpose of ensuring a permanent GOP majority through the new district map. The parties bringing suit say that the new map achieves this Republican advantage by consolidating Democratic voters into two districts and by diluting Continued on Page 43
PHOTO BY KARINA KOVAC
The Bloodstained Men group protested at a busy Manhasset intersection on Sunday during their foreskin awareness tour around the state.
Circumcision protested on Manhasset streets BY K A R I N A KO VA C At the busy intersection of Northern Blvd and Port Washington Boulevard, a protest by the California-based non-profit group Bloodstained Men caused a commotion Sunday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Motorists passing by honked, shouted and exchanged both support and opposition with the protesters, who were wearing white outfits featuring a vibrant red spot over the crotch area. The purpose of the pro-
test was to raise awareness about circumcision and advocate for the preservation of the foreskin. The Bloodstained Men group, formed in 2012, is currently touring New York and chose Manhasset’s bustling intersection for its visibility and impact. Their signs carried messages like “blood rituals are not medicine” and “I want my foreskin back.” They’ve been traveling across America in Chicago, Boston and other major cities. Manhasset motorists honked at
the protestors with some in favor and others against the movement. One driver shouted “die” at the group while another produced an enthusiastic “yes.” David Atkinson, the president and CEO of Bloodstained Men, was among the protesters who took to the streets with the intention of increasing awareness among “intactivists.” These are individuals who believe in the right of a person to not be subjected to involuntary, nonContinued on Page 42