NYPD Critics Want Answers
by | Feb 21, 2012 4:19 pm | Comments (2)
Paul Bass Photo
Now that civil-rights advocates have learned that New York’s cops have been spying on New Haven-based Muslims, they want to know more.
Immigrants
City Pushes Back Against Feds On Immigration
by | Feb 20, 2012 4:01 pm | Comments (9)
Thomas MacMillan Photo
The mayor issued an urgent appeal to put the brakes on a new enforcement program, as New Haven’s immigrant-friendly policies headed for another collision course with the federal government.
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$350K ICE Settlement Buoys Immigrants
by | Feb 15, 2012 4:03 pm | Comments (0)
“They didn’t respect our rights,” Washington Colala said. “They didn’t respect the tears of our children.”
What Immigration and Customs Enforcement did respect was a federal lawsuit.
Refugee Mom Hangs On, As Son Soars
by | Feb 10, 2012 9:08 am | Comments (0)
Thomas MacMillan Photo
Sara and Berket.
If he can raise the money, Newhallville 13-year-old Berket will join a national youth leadership conference in Washington D.C. this summer. It will be the latest step on a journey he began as an infant with his mother in Ethiopia, part of a path that winds through Kenya, Uganda, and a New Haven homeless shelter.
2 Police Forces, 1 Connected Community
by | Feb 3, 2012 10:01 am | Comments (14)
Thomas MacMillan Photo
Matute unpacks printer cartridges in My Country Store.
Melissa Bailey Photo
Jimenez, at left.
When Ecuadorian activist Dixon Jimenez helped deliver 400 protest tacos to East Haven mayor’s office, he and fellow advocates crossed the border to do so. When East Haven’s Ecuadorian immigrants want to pray or play soccer, they cross the border back into New Haven.
Rocco’s Owner Spared Prison In “Slavery” Case
by | Feb 2, 2012 5:49 pm | Comments (7)
Two immigrant stories collided in federal court: one about a man from Italy with no formal education who created a family business in Fair Haven — and another about a family of Ecuadorian immigrants who claim he verbally, physically and sexually abused them while they worked in his bakery.
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400 Tacos, & Counting
by | Jan 26, 2012 4:26 pm | Comments (12)
Melissa Bailey Photo
New Haven’s Latino advocates saved one taco for East Haven Mayor Joseph Maturo, Jr. and sent 399 others to people who might appreciate them more — diners at a local soup kitchen.
Activists Recover $80K In “Stolen Wages” in 2011
by | Dec 27, 2011 1:42 pm | Comments (7)
Melissa Bailey Photo
Chef Neftali Palma got a $7,500 check Tuesday for unpaid wages from the defunct Downtown at the Taft restaurant — one of 70 people who got help in 2011 from the New Haven Workers Association.
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DeStefano Envisions A New Voting Frontier
by | Dec 14, 2011 7:44 pm | Comments (63)
First African-Americans got the vote. Then women. Now it’s immigrants’ turn.
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City Swings Back
Vs. "Secure Communities"
by | Dec 13, 2011 4:19 pm | Comments (14)
Melissa Bailey Photo
If the federal Secure Communities program spreads to New Haven, it would “destroy” the trust police have built up with the community, Mayor John DeStefano warned.
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‘City Swings Back
Vs. "Secure Communities"’
Resolution Opposes Fed Anti-Immigrant Effort
by | Dec 6, 2011 9:35 am | Comments (9)
Melissa Bailey File Photo
Alderwoman Castro.
It’s called “Secure Communities.” But Alderwoman Migdalia Castro said the immigration-enforcement program results only in scared communities.
Continue reading ‘Resolution Opposes Fed Anti-Immigrant Effort’
Gallo's Return Doesn't
Impress Father Jim
by | Nov 29, 2011 5:10 pm | Comments (11)
New Haven’s Father Jim Manship started a push for change in East Haven when he exposed police misconduct. Tuesday, that process took a step backward, in his view.
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‘Gallo's Return Doesn't
Impress Father Jim’
Psst ... There’s The Thief. & Thanks
by | Oct 28, 2011 11:56 am | Comments (6)
Thomas MacMillan Photo
Officers Diego Quintero and Elvin Rivera.
Officer Elvin Rivera was going through backyards off Wolcott Street “like a hound dog” trying to find an alleged purse-snatcher. He knew he was holed up somewhere nearby. Suddenly someone whispered to him through a fence: The guy’s hiding in the house on the corner.
Courage Crosses Generations
by | Sep 28, 2011 7:46 am | Comments (4)
Thomas MacMillan Photo
Freedom Riders and DREAM Act-ivists shared Co-op High’s stage.
Their elders told them to stay in the shadows. Their supposed friend in the White House dragged his feet. Young people had to take the risks, and change America in the process.
Freedom Riders Ride Again?
by | Sep 26, 2011 10:29 am | Comments (15)
Melissa Bailey/ Jacob Cohn Photos
Lula Mae White risked jail 50 years ago when she rode Southern buses to promote integration. Lorella Praeli “came out of the shadows” this past year to help fellow undocumented immigrants make it to college. The two New Haven activists will share a stage to share their experiences — and explore the dream (or DREAM) the two student civil-rights struggles pursued a half-century apart.
The Teacher And
The Inca General
by | Aug 15, 2011 8:20 am | Comments (0)
Allan Appel Photo
Wilmer Barzallo & son Alex.
Wilmer Barzallo may have given up teaching for waiting tables when he came to New Haven, but as he paraded around the Green with his fellow native Ecuadorians, he still couldn’t resist a teachable moment.
Ecuador's Colors
Fly Over the Green
by | Aug 11, 2011 11:03 am | Comments (3)
Jacob Cohn Photo
As the gold, blue and red flag of Ecuador was raised for the first time in the symbolic center of town, Beatriz Avila waved her smaller flag in pride. New Haven is her city, too.
New Haven Pushes “Dream”
by | Mar 15, 2011 3:43 pm | Comments (11)
Christine Stuart Photo
State Rep. Candelaria (at left) with Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman (right) Tuesday.
The talk in Hartford Tuesday was about the dreams of immigrants’ children in Connecticut. New Haven’s lawmakers were doing much of the talking.
Ecuadorians Honor Mayor
by | Mar 1, 2011 8:05 am | Comments (6)
Melinda Tuhus Photo
An Ecuadorian lawmaker came to New Haven to thank Mayor John DeStefano for his support of immigrants. The mayor, ever the politician, was very interested in the voting habits of her countrymen and women.
They Have A Dream
by | Feb 28, 2011 11:39 am | Comments (4)
Students joined politicians and activists for a spirited rally in New Haven City Hall urging the state legislature to give undocumented young people a shot at the American Dream.
Legal “Angel” Rescues Trapped Wife
by | Feb 25, 2011 12:49 pm | Comments (3)
Ana Bolanos felt trapped in a violent, loveless marriage. Her husband threatened to turn her in to immigration officials if she sought a divorce.
State Probes
Wage Theft Claim
by | Feb 24, 2011 7:35 am | Comments (14)
Melinda Tuhus Photo
After weeks of pickets outside two city restaurants, former workers who claim they’ve been denied $123,000 in wages have convinced the state to take a look.
Cop Accused Of Brutality—A 9th Time
by | Jan 7, 2011 4:02 pm | Comments (46)
Melinda Tuhus Photo
Garzon addresses a crowd outside police HQ.
When Alvaro Garzon filed an official complaint accusing Officer Dennis O’Connell of choking and tasing him while he was handcuffed, it prompted the ninth internal affairs investigation of the officer in six years.
After Ducking, Gallo
Set To Testify Before FOIC
by | Jan 4, 2011 1:01 pm | Comments (1)
Gallo (pictured) used to be a top-ranking New Haven cop until the early days of community policing.
East Haven Police Chief Leonard Gallo is expected to testify before the Freedom of Information Commission Jan. 25, according to his lawyer. Gallo was subpoenaed last November—but did not show up—to explain why requested documents pertaining to allegations of police abuse and racial profiling were not turned over.
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‘After Ducking, Gallo
Set To Testify Before FOIC’
Look Out, ICE
by | Dec 17, 2010 8:29 am | Comments (6)
In their quest to hold immigration agents accountable for alleged constitutional violations during June 2007 raids in Fair Haven, 11 New Haven immigrants can take their case all the way to the top.