Social Justice
Why Are Accessory Dwelling Units Stalled in Albany?
Gov. Kathy Hochul backed down on including accessory dwelling units in her 2022 budget after a suburban backlash to higher-density housing that some claimed would be the "death of the suburbs."
With Abortion Rights Under Threat, Local Advocates Mobilize
Is New York ready for a post-Roe America? In the Hudson Valley and across the state, advocates are bracing for worst-case scenarios.
Central Hudson Is Broken. Can New York Fix It?
Legislators are investigating. Advocates want to put utilities in public hands. People behind on their utility bills are in trouble. Regulators have a lot of power to act—if they choose to.
Can Hudson Fix Its Public Housing Playground?
Play is essential to childhood development, but the play space at Columbia County’s only public housing project is derelict.
The Assault on New York’s Bail Reform
Police and prosecutors charge that changes to the state’s bail system are causing more violent crimes. But the people helped by the new law mostly get ignored.
From Afghanistan to Albany
Some 650 Afghan refugees are expected to resettle in the Capital District before the end of next year. Will they have the resources they need?
The Long Fight for Justice for Monica Goods
The 11-year-old was killed in a Thruway police crash last December. Following months of calls for justice, the trooper involved was charged with murder this week.
White Supremacists, Antifascists Trade Reprisals in Newburgh
Recent incidents of politically motivated vandalism suggest an ongoing struggle.
The Gospel of Ganja: A Q&A with Cannabis Activist Steve DeAngelo
The “father of legal cannabis,” who has been fighting to end prohibition for nearly 50 years, outlines his vision for a more inclusive and radically just industry—and how it might change the world.
Vaccine Rates Among the Incarcerated Remain Low Amid Mistrust and Misinformation
Many people behind bars are turning down or deferring vaccination, despite months of advocacy to get vaccines into jails and prisons.
A Jail By Any Other Name
The Dutchess County Justice and Transition Center is intended to advance restorative justice efforts. Its opponents, and many criminal justice reformers, argue that governments should invest instead in alternatives to incarceration.
Immigration Has Not Been Magically Fixed Under Biden
The recent deportation of a Rockland County resident shows that reforming the system will take time. Meanwhile, state legislators and activists are trying to prevent further injustice.
American Town: Warwick’s Long Struggle Against White Supremacism
The idyllic Hudson Valley town has been in the news since the owner of a popular cafe attended the DC riot. But its history of racist activity extends back more than a century.
Call BlackLine: Community Care and Liberation on Speed Dial
As established systems of public safety fail them, one group of organizers take matters into their own hands.
‘Stop and Frisk’ Finds Few Guns, Many Critics in Kingston
A joint law enforcement campaign made over 1,300 stops, but nabbed only five firearms.
Rethinking Crime and Punishment: Restorative Justice in the Hudson Valley
A program in Ulster County seeks repair, rather than retribution, for criminalized behavior. Can it be a model for a fairer criminal justice system?
Liberation on the Land: Soul Fire Farm
An interview with program director Naima Penniman about the BIPOC-centered community farm’s efforts to fight racism and injustice in the food system through training and creating equitable distribution networks.
Officer Involved in Recent Killing Accused of Excessive Force in Previous Case
Involved in the shooting of Tyrell Fincher, Ricardo Rivera is also accused of nearly hitting Lakeem Thompson with a squad car, then attacking him with a canine—all for a traffic violation.
On the Ground With the Young Activists Transforming Newburgh
A photo series showcasing justice activists in one of New York’s most interesting and historic cities.
