Off Campus: Multimedia Belt

Community members protest solitary confinement of youth at the Justice Center
By Samantha Mendoza
October 23, 2016 - 11:46am
Local organizations filed a lawsuit against the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Department last month. So why are 16 and 17-year-olds still being placed in “the box?”

Luchele Chisunka’s hands trembled as she addressed the crowd of approximately fifty protesters who gathered at the Onondaga County Justice Center on Thursday. Throughout the hour, and despite the rain clouds overhead, she and other representatives from local advocacy groups shared the stories of Randy, Walta, Charnasha and Yvette: four juveniles who had been routinely placed in solitary confinement at the center for days to months at a time without access to education.

Yom Kippur remains time for forgiveness, remembrance despite politically charged times
By Ankur Dang
October 16, 2016 - 3:52pm
‘We don’t want anyone else to go through an experience like the Holocaust,' say members of Temple Concord during Yom Kippur.

For many Jews around the world, celebrating Yom Kippur is a time of prayer, atonement and forgiveness. But for Ken Steiger, it is also a time for remembrance.

Voter registration drive held in an unusual place: a local prison
By Samantha Mendoza
October 12, 2016 - 5:16pm
Inmates at the Onondaga County Justice Center were informed of their voting rights last week by local advocacy groups.

On a cool October morning, just one week before the local voter registration deadline, a 19-year-old inmate in a tan jumpsuit huddled around the kitchen area at the Onondaga County Justice Center to hear a presentation about voting. Thoughts of his upcoming trial for a felony charge weighed heavily on his mind as he remembered that this is a big year for him. It is his first presidential election, the first time he would be eligible to be denied the right to vote in the state of New York -- or so he thought.

Local high school football players join the Kaepernick protest
By Ankur Dang
September 23, 2016 - 1:12pm
At least three Syracuse students took a knee during a pre-game national anthem last week.

Three Nottingham High School football players knelt during the national anthem before a game in Auburn last Friday, joining the silent protest started by Colin Kaepernick to raise awareness about injustices against people of color.

“We know what we stand for, or kneel for,” said senior linebacker Jakev Jackson, who raised his fist and bowed his head as three of his teammates knelt on the ground.

'Original Gangster' has one goal: peace
By Rachel George
September 14, 2016 - 10:25pm
Clifford Ryans takes to the streets to spread his powerful anti-violence message.

Clifford Ryans is no stranger to the violence in Syracuse. The 52-year-old is taking to the streets to help find peace in his community.

It starts on the sidewalks, where Ryans greets neighbors as cars honk hello and children stop to chat. “Hi, OG,” one little boy said, walking home from a nearby summer camp.

“You not touching no guns! You not touching no squirt guns! You not touching no toy guns! You not touching no Nerf guns! You not touching no guns at all, right?” Ryans said.

Deaf refugees in Syracuse work to overcome unique challenges
By Samantha Mendoza
September 7, 2016 - 6:30pm
Resources available in the city to help with language barrier, job placement

It’s a summer afternoon in August, and Hai Nay Htoo is sitting in a classroom. He and a group of peers watch as their instructor at Whole Me, Inc. gives the day’s lesson about job preparation and training. Like many 19-year-olds, Hai is concerned about the future and all that comes with it: making himself employable, becoming independent and finding a job.

Hai also faces a different set of challenges. He is a deaf refugee who arrived in the U.S. from Burma in 2012.

Congolese refugee becomes church leader
By Elliot Williams
September 7, 2016 - 12:26am
A Congolese refugee fled his home country to escape a violent civil war. Papy Amani is now an unofficial leader at All Saints Church for the refugee community.

In the front pew of All Saints Church, Papy Amani stands with his Bible in hand. Sunday mornings here are filled with the sounds of Congolese men and women dressed in colorful garb, raising their voices in joyful praise.

"Hosannaaa, Hosanna eyyyyy Hosannaaa, Hosanna eyyyyy."

Such joy was hard to find where Amani came from, he said. Papy (pronounced pah-pay) Amani is the unofficial leader of the rapidly growing Congolese refugee community in Syracuse.

“The way I used to live was miserable,” he said. “There was no hope. Not even food to eat. No peace.”

Organizations foster talents of local artists, SU students
By Shumin Lai
June 20, 2016 - 1:07am
Light Work and Point of Contact are just two local galleries that support artists in visual art and poetry.

There are seven Syracuse University-affiliated art galleries in the Syracuse area alone. Among the longest running arts institutions are Light Work and Point of Contact, Inc., which have been running for more than 40 years each. Within a walking distance, students and residents can not only access art but also participate in their different events.

Community team: Violence in Syracuse is more than gangs
By Kate Capodanno
May 12, 2016 - 2:24pm
Syracuse has targeted gangs and gang activity to combat violence, but one group says to solve this problem the city needs to focus on neighborhood relationships.

Cities across the country are developing different ways to combat violence and crime within their urban landscapes. The City of Syracuse is no different. For the last 15 years the Syracuse Police Department and community members have developed programs and groups to help make the city a safer place.

Despite these initiatives, violence and crime have not changed much, and in some cases have even increased. 

Local gallery owner welcomes variety of events, hopes to attract university community
By Naomi Duttweiler
April 23, 2016 - 12:12pm
The House of S. Jaye hosts art shows and vendor markets that give Syracuse artists a platform to share their creations.

Last Sunday, the House of S. Jaye hosted the Syracuse Indie Market for its third vendor show. The art studio has held weekly art shows, dance classes, non-profit events and even a concert by Symphoria, a local co-op orchestra, since it opened over two years ago.

Sam Randolph, the studio’s founder and owner, hopes to make the Indie Market a weekly event.