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Workers Rights Organization Helps Employees Fight Wage Theft as Similar Cases Skyrocket Amid COVID

By Emily Drooby

Fourteen workers in New York City are out $29,000 — wages they say were stolen. 

Osmar Cruz is one of them, claiming he’s owed for almost two months of work and that he and his colleagues were fired after speaking up. 

“We have nothing in our pockets, and we really need the money,” he told Currents News.

Desperate for help, he and others turned to the Worker’s Justice Project, a Brooklyn-based immigrant workers’ rights organization. 

Osmar came to the U.S. five years ago. 

“Some people are crying because they don’t have anything to feed their families,” he explained.

Worker’s Justice Project says wage theft has become prevalent during the pandemic. Before they used to see about four cases a week, now they see at least 12. it’s happening at all kinds of jobs: delivery, construction and domestic work. 

Worker’s Justice Project put together a protest for Osmar and his colleagues outside of 430 East 58th Street, where the workers earned their wages. It’s a luxury building that pierces the sky. 

“Our families, our children, they’re asking for food and we don’t have anything,” Osmar said, “and now it’s the holidays they’re asking for their gifts and we don’t have anything to give them. So that’s why we are protesting.” 

They’re protesting for their money, and for their jobs back. 

In this case the workers say Cassway Contracting hired a subcontractor, Mario Infante, and he hired them. The workers are holding both accountable for the money. 

Speaking to Currents News, the subcontractor  said Cassway also owes them a large sum of money, adding that as a small company waiting for it has been very difficult. 

Cassway contracting has yet to return a request for comment. 

But they did answer the workers – calling them during the protest – to set up another call, essentially the first step of negotiations. 

Worker’s Justice Project tells Currents News this is a step in the right direction, but the hard work is not yet done. They’ve still got negotiations ahead of them, and if those fall through, potentially more protests. That means more time before these workers get the money they so desperately need.

A Look at How the Vatican’s DREAM Program Is Making Access to AIDS Treatment Possible Amid Pandemic

Currents News Staff

“This center shows us that there are always people ready to stop and show compassion, who do not yield to the temptation to say, ‘There is nothing to be done,” or ‘It’s impossible to fight this scourge.’ Instead, you have set about finding solutions,” Pope Francis said Sept. 6, 2019. 

The DREAM program was born in 2002 and is directed by the Community of Sant’Egidio. It offers anti-retro-viral therapy to people who can’t afford it, or have a hard time finding transportation to access it. DREAM has allowed for the births of 130,000 healthy babies in Africa, children of people with the virus.

The program offers a new public health model based on health education and the participation of beneficiaries to form a new culture: AIDS is no longer a death sentence, but a problem that can be treated. At the same time, patients recognize that access to treatment is free and a right.

“In Africa, people thought it was impossible to do antiretroviral therapy as was done in the West, for various reasons: prejudice, cultural motives, etc.,” Paola Germano General Coordinator, for the DREAM program told Currents News. “We showed this wasn’t true, and we fought to introduce free antiretroviral therapy. These are people who could not have afforded medical treatment on their own.”

More than one year after the pontiff’s visit — in the middle of an unrelenting pandemic — the main challenge continues to be guaranteeing universal access to medication, especially in rural areas.

“HIV was and is still a pandemic. COVID-19 is a pandemic, and we’ll have other pandemics in the future,” Paola Explained. “Being able to continue to work to set up programs like that of the Community of Sant’Egidio, which creates structures and a new health culture in countries means offering a possibility to everyone to not be unprepared.”

Right now the DREAM program is active in 10 countries. With 50 centers and 28 laboratory clinics, it has helped millions of people.

 

A Look Into the Warehouse Holding Artifacts and History of the Brooklyn Diocese

By Jessica Easthope

On a dead-end street in Bushwick there’s a hidden treasure trove of history and faith. This warehouse isn’t sacred, but all of the things that make a church holy are housed in this building.

“You’re talking history here. All of these objects were devotional donations from people of generations ago, I feel like a custodian of the heritage of the diocese,” said Monsignor John Bracken. the former Vicar General and current Director of the Office of Patrimony. He oversees it all.

Whenever a church in the Diocese of Brooklyn closes, undergoes a renovation or makes a change, whatever the church doesn’t need goes to the warehouse. The warehouse, which used to be an auto repair shop, is now home to everything from the functional to the sacred. Among the statues, pews, stained glass windows and doors are some truly special items.

But that’s how the statues get there, but how they go is more complicated. All of the items are photographed, documented and appraised. Churches can take what they want in exchange for donations. Some are bigger than others, there are even items that make their way across the world.

“To deal with the effects of the earthquake in Haiti, we were able to send pews. We recently donated some bells to Haiti, and we used to have a statue of Our Lady of the Skies, and it is now in Costa Rica,” Monsignor Bracken said.

When there’s no longer a need for them, churches give everything from their most precious statues to even the collection baskets, but not anyone can take them — they stay within the church community.

“We don’t want things that were given as devotional items by people of generations ago to wind up in the wrong places. That would be sacrilegious to see some of our beautiful artwork in places that are inappropriate,” said Monsignor Bracken.

Though the items are removed from their original sacred places, for Monsignor Bracken their holiness remains. Some objects date back decades, others even longer, but each holds a special piece of the Diocese of Brooklyn.

“Being able to take something that was so meaningful to people who lived 100 years ago, to place it in the home of a church, where it will be venerated again, means that the history continues. The river of faith continues to flow here richly in Brooklyn,” said Monsignor Bracken.

Monsignor Bracken is confident every item will find a home someday. Until then, they sit in the place where history and faith collide.

Rudy Giuliani Holds Hearing in Arizona, Claiming Election Fraud Allegations in the State

By Jessica Easthope

A panel of legislators listened to President Donald Trump’s campaign attorney, Rudy Giuliani, lay out election fraud he says took place not only in Arizona, but in other battleground states. 

“This election was the subject of a conspiracy that goes back before the election, that was hatched by the crooked leaders of the Democratic party,” said Giuliani.

“It’s not just Arizona that has been conned,” he continued, “the people of Arizona taken advantage of and their right to vote taken away from them. It’s the people of Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Georgia and Nevada that we know of.” 

On Monday Nov. 30, Giuliani called in an expert to testify that the Dominion manufactured ballot machines people cast their votes on could have been subject to hacking or manipulation. 

‘The voting systems in the U.S. and Arizona by Dominion and other machines were built to be manipulated,” testified cybersecurity expert Colonel Phil Waldron. “They’ve been used in elections around the world with questionable results, and we believe those same questionable results are present in this election.” 

He wasn’t the only one who testified. For nearly 11 hours, many others explained why they too thought Arizona’s elections were possibly compromised. But a representative for Dominion said any manipulation of votes and such widespread fraud would have been impossible.

“If any electronic interference had taken place, the tally reported electronically would not match the printed ballots,” said Michael Steele, a company representative.

Joe Biden ended up carrying Arizona by just over 10,000 votes, or three tenths of one percent of the vote, with 11 electoral votes up for grabs. Giuliani says the American people have been robbed of their rights, urging the state to throw out the results of the election.

“If your right to vote has been taken away so is mine,” he said. “We have an illegitimate election.”

On Dec. 1, Attorney General Bill Barr said the Justice department has not uncovered evidence of widespread voter fraud that would change the outcome of the election. 

Meanwhile, in Arizona, Joe Biden won by more than one tenth of one percent, which according to state law doesn’t justify an automatic recount. In addition to being declared the winner in Arizona, Monday was also the first day projected winner Joe Biden was given access to president trump’s daily intelligence brief. 

Currents News full broadcast for Tues, 12/1/20 (Catholic news)

Currents News reports secular and religious news from the Catholic perspective.

Some of the top stories on this newscast:

It’s still not over – President Trump’s campaign attorney, Rudy Giuliani, continues the fight – laying out his case of voter fraud in Arizona.

Will a new bipartisan proposal on Capitol Hill break the stalemate over a coronavirus relief bill?

And on this Giving Tuesday – how you can make Christmas brighter for every boy and girl in the Brooklyn Diocese.

Pew Study Says Kids are Less Religious Than Parents, But Not When It Comes to This Brooklyn Family

By Emily Drooby

On her confirmation day, Sally Montalvo received a corsage from her father. It was a physical gift on a day where she will receive one of the greatest spiritual gifts.

Sally was confirmed at St. Dominic’s Church in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn.

She described how she felt in the moments before it happened, “…a happy but nervous kind of feeling.”

She’s the third child in the Montalvo clan to be confirmed. The family has a strong faith now, but it wasn’t always that way.

“My children brought me deeper into my faith,” said Sally’s father, Anthony.

Faith, like genes, tends to run in families. A Pew Research Center survey found that Catholic parents usually create Catholic children. In fact, 81 percent of practicing Catholic parents will have kids that are, too.

However, that same study found children to be far less religious, in fact 19 percent less religious than their parents.

That’s not the case for the Montalvos. Anthony says his children are actually the reason the family deepened their faith.

“They were attending a program here at St. Dominic’s with the youth ministry and they had asked for volunteers during Mass one time and I thought, ‘Maybe I can help out one or two days a week,'” he explained.

One or two days quickly grew into more.

“Started out with that and that turned into going to a retreat, and that turned into wanting to do more, wanting to know more and wanting to live my faith deeper,” said Anthony.

Now together as a family, their faith has grown.

“A family that stays together, prays together,” said the eldest daughter, Maggie.

“I’ve had my communion, I’ve had my confession, I’ve had confirmation and now it’s the little one’s turn,” added their brother, Anthony Jr.

The Montalvos are showing that sometimes, faith comes from the youngest.

How – and When – Will Americans Receive Additional COVID Relief?

Currents News Staff

From lost jobs to medical bills, the COVID-19 pandemic has put a major, unexpected strain on the finances of millions of Americans.

And as the end of the year approaches, some financial lifelines are set to expire.

Some members of Congress want to see more aid approved and distributed before Joe Biden’s inauguration.

The projected winner introduced a diverse team of experienced economic experts he says will chart his administration’s course for the U.S. recovery.

“The team I’m announcing today will play a critical role in shaping our plan for actions starting on day one, and move fast to revive this economy,” said Biden

Those close to Biden say his plans for his first 100 days in office include an expansive stimulus plan.

But a group of bipartisan senators who unveiled their own $908 billion proposal Dec. 1 say Americans need help before January 20.

“We’ve worked night and day throughout the Thanksgiving recess because we recognize that families all across America are struggling,” said Republican Senator Susan Collins of Maine.

Relief measures put in place earlier in the year —  like a moratorium on evictions and a federal student loan payment freeze —  are set to expire within weeks, leaving millions hoping Republicans and Democrats will put aside the politics and make a deal before year’s end.

“Let’s hope our Democratic colleagues will finally let us make law in all the enormously important areas where we do not even disagree,” said Republican Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. 

“The Republican leader’s idea of action on COVID has been to bring partisan legislation to the floor and then demand everyone accept it,” said Democratic Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer.

Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi had their first talk since the November 3 election, though Mnuchin said it was more about the December 11 government funding deadline.

Supreme Court Ruling in Favor of Brooklyn Diocese Could Have Far-Reaching Impact on Similar Cases

By Emily Drooby

The Diocese of Brooklyn received a majority victory when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s restrictions on attendance at religious services violates the First Amendment.

In a 5-4 decision, the court ruled that Cuomo’s executive order limiting the number of worshipers allowed to attend religious services in houses of worship in COVID-19 hot spots — in some cases as few as 10 people — is a violation of religious freedom.

The court ruled on lawsuits brought by the Diocese of Brooklyn and Agudath Israel of America, an orthodox Jewish organization.

“It’s significant, I think even a landmark decision,” said attorney Akiva Shapiro, part of the Diocese of Brooklyn’s legal team.

He added that the Supreme Court’s injunction could have far reaching effects; not just for New York, but for religious institutions around the country.

“They were not treating us equally, as others, we became non-essential so that became the problem,” said Bishop Nicolas DiMarzio of the Brooklyn Diocese.

The ruling specifically pertains to restrictions in red and orange COVID hot spot zones where houses of worship were capped at 10 or 25 people. They say many more could safely fit inside.

“We did try to negotiate with the State before we did this,” added Bishop DiMarzio. “We asked them, ‘Look take into account the size of our buildings, then we limited it on that basis.’ But they refused even to negotiate or talk about that, so we had no choice.”

Next, the lawsuit goes back to the appeals court. A hearing is scheduled for December 18.

Governor Andrew Cuomo claims the ruling is irrelevant because the Brooklyn Diocese no longer has churches in the red or orange zones.

During a press conference phone call, he said, “the zone that they were talking about has already been moot. It expired last week, so I think this was really just an opportunity for the court to express its philosophy in politics…”

However, Bishop DiMarzio said that could change at any time and this ruling protects them if it does.

“Although as the Governor said, it was moot because they changed the zones,” he explained, “but they could put the zones in tomorrow.”

It was a 5-4 ruling. Justice Amy Coney Barrett was in the majority. Several similar cases did not have the majority ruling at the Supreme Court earlier this year.

Shapiro explained the significance of this ruling: “Up until this moment, the court, the Supreme Court and therefore the lower courts had been entirely deferential to state and local governments, no matter how severe the restrictions were on religious liberties.”

Shapiro added that now the Supreme Court is saying the Constitution must be considered when states put restrictions into place.

“If there are other states out there that are doing the same thing, imposing stricter requirements on houses of worship those restrictions are now subject to challenge under this ruling,” he said.

Since the pandemic began, religious institutions in states across the country have brought up lawsuits pertaining to COVID restrictions.

In California, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of the Archdiocese of San Francisco has already voiced strong concern against new restrictions in their state that ban indoor worship services, and mentioned the New York ruling.

In New Jersey, the Supreme Court has intervened in a similar situation, demanding that the state respond to a lawsuit brought by a synagogue and a church.

Currents News full broadcast for Mon, 11/30/20 (Catholic news)

Currents News reports secular and religious news from the Catholic perspective.

Some of the top stories on this newscast:

The fight for religious freedom is far from over – what’s next for the Diocese of Brooklyn and beyond.

Cardinal Wilton Gregory becomes the first African American prelate to receive the red hat.

Another drug maker applies for emergency authorization – could millions of doses of COVID vaccines be available in time for Christmas?