The federal lawsuit, filed on Sept. 8 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, alleges that the administration’s planned discounted grocery stores constitute illegal predatory pricing and antitrust violations.

Since launching his 2024 mayoral campaign, Mr. Mamdani has centered his platform on restoring affordability across New York, which is currently ranked among the top 10 most expensive states in the nation.

Since winning office, the mayor has embedded an ambitious “Affordability Agenda,” designed to lower daily expenses for working-class New Yorkers burdened by the surging cost of living, into the administration’s policies.

As one of the latest expansions of the administration’s broader agenda, Mayor Mamdani announced that his office, along with other New York officials and the NYC Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), are proposing a new grocery store initiative, the “N.Y.C. Groceries: Recipe for Affordability.”

The proposal aims to use $70 million in public capital funds to build one municipally owned store on city-owned property in each of the five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island.

The stores would offer a 30% discount on essential goods like meats, dairy products, fruits and vegetables. The goal is to combat the average rise in grocery prices in New York since 2020.

While the mayor, who was sworn in Jan. 1 of this year, says this initiative will lower the cost of living for New Yorkers, attorneys and supporters of the lawsuit against him claim the plan would leave private grocery store owners with a larger bill to pay in an already financially taxing industry.

The city’s grocery stores would not pay rent or property taxes and would receive substantial municipal financial support. This would allow them to lower prices without adding financial strain. Local grocers, which must pay for everything from rent to electricity bills to full price on staple goods, simply cannot afford to lower their prices.

The lawsuit claims that the mayor’s proposed city-run grocery stores’ low prices would create unfair competition for small local markets.

Mark Jaffe, is President and CEO of the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce. He told The Final Call that the greater concern is that if local marketers go out of business because they can’t compete with the government’s low grocery prices, city-run stores would then begin to hike prices. This could create a monopoly in the New York food industry, supporters of the lawsuit argue. 

The National Supermarket Association’s federal lawsuit comes just weeks after the Multicultural Business Coalition filed two state lawsuits to block the establishment of Mayor Mamdani’s plan.

The Multicultural Business Coalition’s first lawsuit argues that the plan violates the civil rights of local business owners. The second challenges the city’s authority to launch the plan without conducting proper economic reviews or assessments.

Still, despite the pending lawsuits, critics say they are looking for tangible collaboration with the mayor’s office.

“We could avoid all of these lawsuits if the mayor would just sit down with us and say, “How can we best help business in New York? That’s really what it comes down to. But to date, the mayor’s office has not wanted to sit down and do that,” Don Rogeriers, strategic advisor to the Greater New York Chamber of Commerce, told The Final Call.

“When you really look at it from a New York economic perspective and how that impacts the businesses in New York, it’s simply not fair to use taxpayer-funded money to compete with businesses who are struggling,” he added.

Mayor Mamdani, meanwhile, maintains his confidence in establishing the city-owned stores. During a city press conference on Aug. 24, he said in part, “I continue to be fully confident in both the legality and the importance of our initiative to deliver five city-run grocery stores, one in each borough, to the people of our city.”

“We are talking about a reflection of a cost of living crisis that has seen grocery prices increase by about 30% over the last few years, and we’re also talking about delivering five city-run grocery stores in a city of 8.5 million people that has more than a thousand grocery stores,” he added.

“And we’ve seen, in fact, with Essex Street Market in Manhattan, as well as, more Street Market in Brooklyn, a model where the city has subsidized groceries and it has not had a negative effect on bodegas around them or on grocery stores around them,” said Mayor Mamdani.

The first city-run grocery store is slated to open by 2027 in Hunts Point, a historic food desert, replacing the former Spofford Juvenile Detention Facility on 20,000 square feet of municipal land in the Bronx.

The post Food fight in NYC: Mayor Mamdani sued over city-owned grocery stores appeared first on Final Call News.

The training, which marked the 31st Annual International Training Conference led by Grandmaster Dr. Abdul Azziz Muhammad, Student Assistant Supreme Captain of the Nation of Islam and founder of  V.S.K. Ryu Jiu-Jitsu, featured focused conditioning on adequately equipping women and girls with the tools needed to protect themselves from spiritual and physical danger.

There were specially crafted sessions for them during the convention, which was held July 23-26.

Student Eastern Regional M.G.T. Captain Johnna Muhammad, Student Southwest Regional M.G.T. Captain Maalikah Muhammad, and criminal defense attorney and N.O.I. security officer Sister Justice Muhammad, hosted a two-hour women’s-only session on the spiritual side of self-protection.

The session, titled “Victim to Victor,” opened with words from the Student National Auditing Coordinator and member of the N.O.I. Shura Executive Council of the Nation of Islam, Sister A’ishah Muhammad.

“We decided that we would approach this, not from the aspect of the pain and trauma that we all have, but [by providing] some tools and jewels that will help us in this darkening hour,” Sister A’ishah said to the women and girls of the Nation of Islam, expressing her appreciation for their presence.

The presenters, led by Sister Johnna, then went on to detail those tools and jewels, and their importance. Most significantly, they emphasized the importance of remaining faithful to Allah (God) as the ultimate key to providing themselves with the protection they desperately need, and of Him functioning as the true agent to activate the power within them to protect their lives.

“When you have a love for, a knowledge of and faith in Allah (God), that is the beginning of your release of power,” Sister Johnna told the audience.

Speaking to the need for Allah’s (God’s) Power, Sister Maalikah also took to the microphone to address the fully packed room of Black women and girls of various ages.

“This hour that we’re talking about demands courageous women,” she declared to the audience. “This world, this work, this mission, strengthening our faith … requires courageous women,” she continued.

The presenters described the way of strengthening faith in Allah (God) as being demonstrated in daily practices such as the observance of prayer, study, obedience and consistent activity in the mosque. These activities help remove dangerous elements from their lives that do not align with the way of Allah (God) and replace these dangers with what does align with Him.

“The way that we protect ourselves and make sure that we are the ones holding the flag, to make sure that we do not allow the Nation to fall, is that we make sure that we don’t attach ourselves to the things of Satan’s world,” Sister Justice told the audience.

Earning multiple standing ovations, countless applauses, and resounding cheers, the presentations were well-received by the audience members. Some expressed to The Final Call, their understanding of the significance of the spiritual aspect of self-defense and protection.

“I believe that the physical and mental aspects of protection stand hand in hand. So, if we’re mentally prepared to defend and protect ourselves, then the physical comes naturally,” Sister Vernica Muhammad from Detroit, Michigan, told The Final Call. She expressed great admiration for the spiritually rooted presentations.

Sharing a similar sentiment, Sister Lisa Muhammad, from Baltimore, Maryland, said, “It gives you a whole different perspective of protection when you get to hear about it on a spiritual level. There’s so much to learn and to grow from after this workshop.”

Still, despite the audience’s appreciation for the spiritual teachings on protection, the need to master the physical component did not go unnoticed. So, to move from the spiritual side of their training to the physical, the women and girls were then tasked with practical application of physical self-defense in another women’s-only session titled, “Self-Defense.”

Stepping into their physical power and onto the tatami mats, sisters were treated to the experience of learning and practicing various martial arts fighting and defensive techniques.

Such techniques included, but were not limited to, combinations of striking, kicking and jabbing, all of which the participants expressed great gratitude and appreciation for. Several noted that the training left them with a profound sense of security and protection.

“We are not exempt from being attacked, so we are not exempt from needing to know how to protect ourselves. … so it makes me feel safer to know these ways to defend myself in the event that an attack happens,” Sister Stacey Muhammad, from Hartford, Connecticut, told The Final Call.

Similarly, Sister Angelina X, from Los Angeles, California, said, “Nowadays there are a lot of high-risk security threats for Black women, and we cannot wait on someone else to come and protect us. So, we have to be security-minded at all times and know how to protect ourselves. That’s what makes this training important; it is the biggest lifesaver.”

The women’s-only self-defense session was led by Grandmaster Dr. Abdul Azziz Muhammad, one of his instructors, Soke Lil’ John Davis, Sensei Kameren Ali, Professor Zahalea Anderson, and many others who are skilled in the disciplines of martial arts.

They led full-body workouts aimed at teaching vital self-defense skills and leverage techniques to protect against larger opponents, while also improving core strength and balance. The training also worked to foster inner calmness, intense focus and strong self-assurance, even when under extreme pressure.

“It gives me such a sense of pride to learn how to protect myself and seeing so many other Black women doing the same. I plan to take this training back home with me to help others locally,” Sister Sakeena Muhammad, from Phoenix, Arizona, told The Final Call.

The over two-hour self-defense session gave the women and girls a life-preserving opportunity to learn from the professionals and share with women and girls in their local cities looking to protect themselves and others, thereby helping make their communities safe and decent places to live.

The post Sisters showcase strength, stamina and focus during weekend training appeared first on Final Call News.

The inauguration ceremony, attended by a packed audience, marked the beginning of Mayor Baraka’s fourth consecutive term as the elected mayor of Newark, New Jersey.

His swearing-in comes less than two months after his landslide victory in the May 2026 mayoral election, in which he won roughly 70% of the votes, according to the certified election results by the Essex County Clerk’s office.

Thus, defeating all seven of his political opponents, including the next-best-performing candidate, Jhamar Youngblood, who received less than 17% of the vote, and consequently allowing Mayor Baraka to confidently secure his third reelection.

His confidence did not end at the polls. Instead, Mayor Baraka carried it with him to his inauguration.

Together with the Newark Municipal Council members, Mayor Baraka confidently walked across the stage at NJPAC, guided by the sounds of a live performance of Swahili African drums.

On that stage, accompanied by his wife, Linda J. Baraka, their children, and his mother, Amina Baraka, he took his fourth oath of office, officiated by Newark City Clerk Kecia Daniels, with U.S. Representative LaMonica McIver as the Bible holder.

As the audience emerged into waves of resounding applause, cheers, and chants, Mayor Baraka took the microphone to deliver his highly anticipated address.

Contrary to the city’s familiarity with him as their now 12-year mayor, in his speech, Mayor Baraka vowed to serve his next four years in office as an usher of a new and improved era of governing for the city.

“Each time we have an inauguration, there’s an opportunity to start all over again, to continue forward, to decide to pivot, start new. Inauguration means transition,” the mayor proudly told the crowd. “The old way of doing politics is finished,” he continued.

“People want a government that actually works, that can make good on its promises. They want to be led by hope because hope is the best weapon that we have—optimism and the force of bold ideas,” he later added, promising to make the next four years Newark’s “best” years yet.

As another indication of that new era of government in Newark, the inauguration ceremony also included swearing-in ceremonies for all nine seats of Newark’s Municipal Council. Oaths of office were also taken by the following: Amina Bey, Patrick O. Council, C. Lawrence Crump, Donna Jackson, Dupre L. Kelly, Luis A. Quintana, Anibal Ramos Jr., Louise Scott-Rountree and Michael J. Silva.

The Newark Municipal Council is the legislative branch of Newark, New Jersey’s local government. It functions as the primary body responsible for making significant decisions that affect the city, such as passing city laws, ordinances, and adopting the municipal budget.

The Final Call previously reported on Councilwoman Amina Bey’s winning of the Newark Central Ward Council seat in a close special election to fill the seat vacated by her predecessor LaMonica R. McIver’s election to U.S. Congress in November 2025. In that reporting, The Final Call noted Ms. Bey’s seat would again be on the ballot in May 2026.

Looking to remain in the seat for her first full four-year term, Councilwoman Bey ran for re-election to represent the Central Ward on the Newark Municipal Council. She won the general election on May 12, receiving over 55% of the vote, making her the first Muslim woman elected and re-elected to local office as a representative of the Newark Central Ward.

“First and foremost, I give all praise, glory and thanks to Almighty God (Allah). His grace, mercy and guidance have brought me to this moment,” Councilwoman Bey said, addressing the audience after she was sworn into office.

“As the first and only Muslim elected to the Newark Municipal Council, I understand the significance of this moment. But I did not come here to be defined by a first; I came here to make sure I am not the last,” she added, declaring her priority on the council as one of opportunity, expansion.

Councilwoman Bey’s address highlighted her desire to ensure equitable opportunity is given to those in the region of Newark she represents—a stance also echoed by the other council members in their addresses.

Following the ceremony, the council met for its first reorganization meeting. During the meeting, At-Large Councilman Luis A. Quintana was unanimously elected as council president.

The post Ras J. Baraka sworn in for fourth term as mayor of Newark appeared first on Final Call News.

DETROIT— Women and girls from the nine regions of the Nation of Islam (N.O.I.) filed into the Grand Ballroom of the Huntington Place convention center Feb. 21 to celebrate the successful 2025 accomplishments of their Muslim Girls Training and General Civilization Class (M.G.T. and G.C.C., the women of the N.O.I.) and to present awards.

The class, which usually meets every Saturday in their respective cities, gave the sisters an opportunity to communicate and bond in their sisterhood, in celebration of Saviours’ Day and Ramadan 2026.

The meeting began with prayer, followed by traditional Mothers of the Faithful presentations—an annual observance of the most prominent women who worked in the foundational development and evolution of the Nation of Islam.

All presentations were delivered by the M.G.T. and G.C.C. Vanguard, young women and girls who serve as the class’s front line. The Mothers of the Faithful honored included Mother Evelyn Muhammad, Mother Ola Muhammad and Mother Khadijah Farrakhan.

All of whom received a standing ovation from the audience and prompted remarks from Sister Khallada Farrakhan, daughter of Mother Khadijah and the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan.

“I would like to say thank you on behalf of my mother, Mother Khadijah Farrakhan, for your love, for your sacrifice and for your due diligence to come to your class. There is no other place better,” Sis. Khallada said, encouraging the sisters to remain steadfast in their class for the betterment of themselves, their children and their communities at large.

The late Mother Tynnetta Muhammad was honored with a special presentation that highlighted the 18 young recipients of the “Mother Tynnetta Scholarship.”

The class also featured an inspiring M.G.T. 2025 Community Outreach video presentation produced by M.G.T. Studios. The presentation highlighted the various efforts by the M.G.T. across regions to positively impact the lives of their communities throughout 2025.

The presentation noted that the  M.G.T. of the Nation of Islam conducted 1,326 community outreach programs, impacting at least 80,132 people. This effort was led by the top-ranked Southern Region, under the leadership of Student Regional M.G.T. Captain Nusaybah Muhammad. The Southern Region M.G.T. and G.C.C. completed 423 community outreaches, impacting at least 19,690 people in 2025.

The efforts received a heartfelt, pre-recorded “very special thank you” from Student National M.G.T Captain Naeemah Muhammad on behalf of the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan and the Shura Executive Council of the Nation of Islam.

As the two-hour electrifying class neared conclusion, Student Captain Naeemah gave remarks and further recognized the hard work of the M.G.T. She repeatedly brought the packed room of sisters to their feet.

Who responded to her presentations and award ceremonies with applause and cheers. All were encouraged to make greater efforts to help make their communities clean, decent and safe places to live.

“So, the M.G.T. and G.C.C. will say ‘what is Farrakhan doing and tell me what I can do to help the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan,’” she told the sisters.

Through a M.G.T. Studios self-produced 2025 Highlight Reel, Student Captain Naeemah also showcased the production team’s accomplishment and called on multilingual sisters to join them in translating M.G.T. Studios’ videos into various languages.

The productions are currently being translated into Spanish and French, as Captain Naeemah demonstrated in a Spanish- and French-speaking segment of the reel.

With the class concluding, the Student National Captain was honored with a gift on behalf of the M.G.T., before the sisterhood joined in prayer and the singing of their customary unity song.

The post Celebrating the good works of the M.G.T. & G.C.C. appeared first on Final Call News.

Mr. Mamdani is now set to serve as the first Muslim, first socialist, first South Asian descendant, first African-born and first millennial mayor of New York City. The 34 year old will also be the youngest New York mayor in over a century, marking his mayoral election win as one of the city’s most historic.

In October 2024, Mr. Mamdani, then a state assemblymember, joined the mayoral race with little to no name recognition. However, as he pushed through the race, running his campaign on a promise to usher in a new and improved era of political leadership.

He quickly gained popularity amongst young and working-class voters. He won the Democratic primary over former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in June.

Mr. Mamdani’s campaign focused on policies that centered on lowering the cost of living and improving the lives of working-class New Yorkers. The campaign pledged to fulfil those promises through the enforcement of various initiatives—most notably, freezing stabilized rent, eliminating bus fares, and removing childcare costs.

Over 50% of the more than two million New Yorks cast their ballots in favor of Mr. Mamdani, solidifying his remarkable win over Mr. Cuomo, who ran as an Independent, and Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa. 

Mr. Mamdani won four of the five boroughs and garnered a large support among Black and Latino voters. According to reporting from middleeasteye.net, “Mamdani beat Cuomo 61 percent to 35 percent among New York City’s Black community, and won 57 percent to 37 percent among mostly Hispanic residents, according to precinct-level results.

Mamdani also beat Cuomo with mostly Asian residents, winning the group over by 47 percent to 43 percent. Cuomo carried the city’s mostly White residents with 52 percent against 38 percent for Mamdani.”

In celebration of his win, Mr. Mamdani took to the stage of the Brooklyn Paramount Theater in New York City to deliver his victory speech and address his supporters.

“New York, tonight, you have delivered a mandate for change, a mandate for a new kind of politics, a mandate for a city we can afford. And a mandate for a government that delivers exactly that,” he said.

“We will fight for you, because we are you. Or, as we say on Steinway, ‘ana minkum wa Alaikum,’” he added, earning resounding applause from the youthful audience. He spoke the phrase in Arabic, which loosely translates to, “I am of you and you are of us.”

As Democrats dominated elections across the country, many who won key races shared the historical title of “first” like New York Mayor-Elect Mamdani.

In Virginia, State Senator Ghazala Hashmi won Virginia’s lieutenant governor race, making her the first Muslim American woman elected to statewide office in the country. Jay Jones became the first Black man elected Attorney General in the state of Virginia.

Dr. Dale Caldwell became the first Black person elected as lieutenant governor in New Jersey. In Detroit, City Council President Mary Sheffield became the first Black woman elected mayor. Similarly, in Albany, New York, Dorcey Applyrs became the first Black mayor and in Syracuse, Sharon Owens was elected as that city’s first Black mayor.

Jayden Williams, 22, a graduate of Clark Atlanta University, was elected mayor of Stockbridge, Georgia, making the young, Black man that city’s youngest mayor in history.

The new elects will be sworn into their respective offices in January 2026.

The post New York elects its first Muslim mayor and Black candidates win other historic races around the country appeared first on Final Call News.

The legacy of the Million Man March, spearheaded by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan on October 16, 1995, is one of empowerment and improvement marked by nearly two million Black men gathering in Washington, D.C., for a day of unity and peace.

The 30th anniversary commemorative event featured a panel discussion on its legacy and various organizational efforts to uphold the principles of the March and movement.

Panelists included the keynote speaker and Mayor of Newark, Ras J. Baraka. Mayor Baraka addressed the enthusiastic audience—sharing with them his perspective on the importance of commemorating the legacy of the Million Man March and the superb example it left for those seeking freedom, justice and equality.

“I think this is incredible that we are commemorating and thinking at least mentally, spiritually and emotionally about what the Million Man March meant to our community for a long time. It’s important, particularly in a time like we are in now,” Mayor Baraka said, referring to the current political and social state of America.

The mayor elaborated on the key principles he took from the Million Man March that he believes are critical in enhancing the lives of oppressed people in America today. Those principles are the establishment of financial freedom and self-determination. Through the acquisition of both, Mayor Baraka explained that the people could free themselves from the limitations placed on them by their oppressors.

This was seen through the successful demonstration of the Million Man March.

“At that moment, people understood what economic and political empowerment really looked like. We had the ability to organize [the Million Man March] and raise the dollars ourselves and finance it ourselves,” he added.

Before the mayor’s address, audience members also listened to enlightening words from other panelists of varying social, religious, and community organizations: Student Minister Abdul Haqq Muhammad of Mosque No. 25 in Newark; Pastor Roland L. Slaughter of the St. James A.M.E. Church and Chairman Larry Hamm of the Organization for Progress.

The program also featured remarks from moderators, including: co-chair of Women in Support of the Million Man March, Amina Bey, and creator and founder of the All Politics R Local radio talk show, Edward Riley.

Pastor Slaughter opened the program in prayer and set the stage for an evening of fruitful discussion. “It’s time for us to stand. It’s not time for us to be timid. It’s not time for us to be battling one another. We have an enemy that is no longer hiding,” he said. He thanked the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan for bringing this same spirit to life 30 years ago in Washington, D.C.

Amina Bey described how the organization, Women in Support of the Million Man March, spearheaded by her mother, Fredrica Bey, worked tirelessly in the Newark community to ensure that their men could make it to Washington for the March.

“We were collecting pennies in the park, we were doing fish fries, we were selling T-shirts, my mother turned her house into a T-shirt shop to make money to pay for buses,” she said.

“This was long before social media. So, all of this was done face-to-face, hand-to-hand, or on the phone, in email, while people were threatening us,” she added. Through their diligent dedication, they assisted over 50,000 men from New Jersey in their travel to Washington, D.C.

Mr. Hamm also shared his first-hand experience with the audience.

Mr. Hamm, working alongside other organizational leaders like Fredrica Bey and Student Minister Abdul Khadir Muhammad of Mosque No. 4 in Washington, D.C., also played a role in the organizing of thousands of men to travel to the Million Man March. At that time, Bro. Abdul Khadir was the student minister of Mosque No. 25 in Newar. Standing before the audience with demonstration banners displayed behind him, Mr. Hamm described the grassroots efforts organizers made as they went around New Jersey spreading the word, raising funds, and organizing buses.

To him, the success of those great efforts served as an unforgettable sign. “The Million Man March is a sign of the great things that we can do when we unify as a people. It is a sign that will forever give us direction and inspire us to do what we need to do to liberate our people. Long live the spirit of the Million Man March!” he said.

Student Min. Abdul Haqq thanked the panelists and audience on behalf of Minister Farrakhan and Mosque No. 25. “We thank God first and foremost, for giving the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan the inspiration to be able to call a million men and two million show up!”

Following the panel’s remarks, the discussion was opened to the audience to share their personal testimonies of the impact of the Million Man March. Men from the audience stood up to bear witness to the great impact it had on their lives, while women voiced the positive changes they observed in the men upon their return.

Similar testimonies were shared with The Final Call from other members of the audience.

“I attended the Million Man March and had the distinct opportunity to be on the podium. So, I was able to look over the masses in attendance at the march. It was a glorious experience to see the brotherhood in that way. Thirty years later, that’s still in my spirit and I will never forget it,” said Robert Jackson, 75.

“I got up real early in the morning, packed his lunch and drove the brother to the bus to go to the march,” Ingrid Hill, 76, told The Final Call, referring to her then partner. “He found the experience of a lifetime. He came back with a very good spirit solidified in him to do what was needed to be done in our community,” she continued.

As the event came to an end, the audience rose from their seats to recite the pledge given by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan at the Million Man March.

—Yaminah Muhammad, Contributing Writer

The post Newark commemorates 30th anniversary of the Million Man March appeared first on Final Call News.

Katrina Brownlee, a retired NYPD detective and domestic violence survivor, released her first book, a memoir titled, “And Then Comes the Blues: My Story of Survival on Both Sides of the Badge,” on Aug. 5.

In her book, Ms. Brownlee details her life journey of becoming a highly decorated NYPD detective, mentor, and founder of a nonprofit support group for at-risk women. All of which she accomplished after surviving a near-fatal shooting at the hands of her then fiancé and a law enforcement officer.

Through telling what she calls her “raw and naked” truth, Ms. Brownlee’s memoir represents a redemptive story as a result of healing generational trauma and prospering through adversity. She credits it all to the work of God.

“God spoke to me and told me that I needed to tell this story so that people would know that He is still in the business of healing,” Ms. Brownlee told The Final Call. “I’m in a place of gratefulness.

I am thankful to God that he has allowed me to be able to have this book signing and to be able to tell this story. It wasn’t supposed to be this way. … I was shot 10 times, and the doctors gave up on me. They said I wouldn’t live through the night. But God had other plans and I have gratitude,” she added.

Ms. Brownlee’s contagious spirit of gratitude spread throughout the night to those in attendance. As she signed numerous copies of her memoir, stopping only to take photos with supporters, Ms. Brownlee shared with them smiles, laughs and words of admiration.

Some voiced their gratitude and admiration for Ms. Brownlee and her powerful story to The Final Call. “It gives people a voice to know that they can come out and speak out. They don’t have to hide things; they don’t have to be ashamed of what they’re going through,” Department of Corrections investigator and close friend, Chertia Jennings, 39, said.

“She’s just amazing, she’s always been this strong beautiful woman—a warrior. I had to be here to support her,” retired NYPD detective, Kelly Horvath, 50, told The Final Call. Ms. Horvath said she met Ms. Brownlee over 20 years ago and could recognize the power she held back then, before she even knew the shocking details of her story.

Sharing a similar sentiment, retired NYPD detective Lysette Rivera, 55, said, “She’s a true warrior and her story is just so powerful. We just have such an admiration for her. Katrina and I are both a part of the organization Blue Tribe Warrior Sisters, and that’s exactly what she is, that’s exactly what she represents.”

Among the many eventgoers were best-selling writer and holistic wellness advocate Queen Afua, as well as book author and writer for the popular Starz television show series, “BMF,” Garen Thomas.

“What makes her story for me so gripping and emotional is the fact that she keeps overcoming adversity. She keeps rising above all the noes and all the obstacles and flourishes to find a new level,” Ms. Thomas told The Final Call.

After nearly three hours of signing books, greeting her supporters and taking photos, Ms. Brownlee, changed into a pressed satin pink dress and walked to the upper level of the venue where she was met with resounding cheers of her supporters and loved ones as they sang a song in her honor.

Taking the microphone and holding back tears, Ms. Brownlee spoke to the audience.

“I know a lot of y’all did not know my story, but I’m here to tell you that no matter what I went through, I still kept going, in spite of. … I know that because I have a community of people that’s in here, right here, that I have a reason to keep going. And this is not the end, this is just the beginning.”

Ms. Brownlee was also joined on the microphone by members of her team, including her publicist, Rachel Holly Noerdlinger, and longtime friend Brother Don Enoch Muhammad.

“Katrina Brownlee and I met over 10 years ago, and shortly thereafter we became acquainted [and] she told me her story. She also told me that she wanted to write a book and that I was going to help her in that endeavor.

And all of that has come true,” Brother Don Enoch Muhammad told The Final Call, describing the fruition of Ms. Brownlee’s goals as a testament to the presence and power of God.

The post Former NYPD detective shares her story of strength, resilience appeared first on Final Call News.

After decades of noble service, Bro. Karriem made his return to Allah (God) on May 17 at the age of 87. While his return to Allah has been made, the impact of Bro. Karriem’s leadership and contributions remain deeply rooted in the lives of those he touched.

As testimonies of Bro. Karriem’s long-lasting impact, his celebration of life ceremony consisted of remarks from some of the countless family members, believers, dignitaries and friends he impacted. The service also featured a welcoming prayer and Qur’anic reading, acknowledgements, and a reading of the obituary.

Student Minister and Student Imam Abdul Salaam Muhammad of Baltimore’s Mosque No. 6, brought the ceremony to a close with a reading of a letter from the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan. “I, Louis Farrakhan, am honored to have known this brother as not only a helper and a minister to me, but also a friend,” said Minister Farrakhan in his letter.

“I, as well as you who are present were touched by this man and his sincere commitment to Allah, the Honorable Elijah Muhammad and myself. The thought of rebuilding the work of the Honorable Elijah Muhammad started in Chicago.

But the building of a new Nation of Islam began with this brother in the City of Plainfield, New Jersey,” continued Minister Farrakhan’s letter. Minister Farrakhan said he shall always remember Bro. Karriem and give honor to his name for the work that he did to help him rebuild the Nation of Islam.

“His birth will live long after his body returns to the earth and decays over time. What he is and was, can never be placed in a grave. His work should be remembered, honored and duplicated, so that it will be a continuation of his life. A life well lived, a job well done,” Minister Farrakhan.

“He was a man that was respected. He lived a life that made a difference, and he will always be remembered for the mark that he made on this city [of Plainfield], on other cities, and on the lives of so many people,” Mayor Adrian O. Mapp of Plainfield said during his remarks at the ceremony.

“It was important for me to come because not only was he dear to me, but he was dear to my family—my father, the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan, Mother Khadijah, all my brothers and sisters, we have history together from the start. He’s like a second father to me,” Sister Khallada Farrakhan, daughter of Minister Farrakhan and Mother Khadijah, told The Final Call.

Following the ceremony, a motorcade escorted Bro. Karriem’s remains to Hillside Cemetery, where Student Minister, Student Imam Abdul Salaam Muhammad, performed a prayer and his loved ones laid him to rest.

Those who were impacted by Bro. Karriem’s work as a helper to the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan reflected on his life.

“His strength, his personality, his overwhelming capacity to love unconditionally, served to lay strong foundational stones that we stand on today. Every Believer in this Nation, particularly those of us on the East Coast, owes a debt of gratitude to this wonderful soldier,” Student Minister Michael Muhammad of Plainfield’s Mosque No. 80 told The Final Call.

“His thought was always in the community, he was always thinking of what he could do to help,” Plainfield’s Student M.G.T. and G.C.C. Captain Deanna Muhammad said while reflecting on the ways Bro. Karriem encouraged her to continue her work as a student laborer over 19 years ago.

However, Bro. Karriem’s encouraging work in the Nation of Islam goes back much further. Following the departure of the Most Honorable Elijah Muhammad in 1975, Bro. Karriem became a pivotal figure in assisting Minister Farrakhan with the rebuilding efforts of the Nation of Islam. Then known as Minister Linward X, he served as a trusted helper to Minister Farrakhan in working along the East Coast.

Student Minister Abdul Karriem Muhammad was born Agurs Linward Cathcart Sr., on December 8, 1937, in Rock Hill, South Carolina, to James Cathcart and Bever Carden. When he was just 8 years old, his family relocated to Plainfield, New Jersey.

While in Plainfield, Bro. Karriem owned and operated the African Queen Snack Bar, where the community would gather in a safe, home environment.

Additionally, he also held significant leadership roles to lead in the advancement of the youth, such as Community Action Director of Head Start, Associate Director of the Urban League and Director of Freedom House for Youth for Action Movement.

As an acknowledgement of his great work, he was given the name Abdul Karriem Muhammad, which means “Servant of the Noble,” “the Generous,” “One Worthy of Praise,” by the Honorable Minister Louis Farrakhan in 1983.

Bro. Abdul Karriem Muhammad’s legacy lives on through his wife of 69 years, Sister Karriemah (Rose-Marie) Muhammad, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, many family members, friends and brothers and sisters in the Nation of Islam.

Final Call Staff Writer Brian E. Muhammad contributed to this report.

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The order, issued and effective as of May 20, lowers the maximum number of flight arrivals and departures per airline every hour to 28 until June 15, when runway construction is scheduled to conclude.  After June, the order allows for the maximum to increase to 34, remaining lower than the previous average of 40, through Oct. 25.

These ordered changes to Newark Liberty International Airport airline flight operations serve as an attempt to combat the overwhelming number of delays and cancellations plaguing the airport, a plague caused by a devastating combination of ongoing technology outages and staff shortages.

Coupled with temporary runway constructions and stormy weather, all of which have severely spiked worry and congestion at Newark Liberty International Airport over the past month.

In a news release issued on May 20, Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau said, “Our goal is to relieve the substantial inconvenience to the traveling public from excessive flight delays due to construction, staffing challenges, and recent equipment issues, which magnify as they spread through the National Airspace System.” 

The order comes just days after United States Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and officials of the FAA held an emergency meeting with major airline leaders at the FAA headquarters in Washington, D.C., from May 14-16.

During the meeting, attended by representatives of Allegiant Air, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines, JetBlue Airways, Spirit Airlines and United Airlines, Secretary Duffy and FAA officials proposed that airlines temporarily limit their number of flight arrivals and departures to and from Newark Liberty International Airport.

That proposed temporary limit is now being enforced by the interim order.

Air traffic equipment technology outages

In recent weeks, Newark Liberty International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the country, has faced several alarming equipment failures.

In the early afternoon of Apr. 28, air traffic controllers at the Terminal Radar Approach Control lost radar images and radio communication. The Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) is the control center located in Philadelphia responsible for directing planes in and out of  Newark Liberty International Airport.

This telecommunication outage left air traffic controllers unable to see the locations of planes for 90 seconds and unable to communicate with them for 30 seconds. All during the busy afternoon air traffic.

Unsurprisingly, the airport was immediately impacted by the incident. The technology outage led to a two-hour shutdown, consequently causing a ripple effect of flight delays and cancellations.

Similarly, during the early morning of May 9, the control center experienced another 90-second outage, adding to the already severely congested flight schedule in and out of Newark Liberty International Airport.

As the airport struggled to recover, just a few days later, on May 11, another telecommunication outage occurred. This time, leading to a 45-minute ground stop on traffic at the airport, furthering the congestion of scheduled flights as the number of delays and cancellations jumped again.

Most recently, the control center encountered another technical outage on May 19, with air traffic controllers briefly losing radio frequencies.

However, while these recent technology outages are a leading contributor to the airport’s congestion, the technical issues are rooted in a much larger issue seen across American control centers—outdated equipment.

In a news conference held outside of the Philadelphia TRACON, following the technology outage of April 28, U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy said, “… what we’re seeing here at the Philadelphia TRACON can be what’s going to happen across the country,” regarding the technology outages due to outdated equipment.

He and the FAA credit much of the recent technology outages to failures of the aging lines carrying the radar signal. Some of those lines are old copper wires.

In another attempt to minimize the chaos at Newark Liberty International Airport, the recent meeting also featured talks on the implications of multiple technical advances to upgrade the operations of the control center.

This includes replacing those copper telecommunications connections with updated fiber-optic technology of higher bandwidth and speed, as well as deploying a temporary backup system to the Philadelphia TRACON.

In the long term, they are looking to Congress and the Trump Administration to fund nationwide system upgrades to improve the technology that control centers rely on. Yet, despite their immediate efforts, mass updates could take months, if not years, to be approved and completed.

And, even if upgrades are made to prevent technology outages, the issue of staff shortages could still remain.

Air Traffic Controller staff shortages

Like more than 90% of the country’s airport control towers, the Philadelphia TRACON controlling Newark Liberty International Airport’s airspace is severely understaffed.

In a statement released on May 13, the FAA wrote in part: “There is a nationwide shortage of air traffic controllers, and the FAA for years has not met the staffing goal for the area that works Newark airspace.”

While the FAA’s standards are to have 38 air traffic controllers, the agency currently only has 22 fully certified air traffic controllers and five supervisors assigned to Newark in the Philadelphia TRACON.

In addition to their already limited staff, the stressful technology outage on Apr. 28 prompted five controllers to take a 45-day trauma leave. Thus, cutting available staffers even further. 

As a result of the worsening staff shortage, the ability of the fully certified air traffic controllers to adequately provide approach control services to aircraft arriving, departing or transiting the airspace has been reduced.

To combat this, the FAA is working to hire more controllers at a faster pace. Their plan is to shorten the amount of time it takes to apply for, start and graduate from the air traffic controller academy in Oklahoma City. Additionally, the agency wants to put in place more support for those going through the academy to encourage higher graduation rates.

However, with the completion of the FAA Air Traffic Controller Academy taking several months and post-graduation training spanning over multiple years, it could take months or years to see a high volume of fully certified air traffic controllers in the towers.

In the meantime, the FAA is offering bonuses to experienced controllers if they agree to temporarily opt-out of early retirement and continue working until the staffing conditions are more favorable.

Runway constructions, stormy weather

On April 15, nearly two weeks before the first technology outage, Newark Liberty International Airport advised that the full closure of their Runway 4L-22R for rehabilitation work would last until mid-June.

To minimize operational impacts during its closure, the FAA also began redirecting flight activity to the airport’s other runways. Yet, despite their efforts to minimize impact, with the now-closed runway being the airport’s busiest for departing flights, this closure is not without consequence.

Since the closure, the airport has experienced an average of 34 cancellations per day and “consistently high” delayed arrivals. On average, delay time in the busy hours can surpass two hours, making the construction that could make flying smoother in the future a burden on those looking to fly now.

In addition to the myriad of other issues, recent weather conditions have slowed traffic in and out of the airport as well. Thunderstorms, foggy skies and low-ceiling (cloudy) conditions have also led to the airport delaying and canceling flights as a safety measure.

What’s next?

Secretary Duffy, FAA officials and airline representatives remain in discussion over potential short-term solutions to the Newark Liberty International Airport woes. Simultaneously, they look to the United States government for long-term solutions.

In an emailed statement to The Final Call, President of the Air Line Pilots Association International, Captain Jason Ambrosi said in part, “The aviation industry stands united, and we are ready to share our collective expertise to help Congress develop legislation that modernizes and strengthens air traffic control operations. 

As we continue to work together, it’s important to remember that our aviation system is still the safest in the world thanks to the tens of thousands of highly skilled professionals who work tirelessly every day.”

As for those looking to fly in or out of  Newark Liberty International Airport in the days ahead, customers may need to brace themselves for bothersome delays and even cancellations.

—Yaminah Muhammad, Contributing Writer

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The incident occurred in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Crown Heights, after hundreds of demonstrators gathered outside the Chabad Lubavitch World Headquarters—a synagogue beloved to the Hasidic Jewish community—on the night of April 24.

The crowd, reportedly, was protesting the visit to the synagogue by Israeli Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and consisted of those opposed to Israel’s genocidal operations against the Palestinian people.

To oppose them, pro-Israel protesters also took to the streets.

In an interview with the Associated Press, the woman, whose identity remains concealed, said she simply went outside of her Brooklyn residence to see what was going on after learning of the protest.

She said the protest was over, but there remained “hundreds of orthodox Jewish men” in the streets and on the sidewalks. According to AP, she explains that as she stood on the sidewalk, observing the scene along with other neighbors, people started recording near her.

She covered her face with a scarf to avoid being recorded. The woman goes on to explain that that action resulted in a Jewish woman yelling at her and the group of Jewish men surrounding her.

In one videotaped angle of the incident, posted to X by Middle East Eye, the woman, wearing a blue and white scarf covering part of her face, is seen walking away from an antagonizing crowd of dozens of young Jewish men.

The video then jumps to a new clip where the woman is seen continuing to walk away, but now she is accompanied by a police officer who acts as a shield between her and the growing mob of hostile men.

While they walk, the woman is taunted by the mob, as they repeatedly kick her in the back, call her slurs, chant “Death to Arabs,” knock over garbage cans in her path, and hurl at least one object at her.

With their daunting walk lasting for blocks, the mob can be heard making clear derogatory statements at the woman. One member of the mob can be heard yelling, “We’re never going down, b***h. This is America. We got Israel. We’ve got an army.”

“They threatened to rape me; they were hurling just vile insults at me. I moved closer to the police than I already was and they did nothing to intervene. I tried to leave and a single officer attempted to escort me home but this mob followed us,” she told AP.

“I was just terrified. There’s nothing more I can say except that I felt just sheer terror,” she continued, detailing the various heinous actions of the mob, including spitting on her.

The video ends as the police officer ushers the woman into a police car, away from the crowd, sending the men into celebratory cheers.

Since its posting and spreading on social media platforms, the video has galvanized the attention and voices of many who are deeply bothered and concerned by what they saw.

This includes the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a non-profit Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization in the United States. Leaders of the organization’s New York chapter and national headquarters strongly condemned the attack on the woman and urged action to be taken by authorities.

In a news release issued on April 26, CAIR called on the NYPD to pursue hate crime charges against members of the “pro-Israel mob.”

In a statement, CAIR-NY Executive Director Afaf Nasher, Esq. said: “Every community, religious or political leader who cares about the safety of residents and freedom and justice in our city, state and nation must speak out strongly against this apparently racist attack by a pro-Israel mob.

If a huge mob of men surrounding a woman and threatening her security fails to shake our conscience, then we are a lost people. The NYPD must investigate this shocking incident as a hate crime and bring the perpetrators—many of whom are clearly seen on the video—to justice.”

Similarly, CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell condemned the “violent mob of pro-Israel racists,” and “all because they thought she was an Arab-American,” he said in a statement in part.

“We call on elected officials across New York to condemn these hate actions, and we call on law enforcement to identify and prosecute those responsible for hate crimes,” his statement continued.

Mr. Mitchell went on to note that the recent attack on this woman is “only the latest incident of violence perpetrated by anti-Arab racists over the past year and a half,” noting the October 2023 fatal stabbing of six-year-old Palestinian-American Wadea Al-Fayoume in Chicago to be a prime example anti-Arab violence.

According to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, the NYPD is taking action. In a statement released on the X page of Mayor Adams on April 27, he called the acts “despicable,” insisting that such “hate has no place in New York City,” and that, “those responsible will be held accountable.”

The mayor also confirmed that the NYPD is investigating a “series of incidents stemming from the clashing protests on Thursday.”

The mayor went on the write that, “While one arrest was made and several summonses issued, we are actively working to identify additional individuals involved in these specific incidents. We urge anyone with information to contact the NYPD immediately.”

Mayor Adams also encouraged the women who were assaulted to come forward, noting that there were reports of two different women being assaulted but that they “have been unable to locate them so far.”

At the Final Call’s press time, there have been no further updates on arrests or the identities of the suspects.

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