The NYC Thorn is a weekly roundup of local political news compiled by members of NYC-DSA. We Are Looking for New Volunteers to Join our Editorial Team! If you are interested, please contact us:
Local News
The Department of Homeland Security has detained Palestinian student activist Mahmoud Khalil, sparking outrage among activists who see his arrest as part of a broader crackdown on pro-Palestinian voices in the U.S. An online petition calling for his release has garnered almost one million signatures.
Wind-driven brush fires broke out across New York State, highlighting the growing dangers of climate change and inadequate urban planning.
New York State prison guards perpetuating inhumane conditions behind bars ended an unauthorized strike after securing a deal. New York Focus investigated a powerful family’s grip on New York’s prison system that has allowed abuse, corruption, and retaliation to thrive.
The family of Messiah Nantwi—the man whose death in a New York prison sparked the wildcat strike by correction officers after calls for accountability—is demanding justice after the attorney general found probable cause of a crime in his case. His death has further exposed the widespread brutality within New York’s prison system.
Con Edison is hiking up electricity rates in New York City and Westchester, putting more financial strain on working-class households.
Landlords in a Brooklyn Superfund site are allegedly avoiding Environmental Protection Agency air testing, prioritizing profits over the health and safety of tenants
New immigrant rights bills were introduced ahead of the Albany Somos conference, aiming to expand protections against right-wing attacks on migrant communities.
A new bill aims to curb pollution from massive warehouses, which disproportionately harm low-income communities of color.
Mayor Eric Adams’s connections to conservative legal figures have raised questions about his political alliances.
One of Mayor Adams's top deputies is facing scrutiny, reinforcing concerns about corruption and cronyism in his administration.
Mayor Adams appointed a new deputy mayor for housing after multiple resignations, raising concerns about instability in his administration's approach to the housing crisis.
Election News
Assemblymember Zohran Mamdani (District 36, Astoria) laid out his vision for an affordable New York City in his mayoral campaign.
Former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s election would be a major threat to working-class New Yorkers.
Eric Adams's mayoralty has lost support from the city as he continues to prioritize policing over social services.
The NYC Local
Our chapter's labor newsletter, The Local, arrives every other week with a focus on labor organizing, bargaining, and local legislation that impacts NYC's workers. Give them a follow here.