Bronx News Network

Rev. Al Sharpton Campaigns for Rivera in the Bronx (VIDEO)

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From left to right: former State Comptroller Carl McCall, Rev. Al Sharpton and Desiree Pilgrim-Hunter at a rally today for Gustavo Rivera (photo by Jeanmarie Evelly)

Civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton came to the Bronx today to throw his support behind Gustavo Rivera, now the only candidate challenging incumbent Pedro Espada, Jr. for his seat in the 33rd State Senate District. He

Bronx News Network

Police Called to Espada Giveaway Event Over the Weekend

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Photos by Adi Talwar, Story by Jeanmarie Evelly

[Ed. Note: these photos were briefly posted on Saturday afternoon, but removed so we could provide a fuller picture of what happened.]

Tensions were running high at a campaign event hosted by Sen. Pedro Espada, Jr. – and crashed by a group of vociferous anti-Espada protesters – on the second to last weekend before the Sept. 14 primary. Espada was handing out free bags of groceries to residents in his district outside of the Mosholu branch of the New York Public Library, at 285 E.205th St., when the police were called to moderate a scuffle between a member of Espada’s staff and a political blogger, Rafael Martinez Alequin.

Bronx News Network

Bronx News Roundup, Sept. 8

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At a press conference announcing endorsements from Assemblyman Jose Rivera and Assemblywoman Carmen Arroyo, State Senator Pedro Espada Jr. said Eric Stevenson – the candidate expected to take over Michael Benjamin’s 79th Assembly District seat – was intimidated into withdrawing his endorsement of Espada. Stevenson said he had no idea what Espada was talking about. Planned Parenthood is now officially backing the primary opponents of both Espada (Gustavo Rivera), and his top Senate ally, Ruben Diaz Sr. (Charlie Ramos). In his latest campaign finance filing, Espada said he spent $17,000 on produce that he’s given out during his campaign. But the manager of Hunts Point Market, where Espada says he sent a $17,000 check to, said the market doesn’t sell produce, it just leases space for produce vendors.

Bronx News Network

Assembly Members Rivera and Arroyo Endorse Espada

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Assembly members Jose Rivera (center) and Carmen Arroyo (right). Photo courtesy of Franck Laboy. Bronx Assembly members Jose Rivera and Carmen Arroyo endorsed State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr. for reelection outside the Bronx County Courthouse yesterday morning. In a press release sent out afterwards, Espada’s press director Franck Laboy said,

Bronx News Network

Al Sharpton Rallies in the Bronx for Gustavo Rivera

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At 11 a.m. this morning, the Rev. Al Sharpton and former NY State Comptroller Carl MaCall will announce their support for Senate candidate Gustavo Rivera at a rally on the corner of Clinton Aveune and Oakland Place in Tremont. Sharpton officially endorsed Rivera last week, but this is the first time he’s campaigned for him in the Bronx. Former Senate candidate Desiree-Pilgrim Hunter (who dropped out of the race in July) is also expected at the event, which is being organized by the New Roosevelt Initiative, the group founded by businessman Bill Samuels. New Roosevelt is trying to convince voters to dump State Senator Pedro Espada, Jr. in next week’s Democratic primary, and has committed $250,000 to the cause. We’ll be there this morning and will have an update later.