Search results for 'bilal'
Thinking about the future of Lark Street
If there is one constant about cities, it is that they are always changing. Businesses open and close. People move in and out. In Albany a lot of the recent discussion about neighborhood ebb and flow has been focused on Lark Street and the Washington Park neighborhood. The last few... (read the rest)
Yet another criticism of state's redistricting process, settlement in Troy free speech suit, Clifton Park parents present alternative sex ed curriculum, "Hotel Hell" in Cambridge
Yet another criticism of New York's re-districting process: the dragged-out effort gives incumbents even more of an edge. [NYT] At a community forum hosted by Paul Tonko, residents of Schoharie County expressed extreme and continued frustration in dealing with FEMA and insurance companies for flooding recovery. [Daily Gazette] Twenty percent... (read the rest)
The Sanctuary for Independent Media
You probably remember the 2008 brouhaha over Iraqi artist Wafaa Bilal and the "Virtual Jihadi" video game that was booted from RPI. And you also may remember that Bilal's exhibit ended up at a little space in Troy called the Sanctuary for Independent Media -- which then got temporarily shutdown... (read the rest)
...and Counting
Wafaa Bilal, whose Virtual Jihadi exhibition was bumped from RPI in 2008 before prompting all sorts of drama at the Sanctuary for Independent Media in Troy, has a new project: he's tattooing a map of casualties from the Iraq War on his back. He talked with NPR about the project... (read the rest)
Drama continues in the state Senate, NYCLU sues Troy over "Virtual Jihadi," FBI raids downtown Saratoga office
The new leadership of the state Senate says it will go into session this afternoon -- whether it has access to the Senate chamber or not. Democrats have literally locked the chamber and are holding the keys. Possibly-new majority leader Dean Skelos says there's nothing that requires the Senate to... (read the rest)
Wafaa Bilal returns to Troy
Remember Waffa Bilal? He's the Iraqi- American digital artist who created the "Virtual Jihad" exhibit that was removed from RPI last year. Bilal's art sparked protests and cries of censorship when the City of Troy temporarily shut down The Sanctuary for Independent Media for code violations after the gallery took... (read the rest)
Paterson says stimulus money will prevent soda and iTunes tax, salt water may have caused manhole explosions, police say guy had pot farm in attic, Troy corned beef factory closes
David Paterson says federal stimulus money will cover the budget hole that was to be filled by new taxes on items such as soda and digital downloads. Of course, now that money won't be able to cover other holes -- and it appears chances are now greater that there will... (read the rest)
Opus Igor
The new consignment shop on Lark Street sells secondhand clothes and local art, but it's also serving as a classroom of sorts.... (read the rest)
Wafaa Bilal/Virtual Jihadi update
Wafaa Bilal's Virtual Jihadi, which got bumped from RPI and sparked protests in Troy, is now on display in Chicago. And while it doesn't seem like Chicagoans have necessarily embraced the idea of an assassinate-the-president game mod as art, it doesn't look like anyone there is flipping out over it,... (read the rest)
Hundreds mourn Kathina Thomas, skydive suicide pilot didn't have correct license, families could get boot for not doing community service, step right up to tour cramped police station
Hundreds of people showed up for the funeral of Kathina Thomas. The APD says it's making progress on finding who fired the stray bullet that killed her, though it hasn't released any additional new details. [TU] The FAA says the pilot who flew the plane from which Sloan Carafello jumped... (read the rest)
Tonko's in, state lawyer accused of getting paid without working, Troy-Sanctuary dispute continues, tulip forecast looking good
Paul Tonko said Thursday that he is running for the 21st Congressional District (Mike McNulty's seat), though he hasn't officially declared, yet. The longtime state legislator has a lot of support within the Democratic party and immediately jumps toward the head of the race's pack of candidates. [Daily Gazette] The... (read the rest)
Stuff to do this weekend
+ It's the last Friday of the month, so that means it's Troy Night Out. You might want to check out Ethan Bach's documentary about the lives of transgender people while you're there. There's also going to be a screening of "Art Not Terrorism," which is about the situation surrounding... (read the rest)
The scene from the Troy free speech protest
It's a quick clip that captures the scene from the protest in front of Troy City Hall over the code enforcement action taken against The Sanctuary for Independent Media after it showed Wafaa Bilal's "Virtual Jihadi." Uploaded by YouTube user brettuthius. Harry Tutunjian, the mayor of Troy, has said the... (read the rest)
State budget cuts proposed, Patersons talk about affairs, protest in Troy, water park illness
Governor Paterson has proposed a two percent cut at all state agencies plus another $800 million from the Spitzer budget proposal because of budget deficit concerns. [Daily Gazette] Paterson and his wife addressed the story around their affairs. The governor says there were multiple women -- one of whom worked... (read the rest)
Day one for Paterson, Siena to face Vanderbilt in tournament, Schenectady goes to bed early, driver plows completely into store
David Paterson will be sworn in today as governor at 1 pm. [NYT] The Siena men's basketball team got a #13 seed in the NCAA tournament. The Saints will face Vanderbilt in the first round on Friday in Tampa. [TU] The Sanctuary for Independent Media has found a space to... (read the rest)
Wafaa Bilal update
updated March 14 -- see below A few websites have popped up to support Wafaa Bilal and the exhibition of his work "Virtual Jihadi." WafaaBilal.com has posted pictures and other media from the one-night exhibition at the Sanctuary for Independent Media. And Free Troy Letters is, well, we'll let them... (read the rest)
More turns in the "Virtual Jihadi" drama, Schenectady cops to be tracked, call for more depleted uranium testing in Colonie, good year for maple syrup
The Sanctuary for Independent Media is discussing whether it should file suit against the City of Troy after the city closed the gallery to public events because of code violations. The org says the action was politically motivated, a response to the gallery exhibiting Wafaa Bilal's "Virtual Jihadi." [TU] RPI... (read the rest)
Spitzer still the gov -- for now, Troy enforces code violations against "Virtual Jihadi" gallery, Albany Marines headed to Iraq, firemen remove man from tree, Schenectady cop takes time on the job to take in bowling
Will Eliot Spitzer resign today? Yes... or, at least, maybe. [TU] [NYT] The City of Troy has shut down public gatherings at the gallery that was showing Wafaa Bilal's "Virtual Jihadi" for code violations. The exhibition drew protests Monday -- and they were led by the city's public works commissioner,... (read the rest)
Spitzer considering resignation, Siena headed to Big Dance, another endorsement for Brooks, a traffic circle for Saratoga?, spelling bee winner
After Monday's news that Eliot Spitzer did business with a prostitution operation, the governor is apparently now considering whether or not to resign. [NYT] The Siena men's hoops team is headed to the NCAA Tournament. The Saints smoked Rider Monday night in the MAAC Tournament final 74-53. Siena's offense was... (read the rest)
Wafaa Bilal's "Virtual Jihadi" finds a home
Last week RPI closed the exhibit of artist-in-residence Wafaa Bilal's "Virtual Jihadi," a video game mod that casts Bilal as a suicide bomber out to kill President Bush. Now the Sanctuary for Independent Media in Troy has taken in the work and will exhibit the installation a various times throughout... (read the rest)
More about that artist at RPI who had his exhibition suspended
After seeing the article this morning about RPI suspending the exhibition of "Virtual Jihadi," we were curious about Wafaa Bilal - - the artist behind the work. And it turns out he has quite a story.... (read the rest)