Hudson Mohawk Magazine launched on September 11, 2017 with the conscious goal of creating a community radio platform to nurture diverse voices in the Capital Region in response to increasing assaults on our civil liberties. Sina Basila Hickey asked Steve Pierce, co-founder of the Sanctuary for Independent Media about the evolution of this program on its 5th year anniversary.

This photo is from the very first HMM show on 9-11-17

Hudson Mohawk Magazine is 5 Years Old; an Interview with Steve Pierce

On May 1, International Workers Day, several hundred students, workers and other community activists marched from the SUNY Central Administration buildings in downtown Albany to the State Controller’s office and then to the state capitol. The protestors called for the SUNY Administration to support the free speech rights of all students, including those supporting Palestinians and called for SUNY to divest from Israel. They also called for State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli not to renew $50 million in Israeli bonds that just expired. We here from Eyad Alkarubi of the Queer Palestinian Empowerment Network, Jamaica Miles of All of Us, Jim McCabe of Columbia County for Palestine, UAlbany student activist Jess, David Banks of UUP, labor leader Doug Bullock, and Julian Mostachetti of DSA. By Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Students, Labor rally for Worker Rights, Palestinian Rights on May Day

Jean Stoler is working with a film crew to document the journey of her Holocaust survivor parents, who came to the US when Jean was barely two years old and rebuilt their lives. Jean will journey into the past by taking her sister, kids, grandkid, and film crew back to the displaced persons camp where she was born, to celebrate 80 years since its liberation. Sina Basila Hickey spoke with Jean about her family, this journey, and her take on the current political situation.

Jean Stoler Wants to Memorialize Her Parent's Journey After the Holocaust

Barbara Smith is a scholar and activist who resides in the Capital District. She is the author of books such as The Truth That Never Hurts and Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me Around.
She recently spoke with Hudson Mohawk Magazine’s Moses Nagel about a range of topics including the Trump administrations list of forbidden books, the conversation about the male loneliness epidemic and the recent national meeting of Jewish Voice for Peace. 

Barbara Smith on Banned Books, Loneliness and Gaza

The Queer Poetry Prize is looking for submission for 2025! 2024 Queer Poetry Prize winner Ennis Rook Bashe was interviewed about their poetry, inspiration, writing process, and the Queer Poetry Prize by producers Mary and Marrow.

Queer Poetry Prize 2024 Winner Ennis Rook Bashe

Interested in seeing the development of a new community center in Albany?  You are invited to an open house on Sunday, May 18th, 11am-12:30pm, at Christ's Church in Albany, to learn how a number of organizations are coordinating resources to provide accessible community programs. Paul "Batman" Collins-Hakett describes how, with full support from the pastor and congregation, the entire church will be converted to an event space and project area, with some offices on the first floor being used by the organizations.  Among those participating are the RED Bookshelf (www.theredbookshelf.org) which provides free books to youth at locations around the city; Young Futures (youngfuturesco.com) which fosters financial literacy through the arts, and Upstate's Cold Brew (https://upstatescoldbrew.com/) which will create a coffee house in the space. You can participate too! Batman invites you to contribute your time, talents, and/or financial support to make the community center a reality. For details, see  https://www.facebook.com/share/1FWeHYpYTe/. Produced by Brea Barthel for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

New Albany Community Center

﻿Everybody Moves Series: Migration Stories from our Community.

This weekly series profiles the migration stories of members of our community, whether the migration be their own stories of that of their parents or grandparents, and reminds us that migration touches us all, and teaches us much, because it is a part of the human experience. 
This week: Carl, who was born in Germany. 
This series is produced by Moses Nagel and Joanna Dreby. Interested in sharing your story? You can reach us at Joanna.dreby@gmail.com or moses.nagel@gmail.com to schedule a 20-30 minute storytelling session, in person or on zoom.

Everybody Moves- Carl

New York’s factory farms are raising more animals than ever before, particularly cows, producing unprecedented amounts of manure waste. This manure is typically not treated before being dumped into the environment. Meanwhile, state and federal policies and incentives continue to prop up Big Ag’s factory farm model at the expense of family-scale operations, which are collapsing in alarming numbers. Food and Water Watch has drafted legislation to ban new factory farms and the expansion of existing ones, and revamp farm policies to build a food system that works for everyone. We hear from Eric Weltman of Food and Water Watch; lead legislative sponsors Senator Jabari Brisport and Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal; and Michael Richardson of Third Act.

Bill Introduced to Ban New Factory Farms in NY

More than 300 people turned out in downtown Troy for the Memorial Day Rally against fascism organized by Indivisible Troy, opposing the ICE raids and attacks on immigrants and the constitution. We hear from Karen Zigler, several indivisible organiers, Jen from Jewish Voice for Peace, Eyad Alkurabi of Palestinian Rights Committee, Assemblymember Phil Steck, Troy City Council President Sue Steel, Jim Mounteer, Eduardo Hernandez of Citizen Action, law professor Mary Lynch, and Rudy Stegemoeller and Diane Geary of Common Farms, among others. Unedited.

Troy Memorial Day Rally Against Fascism

The Memorial Day rally in Troy, NY was organized by Indivisible, honoring our Veterans and bringing awareness to the concerns of fascism in our country.  Andrea Cunliffe of Hudson Mohawk Magazine brings you this report. In this segment, we hear from Bryan Pas Herman's of Indivisible, Jen Baumstein of Jewish Voice for Peace, and Troy City Council President Sue Steel.

Indivisible is a grassroots organization formed to inform and to stand for Democracy.

Memorial Day '25 Fascism Rally in Troy, Pt1

Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Homeland Security have changed their tactics under this administration to detain people in unexpected circumstances. One of those instances took place between Troy and Cohoes last Friday. Elizabeth of New York Immigration Coalition and a community Immigration justice organizer spoke with Sina Basila Hickey about ICE in the capital region.

ICE Presence in the Capital Region

This week Comedian / Producer Tyler Artis is in studio along side fellow touring Comedian Shawn Barnes who will be closing out the 3rd installment of Tyler's Successful Comedy Show The Artis Comedy Showcase at the 217 Taproom in Albany on June 6th at 8PM. They talk  about the show With Host Juan Pantaleon and share some of the exciting opportunities that Shawn has had this year while commending Tyler on his ongoing producing success. 

ACIC - Artis Comedy 2

Brendan C. Byrne is a local author who recently published a collection of short fiction entitled "Another World Isn't Possible," available from Wanton Sun press. Ellie Irons and Dan Phiffer spoke to Brendan about this new work.

Brendan C. Byrne: Another World Isn't Possible

There is an important primary election coming up on June 24th for the Troy City Council. 6 Candidates for 3 positions  have been invited to Hudson Mohawk Magazine to talk about their candidacy.  Andrea Cunliffe speaks with Eric Wisher running on the Working Families party this primary for District 5.

Early Voting Location ONLY FOR JUNE 2025 PRIMARY:
500 Federal St Troy, NY 12180
Troy (City Council 5)
19,20,21,22,23&24
Holy Cross Armenian Church
255 Spring Ave
WORKING FAMILIES
Early Voting Dates: June 14th to June 22nd
Saturday and Sunday: 9 AM to 5 PM  
Monday and Wednesday: 12 PM to 8 PM  
Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: 9 AM to 5 PM

Troy City Council District 5: WFP Eric E Wisher

There is an important primary election coming up on June 24th for the Troy City Council. 6 Candidates for 3 positions have been invited to Hudson Mohawk Magazine to talk about their candidacy. Andrea Cunliffe speaks with Jona L Favreau running on the Working Families party this primary for District 5.

Early Voting Location ONLY FOR JUNE 2025 PRIMARY:
500 Federal St Troy, NY 12180
Troy (City Council 5)
19,20,21,22,23&24
Holy Cross Armenian Church
255 Spring Ave
WORKING FAMILIES
Early Voting Dates: June 14th to June 22nd
Saturday and Sunday: 9 AM to 5 PM
Monday and Wednesday: 12 PM to 8 PM
Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: 9 AM to 5 PM

Troy City Council District 5: Jona Favreau

There is a primary election coming up on June 24th and there are a few Troy City Council seats included. In District 1 the Conservative line has a primary. In District 4 the Democrats have a primary. And, in District 5 the Working Families Party get a chance to choose who will go up for election in November. Elizabeth Press spoke with Noreen McKee running on the Democratic line this primary for Troy City Council District 4. 

At the time of the airing McKee's opponent has not responded to emails or calls from the Hudson Mohawk Magazine for an interview.

Early Voting Location for JUNE 2025 PRIMARY:
500 Federal St Troy, NY 12180
Early Voting Dates: June 14th to June 22nd
Saturday and Sunday: 9 AM to 5 PM
Monday and Wednesday: 12 PM to 8 PM
Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday: 9 AM to 5 PM

Troy City Council District 4 Primary - Noreen McKee

Rosemary Armao talks in this week's chapter of her podcast On the Brink with Dan Butterworth the executive director -- very busy director of RISSE (Pronounced RISE). -- a small Albany non-profit dedicated to helping and supporting immigrants and refugees in the Capital District. That part of upstate New York is not cosmopolitan and the nearest immigration court is out near Buffalo, but it has seen plenty of horrific ICE actions against foreign born residents. Immigrants in the Albany area tend to be from Africa and the Middle East and they are terrified, he said. They aren't coming to English classes, are afraid to go to the supermarket or to legally required meetings with immigration officials for fear of being plucked off the streets and whisked out of the country. There are things that native born Americans who don't like the Stephen Miller-Donald Trump deportation policies can do. That includes sending laundry, shaving and mentrual supplies to Risse to distribute and witnessing-recording-and intervening in ICE actions around the area. 

Armao on the Brink: RISSE on ICE in the Capital Region

This week end  is the Capital Region Festival of Theater. Its  a 4 day evnt of performances, workshops, panel discussions from loca theatre companies and artists.  At 8 different venues it is a FREE event  celebrating the Capital Disticts theatre community.  

I spoke with Two playwrights whose work is being perfored  Katherine Ambrosio Actress/Playwright  and Julie Demers Playwright and Educator 


CR FT is this week end These free events run from the 12th to the 15th at 8 different venues.

10AM Sunday “Marge and Melvin” by Katherine Ambrosio is at SUNY’s  Student Union Theatre 

11:30 AM “Aftermath” by Julie Demers is at SUNY’s Campus Center West Auditorium

The Film: “Train to Moscow” by Katherine Ambrosio begins the film festival at Capital Rep.

2 Playwrights "Capital Region Festival of Theatre"

On Saturday June 14, as President Trump presided over a military parade on his birthday in the nation’s Capitol, millions of Americans joined together in communities across the country under the banner of No Kings to fight to save Democracy in the United State sand to oppose authoritarian rule. In Troy, despite a morning downpour, more than 1300 individuals rallied in Riverfront Park, with other protests taking place throughout the Capital District later during the day. 75 protests took place statewide. In this report, we hear from three co-chairs of the Troy and Albany Indivisible, starting with Brian Paz Hernandez, then Marianna Achlaoug and Dr. Mary Panzetta, followed by  Ava Agree of the local Jewish Voice for Peace.

1300 at Troy No Kings Protest

The State of New York is considering draining the 98-acre Dunham Reservoir in Grafton, saying the 112-year-old dam is unsafe. Local residents are concerned that the dam’s removal would eliminate a space for recreation and wildlife and potentially risk the area becoming a swamp.  Local photographer John Bulmer talks with Mark Dunlea of Hudson Mohawk Magazine about the issue. SaveDunham.org

NYS Considers Draining Dunham Reservoir

In this week's On the Brink Rosemary Armao talks with Dee Burkins, a grandmother who is one of the most visible anti-Trump activists in the Capital District 

Armao on the Brink: Activist Grandmother Against Trump

The 25th Brunswick Summer concert series takes place Tuesday evenings, beginning June 24, 2025. Pat Poleto started the series back in the year 2001 and has focused it on highlighting local bands to bring community together. He was interviewed by Dick Sleeper and Jacob Boston.

Brunswick Summer Concert Series is Back!

On Thursday June 26, NY Divest from Death, Extinction Rebellion of the Capital Region, and the Upper Hudson Valley chapter of Codepink rallied outside NYS Comptroller DiNapoli’s office on State street in downtown Albany to demand an end to investing NY retirement funds in Israeli bonds that help funds the Netanyahu government’s genocide in Gaza and $5 billion in large fossil fuel companies that are driving global companies. We hear from Arthur with Code Pink; Eyad Alkarubi from the Palestinian Rights Committee; Xan Plymale of Divest from Death; and Wendy Dwyer and Tom Ellis (PRC). By Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Divest from Death Protest Comptroller DiNapoli over investments in Israel, fossil fuels

In this segment of "Reclaiming History," Lovonia Mallory interviews Ms. Diana Douglas of City Hair Care located at 940 State Street, Schenectady, New York. Ms. Douglas offers advice to budding cosmetologist Eliida “Ellie” Marin on how to become a successful business owner. Ms. Douglas emphasizes three key business traits: love people, love what you do, and be consistent.
If you need to get in touch with City Hair Care for any inquiries or appointments, call them at 518-374-3025.


Reclaiming History with City Hair Care of Schenectady

Due to the frequent ICE raids in Albany, Capital Region Sanctuary Coalition has organized the "ICE Out of Albany" rally, taking place on Wednesday, July 2 at Frisbie Ave at 5:30pm. Kelley of CRSC talk with Vinny DamaPolito and Caelan McPherson.

ICE Out of Albany rally on Wed. July 2

The Trump administration is determined to make good on a threat Republicans  have made for 30 years — to cut or eliminated funding for public broadcast. In this week’s On the Brink Rosemary Armao talks with Mitch Teich, the station manager of North Country Public Radio based in Canton about what the loss of federal tax dollars might mean in the rural and remote area North Country serves.

Armao on the Brink: Trump's Cuts to Public Broadcasting

Everybody Moves Series: Migration Stories from our Community.

This weekly series profiles the migration stories of members of our community, whether the migration be their own stories of that of their parents or grandparents, and reminds us that migration touches us all, and teaches us much, because it is a part of the human experience. This week: Renee, whose parents came from Holland. 
This series is produced by Moses Nagel and Joanna Dreby. Interested in sharing your story? You can reach us at Joanna.dreby@gmail.com or moses.nagel@gmail.com to schedule a 20-30 minute storytelling session, in person or on zoom.

Everybody Moves- Renee

on July 17, five years since the passing of Congressman John Lewis, tens of thousands of Americans in more than 1500 communities across the country took to the streets for a day of Making Good Trouble to fight for justice, voting rights, and dignity for all. While smaller than last month’s actions against the Trump administration that attracted an estimated 5 million participants nationwide, many hundreds of people lined Townsend Park in Albany and nearby streets. There was a strong participation by Palestinian Rights groups, who engaged with State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli who stopped by, urging him to stop using the state pension funds to buy Israeli bonds that help fund the ongoing genocide in Gaza. Immigrant rights and climate activists were also visible. We hear from local Indivisible organizers Joe Seeman and Andreas Kriefall; peace scholar Larry Wittner; Sandy Steubing of PAUSE; Mark Violette; climate activist Maura McNulty; and Albany County Legislator Bill Reinhardt. By Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.

Hundreds Rally for Good Trouble in Albany

People with a Developmental Visual-Spatial Disorder (DVSD)—a proposed new name for Non-Verbal Learning Disability (NVLD)—experience a range of challenges. Hudson Mohawk Magazine correspondent Caelan McPherson, who has been diagnosed with NVLD, sat down with Dr. Laura Lemle, founder of the NVLD Project, and Dr. Amy Margolis, a researcher and professor involved with the project. They spoke about NVLD, the organization's efforts to raise awareness, educating the public, and providing support and resources to help individuals with NVLD succeed. To find information and resources go to  nvld.org.

The NVLD Project: Understanding the Challenges of Developmental Visual-Spatial Disorder


On Thursday, July 24, a rally of about 100 people was held at the Federal Obrien Building in Albany to stop starving Palestinians in Gaza to death and to end the siege. The protestors were targeting Senators Schumer and Gillibrand, urging them to oppose the US funding of genocide. The World Health Organization and others report that the risk of famine in Gaza is increasing with the deliberate withholding of humanitarian aid, including food, in the ongoing blockade. The entire 2.1 million population of Gaza is facing prolonged food shortages, with nearly half a million people in a catastrophic situation of hunger, acute malnutrition, starvation, illness and death. This is one of the world’s worst hunger crises, unfolding in real time. We hear from Jacob and Tom Ellis of the Palestinian Rights Committee; Kathy Manley; and Mehak Jamil of the Albany Muslim Advocacy Committee. With Mark Dunlea for Hudson Mohawk Magazine.


Albany Rally to End Starvation in Gaza

On July 19th, farmworkers and their allies, organized by Migrant Justice, picketed the Hannaford supermarket in Glens Falls, New York. The demonstration called on the company to join the Milk With Dignity program, which asks the chain to only stock dairy in their stores from farms where workers are treated well and their rights are not infringed on. Benno Greene went to this demonstration and talked with two dairy farm workers, Yovani and Enrique, about the difficulties and injustices they face at work, why the Milk With Dignity program is important, and how national politics is affecting their workplaces and activism. Since Yovani and Enrique primarily speak Spanish, the interview was conducted with Rachel Elliot of Migrant Justice translating. 

Migrant Justice Demands Hannaford Join The Program

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine,

Mark Dunlea speaks with Ben Murray, a Senior Researcher with Food and Water Watch on the Trump administration’s Artificial Intelligence Action Plan and the environmental impacts of the AI industry.

Then, Benno Greene reports on the Milk with Dignity campaign by Migrant Justice.

Later on, retired national weather serviceman Hugh Johnson joins us to talk about some recent flash floods, and this week’s weather.

After that, we have the Everybody Moves piece that profiles immigration stories from people in our community. This week we heard from Rosaly.

Finally, Rebecca Alston interviews Aila about music and activism

Co-hosts: Lennox Apudo & Sean Bernyk 
Engineer: Jalaya Reid

HMM-07-28-2025

Thom Francis welcomes local writers Don Maurer and Alexander Perez, whose poems inspired pieces of visual art that were showcased in the Poetic License 2024 exhibit. They both shared their poetry on Monday, October 14, 2024, at the Poetic License Poetry Reading and Open Mic at the Honest Weight Food Co-op in Albany.

—

Poetic License celebrates the creative intersections of poetry and visual art!

Now in its third year, the joint project of the Hudson Valley Writers Guild and the Upstate Artists Guild is all about bridging the worlds of poetry and visual expression in new and exciting ways.

This year’s exhibit, on display at the Honest Weight Food Co-op through November 10, flips the script on the traditional concept of ekphrastic art. Instead of poets responding to visual pieces, local artists were invited to create works inspired by poems submitted by both local and national poets. It’s a creative inversion that brings the expressive power of both mediums together, resulting in a truly dynamic and thought-provoking collection of visual responses to the written word.

The exhibit showcases 42 stunning pieces of art, created by 24 talented artists, each responding to poems written by 23 unique voices from the world of poetry. This fusion of imagery and language gives us a fresh look at how art can interpret, transform, and reimagine the written word.

On October 14, 2024, poets featured in the exhibit were invited to read their work in a special poetry reading hosted by the legendary Dan Wilcox. Poets shared their pieces while surrounded by the very art they inspired—a full-circle moment for words and visuals alike.

Today, we’re thrilled to bring you the voices of two of those poets: Don Maurer and Alexander Perez. They’ll share their poems and reflect on the artwork they inspired.

Talking With Poets: Don Maurer and Alexander Perez at the Honest Weight Food Co-op

Today, on the Hudson Mohawk Magazine,

First, Mark Dunlea talks with Krista Hesdorfer of Hunger Solutions NY about the cuts that have been made to SNAP at the federal level that will be impacting New Yorkers.

Then, organizers of the Caribbean Festival by Columbia County Sanctuary Movement will join us and let us in on the details of this year’s festivities on August 9.

Later on, H Bosh Jr speaks with Miki Conn, the former executive director of the Hamilton Hill Arts Center in Schenectady, about book censorship.

After that, this week Tyler Artis and Dylan Rees are back in the studio to promote the 4th Artis(t) comedy showcase. They sit down with Host Juan Pantaleon to discuss college, dropping out of college and whether or not Dr. Umar would be stoked to have Dylan as a fan.

Finally, Thom Francis welcomes local writers Don Maurer and Alexander Perez, whose poems inspired pieces of visual art that were showcased in the Poetic License 2024 exhibit.

Co-hosts: Vinny DamaPoleto & Sina Basila Hickey
Engineer: Jalaya Reid

HMM-07-29-2025

Youth FX's Solidarity Screening Series presents Speed Girls on Friday August 1. The movie tells the story of an all woman street race team in the West Bank, Palestine. Moses Nagel spoke with Hana Maaiah of the Palestinian Rights Committee who is co-sponsoring the event.

Solidarity Screening Presents- Speed Girls

The Key of Q is a unique cultural organization in the Hudson Valley, an a cappella chorus of LBGTQ and allied singers who perform in civic and often very cool venues such as Opus 40, a monumental earthenware construction in Saugerties. The group’s mission has gotten more controversial since it was founded in 2016 as the Trump administration has made diversity a sin and gender non conformance undesirable. But chorus leaders Teri Gibson and Keri Jadrovski tell Rosemary Armao that audiences are receiving the group more enthusiastically than ever perhaps in defiance and resistance.

Summer Short 07-30-25 (3)

Hudson Mohawk Magazine is a local volunteer-produced news hour that provides sanctuary for the discussion of a wide range of topics, scaling from the global to the hyper-local. The show is broadcasted from The Sanctuary for Independent Media on WOOC 105.3 FM.

Thanks to listeners like you, the Sanctuary is able to use art and participatory action to promote social and environmental justice and freedom of creative expression.

Hudson Mohawk Magazine

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