(UNION CITY, NJ) – Following the death of Cuban Dictator, Fidel Castro, the City of Union City’s Mayor, Brian P. Stack and the Board of Commissioners are scheduled to hold a ceremony to raise the Cuban flag in solidarity with the millions of Cubans around the world who have suffered under the Castro regime. 

“We stand together with all Cubans in Union City, Hudson County and around the world who have been enslaved, impoverished, disenfranchised and suffered many atrocities at the hands of Fidel Castro,” said Mayor Brian P. Stack.  “It is my sincere hope that Castro’s death will lead to freedom for the Cuban people and subsequently a relationship with the United States.  When the people of Cuba are finally free, we will celebrate together.” 

Hudson County is home to the largest population of Cuban immigrants in the Northeastern United States.  Cubans in Union City and all over the world are rejoicing in death of the infamous dictator and have expressed hope that real change will come for the people of Cuba.  Repressive laws have allowed for the imprisonment and even deaths of thousands of political protesters and caused many leave their families to seek refuge in the United States.

Union City will hold the Cuban Flag Raising Ceremony at 4 PM on November 28, 2016 at 38^th Street and Palisade Avenue across from City Hall.  The Mayor and Board of Commissioners invite the public to join them as they raise the Cuban flag in solidarity with Cubans all around the world. 

Latest NowPolitic Poll

Here are the results of our latest poll:

How dow do you feel about the Welfare System?

It’s enabling poverty:  80%

It’s terrible: 20%

What do you think of Rev. Al Sharpton?

A complete joke:  90%

I don’t know anything about him: 10%

Cuban Parade of New Jersey 2016

The Annual Cuban Parade of New Jersey and one of the State's biggest parade, kicks off on Sunday, Jun 5th, 2016 at 12:00 PM from Bergenline Avenue & 79th Street in North Bergen.  The parade goes thru North Bergen, Guttenberg, West New York, and Union City.  It usually draws between 200,000 to 300,000 spectators.  This year the parade will feature the music of probably the best loved Latin band from New Jersey, Maxima Alerta on the UNIVISION float. Maxima Alerta, originally from Cuba, was the best known Cuban fusion band in the island.  Also on the parade will be many dignitaries such as news anchor Rafael Pineda, Rolman Vergara, etc.

It promises to be a great afternoon of Cuban culture up-close and personal.  You don't need to be Cuban to enjoy.

World Premiere Screening... Bahia de Cochinos, Nuestra Perspectiva

Provocative New Film Premieres in Union City

"Bahía de Cochinos, Nuestra Perspectiva"

("Bay of Pigs, Our perspective") 

(Union City, NJ)  MeLu Films and The Grace Theatre Workshop, Inc. present the World Premiere screening of the documentary "Bahia de Cochinos, Nuestra perspectiva" on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 at 7:00 PM at the Union City Performing Arts Center, 2500 Kennedy Boulevard, Union City, NJ.  Free Admission.  Refreshments served. Free parking at the Parking Deck located on 23rd Street between Summit & Kerrigan Avenues.  The cast and crew of the film will be present.  

"Bahia de Cochinos, Nuestra perspectiva" is a documentary film about the Bay of pigs as told through the eyes of Cuban Exiles who actually participated in the invasion.  Now, many years later, they contemplate the happenings and share their individual satires and feelings with us.  That story comes at a price, a price we ask them if they would be willing to pay again.  When all is said and done, are these past invaders resentful?  Do they cast any blame?  Who lost most in the Bay of Pigs invasion?

Featured in the film is testimony by members of the 2506 Brigade: Ángel Casabona Ruiz, Isidoro López González, Ricardo Montero Duque, Raúl Puig Sánchez, and Alvin Ross Diaz; as well as Sergio Gatria, director of the Cuban Information Center.  Their stories are moving and shed light of the infamous Bay of Pigs Invasion.  The film is bound to create some serious dialogue about what truly lies behind the events leading up to the invasion and the fallout thereafter.  

The film is directed by renowned Cuban director, Ricardo Bacallao and Lucio Fernandez; and produced by MeLu Films and The Grace Theatre Workshop, Inc.; Megan Fernandez, Executive Producer.  The entire film crew was from Hudson County. The producers held a pre-release screening of the film in 2015 to get feedback before completing the project this month. 

(Please note:  this film is presented in Spanish, but informational materials in English will be handed out prior to the screening; and all discussions will be conducted in both English & Spanish.)

For more information, visit:

www.MeLuFilms.blogspot.com

www.GraceTheatre.com

www.UnionCityPAC.com

Black Lives Matter... "an excuse for violence"

Here are the results of our most recent poll.  Some may be surprising, but here's what your neighbors are thinking:

When asked, "How do you feel about the Lives Matter Movement?", 50% of respondents said it was reverse racism, and the other 50% believed it was a ridiculous movement.  Many folks who wrote us said they believed it was an excuse for violence, and some felt that both the welfare system and political correctness are destroying this country.  One person wrote that this "movement' was dividing the country and creating more harm than good, and that images of black youth destroying and looting property does not help.

When asked, "Who would you most likely vote for president?", 85% of respondents said Donald Trump to a mere 15% said Hillary Clinton.

When asked, "What is the news organization you most trust?", 75% of respondents said FOX News and 25% said BBC.

Latest NowPolitic Poll

(100% of respondents rated NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio's job performance as "Bad")

Here are the results of our latest poll.  Some results may surprise you, but here’s what your neighbors are thinking and feeling:

When asked, “How do you rate drivers in Hudson County?”

0% said “Great”

0% said “Just ok”

50% said “Bad”

50% said “The worst”

When asked, “What quality of life issues need to be addressed by authorities in Hudson County, NJ?”

0% said “Garbage?Littering”

50% said “Jaywalking”

0% said “Bad drivers”

50% said “Crime”

0% said “Abandoned buildings”

When asked, “How do you rate NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio's job performance thus far?”

0% said “Great”

0% said “Just ok”

100% said “Bad”

0% said “Horrible”

NOW Politic received this very interesting take on Donald Trump as a high school student, written by a fellow student. VOTE AS YOU WISH, AND LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT TRUMP - - A personal note from Peter Ticktin who knows the guy from high school. As a law firm, we at The Ticktin Law Group do not like to get involved in politics.  As soon as we endorse one side, we risk alienating everyone on the other side.  Also, our lawyers and staff are, themselves, on both sides.  Politics is not our game.  However, Justice is! If you saw a guy get publicly smeared, and you knew him well from the days you were friends and seniors together in high school, if you knew him to be a decent and honest man, would you want to say something?  This is why I need to share what I know.  I was aghast at watching last night's debate.  It was a set-up.  The moderators, Cruz, and Rubio were all like little alligators trying to take a bite out of Trump.  Yes, Donald Trump has had some failures, but he has been exceedingly successful.  None of this came out.  Instead, there was a general attack.  Rubio simply makes up lies.  He pretends that Trump has small hands and makes fun of him for something which isn't even real.  He pretends that Donald wets his pants, and makes fun of him, as though it was true, and then he calls Donald Trump a "Bully."  I am not suggesting that you should vote or not vote for anyone.  I just need to defend a former friend who is being smeared. Like Donald Trump, I attended New York Military Academy ("NYMA") for high school.  In fact, in our senior year, together, Donald was my captain, and I was his 1st Platoon Sergeant.  I sometimes joke that I ran his first company for him, Company "A." People don't really change much from the ages of 17 and 18, and I know this guy.  I know him to be a good decent guy.  We lived and breathed an Honor Code in those years.  It wasn't just a rule.  It was our way of life.  Neither Donald, nor any other cadet who graduated with us would ever lie, cheat, or steal from a fellow cadet.  These values became irreversibly intertwined in the fabric of our personalities, of who we are. Of the 99 guys (no girls in those days) in our class, there is not one who I know who has a bad word to say about Donald Trump.  Think of it.  With all the jealousies which arise in high school and thereafter, with all the potential envy, not one of us has anything other than positive memories of this man.  How could we?  He was an "A" student, a top athlete, and as a leader, he was highly respected.  We never feared him, yet we never wanted to disappoint him. He had our respect.  He was never a bigot in any way, shape or form.  He only hates those who hate.  Of course he denounces the KKK.  As to the discussion with the New York Times, it is his choice to release the 'off the record' remarks.  However, if he does, it opens the door for all political opposition to make that demand for everyone, and that means that our press will never get those 'off the record' remarks which help them to understand the realities of the campaign.  Moreover, the idea that Donald Trump confessed some alternate theory of his position is preposterous.  Can anyone believe that all those NY Times reporters are walking around knowing some deep dark nasty secret about a guy who is seeking an endorsement? The Republican establishment is afraid of Donald Trump.  Why?  They are afraid that he will lose to Hillary.  They don't hate Donald.  They hate her.  They are so fearful that they fail to see that by expanding the base of voters for Trump, he is more likely to win. Watching the chorus of whiners, decriers, denigrators, and self-righteous put-down experts from so many directions, from Mit Romney, to Megyn Kelly, Little Mario, it has to make you wonder.  Why?  Why are so many people so angry with Donald Trump, that they are lying, name calling, ridiculing, and demeaning him as they do.  Either they are afraid, or they know him to be evil.  This is why I feel the need to speak out at this time.  I know this man.  He is a lot of things, but he is not evil.  He is a decent honest guy who loves this country, and who is willing to sacrifice so much of what is left of his life, because he knows that this country needs to be fixed, and that it is going to require someone who can do the job.  He just doesn't see anything around him other than political hacks, so he is willing to take this huge responsibility. I'm not saying that he is the only one who can do the job.  My point is simply as to his motivation and his goodness. This next decade is going to be one of major changes.  We all see the climate changing, and the world food supply is getting lower.  Our fish stock around the world is running low.  Oil prices will cause countries to fail.  The Middle East is beyond repair, and we have become weak and ineffective around the world.  Donald Trump sees the issues and knows that he can assemble leaders who would have the best chance of fixing things.  This is why he is running.  He does not need it for his own aggrandizement.  He doesn't need another big jet or to take up residence in the White House.  He just wants things to be fixed, and he knows that the politicians won't fix anything. I knew Donald Trump and was close to him in our senior year in high school.  I just want you to know that there is nothing to fear from him.  His character is as good as it gets.  He is a patriot, taking on a heroic task, and being thanked by massive abuse.  If you want to see a true reflection of a man, look at his children.  Need I say more? A Personal Note from: Peter Ticktin