(GIN) – South African students at the University of Cape Town (UCT) are setting up encampments in solidarity with the people of Palestine, joining a global movement led by students around the world with support from academic and other staff.

They’re calling for their institution to be transparent about their links to Israel and to divest and cut ties with Israel or Israeli-linked institutions.

The UCT4Palestine encampment has grown to around 10 tents on the upper campus; UCT students form part of the wider coalition.

UCT law student and UCT4Palestine member Roomaan Leach said the action was to commemorate the 76th anniversary of the Nakba, also known as the Palestinian Catastrophe. It refers to the mass displacement and eviction of Palestinians during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war.

“We are aiming to educate, mourn, conscientize, rage, all at once,” Leach said.
#Africa4Palestine is a human rights organization lending solidarity and support to Palestine people living under Israeli occupation. The organization was formerly known as BDS South Africa, established in 2009. However, in 2020, BDS rebranded and broadened its mandate to become #Africa4Palestine.

The team has seven board members, including professor Farid Esack, a South African Muslim liberation theologian in the Department of Religious Studies at the University of Johannesburg, and Duduzile Mahlangu-Masango, who worked for the South African Council of Churches at its Justice and Reconciliation Desk and was the project coordinator of an HIV/AIDS initiative of the Lutheran Church working on the acceptance of HIV positive people.

Mahlangu-Masangohe is currently the South African coordinator of the Israel-Palestine program at the World Council of Churches.

This week, dozens of students at the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg set up camps in solidarity with Palestinians on the main campus library lawn.

Students waving Palestinian flags and carrying placards called for a cease-fire and an end to Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories as they marched to the university senate, where officials were holding a meeting.

Imaan Mathee told a reporter: “We were inspired by the mobilization of U.S. universities, but I would say that our encampment is more peaceful because we recognize that our stance reflects the stance taken by our government.” 

Mathee vowed that the encampment would continue until student demands are met.

The post Pro-Palestine encampments in Africa join global student movement appeared first on New York Amsterdam News.

* This article was originally published here

The MTA is looking for the next Ice Spice… well, sorta.

After releasing its iconic limited edition Ice Spice metro cards last week, the MTA announced that it’s currently on the hunt for brands to design its final two premium custom MetroCards.

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As the MTA phases out the emblematic yellow cards in favor of the electronic “tap to pay” OMNY system, which is now installed at every subway station and bus across the city, the slow demise of the collectible custom MetroCards feels imminent, which is likely one of the reasons why the agency has announced that it will only make two more customized subway cards, specifically asking brands to participate in the effort.

Ever since the current iteration of the MetroCard was inaugurated in 1994, there have been 400 limited editions put out for the world to see, including ones dedicated to Supreme, David Bowie and the Notorious B.I.G., according to a press release by the MTA.

In honor of hip hop’s 50th anniversary last year, the MTA debuted MetroCards featuring several local hip hop legends including Rakim, Canon, LL Cool J and Pop Smoke. Each pass has a become collectible item, some even causing frenzies as New Yorkers tried desperately to get a hold of them. 

More likely than not, the final two customized MetroCards will become coveted valuables as well.

“Creating one of the final custom MetroCards is the perfect opportunity for a brand, artist, or cultural institution to cement its place in transit history,” MTA Chief Customer Officer Shanifah Rieara said in an official statement. “While the MTA continues to shift to tap and go payments by using a bank card, smartphone, or wearable device, these last two cards will undoubtedly become instant collectibles.”

According to the MTA, the last two cards “must be part of a holistic campaign that promotes your brand and the cards, while also delivering a unique rider benefit/experience.” Advertisers will get a chance to target up to 10 stations for distribution throughout the subway system, and must be willing to print at least 50,000 MetroCards with the design on them. 

Sounds like a task you are up for? Here is the application. 

* This article was originally published here

From rent to groceries to transportation, everything seemingly costs more in New York City, and apparently our chocolate-eating habits are not exempt from that fact. (NYC is one of the most expensive cities to be happy in the US, after all, and what sparks more happiness than chocolate?)

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According to a new report from consumer resource site CouponBirds, NYC residents pay more for chocolate than the rest of the country—way more. In fact, a regular old bar of chocolate will cost a New Yorker 20.66% above the national average, per the study’s findings. For example, when compared to the national average, Hershey’s milk chocolate has a 23.11% price premium in New York City; Dove milk chocolate Promises cost 30.62% more here and snack-sized Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups are 22.49% higher.

For their report, the CouponBirds team researched the price by ounce of the most popular chocolate products at Target in America’s biggest cities using data from Instacart. They then calculated the average price per ounce for each product by brand for each city and state and compared them to the national average to find the local premium on branded chocolate goods.

So what’s the reason for the price discrepancy between NYC and other major American cities? In New York, the price of cocoa beans reached a record $5,500 per metric ton in February, per the study. Gothamites also have to deal with “grocers that face high rental and running costs in addition to the delivery delays and limited storage space associated with an urban center of this density.” 

In fact, New York State overall is the second most expensive state in the country when it comes to chocolate prices, with mark-ups being 10.70% higher than the national average. The priciest chocolate-loving state? That designation goes to Hawaii, with the cost of the sweet treat being 12.90% higher than the national average of $0.75 per ounce. Meanwhile, chocolate is at its cheapest in Rhode Island, New Hampshire and Maine, where it’s 3.64% less than the national average. Lucky!

* This article was originally published here

Medicine bottles are something people tend to keep hidden, tucked away in bathroom cabinets we hope nosy visitors stay out of. These plain orange cylinders chronicle our bodies and minds, serving as tangible tokens of that broken foot or sinus infection.

A powerful new art project on Governors Island, however, brings those empty bottles out from their cramped cabinets and into the light. Called Meditations on Medication: The Pill Bottle Project, this ever-evolving community installation will be constructed on weekends all summer—and all are invited to contribute.

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The project is the brainchild of Alyson Vega, an artist with Fountain House Gallery who wants to spark conversation around medication, routine, recycling, plastic waste, insurance and accessibility. The project kicked off this past weekend and runs on weekends through August 11.

This series of site-specific installations is constructed entirely of empty orange prescription bottles arranged in a variety of creative set-ups. One installation looks like a fireplace with glowing orange flames. Another turns pill bottles into twinkling lights. In another, bottles sit in a towering heap, inviting questions about plastic waste.

While the structural works are fascinating to look at, this art exhibit isn’t just about using your eyes. All are welcome to bring their own pill bottles to contribute and can even help construct aspects of the installation alongside staff on-site. 

“Please come dance with us on Governors Island. Be a part of the story,” the artist wrote on Instagram, referencing the famed quote, “Diversity is being invited to the party. Inclusion is being asked to dance.”

How to donate pill bottles

If you’d like to drop off bottles, there are three sites to do so. 

• At Fountain House Gallery, 702 9th Avenue in Hell’s Kitchen
• At Fountain House Studio, 37-24 24th Street, Suite 012, in Long Island City (call 212-582-0340 x1930 to enter)
• At Nolan Park #8B on Governors Island

Be sure to remove the label off your bottles or Sharpie over private information. Sharpies will be provided at all drop-off locations.

In addition to donating empty pill bottles, NYC art fans are also asked to help by asking local pharmacies for bulk donations.

How to see and create the installations

To see the artwork and lend a hand in creating it, head to Governors Island on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11am-5pm now through August 11. Find the setup at Nolan Park #8B. It’s free to enter.

While you’re on Governors Island, use our full guide to make the most of your experience.

* This article was originally published here