Norman Siegel: A lifetime of protecting the First Amendment

Building on the success of NY1’s documentary about the career of Mario Cuomo, NY1 and Hunter College’s Roosevelt House held an in-depth discussion about the former governor that was moderated by Errol Louis. Errol’s panelists were Mary Ann Crotty, Cuomo’s former director of state operations; Harold Holzer, a former top aide to Cuomo who now serves as Roosevelt House’s director; and renowned journalist Denis Hamill.  The special live taping of the panel on May 14 was held at Roosevelt House — Hunter College’s Public Policy Institute and the former Manhattan home of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. Join the conversation, weigh in on Twitter using the hashtag #NY1YouDecide or give us a call at 212-379-3440 and leave a message. Or send an email to [email protected].

Few people have had more of an impact on modern journalism than Jimmy Breslin. Breslin was a Pulitzer Prize Award-winning New York journalist and author who rose to fame in the 1960s, with columns that attracted millions of readers. Breslin displayed an unrivaled mastery at deadline journalism, whether he was covering John Lennon’s murder, the assassination of Malcolm X or the man who dug John F. Kennedy’s grave. His influential style has resonated long after his six-decade career came to an end and continues to this day. One person who was influenced by Breslin’s writing is New York Times columnist Dan Barry. Barry is the editor of a brand new anthology of Breslin’s best work, titled “Jimmy Breslin: Essential Works.” Barry joined NY1’s Errol Louis to discuss their shared love of Breslin’s columns, as well as how he changed journalism. They also discussed the way he wrote about the people who rarely made the headlines. Finally, they touched on the current state of the New York Times, where he continues to work. Join the conversation, weigh in on Twitter using the hashtag #NY1YouDecide or give us a call at 212-379-3440 and leave a message. Or send an email to [email protected].

Norman Siegel has been a civil right and civil liberties lawyer in New York City for over 50 years, spending a significant portion of his career defending free speech, often to his own detriment. The pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University and colleges across the country have highlighted the topic of free speech. Siegel joined NY1’s Errol Louis to discuss how the protests resemble demonstrations from the past. He explained that it is time that people began to understand the First Amendment properly. Siegel also reflected on his storied legal career, including his tenure at the New York Civil Liberties Union and how he helped create the Civilian Complaint Review Board. Finally, they talked about how he advocates for families who lost loved ones on Sept. 11.   Join the conversation, weigh in on Twitter using the hashtag #NY1YouDecide or give us a call at 212-379-3440 and leave a message. Or send an email to [email protected].

An increase in teen depression and mental health disorders over the last decade has largely been attributed to the widespread adoption of the smartphone by adolescents. Parents are obsessively worrying about screen time and the effects it could have on their children. One such parent is Zephyr Teachout, attorney, author, political candidate and associate professor of law at Fordham University. Teachout joined NY1’s Errol Louis to discuss the dangerous and addictive content teens are being fed by social media platforms. They also talked about the government’s role in regulation, the status of the TikTok ban and how the algorithm preys on children’s weaknesses.  Join the conversation, weigh in on Twitter using the hashtag #NY1YouDecide or give us a call at 212-379-3440 and leave a message. Or send an email to [email protected].

For more than eight years, Basil Seggos had led the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation, trying to help New York in its transition away from fossil fuels. Now leaving office, Seggos joined NY1’s Errol Louis to discuss New York’s pivotal 2019 climate law and his own tenure with two different governors. They also spoke about Seggos’ dramatic first day in office and his top priority for his successor. Join the conversation, weigh in on Twitter using the hashtag #NY1YouDecide or give us a call at 212-379-3440 and leave a message. Or send an email to [email protected].

After criticizing police strategy aimed at combatting subway crime, New York Daily News columnist Harry Siegel found himself under attack online by the NYPD. The mayor later defended police brass for going after Siegel and the police commanders doubled down on their harsh words in several interviews, including one with NY1. Siegel joined NY1's Errol Louis for a candid discussion about the exchanges that have taken place since the op-ed appeared, as well as his intentions behind writing the piece. They also touched on the complicated relationships the press can have with the NYPD and Siegel’s role as senior editor of the news outlet "The City." Join the conversation, weigh in on Twitter using the hashtag #NY1YouDecide or give us a call at 212-379-3440 and leave a message. Or send an email to [email protected].

With diabetes continuing to disproportionately affect the poor and people of color, the Bronx nonprofit agency Health People is launching a new campaign against the disease. Chris Norwood, the group’s founder and executive director, joined NY1’s Errol Louis to discuss their new education effort about diabetes as well as what she hopes to get out of the upcoming state budget. They also talked about some concerns over weight-loss drugs like Ozempic that are being used in the diabetes battle. Join the conversation, weigh in on Twitter using the hashtag #NY1YouDecide or give us a call at 212-379-3440 and leave a message. Or send an email to [email protected].

Trying to make sense of one of the most pivotal years in American history, scholar Eric Klinenberg decided to focus on 2020 by using seven New Yorkers as his lens. With social unrest, economic turbulence and a presidential election as his backdrop, Klinenberg tells a story that is still far from finished in his new book, “2020: One City, Seven People, and the Year Everything Changed.”  Klinenberg joined NY1's Errol Louis to discuss these seven stories and why he thought his approach was the best way to tackle 2020. They also discussed whether New York is any better equipped to handle another pandemic.  Join the conversation, weigh in on Twitter using the hashtag #NY1YouDecide or give us a call at 212-379-3440 and leave a message. Or send an email to [email protected].

Recently, NY1’s Errol Louis moderated a panel discussion, hosted by Vital City and the Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY, on New York’s rocky rollout of legalized cannabis — examining what policies and practices are needed to create a viable market moving forward.  Louis was joined for the discussion by Rosalind Adams, a reporter at The City, Dr. Yasmin Hurd, Ward-Coleman chair of Translational Neuroscience and the director of the Addiction Institute at Mount Sinai, and Alfredo Angueira, chief compliance officer and founding partner of CONBUD, the first legal cannabis dispensary run and operated by formerly incarcerated individuals. Join the conversation, weigh in on Twitter using the hashtag #NY1YouDecide or give us a call at 212-379-3440 and leave a message. Or send an email to [email protected].

Few women have had a bigger impact on New York City politics than Elizabeth Holtzman. A Brooklyn native, Holtzman embarked on a political career over 50 years ago. She was an aide to Mayor John Lindsay in the late 60s and then became the youngest woman at the time ever elected to Congress at 31 years old. She was also the Brooklyn district attorney and the New York City comptroller — the only woman ever to hold either of those positions. Holtzman joined NY1’s Errol Louis for a look back at her many years in politics. They discussed her role in the Nixon impeachment investigation while serving on the House Judiciary Committee in 1974. They also touched on her long relationship with President Joe Biden, her thoughts on Republican candidate Donald Trump, and the many accomplishments of women in politics since she started. Finally, she explained what made her initially enter public service and why it still matters to her. Join the conversation, weigh in on Twitter using the hashtag #NY1YouDecide or give us a call at 212-379-3440 and leave a message. Or send an email to [email protected].