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tortured, beheaded and killed in large numbers,” said Poblete. “That’s where they have American citizens right now—locked up in a system where they’re not safe.”

Poblete mentioned the brothers being African American as a large factor in their arrest and imprisonment in Ecuador.

“They’ve been accused of a horrible crime that they did not commit, they happen to be Black and more importantly, they are American people who happen to be successful people,” said Poblete. “They went down there, succeeded and did something good. People see that and get envious and choose to take advantage of that.”

In November of last year, Ronell came down with what the prison thought was a severe stomach bug. He eventually collapsed, fainted, and was rushed to the hospital where he received a diagnosis of colon cancer. According to Poblete, Ronell’s cancer has progressed to Stage 4 and needs better treatment immediately.

“The doctors in Ecuador keep telling him ‘You need to go to America to get treatment, ’ and ironically, to their home state of Maryland to go to the cancer centers that are some of the best in the world,” said Poblete.

Robert Stephenson, the father of the brothers, said Ronell’s cancer rapidly progressed because he caught COVID and tuberculosis, causing chemotherapy treatment to be interrupted. He believes Ecuador should pay for all treatment costs.

“So far they have not stepped up to do it, so in order to save my son’s life we are doing it now,” said Stephenson.

In an attempt to reach the Hostage Affairs Office about its attention to the case, a State Department spokesperson replied via email, “We are aware that U.S. citizens Ronell and Roja Stephenson are incarcerated in Ecuador on charges of murder. We take seriously our responsibility to assist U.S. citizens abroad, and are providing all appropriate consular services.”

The spokesperson claimed the brothers have received welfare checks since their 2017 arrest and that the office follows up with the brothers’ requests from authorities in Ecuador and will monitor the case appeal and provide “all necessary consular services.”

Robert Stephenson, however, is not satisfied with this response. He claimed there was no regard to Ronell’s health when he was diagnosed with cancer in November, because the office was not even aware that he was admitted to a hospital for treatment.

“A day later I called them and they told me Ronell never went to the hospital and there is no proof he is in any hospital in the town,” said Stephenson, who mentioned that Hostage Affairs continued to make these claims for a day or two. “That’s how useful they were.”

GLA and local advocates in the U.S. have attempted to reach other government officials about the Stephenson brothers’ case. In addition to Hostage Affairs, Poblete has reached several agencies and politicians from the Ecuadorian embassy in D.C. to Maryland Senator Ben Cardin for some form of support. As of now, little has been accomplished to assist the brothers from a government standpoint.

“In these cases it’s not easy to get any government to move on something like this,” said Poblete. “The Hostage Affairs office has been cooperative but they’re not acting with the haste that we need to solve this problem.”

Poblete said the Ecuadorian ambassador, Ivonne A-Baki, has offered to assist but believes she is limited to what she can do unless the U.S. and Ecuador convene to discuss the matter.

Imam Alfred Mohammed is the councilman for the 4th ward in Linden, N.J. and a human rights advocate based in Harlem, who learned about the case from an interview he saw with the Stephenson brothers. Mohammed has called on the office of local Congressman Gregory Meeks, who according to Mohammed, has given consideration to the case. Mohammed believes it is important to bring attention because the brothers are Black Americans abroad.

“I’m very interested in the rights and responsibilities of Africans in the diaspora, and particularly Latin America where our people are treated differently,” said Mohammed. “It’s all xenophobic and about white supremacy, given with sexuality or fear of the Black male.”

The Bishop Rene Valero Senior Residence 35 NEWLY CONSTRUCTED UNITS AT 23-11 31st Road, Queens, NY, 11106 ASTORIA

Amenities: card operated laundry* , on-site senior center, on-site social services. (*additional fees apply) Transit: Trains: L, N, W Buses: Q69 No fee to apply • No broker’s fee • Smoke-free building • More information: https://housingconnect.nyc.gov

The construction of this building is being financed through the Senior Affordable Rental Apartments program (SARA) and the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program of the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development

Who Should Apply?

Individuals or households that have at least one household member who is 62 years of age or older and who meet the income and household size requirements listed below. Eligible tenants will pay 30% of their income and applicants will need to qualify for section 8. Qualified applicants will be required to meet additional selection criteria. Applicants who live in New York City receive a general preference for apartments. • A percentage of units is set aside for: o Mobility–disabled applicants (5%) o Vision/Hearing–disabled applicants (2%)

AVAILABLE UNITS AND INCOME REQUIREMENTS

Unit Size

Studio

1 bedroom

40% AREA MEDIAN INCOME (AMI) UNITS Monthly

Rent1

30% of the household income

Units Available Household

Size2

Annual Household

Income3

Minimum – Maximum4

1 → 1 person $0 - $33,440

30% of the household income 4 → 1 person $0 - $33,440

2 people $0 - $38,200

5 0% AREA MEDIAN INCOME (AMI) UNITS Monthly

Rent1

30% of the household income

Units Available Household

Size2

Annual Household

Income3

Minimum – Maximum4

3 → 1 person $0 - $41,800

30% of the household income 27 → 1 person $0 - $41,800

2 people $0 - $47,750

1 Tenants responsible for electric and electric stove. 2 Household size includes everyone who will live with you, including parents and children. Subject to occupancy criteria. NYCHA will consider two person households for studio apartments upon request. 3 Household earnings includes salary, hourly wages, tips, Social Security, child support, and other income. Income guidelines subject to change. 4 Minimum income listed may not apply to applicants with Section 8 or other qualifying rental subsidies. Asset limits also apply.

How Do You Apply?

Apply online or through mail. To apply online, please go to https://housingconnect.nyc.gov To request an application by mail, send a self-addressed envelope to: POP Management-Bishop Valero Senior Residence 191 Joralemon Street 8th Floor, Brooklyn, NY, 11201. Only send one application per development. Do not submit duplicate applications. Do not apply online and also send in a paper application. Applicants who submit more than one application may be disqualified.

When is the Deadline?

Applications must be postmarked or submitted online no later than June 15th, 2022. Late applications will not be considered.

What Happens After You Submit an Application?

After the deadline, applications are selected for review through a lottery process. If yours is selected and you appear to qualify, you will be invited to an appointment of eligibility to continue the process of determining your eligibility. Appointments are usually scheduled from 2 to 10 months after the application deadline. You will be asked to bring documents that verify your household size, identity of members of your household, and your household income.

Español Presente una solicitud en línea en nyc.gov/housingconnect. Para recibir una traducción de español de este anuncio y la solicitud impresa, envíe un sobre con la dirección a: POP Management-Bishop Valero Senior Residence 191 Joralemon Street 8th Floor, Brooklyn, NY, 11201. En el reverso del sobre, escriba en inglés la palabra “SPANISH.” Las solicitudes se deben enviar en línea o con sello postal antes 15 de junio de 2022.

简体中文 访问 nyc.gov/housingconnect 在线申请。如要获取本广告及书面申请表的简体中文版，请将您的回邮信封寄送至：POP Management-Bishop Valero Senior Residence 191 Joralemon Street 8th Floor, Brooklyn, NY, 11201. 信封背面请用英语注明“CHINESE”。必须在以下日期之前在线提交申请或邮寄书面申请 2022 年 6 月 15 日

Русский

Чтобы подать заявление через интернет, зайдите на сайт: nyc.gov/housingconnect. Для получения данного объявления и заявления на русском языке отправьте конверт с обратным адресом по адресу POP Management-Bishop Valero Senior Residence 191 Joralemon Street 8th Floor, Brooklyn, NY, 11201. На задней стороне конверта напишите слово “RUSSIAN” на английском языке. Заявки должны быть поданы онлайн или отправлены по почте (согласно дате на почтовом штемпеле) не позднее 15 июня 2022 г.

한국어 nyc.gov/housingconnect 에서 온라인으로 신청하십시오. 이 광고문과 신청서에 대한 한국어 번역본을 받아보시려면 반송용 봉투를 RESS]으로 보내주십시오. 봉투 뒷면에 “KOREAN” 이라고 영어로 적어주십시오. 2022년 6월 15일까지 온라인 신청서를 제출하거나 소인이 찍힌 신청서를 보내야 합니다.

Kreyòl Ayisyien Aplike sou entènèt sou sitwèb nyc.gov/housingconnect. Pou resevwa yon tradiksyon anons sa a nan lang Kreyòl Ayisyen ak aplikasyon an sou papye, voye anvlòp ki gen adrès pou retounen li nan: POP Management-Bishop Valero Senior Residence 191 Joralemon Street 8th Floor, Brooklyn, NY, 11201. Nan dèyè anvlòp la, ekri mo “HATIAN CREOLE” an Anglè. Ou dwe remèt aplikasyon yo sou entènèt oswa ou dwe tenbre yo anvan dat 15 jen 2022.

ةيبرعلا

ىلع تنرتنلإا ربع بلط لاسرإnyc.gov/housingconnect :ىلإ ناونعلاب افورظم لسرأ ، عوبطملا قيبطتلاو نلاعلإا اذهل ةيبرعلا ةغللاب ةمجرت يقلتل .191 Joralemon Street Brooklyn NY 11201 بتكا ، فورظملا رهظ ىلع .] " ةملك ةيزيلجنلإا ةغللابARABIC[ لبق يديرب متخ قيرط نع وأ تنرتنلإا ربع تابلطلا ميدقت بجي . "15 2022 وينوي

Polskie Aby złożyć wniosek online, przejdź na stronę nyc.gov/housingconnect. Aby uzyskać polskie tłumaczenie tego powiadomienia oraz wniosek w wersji wydrukowanej, wyślij kopertę z własnym adresem: POP Management-Bishop Valero Senior Residence 191 Joralemon Street 8th Floor, Brooklyn, NY, 11201. Wpisz słowo „POLISH” w j. angielskim na odwrocie koperty. Wnioski muszą posiadać stempel pocztowy lub zostać przesłane online nie później niż 15 czerwca 2022

Français Pour déposer votre demande en ligne, rendez-vous sur le site nyc.gov/housingconnect. Pour recevoir une traduction en français de cet avis ainsi qu’un dossier de demande papier, envoyez une enveloppe libellée à votre nom et votre adresse à l’adresse suivante : POP Management-Bishop Valero Senior Residence 191 Joralemon Street 8th Floor, Brooklyn, NY, 11201. Inscrivez le mot « FRENCH » au dos de l’enveloppe. Les demandes doivent être envoyées par la poste ou soumises en ligne au plus tard le 15 juin 2022 , le cachet de la poste faisant foi. বাাংলা অনলাইননআনেদনকরনে, অনুগ্রহকনর nyc.gov/housingconnect এযান।এইবেজ্ঞবিরবাাংলা অনুোদএেংআনেদনটিছাপাননাভানেপপনেএইটিকানায়একটিস্ব-সম্বাধিতখামপািান: POP Management-Bishop Valero Senior Residence 191 Joralemon Street 8th Floor, Brooklyn, NY, 11201।খানেরবপছনন “BENGALI” শব্দটিইংনরজিনেবলখুন।অ্যাধিম্েশনগুধলঅ্বশযই 15 জুন, 2022 এরেনযেপ াস্টমােককরনেহনেবাঅ্নলাইম্নজমাধিম্তহম্ব। ودرا کیا لماح اک ےتپ یتاذ ےنپا ،ےیل ےک ےنرک لوصوم تساوخرد ہدش ٹنرپ روا ہمجرت ںیم نابز ودرا اک سٹون سا ۔ںیئاج رپ nyc.gov/housingconnect مرک ہارب ،ےیل ےک ےنرک یئلاپا نئلا نآ

ریرحت ںیم یزیرگنا " " ظفل رپ تشپ یک ےفافل ۔ںیجیھب رپURDU POP Management-Bishop Valero Senior Residence 191 Joralemon Street 8th Floor, Bro :ہفافلoklyn, NY, 11201 ۔ےہ مزلا اناج ایارک ہن عمج نئلا نآ ےس ریخات ہدایز ےس15 2022 نوج ای انوہ ہدرک کرام ٹسوپ ےیل ےک ںوتساوخرد ۔ںیرک