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<DIV>Greetings to all!</DIV>
<DIV>Please read the following important, urgent and time sensitive message
from
President Riccobono.</DIV>
<DIV>The following was forwarded to all affiliate presidents in the area of
New
York.</DIV>
<DIV>As of this writing, Linda Melendez and I are planning to participate
however, read through the email as there could be a chance that an agreement
could be reached.</DIV>
<DIV>With this said, if you can attend, please email Linda Melendez at <A
href="mailto:lindamelendez220@gmail.com">lindamelendez220@gmail.com</A>
or me, Joe Ruffalo at <A
href="mailto:nfbnj1@verizon.net">nfbnj1@verizon.net</A></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Once we have all details, we will contact you to make transportation
arrangements.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>See below </DIV>
<DIV>Warmly,</DIV>
<DIV>Joe </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">We
care. We
share. We grow. We make a difference<BR>Joe Ruffalo, President <BR>National
Federation of the Blind of New Jersey <BR>973 743
0075<BR>nfbnj1@verizon.net<BR><A
href="http://www.nfbnj.org">www.nfbnj.org</A></DIV>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Raising
Expectations To Live The Life You Want!</DIV>
<DIV
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">Your
old
car keys can be keys to literacy for the blind.<BR>Donate your unwanted
vehicle
to us by clicking <BR>www.carshelpingtheblind.org <BR>or call 855 659
9314<BR></DIV>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR:
#000000">***
</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000">From:
President Riccobono</DIV>
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style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV>
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style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Calibri'; COLOR: #000000"> </DIV>
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<DIV>Dear Colleagues:</DIV>
<DIV style="BACKGROUND: #f5f5f5">
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>As you know, The CW television network, which is affiliated with CBS,
plans</DIV>
<DIV>to launch a television series called In The Dark that features a
blind</DIV>
<DIV>character who is not played by a blind actor. We issued a strong
statement<</DIV>
<DIV><A
href="https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/blind-americans-protest-refusal-entertainment-industry-cast-them">https://nfb.org/about-us/press-room/blind-americans-protest-refusal-entertainment-industry-cast-them</A>></DIV>
<DIV>urging the cancellation of the series and reached out to all of
the</DIV>
<DIV>executives affiliated with the show. We have received a response but
have</DIV>
<DIV>yet to secure a meeting prior to the planned April 4 debut We now need
to</DIV>
<DIV>follow up with action. We cannot allow Hollywood to define us any
longer.</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>We plan to protest at one of the CBS facilities in New York City.
Please</DIV>
<DIV>reach out to the members in your area so that they can plan to attend
the</DIV>
<DIV>protest. It will be on April 2, 2019, in New York City from 11:00
a.m.-1:00</DIV>
<DIV>p.m. We will provide the exact address early next week.</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>The blind belong at the center of our own stories, playing blind
characters</DIV>
<DIV>and taking our place on screen alongside our sighted colleagues.
Together</DIV>
<DIV>with love, hope, and determination, we transform dreams into reality
with</DIV>
<DIV>authentic casting.</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>As with any situation we are involved in, circumstances are
changing</DIV>
<DIV>constantly. I have written back to the executives and requested that
we</DIV>
<DIV>meet prior to April 2. If that meeting happens and if we feel that
our</DIV>
<DIV>perspective is sufficiently understood-including a clear plan for
follow</DIV>
<DIV>up-we may decide this action is not necessary. However, we should plan
to</DIV>
<DIV>be together in New York City on April 2 until further notice. Please
email</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri>Linda Melendez at <A
href="mailto:lindamelendez220@gmail.com">lindamelendez220@gmail.com</A> and
Joe
Ruffalo at <A href="mailto:nfbnj1@verizon.net">nfbnj1@verizon.net</A> with
your
availability to participate.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV>When we know more we will put together a teleconference to share
details
with you.</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Let's raise our voice,</DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=3 face=Calibri></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>Mark A. Riccobono, President</DIV>
<DIV>200 East Wells Street, Baltimore, MD 21230</DIV>
<DIV><<A
href="https://maps.google.com/?q=200+East+Wells+Street,+Baltimore,+MD+21230&entry=gmail&source=g">https://maps.google.com/?q=200+East+Wells+Street,+Baltimore,+MD+21230&entry=gmail&source=g</A>></DIV>
<DIV>(410) 659-9314 | Officeofthepresident@nfb.org</DIV>
<DIV>Twitter: @Riccobono</DIV>
<DIV>-- </DIV>
<DIV>Regards,</DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>