 Conversation with Emily Feiner on Free Speech and Political Dissent"People for Democracy" virtual conversation with the 64-year-old social worker who went viral after being forcibly removed from a New York town hall.
By: Florence Belsky Charitable Foundation 
Moderator Brad Hamilton and Emily Feiner About the Event Moderated by award-winning investigative reporter Brad Hamilton, the event will feature Emily Feiner's firsthand account of the incident, followed by an open discussion on free speech and political dissent, and concluding with a Q&A session. Feiner, who was among several attendees forcibly removed after questioning Lawler on the Trump administration's unconstitutional actions, became the center of public outrage when footage of the incident went viral. The response culminated in a rally in her support in Nyack, NY. The National Association of Social Workers, including its New York Chapter, has expressed solidarity with Feiner. About Emily Feiner Emily Feiner, LCSW, retired from Blaisdell Addiction Treatment Center, a NYS-run inpatient substance use disorder treatment program. Previously, she was Chief of Social Work at VANJHCS, overseeing 150+ staff across inpatient, outpatient, and residential settings. She led case management, discharge planning, and psychotherapy services. Before that, she managed the Transition and Care Management (TCM) program, supporting Post-9/11 Veterans. She began her VA career in 2008 as a CBOC social worker at Hudson Valley VA Health Care System, providing case management and crisis intervention. Prior to joining VA, she worked in diverse social work roles, including adolescent and young adult services, maternity shelter support, and as Director of an outpatient substance abuse counseling center. Ms. Feiner was an adjunct professor at Fordham Graduate School of Social Services and Westchester Community College, teaching courses on human behavior, substance abuse treatment, and clinical practice. She has maintained a private psychotherapy practice since 1988. Emily has served on boards for HeadStart of Rockland and Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic and was twice elected to her local Village Board of Trustees. She holds a BA from Hamilton College and an MSW from Hunter College, with PhD coursework completed at NYU. She is a proud mother of two and enjoys live music, skiing, and hiking. About Brad Hamilton, Moderator Brad Hamilton is an award-winning investigative reporter and editor who runs The Hatch Institute, a nonprofit newsroom in New York, and whose work has appeared in The New York Times, The New York Post, The Guardian, Playboy and other publications. He served as The Post's first investigations editor, with a focus on crime and corruption, and his work has won numerous local and national awards. He is a longtime mentor and frequent speaker at journalism schools (Columbia, NYU, Fordham, CUNY). He also heads the Institute for Storycraft and Information Gathering, an educational nonprofit. About FLOBEL FLOBEL has a global network of over 1,500 volunteer advisors, including professionals in various fields such as music, media, law, and business. It supports Democracy by organizing benefit concerts, educational seminars, and networking opportunities. For more info: florencebelskyfoundation.org About THE HATCH INSTITUTE The Hatch Institute is an organization dedicated to investigative journalism. It publishes in-depth reports, often in collaboration with media partners, and supports emerging reporters and writers. The institute provides educational resources, mentorship, and financial support to help independent journalists tell impactful stories and hold powerful figures accountable. Register for "People for Democracy" scheduled for May 18th, 8 – 9pm Zoom Conversation: https://PeopleforDemocracy.eventbrite.com End
Page Updated Last on: May 15, 2025
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