Williams Goes To DC, White House For Policy Meeting
City Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (Flatlands/East Flatbush/Canarsie), has been attending the three-day Joint Center for Political & Economic Studies’ bi-annual Roundtable Discussion being held at George Washington Law School in Washington D.C., and which raps up today.
The policy meeting included a select group of 25 elected officials of color from across the nation will feature discussions regarding policy innovations. The selectees included legislative floor leaders, county commission chairs, tribal chairs, city council presidents and mayors – all of whom met with top experts to discuss policies regarding voting rights and workforce development for future research papers.
Activities included various panel discussions, breakout sessions and a briefing at the White House on Monday evening. For more information, log on at www.jointcenter.org.
IND Endorses Hillary
The Independent Neighborhood Democrats (IND) last week voted to endorse Hillary Clinton for President following the club’s presidential forum at St. Francis College in Downtown Brooklyn.
At the forum, all the candidates had surrogates speak on there behalf. Sean Murphy spoke for Senator Bernie Sanders, Cody McCone spoke for Governor Martin O’Malley and Congressman Jerry Nadler spoke for Clinton.
Following each surrogate presenting their case, 69% of club members voted for Clinton, 20% voted for Sander; 3% voted for O’Malley; and 8% voted to endorse nobody.
De Blasio, James Denounce Trumps Call To Ban Muslims
Mayor Bill de Blasio and Public Advocate Letitia James strongly denounced GOP Presidential Candidate Donal Trumps call for a complete shutdown of Muslim immigration to the United States.
“Look, it’s against our American values,” said de Blasio at a press conference. “If I said let’s have a total, complete shutdown on Christians entering the United States or Jews entering the United States – it’s against everything this country is based on. It’s as simple as that. The country was formed by people fleeing religious persecution, and, in fact, so many people fleeing religious persecution that it was Puritans in Massachusetts, and it was Quakers in Pennsylvania, and Catholics in Maryland. And when we founded this nation, it was to respect religious pluralism, and to not have a state religion, and to not have any bias against any one religion or against people who don’t have a particular religious faith. How could the frontrunner for a major party nomination literally be suggesting a religious test on who gets to come into the country? That is a dangerous, dangerous statement. That’s why he must be confronted.”
James said the country was built by a diverse fabric of communities and sustained by the pillars of tolerance, freedom, and acceptance.
“Donald Trump’s most recent remarks are not only hateful and ignorant, but they are reminiscent of a type of demagoguery that generations have come to this country to escape. Mr. Trump’s remarks only continue to grow in their outrageous and extreme nature, and it is critical that he understands that our country will not stand for this xenophobic rhetoric and behavior.
“These hateful words, and discriminatory, bigoted policy proposals, are not indicative of our country’s values. Preventing people on the basis of religion, race, or ethnicity from entering our country will not solve any of our problems. This type of hate only moves us backwards and fuels more hate.”
Donovan On Obama’s Speech
Following President Barack Obama‘s speech on the terrorist attack in California and how to confront the growing ISIS threat and global terrorism, Republican Southern Brooklyn Congressman Dan Donovan issued the following statement.
“Like many across Staten Island, South Brooklyn, and the country, I tuned in to President Obama’s speech this evening hoping for clear leadership and action. Instead, I heard the President recite his worn and failed approach to defeating ISIS, then lecture us on American values.
“ISIS may not have fighter jets or cruise missiles, but they’re organized, financed, and control territory. Using social media and the internet as weapons, they’ve infected people thousands of miles away with their disgusting, hateful ideology.
“After the President dismissed ISIS as ‘JV’ and ‘contained,’ he must provide more than platitudes to convince a wary country that he can and will defeat our enemy.
“Congress will grant President Obama the support that he needs, including several of the measures he mentioned this evening. Inspiring a nation concerned about an uncertain future, though, requires more than repackaged ideas and chiding lectures.”
Cumbo, Levin Mourn Death Of Traffic Accident Victim
City Council Members Laurie A. Cumbo (Fort Greene/Clinton Hill/Prospect Heights) and Stephen Levin (Brooklyn Heights/Boerum Hill/Williamsburg) released the following statement after the deadly crash at South Portland Avenue and Fulton Street in front of Not Ray’s Pizza claimed the life of a woman and injured two pedestrians.
Noted art curator, Victoria Nicodemus, 30, of Brooklyn Heights lost her life when a Sport Utility Vehicle swerved and jumped the curb, hitting her.
“In a season when so many families are celebrating the spirit of togetherness, the Nicodemus family is faced with the tragic loss of their loved one. Safe and responsible driving methods are vital to ensuring the health and safety of pedestrians, motorists and all members of our community. We pray for the speedy recovery of the other two victims, who are thankfully in stable condition. On behalf of the 35th and 33rd districts, we surround the Nicodemus family with our thoughts and prayers. With the holidays upon us, we encourage every motorist to act responsibly and take extra care while on the road.
Our deepest sympathies go out to the families, friends and communities affected by this devastating tragedy.”
Thompson’s Community-Based Initiatives Successful
Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson yesterday announced that two important community-based initiatives this past Saturday were successful in helping residents dispose of unwanted guns and get rid of outstanding warrants stemming from summonses for minor offenses.
Held in two Brooklyn churches, Citizens’ Safety Day resulted in 60 guns being turned in and 336 warrants cleared from residents’ records.
“Saturday was a tremendously successful day in Brooklyn. Dozens of guns that had the potential to cause harm by falling into the hands of criminals are out of circulation and hundreds of our neighbors had the fear of getting arrested for an unpaid summons lifted off their shoulders. We will continue to partner with other agencies, organizations and the community to enhance safety and fairness across our borough,” said Thompson.
Thompson said of the 60 firearms were turned in at the Gun Buyback event held at the Lenox Road Baptist Church in East Flatbush, in partnership with the NYPD, nearly all were “street guns” – mostly revolvers and semi-automatic pistols that are often used to commit crimes. They also included two rifles and three “zip guns” or homemade weapons that are sometimes used by gang members.
No ID was required and no questions were asked of those who chose to turn in the firearms in exchange for a $200 bank card for each gun. .
Also on Saturday, some 575 people attended Thompson’s third Begin Again program at Mount Lebanon Baptist Church in Bedford-Stuyvesant, which is designed to offer a solution to thousands of individuals who have an outstanding warrant because they failed to answer a summons for a low-level offense, like walking a dog without a leash or being in a park after closing.
In all, 336 warrants were cleared at the event.
Persaud Leads Electeds In More Happy Hanukkah Wishes
State Sen. Roxanne Persaud (Canarsie/Brownsville/East New York/Mill Basin) extends a Happy Hanukkah to all her constituents and Jewish people throughout the world that celebrate the holiday.
Her name was omitted in yesterday’s Brooklyn Lawmakers on the move wishing constituents a Happy Hanukah. Also omitted wishing constituents a Happy Hanukkah were City Council Members Chaim Deutsch, David Greenfield and Alan Maisel, as well as Kings County Democratic Party Chair Frank Seddio.
KCP regrets the omissions.
