Daughtry Among National African-American Ministers for Hillary
One of Brooklyn’s most distinguished African-American ministers, Bishop Rev. Herbert Daughtry was among 28 African American faith leaders from across the country to endorse Hillary Clinton for president.
The announcement came after Clinton met last week with African-American faith leaders from across the county and discussed economic disparities, the Flint water crisis and environmental justice, women’s health, equal pay, education, criminal justice, and how they can partner in tackling these issues.
“When I agreed to host the small gathering of African American clergy from around the country, I wasn’t expecting to endorse Hillary Clinton. I left that meeting convinced that she is the best person in this campaign season capable of serving as our next president. I believe that she is ready to lead and has all the requisite abilities,” said Reverend Dr. Mark Tyler, from Pennsylvania. “Hillary discussed her plan to make investments in Historically Black Colleges and Universities and breaking down barriers for women. She also hit the right note on many of the areas that are important to my work in organizing, especially with regard to economic dignity for working people and equity in public education funding.”
Daughtry, whose civil rights and justice involvement goes back to working with Martin Luther King Jr., is the chief pastor of the House of the Lord Church, 415 Atlantic Avenue.
Gillibrand Fights For Veteran Medical Marijuna
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand yesterday, along with New York veterans, medical professionals, and medical marijuana advocates, urged the Department of Veterans Affairs to fix its discriminatory policy and allow VA doctors to recommend medical marijuana to veterans in states where it is legal.
“Veterans who live in states where medical marijuana is legal should be able to talk to their doctor about it as a treatment option just like any other resident,” said Gillibrand. “Our veterans deserve the highest quality care possible, yet current VA policy denies them the ability to access medical marijuana and discourages them from even discussing it with their VA doctor. Our veterans shouldn’t be discriminated against simply because they want to see a doctor at the VA and utilize the benefits they have earned. I’ll continue pushing the VA to fix this problem and ensure that our veterans are able to access all treatment options that are legally available in their state.”
The current VA policy, which is up for renewal today, Feb. 1, prohibits VA doctors from recommending medical marijuana as a treatment option to veterans, even in states like New York where non-VA physicians can legally recommend medical marijuana. VA doctors cannot recommend medical marijuana even if they believe it is the best treatment option for veterans and are discouraged from discussing medical marijuana with veteran patients.
“Every 65 min a veteran brother or sister is committing suicide because they are suffering with an invisible illness that few people see,” said SSGT Mark DiPasquale USMC medically retired and Co-Founder of Veterans Cannabis Collective. “On top of that we are being over medicated with drugs filled with chemicals to treat one symptom and cause countless others. The controlled substances act of 1970 has cannabis categorized as a schedule one drug while all he drugs they prescribe are killing thousands of us while cannabis kills none. We need the cares act of 2016 passed now to stop the death toll.”
Gillibrand is leading a bipartisan coalition of 22 Senators and Representatives urging the VA to change its current policy and allow vets the option of medical marijuana as a treatment option in states where it is legal.
Medical marijuana is legal in 23 states and the District of Columbia.
Hamilton Leads Pols In Second Housing Forum
Following Central Brooklyn State Senator Jesse Hamilton‘s successful ‘Know Your Rights’ Housing forum held this weekend in East Flatbush in conjunction with East Flatbush Assembly Member Nick Perry, Hamilton will hold a second forum in Prospect Heights this weekend.
Among the other participating elected officials include Bed-Stuy State Sen. Velmanette Montgomery, Assembly Members Walter T. Mosley and Jo Anne Simon and City Council Member Laurie Cumbo.
These Know Your Rights Housing Forums underscore the link between community and schools. Children learn at their best when they have safe, stable home lives. For example, homelessness has clear links to absenteeism and can impact children’s readiness to learn. What’s more, these Housing Forums strengthen the bonds between school and community, adding to the capacity of schools to serve as a resource in tackling the challenges families face. Thanks to M.S. 581, P.S. 9 PTO, and all the partners presenting these events. I look forward to further including schools in neighborhood problem solving.”
This weekends forum is slated for 1-4 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 6 at PS 9 Teunis G. Bergen School, 80 Underhill Avenue in Prospect Heights.
Colton, Schumer, Maisel Stand With Verizon Workers
U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, Bensonhurst Assembly Member Bill Colton and Canarsie City Council Member Alan Maisel last week stood with a Communications Worker of America union rally in front of the Verizon store on 86th Street in Bensonhurst.
All three lawmakers spoke in support of the workers getting a fair contract, and noted over two years ago, a Verizon worker named Bianca was fired when she tried to bring together 65 workers. Since then, the CWA has tirelessly stood strongly in support of her and has rallied to help her regain her job.
“The workers are at the very core and foundation for every company. The fact they’re being mistreated is not right. The truth is these workers need a fair contract and we will be supporting them to make sure they get what they deserve,” said Colton.
Bichotte, Mosley To Deliver State Of District Speeches
Assembly Members Rodneyse Bichotte and Walter T. Mosley seperately announced they will deliver their State of the District Speeches.
Bichotte will address her progress on topics including education, housing, ethics reform, and economic development in the 42nd Assembly District as well as the State’s agenda and the proposed budget and how it affects the community.
Her district includes Ditmas Park, Flatbush, East Flatbush and Midwood.
Bichotte’s State of the District speech is slated for 6 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 11 at the Brooklyn College Student Center (SUBO) located on Campus Road and East 27th street. To RSVP call 718-940-0428 or email derrickl@assembly.state.ny.us
Mosley’s 57th Assembly District includes Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, and parts of Crown Heights and Bedford Stuyvesant.
Mosley’s State of the District speech is slated for between 6-8 p.m., Monday, Feb. 22 St. Joseph College 245 Clinton Avenue (between Willoughby & Dekalb Avenues) RSVP to 718-596-0100 or mosleyw@assembly.state.ny.us.
Cornegy Shortlisted To Become Black, Latino, Asian Caucus Chair
Sources say that Bedford-Stuyvesant City Councilman Robert Cornegy Jr. is the frontrunner to be named as the new chair of the Council’s Black, Latino, Asian Caucus.
Cornegy, who also chairs the Small business Committee, is considered on the pragmatic side in the council where Brooklyn (and citywide) Democrats are increasingly finding division between the “progressives,” who back most of Mayor Bill de Blasio’s agenda and pragmatics that tend to look at issues as they arise and seek more common ground.
Interestingly, one issue Cornegy will soon have to face is the plight of small businesses that are increasingly being priced out of the city. While the progressives have been busy passing a range of laws centered around workers such as paid family sick leave and rallying to unionize workers at some fairly small family businesses, they are increasingly being seen as very weak in understanding and working on the needs and problems that small businesses are facing.
TakeBackNYC, the leading advocacy organization for small businesses that drive many of the neighborhood economies have been championing the Small Business Jobs Survival Act, which would institute commercial rent control regulations. They already have a number of city council members behind the bill, but the powerful Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) maintains that SBJSA will not pass legal muster, and the de Blasio administration appears to side with REBNY..
Thus far, Cornegy appears caught in the middle. It will be interesting to see what kind, if any, legislation will come out of his committee to address the increasing displacement of small businesses as part of huge rent increases due to gentrification.
