Adams Brings Black, Asian Leaders Together Before Police Sentencing
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams today will hold a press availability with Asian and black business leaders, including former New York City Comptroller John Liu and Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Dr. Roy Hastick, in an expression of their communities’ joint commitment to solidarity and collaboration going forward from the sentencing decision in the Akai Gurley case.
The sentencing involves former NYPD Rookie Officer Peter Liang, who faces 15 years in prison after being convicted on manslaughter charges in the death of Gurley. The incident stems from when Liang discharged his gun once while patrolling a darkened public housing stairwell in East New York. The bullet ricoched off a wall and struck Gurley, killing him, who was out of view.
The incident and ensuing trial has enflamed tensions both in the black community, which believes Liang should face jail time, and the Asian community, which believes Liang was scapegoated for other incidents in which white cops killed unarmed blacks in what appears to be much more blatant circumstances.
The press conference is slated for 4:45 today at Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon Street in Downtown Brooklyn.
Hamilton Invites Public To Watch Debate In Brownsville
Central Brooklyn State Sen. Jesse Hamilton is inviting the public to join him in a debate watch party Thursday in Brownsville’s Van Dyke Houses Community Center.
The party follows a public call from both Hamilton and Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams to hold the much anticipated Brooklyn debate between Democratic Presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders in Brownsville. It’s slated to be held in the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
Hamilton said attention must be paid to neighborhoods like Brownsville where there is the “Cycle of Generational Poverty” including:
-Unemployment rate of 16%
-37% of residents living below the Federal Poverty Level
-Up to 40% of students living in shelters or temporary housing,
-Only about one in ten students performing at grade level for reading and math
-HIV/AIDS is the fourth leading cause of death
-Police stops that at their high point this decade were thirteen times the NYC average (93 out of 100 stops in Brownsville compared to 7 out of 100 in NYC)
-The suicide rate among young African-American children between the ages of 5 and 11 has nearly doubled over the last two decades
“Brownsville Matters to me because I was born and raised in NYCHA Housing in a neighborhood similar to Brownsville. Senator Sanders and Secretary Clinton should bring their policy prescriptions to Brownsville. They should also bring their listening ears. Whether through the upcoming April 14 debate or visiting a public housing complex, let’s make Brownsville the next stop for the conversation,” said Hamilton.
To attend the debate at the Van Dyke Community Center and obtain directions and further information click here.
Harris Fights For Women Pay Equity
Assemblymember Pamela Harris (Cony Island, Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights) announced she helped pass a series of bills to ensure pay equity for the women of New York State and improve workplace protections against wage discrimination.
“Too many hardworking women today are paid wages that pale in comparison to those of men doing the same job at the same skill level. It’s time for a change,” said Harris. “With this legislation, we’re taking another step toward ensuring women have every opportunity for equality and economic security they deserve.”
On average, women in New York City earn just 82 cents for every dollar earned by a man and are underrepresented in leadership positions with higher earning potential. The wage gap impacts working mothers even more, as it’s estimated that they typically earn only 70 cents for every dollar a working father earns. With more than a million households in New York headed by women, this disparity can make it difficult for families to make ends meet, Harris noted.[3]
The measures supported by Harris reflect a longstanding commitment to ending the wage gap and coincides with Equal Pay Day (April 12), marking how far into the year women must work, on average, to earn the same amount their male counterparts made during the previous year.
The package includes the New York State Fair Pay Act to address and enforce pay equity, including broadening equal pay protections to include equivalent jobs and ensuring that traditional female and minority jobs are not undervalued (A.6937). Harris also helped pass legislation to implement a policy of equal pay for equal work for state and municipal employees and direct the Civil Service Commission to address any disparities (A.437-A, A.5008).
Parker Lauds Passage Of Bill Honoring Veterans’ Remains
State Senator Kevin Parker (Flatbush, Midwood, Kensington, Ditmas Park) hailed the recent senate passage of Bill S3549A which relates to the disposition of unclaimed cremated remains of a veteran.
“I am proud to have the support of my colleagues in the Assembly and Senate on this bill as it ensures the remains of veterans are properly secured, even if the remains are unclaimed by family and friends,” said Parker.
“It is important that we pay due respect to those who have served to protect the life and liberty of our nation. Once enacted this bill will ensure that the unclaimed remains of veterans are given to veterans organizations opposed to being abandoned. Adopting this new law shows New York State’s commitment to continuously honor our veterans and ensure their legacy lives on.”
Bichotte Introduces Bundle Of MWBE Legislation
Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte (Flatbush, Midwood, Ditmas Park) has introduced a bundle of legislation that will greatly enhance economic opportunities for Minority and Women Owned Enterprises (MWBEs) and subcontractors throughout the State.
The measures follows Bichotte traveling throughout the state and attending many community events, including sessions from the 2016 NYS Disparity Study, and has had an opportunity to hear from a wide range of stakeholders. The legislation falls mainly into five categories:
- 1) increased opportunities for MWBEs by attaching MWBE participation goals such as those entities receiving real estate tax exemptions, and for sole source contracting,
- 2) increased resources to expand the pool of certified MWBEs such as appropriations for outreach, and a feasibility study on capacity building and mentorship programs,
- 3) increased transparency and accountability such as the public sharing of data on MWBEs, companies who have received state contracts, and companies who have received waivers in regard to compliance with MWBE participation,
- 4) the way in which prime contractors and subcontractors will be paid and reported on in regard to MWBE contractual relationships, which are primarily MWBEs, and
- 5) the lifting of barriers such as the $3.5 million cap on net worth, which limits the capacity and growth of MWBEs.
Williams Chairs Hearing On Gas Safety
City Council Member Jumaane Williams (Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) today will chair a hearing on a package of 10 bills designed to increase the safety of the City’s gas infrastructure.
The Committee will hear testimony from representatives of the Department of Buildings (DOB), the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), industry experts, property owners, and other interested members of the public.
In the past two years, New York City has experienced four major gas-related explosions, with the most severe taking place March of last year, where 2 people died and 22 were injured. In response to the gas-related explosions, the City Council is introducing a package of legislation with the goal of improving gas safety.
The hearing is slated for 10 a.m., today in the City Hall Council Chambers in Lower Manhattan.
