Williams Statement On International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
City Councilmember Jumaane Williams (Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) issued the following statement in regard to the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery.
“Although today we commemorate the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, let us remember that modern-day slavery continues to persist in different forms. In fact, the 13th Amendment allows for slavery for those in prison under the ‘Punishment Clause,’ which states that slavery is legal ‘as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted.’ This has led to more black people being available for cheap labor than when slavery was legal.
“Many who hear the word ‘slavery’ think only of traditional chattel slavery and the slave trade, but fail to see that human rights are still violated every day in our modern day society. Millions of people all over the world are exploited, and struggle for equality.
“As we enter into this next year with a Trump presidency on the horizon, let history remind us what can happen when hate, bigotry and thoughts of superiority are left unchecked. We must take a stand and help current victims reclaim their lives and dignity by committing to advocate against inequality.”
New Cadet Program Paves Exclusive DOC Career Paths for Students at John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Starting this semester, 21 students from John Jay College of Criminal Justice will be participating in the New York City Department of Correction’s first-ever college cadet program.
The program, called Cadet Education, Empowerment and Development for Success program (CEEDS), provides students interested in law enforcement and correctional studies with a targeted, exclusive career path to becoming a city Correction Officer while earning a college degree.
Launched in October, CEEDS will provide its first group of 21 cadets with a head start in DOC careers through classroom preparation, mentorship, and experiential learning, plus a stipend of up to $5,000 each semester for their educational expenses.
“This new program will help the Department mold future leaders of DOC and the City of New York, said DOC Commissioner. “It is the result of months of strategic planning and an unprecedented partnership with John Jay College of Criminal Justice. This program was designed to ensure a pipeline of trained and mentored candidates who will become correction officers and future leaders at the NYCDOC.”
Cadets, who successfully complete CEEDS, pass the Correction Officer exam, and graduate from the Correction Academy, will have an exciting DOC career waiting for them after graduation.
The program hopes to have 100 new cadets in fall 2017. Interested John Jay College students can apply for CEEDS by visiting: www.jjay.cuny.edu/nycdoc-ceeds.
Lander’s Second #GetOrganizedBK Meeting Picks Up Steam
City Council Member Brad Lander (Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington) characterized last night’s second #GetOrganizedBK gathering as a continuing success.
Lander organized the gathering shortly after the election of Donald Trump as the 45th U.S. President to show solidarity with immigrant groups and others that may feel threatened due to Trump’s campaign rhetoric and promises to crack down on immigration and his appeal to the fringe alt-right movement.
In his emailed newsletter, Lander reported that more than 700 people got busy in 15 breakout groups.
“The smarts, strategy, and willingness to roll-up-sleeves in our community is powerful. People have continuously dived right in, facilitated, started making action plans, and committed themselves to this cause. It’s clear that passionate, moral, urgent organizing to resist the Trump regime has the potential to engage like nothing since the civil rights and anti-war movements,” he said in the newsletter.
Among the other elected officials who Lander reported that showed up at the meeting were City Council Member Carlos Menchaca (Sunset Park, Red Hook) and Assembly Member-elect Robert Carroll (Park Slope, Kensington, Windsor Terrace)
The 3rd #GetOrganizedBK Meeting is slated for 7 p.m., Tuesday, Dec.20 at Congregation Beth Elohim on the corner of Garfield and 8th Avenue in Park Slope. Please RSVP here.
Bay Democrats Annual Dinner Draws Top Pols
Although KCP was unable to attend, last night’s Bay Democrats Annual Dinner at the National Restaurant in Brighton Beach was a huge success.
This, KCP strongly believes is due to the incomparable energy and civic activism to Bay Democrats co-founder and Democratic District Leader of the 45th Assembly District Ari Kagan.
Kagan, who was a journalist both in his native Russia and in the the U.S., has been supportive of KCP since its inception and to many electeds all throughout South Brooklyn. In Kagan’s his own words from Facebook:
Bay Democrats club had an amazing annual dinner last night. Special thanks to all elected officials and their representatives who came to praise our club honorees and Bay Democrats in general.
Senator Roxanne Jacqueline Persaud, Councilmen David G. Greenfield, Chaim Deutsch, Mark Treyger, representatives from Congresswoman Yvette Clarke and Assemblywoman Pamela Harris, District Leaders Cory Provost, Lew Fidler, Dave Schwartz, Sue Ann Partnow supported Bay Democrats and greeted our wonderful honorees.
We were also happy to welcome Frank Seddio, Kings County Democratic Party Chairman. And club honored our fabulous volunteers who make our young club vibrant and strong.
The four honorees were Judith Baron – Community Leadership Leadership Award, Dr. Dimitry Goncharov – Doctor of The Year Award, Inna Vernikova, Esq. – Attorney of The Year Award, and Amarilys Herrera – The Victoria Stancil Community Service Award.
