Pols Take Strong Stand Against Muslim Hate Crimes
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams, today, and members of the department’s Muslim Officers Society today will stand with NYPD Officer Aml Elsokary, who along with her 16-year-old son was victim of a possible hate crime in their home neighborhood of Bay Ridge on Saturday.
Elsokary, who works out of the 90th Police Precinct, is a hero cop after running into a burning building and saving two lives in 2014. She is also one of the few Muslim officers to wear a hijab on patrol.
According to news reports, after she dropped off her son while she went looking for a parking spot, she saw a man pushing her son and then stopped him from shoving him. The pepetrator then told her, “ISIS [expletive], I will cut your throat, go back to your country!”
The attack this weekend came three days after 18-year-old Muslim college student Yasmin Seweid, a native of Williamsburg, was attacked on the subway by several men who screamed “Donald Trump!” and a variety of slurs at her, including calling her a terrorist. Additionally, it adds to the growing trend of hate crimes across New York City, which police statistics show have particularly impacted Jewish, LGBTQ, and Muslim communities.
Adams, Elsokary, and members of the NYPD Muslim Officers Society will urge the public to assist with the apprehension of the individuals responsible for these hate crimes, as well as emphasize societal responsibility in ensuring New York City is a safe place for every one of its residents, no matter their background.
Adams will also call on all of the city’s district attorneys to institute a no plea bargain rule for those charged with hate crimes.
The press conference is slated for 12 noon, today, Dec. 5 at Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon Street in Dowtown Brooklyn.
Also denouncing the crime against Elsokary and her son were Bay Ridge lawmakers City Councilman Vincent Gentile and State Sen. Marty Golden.
“While the current political climate seems to have given false permission to unveil racist and vile comments, be it known that this great City, the melting pot of the world, will not fall victim to this disgusting behavior,” said Gentile.
Gillibrand Wants More Fed Funding For Civil, Religious and Community Institutions
With hate crimes on the rise throughout the New York area and across the country, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand along with Senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and faith leaders announced a new push yesterday for additional federal anti-terror funding to help safeguard civil, religious and community institutions.
The Senators are urging a $5 million increase for a total funding level of at least $25 million in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2017 Homeland Security appropriations bill for the Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) Non-Profit Security Grant Program (NSGP). This additional funding would help ensure the protection of non-profit facilities and places of worship from potential threats.
“No New Yorker should ever live or worship in fear,” said Gillibrand. “With hate crimes on the rise throughout New York and across the country we can’t stand idly by and let these incidents go unanswered. We must make sure our places of worship, our community centers and non-profits have every resource necessary to be protected and safe from threats. I’m fighting for this additional Homeland Security funding because we must stand strong against threats, hatred and attacks against our community institutions.”
Malliotakis Files Lawsuit To Preseve IDNYC Documents
Republican Assemblymembers Nicole Malliotakis (Bay Ridge, Staten Island) and Ron Castorina (Staten Island) today will host a press conference in front of Richmond County Supreme Court after filing their lawsuit against the City of New York to preserve documents acquired during the IDNYC application process.
IDNYC’s authorizing statute contains language that allows the administering agency to destroy the documents – a clause that was inserted, according to one of the bill’s authors to protect the identity of illegal immigrants, “in case a Tea Party Republican comes into office and says, ‘we want all the data from all the municipal ID programs in the country.”
Castorina and Malliotakis have argued that such city records should not be destroyed and documents provided to the city to obtain a government-issued identification card, whether by citizens, legal residents or illegal immigrants, should be retained. State government transparency laws require that government programs, including identification programs similar to state drivers licenses, be archived and subject to reasonable inspection by members of the public, they argue.
The press conference is slated for 12 noon, today, Dec. 5 on the Richmond County Supreme Court steps, 26 Central Avenue St. George in Staten Island.
Williams, Parker Tag Team on “How to Start A Non-Profit”
Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood), in partnership with State Sen. Kevin S. Parker (Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Ditmas Park, Kensington, Windsor Terrace, and Park Slope) and the Nonprofit Help Desk, will host the “How to Start A Non-profit” workshop on Wednesday.
The free workshop will teach attendees how to set up a non-profit, and is 1 of 2 workshops designed to prepare non-profits to sail through the City Council discretionary application. The second workshop, “How to Win Government Funding,” will take place on Dec. 13.
The “How to Start A Non-Profit” workshop is slated for between 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 7 at the Bridge Multicultural Project, 1894 Flatbush Avenue in Flatbush. For more information or to RSVP, please contact Farah Louis-Drayton at flouis@council.nyc.gov or 718-629-2900.
Golden Provides No Cost Digital Mammograms
State Senator Martin J. Golden (Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach, Gravesend) in partnership with the American Italian Cancer Foundation is providing no cost digital mammograms and clinical breast exams at two events on Wednesday.
“I am proud to partner with the American Italian Cancer Foundation to make available free mammography screenings and bring public awareness to the importance of getting tested. All women are at risk of breast cancer and research shows that early detection of breast cancer saves lives. I encourage all those who have not had a mammogram in more than a year to make an appointment and get checked,” said Golden.
The Mobile Care Clinic will be outside Golden’s office from 9 a.m. to 12 noon, and again from 2-4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 3604 Quentin Road. Women over the age of 40, who are New York City residents and have not had a mammogram in the past year, are encouraged to call 1-877-628-9090 or (718) 282-7614 for an appointment.
For additional information, contact Golden’s office at (718) 238-6044.
Cymbrowitz, Weinsten, Fidler Hold Toys For Tots Drive
Assemblymmembers Steven Cymbrowitz (Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach) and Helene Weinsten (Flatlands, Flatbush, Sheepshead Bay) in partnership with former City Councilman Lew Fidler, and The Be Proud Foundation, announced that his office is participating as a collection site for the United States Marine Corps (USMC) Toys for Tots drive.
Since 1947 the USMC has collected new, unwrapped holiday toys for needy children. The drive, organized locally by the 41st Assembly District Democratic Club, has collected over 63,000 toys in the last 13 years.
“There is no greater gift than to bring a smile to a child during the holiday season,” said Cymbrowitz. “If you can, donate a toy and brighten the holidays for kids who don’t enjoy the luxuries that many other children have.”
New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the collection box between 9 a.m.-5 p.m., at Cymbrowitz’s office, 1800 Sheepshead Bay Road in Sheepshead Bay until Dec. 15. Toys can also be dropped off at the Kings Bay Y at 3495 Nostrand Avenue. The drive will hold its finale from 7-9 p.m., Thursday, December 15 at 2952 Avenue R and all are invited to attend. You may also bring a toy to donate on the night of the event.
Clarke’s Statement on UN Apology for Cholera Epidemic in Haiti
Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (Crown Heights, Flatbush, Sheepshead Bay) Friday released the following statement on United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s apology to the Haitian people responsibility for the cholera epidemic that occurred after the earthquake in 2010.
“Yesterday, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon apologized to the Haitian people for his institution’s responsibility for the cholera epidemic that has killed more than 10,000 people in Haiti. Although the Secretary General refused to explicitly admit fault for introducing cholera to Haiti, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Human Rights and Extreme Poverty has clearly stated that cholera was introduced to Haiti by United Nations aid workers,” said Clarke.
“I agree with the preponderance of scientific evidence that supports this conclusion. Now, the United Nations has a responsibility to deploy the hundreds of millions of dollars that have been pledged to address the threat of disease, lack of food security, and need for development, as well as compensating families afflicted by cholera and restoring communities that have been devastated. I urge the entire international community to become involved in this effort and will continue to work with my colleagues in Congress to fight for active American involvement in this important mission. In addition, I am committed to working with the incoming Secretary General to end the scourge of cholera and help Haiti achieves its vision of prosperity.”
Donovan’s Bill Helping Veterans Passes House
Congressman Dan Donovan’s (South Brooklyn, Staten Island) legislation to expedite veterans’ entry into the maritime workforce last week passed the U.S. House of Representatives as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
Donovan’s measure makes common-sense adjustments to the mandatory credentialing process for all maritime workers to make it easier for veterans to transition into the industry.
“Active military and veterans already sacrificed so much to defend our interests. The least we can do is help them find good jobs when they come home. My legislation allows service members to jumpstart the next phase of their careers with stable, good-paying job, while also providing our nation’s ports with skilled employees,” said Donovan.
Before prospective employees can enter any maritime facility, they must apply for and receive a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The TWIC application process can take months, posing challenges to veterans looking to quickly transition into the civilian workforce. Donovan’s amendment requires the Secretary of Homeland Security to put qualified veterans at the top of the review pile, expediting the TWIC card approval process for them and decreasing the time transitioning service members have to wait to take advantage of job opportunities in the maritime industry.
The amendment is part of the NDAA, legislation that authorizes defense spending and military priorities for the 2017 fiscal year. Provisions include funding for military supplies, pay increases for U.S. troops, prohibiting transfer of Guantanamo detainees to American soil, and reforming procedures to combat sexual assault.
