Last nights Central Brooklyn Independent Democrats (CBID) meeting focused on the people doing true grassroots work in the area.
Eli Frankel from New York Youth Policy Group, a student from Bard High School, Amanda Ritchie, Rich Bennett and Betty Mandlin from the civic activism group, #getorganizedbk, and Claudia Galicia, president of Sunset Park Latino Democrats, all talked about the work they were doing.
This work included helping immigrants with legal issues, promoting youth voter registration and Raise the Age, a legislative initiative in Albany to raise the age from 16 to 18 for a person charged as an adult as opposed to as a juvenile in all criminal matters.
Discussion also centered around flipping red (Republican) districts around the state and country to blue (Democratic) and how that work is going in the field.
Several elected officials made an appearance as usual including Democratic District Leader Josue Pierre from the 42nd Assembly District, who spoke about the need for district leaders to work together.
Other electeds that spoke at the meeting included Assembly Member Robert Carroll (D-Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington), who discussed the State budget, Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon (D-Boerum Hill, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Downtown Brooklyn), who discussed the ‘Refugees Welcome Here’ campaign, and City Council Member Carlos Menchaca (D-Red Hook, Sunset Park), who updated the group on what it means to be Sanctuary City.
CBID was formed in 1968. According to its constitution, the purpose of the political club is “to provide an independent, vigorous, liberal Democratic organization in the 44th, 51st, 52nd, and 57th Assembly Districts and their immediately adjacent neighborhoods in the County of Kings and additionally to encourage the participation of all people in the affairs of the Democratic Party.”
Other purposes according to the CBID constitution is “to seek and support candidates for public office and party office of ability and integrity who are dedicated to public service, to promote measures designed to serve all the people, and to encourage the appointment of qualified public officials and employees without regard to political sponsorship; and to further the interest and participation of all citizens in the political and civic affairs of our community.”
CBID’s next meeting is slated for 7 p.m., March 23 at the Park Slope United Methodist Church in the main sanctuary. For more information email club President Benjamin Solotaire at bencbid@gmail.com.
