Assembly Member Williams Fights For Domestic Violence Victims
Assembly Member Jaime Williams (D-Canarsie, Georgetown, Mill Basin, Marine Park and Gerritsen Beach) announced that she helped pass a legislative package to address domestic violence and provide increased assistance and protection for victims, last Friday
The package includes legislation to prevent employers from discriminating against victims of domestic violence, including counseling and court appearances related to their abuse (A.1481-A); the Domestic Violence Escalation Prevention Act (A. 5025), which prevents certain perpetrators of domestic violence from owning a firearm; requiring convicted abusers to surrender their firearms (A.980); and allowing victims of domestic violence to break a telephone, cable or broadband contract without incurring penalties (A.1056, A.946).
“Victims of domestic violence have already suffered far too much and deserve every opportunity to move forward with their lives. Their past trauma doesn’t define them, and they absolutely should not be discriminated against by their employer or prevented from achieving gainful employment. Those who experience domestic violence are not just victims – they are survivors. It’s up to us to make sure the brave women, men and children who contend with domestic violence are empowered, treated with respect and have the support they need to break free,” said Williams.
Deutsch Passes Emergency Response Bill
Council Member Chaim Deutsch (D- Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach, Homecrest) last week saw Mayor Bill de Blasio sign his bill, Intro 1311, that will mandate the city’s Department of Transportation (DOT) to provide advance notice of street closures to the NYPD and the FDNY.
The measure will make it easier for emergency medical providers to respond to a 911 call without the added pressure of unanticipated street closures that can add precious minutes to their response time. The bill will ensure that police, medics, and firefighters are given two days warning before a full street closure. This will offer them the opportunity to prepare routes in advance, and avoid areas with anticipated closures and congestion.
“With the signing of Intro 1311, we have taken another step towards ensuring that our first responders are able to quickly answer emergency calls. An immediate response is critical in these situations – an injury could be exacerbated, a fire could spread, or a volatile situation could escalate if emergency services do not make it to the scene expeditiously, ” said Deutsch.
“My bill will require the DOT to coordinate with emergency services, so that necessary street work can be completed without impeding emergency response time,” said Deutsch.
Hikind Praises Community Patrol For Recovering Stolen Antique Books
New York State Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Borough Park) applauded the work of Borough Park Shmira, a local community safety patrol, in recovering $400,000 in stolen antique seforim (books) over the weekend.
A month ago the valuable collection of books were stolen from Rabbi Rokeach’s synagogue. Borough Park Shmira, led by Levi Leifer, founder and director, and coordinator Usher Frisch, worked with the local police and used private video surveillance to identify the thief. They then arranged for the books to be returned safely. No arrests were made and no ransom for the books was paid in the case, according to Leifer.
“Books like these are precious to the family and the community, not just because of their monetary value, but also because of their history. People typically desire to own such seforim because they are holy and they radiate blessings. And thankfully our community is blessed to have dedicated volunteers like Shmira,” said Hikind.
“There’s a lesson in this for everyone. Everyone who can afford to should put up surveillance cameras—and everyone should be eager to share video footage with the police and local security patrols when necessary. As a community working together, we can better prevent crime,” said Hikind.
Maimonides Celebrates Student Volunteers
Maimonides Medical Center will be honoring its student volunteers with a special Recognition Ceremony and Breakfast this week.
Opening remarks will be given by Kenneth D. Gibbs, Maimonides President & CEO, and Dominick Stanzione, Executive Vice President & COO. Additional highlights will include guest speakers Barbara Tremblay, Roy Campanella OTC Principal, and John Dormer, Xaverian High School Director.
The event is slated for 9 a.m., Tuesday, May 16 in Maimonides Hall at 950 49th Street in Borough Park, Brooklyn.
Hamilton Honors Transgender Life, Kenneth Bostick
New York State Senator Jesse Hamilton (D-Central Brooklyn) honored the life of transgender person, Kenneth Bostick, after his unexpected death earlier this year, with a memorial service at the Brooklyn Community Pride Center last Friday.
Bostick passed away on May 4, due to injuries sustained during a brutal attack in Chelsea on April 25th. Bostick’s death marks the tenth transgender person murdered in the United States in 2017.
“We must collectively, forcefully, and loudly reject violence against people because of their gender identity. Our struggle for social justice connects across communities and across identities. Our efforts to build inclusive, accepting communities in New York require us to stand up against these crimes and say, ‘Not in our City. Not in our State. Not in our communities!” said Hamilton.
Brooklyn Lawmakers, Assembly Member Felix Ortiz (D-Sunset Park. Red Hook) and Council Member Carlos Menchaca (D-Sunset Park, Red Hook) also took a moment to honor Bostick’s life at the event, noting the need for gender equality and criminal protection for LGBTQ individuals.
“It is totally unacceptable that people are targeted because of their gender, race, creed & sexuality. It is especially egregious at a time when we are encouraging gender expression & identity. It is critical that the rights of all New Yorkers are protected,” said Ortiz.
“We can stop the discrimination and violence trans people experience through protest, justice reform, legislation and education. When we honor the human rights of trans and gender non-conforming people we affirm our commitment to justice. Our demand for the rights and dignity due to trans people creates a safer, more equitable world for everyone,” said Menchaca.
Carroll, Teens Lobby State Legislature To Support Young Voter Bill
Assembly Member Robert Carroll (D-Kensington, Windsor Terrace, Park Slope) held a successful ‘Lobby Day’ in Albany for his Young Voter Bill, last Tuesday.
Carroll welcomed 30 High School Students from the 44th Assembly District and from around New York City to lobby legislators on the Young Voter Act (A.6839), a bill to lower the voting age in state and local elections to 17.
The event was able to generate an additional 9 Assembly co-sponsors and 3 Senate co-sponsors. The bill now has 20 Assembly co-sponsors, including Assembly Members Walter T. Mosley (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights) and Diana Richardson (D-Crown Heights, Lefferts Gardens).
“Studies show that if you don’t vote before you’re 25, you’re likely to never vote, so this bill will help instill that value. Turnout is high in Scotland and other nations where 17-year-olds have the franchise, while our voter turnout is getting worse. 50 percent of eligible voters under the age of 25 voted in the 1972 election which was the first year 18-year-olds were allowed to vote under the 26th Amendment, but in 2012 turnout was only 38 percent,” said Carroll.
“New York has one of the lowest turnouts in the country and we have one of the most dysfunctional governments. That’s what happens when people don’t participate. The Young Voter Act would help reverse this trend and I look forward to continuing to work with young people from around the state to get more people involved in our electoral system,” said Carroll.
The bill will next go on to the Election Law Committee for approval.
Brooklyn Lawmakers Demand Action From Cuomo on Failing MTA System
Brooklyn Lawmakers, New York State Senator Martin Malavé Dilan (D-Bushwick, Williamsburg, Greenpoint, Cypress Hills) and Assembly Member Pamela Harris (D-Coney Island, Bay Ridge) among other city officials, stood in solidarity with subway riders and the Riders Alliance outside of Governor Cuomo’s NYC office last Thursday, to demand action to fix the growing crisis of subway delays and overcrowding.
The rally followed the fourth major subway meltdown of the last month. The most recent subway meltdown taking place last Tuesday in the form of a power outage that affected hundreds of thousands of riders who were subject to extensive delays and train rerouting.
A Riders Alliance analysis of Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) data released in January found that subway delays had more than tripled over the previous four years.Other major system-wide delays this year have been caused by equipment failure, signal malfunctions, broken trains among other problems.
“My attempts to fend off any and all proposed cuts and sweeps to transit funding in this year’s budget wasn’t posturing. Our transit infrastructure is in desperate need of committed resources. When a power outage or a switch malfunction has a domino effect on miles of rail and tens of thousands of riders, we’re in need of serious repairs. These are jobs, medical appointments, and the city and state’s economy we’re talking about,” said Dilan.
“New York City residents deserve reliable and efficient train service. Our trains should be getting commuters to work on time, students to school before the first bell rings and seniors to the doctor’s appointments they depend on. The MTA needs to be held accountable for improving public transportation infrastructure throughout the city,” said Harris.
