Golden’s Statement on Charlottesville
State Senator Martin J. Golden (R-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach) yesterday issued a statement regarding the tragedy in Charlottesville, in which neo-nazis and white supremacists marched to keep a statue of Confederate General Robert E. Lee up in a park.
The ensuing scuffle between these hateful fringe groups ended when an alleged white supremacist drove his car into a throng of people protesting these groups killing one person. Additionally, two law enforcement agents died when the helicopter they were in crashed. President Donald Trump has given a measure of defense to
“It is my privilege to represent such a diverse community comprised of many races, ethnicities and religions. I believe that everyone should be treated with respect and we must all live in peace. I am vehemently opposed to all acts of intolerance and acts of violence against innocent people, especially as they exercise their First Amendment right. To debate the moral equivalency of hate groups is wrong, this discourse has no place in American society. Hate is hate and should be condemned by all. Those who perpetrate violence are not “very fine people,” said Golden.
“Here in New York City our diversity is our strength and it is what distinguishes us as the greatest city in the world. Those who encourage, and who engage in, actions like those that took place in Charlottesville this past weekend do not represent the values that have made this country great, and made our country, what Ronald Reagan called, “the shining city on the hill.” Their actions are repulsive to all who value freedom and democracy, and who know that there is no place for racism and bigotry in American life.”
Hikind Praises Mayor Following Announcement That Nazi Monument Will Be Removed
Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Borough Park) yesterday had high praise for Mayor Bill de Blasio following an announcement that New York City will be removing the monument to a Nazi collaborator Philippe Pétain.
The mayor’s office Tweeted the following: “After the violent events in Charlottesville, New York City will conduct a 90-day review of all symbols of hate on city property. The commemoration for Nazi collaborator Philippe Pétain in the Canyon of Heroes will be one of the first we remove.”
Assemblyman Hikind, who brought awareness of the Petain monument directly to the mayor, applauded the mayor’s actions. “We are confronted every day with bigotry and divisiveness,” said Hikind. “New Yorkers have an obligation to say, ‘Not in our city.’ It’s time to remove all of New York City’s monuments and markers that glorify bigotry and strengthen that which perpetuates these ignorant beliefs. I applaud our mayor, as I know all of New York will, for taking quick action on this important matter.”
In May, Hikind turned attention on the markers commemorating French Vichy Leaders Marshal Philippe Pétain and Pierre Laval. The granite markers are located on Morris and Broadway in the Wall Street area’s “Canyon of Heroes.” Laval helped the Nazis arrest thousands of Jews for Deportation to their deaths. After the war, he was executed for his war crimes.
Pétain’s anti-Semitic policies were even harsher than what the Germans had adopted. His policies banned Jews from various professions and activities, which eventually led to the deportation and murder of nearly 100,000 Jews, as well as Gypsies, homosexuals, and left-wing activists. Pétain was convicted of treason in 1945. He was sentenced to death by firing squad but France’s President Charles de Gaulle commuted the sentence to life imprisonment.
Greenfield Announces New Alternate Side Parking Rules To Accommodate Shabbos Parking
City Councilman David G. Greenfield (D-Borough Park, Bensonhurst, Midwood, Flatbush) yesterday announced that the Department of Transportation (DOT) has agreed to change alternate side parking regulations at several Midwood locations in southern Brooklyn from Shabbos (Saturdays) to weekdays so that drivers can park their cars on these blocks and not need to move them on Shabbos.
Shabbos parking has been a longtime issue for Greenfield, who first contacted the DOT just weeks into his first term in 2010 to work on parking changes to accommodate Shabbos observance. Mayor Bill de Blasio announced earlier this year that 1,300 MuniMeters in Boro Park and Flatbush will soon accept pre-payment up to four-hours in advance on Fridays, guaranteeing that no observant Jews will need to feed their parking meters after sundown on Friday even in the short Friday winters.
“This is such an important issue to me as a councilman because parking spaces are so scarce in our neighborhoods,” Greenfield said. “Not only are there more observant Jews here than anywhere else in the world, but more people use cars here than almost anywhere else in New York City. That’s why I have worked with City Hall on a multitude of parking regulations to make it easier to park before Shabbos.”
The exact streets that will see new alternate side parking rules moved from Shabbos to non-Shabbos days are Avenue M from Coney Island Avenue to Ocean Avenue, Avenue J from East 12th Street to East 17th Street, Elm Avenue from Bay Avenue to 18th Street and from 14th Street to 15th Street and Coney Island Avenue from Avenue I to Avenue K.
Eugene Discusses Haitian TPS Refugee Crisis With Canadian Immigration Officials
City Council Member Mathieu Eugene (Prospect Lefferts Gardens, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Ditmas Park) met with immigration officials in Montreal on Tuesday to learn more about the plight of Haitian refugees with expiring Temporary Protected Status (TPS) who are seeking asylum in Canada.
With the current cycle of TPS set to end in January of 2018, many Haitians living in the United States are entering Canada illegally rather than face deportation back to Haiti. Eugene traveled to Montreal to gather information regarding Canada’s immigration policies, and to dispel the notion that Canada will be the “promised land” for Haitians if they cross the border for safety. The relocation is attributed in part to misleading social media posts that claim the Canadian government had invited all Haitians, with or without TPS, to apply for residency in Canada.
“The reality is that they have not received the right information,” said Eugene. “They are convinced that the doors are open, that there is hope, and that they will stay here in Canada. “When I return to New York, I intend to inform my constituents that they must think twice before they make the journey into Canada.”
Eugene met with a committee on Haitian immigration and toured a hosting facility for Haitian refugees who have crossed the border and are currently waiting to be processed. The number of Haitians seeking asylum in Canada has risen steadily into the thousands since the Department of Homeland Security declared it would issue a reduced 6-month extension for TPS in May.
Conservation Group Gives Carroll High Marks
The New York League of Conservation of Voters (NYLCV) this week gave Assemblymember Robert Carroll (D-Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington) a “100” rating in their Inaugural State Environmental Scorecard.
The scorecard tracked the voting records of elected officials in Albany’s last legislative session.
“We can no longer count on our federal government to lead the way on environmental issues,” said Carroll. “New York must blaze a trail toward a greener and more sustainable future. We will think creatively to lower emissions and cut our use of fossil fuels. I am proud to work with organizations like the League of Conservation Voters towards this end.”
In February, Assemblymember Carroll led the push for the “BYO Bag” law, which would have levied a 5-cent fee on shoppers at grocery stores that utilize the store’s plastic bags. He was the only advocate for the plastic bag fee in the Assembly’s Cities Committee.
A total of 13 assemblymembers and nine state senators received the perfect score. Carroll was the only member of the Assembly’s Brooklyn Delegation and the only freshman assemblymember to receive a perfect 100.
Reynoso, Southside United HDFC Celebrate Dominican Restoration Day
City Council Member Antonio Reynoso (D-Williamsburg, Bushwick) will join Southside United HDFC (“Los Sures”), St. Nicks Alliance, and Nuestros Niños today in hosting their annual Dominican Restoration Day celebration in Williamsburg’s South Side.
This event celebrates the day that marked the beginning of the war that led to independence for the Dominican Republic.
The celebration will include:
- Singing of the Dominican National Anthem by Billy Rosario
- Dance performance by Nuestros Niños Day Care
- Entertainment by Los Andulleros de Santiago USA
- Guira talent showcase
- Face Painting
- Bachata and Merengue Dancing
- Invocation by Padre Juan Rosario
The event is slated for between 6-8 p.m., tonight, Friday, August 18 in the schoolyard of P.S. 19/ Brooklyn Arbor School, 325 South 3rd Street in Williamsburg.
