Jeffries Statement On Meeting With Facebook COO
U.S. Representative Hakeem Jeffries (D-Central Brooklyn, Coney Island), a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, House Democratic leadership and the House Judiciary Committee, released the following statement concerning yesterday’s meeting between Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg and the Congressional Black Caucus:
“The manipulation of Facebook by foreign actors to interfere with our elections and fan the flames of racial hatred is an existential threat to our democracy. We cannot allow Facebook and other social media platforms to be used as kerosene, spreading fake news throughout our country designed to misinform and divide the American electorate. Facebook can do better, and they have committed to members of the Congressional Black Caucus that they will do better,” said Jeffries.
Jeffries statement comes as the social media giant has been under fire, for among other things, taking advertisements from Russia during the last Presidential election, and placing fake news stories from questionable sources on its site.
Lander Leads Rally To Bring Back The B71
City Councilmember Brad Lander (D-Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kennsington) today will host a rally alongside a robust coalition including fellow Councilmembers Carlos Menchaca and Stephen Levin, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, U.S. Rep. Nydia Velazquez and Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon to bring back the B71 bus route with a new link through Red Hook into Lower Manhattan.
The new B71+ route would:
● Connect seniors, students, families, NYCHA residents, and people with disabilities to schools, stores, and Brooklyn’s cultural institutions: Nine schools, three senior centers, multiple public housing developments, and Brooklyn’s best cultural institutions (Brooklyn Museum, BPL Central Branch, Prospect Park, Brooklyn Botanic Gardens, and the Brooklyn Children’s Museum) would be served by this new route. That means better access and increased mobility for residents of Red Hook, Columbia Waterfront, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill, Gowanus, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, and Crown Heights.
● Provide a new connection through Red Hook to Lower Manhattan: Red Hook is not served by any subway stop, and only by two local Brooklyn bus routes. A direct connection between Red Hook and Manhattan would make 90,000 more jobs accessible for Red Hook commuters within a one-hour transit zone. And everyone along the route would gain a convenient new commuting route to Lower Manhattan.
● Serve a growing population: Since the elimination of the B71, population around the route has grown by more than 10% — much more than the increase for NYC or Brooklyn overall — but no new transit capacity has been added. The potential rezoning of Gowanus would mean even more demand.
The rally is slated for between 12 noon – 1 p.m., today on Court and Union Streets in Carroll Gardens. The coalition of leaders have also started a petition drive to bring the bus back. You can see the petition here + a full list of coalition partners and the proposed route here.
Donovan On Trump’s Healthcare Executive Order
U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan (R-Southern Brooklyn, Staten Island) yesterday lauded President Donald Trump’s executive order repealing part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as ObamaCare.
According to the New York Times, the two main changes Trump is proposing in the order are: to expand the use of short-term insurance policies and to make it easier for professional and trade associations to sell health coverage to members across the country.
“The current healthcare system is collapsing, further burdening hardworking Americans with soaring costs, canceled plans, and limited choices. President Trump is right to use his executive authority to help create a truly competitive marketplace that will drive down costs, increase consumer choice, and allow families to access the quality care they deserve,” said Donovan.
“I have long advocated to allow people to buy insurance across state lines throughout the healthcare reform process, and I applaud the President’s action and commitment to delivering results to the American people.”
Maimonides Sponsors 11th Annual Ride2Live Benefit
The Maimonides Medical Center, in partnership with Bikers of Brooklyn, tomorrow is hosting a motorcycle ride benefit to raise funds and awareness for the Maimonides Breast Cancer Center.
Dr. Patrick Borgen, Chair of the Department of Surgery and Director of the Maimonides Breast Cancer Center, and a proud owner and motorcycle rider himself, will lead the tour through the streets of Brooklyn, raising awareness and funds for breast cancer research at the Maimonides Breast Cancer Center.
Registration for the Ride2Live begins at 9 a.m. tomorrow, Saturday Oct. 14 at the Gilbert Rivera Pavilion, 745 64th St. (between Seventh & Eighth Avenues in Borough Park. A catered breakfast will be provided during registration.
The Ride will commence at 12 noon, and end at Baron DeKalb, 3000 Emmons Avenue in Sheepshead Bay, where there will be a lively after-party featuring live music, raffles and barbecue favorites for lunch.
Simon Hosts Free Flu Vaccine Event
Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon (D-Downtown Brooklyn, Carroll Gardens, Cobble Hill) next Tuesday will offer free flu vaccines in her district office, 341 Smith Street, in conjunction with NYU Langone Medical Center.
The vaccines are for adults 18+ years old. The vaccines will be given between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 17. Please contact her office to make an appointment at 718-246-4889 or email simonj@nyassembly.gov.
