BP Adams To Host After School Rally For Gun Reform
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams invited students, parents, and youth organization leaders from across New York City to a citywide after school rally yesterday to coincide with the National School Walkout this week.
The announcement comes a month after the deadly mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, which resulted in the death of 17 students and teachers on Valentine’s Day. Adams, an outspoken advocate on reducing gun violence across America as both a legislator and 22-year veteran of the New York City Police Department (NYPD), has planned the rally to mobilize for meaningful gun reform and increased youth civic engagement.
The gathering will feature “activation stations” around the bandshell where students will have the opportunity to draft up a students’ bill of rights, learn how to join their community board and get active in their neighborhood, register to vote, as well as call or write to their legislators asking them to take action on gun reform, particularly calling out those who have received the most financial backing from the National Rifle Association (NRA).
“We are in a unique period in our nation’s history. The greatest experience in growth academically and personally is getting involved in a moment of change. Now is that moment. We must do something about guns, which are running rampant in this country, causing the death of so many of our young people in schools, on the streets, and in their houses of worship. This rally is just the beginning of a movement for national change on this critical issue,” said Adams.
The event is slated for 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday, March 14 at Prospect Park Bandshell in Brooklyn.
Anyone interested in attending the rally can RSVP by visiting brooklyn-usa.org/schoolwalkout. Members of the public who have question are encouraged to email programs@brooklynbp.nyc.gov or call (718) 802-2356.
Deutsch Fights For Fire Safety Measures
Council member Chaim Deutsch (D-Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach, Midwood) is once again leading the effort to fund the Get Alarmed NYC initiative.
Earlier this year, Deutsch alongside Council members Mark Levine (D-Manhattan) and Ritchie Torres (D-Bronx) authored a letter to Mayor Bill de Blasio and Speaker Corey Johnson, which 45 council members signed onto, requesting a re-commitment of funds for the Get Alarmed NYC program.
The program aims to install combination smoke/CO alarms in every home in New York City. The initial two year program was started in March 2015,and more than 150,000 combination smoke/CO alarms were distributed and installed by the American Red Cross in homes throughout the five boroughs since then.
In 2017, New York City experienced a rise in fire deaths, with the loss of 73 lives. In the homes of 53% of these fatal fires, there were no working smoke alarms, underscoring the vital need for additional widespread smoke alarm installations throughout the City.
“In the past several years, my district has experienced two tragic fires: the first claimed the lives of seven young brothers and sisters, the second, this past December, claimed a mother and her three children. Fire safety education is a critical method of disseminating information that can literally save lives. It is absolutely vital that we continue to fund this program so that we can successfully reduce the number of tragedies in our City,” said Deutsch.
Bichotte Hosts MWBE Coalition Day
Assembly member Rodneyse Bichotte (D-Flatbush, Ditmas Park) alongside a broad group of state legislators will host Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (MWBEs) Coalition Day today.
MWBE firms will be meeting with legislators to raise awareness about key issues and legislation in regard to MWBEs and the support to Re-authorize Article 15A.
Article 15-A of the Executive Law, signed into law on July 19, 1988, authorized the creation of an Office (now Division) of Minority and Women’s Business Development to promote employment and business opportunities on state contracts for minorities and women. Under this statute, state agencies are charged with establishing employment and business participation goals for minorities and women.
The event is slated for 12:30 p.m., today, March 13, at the Million Dollar Staircase at the State Capitol in Albany.
Cymbrowitz Applauds Passage of Bill Expediting NYCHA Facility Repairs
Assembly member Steven Cymbrowitz (D-Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach), Chair of the Assembly’s Housing Committee, applauded passage of his bill that would speed up boiler repairs and other capital projects at New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) developments yesterday.
The bill, the New York City Housing Authority Facilities Modernization Act, would enable NYCHA to use the design-build procurement process in order to expedite major Repairs.
The legislation would also require the chair of NYCHA to submit reports on the implementation of applicable laws related to lead-based paint poisoning prevention and control to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development. The written reports would be made publicly available on each agency’s website.
“There are too many NYCHA tenants who have lost heat on the coldest winter days, or are living in dire conditions and need immediate help. The Assembly is committed to securing additional funding for NYCHA’s capital needs, and now, we must step up to streamline the response to serious and life-threatening infrastructure failures,” said Cymbrowitz.
“In reviewing the data available on those impacted by lead-based paint, we must ensure that public housing tenants are represented and that there are systems in place verifying that their homes will undergo proper inspections and receive the repair work needed to keep them safe and healthy,” added Cymbrowitz.
CM Williams To Appear In Court For Protest Arrest
City Council Member Jumaane Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) will appear in court today for the first time following his arrest during an immigration protest earlier this year.
On Tuesday, Williams alongside sixteen other protesters will appear before a judge. The group was arrested on Jan. 11 in Lower Manhattan while protesting the imminent deportation of immigrant rights activist Ravi Ragbir, who will also attend.
Last month, Ravi Ragbir, Executive Director of New Sanctuary Coalition of NYC—an interfaith organization that helps undocumented immigrants fight detention and deportation–was arrested during one of his regularly scheduled appointments with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials and taken to a facility in Miami for imminent deportation.
Ragbir was later released after U.S. District Judge Katherine B. Forrest granted habeas corpus to Ragbir arguing ICE infringed upon Ragbir’s due process rights by his “abrupt and by all counts unnecessary detention,” according to New Sanctuary Coalition of NYC. In recent months, New York Lawmakers have alleged the federal government in targeting of immigrants’ rights leaders leading to increase dissent over the future of the immigration system in the country.
Earlier this year, President Donald Trump announced plans to help pass sweeping immigration reform including a Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) deal in favor of increased border security, but later refused in the midst of dissenting Democratic support.
The event is slated for 9:30 a.m., today, March 13, at New York County Criminal Court, at 100 Centre Street in Lower Manhattan.
Persaud Honors Sheepshead Bay Resident For 100th Birthday
State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud (D-Canarsie, East New York, Brownsville, Mill Basin, Sheepshead Bay, Bergen Beach, Marine Park, Flatlands, Mill Island, Georgetown, Ocean Hill, Starrett City) visited the home of Ms. Pauline Nikolakakos over the weekend to celebrate the long-term Brooklyn resident’s 100th Birthday.
Persaud presented a New York State Proclamation and a bouquet of flowers to the centenarian in the presence of immediate family and friends. Nikolakakos was elated by the honor and event invited Persaud to sit by her side to engage in a discussion.
“It is not very often we find citizens at age 100 with good health and great social life; the family must also be commended. The wellness of seniors remains a top priority, as our active adults deserve every opportunity to continue to contribute to society and to know that they are valued,” said Persaud.
