Clarke To Trump: Come to NYC and Meet with Immigrant Communities
U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-Crown Heights, Lefferts Gardens, Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Brownsville, Sheepshead Bay) and members of the city’s congressional delegation yesterday sent a letter to President Trump asking him to meet with immigrants and families instead of holding hateful and unproductive events that demonize the immigrant community.
The letter comes after Trump has convened two events in recent weeks, including one in Long Island, that demonized and belittled the valuable contributions of immigrants living in the United States, painting immigrants as criminals and referring to them as, “animals.”
Given Long Island’s proximity to New York City – one of the most diverse and multicultural cities in the world – the Members of Congress urged the president to host another discussion – this time with immigrants and their families.
In addition to Clarke, U.S. Reps. Joe Crowley, Nydia Velázquez, Adriano Espaillat, Carolyn Maloney, Hakeem Jeffries, Grace Meng, Gregory Meeks, Jose Serrano, Jerrold Nadler, and Eliot Engel signed onto the letter..
“Yesterday’s meeting is the second time in two weeks that you decided to focus your comments and your administration’s efforts on MS-13, instead of the millions of hard-working immigrants in this country who are enriching their communities every single day. There is no question that gangs, like MS-13, are a danger in our communities. No one knows this better than the innocent immigrant communities that are terrorized by these gangs every day,” wrote the Members of Congress.
“However, your insistence on likening all immigrant communities to these street gangs is un-American. We invite you to join us in New York City for a roundtable to hear from immigrant communities, who are nothing like the criminals you label them to be.”
Persaud Partners with NYLAG to Offer More Legal Services
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) in partnership with New York Legal Assistant Group (NYLAG) this summer will host another series of Mobile Legal Help Clinics in her 19th Senatorial District.
Bringing free legal services directly to community members is vital. This helps constituents to overcome their circumstances and improve their livelihood. Persaud’s office has observed a very high demand for legal services in the district, especially among the adult population. The response to prior Mobile Legal Help Clinics exceeded the office’s expectation. Therefore, Persaud pushed to expand the services.
NYLAG staff will provide free legal assistance on issues relating to: Housing (Tenants Only), Public Benefits, Disability Benefits, Healthcare Benefits, Identity Theft, Debt Management, Consumer Credit, Immigration, Domestic Violence, Divorce, Custody and Visitation, Child Support, Employment, and Superstorm Sandy
“Our constituents deserve access to legal services to assist them in navigating certain challenges they face. Accessing legal help can be cost-prohibitive; therefore, I am committed to collaborating with agencies such as NYLAG, which provide relevant services at no cost to the constituent. I encourage the constituents of SD19 to take continue to make full use of this free resource.” said Persaud.
The Mobile Office Legal Clinic Hours are from 10 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., on Tuesday, July 31, Wednesday, Aug. 22 and Tuesday, Sept. 25. The scheduled location for these Clinics is Senator Persaud’s District Office, 1222 East 96th Street in Canarsie. Appointments can be made by calling the district office at (718) 649 7653 or by visiting Senator Persaud’s website.
Donovan Voices Support For Trump Signing Deregulation Of Small Banks
U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan (D-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) yesterday hailed President Trump’s signing the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act into law.
The measure rolls back some regulations on smaller banks. Donovan supported and helped pass the bill in the House earlier this week. It passed with bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress. In the House it passed 258-159 with 33 Democrats joining Republicans in supporting it. It cleared the Senate 67-31, earning support from 16 Democrats, one Independent and 50 Republicans.
“Burdensome regulations and excessive red tape have crushed small community banks, forcing them to close or significantly raise fees. This has negatively impacted families across the nation who have found it harder to access funds to buy a home, purchase a car, expand a business – or pursue their American Dream. But relief is finally here,” said Donovan.
“I applaud President Trump for signing the Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act, which will roll back bureaucratic overreach to foster economic growth and opportunities for hardworking Americans, into law today. We are finally seeing our economy roar back after years of stagnation, and I’ll continue to support the administration’s efforts to streamline regulations to improve the livelihoods of Staten Islanders and Brooklynites.”
Williams Decries NFL For Taking A Knee Fines
City Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) yesterday decried the National Football League (NFL) for their decision that they will fine teams that have players that kneel in protest during the playing of the national anthem.
The NFL new policy is that all players who are on the field when the national anthem is heard before a game must stand — or they can choose to remain in the locker room without penalty. Teams will be subject to a fine if a player disobeys.
“Wednesday, the NFL announced their intention to smother protest and strangle activism. By forcing players to stand for the national anthem while on the field, and relegating those who chose to protest during the anthem to the locker room, they are effectively creating an other, hiding dissenting voices from the public eye to maintain their own corporate interest and public image,” said Williams.
“With this action, the NFL has made its intentions clear and revealed the character of the organization. They have given in to hateful voices who responded to peaceful protest with vitriol and misinformation. At best they ignore the crucial issues of police misconduct and racial inequity for which players engaged in protest, at worst they endorse them. This is unsurprising from an organization that routinely seeks to bury anything that they feel is bad for business, and views its players as commodities rather than individuals.”
