Wright Fights For Minority Women In Politics In Wake of PA James Misspelling
Assembly member Tremaine Wright (D-Bedford-Stuyvesant, Northern Crown Heights) supported Council member Vanessa Gibson (D-Bronx) over the weekend, in the wake of a misspelling of Public Advocate Letitia James’ name in press releases last week.
Gibson in an “open letter” on Friday took the campaign of Democratic attorney general candidate Zephyr Teachout to task for misspelling the first name of primary rival and New York City Public Advocate Letitia James in press releases, according to New York State of Politics.
In the letter Gibson, claimed the errors were due, in part, to a pattern of disrespect toward people of color when they run for office.
“As an African American Member of the New York City Council, I find it offensive, and insulting, that given Letitia James’ decades-long career in public office, including being the first and only African American woman ever to be elected to New York City-wide office, you continue to misspell her name in your press releases. This is not an uncommon pattern by politicians to dismiss qualified and experienced candidates from communities of color, particularly women of color, by denying both their past public achievements and their identity,” read Gibson’s letter.
“It is to Council Member Vanessa Gibson’s credit that she has raised her voice when too many of us have remained silent when women of color’s identities and accomplishments are stolen and denied. By continuously misspelling New York City Public Advocate and Attorney General Candidate Letitia James’ name, Zephyr Teachout is not simply making a typo, she is insulting and dismissing the real work and life of this accomplished Black woman,” said Wright.
CM Williams Launches ‘Occupy The Corner’ Program To Fight Street Violence
Council member Jumaane Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) kicked off his ‘Occupy The Corner’ Program this week.
The anti-street violence campaign consists of going to hotspots of potential violence to engage with the community in positive, productive conversations and, if necessary, at times responds to any incidents of violence. Last weekend, the program kicked off, with the community discussing strategies for how to collaborate with clergy, Community-based organizations (CBO), and elected officials to intervene in and prevent senseless violence.
The volunteer driven program, which runs through September, and offers several free trainings throughout the summer on first aid, overdose intervention, CPR and Automated External Defibrillators (AED) usage in order to equip community members with the tools they need to save a life.
Bichotte Denounces Supreme Court Ruling Upholding Trump Travel Ban
Assembly member Rodneyse Bichotte (D-Ditmas Park, Flatbush) denounced recent rulings by the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) in regards to President Donald Trump’s travel ban and Affirmative Action.
Last month, in a shocking move, the Supreme Court decided to uphold Trump’s travel ban of predominantly Muslim countries including Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria and Yemen. The 5-4 decision upholds Trump’s Muslim travel ban and reverses lower court decisions that considered the ban to be unconstitutional or illegal.
“The President concluded that it was necessary to impose entry restrictions on nationals of countries that do not share adequate information for an informed entry determination, or that otherwise present national security risks,” wrote Chief Justice John Roberts in the court’s opinion, according to the York Daily Record.
“The Supreme Court’s decision to uphold President Donald J Trump’s odious ‘Travel Ban’ is a victory for bigotry, xenophobia, and the reactionary forces gripping our nation. Let us be clear here, the administration’s ‘Travel Ban’ is nothing more than a thinly disguised attempt to bar people from our country based on their faith. Targeting individuals based on how and who they pray is a betrayal of the hard-won freedoms of the Civil Rights movement,” said Bichotte.
“I stand against the racism and clear anti-Muslim intent of President Trump’s ‘Travel Ban’. All peoples regardless of their faith, race, or origin should be welcomed to this country,” added Bichotte.
