CM Williams, Bichotte Applaud Street Co-Naming For Hatian Leader
City Council member Jumaane Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) and Assembly member Rodneyse Bichotte (D-Flatbush, Ditmas Park) applauded the City Council’s vote to approve a co-naming of a section of Rogers Avenue in Flatbush for Jean-Jacques Dessalines yesterday.
Dessalines was the first leader of an independent Haiti. Jean-Jacques Dessalines Boulevard will span Rogers Ave. from Farragut Rd. to Eastern Parkway, within the Little Haiti Business and Cultural District. Additionally, the newly co-named boulevard will be set just a few blocks from Toussaint L’Overture Boulevard, which is located on Nostrand Avenue between Glenwood Rd. and Flatbush Ave. The two Haitian leaders are celebrated in Haitian-American culture for their roles in establishing a free and independent Haiti.
As the legislation reads, “Jean-Jacques Dessalines is one of the founding fathers of Haiti, having taken charge of the Haitian Revolution and leading them to victory in defeating the French Napoleon Army in 1804…The Haitian Revolution became the first slave revolt in modern history to result in an independent nation.” Dessalines was declared Emperor of Haiti in 1804 and advocated many progressive policies during his time leading Haiti, and today remains a very popular symbol of Haitian nationalism.
Brooklyn is home to the largest percentage of foreign-born Haitian residents in New York State, with more than 40% of the foreign-born population residing in Flatbush. According to 2015 data by the Migration Policy Institute, Brooklyn had the second highest concentration of Haitians in the United States with an estimated 156,000 Haitian Americans residing in New York City.
“Jean-Jacques Dessalines was a revolutionary who fought for his people and overthrew an oppressive regime who brutally enslaved and persecuted the Haitian people. This revolutionary spirit, to fight for independence and against oppression, burns bright in Haitian Culture today. Haiti and its proud people are an intrinsic part of my district and it is only right to honor that spirit with this co-naming,” said Williams.
“We are grateful that the City Council has recognized Dessalines’ contributions not only to the Haitian community but to all of New York City and the United States. City Council’s passing of the Rogers Avenue street co-naming to Jean-Jacques Dessalines Blvd will allow the community to proudly acknowledge and remember Jean-Jacques Dessalines’ contributions to Haitian and American history, as well as spark interest in learning about his influence as a leader,” said Bichotte.
Treyger Intros Bill Providing Free Legal Services To Victims of Domestic Violence Seeking Divorce
City Council member Mark Treyger (D-Bensonhurst, Gravesend, Coney Island, Sea Gate) introduced new legislation yesterday that would provide free legal representation to victims of domestic violence who wish to engage in divorce proceedings.
The new bill, Int. 1085, would require the Office of the Civil Justice Coordinator to institute programs that would provide free, full legal services including the payment of filing fees to victims of domestic violence wanting a divorce. The measure aims in particular to help domestic violence victims who lack the finances to afford the cost of divorce proceedings including those who have an abusive partner who is in control of finances or those who have a questionable immigration status.
Although free legal representation is available in family court, divorce proceedings take place in Supreme Court, where there is no right to counsel. The cost of filing fees alone is in the hundreds of dollars, and attorney’s fees range into the thousands. The cost can rise when the divorce is contested. Treyger’s bill will cover both uncontested and contested divorces.
Legal aid can also help domestic violence victims seeking divorce to track down their partner, a burdensome process that can be cost-prohibitive. Domestic violence victims who seek to escape marriage to an abusive partner often wind up in shelter themselves, further complicating their ability to pay for divorce proceedings.Divorce can be an important legal and financial action for victims, severing the connection of the partnership legally can help victims protect their assets and their privacy.
“I believe this is an issue of basic decency, fairness and justice for victims of domestic violence, to make sure that they have the basic resources to escape their abusers and secure their freedom and safety. There are countless victims of domestic violence who face great difficulty shouldering the financial burden throughout what is often a lengthy divorce process. This legislation will empower victims and help them move on with their lives,” said Treyger.
Cumbo Hosts 3rd Annual #OneCrownHeights Festival
New York City Council Majority Leader Laurie A. Cumbo (D-Fort Greene, Crown Heights, Clinton Hill) will hosts the 3rd Annual #OneCrownHeights Festival this week.
One Crown Heights is a cross-cultural project intended to increase community bonds, promote positive exchanges and respect, and create opportunities for the Black, Caribbean, Jewish and newer residents to work towards the neighborhood. The event is part of a larger project funded by the City Council to support a series of community conversations, special events, and the creation of a mural that promotes diversity and unity.
At the event, Cumbo alongside children, families and local residents will also unveil the historic #OneCrownHeights mural that highlights the beauty, cultural diversity, and unity of the Crown Heights neighborhood.
The event is slated to begin at 11 :30 a.m., Sunday, Aug. 12, at the Jewish Children’s Museum, at 792 Kingston Avenue in Crown Heights.
*In the case of rain, the festivities will be held after the Mural unveiling at 12-noon, inside the Brooklyn Children’s Museum, at 145 Brooklyn Avenue in Crown Heights.
Deutsch To Announce Increase In Sanitation Collection
City Council member Chaim Deutsch (D-Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach, Homecrest) will be joined by Department of Sanitiation (DSNY) Commissioner Kathryn Garcia to announce the start of increased Sanitation collections and services in the 48th Council District.
New services will include seven days a week corner wastebasket collections on commercial corridors and extra trash cleanup by Sanitation workers in heavy foot traffic areas or known problem areas for dumping.
These business districts will now be receiving corner wastebasket collections every day:
Avenue M
Kings Highway
Avenue U
Sheepshead Bay Road
Brighton Beach Avenue
Neptune Avenue
Problem areas for dumping and litter that will now be receiving extra attention from the Department of Sanitation include:
Under train trestles (from Avenue M to Avenue Z)
Emmons Avenue – pedestrian islands
Sheepshead Bay Road – pedestrian plaza
Brighton Beach Avenue – between Ocean Parkway and Brighton 16th Street
Train path – from West 5th Street to West 6th Street, across from West Brighton Avenue
The event is slated for 1 p.m., today, Aug. 9, at the corner of Sheepshead Bay Road and East 15th Street in Sheepshead Bay.
