Meng, De Blasio, James Statements On Synagogue Shooting In Pittsburgh
U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Bayside, Flushing, Forest Hills, Rego Park, Fresh Meadows, Glendale, Kew Gardens, Maspeth), Mayor Bill de Blasio and Public Advocate Letitia James all expressed condolences and issues statements regarding the anti-Semitic shooting that left 11 dead and several wounded at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh over the weekend.
“The shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue was a shocking and horrifying act and I am disgusted and sickened by this evil and cowardly attack. There is no place in our society for anti-Semitism or hate of any kind. This assault on the Jewish community is an attack on us all and it must be denounced as strongly as possible by every single person in our country,” said Meng.
“With anti-Semitism on the rise, we must all speak out and stand against these heinous acts. We must do everything we can to confront and combat hate wherever it occurs and in whatever form it takes, and I will do everything in my power to fight against it, and keep people safe. As we mourn the victims of this tragedy, I ask everybody across the nation to keep the families of those killed, and the entire Tree of Life congregation, in their thoughts and prayers. I stand with the people of Pittsburgh and all in the Jewish community at this very difficult time,” she added.
De Blasio noted they city has the largest Jewish populations in the world, and an attack on the Jewish community anywhere is an attack on the city’s Jewish community as well.
“When we see an attack anywhere in the world, the NYPD swings into action. We need to send a message that we will never tolerate anti-Semitism, that we don’t take it lightly, that we don’t look the other way, that we don’t sweep it under the rug,” said de Blasio.
“We need to understand that anti-Semitism is tragically alive and well in this country and it must be stopped. And it’s a very painful time right now in this country. After this week we went through in New York City, where we saw letter bombs going to people simply because of their beliefs and then the week ends with an attack on a house of worship during a religious ceremony.
“It’s a painful time and it’s a time when hatred has been allowed to spread too far but we as New Yorkers have a chance to be a part of the solution because this city has always stood for understanding and for mutual respect. We have an opportunity to be a beacon to this nation right now by showing what it means to actually embrace each other and support each other. And that begins with supporting this Jewish community, the largest Jewish community of any city on the Earth, showing them today, with a strong NYPD presence, that synagogues will be protected, community institutions will be protected, that we stand with them shoulder to shoulder,” the mayor added.
James sent her prayers to the victims, their families, the first responders, and the entire Tree of Life community.
“Places of worship are sacred spaces where people come together, and they should never be the site of hatred and horror like this. This tragedy is the intersection of two crises facing our country: easy access to tools of death and unbridled hate. We must stand up to bigotry — and we must take on the gun manufacturers who enable these deadly rampages. Our nation is weeping today,” said James.
Vallone Hosts Rally Against Proposed Homeless Shelter in College Point
Elected officials representing College Point including City Council Member Paul Vallone (D), U.S. Rep. Joseph Crowley (D), State Sen. Tony Avella (D) and Assemblyman Daniel Rosenthal (D), and activists today will hold a rayy against the proposed homeless shelter in College Point.
The rally comes after Vallone said last week that the Mayor’s Administration confirmed that both the City and Department of Homeless Services (DHS) had submitted a proposal for the site at 127-03 20th Ave. to be turned into a homeless shelter.
DHS is acting with a complete lack of community involvement, foregoing any input or dialogue with our civic leaders and elected officials. The community must voice their concerns before the Administration makes their determination.
The rally is slated for 5 p.m., today, Oct. 29 at 127-03 20th Avenue in College Point.
Van Bramer Chairs Committee Meeting on Cultural Affairs, Libraries, and International Intergroup Relations
City Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer (D-Sunnyside, Woodside, Long Island City, Astoria, Dutch Kills) today will chair a meeting on the Committee for Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Intergroup Relations.
Among the items on the agenda include eestablishing a Rosa Parks Day to commemorate the Civil Rights leader, and a resolution in support of the U.S. Secretary of the Interior to recognize the historical significance of Roberto Clemente’s place of death in Loíza, Puerto Rico, by adding it to the National Register of Historic Places.
Additionally, there are several resolutions pertaining to recognizing the city’s Polish-American community.
The meeting is slated for 10 a.m., today, Oct. 29 at 250 Broadway in Lower Manhattan. It is open to the public.
Richards Chairs Committee on Public Safety Meeting
City Council Member Donovan Richards (D-Arverne, Brookville, Edgemere, Far Rockaway, Laurelton, Rosedale, Springfield Gardens) today will chair a meeting on the Public Safety Committee.
Among the items on the agenda include a proposed law rrequiring all NYPD officers to receive sensitivity training to assist them in responding to victims of harassment and sexual assault. Introduction
This bill ensures that all NYPD officers receive sensitivity training to assist them in responding to survivors of gender-based street harassment and sexual assault as part of their academy training, as well as up-to-date training every two years. The training will be sensitive to cultural differences, gender, gender expression, and sexual orientation.
The meeting is slated for 2 p.m. today, Oct. 29 at 250 in Lower Manhattan. The public is invited to attend.
