Miller Applauds Historic Muslim Representation in State, Federal Government
City Council member I. Daneek Miller (D-Jamaica) applauded the historic election of Muslims to the New York State Legislature, the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Office of Minnesota Attorney General yesterday.
Tuesday night’s election marked historical wins for multiple people including Muslim women with wins in Minnesota for Ilhan Omar and and Michigan for Rashida Tlaib who will both serve in Congress for the first time, according to Vox.
The night also brought historic wins for Native Americans, LGBTQ candidates and African-American women including Public Advocate Letitia James’ win for New York State Attorney General.
“Voters in New York, Michigan, and Minnesota were able to see past the virulent Islamophobic rhetoric of this White House to elect Muslim women and men to represent them in local, statewide, and congressional offices,” said Miller.
“Coupled with yesterday’s historic gains across the board for women and other persons of color in government, these chosen individuals reflect our core American values of racial, ethnic, and religious diversity; and breathe new life into our time-tested model of representative democracy,” added Miller.
Public Advocate James Addresses Jeff Session’s Forced Resignation
Public Advocate and NYS Attorney General-Elect Letitia James addressed the firing of Attorney General Jeff Sessions yesterday.
On Wednesday, Sessions was forced to give his resignation by the President after weeks of attacks over his attorney general’s decision to recuse himself from the Justice Department’s inquiry into Russian meddling in the 2016 election.
The move has many top Democrats fearing for the future of the U.S. probe into alleged Russian meddling during the 2016 election, which is being led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller but overseen by the U.S. Attorney General. Mueller is investigating alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, that so far has resulted in a series of criminal charges against several Trump associates, according to the BBC.
Trump announced attorney general’s chief of staff Matthew Whitaker to serve as interim attorney general. Whitaker has been a critic of Mueller’s inquiry, according to The Guardian.
“Nobody is above the law, not even the President of the United States. Firing the nation’s top law enforcement official does not give Donald Trump a free pass — it only raises further suspicions. We cannot allow anything to interfere with Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation. President Trump must commit to allowing this investigation to continue unhindered, and Mr. Sessions’ replacement must likewise recuse himself,” said James.
“The very foundation of our democracy is at stake. I want New Yorkers to know that as Attorney General, I will hold those in power accountable, and I will serve as a backstop to make sure the Special Counsel’s work continues,” added James.
Katz To Attend Deliver Speech At Jamaica Service Program For Older Adults Gala
Queens Borough President Melinda Katz will deliver remarks at the Jamaica Service Program for Older Adults’ 46th Anniversary Gala today.
Jamaica Service Program for Older Adults (JSPOA) is a community initiativeto provide services to and develop skills in older adults to promote independence and enhance their quality of life.
The multi-services agency was founded in 1972 that serves over 5,000 adults directly and reaches another 15,000 people indirectly each year.
The event is slated for 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., today, Nov. 8, at Russo’s on the Bay, at 162-45 Cross Bay Boulevard in howard Beach.
Jeffries Looks At House Dem Caucus Chair
U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Brooklyn) yesterday told the New York Times he is likely to run for Democratic caucus chairman of the house against Representatives Linda T. Sánchez and Barbara Lee, both of California.
Jeffries announcement came as the Democrats swept into the House majority in this week’s mid-terms and U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi, the current Democratic minority leader is expected to again assume the role as House Speaker.
“We have won the majority, and now we must keep the majority,” Jeffries, 48, told the media outlet, but added the Dems must “avoid an unnecessary family feud about leadership aspirations.”
