Cumbo Ushers In Cure Violence to Fort Greene: A Tribute to MLK Jr.
Majority Leader City Council member Laurie Cumbo (Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Crown Heights) recently opened a Gangstas Making Astronomical Community Changes (GMACC) location in District 35 in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
GMACC (Gangstas Making Astronomical Community Changes) is a charter member of the city’s Crisis Management System and the Cure Violence network.
Using the Cure Violence model, which treats gun violence as a public health emergency and utilizes credible messengers — renewed and spirited community members — to prevent and interrupt violence in neighborhoods across the Brooklyn. Since their inception in 2008, GMACC has made a significant impact on the lives of thousands of Brooklynites.
“Our communities suffers deeply without the resources to positively counteract gun violence. Now, credible messengers are stationed and available to intervene, also providing exposure to job development opportunities and healthy and safe lifestyle choices,” said Cumbo.
“I am proud to have prioritized the safety of my community because gun violence has staked a considerable claim. In response, I created a solution, alongside with my colleagues at the City Council — Council Members Vanessa Gibson and Jumaane Williams — and City Hall. Together, we created the Mayor’s Office to Prevent Gun Violence. This office was made possible by the fearless anti-gun violence advocates that stood shoulder-to-shoulder with us in this accomplishment. Together we will continue to curb the rising tide of senseless violence in our city,” added Cumbo.
BP Adams Denounces Sexual Assault At Progressive Baptist Church of Brownsville
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams denounced this week the sexualt assault of a 14-year-old at Progressive Baptist Church of Brownsville.
Earlier this month, Matthew Gibson, the son of the bishop of the Progressive Baptist Church of Brownsville, was charged with sex abuse and rape of a 14-year-old relative. Gibson was arrested on Jan. 10 and charged with criminal sex abuse and forcible touching of a female victim between the ages of nine and 14, according to initial reports.
The family claims the sex abuse and assault of young girls at the Progressive Baptist Church has been going on for years and involves others assailants besides Gibson. In recent weeks, protestos have rallied outside the church, calling for the establishment to close.
“Nothing can be more sacred than the health and safety of our children. As such, we should all be shaken and outraged upon learning about the sexual assault of a girl at the Progressive Baptist Church of Brownsville, a heinous act that is a violation of our collective trust. I have met with family members impacted by these horrific crimes inside one of our local houses of worship, and I thank them for the courage they have displayed on behalf of their victimized relatives,” said Adams.
“I have communicated directly with District Attorney Gonzalez about this case, and he has assured me that a thorough investigation is being conducted. My administration is committed to the pursuit of healing and justice for victims of sexual assault, particularly children. Through Operation C.A.R.E., we will further the mission of educating our neighbors how to identify and report potential signs of abuse to our most vulnerable,” added Adams.
Deutsch, Council Members Denounce Fatal Racist Attack
City Council member Chaim Deutsch (D-Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach, Homecrest, Midwood) alongside City Council members Peter Koo (D-Queens) and Margaret Chin (D-Manhattan) denounced the fatal attack of three Asian men working at a restaurant in Brooklyn last week.
Last Tuesday, Arthur Martunovich entered the Seaport Buffet in Brooklyn around 5 p.m. wielding a hammer and started attacking the restaurant owner, Kheong Ng-Thang, 60, and two other employees Chef Fufai Pun,34, Tsz Mat Pun, 50, before fleeing the scene. Chef Pun died at the scene while owner Ng-Thang died last Friday, Jan. 18, after being declared brain dead as a result of the assault, according to recent reports.
Martunovich his attack was inspired by an unnamed film depicting Chinese men abusing Chinese women. The Brighton Beach resident was later arrested two blocks away from the scene. He lived only six blocks from the restaurant and had no known connection to the victims.
“We call upon the NYPD and District Attorney Eric Gonzalez to use all available tools to investigate and prosecute this horrific and hate-filled attack. Both the DA and the NYPD, have an opportunity to send a clear message that such a clear targeting of the Asian community will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” said a joint statement.
“The views espoused by this individual echo lingering racial stereotypes concerning the relationship between men and women in the Chinese community. Armed with these repugnant beliefs, this man entered a local restaurant and wounded two innocent people and killed another while they were doing their jobs. Let’s be clear: no New Yorker should ever fear that someone could end their lives just because they are of a certain ethnicity,” concluded the joint statement.
Schumer Pushes Plant to Protect 800K Federal Workers
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) recently pushed a new plan to protect 800,000 federal workers and their families from potentially losing their homes, facing apartment eviction or falling behind on bills that could then go to collection with new legislation, The Federal Employee Civil Relief Act.
The bill introduced by U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), and co-sponsored by Schumer and now twenty-four other Senators, will protect federal workers, including thousands of New Yorkers impacted by the shutdown from further financial hardship.
The legislation will prohibit landlords and creditors from taking action against federal workers or contractors who are hurt by the government shutdown and unable to pay rent or repay loans. The bill would also empower federal workers to sue creditors or landlords that violate this protection.
The legislation would safeguard workers impacted by a shutdown from the following:
- Being evicted or foreclosed;
- Having their car or other property repossessed;
- Falling behind in student loan payments;
- Falling behind in paying bills; or
- Losing their insurance because of missed premiums.
“Amidst another push to open the government, I am fighting with my colleagues for necessary financial protections for impacted federal workers during this shutdown and for workers of any future shutdown, because no federal public servant should have their financial well-being held hostage by a President unwilling to simply open the government in the middle of a debate,” said Schumer.
“It’s been more than a week since 800,000 employees missed a paycheck. That comes out to literally hundreds of thousands of Americans and their families who are resorting to desperate measures to make ends meet after a missed paycheck. Some are delaying payments to their landlords, banks, and credit card companies. Others are withdrawing money early from their retirement accounts and incurring penalties. This has gone on for far too long, and these protections are far too important to ignore,” Schumer added.
