CM Williams Reacts To Immigrant Activist Check-In with ICE
City Council Member Jumaane D. Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood), Deputy Leader, reacted to immigrant activist and community leader Ravi Ragbir’s check-in with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) yesterday.
Ragbir, executive director of New Sanctuary Coalition, was required to visit ICE offices in lower Manhattan this week, despite court orders blocking his deportation to Trinidad while he seeks to vacate a criminal conviction for wire fraud. While Ragbir spent roughly two hours at the appointment, roughly 100 protesters marched around the federal building, according to the New York Daily News.
Last year, Ragbir was detained by ICE officials while making his routine check-in at the Jacob K. Javits Federal Building, which sparked protests across the city. He was taken into custody without warning, and transported from the building in an ambulance to be deported.
“ICE operates in darkness by design. In executing raids, in separating families, in denying access to their processes and barring the family and supporters of immigrants from standing by them in times of need. It is up to to advocates, to activist voices, to shed light on their actions. Ravi Ragbir is among the brightest lights leading this movement, and I was glad to see so many, inspired by that movement, come support him today,” said Williams.
“Today, Ravi is free- and for that we are grateful and relieved. But that freedom and relief are, at best, temporary. Ravi, and so many immigrants in our city and nation, are still under threat of deportation from an agency that is out of control, under an administration driven by bigotry and cruelty toward immigrants and their families. Following Ravi’s example, it is incumbent on us to provide sanctuary. We will stand up, fight back, and make it clear that we will not succumb to the politics of hate and fear. Immigrants are welcome here,” added Williams.
Barron, Public Advocate, Speaker Johnson Continues Five-Borough Bus Rider Survey in Brooklyn
Acting Public Advocate and New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson (D-Manhattan) will continue his ongoing five-day, five-borough bus transit tour today alongside City Council member Inez Barron (D-East New York) in Brooklyn.
On Tuesday, Johnson and Barron will survey Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) bus riders for their feedback on the state of the City’s mass transit system.
Johnson conducted a survey focused on subway riders earlier this month that garnered over 10,000 responses, the success of which prompted this additional survey focusing on buses. Johnson is expected to release the results and analysis of both surveys in February.
The event is slated for 4:30 p.m., today, Jan. 29, at New Lots Avenue and Warwick Street in East New York.
The survey is also available online at the Acting Public Advocate’s website, here. All New Yorkers are encouraged to participate by taking the survey either in person or online.
Ortiz Applauds Passage of Child Victims Act
Assembly member Felix Ortiz (D-Sunset Park, Red Hook) applauded the New York State Assembly and Senate’s passage of The Child Victims Act yesterday.
On Monday, the legislation was approved by both state houses. The measure provides childhood sexual abuse survivors with an additional five years to request criminal charges against perpetrators by changing when the statute of limitations clock begins to run. Under the legislation, the five year period within which charges could be brought would not start until the victim reaches age 23, rather than 18.
“Passage of the Child Victims Act was long overdue. Today’s approval by the legislature will help childhood victims of sexual abuse. They have waited far too long for this legislation that will now give them more time to take legal action as adults,” said Ortiz.
“Let’s hope that victims’ trauma will end and that they will be able to get their day before the judicial system,“ added Ortiz.
Deutsch To Host Property Value Forum For Homeowners
City council member Chaim Deutsch (D-Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach, Homecrest, Midwood) will host a property value forum alongside the New York City Department of Finance (DOF) and the Tax Commission next month.
The event will give property owners an opportunity to challenge the City’s assessed value of their properties, and teach individuals how to change their property’s description, and file for exemptions.
Every January, the Department of Finance (DOF) mails New York City property owners a “Notice of Property Value” (NOPV). This important notice has information about your property’s market and assessed values. The Department of Finance determines your property’s value every year, according to State law.
The City’s property tax rates are applied to the “assessed value,” to calculate property taxes for the next tax year. Many people only learn of the changes in their property taxes in June, when they get their first tax bill for the year, but by then, it is too late to appeal the assessment.
Deutsch is urging homeowners to the review the annual notice now, to look for discrepancies and is urging all those who feel they were over-assessed, to start the appeal process now. Individuals can only appeal mistakes until the beginning of March.
The event is slated for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., Monday, Feb. 11, at James Madison High School, Library, at 3787 Bedford Avenue (between Avenue P and Quentin Road) in Madison.
Felder Holds MetroCard Bus Event
State Senator Simcha Felder (D-Boro Park, Midwood) will be hosting a MetroCard Bus event today.
The event will give mass transit bus riders an opportunity to meet with MetroCard staff for issues and questions regarding the transit card and supportive services including:
-One stop application assistance for reduced-fare MetroCard
-Purchase or add funds to any MetroCard
-Exchange a damaged reduced-fare MetroCard
-Report a lost or stolen reduced-fare MetroCard
-Transfer funds from a damaged full fare MetroCard
“The MetroCard bus offers services that people find very helpful, especially seniors who qualify for reduced fare MetroCards. This is a one-stop shop. Just bring your government issued ID and Medicare card and they walk you through the application, photograph you on the spot and your card comes in the mail. They even give you a temporary card that you can use immediately,” said Felder.
“People often call my office with MetroCard issues that are so easily solved on the MetroCard Bus, but for many people the usual bus locations are just too far from their neighborhood. I am pleased to bring these services closer to home at our convenient office locations in Midwood and Boro Park. I hope you all come by,” added Felder.
The event is slated for 10 a.m. to 12-noon, today, Jan. 29, at 1412 Avenue J in Midwood.
A second event is slated for 1 p.m. to 3 p.m, today, Jan. 29, at 4623 16th Avenue in Borough Park.
No appointments necessary for MetroCard services. Please call Senator Felder’s office for information about upcoming events, at 718-253-2015.
