Ramos Announces Community Led Violence Prevention Initiative
State Sen. Jessica Ramos (D-Corona, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights) yesterday announced she will start a Community-Led Violence Prevention Initiative.
The lawmaker hosted a roundtable discussion with advocates, the 110th and 115th Precincts, and City Council Member Francisco Moya‘s chief of staff, to discuss how to reduce long-term gun violence through community engagement.
“The recent shooting at the 90th street 7 train station was a horrific reminder of how much work we need to do to provide the resources our community and our youth need,” said Ramos. “We need long-term solutions that tackle the root of the issue. Over-policing is never the solution. I want to do my part in helping our community create real means of reducing violence from within.”
Koslowitz, Grodenchik, Lancman Reflect Upon Holocaust Education Week
City Council Members Karen Koslowitz (D-Forest Hills, Forest Park, Kew Gardens, Rego Park, Richmond Hill), Barry Grodenchik (D-Bayside, Queens, Bellerose, Douglaston, Floral Park, Fresh Meadows, Glen Oaks, Hollis, Hollis Hills, Holliswood, Jamaica Estates, Little Neck Oakland Gardens, Queens Village)and Rory Lancman (D-Kew Gardens Hills, Pomonok, Electchester, Fresh Meadows, Hillcrest, Jamaica Estates, Briarwood, Parkway Village, Jamaica Hills, Jamaica) – all members of the council’s Jewish Caucus – participated in a week of Holocaust education that began on January 27.
The Holocaust Education Week was born from Resolution 673, a bill sponsored by Councilman and Caucus Chair Chaim Deutsch (D-Brooklyn), that recognized International Holocaust Remembrance Day in New York City, and declared the entire week as an opportunity to teach about the Holocaust throughout the City.
In particular, the Holocaust Education Week aimed to teach teenagers and young adults about the Holocaust, as a way to combat anti-Semitism and promote understanding and tolerance among their generation.
“Speaking at community gatherings in my district during the week of January 27, I would comment that it is Holocaust Remembrance Week in NYC. I would add that although there is a Jewish perspective to this observance, it is about learning the lessons from this particular genocide in the hopes of averting future atrocities,” said Koslowitz, Vice-Chair of the Jewish Caucus.
“For Holocaust Education Week, I was honored to visit the Kupferberg Holocaust Center at Queensborough Community College, a world class facility that educates the next generation and reminds us that the lessons of the Holocaust continue to be relevant in today’s world. The disturbing continuation of anti-Semitic incidents across the country reinforces the importance of never forgetting and of continuing to educate all people about the horrors of genocide,” said Grodenchik.
“Holocaust Education Week was an important opportunity to teach the next generation about the Holocaust, and further their understanding of the atrocities that occurred. The memories and lessons from the Holocaust must never be forgotten,” said Lancman.
Gillibrand Introduces Legislation To Protect Transgender Service Members
Following the recent Supreme Court ruling that will allow President Trump’s ban on transgender military service to go into effect, U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Jack Reed (D-RI) yesterday introduced new bipartisan legislation to protect transgender service members.
This bill would protect currently serving transgender service members and continue to allow new transgender service members to join the military. The Senators introduced similar bipartisan legislation with the late Senator John McCain last Congress to defend transgender troops.
“President Trump’s ban on transgender service members is discrimination, it undermines our military readiness, and it is an insult to the brave and patriotic transgender Americans who choose to serve in our military,” said Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Personnel.
“The heads of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard have all testified to Congress that transgender service members are serving in our military without any problems. We should end this discriminatory ban for good and ensure our transgender service members can continue to do their jobs, serve with dignity, and protect our country. That’s what our legislation would do, and I urge my colleagues in Congress to fight with me to overturn the President’s cruel and unnecessary ban, respect the transgender troops who are willing to die for our country, and pass this bipartisan bill now,” she added.
Sanders Announces His Introduction Of A “Green New Deal for New York” Bill
State Sen. James Sanders Jr., (D-South Ozone Park, Far Rockaway) yesterday announced he will introduce the first Green New Deal legislation (S.2878-A) on the state level.
The measure would establish a Green New Deal for New York Task Force consisting of 19 voting members.
The Task Force would develop a plan, along with legislative bill language, for New York State to become greenhouse gas emissions neutral by 2030 by transitioning from a fossil fuel-based economy to one based on one-hundred percent clean renewable energy.
The purpose of this bill is to prevent the catastrophic consequences of climate change and to promote economic growth and job creation for the benefit of all New Yorkers.
Sanders will formally introduce the legislation at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Feb. 11 at the New York State Capital Building in Albany.
