BK Electeds Rally To Save Weeksville Cultural Center
Majority Leader City Councilwoman Laurie Cumbo (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Clinton Hill), Council member Robert Cornegy, Jr. (D-Northern Crown Heights, Bedford-
Nostrand), Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (D-Central Brooklyn, Queens) and Congresswoman Yvette Clarke (D-Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Kensington, Midwood, Prospect Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Park Slope) and Assembly members Tremaine Wright (D-Northern Crown Heights, Bedford-Stuyvesant) and Walter T. Mosley (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Northern Crown Heights, Bedford-Stuyvesant) today will rally together to save the last remains of an early African-American settlement in Central Brooklyn.
Last week the Weeksville center, which preserves the history of one of the largest free black communities in pre-Civil War America, indicated that without immediate funding they would be forced to close.
The group is calling for increased funding to the cultural center but also for it to be included in as a member of the City’s Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA)’s Cultural Institutions Group (or CIG).
Weeksville Heritage Center is a multidisciplinary museum dedicated to preserving the history of the 19th century African American community of Weeksville, Brooklyn – one of America’s many free black communities. Founded by James Weeks in the 1830s as a free black community, by 1900 it had about 500 residents and its own newspaper. The community established the Zion Home for Aged Colored, Howard Colored Orphan Asylum and Berean Baptist Church.
To combat the financial challenges, the center launched a crowdfunding campaign with the hope of raising $200,000 by June 30. As of press time, the institution has raised $252,653.
The event is slated for 10 a.m, today, May 16, at Weeksville Heritage Center, 158 Buffalo Avenue In Crown Heights.
BP Adams Applauds Farah Louis Win In 45th Special Election
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams applauded Farah Louis in her win in the special election for the 45th Council District race yesterday.
Louis bested seven other candidates in a very contentious race for the local political spot. According to the unofficial votes from the NYC Board of Elections (NYC BOE), Louis won with 48.81% or 3,861 votes to easily best second-place finisher Monique Chandler-Waterman who had a respectable 30.21% or 2,790 vote. Jovia Radix finished with 9.19% or 849 votes, to round out the top three.
Louis will serve the remainder of the term for the 45th Council District until Dec. 31. Depending on whether she faces any primary challenger next month or in the November general election will decide if she will hold onto the seat until 2021. Though a June 25 primary is coming, Louis’ strong win could be a tough obstacle to overcome, though all eight candidates are eligible to run.
“I congratulate Council Member-elect Farah Louis on her special election victory to represent the residents of the 45th Council District through the remainder of this year. This is a victory not only for her, but for the mission of greater representation in government leadership for women, as well as for our vibrant Haitian-American community,” said Adams.
“It is my sincere hope that everyone engaged in this special election will stay engaged, for the communities of Canarsie, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Flatlands, and Midwood are too special for us not to unite around the common purpose of creating safer places to raise healthy children and families. I look forward to working in partnership with Council Member-elect Louis to achieve this, as we advance the spirit of One Brooklyn,” added Adams.
Cymbrowitz, Kavanagh Announce Major Housing Investments In NYS Budget
Assembly member Steven Cymbrowitz (D-Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach) and State Senator Brian Kavanagh (D-Northern Brooklyn, Lower Manhattan)) yesterday announced major investments in housing that are included in the newly passed 2019-2020 State budget.
The budget increases funding and staff to enforce the rent laws in New York City, Nassau, Rockland, and Westchester, which also includes significant housing investments in communities ravaged by storms; establishes Home Stability Support, a new eviction prevention program; and restores funds the Governor had proposed to cut for foreclosure prevention and the Neighborhood and Rural Preservation Programs. The budget legislation also included a new law banning discrimination by landlords based on a tenant’s source of income.
Separately from the three-way budget negotiation, the Governor reportedly agreed to release $450 million in New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) capital funds allocated in prior years that his office had withheld. However, the Senate and the Assembly have not yet reached agreement with the Governor to provide additional capital funding — proposed in each house’s respective budget resolution earlier this month — for repairs and renovations to address deteriorating conditions in NYCHA developments and other public housing around the state, deferring any decision on these proposals until later in the legislative session.
“I’m gratified that the new budget provides funding to help vulnerable homeowners avoid foreclosure and remain in their homes, and restores funds for the Neighborhood Preservation Programs and Rural Preservation Programs that serve as vital resources in keeping our communities stable,” said Cymbrowitz.
“We’re making major capital investments to create new housing opportunities and restore and maintain existing homes across the state. We’re also funding hundreds of local organizations that help ensure that tenants and homeowners have the resources they need to protect their rights and work with their neighbors to strengthen their communities. Unfortunately, while the Governor may now be willing to release long-delayed funding from prior budgets for the New York City,” said Kavanagh.
Ortiz Denounces Alabama Abortion Ban
Assistant Speaker Assembly member Felix Ortiz (D-Sunset Park, Red Hook) yesterday denounced the Alabama State Senate’s decision to ban abortion across the southern state.
On Wednesday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey signed the state’s near-total abortion ban. The new law is the most restrictive anti-abortion measure passed in the United States since Roe v. Wade was decided in 1973.
The legislation — House Bill 314, “Human Life Protection Act” — bans all abortions in the state except when “abortion is necessary in order to prevent a serious health risk” to the woman, according to the bill’s text. It criminalizes the procedure, reclassifying abortion as a Class A felony, punishable by up to 99 years in prison for doctors. Attempted abortions will be reclassified as a Class C penalty. The legislation makes no exceptions for victims or rape or incest, according to initial reports.
“The Alabama Senate voted today to ban abortion without any exceptions for rape and incest. This is a terrible step backwards and an absolute insult to women who would no longer be able to control their bodies. I can’t think of anything more mean spirited and callous,” said Ortiz.
