Johnson, Powers Call for End to Solitary Confinement
City Council Speaker Corey Johnson (D-Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen) and City Councilman Keith Powers (D-Upper East Side, Carnegie Hill) penned a letter to the New York City Board of Correction last Friday, urging them to abolish solitary confinement.
The two electeds called the practice “a system that does not uphold human rights and dignity”, claiming that it’s a cruel and unusual punishment that can cause permanent mental scars.
“New York City should be a leader in creating a humane jail system,” reads the letter. “Solitary confinement is a cruel and unusual punishment that inflicts great harm upon individuals, the clear majority of whom have only been accused and not convicted of any crimes.”
Espaillat Introduces Bill to Stop Chinese Counterfeiting
Representative Adriano Espaillat (D-Washington Heights, Sugar Hill) has introduced a bill that would put an end to Chinese electronic counterfeiting.
The bill, entitled the Secure E-Waste Export and Recycling Act (SEERA) and co-sponsored by Representative Paul Cook (R-CA) would stop the flow of electronic waste to China, which is often used in the manufacturing of defective knockoff products.
“I appreciate the bipartisan effort to curb China’s baneful economic practices, and I am delighted to work with my colleague, Representative Paul Cook, on our bill to abate e-waste exports to China, which directly threaten our national security and economic interests,” said Espaillat. “Despite the recently enhanced prevention and detection measures imposed on e-waste, the current situation remains untenable and requires a comprehensive strategy to choke off counterfeiters’ feedstock: American e-waste exports.”
Rep. Maloney Bids Farewell to Pride Month
Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-Upper East Side) released a statement a few days prior to the New York City Pride Parade, reiterating the importance of continuing the fight for LGBTQ rights.
Maloney said that, though we should recognize the strides we have made in the 50 years since the Stonewall Uprising, we still have plenty of “work still ahead of us” to ensure that people of all sexual orientations and gender identities are treated equally.
“Under a Trump administration that daily spews hate and fear, I know it is hard for people to live as they truly are,” said Maloney. “Fear is a terrible thing to live with and the hatemongers will answer for the harm they cause. Under all circumstances, I am proud to be a vocal ally of the LGBTQ community and promise to work with my friends and allies toward a future of equality, justice and inclusion.”
