Ortiz On The Trump Administration Dropping Citizenship Question
Assembly Assistant Speaker Felix Ortiz (D-Sunset Park, Red Hook) yesterday expressed pleasure that “President Trump finally had to admit defeat and end his fight to include a citizenship question in the 2020 census.
“Nearly 36,000 foreign-born non-citizens are estimated to be living in the Sunset Park-Bay Ridge-Red Hook communities. A citizenship question would have significantly depressed the Census 2020 response rate by residents in fear of ICE raids and government,” said Ortiz.
“Enough damage has already been done to scare people away from participating in the census. President Trump has lost his battle and it’s time that we move forward together and count everyone next year,” he added.
Assemblyman Cymbrowitz Brings Senior Dental Care To Brighton Beach
Assemblyman Steven Cymbrowitz (D-Sheepshead Bay, Manhattan Beach, Brighton Beach) is partnering with NYU Dentistry’s Mobile Dental Van Program to bring a senior dental care initiative to Brighton Beach.
The NYU Dental Van will provide services including emergency and comprehensive examinations with X-rays, oral cancer exams, oral health education, oral hygiene instruction and nutritional counseling, cleanings, dental restorations, removable and complete dentures, simple tooth extractions and simple denture repairs.
For the past 19 years, the NYU Dental Van has provided services to roughly 2,000 school-age children. This event marks the programs first expansion to older adults.
“More seniors than ever are living in poverty in New York City, with the result that health-related necessities like dental care — including regular cleanings and other preventive care — are well beyond their financial reach,” said Cymbrowitz. “I commend the NYU Dental Van initiative for targeting this vulnerable population and offering a service that will have such a positive impact on our seniors’ lives.”
Appointments are necessary for the dental van and must be made through the Shorefront Y. All are eligible to be seen regardless of ability to pay; if patients have Medicaid or private insurance, it will be billed for services rendered.
The NYU Dental Van will come to the neighborhood between 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Wednesday, July 17 at the Shorefront Y, 3300 Coney Island Avenue in Brighton Beach.
Clarke Speaks Out Against And Floats Legislation Against “Deepflakes”
U. S. Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-Crown Heights, Flatbush, Prospect Lefferts Garden, East Flatbush, Midwood, Brownsville, Sheepshead Bay) yesterday informed constituents to be on the lookout for Deepfakes, or falsified videos of events that never took place that she said poses a huge threat to the world as people know it.
“These videos allow people to distort the truth, confuse the public, and make us question what is real and fake. They are hard to spot and even harder to stop, and everyone is a target,” said Clarke in an email to constituents.
“Just last month, Speaker Pelosi (D-CA) was the target of a deepfake video that misled viewers to believe she had been drinking before a press conference. Even President Donald Trump himself shared the deepfake video on Twitter.
“But this technology is not only impacting political discourse, it’s also impacting the lives of everyday people. One deepfake app allowed users to create adult-themed videos featuring anyone, without their consent. Even if you have never been in a compromising position in your life, you too could be the victim of this heinous deepfake trend.
“That is why last month I introduced a bill that would criminalize unlabeled deepfake videos and give victims the ability to restore their reputations in court. Because no one deserves to be slandered, altered, or imitated into saying or doing anything they didn’t actually do,” she added.
Clarke said to get the bill passed she will need to show everyone that it has the support of the American people. Thus, she is asking everyone to sign the following petition linked here.
