MANH Lawmakers on the Move, July 12, 2019

Rodriguez to Stand with “Lights for Liberty”

City Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez (D-Washington Heights, Inwood) will be attending a “Lights for Liberty” rally to protest the detention of migrants in concentration camps.

“We must not demonize people who come to the U.S looking to escape violence, extreme poverty and discrimination among much more,” Rodriguez said in a tweet. “Let us stand together and demand that the families be reunited with their loved ones!”

The rally is slated for tonight from 7-9 p.m. at Foley Square.

Espaillat Heads Campaign to Free ASAP Rocky

Representative Adriano Espaillat (D-Washington Heights, Sugar Hill) has started a dedicated campaign to free American rapper ASAP Rocky, who is currently being detained in a Swedish prison.

Rocky was arrested for an altercation that he alleges was instigated by two “drug addicts”. A number of his fans have been calling for his release due to the circulation of evidence that supports his allegations, combined with reports of the horrific condition of the holding cell he’s being detained in.

Espaillat said that he holds a particular affection for the young rapper, due to his status as an artist representing Harlem.

“He’s part of a growing, young movement of artists that, first of all, I commend because they identify with the neighborhood where they live, which in this case is Harlem,” said Espaillat. “Harlem is a neighborhood that is very special because Harlem is not just about the Apollo or 125th Street. It’s really about an attitude and a personality and a history and a legacy. And so, for him to be a young person and continue to identify with Harlem, and be a strong presence of the artist community in Harlem, is great. That’s why I’m going to bat for him.”

Electeds Urge Borough Commissioner to Open New Bike Lanes

A letter co-written by Assembly Member Harvey Epstein (D- Lower East Side, East Village), Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer (D), Representative Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens), City Councilwoman Carlina Rivera (D-East Village, Gramercy Park) and several other electeds was sent to Manhattan Borough Commissioner Ed Pincar yesterday, urging him to open new bike lanes in anticipation of the closure of the East River Greenway.

The letter expresses concern that the closure will displace thousands of cyclists, and argues that something needs to be put in place to accommodate them.

“The promotion of cycling in New York City has increased ridership significantly, with close to half a million trips by bicycle made daily,” reads the letter. “The City’s bike infrastructure must continue to grow to meet the explosion in ridership and adapt to safely accommodate cyclists who will be displaced as a result of other City-led projects.”