Schumer Calls For Trump To Move On Gun Control, Despite Impeachment Inquiry
U.S.Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) over the weekend called on President Trump and Congress to immediately move forward on universal un bakground checks.
Last Sunday, Schumer said Congress is still able to move on serious issues like gun violence while the impeachment inquiry advances. The New York senator went on to add that President Trump must show the American people he can govern and warned that allowing the scandal-plagued NRA to call the shots would backfire.
Schumer, the author of the original Brady background check bill, has kept pressure on Leader McConnell to allow the Senate to vote on—H.R. 8—that the House of Representatives already passed in February. The legislation would enact universal background checks on all gun purchases, and address dangerous purchasing loopholes, both direly-needed actions necessary to address the scourge.
Schumer noted that since the House’s passage in February, more than 14,000 people have died as a result of gun violence. The most recent mass shooting that took place in Odessa-Midland, Texas, left seven people dead and nearly two dozen injured, according to initial reports.
“I challenge President Trump today to govern. Allowing the NRA or other nefarious interests to call the shots amid this impeachment inquiry will only backfire on this White House, and the American people will be worse off for it. Congress can still move on major issues while the House impeachment inquiry advances, and it must,” said Schumer.
BP Adams To Mark 150th Birthday of Gandi, Launch Global Non-Violence Initiative
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams will join with the International Hindu Federation for Non-Violence and Peace, Consul General of India in New York Sandeep Chakravorty, and others for a rally to launch a new gloal non-violence initiative today.
The rally, which coincides with the 150th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth, will feature speeches about Gandhi and how modern leaders can continue to build on his legacy, cultural performances, and the presentation of a proclamation recognizing October 2nd as “Mahatma Gandhi Day of Non-Violence & Peace.”
The event is slated for 2 p.m., today, Oct. 2, on the Steps of City Hall, in Lower Manhattan.
Colton Continues Fight To Save SHSAT and G&T Programs
Assemblymember William Colton (D–Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, and Dyker Heights) yesterday questioned Mayor Bill de Blasio’s recent claims that he is “open” to alternative ideas on top eliminating the Specialized High School Admissions Test (SHSAT), while holding a round table with Spanish-language media last week, according to NY1.
Colton warned parents to “not be fooled into thinking that the fight is over.” The south Brooklyn lawmaker pointed out that the Mayor’s initial proposal also recommended utilizing other criteria for the selection process and then eliminating SHSAT altogether eventually in the future.
Colton asserted that the new proposal is simply a rewording of the old proposal and is a deceptive attempt to lull parents into thinking he is no longer calling for the elimination of the SHSAT section process. Colton also called on all parents to demand the expansion of gifted school classes in every school district so that all children receive the right to a quality education.
“The mayor’s statement continues to ignore the DOE’s failure to provide gifted classes in all neighborhoods in the city. Therefore, it continues the policy utilized under this mayor and the prior mayor to deny gifted education to middle and early school aged children in those very school districts where the mayor claims children are being underrepresented in the specialized high schools.”
“I will continue to do everything that is in my power to keep those programs for our children. I am also urging all the parents to continue to fight doubly hard to keep SHSAT as the sole criteria and to demand expanding gifted and talented programs to all the neighborhoods where the NYC DOE has been closing down such programs” Colton added.
Louis To Hold Participatory Budget Meeting
City Councilmember Farah Louis (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) will host her first of several neighborhood meetings on the participatory budgeting process toay.
Participatory Budgeting is a process whereby communities give direct input into allocating funding for community improvements to parks, schools, libraries, streets, and neighborhood needs. City Council members allocate some of their discretionary funds toward the initiative. Louis is allocating $1 million to help improve her district.
The event is slated for 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., today, Oct. 2, at P.S. 152/315, 725 East 23rd Street in Midwood.
Rose to Hold Commuting Town Halls
Congressman Max Rose (D-South Brooklyn, Staten Island) will host Commuting Town Halls in his district this week alongside representatives from New York City Transit and New York City Department of Transportation.
In his first year in office, Rose has made improving infrastructure and commuting times for Staten Island and South Brooklyn residents a top priority. This summer, Rose passed legislation through the House to bring split tolling to the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge — splitting the toll in half to be paid in both directions which studies have shown would decrease congestion without raising costs on commuters.
“The needs of Staten Island and South Brooklyn have been left out of major transit improvements for far too long,” Rose said. “I’m proud of what we’ve done in just 9 months to turn that tide, but there’s no one silver bullet, and no one single agency that can solve our commuting nightmare. I’m looking forward to bringing the city, the state, and the federal government together in the same room so the people of Staten Island and South Brooklyn can hold all of us accountable.”
The South Brooklyn Town Hall is slated for 6:30 p.m., Friday, Oct. 4, at Il Centro, 8711 18th Avenue in Beath Beach.
Frontus To Host Senior Town Hall & Resource Fair
Assemblymember Mathylde Frontus (D-Coney Island, Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Gravesend) announced yesterday an upcoming Senior Town Hall.
The event will provide seniors and their caretakers with educational material and connect attendees to necessary senior services and resources. The event is free and wheelchair accessible.
The event is slated for 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Friday, Oct. 4, at St. Mary’s Antiochian Orthodox Church, 8005 Ridge Blvd. in Bay Ridge.
