Adams To Announce “Know Your Rights” Peer-to-Peer Pilot Program
Brooklyn Borough President Eric L. Adams today will join educators, advocates, and students to unveil a major new initiative that will provide youth peer-to-peer training on how to interact with law enforcement.
Adams’ office will provide a $5,000 seed grant for the first-of-its-kind pilot program, which will train homeless public school students to lead interactive workshops for their peers, teaching them what to do in various scenarios when stopped by police.
As part of a full-scale approach to addressing the rising tensions between police and youth, Adams will also announce his call on the new Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (NYPD), Dermot F. Shea, to enhance and prioritize the department’s instruction on de-escalation tactics during their annual in-service trainings.
The announcement comes on the heels of recent incidents that have stoked tensions between police and youth in some communities. Last weekend, video footage of a fight erupting between NYPD officers and teenagers in downtown Brooklyn’s Jay Street-Metrotech station went viral, drawing broad condemnation from the public and elected leaders.
Then, last Friday, Nov. 1, several protesters at a demonstration against the NYPD’s subway fare evasion crackdown spit on cops, vandalized vehicles, and chanted profanities at police.
Adams will make the announcement at 11:30 a.m., today, Nov. 5 at Brooklyn Borough Hall Courtroom, 209 Joralemon Street in Downtown Brooklyn.
Louis Hosts First Annual Teen Entrepreneur Explosion
City Council Member Farah N. Louis (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Marine Park, Flatlands, Kensington) this past Saturday partnered with Gangstas Making Astronomical Community Changes (G-MACC) and Partners Uplifting Daughters & Sons for the Explosion, in the culmination of a six-week session Teen Entrepreneurial Workshop.
A major goal of the workshop is to advance financial literacy and education while creating a pathway to the economic growth of local communities.
The courses featured motivational speakers such as Jamila T. Davis, a co-founder of WomenOverIncarcerated.org and Kwan Miller, founder of the GROOM program among others who shared their business expertise with the aspiring group of young entrepreneurs. Gangstas Making Astronomical Community Changes, Inc.
The program was instrumental in empowering urban youth to look beyond their circumstances, take control of their lives, visualize their dreams, then establish their business for success.
Every youth participant learned the fundamental elements of how to run and launch a business: people, plan, process, product, and profit. They were tasked with various assignments including choosing the right business structure, writing business and marketing plans, creating a budget, branding your business, and developing a launch strategy. Upon course completion, they were awarded $1,500 as startup capital by G-MACC.
“Building a business, at any age, takes great courage and confidence. Yet, in communities of color, life circumstances and institutional barriers often hinder our ability to dream big and discover our full potential. I am thankful for the visionaries and mentors behind The Boss Talk Teen Entrepreneurial Workshop who have made a tremendous impact on our community by empowering the youth, the next generation of leaders, for a successful future.” said Louis, a member of the Council’s Committee on Youth Services.
Nadler Condemns Trump for Record Low Refugee Admission Level
U.S. Rep. Gerrold Nadler (D-Borough Park, Kensington, parts of Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Dyker Heights, Red Hook, Sunset Park, Midwood, Manhattan) and U.S. Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) on Saturday condemned President Trump for signing the Presidential Refugee Determination, setting a record-low refugee admissions level of 18,000 for Fiscal Year 2020.
In a joint statement, Nadler, chair of the House Judiciary Committee and Lofgren, chairman of the Immigration and Citizenship Subcommittee Chair Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) said Trump’s decision to cut refugee admission levels to almost half of last year’s already-record low shocks the conscience.
“During the consultation process with Secretary Pompeo, which occurred more than two weeks after the deadline set by law, there was a bipartisan agreement in favor of increasing the proposed admission level, especially in light of the President’s decision to abandon our Kurdish allies. Unfortunately, the Administration appears to have ignored this bipartisan agreement and, for the second consecutive year, set the lowest refugee admissions ceiling in our nation’s history,” the lawmakers said.
“Potentially even more worrisome, the Administration allocated refugee admissions to prioritize one group—religious minorities from Ukraine—over all others, including Afghans and Iraqis who supported U.S. Armed Forces. In doing so, the Administration deprioritizes all other refugees, including those seeking protection from persecution based on race, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. This is an abdication of our moral authority, and an abandonment of the values that make America great,” they added.
Colton To Host Veterans Recognition Meeting
Assemblyman William Colton (D – Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, and Dyker Heights) is holding his annual Veterans Day celebration on Nov. 11.
“We are obligated to pay tribute to our heroes who have sacrificed for our country to keep it safe and strong. We celebrate Veterans Day to remember and never forget, and always be thankful to our servicemen and servicewomen who fought for our country and for our freedom,” said Colton.
“Veterans Day is a day not only to remember those in the past who died in service to our country, but also to recognize those who continue to serve today. For many years my office has been having meetings to show appreciation to our veterans by presenting them with citations and USA flag lapels,” he added.
Colton is asking veterans who would like to be recognized to call his office 718-236-1598 with their name, rank, and branch of service.
The Veterans Day Recognition Meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 20, at 29 Bay 25th Street in Bath Beach.
Myrie Applauds Successful Rollout of Early Voting
State Sen. Zellnor Y. Myrie (D- Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Gowanus, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, South Slope, Sunset Park) introduced and passed early voting, the first bill of the 2019 legislative session, on January 14. On Nov. 3, the legislation was successfully implemented, which became New York’s first-ever period of early voting.
“We were pleased to see that the rollout of early voting was a resounding success,” said Myrie, chair of the Elections Committee. “More than 256,000 people voted across the state and reports of the experience were overwhelmingly positive. It’s clear that we are making our democracy more accessible than ever. Voting is the right that protects all other rights, and early voting helps ensure that everyone, regardless of their schedule constraints, has the opportunity to make their voice heard at the ballot box.”
On November 20, Myrie will chair a senate hearing on the implementation of early voting, which will offer the opportunity to discuss potential improvements to the process.
The Early Voting Period started Saturday, Oct. 26 and rand through Sunday, Nov. 3. During the first weekend, unofficial results show over 50,000 people voted.
A daily average of slightly more than 26,500 people voted early during the early voting period. New York City averaged about 6,700 voters per day and unofficial turnout was just over 1 percent. Outside of New York City, unofficial turnout was approximately 2.4 percent.
In 2020, there will be 27 days of early voting overall, nine each for the Presidential Primary, April 28, the State & Federal Primary, June 23, and the General Election, November 3.
Hundreds Participate In Eichenstein’s Free Community Events
Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein (D-Borough Park, Midwood) held two free events that drew hundreds of local residents to participate last week.
On Monday, October 28, over 125 residents of Borough Park and Midwood took advantage of the opportunity to dispose of their e-waste, and on Wednesday, October 30, over 150 people came to the Assemblyman’s Borough Park office to avail themselves of the free paper shredding event. Both events were held as a service to the community free of charge.
“I am thrilled by the large turnout and am looking forward to providing the residents of my district with many more free community events in the future,” said Assemblyman Eichenstein. “My office is eager to do whatever we can to help improve the quality of life for the people of Borough Park and Midwood.”
For more information about special events and other services, please feel free to contact Assemblyman Eichenstein’s office via phone at 718-853-9616 or via email at district48@nyassembly.gov.
Simcha Felder Partners with BPJCC to Offer Free Flu Shots
State Sen. Simcha Felder (D-Midwood, Flatbush, Borough Park, Kensington, Sunset Park, Madison, Bensonhurst) is partnering with the Boro Park Jewish Community Council (BPJCC) to provide a flu clinic to benefit the Brooklyn community.
The free flu clinic is also sponsored by Fidelis Insurance and will take place at the BPJCC’s new social service center.
Getting an annual flu shot is the best way to avoid the consequences of seasonal flu. The vaccination offers you, your family, and your community protection for the course of the season.
Appointments are required. To schedule your flu shot appointment, call (718) 253-2015.
Weinstein To Cut Ribbon ON Flatlands Library Re-Opening
Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein (D-Sheepshead Bay, Flatlands) tomorrow will cut the ribbon on the re-opening of the Flatlands public library.
Weinstein’s office provided funding for the new 800--square-foot multipurpose room in the branch which can hold up to 65 people and expands the space in the branch available to the public by 25 percent. Following the ribbon-cutting, Weinstein will read stories to young children from PS 207.
The event is slated for 10 a.m., tomorrow, Nov. 6 at the Flatlands Library, 2065 Flatbush Avenue in Flatlands.
