Rivera, Williams, Velázquez, Salazar to Host NYCHA/COVID-19 Webinar
Tonight, Councilmember Carlina Rivera (D-East Village, Gramercy Park), Public Advocate Jumaane Williams (D) and U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-LES, Brooklyn, Queens) will be joining State Senator Julia Salazar (D-Brooklyn) for a discussion on COVID-19 for NYCHA residents.
The electeds will be summarizing the free resources available to help NYCHA residents file for unemployment, get healthcare and receive cash assistance. Salazar is hosting the event alongside Friends of Marcy Houses.
The event will take place tonight from 6-8 p.m. To register, click here.
James Denounces Trump for Banning Issuance of New Green Cards
Last Wednesday, New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) released a statement after the Trump Administration announced new restrictions on immigration.
Earlier that day, President Donald Trump (R) signed an executive order issuing a 60-day pause on the issuance of green cards. Allegedly, the purpose of the order was to restrict competition between between Americans and foreign workers during the COVId-19 pandemic.
“This proclamation is antithetical to everything we believe as Americans and only uses immigrants as scapegoats,” said James. “Immigrants are on the front lines of the fight to battle the coronavirus, and are providing the essential services that are keeping our nation and our economy moving forward. Immigrants provide us with health care, care for our elderly, prepare and deliver our food, clean our hospitals and public spaces, and take on so many other essential roles in our society. We will not allow President Trump to usurp Congress’s authority by presidential proclamation. We stand ready to take legal action.”
De Blasio Surges Staff, Support to City Nursing Homes
Yesterday, Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) announced that he will be ramping up supplies and staffing to City nursing homes this week.
The Mayor will increase the City’s weekly shipment of PPE to nursing homes by 50 percent, including N95s, gowns and surgical masks. He will also deploy 210 additional staff volunteers to 40 nursing homes citywide, bringing the total to 420.
“Our city’s nursing homes are home to some of those most at risk for COVID-19,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “They need our support more than ever, which is why we are stepping in and sending more staff and support to assist those who protect and care for our most vulnerable.”
Espaillat Wishes Constituents a Happy Ramadan
Yesterday U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-Washington Heights, Sugar Hill) released the following statement, in recognition of the first day of Ramadan:
“As the Holy Month of Ramadan begins, I want to wish all Members of the Muslim community in New York’s 13th Congressional District and around the world, Ramadan Mubarak. There is a tremendous sense of unity and congregation in the Muslim community in homes, community centers, and masjids during Ramadan. Resonant with Muslims across the world is waking early with family and friends of ages young and old crowding around a stovetop or kitchen table preparing a suhoor meal, standing shoulder to shoulder with your brothers and sisters in any jama’at prayer, or traveling to the masjid for taraweeh prayers lasting until the late hours of the night or early morning.
“Yet there is no doubt that this year will be unique bringing a new set of challenges – in addition to abstaining from eating and drinking during the daytime hours – with the public health measures being taken to social distance and avoid anything beyond small intimate gatherings to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). I understand that these public health measures disrupt the traditions and practices of the Muslim community and how salient that impact will be felt and seen during Ramadan. But I know that this challenge presents an opportunity for personal introspection that reinvigorates and understand that the changes we make in our daily lives before and after Ramadan do not disqualify or lessen your ibadat. In fact, it celebrates that this action can take many forms and settings.
“To all my neighbors and friends in New York City and around the world, may this Holy Month of Ramadan bring peace, renewal, and wisdom.”
