James Issues Statement on Orange County Jewish Discrimination Case
New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) released a statement on Friday after the court allowed her to intervene in an anti-Semitic discrimination lawsuit against the Town of Chester and Orange County.
Last July, the developers of “The Greens at Chester” filed suit against Chester and Orange County, over the alleged use of discriminatory housing practices intended to stop Jewish people from moving into the town. In December, James moved to officially join the lawsuit; last week, the court accepted her request.
“This is a critical step in our efforts to fight housing discrimination,” said James. “Blocking the construction of homes in order to keep out the Jewish community is anti-Semitic, violates our fair housing laws, and goes against everything that this state and this country stand for. New York prides itself on its diversity and inclusion, and my office will continue to ensure that everyone — regardless of what they look like, where they’re from, or how they pray — is afforded equal opportunities in housing.”
Nadler Calls for Investigation into AG Barr’s Politicization of DOJ
Last Friday, U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-Manhattan, Brooklyn) lead the Judiciary Committee in calling for an investigation into U.S. Attorney General William Barr’s (R) unwarranted interference in criminal matters against the Trump Administration’s allies.
In a letter to Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz, Nadler denounced the Department of Justice (DOJ) for their decision to dismiss the case against former National Security Advisor Michael Flynn. Flynn had previously plead guilty to “willfully and knowingly” making false statements to federal investigators.
As Nadler pointed out, though, this was only the latest example of Barr interfering in a criminal case for the President’s benefit. Just last March, for instance, the DOJ dropped its two-year case against a Russian company who allegedly interfered in the 2016 election.
“We ask that your office review the events highlighted above, as well as any other related actions you find during the course of your investigation,” wrote Nadler. “The American people deserve to know the full extent of the politicization of the Department of Justice. They deserve a Department that is guided by the facts and the law, and not by the President’s political interests.”
Read the full letter here.
Johnson Shows Concern About Mayor’s Contact Tracing Plan
Council Speaker Corey Johnson (D-Chelsea, Hell’s Kitchen) released a statement after Mayor Bill de Blasio (D) announced his new plan for contact tracing in New York.
The plan will assemble an elite corps of “disease detectives” to patrol the streets, test New Yorkers and trace their contacts. De Blasio chose to have the City’s public Health + Hospitals system run the program, instead of the Department of Health (DOH).
But contact tracing, Johnson argued, is the DOH’s bread and butter.
“This plan raises a lot of alarm bells,” said Johnson. “Contact tracing is a core function of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, and has been for years. This is a distraction when we need to be focused on battling this virus. The New York City Council will hold a hearing to get to the bottom of this and chart the best path forward.”
Rodriguez Wishes New York a Happy Mother’s Day
Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez (D-Washington Heights, Inwood) released a statement yesterday in recognition of Mother’s Day.
This year, he said, our city’s mothers deserve special credit for the work they’ve had to do since the quarantine.
“These are women that without training have had to take on the roles of nurses and teachers as schools have closed and hospitals are unable to take in every sick person,” said Rodriguez. “Many of them already burdened by the hardships brought on by poverty and inequality. While we should always congratulate our mothers and tell them how much we love them, I want to take this opportunity to ask that we renew our commitment to give mothers the respect, support, and equality they deserve every day of the year by making sure they get equal pay, affordable child care, good health care, and recognition for the important role they play in our society at large.
“Happy Mother’s Day!”
Brewer, Nadler to Host Virtual Town Hall on Contact Tracing
Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer (D) and U.S. Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-Manhattan, Brooklyn) will be hosting a virtual town hall on contact tracing tomorrow.
The discussion will focus on the role of tech and data in tracing, and the issue of privacy. Brewer and Nadler will join a panel of experts from Columbia University and Columbia Law School.
The event will take place tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. at neighbors.columbia.edu/COVID19tracing.
