Sanders to Host COVID-19 Economic Disaster Recovery Training for Small Businesses
State Sen. James Sanders Jr. (D-Rochdale Village, Far Rockaway) and Chairman John Hope Bryant of Operation HOPE today will explore how the dedicated team of counselors at HOPE Inside Disaster are prepared to help small businesses navigate economic recovery as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to shape social norms.
Co-Sponsoring the event are Southeast Queens lawmakers Assembly Members Clyde Vanel and Alicia Hyndman and Council Member Donovan Richards.
“You do not want to miss this thought provoking and important conversation with John Hope Bryant who has earned such titles as “Innovator of the Year,” “One of the World’s 10 Top CEOs,” and one of Time Magazine “50 Leaders for the Future.” He is an American entrepreneur, author, philanthropist, and prominent thought leader on financial inclusion, economic empowerment and financial dignity,” said Sanders in his daily e-mails.
His organization, Operation Hope, is truly impressive as it is the largest not- for-profit and best-in-class provider of financial literacy, financial inclusion and economic empowerment tools and services in the United States for youth and adults, Sanders added.
The conversation will take place at 4 p.m., today, June 1 on Facebook Live. Go to Facebook.com/StateSenatorJamesSandersJr/.
Constantinides Calls for City Council Investigation into NYPD Misconduct
City Council Member Costa Constantinides (D-Astoria, East Elmhurst, parts of Long Island City, Woodside) issued the following statement on last night’s protests in Brooklyn against the recent police killings of several black men and women across America.
“The City knew people planned to protest last night, but failed to safely manage this demonstration. Instead, we saw unprovoked aggression from the NYPD, whose officers tackled, clubbed, and pepper sprayed demonstrators. I am calling on the City Council to immediately hold a hearing to investigate the breakdown last night.
“New Yorkers were protesting the police killing of innocent people in black and brown communities. The behavior of NYPD officers captured on video by multiple witnesses and media sources is simply unacceptable. It underscores why the NYPD is long overdue for sweeping reforms. Officers should be trained to de-escalate a situation without brute force, build community trust, and know they will be held responsible for their actions. Furthermore, we need to redirect funding away from the police-prison pipeline and into education, healthcare, and social services.
None of this started overnight. This didn’t start with the murder of George Floyd, nor Eric Garner, nor Trayvon Martin. For generations, white people have more often than not walked free for alleged offenses that are a death sentence for black men and women. Sitting on a corner shouldn’t get you strangled. Walking to the store shouldn’t get you shot. Demonstrating your First Amendment rights shouldn’t get you beaten. We all have to do better, and I know as New Yorkers we will, by working together.”
Meeks Issues Statement on Death of George Floyd
U.S. Rep. Gregory W. Meeks (D-Jamaica, Laurelton, Rosedale, Cambria Heights, Saint Albans, Springfield Gardens, The Rockaways, JFK Airport) released the following statement regarding the death of George Floyd, calling for charges to be brought against all officers involved:
“Once more we grieve with hurt and outrage as we watched yet another black man plead that he cannot breathe. Once more we see captured on camera the unwarranted force that men and women of color routinely suffer under the heel or knee of unrestrained law enforcement.
“George Floyd’s death tears at generations of deep wounds for African Americans, and we are tired of waiting for a world where a person of color is not perceived as suspicious for taking jog through his neighborhood, or birdwatching in a park. We are tired of awaiting a world where wearing a hoodie or being pulled over for a traffic stop does not invite undue fear for one’s life. We are exhausted of having to coach our children on how to navigate a culture of racism that puts them in danger for no reason other than the color of their skin.
“It is that culture that must be rooted out, and no longer permitted by the ‘appalling silence of good men.’ The officers who stood by as their colleague killed Mr. Floyd may not have had their knee on his neck, but their lack of intervention makes them just as complicit in his death.
“Nothing will change without real consequences commensurate with the crimes committed by those who abuse their authority. Nothing will change unless we as a community push for America to reckon with its original and long enduring sin. ‘The arc of history is long but it bends towards justice’ is only true if we as a nation work together to bend it.”
Meng, ASPIRE Endorses Joe Biden for President
U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Bayside, Flushing, Forest Hills, Fresh Meadows, Glendale, Kew Gardens, Maspeth, Middle Village, Rego Park) and ASPIRE, the political arm of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Members of Congress, announced on Friday its endorsement of Joe Biden for President of the United States during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month.
“We are proud to endorse Vice President Biden, whose leadership will restore integrity and compassion to the White House,” said Meng, chair of ASPIRE. “We need a President that will unite Americans, instead of taking every opportunity to divide us from one another. Joe Biden will lead us through this unprecedented crisis with science, integrity, and compassion. He has been a strong ally of AAPIs throughout his service in the Senate and Obama administration, and he understands that diversity makes our country great. As President, he will stand with AAPIs and ensure that Americans from all communities are treated with dignity and respect.”
ASPIRE PAC is focused on supporting candidates of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) descent and those that support and promote the issues of the AAPI community. ASPIRE PAC offers a voice for the AAPI community and encourages active participation in the U.S. political process.
Velázquez On George Floyd’s Murder
U.S. Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-Queens, Northern Brooklyn, Lower Manhattan) spoke to the arrest that ended in George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis.
“Tragically, three simple words – ‘I can’t breathe’ – have become a powerful symbol of how structural racism in America quite literally kills people. As I have said for some time, COVID-19 has crystalized longstanding inequalities and cruelties in our society. Those of us from New York remember all too painfully Eric Garner’s death, and we still feel his family and community were robbed of justice. Now, in Minneapolis, we’re seeing another African American man killed by police officers. Here at home, we’re seeing video of a white woman in Central Park threatening to call the police on an African American man after he asked her to comply with the rules and leash her dog. We’re watching police violently enforce social distancing requirements in communities of color, while rules go unenforced in more affluent areas.
“I have called for and will keep pushing for a swift and thorough investigation by federal authorities into the police officers in Minnesota. There should be criminal charges and the officers involved should be arrested immediately. I will continue my work in our City to end over-policing and harassment of people of color by law enforcement. These injustices are a stain on our nation’s conscience, and it is incumbent on every single one of us to recognize this reality with clear eyes, while endeavoring to root out prejudice in all its forms.
“It is difficult to be optimistic, right now. Nonetheless, every day I see New Yorkers of different backgrounds lending neighbors, friends and strangers a helping hand as we navigate this historic crisis. For my part, I will do my best to continue fighting injustice, while trying to forge ahead holding love and compassion for others in my heart.”
Addabbo Joins NYLAG To Provide Free Legal Advice
State Sen. Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Glendale, Middle Village, Maspeth, parts of South Ozone Park, Ridgewood, Woodside, The Rockaways) is partnering with the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG) to provide constituents with free legal advice by phone appointment.
Addabbo noted that NYLAG is extending their services — which usually take place with the use of their Mobile Legal Help Center van located at various sites in Addabbo’s district — to conducting phone calls, in order to adhere to social distancing rules, while assisting individuals.
NYLAG can assist with legal advice on these topics:
- Housing (tenants only);
- Public benefits, Disability benefits, Healthcare benefits;
- Identity theft;
- Debt management;
- Immigration;
- Inmate partner violence;
- Divorce and custody;
- Employment;
- Advanced planning.
“When involved in a legal situation, with all the complications and specifics, finding reliable legal advice can be a difficult task,” Addabbo said. “Add on top of that a global health pandemic, and things may seem out of reach. That is why I am proud to once again partner with the New York Legal Assistance Group, who have a proven history of helping my constituents with their legal issues.”
NYLAG will block off the hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Thursday, June 11, to call those who register for appointments through Addabbo’s office. Each time slot is 45 minutes and NYLAG will call everyone at their scheduled appointment time and conduct an intake interview if the issue is something that NYLAG can assist with — if not the legal group will endeavor to provide a referral with a legal expert in that field.
In order to make an appointment for a free intake call from NYLAG, contact Senator Addabbo’s office at 718-738-1111.
