Parker On Police Reform In New York State
State Sen. Kevin Parker (D-East Flatbush, Flatbush, Midwood, Ditmas Park, Kensington, Park Slope, Windsor Terrace) wants to make it aware that he is working on legislation that ensures cases like George Floyd don’t happen again.
“Watching the video of George Floyd’s death was completely heartbreaking. As an African-American lawmaker, it is imperative now more than ever for me to stand up for what’s right and do my job, which is to advance legislation. Since this gruesome video has gone public I have renewed the call action for my colleagues to support and pass legislation that will create solutions, and long term put an end to police brutality,” Parker said.
“As we work to address the issues of police brutality it is a multi-prong approach. Parts of my legislation have been introduced as early as 2009. It is my hope that the recent national events will have my colleagues more inclined to support and see this legislation passed. We have a duty to protect our constituents and the African-American community needs us more than ever right now,” stated Parker.
Most recently in both 2018 and 2019, a series of events prompted Parker to put forth a package of legislation around; the misuse of calling 911 (S1411A-2020) and the requirement of State Police officers to wear body cameras; (S6686 -2020).
Parker is additionally working to push legislation making it illegal for police officers to place their knee on the neck of anyone while in their custody.
Clarke Helps Bring 2 New COVID Test & Trace to Brooklyn
U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Kensington, Midwood, Prospect Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Park Slope) helped ensure two new testing sites, as a result of a partnership with AdvantageCare Physicians’ and New York State to increase access for testing and tracing.
“The coronavirus pandemic has made the devastating disparities of our health care system abundantly clear as we are seeing a disproportionate number of Black people die from COVID-19. I have been raising my voice around the need for better health care for Black communities before and during this pandemic, and I am glad my efforts are resulting in two new test & trace locations making it into our Brooklyn community so someone’s skin color or income is not a barrier to critical medical services as we fight this virus,” said Clarke.
The newest testing sites will be located at 546 Eastern Parkway in Crown Heights and 1000 Church Avenue in Flatbush. This partnership will provide jobs for New Yorkers from some of the hardest-hit neighborhoods, with more than 1,700 tracers hired to take part in this initiative.
Rose Comments on Violent Riots
U.S. Rep. Max Rose (South Brooklyn, Staten Island) issued the following statement following the violent protests that occurred in New York City last night:
“Let’s be very clear that the majority of the protests yesterday were peaceful. We saw officers and protesters across the city kneel in solidarity. Thousands took to the streets and peacefully expressed their anguish and demands for action.
“The mayhem that occurred in parts of the city last night—the unprecedented looting and attacks on officers and bystanders—was not the work of peaceful protesters. It was not part of the movement to ensure justice for George Floyd and other victims of police brutality. And anyone who would say so is being dishonest at best.
“Last night demonstrated that the Mayor has lost control of the situation once and for all. If we are going to enforce an 8:00 p.m. curfew tonight, then the National Guard must be deployed to assist with that and that alone,” Rose stated.
Eichenstein and Yeger Demand NY Reopen
Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein (D-Borough Park, Midwood) and City Councilman Kalman Yeger (D-Borough Park, Bensonhurst, Midwood) sent a letter to Governor Cuomo on behalf of their constituents and all New Yorkers, urging the immediate and unrestricted reopening of the State of New York.
“As we overcome one crisis, we now find ourselves immersed in another. The tragic death of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer in Minneapolis has plunged us into a nation-wide protest and vigil. Protestors are gathering, perhaps well-meaning, but surely with little regard for social-distancing standards. It has also unfortunately brought out rioters who are destroying what is left of our economy, eviscerating the life’s work of our fellow New Yorkers. The lockdown may not have formally ended, but the calls for mass peaceful marching without any regard for social-distancing have rendered a continued lockdown at this point ludicrous.
Furthermore, most small business owners get it. They are aware of the need to be safe, even while going about their business.
“Governor, it is now time to reopen New York. It is time to bring us back to as normal as we can achieve. You must allow our small businesses to rebuild, to the extent still possible; our children to resume their growth and education; our society to flourish once again. New Yorkers are unemployed, broke, anxious and emotionally drained. We need an infusion of hope, a burst of energy, a restoration of normalcy. Our neighbors need their lives back fully and completely. We need to heal,” they wrote.
Cornegy, NBA All-Star Oakley to Distribute Meals to Health Workers at Interfaith
City Council Member Robert E. Cornegy, Jr. (D-Bedford-Stuyvesant) and former NBA star Charles Oakley will help distribute meals to health care workers today at Interfaith Medical Center.
Cornegy has recovered from his own battle with COVID-19 and personally wants to support all those battling this public health crisis.
Oakley is a retired NBA All-Star who played in over 700 games in 10 years with the New York Knicks as part of his 19-year career with the NBA. He is a coach of the Killer 3s of the BIG3 basketball league and founder of the Charles Oakley Foundation.
Community partners in the initiative include the office of Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, Promobile Kitchen, Watchful Eye, Urban Standard, and #REHasYourBack.
The event is slated for 11 a.m., today, Wednesday, June 3 at Interfaith Medical Center, 1545 Atlantic Avenue Brooklyn in Bed-Stuy.
