Clarke Endorsed by Brooklyn Young Democrats
U.S. Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Kensington, Midwood, Prospect Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Park Slope) received the endorsement of Brooklyn Young Democrats (BYD) in her bid for re-election in New York’s 9th Congressional District.
“I am honored to receive BYD’s endorsement. The energy and commitment of young Democrats to organizing and getting out the vote will be critical in defeating Donald Trump in November. I am thankful for their support of my reelection campaign. My work in Washington is not done and together we will fight for the policies that matter, such as fair housing, affordable healthcare, and ending police brutality. We have seen the impact and power of the youth, as they organize in cities across America in response to the murders of George Floyd, Breonnna Taylor, and countless others, at the hands of the police. I stand with them as they affirm Black Lives Matter and fight for true justice under the law,” said Clarke.
“We are proud to endorse Congresswoman Clarke, the only black woman in the NY delegation for her re-election campaign in NY-9. This moment in our country’s history demands principled leaders like Yvette who understand the needs of the black and brown people; of immigrants; of the working class; and of young people. Congresswoman Clarke is of and for Brooklyn, and we at BYD look forward to working with her to advocate for progressive legislation that uplifts New Yorkers and addresses the injustice from the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the pandemic of racism that is plaguing our nation,” said Christina Das, president of Brooklyn Young Democrats.
Eugene Issues Statement on Right to Peacefully Protest
Council Members Mathieu Eugene (D-Prospect Lefferts Gardens, Flatbush, East Flatbush) issued the following statement regarding the right of people to peacefully protest in response to the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
“In the aftermath of the killing of George Floyd, our nation has witnessed several acts of violence from both protestors and law enforcement. Police have shown aggression against individuals participating in peaceful demonstrations while protestors and other individuals have assaulted police officers as they protect the community. Regardless of the origin of this animosity, these actions do not solve this crisis of racial injustice and only serve to further escalate tensions. Members of law enforcement are doing their jobs, but they must understand that any type of pressure or unrestrained actions used against protestors will only create more chaos and volatility. Protesting and the expression of free speech is our unalienable right as human beings that is protected under the Constitution.
“Any efforts to prevent or limit that expression both jeopardize the purpose of that right while worsening the current crisis, which itself is a legitimate response to the unjust actions that took the life of George Floyd. It is imperative that the City of New York and the NYPD work together with elected officials, protest organizers, community leaders, and the clergy to create the necessary conditions that will allow people to march and gather peacefully in pursuit of the critical changes that will make our great nation a better place for all,” said Eugene.
Rose-backed Bill Being Signed into Law
U.S. Rep. Max Rose (South Brooklyn, Staten Island) issued the following statement on President Donald Trump signing the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act into law on Friday, a bipartisan piece of legislation that Rose co-sponsored and helped pass last week.
“We’ve promised to be there for the businesses and employees who through no fault of their own have been devastated by the coronavirus pandemic—and this is an important step towards that goal,” Rose said. “When we passed the Paycheck Protection Program into law originally, we gave the Administration the ability to ensure the program worked for businesses and didn’t just strap them with loans and debt they wouldn’t be able to pay off. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen and the regulations that were put in place were far too limited and restrictive. Now with this signed into law, SBA must issue updated guidance immediately, and get businesses this relief now. Small businesses and nonprofits throughout Staten Island and South Brooklyn don’t have time to wait.”
The bipartisan Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act, which reflects the needs of vulnerable small businesses, will increase flexibility and access to Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans including by:
- allowing forgiveness for expenses beyond the 8-week covered period to 24 weeks and extending the rehiring deadline;
- increasing the current limitation on nonpayroll expenses (such as rent, utility payments and mortgage interest) for loan forgiveness from 25 to 40 percent;
- extending the program from June 30 to December 31;
- extending loan terms from two to five years; and
- ensuring full access to payroll tax deferment for businesses that take PPP loans.
Myrie Introduces Bill to Stop Police Brutality
State Sen. Zellnor Myrie (D-Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Gowanus, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, South Slope, Sunset Park) joined yesterday with legislative colleagues and introduced 13 bills that represent concrete actions to prevent police brutality including his bill S7527.
“My bill would simply allow localities and police chiefs the authority to designate independent and impartial adjudicators to preside over police disciplinary hearings. This would bring greater transparency and integrity to the process of addressing the brutality our communities have survived for so long,” wrote Myrie.
Unlike every other city agency disciplinary hearing that is held before an administrative judge outside that agency, police disciplinary hearings go before a judge on NYPD payroll. Public trust and confidence in law enforcement requires independent, effective, and accessible mechanisms for holding police officers accountable for misconduct. When police disciplinary proceedings are governed by and held entirely within a police department’s trial room, public trust is undermined, according to Myrie.
Ortiz Bill Called to be Passed From Cuomo
Assistant Assembly Speaker Felix W. Ortiz (D-Sunset Park, Red Hook) bill was included in Governor Cuomo’s call for the passage of a package of bills addressing racial injustices in policing in New York State.
“We must act in the moment to pass legislation that will begin the process of transparency in the police department and hold people accountable for their egregious behavior,” said Assemblyman Félix W. Ortiz.
The Ortiz bill, termed “911” which he introduced in 2018, would make it a hate crime to falsely report a crime, as we recently experienced with Christian Cooper in Central Park. The package, “Say Their Name” Reform Agenda, includes Assembly bill, A.3566, introduced by Assemblyman Félix W. Ortiz.
Adams Wants Investment in Youth Employment
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams joined Financially CLEAN, a Brooklyn-based nonprofit that teaches financial literacy to young people, and Storytellers and Creators, a local company at the Brooklyn Navy Yard that manufactures medical gowns, to highlight the work they are doing to help New York City during the COVID-19 pandemic, and urge the City to invest in youth employment.
“Operations like Storytellers and Creators are pointing the way forward during this difficult time. Young people have an opportunity to serve their city while making decent wages. As we continue to fight the coronavirus pandemic, our city’s youth are facing an uncertain summer. Public pools are closed, no swimming is allowed at beaches, and SYEP — which has served as a vital lifeline for underserved youth and their families for years — may be on the chopping block. We must find creative ways to keep our young people engaged and active during the summer months, helping to channel their efforts toward defeating this pandemic, and providing the services that are critically needed at this moment. I thank Financially CLEAN and Storytellers and Creators for their efforts, and encourage the City to follow their lead,” said Adams.
In a letter sent to Mayor de Blasio and City Council Speaker Corey Johnson last week, Adams called for the City to “[adapt] SYEP to the current needs of society” by providing opportunities to youth in areas such as manufacturing PPE, delivering groceries, paying home visits to seniors, making appointments for COVID-19 and COVID-19 antibody tests, and much more. The letter acknowledges the current fiscal realities that New York City is facing — projections show an $8.7 billion budget deficit for this fiscal year — and points out that SYEP has endured through years of hardship, including the Great Recession in 2008 and 2009. Borough President Adams also called for the City to deploy its assets, such as the Brooklyn Navy Yard, to provide employment opportunities to youth.
Jeffries Statement on Suspension of Officer Vincent D’andraia
U.S. Representative Hakeem Jeffries (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brownsville, Canarsie, East New York, East Flatbush, Bergen Beach, Gerritsen Beach, Beach, Marine Park, Mill Basin, Brighton Beach, Coney Island) released the following statement about the suspension of Officer Vincent D’Andraia and the removal of his commanding officer Deputy Inspector Craig Edelman from his command of the 73rd Precinct covering Brownsvlle:
“The suspension of Officer Vincent D’Andraia and removal of Deputy Inspector Craig Edelman from his command in central Brooklyn is an important step in the right direction. Violent police officers who brutalize civilians must be held accountable for their behavior. It’s my hope this is the beginning of transformational change in the largest police department in the nation.”
On Monday, Rep. Jeffries, Rep. Yvette D. Clarke, New York State Senator Zellnor Myrie, New York State Assembly Member Latrice Walker and New York City Council Members Alicka Ampry-Samuel and Laurie Cumbo called for the immediate firing of Officer D’Andraia for the vicious NYPD assault on Dounya Zayer.
The elected officials also called for disciplinary action against Deputy Inspector Edelman, who witnessed the violence but took no action to intervene.
