Adams Joins Mothers Who Lost Children to Gun Violence
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams today will stand alongside mothers who have lost children to gun violence and anti-violence advocates to hold a vigil honoring recent victims of shootings in New York City.
The event comes as gun violence across the five boroughs has surged in recent days. At the vigil, 101 pairs of shoes and a casket will be laid out to represent the 101 shooting victims in the 74 gun violence incidents that took place over the past week throughout the city. Nearly all of the victims have been people of color.
According to statistics from the New York City Police Department (NYPD), murders have risen by 23 percent over the same period last year, while shootings have gone up by 46 percent over the same period last year.
Adams will call for a community-led response to the gun violence crisis in tandem with a sustained commitment by the NYPD to fair, equitable policing.
The event is slated for 1 p.m., today, July 8 on Brooklyn Borough Hall Steps at Cadman Plaza in Downtown Brooklyn.
Lander, Rose Laud NYC Child Care Centers Reopening Announcement
City Council Members Brad Lander (D-Park Slope, Gowanus, Windsor Terrace, Kensington) and Deborah Rose (D-Statin Island) yesterday issued a joint statement applauding the mayor’s announcement to reopen NYC Child Care Centers.
The move comes following more than a month of lobbying from Lander and Rose to reopen the centers culminating with introducing legislation on July 2, to immediately and safely reopen NYC child care centers.
“We are glad to hear Mayor de Blasio’s announcement today that, pending a vote from the New York City Board of Health, New York City child care providers will be able to safely reopen on July 13th. As we have said repeatedly, there is simply no way that New York City can successfully rebuild our economy in the months and years to come without accessible and affordable child care for working parents. We are glad that the Mayor and the Board of Health are taking the steps needed to allow child care centers to reopen safely,” the lawmakers said.
“Hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers have gone back to work in the last few weeks as industries reopened, but with the majority of child care centers still closed, working families have been left with few options for caregiving. For many families, lack of child care means loss of income, exacerbating the financial hardship of this crisis.”
Carroll Wants Nets to Honor Jackie Robinson With Name Change
Assemblymember Robert Carroll (D-Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Kensington, Ditmas Park) yesterday sent a letter today to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver and Joe Tsai, the Governor of the Brooklyn Nets to ask for the Nets to change their name to something that pays homage to Jackie Robinson, the first Black athlete to break the color barrier in Major League Baseball when in 1947 he started playing with the Brooklyn Dodgers in a Hall of Fame career.
“The Nets moved to Brooklyn eight years ago but have still kept their New Jersey nickname. It’s time for the Nets to fully embrace their Brooklyn roots by changing their name to honor one of Brooklyn’s most iconic and important sports stars – Jackie Robinson. Brooklyn is a dynamic, diverse, and animated place, we shouldn’t have our team named after an inanimate object,” said Carroll.
Carroll says in the letter that he supports the idea of renaming the Barclays Center after Robinson, but thinks that Brooklyn’s only professional sports franchise, the Nets, should follow suit.
“The team should be named after one of the most exciting and important sports and civil rights icons of the 20th Century: Jackie Robinson. While our nation grapples with who we should honor and what names should adorn teams and buildings it would be fitting for the Brooklyn Nets to honor the legacy of a true Civil Rights Icon and the first African American player in professional sports – Jackie Robinson. Robinson played his entire career in Brooklyn and highlighting his legacy will remind millions of his trailblazing work,” said Carroll.
Carroll suggested names like the “Jackies” “Jacks” “42s (forty twos) [his baseball number]” or “Breakers” would all be fitting tributes to Robinson and great names for Brooklyn’s basketball team.
Schumer, Gillibrand Push for Increased Housing Protections
U.S. Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) are pushing for legislation to increase protections for renters by expanding the nation-wide moratorium on evictions for housing through March 27, 2021.
The Protecting Renters from Evictions and Fees Act of 2020 comes as evictions in New York State are expected to rise and protects renters from immediate displacement and prohibits evictions based on nonpayment of rent, similar to the provisions included in the House-passed HEROES Act.
In addition to universal expansion of the federal eviction moratorium, the bill prohibits any fines or charges associated with missed rental payments.
“For New Yorkers who were already rent-burdened before the COVID-19 pandemic, the housing crisis has become an emergency in need of an immediate solution. It’s critical that Congress extend eviction moratoriums before they expire in just a few weeks,” said Gillibrand. “The Protecting Renters from Evictions and Fees Act would ensure New Yorkers have the stability needed to stay safe and recover from this unprecedented health crisis. In order to move forward and rebuild our economy, Congress must take immediate action to protect homeowners and renters across the country.”
“The economic toll of COVID-19 continues to fall hard on American families. Millions have lost their jobs through no fault of their own and are struggling to pay rent and keep a roof over their heads,” said Schumer. “It’s critically important that we protect our renters and the public health of our communities by expanding and extending the moratorium on evictions so that people can remain in the safety and security of their homes throughout this pandemic.”
Colton Hopeful For Improved B1 Bus Service
Assemblyman William Colton (D-Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Dyker Heights) said yesterday he is hopeful that the changeover to articulated buses on the B1 line will help solve some of the many problems experienced on the east/west line that cuts across Southern Brooklyn.
Colton praised the MTA for attempting to respond to many of the concerns raised by constituents in regard to this line.
“In the past, we have seen many complaints about overcrowding long delays and bunching on the B1 route. The MTA has heard these complaints and is now trying to resolve these concerns through the use of the longer articulated buses. The MTA has partially brought in articulated buses to the B1 route in Brooklyn to alleviate overcrowding with students traveling to and from Kingsborough Community College. I recognize the real test of the success of this will come when Kingsborough College is fully open,” Colton said.
“The early results are promising and I want to thank the MTA for listening to the concerns of real people and trying to find the solution at a time when too many local governments and their officials have refused to open their eyes and offer real help to the problems,” Colton added.
Persaud Offers Cardiovascular and COVID-19 Antibody Testing
State Sen. Roxanne J. Persaud (D-Canarsie, East New York, Brownsville, Mill Basin, Sheepshead Bay, Bergen Beach, Marine Park, Flatlands, Mill Island, Georgetown, Ocean Hill, Starrett City) in partnership with community leaders will offer cardiovascular testing and COVID-19 antibody testing at various locations throughout Senate District 19 during the month of July.
To book an appointment for the July 7th, 8th, or 9th dates, go to http://rpersaudjuly79.youcanbook.me. To book an appointment for the July 21, 22nd, or 23rd dates, go to http://rpersaudjuly2123.youcanbook.me. Walk-ins will also be accepted.
Menchaca Joins Effort to Find Missing Sunset Park Teen
City Council Member Carlos Menchaca (D-Sunset Park, Red Hook) is asking for the public’s help in finding an endangered missing teenage girl.
Alejandra Guzman, 16, was last seen on June 5 in Sunset Park. Her immigrant mother believes she is with a man involved in the sex trafficking of young women.
Below is her photo:
