Espaillat Secures Funding Increase for Caribbean Security in House Appropriations
Yesterday, U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-Manhattan, Bronx) announced that he had secured an additional $14.8 million for the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI) in the House Appropriations Committee bill.
The money will aid Caribbean nations’ efforts to fight drug trafficking, quell violence and contend with civil unrest.
“This funding will help to combat the illegal narcotics trade that is fueling an addiction crisis across the United States,” said Espaillat. “This funding will go to interdiction efforts, programs to help keep youth from getting caught up in the drug trade, and programs to improve judicial systems and combat corruption. It also includes a new focus on resiliency in the face of natural disasters caused by climate change.”
Rosenthal Calls for BOE Action
Yesterday, Councilmember Helen Rosenthal (D-Central Park, Lincoln Square) lead 14 of her peers in calling on the Board of Elections (BOE) to address the problems with its absentee ballot system.
After the primary on June 23, Rosenthal received numerous complaints from her constituents that they never received their absentee ballots on time. In a letter to BOE President Patricia Anne Taylor, she and her fellow electeds demanded that the BOE answer for the disenfranchised voters.
“The BOE’s core responsibility is to ensure that every person who is eligible to vote, is able to do so,” they wrote. “Especially during a pandemic, it is unacceptable that when we alerted the BOE on Election Day that some voters still had not received absentee ballots, your only response was that they should vote in person. As the BOE knows, that simply is not an option for everyone.
“If public health experts are correct, the pandemic will still be in full-force this November. The need for an effective absentee ballot system will only intensify. We urge you in the strongest terms possible to address the shortcomings in your absentee ballot system, and ensure that every eligible voter can exercise their constitutional right this November and beyond.”
Brewer to Host Street Co-Naming at Centre Street
Today, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer (D) will unveil the co-naming of Centre Street as Black Lives Matter Boulevard.
The unveiling will be followed by a tour of the three-block-long BLM mural near the street. Accompanying Brewer will be Hawk Newsome and Chivona Newsome of Black Lives Matter of Greater NY, and the artists behind the mural, among others.
The event will take place today at 9:30 a.m. at 1 Centre St.
Rivera to Take Part in Town Hall on Power of Protest
Councilmember Carlina Rivera (D-East Village, Gramercy Park) will be taking part in a youth town hall today, hosted by the New York Public Library (NYPL).
The town hall, entitled “Power to the Youth: Creating Change from Activism”, will focus on freedom of speech, current events, and what it means to be an agent of change in your community. Rivera will be joining several youth leaders, along with representatives from the offices of Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer (D) and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams (D).
The event will take place today at 1 p.m. over Zoom. To register, click here.
