Myrie Honors John Lewis
State Senator Zellnor Y. Myrie (D-Brownsville, Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Gowanus, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, Prospect Lefferts Gardens, South Slope, Sunset Park) has renamed major legislation that will strengthen and protect voting rights in New York to the “John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York” (JRLVRA, S7528A).
“John R. Lewis fought to perfect America’s democracy. He gave his entire life to the fight for equality in the face of injustice and was brutally beaten to ensure that the franchise was accessible to all. This week, he was carried one last time across the Edmund Pettus Bridge that served as the backdrop to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. While we will never be able to repay our debt to his legacy, we have a responsibility to honor it,” Myrie said.
The newly renamed “John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act of New York” (JRLVRA, S7528A) provides comprehensive and detailed regulations and rights of action that will fulfill for New Yorkers the original promise of the federal Voting Rights Act while adding new protections to ensure that all eligible voters have the ability to participate in the political process.
Gounardes to Host March for Essential Workers
State Senator Andrew Gounardes (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Gravesend, Gerritsen Beach, Manhattan Beach, Marine Park) with colleagues announced that they will hold a “United in Thanks” March in support of essential workers.
“Our essential workers brought us through the devastation of COVID, even as hundreds lost their lives. One way to begin to move forward is to unite as a neighborhood to thank those who powered our city through dark days and commemorate those we lost. I hope this helps our community continue to heal from the trauma as we honor the brave essential workers who saved lives throughout this pandemic,” said Gounardes.
The event is slated to take place at 1 p.m. on Sunday August 2 around the oval in Marine Park.
Cornegy Announces Funding for Renters
Council Member Robert Cornegy (D-Bedford Stuyvesant and Crown Heights) announced that the City Council is funding several programs to provide relief to both renters and homeowners.
“More affordability and more housing security are touchstones of a housing policy that serves all New Yorkers,” said Cornegy, Jr. “The investments we announce take important steps forward in serving those aims. We make important investments in community-based organizations that provide education and legal services for renters and homeowners. We provide for onramps to emergency loan programs to help homeowners in crisis. We shore up pathways towards permanent affordable housing in the future through community land trusts. Collectively, these investments in housing will grant greater peace of mind to countless New Yorkers and help keep our shared communities whole.”
The FY 2021 budget includes more than $12 million to fund programs for renters and homeowners, including more than $3.1 million for housing preservation initiatives, more than $3.2 million for foreclosure prevention programs, and over $2.5 million for Stabilizing NYC, an initiative put in place to combat the loss of affordable housing at the hands of predatory equity companies.
Clarke Furious over Trump’s DACA Suspension
U.S. Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (D-East Flatbush, Central Brooklyn) issued the following statement after the Trump administration issued a suspension on new Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) applications:
DACA is a United States immigration policy that allows some individuals with unlawful presence in the United States after being brought to the country as children to receive a renewable two-year period of deferred action from deportation and become eligible for a work permit in the U.S.
“After the Supreme Court ruled that his previous attempt to terminate DACA could not proceed, the Bigot-in-Chief and his xenophobic Administration has cobbled together a new plan to make the lives of young immigrants more difficult. Donald Trump campaigned on ending DACA, and this decision should serve as proof that he is willing to use even the smallest authorization of his power to end this program,” said Clarke.
“Attacking DACA recipients is the latest move of an unpopular President facing electoral defeat. In an attempt to excite voters who relate to his pattern of xenophobia and racism, he has issued this policy as a cheap dog-whistle. DACA recipients are Americans, plain and simple. This President said that he would put ‘Americans First,’ but he has repeatedly shown us that the only Americans he is interested in defending are the ones who share his background. I will continue to stand by our beloved Dreamers, even when this Administration refuses to,” she added.
On Tuesday, the Trump Administration announced they will resume processing renewal applications for the DACA program but they will not accept new applicants.
Rose Condemns Trump’s Defense of Putin
U.S. Rep. Max Rose (D-Southern Brooklyn, Staten Island) issued a statement after comments made by President Donald Trump in which he confirmed that he has never discussed Russian bounties on American soldiers in Afghanistan with Vladimir Putin.
“When the President was finally asked if he ignored intelligence on Russia placing bounties on American soldiers as they supplied the Taliban with weapons, he first denied it and then outrageously excused it by essentially saying, ‘America did it first.’ For the President to side with Russia over the lives of American soldiers is a betrayal and dishonors the title of Commander in Chief,” said Rose.
In the interview with Axios, President Trump said of this week’s call with Putin, “That was a phone call to discuss other things, and frankly that’s an issue that many people said was fake news.”
Colton Supports our Men/Women in Blue
Assemblyman William Colton (Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, and Dyker Heights) thanked the United Chinese Association for taking initiative in issuing a statement in support of our men and women in blue who are risking their lives every day to keep us all safe.
“As crime and shootings continue to skyrocket and disrespect for police and laws continues, everyone must speak up. I personally would like to thank [Brooklyn lawmakers] Andrew Gounardes, Mark Treyger, Justin Brannan, Peter Abbate and Kalman Yeger who joined me in signing the letter of support for NYPD,” Colton stated.
