Gianaris Hands Out Lunches at Queensbridge, Tours Covid-19 Testing Site
Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris (D-Astoria, Long Island City, Sunnyside and parts of Woodside, Maspeth, Ridgewood and Woodhaven) joined Frontline Foods, Food First, and Queensbridge 696 to distribute meals to residents in Queensbridge Houses on Thursday. While there, Senator Gianaris also toured a covid-19 testing site at the Jacob Riis Neighborhood Settlement House.
“In these challenging times, it is uplifting to see so many neighbors helping neighbors and I was glad to join their efforts today,” said Senate Deputy Leader Michael Gianaris. “Equally impressive was the coronavirus testing site at Jacob Riis Neighborhood Settlement House. I encourage all New Yorkers to continue wearing masks and washing their hands but also to be tested – it is free and easy and helps keep us all safe.”
Sanders to Participate in Virtual Southeast Queens Town Hall
Senator James Sanders Jr. (D-Richmond Hill, South Ozone Park, Jamaica, Rochdale Village, Rosedale and parts of Far Rockaway) is partnering with other elected officials for a Southeast Queens Virtual Town Hall to inform the community about how our offices are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, what resources are available, and to give the community an opportunity to tell us about the issues they are experiencing.
The town hall will be Monday August 3, at 6 p.m. on Zoom and Facebook Live. Please RSVP on Eventbrite for the links.
Addabbo Passes Hate Symbol Education Bill
State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr. (D-Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Glendale, Middle Village, Maspeth and parts of South Ozone Park, Ridgewood, Woodside and The Rockaways) announced Tuesday that legislation aimed at teaching the meanings behind hate symbols passed in the Senate.
If passed into law, bill S.6448 would require instruction regarding symbols of hate, including the swastika and the noose, to be incorporated into the curricula for grades six through twelve.
As hate crimes are on the rise in New York City, and across the state, legislators believe it is imperative that educators teach children the meaning behind these hateful symbols — like the swastika used by Nazis and the noose which has been used as a symbol of racism and intimidation.
“I believe that one of the best ways to combat hate is through education,” Addabbo said. “I co-sponsored this bill mindful of certain incidents in my district and hopeful that it will have educators teach their students the history and meaning behind these hateful symbols. If students understand what these symbols mean, where they came from, and how they have been used to oppress marginalized communities, hopefully they will learn from the mistakes of the past and work towards a better, more inclusive, future.”
The bill has passed the Senate and is being sent to the State Assembly for a vote.
