Gounardes, Williams to Host 9//11 Vigil
State Sen. Andrew Gounardes (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Gravesend, Gerritsen Beach, Manhattan Beach, Marine Park), Assemblywoman Jaime Williams (D-Canarsie, Georgetown, Mill Basin, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach) along with Assemblywoman Helene Weinstein (D- Sheepshead Bay, Flatlands, East Flatbush, Midwood, Canarsie) and City Councilman Alan Maisel (D-Bergen Beach, Canarsie, Flatlands, Georgetown, Gerritsen Beach, Marine Park, Mill Basin, Mill Island, Sheepshead Bay) will hold their annual vigil to remember and mourn those who died on 9/11 and as a result of their response to 9/11.
All community members are welcome to gather in solemn remembrance. Participants will wear masks and keep six feet of distance. The event will also be live-streamed on Facebook @SenGounardes. This vigil is held in partnership with Millennium Development and the NYC Parks Department.
This event is slated to take place at 5 p.m. on Friday, Sep. 11 at the Carmine Carro Community Center at 3000 Fillmore Ave, near the flagpole
Rose on Return of Indoor Dining in NYC
U.S. Rep. Max Rose (D-Southern Brooklyn, Staten Island) along with State Senator Andrew Lanza, and Assembly Member Michael Cusick issued the following joint statement on Governor Andrew Cuomo’s announcement that indoor dining will be allowed in New York City in a reduced capacity:
“We appreciate Governor Cuomo hearing our calls and working with us to bring back New York City indoor dining,” Rose, Lanza and Cusick said. “Restaurants have been holding on for dear life and need to know there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. But this is just one step in a long journey. We need to make sure they get the support and guidance they need to safely reopen and we won’t stop fighting to make sure they get much needed and deserved relief.”
Eugene to Give out Free Food
City Council Member Mathieu Eugene (D-Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Kensington, Midwood, Prospect Park, Prospect Lefferts Gardens) is partnering with local organizations today to provide free food and masks to residents facing food insecurity and to help protect them during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I want to commend and thank the community organizations that have partnered with me to provide these resources to those in need,” said Eugene. “We have held several food and mask distributions, providing large sections of the community with food that will help them feed their families.
“This has been an extremely difficult time for our community, with many people suffering health issues, unemployment, and food insecurity as a result of the novel coronavirus. It is up to each of us to do everything we can to provide resources to help underserved residents provide for their families and maintain their health. It cannot be overstated that members of our community facing financial difficulties need these supplies as the city continues to reopen. I am confident that we will emerge from this pandemic and rebuild our community, but we must remain vigilant against this horrible virus until there is a proven vaccine or approved treatment. I am very appreciative to all of the first responders, essential workers, and medical professionals whose dedication to this city helped us lower the infection rate, but our work is not over, and that is why I will continue to provide these resources to all New Yorkers,” he said.
The giveaway partners are The Met Council, Council of Peoples Organization, and The Haitian Emergency Health and Disaster Organization. The event is slated for 3 p.m., today, Sept. 10 at Eugene’s District Office, 900 Rogers Avenue in East Flatbush.
Brannan, Gounardes Welcome Guidance on Indoor Dining
State Sen. Andrew Gounardes (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Gravesend, Gerritsen Beach, Manhattan Beach, Marine Park) and City Councilman Justin Brannan (D-Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach) released statements of support yesterday on the planned return of indoor dining on September 30.
The City and State released guidelines yesterday, which the Senator and Councilman had called for, allowing for 25% indoor capacity and other safety standards.
“I’m glad that the city has finally given guidance about returning to indoor dining. We worked with local restaurants to urge the City and State to immediately release guidelines so that restaurant owners could plan for the future and safely reopen their doors to customers. Our local restaurants are vital to preserving jobs and central to our city’s culture, and this move will help them – though it’s nowhere near enough to ensure they can stay afloat. We will need to monitor indoor dining closely to be sure it’s safe, and our small businesses still need substantial relief. But this is a step in the right direction, and I was glad to work with our local restaurant owners to help get it done,” said Gounardes.
“We have been sounding the alarm on this for a while now and are relieved that the governor and mayor finally heard our call. Local restaurant owners will now have an opportunity to plan for the winter and ensure that their businesses survive. But make no mistake: this will not be enough to save our local restaurants. Comprehensive relief is still needed, as well as clear metrics that restaurant owners can rely on in order to ensure indoor dining can continue and safely expand. That said, today’s announcement is a good baby step in getting us closer to safe and responsible indoor dining, and we welcome this announcement. Let’s all keep using our heads and staying safe,” said Brannan.
DA Gonzalez to Hold Gun Buyback Event
Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez, together with New York City Police Commissioner Dermot Shea, announced a Gun Buyback event.
“As we stand up against an uptick in shootings throughout our city and in Brooklyn, we must employ every strategy and engage every part of our community. Saturday’s gun buyback event will provide an opportunity for everyone to turn in a firearm and receive cash – a simple action that can help reduce the number of lethal weapons on our streets. I encourage anyone who is in possession of a gun or a rifle, or knows of someone who is, to come out to St. Paul’s Church, get some money and help make Brooklyn safer. My gratitude to the NYPD and Metro IAF for partnering with us,” said Gonzalez.
This event is slated to take place at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, September 12, at St. Paul Community Baptist Church, located at 859 Hendrix Street in East New York.
