Stringer Audit Reveals Breakdowns at Animal Care Shelters
Yesterday, City Comptroller Scott Stringer (D) released an audit of Animal Care Centers of NYC (ACC), revealing dire shelter conditions.
The ACC is a City-run organization responsible for rescuing and caring for stray animals in New York. Stringer’s audit revealed, among other things, dirty kennels, expired medication and intolerable humidity levels.
“Our city is defined by how we treat our most vulnerable — and that includes our four-legged friends, too,” said Stringer. “Until we find them forever homes, we have an obligation to provide safe conditions, adequate food and medical treatment to the thousands of animals in the City’s care. Our review of ACC and DOHMH’s management of the shelter system uncovered multiple deficiencies that need to be fixed.”
Espaillat and Co. Call for Investigation into Disturbing Procedures at ICE Facilities
Yesterday, U.S. Reps. Adriano Espaillat (D-Manhattan, Bronx), Veronica Escobar (D-TX) and Raul Ruiz (D-CA) called on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to investigate a whistleblower’s allegations that medical professionals at an ICE facility in Georgia performed invasive, non-consensual surgeries on migrant detainees.
The allegations include reports of unwanted hysterectomies performed on unwitting migrant women. In a letter to the DHS, the representatives demand a thorough investigation of the whistleblower’s complaint, as well as the release of all related information to Congress.
If true, these allegations are a gross violation of human rights, decency, and the values of our nation,” reads the letter. “Accordingly, we reiterate our appeal for the OIG to immediately provide Congress with all information related to medical procedures on detained migrants, especially at the ICE facility in the Irwin County detention center, and on the practices followed by medical professionals in detention facilities when invasive procedures are concerned.”
Read the full letter here.
Velázquez, Tlaib Seek to Remove Barriers to Voting for Formerly Incarcerated Citizens
Yesterday, U.S. Reps. Nydia Velázquez (D-LES, Brooklyn, Queens) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) introduced legislation to make it easier for ex-convicts to vote.
The bill would prevent states from barring said individuals from voting due to unpaid debts to the criminal justice system. Velázquez and Tlaib unveiled the bill soon after an appellate court ruled to uphold a constitutional amendment in Florida, which ruled that ex-convicts must pay all their debts in order to register to vote.
“Voter suppression comes in many forms and rules requiring people with felony records to pay court fines and fees before voting effectively cuts off millions of Americans from their fundamental right to vote,” Velázquez said. “These laws are essentially a ‘poll tax’, depriving predominantly people of color and low-income people of their ability to participate in our democratic process.”
Krueger to Host Townhall on Making Your Vote Count
Tonight, State Senator Liz Krueger (D-Upper East Side, Lenox Hill) will be hosting a townhall meeting on voting in the COVID-19 era.
Krueger will join representatives from Common Cause NY and the League of Women Voters to discuss recent changes to New York election laws. They will also be educating attendees on how to register to vote, apply to vote absentee and track your ballot.
The event will take place tonight from 7-8 p.m. on facebook.com/statesenatorlizkrueger. To RSVP, click here.
