Adams Holds Public Remembrance for R.B.G
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams held a public remembrance to honor the life and legacy of the U.S. Supreme Court Justice and former Brooklynite Ruth Bader Ginsburg, who passed away on Friday at the age of 87, yesterday.
He was joined by a wide array of civic leaders, advocacy organizations, and everyday New Yorkers, all of whom owe a profound debt to the late legal giant and her pioneering example.
Adams and other participants spoke about Justice Ginsburg’s enduring contributions, and how we can all work together to carry on her legacy of advocating for the vulnerable and marginalized in our society. Theyalso renewed calls to rename the Brooklyn Municipal Building in her honor.
Eugene Introduces Five Pieces of Legislation
City Council Member Mathieu Eugene (D-Crown Heights, East Flatbush, Flatbush, Kensington, Midwood, Prospect Lefferts Gardens) last week introduced five pieces of legislation at the City Council Stated Meeting that will better protect underserved New Yorkers during the COVID-19 pandemic and future public health emergencies:
Resolution 1416 calls on the United States Department of Homeland Security to halt all deportation proceedings for the length of the COVID-19 pandemic, as a means of restricting the global spread of this disease.
Resolution 1417 calls on the United States Department of Homeland Security to place a moratorium on all removal proceedings for employment-based status holders that suffered a loss of employment during or due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Resolution 1418 calls on the United States Congress and the President to sign legislation that would permit employment-based status holders to retain lawful status, after loss of employment, if such loss was related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Introduction 2075 is a local law to provide public school students with mobile hot spot devices.
Introduction 2076 is a local law to require the Commissioner of Buildings to recommend updates to the construction codes to facilitate the conversion of buildings into temporary hospitals in the event of a pandemic or other public health emergency.
“I believe that we must do more as a city to protect our underserved residents from the uncertain living and working conditions that have manifested as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. As an elected official representing a majority immigrant community, I have seen firsthand the enormous burden that so many hardworking immigrant status-holders are facing regarding loss of employment due to COVID-19,” said Eugene.
“These are dedicated New Yorkers, many of whom have operated on the front lines of this health crisis, and it is not right that they are subjected to removal proceedings because of employment-based conditions outside of their control. We have small business owners, cab drivers, essential workers, and healthcare professionals, all of whom risked their personal well-being to keep our city and our country running during the pandemic. Many people do not realize how important our immigrant workers are to the fabric of this country and the sacrifices they have made for many years to keep our nation functioning in times of crisis. Now is the time when we must support and protect them so that they have the means to improve their lives in the pursuit of the American Dream.”
Persaud with Census Team to Raise Awareness
State Sen. Roxanne Persaud (D- Canarsie, East New York, Brownsville, Mill Basin, Old Mill Basin, Sheepshead Bay, Bergen Beach, Marine Park, Flatlands, Mill Island, Georgetown, Ocean Hill, Starrett City) partnered with the NYC 2020 Census team and hosted a Census Caravan to raise awareness of the 2020 Census deadline and encourage area residents to complete their 2020 Census filing before the end of the month.
“Less than 2 weeks remain for you to complete the 2020 Census online or by telephone. Have you and your family filed your Census forms? If yes, thank you. By completing your Census information, you are helping your community to receive its fair share of federal funding. I urge you to take ten minutes or less out of your day and complete the ten questions for ten years of resources. Please take a moment to answer the survey today by phone at (844) 330-2020 or online at my2020census.gov. There are no immigration or citizenship questions asked. It’s fast, easy, and completely confidential,” she writes.
Schumer, Gillibrand: Reverse Changes to Postal Service
U.S. Senators Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) sent a letter to Postmaster General Louis DeJoy calling for the immediate reversal of harmful operational changes following reports that delivery time for critical prescription medications have increased.
“Postmaster DeJoy’s backwards policies and blatant undermining of the Post Office isn’t just playing politics, it’s playing with New Yorkers’ health and medications in the midst of a pandemic,” said Schumer. “It is unfathomable that during this pandemic, Mr. DeJoy is creating yet another crisis by refusing to reverse the operational changes that have resulted in days, and in some cases even weeks, of missed doses, threatening the health and potentially the lives of vulnerable New Yorkers. This cannot continue. Mr. DeJoy must immediately fix the changes that impacted the timely delivery of medications.”
“It is unacceptable that Postmaster General DeJoy refuses to reverse changes that have interfered with the delivery of vital medications to seniors and families across New York State. Seniors and those with preexisting medical conditions are especially vulnerable to this pandemic, and it is dangerous to prevent them from receiving their medications safely by mail,” said Gillibrand. “Congress must act to protect the integrity of USPS. These disruptions have placed a great burden on those at greatest risk of the pandemic and I demand DeJoy reverse course on his disastrous operational changes.”
Rose in Fight Against Anti-Semitism Again
U.S. Rep. Max Rose (D-Southern Brooklyn, Staten Island) hosted a virtual forum last week on efforts to combat anti-Semitism with United States Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism Elan Carr.
“I am proud to be the first Jew to ever represent this Congressional District, and I am proud to be working with you, to be fighting this oldest form of hatred and making sure our voices are heard,”Rose said of Carr. “We have a Mayor here in New York City who called out Jews for congregating during COVID and ignored people who were getting together in Central Park in far greater numbers. Not too long ago, we had people in our communities afraid to wear their kippah, afraid to go to shul in the 21st century. Now we have people calling to defund the police right when we need our officers out there protecting the community. This fight is expansive, and it is not going anywhere, but there is nothing that we cannot achieve when we’re united.”
Special Envoy Carr discussed the work he is doing to combat anti-Semitism abroad, what can be done here at home, and what we should be doing as a community to ensure that anti-Semitism will not threaten us in our daily lives. Special Envoy Carr was appointed by Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to coordinate the United States Government’s response to anti-Semitism around the world. He has travelled to Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia as our nation’s representative to local Jewish communities and national governments.
