Colton: Parents Join Fight Against Terminating Schools Screening
Assemblyman William Colton (D – Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Dyker Heights) yesterday urged parents to come together and demand that the Mayor and Chancellor reverse their decision on terminating screening and auditions for middle schools’ admission.
“The Department of Education announced that they will not allow any screening or auditioning for its screened middle schools, such as Mark Twain for the coming school year. The Mayor and DOE Chancellor intentionally ignored the great public concern and had made their decision to eliminate screening and auditions in middle schools. This is another example of a failure of educational leadership by the Mayor and the Chancellor,” Colton stated.
“I will be advocating for parents to band together. We’ll fight against a radical left ideology tilting decisions on distorted logic that children in screened schools are mostly from wealthy families who are not entitled to special schools that will meet their needs in advancing their skills and talents. This illogical policy favors a lottery to select students for such middle schools and not a selection by hard work and special talents. If we allow this to continue it will result in children neither studying nor learning to play musical instruments or perfecting other academic talents. We can’t let children learn the sad lesson that hard work does not matter but only the luck of a draw and chance will determine which children are selected.
“I am calling on all parents to oppose such drastic changes to the decades of successful G&T programs. We must unite, speak out, and demand quality education for all children, including those with advanced skills and talents including those children who are underperforming, who need quality remedial programs, including special needs children who the DOE must comply with their IEP’s and including all children who must be provided with programs meeting their educational needs. Together we will prevail in our fight against this bureaucratic administration,” Colton continued.
James on Coup Attempt at U.S. Capitol
New York Attorney General Letitia James today released the following statement in response to the situation occurring at the United States Capitol:
“The coup attempt initiated by outgoing President Trump has been despicable. Today, it became violent. If blood is shed, it will be on his hands. These actions, fueled by lies and wild conspiracy theories espoused by President Trump, must be unequivocally condemned by every corner of our society.
“Ultimately, I am confident the rule of law will prevail. Joe Biden, our duly elected president, will assume office on January 20th and history will remember this as a sad but unsuccessful attempt to destroy our democratic republic.”
Adams, Cumbo to Investigate Response to Riot
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams will join City Councilmember Laurie Cumbo (D-Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Prospect Heights, Crown Heights, Downtown Brooklyn) outside the United States District Court in the Eastern District to demand the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) investigate the response by Capitol Police after a mob supporting President Trump stormed the US Capitol building and attempted a coup, leaving several injured and one dead.
Numerous reports indicated that, despite causing extensive property damage and attacking law enforcement officials, insurrectionists were met with little resistance by Capitol Police. Only 13 people involved in the coup have been arrested thus far.
Adams will contrast this relatively lenient response with the overwhelming use of force used by police departments across the country in response to Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests that gripped the country last year, which resulted in the arrests of thousands. Adams and others will also call for everyone involved in the apparent coup attempt to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Adams will also issue an open call to clergy leaders to organize prayer vigils outside their respective houses of worship to pray for healing in the country after yesterday’s traumatic events.
This event is slated to take place at 11 a.m., today, Thursday Jan. 7 at 225 Cadman Plaza East
Jeffries Statement on Congressional Certification of Biden as President
U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-Brooklyn, Queens), Chairman of the House Democratic Caucus, early this morning issued the following statement regarding the insurrection of the nation’s capital and the Capital Building, which houses Congress.
“Yesterday, our democracy experienced a day of unprecedented insurrection, sedition and treason. All who have provided aid and comfort to this assault on our Capitol must be held accountable.
“Like our great nation, House Democrats are resilient. We will never allow violent attacks on our democracy to deter us from our constitutional responsibilities and that includes the certification of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as the next president and vice president of the United States of America.
“The November election was one of the most secure in American history. Joe Biden won in clear and convincing fashion, with more votes than any other candidate in the history of the republic. The people have spoken and the peaceful transition of power will occur.
“On January 20, 2021, Joe Biden will be sworn in as the 46th president. We will leave behind a chapter driven by chaos, crisis and confusion and begin a new era guided by peace, prosperity and progress on behalf of everyday Americans. We will meet the scale of human suffering in our country with an ambitious vision to Build Back Better For The People.”
