MANH Lawmakers on the Move, Jan. 28, 2021

De La Rosa Recognizes Holocaust Remembrance Day

Assembly Member Carmen De La Rosa (Photo credit: nyassembly.gov) — Assembly Member Carmen De La Rosa

Yesterday, Assemblymember Carmen De La Rosa (D-Upper Manhattan) released a statement in recognition of Holocaust Remembrance Day.

Founded in 2006, Holocaust Remembrance Day commemorates the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz by the Red Army on Jan. 27, 1945.

“We mourn the 6 million Jews and 11 million others that were murdered during the Holocaust,” said De La Rosa. “I also honor the theme to ‘be the light in the darkness’ by actively committing to combat and challenge anti-Semitism and hate rhetoric of any kind. The Holocaust reminds us of the dangers of hate and why it is important for us to spread acceptance and stand firm against discrimination.”

Rivera to Host Homeowner Benefits Information Session

Council Member Carlina Rivera (Photo credit: council.nyc.gov) — Council Member Carlina Rivera

Today, Councilmember Carlina Rivera (D-East Village, Gramercy Park) will be hosting a virtual information session on benefits that homeowners and renters can apply for.

Rivera will be providing attendees information on how to freeze their rent, and the property tax benefits they may be eligible for. She will also be showing them how to navigate the NYC Department of Finance’s website.

The event will take place today at 5 p.m. To register, click here.

James Fights to Defend States’ Abilities to Protect Residents from Gun Violence

Attorney General Letitia James (Photo credit: Mike Groll/Office of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo) — Attorney General Letitia James

Yesterday, New York Attorney General Letitia James (D) joined a coalition of 18 attorneys general to ensure that their states’ governments have the means to defend their citizens from gun violence.

The coalition wrote an amicus brief in support of the defendants in the case Jones v. Becerra, a challenge to California’s state law banning firearm purchases by citizens between the ages of 18 and 21. In the brief, they argue that the restriction is both reasonable and well within the confines of the Second Amendment.

“Gun violence in America remains a serious threat to us all, whether we live in New York, California, or any other state,” said James. “States have every right to take the necessary steps to protect their residents from gun violence, which is why we are taking this action to stop another avoidable tragedy. The last thing we need to do is to make dangerous weapons more accessible to young people. This is about protecting our residents from experiencing more pain, more death, and more gun violence.”

Chin to Host Rally to Pass Intro. 116

Council Member Margaret Chin (Photo credit: council.nyc.gov) — Council Member Margaret Chin

Today, Councilmember Margaret Chin (D-Battery Park City, Chinatown) will be hosting a virtual press conference and rally in favor of legislation to reform the City’s street vending system.

Intro. 116 would, first and foremost, gradually expand the number of permits to vend food in New York; the City would regularly issue batches of new permits each year from 2022 to 2032. Secondly, it would create a new arm of law enforcement that would exclusively enforce vending laws. Finally, it would provide for the creation of a vendor advisory board, to oversee the effectiveness of both the permit rollout and the new law enforcement unit.

The event will take place today at 12 p.m. over Zoom. To register, click here.