Maloney Celebrates the Start of Black History Month
U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens) released the following statement on Monday, in recognition of the beginning of Black History Month:
“Black history is American history, and for us to live up to the ideals of this nation, we need to come together to make sure that all Americans have equal rights.
“This past summer, we witnessed a national reckoning on police violence, systemic racism, and the need for reform. These are long overdue conversations, and it should not have taken viral videos to wake us up to the reality that Black Americans face every single day.
“And so, as we build back better under the Biden-Harris Administration, we must prioritize racial equity and equality – in vaccine distribution, in education, and in small business support. And we must continue the work of icons like John Lewis, carrying on his legacy to finally make law the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and the George Floyd Justice in Policing Act.
“As we look to how we build a better future, we also celebrate our past, and the leaders who brought us to this point. I am thrilled that the Biden Administration is restarting the process to put Harriet Tubman on new $20 bills. The legendary conductor of the Underground Railroad, who escaped slavery herself and helped to lead more than 300 others to freedom, will become the first Black American to be honored on United States currency.
“As we begin this month of celebration, let us all rededicate ourselves to the fight for civil rights, for those who came before to change this country for the better, and for the future, so that our children will not have to.”
Brewer, Chin to Host SoHo/NoHo Housing Info Session
Tonight, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer (D) and Councilmember Margaret Chin (D-Battery Park City, Chinatown) and the Department of City Planning (DCP) will be hosting an information session on housing in SoHo and NoHo.
The session will consist of a presentation from DCP and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), followed by a Q&A. This will be the first of several information sessions that Brewer and Chin will host in the coming months.
The event will take place tonight at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom. To register, click here. If you only want to watch, the DCP will also be streaming the event live on their Youtube page.
Espaillat Announces Weekly Remote Learning Workshops for Parents and Caregivers
Last Monday, U.S. Rep. Adriano Espaillat (D-Manhattan, Bronx) announced that, starting this week, he will be hosting live workshops to help parents and caregivers who are new to remote learning.
The workshops will take place every Thursday at 5 p.m.; recordings of each session will be made available for those with conflicting schedules. The workshops will cover a wide range of topics, ranging from multilingual learning to accommodations for students with disabilities.
The first workshop will take place tomorrow from 5-6:30 p.m. To register, click here.
Dan Quart Applauds Passage of “Walking While Trans” Ban
Assemblymember Dan Quart (D-Murray Hill, Lenox Hill) released a statement yesterday in response to the passage of the “Walking While Trans” ban in the Assembly.
The Assembly passed a bill yesterday repealing the New York statute that criminalizes loitering for the purpose of prostitution. This statute, commonly known as the “Walking While Trans” ban, has allowed police to profile, harass, and arrest trans people on suspicion of prostitution, simply because of their gender identity.
“For decades, the loitering for the purpose of prostitution statute has enabled the NYPD to harass, profile, and arrest anyone they think is engaging in sex work,” said Quart. :The burden of criminalization has fallen heaviest on transgender women of color, who are targeted with deliberate precision.
“Penal Law 240.37 serves no legitimate public safety purpose. Instead, it arms law enforcement with yet another tool of discrimination, and exposes women of color and queer people to police violence. The repeal of the Walking While Trans ban is a testament to the tireless advocacy and decades-long organizing efforts of transgender women of color and sex workers. I was proud to vote to repeal this law and specifically want to recognize the work of TS Candii, whose resolve and willingness to share her story made this historic moment possible.”
