CM Williams Responds To 2018 Election Results
City Council member Jumaane Williams (D-Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood) addressed the state and nation-wide results of the 2018 midterm elections yesterday.
On Tuesday night, New York State picked up key democratic seats including: a win by War veteran Max Rose in the race against GOP Rep. Dan Donovan for New York’s 11th Congressional District; Democratic candidate Andrew Gounardes ousted longtime Republican incumbent Marty Golden to become the next State Senator of Senatorial District 22; and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, bartender turned progressive darling became the youngest woman elected to Congress representing the 14th Congressional District. Another historic and major win of the night was that of Public Advocate Letitia James to Attorney General, marking the first-ever African-American woman to hold the statewide position.
“Last night, progressive grassroots energy led to sweeping change in the New York State Senate, and the House of Representatives. History was also made in electing New York’s first black woman Attorney General. And while not every battle was won, this repudiation of the bigotry of Trump and his allies will reverberate for years, so I thank the countless individuals who made it possible. I also thank voters for persevering through the long lines and faulty equipment of a broken electoral system in New York City. Elections reform and major changes at the Board of Elections must be among our top priorities in the city coming out of last night.
A glimpse of hope has broken through the dark cloud of hatred that Trump and others have cast over this country. Inspiring individuals and communities with a shared vision for a better country showed that last night. But there are, in many ways, two Americas, and last night’s results also showed that bigotry and fear still have a hold on many areas and populations in our nation. There has always been this divide, and just as there has always been hatred, there have been people pushing back, moving us on that moral arc toward justice.
We can’t slow down now. As a nation, it’s time for us to push our newly elected governing bodies to fulfill their promises. It’s time for us to reform our election laws to prevent yesterday’s disastrous voter suppression efforts. And it’s time to bring transformational change to our city, state and country. With ongoing activist energy from individuals across the nation, we can achieve these goals,” said Williams.
Colton, AM Williams To Host Turkey Giveaway For Thanksgiving
Assembly member William Colton (D-Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, Dyker Heights) and Jaime Williams (D-Canarsie, Georgetown, Mill Basin, Marine Park, Gerritsen Beach) will each host a turkey giveaway for the Thanksgiving holiday this month.
This is an annual event for both lawmakers. Turkeys will be given out on a first-come-first-serve basis and volunteers are welcomed.
“My strategy is that as many families as possible should have turkey on the table for the holiday. It’s very sad to think that there are too many folks who practically have no family and will be alone for the holiday, so I am trying my best to bring out the feeling of faith in people, and to let them know that someone out there does care. When I see happy faces it just makes me feel that my mission is accomplished. That’s when I feel satisfied,” said Colton.
“We are always here to help one another and especially in light of this holiday season let us keep in mind those who may need, thank you and I look forward to seeing you all. Happy Thanksgiving!” said Williams.
For more information about Colton’s turkey giveaway, please feel free to reach out to his district office at 718-236-1598.
Williams’ event is slated for 1 p.m. to 6 p.m., Monday, Nov. 12, at Glen Terrace — Parking Lot (adjacent to 5318 Ave. N) in Flatlands.
Nadler Responds To Trump Firing of Sessions
Congressman Jerrold Nadler (D-Western Brooklyn, Manhattan’s West Side), Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, denounced President Donald Trump’s firing of Attorney General Jeff Sessions yesterday.
On Wednesday, Sessions was forced to give his resignation by the President after weeks of attacks over his attorney general’s decision to recuse himself from the Justice Department’s inquiry into Russian meddling in the 2016 election.
The move has many top Democrats fearing for the future of the U.S. probe into alleged Russian meddling during the 2016 election, which is being led by Special Counsel Robert Mueller but overseen by the U.S. Attorney General. Mueller is investigating alleged collusion between the Trump campaign and Russia, that so far has resulted in a series of criminal charges against several Trump associates, according to the BBC.
Trump announced attorney general’s chief of staff Matthew Whitaker to serve as interim attorney general. Whitaker has been a critic of Mueller’s inquiry, according to The Guardian.
“There is no mistaking what this means, and what is at stake: this is a constitutionally perilous moment for our country and for the President. Donald Trump may think he has the power to hire and fire whomever he pleases, but he cannot take such action if it is determined that it is for the purposes of subverting the rule of law and obstructing justice.If he abuses his office in such a fashion, then there will be consequences,” said Nadler.
“Under these conditions, it would be wholly inappropriate for Mr. Whitaker to supervise the Special Counsel investigation given his documented history of opposition to it. The Deputy Attorney General, Rod Rosenstein, should continue to oversee the investigation unhindered, and no other changes to the supervisory structure of the investigation should be made,” added Nadler.
