The police department had to close Lafayette Avenue in front of Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr.'s office where a demonstration of support for Councilman Diaz Sr. was held today. The crowd was estimated to be between 350 and 400 people by officers of the 43rd Police Precinct of the Bronx.
Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr. stood with community leaders, and only with the District Leaders from the 87th Assembly District Mr. John Perez and Ms. Julia Rodriguez as no other elected official came to show support for Ruben Diaz Sr. This coming after City Council Speaker Corey Johnson called for an immediate apology by Diaz Sr. for what was interpreted as derogatory remarks Diaz had said on a Spanish speaking radio station last week. After a few days without receiving anything from Diaz Sr. a resolution to eliminate the For Hire Vehicle Committee which Diaz Sr. had chaired came to a floor vote resulting in a 45 - 3 - 1 vote by the council thus eliminating the For Hire Vehicle Committee. There have been calls for Councilman Diaz Sr. to resign, and even for the Ethics Committee to eject Diaz Sr. from the City Council. That is only done in very rare cases, which many experts say could not be done in this instance.
At least one of Councilman Diaz Sr's opponents he defeated has condemned his remarks, and has issued a statement that she intends to run again against Diaz Sr. be it tomorrow, next year or in 2021 when Diaz Sr. would be up for re-election. Another former opponent is expected to do the same.
Above - Councilman Ruben Diaz Sr. with his arm around his granddaughter Erica and nephew who flew up from Texas next to him, both who are members of the LGBTQ Community to show support.
Below - 87th Assembly District Leader John Perez stands behind Erika Diaz.
