Friends,
Several family members who have lost loved ones to police murder have courageously written an open letter with a simple message: “DO NOT VOTE FOR RITCHIE TORRES.”
I am humbled by the bravery of Iris Baez and the others who have signed this letter. I see your strength, your resilience, and your honesty.
They wrote: “At a time when the whole country is focused on police violence against Black and Latino communities, the last thing we need is to promote an elected official like Ritchie Torres who has lied to us as families and betrayed the anti-police brutality movement.”
They’re absolutely right.
Ritchie Torres has proven that, when it really comes down to it, he will not do what is needed to protect our community. Ritchie Torres does what’s best for Ritchie Torres – and that leaves a whole lot of people out. That’s not representation. That’s not what we want for The Bronx in Congress.
Ritchie Torres made an effort to betray this moment, where we stand together, fists raised against police brutality. He gutted legislation that would increase police accountability and would help make our communities safer.
These families took the brave step to come forward, to let people know what is really going on. “We’ve been through too much to let lying and opportunistic politicians like Ritchie Torres betray us and then seek higher political office.”
