Team AOC - On the eviction moratorium:

 

Over the last few days, a lot has happened regarding the federal eviction moratorium. 

To catch you up and lay out what’s going on, we put together this email explaining everything you need to know and how you can help: 

What is the eviction moratorium?

In September 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a freeze on evictions to prevent homelessness during the pandemic and combat the spread of COVID-19. 

The moratorium had been extended several times while state and local governments worked to distribute more than $45 billion in emergency funds that Congress appropriated to provide rental assistance for tenants and landlords.

The extended eviction ban was recently set to expire on June 30, but the Biden administration announced another extension through July 31 — a decision upheld by the Supreme Court.

Why wasn’t it extended again?

Last Thursday — the day before the House was set to adjourn — the Biden administration released a statement calling on Congress to extend the moratorium, suggesting that it only could be done through Congressional authorization this time. 

But instead of staying to vote or reconvening to pass an extension in time, some members of Congress chose to leave for seven weeks of vacation, and Congress adjourned without taking action by the deadline.

What is going on now?

There’s still an opportunity to act, and we’re not accepting excuses. Up to 11 million people are currently behind on rent and are now at risk of being evicted — even though billions in emergency assistance for tenants and landlords is still available.

Alexandria is joining Rep. Cori Bush and their colleagues in the House to urge Congress to do everything in its power to extend the moratorium. But they need your help to keep up the pressure:

Will you call your reps and urge them to take a stand and support extending the eviction moratorium? You can find the number and sample script here.

Call your reps now

Thank you for taking action today,

– Team AOC

Governor Cuomo: "We Have Seen This Movie Before"

New Yorkers are Encouraged to Get Their Vaccinations to Avoid Going Back to Life with Pandemic Restrictions

Governor Cuomo: "New Yorkers saw the movie. You saw the movie. You know how this turns out. You know what happens with the Delta Variant. You know what those facts mean. You know what's going to happen in the movie. Don't wait for what you know is going to happen." 

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today, at a press briefing, encouraged New Yorkers to avoid reliving the COVID movie that played out last year.

VIDEO of the Governor's remarks is available on YouTube here and in TV quality (h.264, mp4) format here.

AUDIO of the Governor's remarks is available here.

A rush transcript of the Governor's remarks are available below:

Last, last point. I'm with two of my daughters, they came up the other day. Twins, Cara and Mariah. We're going to watch a movie at night and I say you pick the movie, they pick the movie. We're watching the movie. During the course of the movie I selectively prophesize on what I think is going to happen. He's going to move too close to the window, he's going to get shot. Then he gets too close to the window - bang - he gets shot, he's too close to the window. Couple of minutes later. He's going to get in the car, he's going to turn on the car, the car blows up. Gets in the car, it blows up. 

After the movie, one of my daughters says to me, you know, that that was really amazing how you figured out what was going to happen in that movie? I let her sit with that for a couple of minutes. And then I had to tell her the truth, which is, I said, no, I saw the movie already. It wasn't brilliant analysis of the plot; I saw the movie. We have seen the COVID movie.  

We've seen this movie. I've seen this movie. Melissa has seen this movie every day through the briefings. Rick Cotton runs the airports among other things, one of the first people to get COVID because it was coming through the airports. He's seen the movie. Beth Garvey saw the movie. She had to write all the laws. Janno Lieber saw the movie at the MTA. We had to figure out how to disinfect subway cars because the first piece of bad information was surface transmission, remember that? So, we had to come up with all sorts of chemicals and PPE, and then he had an operate a system with no riders. Rob Mujica dealt with it every day in the financial chaos.  

New Yorkers saw the movie. You saw the movie. You know how this turns out. You know what happens with the Delta Variant. You know what those facts mean. You know what's going to happen in the movie. Don't wait for what you know is going to happen. We beat the damn thing by being smart the first time. Be smart again. "Well, the CDC. Well, this," New Yorkers did not make a decision the first time because of the CDC. It was because they got the facts. They're smart and they made a decision based on the facts.  

You have the facts. I'll give you the facts, but make the smart decision because you saw the movie. By the way, you've also seen the movie on homelessness. You've also seen the movie on crime out-of-control in New York City. I've seen that movie three times in my life. You know how the movie ends. Be smart. 

MAYOR DE BLASIO APPOINTS MARGARET NELSON ACTING NYC PARKS COMMISSIONER

 

 Mayor Bill de Blasio today appointed Margaret Nelson as Acting Commissioner of NYC Parks. Nelson, currently Parks’ Deputy Commissioner for Urban Park Services and Public Programs, began her career at Parks in 2014.

 

“Our parks are New Yorkers backyards, and caring for them requires a leader with experience, vision and passion,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “Margaret is a time-tested public servant who will be an integral part of our recovery.  I thank Mitchell for his 7 years of dedicated service to our parks and the people of New York City.” 

 

“Our recovery must be rooted in equity, and our parks are one of the cornerstones of that effort,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing and Economic Development Vicki Been. “I am thrilled to work with Margaret in her new role – she’s been a forceful and creative driver of our investments in equity over the past few years and her extensive experience with parks will allow a seamless transition in leadership.  I thank Mitchell Silver for his steadfast devotion to making our parks better, more welcoming, and much more equitable for all, and for making NYC Parks a great place to work and a model of efficient and effective service.”

 

“It is my honor and privilege to serve the City of New York. Thank you Mayor de Blasio for entrusting me to lead the gem that is NYC Parks,” said Acting Commissioner Margaret Nelson. “I would also like to offer a special thanks to outgoing Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver for his phenomenal leadership over the past 7-years. His culture of care and emphasis on health, happiness, and fun are all shared ideals I hope to bring to the table as I assume this new role. As the City continues to move toward recovery, we hope to keep our parks thriving, accessible, and equitable for all New Yorkers to enjoy.”

 

Nelson is a 7-year veteran of NYC Parks, most recently appointed Deputy Commissioner for Urban Park Services and Public Programs in May 2019 where she oversaw operations and staff from 36 citywide Recreation Centers, the Urban Park Rangers, and the Parks Enforcement Patrol units.  In addition to her most recent role, Acting Commissioner Nelson previously served as Commissioner Silver’s Chief of Staff. She was a key member of the executive management team responsible for establishing agency policies, guiding external and internal communications, and managing stakeholder relationships including non-profit partners and elected officials.

 

Since joining the agency in 2014, Acting Commissioner Nelson has been responsible for helping to implement the administration’s vision for equity in public spaces, planning and placemaking in parks, innovation and technology, and caring for parks. She spearheaded a number of inter-divisional funding initiatives including securing more than $80M for replacement fleet vehicles, and also helping establish a synthetic turf field maintenance and replacement model program.

 

Acting Commissioner Nelson earned her master’s degree in Public Administration from The Wagner School of Public Service at New York University and a bachelor’s degree from Duke University graduating Magna Cum Laude.

PUBLIC ADVOCATE RESPONDS TO THE FAILURE OF THE CITY AND STATE TO IMPLEMENT INDOOR MASK REQUIREMENTS

 

 Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams released the below statement after neither Governor Andrew Cuomo nor Mayor Bill de Blasio implemented the CDC-recommended indoor mask requirements. He will also hold a virtual media availability this afternoon on the issue with Dr. Celine Gounder.

"City and state executives appear to have learned nothing in the last 17 months. The Governor, who claims and exerts power whenever he wants it, denies and defers that power in the face of difficult decisions. He passed the burden to localities, and the Mayor has dangerously dropped it. Our leaders are moving slowly while the Delta variant does anything but. Waiting to see if cases rise is equivalent to inviting them to do so. We need an indoor mask mandate now - we needed it a week ago before the CDC issued their directive. A prioritized push for increased vaccination and interim mask requirements are not mutually exclusive, they are cooperatively necessary.

"New York: Just because the Mayor and Governor have so far failed to adopt CDC guidance doesn't mean we should. To protect ourselves, our neighbors, our city, please mask up in indoor spaces - and if you have not yet, get vaccinated."

IT’S TIME TO GET YOUR TICKETS FOR NYC HOMECOMING WEEK CONCERTS THIS AUGUST

 

Free tickets now available for the “It’s Time for Hip Hop in NYC” concert series produced by New York City, the Universal Hip Hop Museum, and IDEKO

 

Free tickets and VIP tickets for purchase now available for “WE LOVE NYC: The Homecoming Concert” produced by New York City, Clive Davis, and Live Nation

 In celebration of New York City’s comeback, Mayor de Blasio today announced that tickets for all NYC Homecoming Week concerts to be held this August are now available at nyc.gov/HomecomingWeek.

 

Free tickets are now available for the “It’s Time for Hip Hop in NYC” concert series produced by New York City, the Universal Hip Hop Museum, and IDEKO. The free concerts, to be livestreamed by Behind The Rhyme, a channel on Twitch, will be held:

• Monday, August 16^th, 3:00 p.m. at Orchard Beach in The Bronx
• Tuesday, August 17^th, 4:00 p.m. at Midland Beach on Staten Island
• Thursday, August 19^th, 4:00 p.m. at Brooklyn Army Terminal in Brooklyn
• Friday, August 20^th, 4:00 at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens

 

Free tickets and VIP tickets for purchase are now available for “WE LOVE NYC: The Homecoming Concert” produced by New York City, Clive Davis, and Live Nation. This historic concert, presented by Citi® and Expedia® and to be aired exclusively on CNN, will be held on Saturday, August 21^st at 5:00 p.m. at the Great Lawn in Central Park.

 

Additional free tickets for the “It’s Time for Hip Hop in NYC” concert series, along with free tickets and VIP tickets for purchase for “WE LOVE NYC: The Homecoming Concert” will be released on:

• Tuesday, August 3 at 7 a.m. EDT
• Wednesday, August 4 at 9 p.m. EDT
• Thursday, August 5 at 7 a.m. EDT
• Friday, August 6 at 10 a.m. EDT
• Saturday, August 7 at 9 p.m. EDT

 

To enter a NYC Homecoming Week concert, all attendees who are age 12 or over must present proof of COVID-19 vaccination, except for persons who are unable to get vaccinated because of a disability, who will be provided reasonable accommodation. Unvaccinated minors under the age of 12 may accompany a vaccinated adult. Face coverings are required for unvaccinated minors under the age of 12 and who are over age two and medically able to tolerate a face-covering.

 

Proof of vaccination includes at least one dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine, such as Pfizer, Moderna, Johnson & Johnson, or AstraZeneca/Oxford.

 

Attendees can present proof of vaccination by showing their:

• CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Card;
• A photo (digital or printout) of their CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Card;
• New York City COVID SAFE App; or
• New York State Excelsior Pass. (Note: You do not have to be a New York State resident to obtain an Excelsior Pass, however, you must be fully vaccinated to use the pass. Examples: Second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, the single dose of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine.)

 

An attendee who is not able to get vaccinated because of a disability will be required to:

• Sign an attestation to that effect to enter the concert;
• Present proof of a negative COVID PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test taken within 72 hours prior to the concert; and
• If medically able to tolerate a face-covering, wear a mask for the entire duration of the concert.

 

All attestations are subject to verification and anyone found to have intentionally provided false information may be subject to a criminal misdemeanor violation that may result in penalties. 

 

No ticket refunds or exchanges will be issued, and tickets will not be honored if the attendee is unable to provide proper proof of vaccination at the time of the event or has not attested that they are unable to get vaccinated because of a disability.

 

A celebration of New York City’s resilience, NYC Homecoming Week will drive support for the mom-and-pop businesses and local organizations that define our neighborhoods and that kept the heart of our city beating throughout the COVID pandemic.

 

Held from August 14^th through August 22^nd, NYC Homecoming Week events will also include:

●       Free film and TV screenings by Rooftop Films;

●       Cultural activities and public art; and

●       Iconic events including NYC Restaurant Week and Summer Streets.

 

Visit nyc.gov/HomecomingWeek for more information. View the NYC Homecoming Week Social Media Toolkit at: on.nyc.gov/HomecomingWeekToolkit.

 

Logistical media advisories will be released at a later date.

 

Media questions for “It’s Time for the Hip Hop in NYC” concert series can be addressed to itstimeforhiphopinnyc@covidrecovery.nyc.gov.

 

Media questions for “WE LOVE NYC: The Homecoming Concert” produced by New York City, Clive Davis and Live Nation can be addressed to WeLoveNYCConcertPR@dkcnews.com.

3rd Annual Yemini-American Parade in Morris Park

 

The 2019 Yemini-American Parade was a huge success, and people were looking for even more the next year, but due to COVID-19 the 2020 Yemini-American parade was a parade of cars with no one marching. 

With the city and country opening up for the July 4th celebration, it was decided to have the third Annual Yemini-American Parade across Rhinelander Avenue, as was done in 2019. The parade began at Mathews Avenue and went to White Plains Road, but this year it turned left at White Plains Road, going to Morris Park Avenue. At Morris Park Avenue the parade went to Hunt Avenue to finish up on Rhinelander Avenue in front of the Bronx Muslim Center. 

The parade was led by two NYPD horses and the NYPD marching band in a show of support for the Bronx Muslim community. Next came the elected officials led by Councilwoman, and future Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, Congressman Ritchie Torres, Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark, State Senator Gustavo Rivera, Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez, Bronx Community Board 11 Chair Al D'Angelo, future City Councilwomen Amanda Frias and Marjorie Velazquez, other community leaders, along with hundreds of Yemini-American marchers happy to be there dressed in traditional Yemen attire.  

Two NYPD horses led the Third Annual Yemini-American parade, followed by the NYPD marching band in a show of support for the Bronx Yemini community.

The marchers stop for a moment as the Yemen flag is unveiled in front of them. (L - R) are Community Board 7 District Manager Ischia Bravo, Allerton Merchants Association President Gene De Francis, Congressman Ritchie Torres, CB 11 Chair Al D'Angelo, Ardmir Malziu Representing Councilman Mark Gjonaj, Bronx DA Darcel Clark, Future Bronx BP Councilwoman Vanessa Gibson, Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez, State Senator Gustavo Rivera is behind Councilwoman Gibson, as is future City Council members Amanda Frias and Marjorie Velazquez, also in the back is John Doyle of Jacobi Hospital.                       

The high point of the parade was when the marchers turned onto White Plains Road, where Yahay Obeid, a leader of the Yemini-American community in full Yemen attire stood for this photo.

A drone was taking pictures of the event. It is owned by Mr. Yahay Obeid. 

 After the parade members of the Yemini-American community gathered in the street to continue the very successful Third Annual Yemini-American event.  

155 Days and Counting

 

I had fun up in the Bronx last week, I played Basketball with some good youths at Belmont Park while Councilman Oswald Feliz watched us. I played Volleyball with Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., and he plays to win. I cut a ribbon with Councilman Salamanca to a new affordable housing building. I broke ground With State Senator Jamaal Bailey and Assemblyman Dinowitz for a new science lab at Bronx Science High School. With Chancellor Porter I visited Lehman High School to watch students get vaccinated against COVID-19. My only regret is that I didn't get to participate in the Yemini_American Parade yesterday.

It's back to work at City Hall with my only worry until January 1st, is getting the public schools open in September without any problems. If only you stubborn people would get vaccinated we can stop this rise in COVID-19. It was not opening up by July 4th for the holiday. By the way we are changing our indicators today so the public won't know the real problem the city is in with the Delta variant of the virus. 

U.S. Promoter of Foreign Cryptocurrency Companies Pleads Guilty for Role in Multimillion-Dollar Securities Fraud Scheme

 

 A California man pleaded guilty today in the Eastern District of New York for his participation in a coordinated cryptocurrency and securities fraud scheme through purported digital currency platforms and foreign-based financial accounts. 

As part of his guilty plea, John DeMarr, 55, of Santa Ana, admitted that he conspired with others to defraud investor victims by inducing them to invest in their companies, “Start Options” and “B2G,” based on materially false and misleading representations. Start Options purported to be an online investment platform that provided cryptocurrency mining, trading and digital asset trading services. B2G was purportedly an “ecosystem” that would allow users to trade B2G tokens, provide digital wallet staking and trade digital and fiat currencies “on a secure, comprehensive platform.” Both Start Options and B2G, however, were fraudulent. 

As part of the conspiracy, in approximately December 2017, DeMarr and others began offering securities in the form of investment contracts to U.S. and international investors through the Start Options website. Investments were accepted in Bitcoin, U.S. dollars or Euros. To participate, investors had to deposit their funds for a specified contract period, after which they were told that they could withdraw their money at a significant profit. 

According to court documents, DeMarr and others falsely claimed that investor funds would be invested in digital asset mining and trading platforms that would earn them massive profits. In truth, however, the money was never invested and was instead diverted to accounts controlled by DeMarr and others and used for various personal expenditures, including the purchase of a Porsche, jewelry, and to remodel DeMarr’s home in California. 

Similarly, Start Options also claimed to feature celebrity endorsements to promote its securities offerings. For example, Start Options falsely represented that a professional athlete had endorsed Start Options when, in fact, the athlete was not involved with Start Options and his name and likeness were used without his consent. Based on this and other fraudulent promotional materials, investors sent millions of dollars’ worth of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and fiat currency to financial accounts, including cryptowallets, controlled by DeMarr and others in the U.S. and abroad. 

In late January 2018, rather than permitting Start Options investors to withdraw money from their accounts after the requisite time period, DeMarr and others required investors to roll over their accounts into an unregistered “initial coin offering,” or ICO, of B2G, the second of the two fraudulent companies in which DeMarr was involved. Among other fraudulent misrepresentations, DeMarr and others falsely told investors that the ICO would raise capital for the company to build an “ecosystem” that would allow users to trade B2G tokens, provide digital wallet staking, and trading. In truth, investors never actually received any digital tokens, and funds from the offering were not used to develop the B2G platform.

As part of the conspiracy, DeMarr and others also paid various promoters, including an actor famous for martial arts films made in the 1980s and 1990s, to serve as a promoter and celebrity spokesperson, falsely claiming that B2G could generate an “8000%” return for investors within one year, and that he was a participant in the ICO. DeMarr and others also created false press releases and whitepapers about B2G, fabricated B2G account statements and refused to allow investors to withdraw their money. 

DeMarr pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit securities fraud and is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 4, 2022. DeMarr faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. Polite Jr. of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, Acting U.S. Attorney Jacquelyn M. Kasulis of the Eastern District of New York, Assistant Director in Charge Kristi K. Johnson of the FBI’s Los Angeles Field Office, and Special Agent in Charge Ryan L. Korner of the IRS-Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Los Angeles Field Office made the announcement.

The FBI and IRS-CI are investigating the case.