115 Days and Counting - School is Open

 

Let me remind you that school is back in session. Be careful when you drive near and around our schools. We have additional speed cameras set up, and the NYC speed limit is 25 MPH, but it is only 20 MPH in a school zone.

I went up to the Bronx today to welcome the children back to school, with Schools Chancellor Porter. Now that we have in school learning, I expect a lot of learning to be done in the last few months of my administration, so I can hand over to the next mayor, Eric Adams a fully functional public school system.

Keeping Alexandria in Congress

 

We want to talk about why this month is so important for our campaign.

At the end of this month, our campaign will submit a public report to the FEC detailing how much we’ve fundraised in the last three months.

As one of the most heavily targeted members of Congress, Alexandria’s report will draw huge attention from political opponents, pundits, and powerful special interests who are hoping to see our movement lose momentum.

Alexandria has spent this past month speaking truth to power: From taking on Texas Governor Abbott over the state’s harmful abortion restrictions, to calling attention to Joe Manchin’s ties with corporate lobbyists and his unwillingness to support the reconciliation budget bill, to pressuring our own party to step up and do a lot more to protect voting rights.

We know that whenever Alexandria uses her voice to call out corruption and fight for the people, those special interests will look for ways to put a stop to our movement.

That’s why it’s critical that September is our best fundraising month yet. The amount of contributions we receive — no matter the amount — will help show that Alexandria and our unapologetic fight for systemic change has strong support — from Bronx and across the country.

Can you make a $3 contribution right now to show your support for Alexandria on this report and help our campaign hit this critical fundraising goal before the end of the month?

Contribute $3

Our movement has always been driven by the dedication of individual, small-dollar donors like you giving an average of just under $20. We’re proud of that fact.

Because when hundreds of thousands of people chip in $5, $10, and $20 at a time, it all adds up to compete against the billionaires and corporations who use their money to rig the political system in their favor.

But, candidly, our fundraising has slowed down since the summer months this year, and we’re relying on your support today to get back on track, hit this goal, and keep Alexandria in Congress fighting for bold solutions for working families.

Can we count on you to chip in $3 or whatever you can right now to help post the strongest FEC report possible and power our movement forward?

This work wouldn’t be possible without you.

Thank you for everything,

Team AOC

Donate

Merch

Council Member Ruben Diaz Sr. - WHERE IS THE HISPANIC SEAT AND WHO OCCUPIES IT AT THE TABLE?

  

You should know that on Friday, September 10, 2021 the following statement was highlighted on the front page of the New York Daily News, “We all have a seat at the Table”. 

 

It is important for you to know that on Thursday, September 9th, NYS Senator Brian Benjamin (an African American) was sworn in by Governor Kathy Hochul as her new Lieutenant Governor. 

 

 You should also know that at the swearing-in ceremony, our newly appointed Lt. Governor Mr. Brian Benjamin said in his speech that "We all have a seat at the table." I respectfully disagree with Mr. Benjamin’s statement.  The Latino Community has NO seat at the table or at any other table. The Hispanic Community only has a seat when needed to protect the seats of others seated at the table. 

 

Lieutenant-Governor Brian Benjamin said that with his appointment “Governor Hochul wants to make sure that we all have a seat at the table.” He continued saying that the governor wants to create a government where “upstate and downstate, every ethnicity, every culture to feel included. Mr. Benjamin went on to say that "for too long people have not felt included, that they have a seat at the table, and that their issue will be brought to the forefront.”

  

It is very important for Mr. Benjamin and Governor Hochul to know that Hispanics have not had a seat at the table.  I must ask, who is this person that occupies the seat which represents the Hispanic community at this table which the Hon. Brian Benjamin speaks of? We can't say that We all have a seat at the table when most of the seats in the counties, in the city, and in the state are occupied by one single ethnic group. 

 

Brian Benjamin should have said that the African American community has come to occupy and now controls most of the relevant seats at said table.  Those seats are that of the Senate leader, Assembly Leader, State Attorney General, Lieutenant Governor and possibly Governor in the not-too-distant future. I congratulate Mr. Benjamin and his Community!! As a member of the Hispanic community, I have a duty, and the responsibility to ask, on behalf of my community, what is obvious. If “we all have a seat at the table”, according to Lt. Gov. Benjamin, where is our seat, and who occupies it?  

 

In the trajectory of the Hispanics in New York City the Puerto Ricans, where the first Hispanic group that has struggled for decades to have a seat at the table. Now decades later the Hispanics are the largest minority in this state. The Hispanic Community with the huge migration of many diverse Hispanic groups from South America, the Caribbean and other Latin Countries, the Hispanic community has become the largest group and should therefore have a seat at the table.  However, we have yet to see one of our own seated at the table that Mr. Brian Benjamin speaks of and has so boldly declared. No Mr. Benjamin this is not so. 

 

I am Councilman Rev. Ruben Diaz, and this is What You Should Know.

Backpack and School Supply Giveaway Outside Bronx Muslim Center.

 

Almost two-hundred backpacks filled with school supplies were given away outside the Bronx Muslim Center on Rhinelander Avenue Sunday. This backpack giveaway was organized by Community Board 11 member Christian Amato, Throggs Neck District Leader John Doyle, and Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez.  

Community Board 11 Vice-Chair Yahay Obeid set up the location of the Bronx Muslim Center, a well used building that is at almost full capacity. 

(L-R) Throggs Neck District Leader John Goyle, CB 11 member Christian Amato, Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez, and CB 11 Vice-Chair Yahay Obeid. 

Assemblywoman Fernandez gives this backpack to this young girl.

CB 11 member Christian Amato looks for the right grey backpack for this young boy.

Here CB 11 member Amato gives this young girl her backpack, as local Muslim leader Yahay Obeid looks on in apreaction.

Peaceful Rally outside the Yemini American Association Headquarters to End Civil War in Yemen.

 

Little Yemen is located on Rhinelander Avenue off White Plains Road. Sunday, there was a peaceful rally to try to end the civil war in Yemen that has been going on since 2014 when the capital city of Sana'a, was captured by Houthi insurgents with Shiite rebels believed to have ties to Iran rose up against the Sunni Government. In January 2015 the Presidential Palace was taken over forcing the President of Yemen to flee to Saudi Arabia. A civil war has continued since then, and those who came to the rally want that civil war to end, with the help of the United States. 

Close to five-hundred people came out to hear speeches from Yemini-American leaders calling for the U.S. Government under President Joe Biden to act on behalf of the majority of the people of Yemen who want to live in peace. Local Yemini - American leaders Yahay Obeid, Dr. Debbie of Yamausa.org, and others including local Assemblywoman Nathalia Fernandez, and presumed incoming Councilwoman Marjorie Velazquez spoke. The rally is to hope that local members of congress, and the two New York U.S. Senators can get President Biden to help end the civil war in the country of Yemen.

The Yemini American Association headquarters on Rhinelander Avenue.

Yemen-American leader Dr. Debbie speaks.

Part of the crowd of almost five-hundred who came out for the rally, that closed streets for blocks around.

Another view of the crowd of about five-hundred.

Councilman Mark Gjonaj's NYC Moving Forward Week in Review - 9/10/2021

 

Dear Friends,

As we enter this weekend of remembrance, marking the 20th anniversary of 9/11 we remember and honor all those whose lives were lost, the lives that were forever changed and the dedication, commitment and strength of those who responded on the frontlines. These tragic events were intended to break our spirit, instead we have emerged stronger and more unified.

Residents in our District are still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Ida. Our office has put together a Resource Information Guide for all the affected with the following links for help: The NYC Page, the FEMA page and the Comptroller Page.

With NYC schools starting this Monday and catholic schools already in session, we are proud that we have wrapped up our School Bookbag and Supply Giveaway Operation as we gave away over 1900 bags in every corner of our district.

I am glad that as every year I am co-sponsoring the City Island Clam Chowder Festival, a staple in the community, this Sunday, September 12th, stop by and taste some as we continue supporting restaurants and small businesses during these difficult times.

Please remember we are here for you, contact my office with issues or concerns at 718-931-1721 or email at MGjonaj@council.nyc.gov.

Sincerely,

NYC Councilman Mark Gjonaj

District 13, Bronx

116 Days and Counting

 

Well, Tomorrow is the first day of school for our public children. It's that Teachers union who is blocking mandatory vaccinations for their union members. They don't care about the children, only their union members. The UFT once said to my DOE staff that they got legislation passed in Albany, and that created another teaching position in every school.

I will be in the Bronx tomorrow morning with my chancellor at a school to see how everything is going. I plan to visit other schools later in the day. The children come first to me and Chancellor Porter.

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez - Good news and hard news from this week

 

This past week has been a very difficult one for our community.

The torrential downpours from Ida devastated family homes and we lost over a dozen people in the floods in our district alone. The vast majority of these tragedies were connected to safety hazards in off-the-books basement dwellings that people have been forced to turn to as a result of the city’s cost of living and housing crisis.

I’ve spent the last week canvassing the community and working with FEMA, President Biden, Governor Hochul, state and local officials, block associations, and community members to cut through red tape and try to get relief out as swiftly as possible.

Here’s the good news: help is here. We’ve worked to make this one of the fastest ever FEMA approvals for disaster relief. Folks who have experienced damages from the storm can apply now at DisasterAssistance.gov for grants up to $34,000. My advice is to apply for this aid as soon as possible, document EVERYTHING while you can, and to take photos of all your damaged belongings — including bar codes and model stickers on your major appliances, electronics, or higher-priced items.

Our community is coming together and doing everything we can to help each other heal and recover. Many organizations are on the ground right now working to provide assistance and distribute supplies to those who need it most. 

The hard news is this,  climate change is here. Relief can only go so far. Without examining our systems of power and wealth, we will find ourselves in this position again and again.

We need to be asking ourselves questions like:

Why are rents so high that we must resort to dangerous living conditions when luxury apartments throughout the city are vacant?

Why are insurance companies allowed to deny people flood insurance and then deny people’s claims when a storm hits – putting the cost of climate change on everyday people?

Why do our officials allocate trillions for war but not enough to rebuild our 100+ year old sewer systems?

Where is the accountability for fossil fuel companies who lied to the public about climate change for decades?

People deserve better, and we ALL become safer when we challenge the systems that harm the many for the benefit of the few. It’s past time to try new policies and systems that will prepare us for what is to come.

I believe in a better future for all of us. We just need the faith that we can do it and the will to fight for those we don’t know.

Love and solidarity,

Alexandria