STATEMENT FROM IDC LEADER JEFF KLEIN - NEW YORK IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES

   Our immigrant communities nationwide are living in a perpetual state of fear and anxiety under the Trump administration. That’s why it’s critical that we show leadership at the state level to let New York’s immigrant community know that we have their back.

Last year, the Independent Democratic Conference—working with immigration and legal advocates— announced funding for the Vera Institute of Justice’s New York Immigrant Family Unity Project to provide public defenders to those facing deportation—an initial down payment to ensure due process and prevent more families from being needlessly torn apart. Additionally, we created the Immigrant Defense Coalition to operate out of each of our member’s district office to provide legal services and resources to immigrants and their families.

We applaud Governor Cuomo’s leadership on this issue. It sends a strong message that New York will never turn its back on the immigrants who make our state great. We look forward to working with him further to advance this important cause.

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR DE BLASIO ON THE AMERICAN HEALTH CARE ACT

   “When President Trump was elected, it was a foregone conclusion that the new president and his Republican Congress would immediately throw millions of people off their health insurance. But a grassroots movement made up of millions of Americans standing together stopped that from happening. While the fight is far from over, Obamacare repeal efforts are now on life support as the law continues to keep Americans alive. I commend New York City’s Congressional delegation for standing up against repeal efforts and a related amendment targeting New York City taxpayers.”

Congressman Engel on House GOP Failure to Pass Trumpcare

  Congressman Eliot L. Engel, a top Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, released the following statement on the failure by House Republicans to pass the American Health Care Act, also known as “Trumpcare”:

“Today represents a remarkable example of the power of the American public to bring about real change.

“The American people overwhelmingly opposed Trumpcare, and they made it known to those who represent them in Congress. I am proud to be one of those Representatives who stood up and spoke out against this bad piece of legislation, and I’m encouraged by the engagement and persistence I’ve seen in recent weeks.

“I hope that today will be a turning point for my Republican colleagues. The Affordable Care Act shepherded tremendous progress. Over 20 million more Americans are insured thanks to the ACA, and important new protections were put in place. We ought to work together to build on that progress, without turning back the clock on people for whom the ACA has been life-saving.

“Thank you to the people of New York’s 16^th District for making your voices heard. I pledge to keep working to protect your care, and to keep listening.”

MAYOR DE BLASIO ANNOUNCES THE APPOINTMENT OF 15 MEMBERS TO THE ARCHIVES, REFERENCE AND RESEARCH ADVISORY BOARD

    Mayor de Blasio announced the appointment of 15 members to the Archives, Reference and Research Advisory Board, which will consult with Commissioner Pauline Toole of the Department of Records and Information Services.

DORIS has begun an extensive effort to revitalize the Municipal Archives and Municipal Library, to have these institutions serve a larger public and to help frame ongoing public policy discussions within a historical context. The revitalization efforts include digitizing holdings, making resources available online, developing exhibits to augment debates, forming partnerships with non-traditional organizations, and engaging new audiences. The Archives, Reference and Research Advisory Board will help develop and shape this revitalization by offering guidance, setting strategic goals, identifying funding sources, and connecting communities. 

“It is vital that we remember the rich history of the city and that we bring available historical resources to the forefront in order to engage new audiences,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “This group of appointees will work diligently to revitalize these resources and to display the relevance that our history has had in the formation of the city and government that we see today. We appreciate the board’s efforts and I look forward to working with all of the new members.”

“I am grateful to the Mayor and the new board members for their support as we work towards making the truly amazing holdings of the Archives and Library more broadly available. This is a diverse group who will help us develop and implement strategies for demonstrating the relevance and historical context of decisions made by government leaders that have affected communities throughout the City’s 400-year history,” said DORIS Commissioner Pauline Toole.

“I have long been a fan of the Municipal Archives and Library and I am so pleased  the Mayor has asked me to Chair the Advisory Board.  I look forward to collaborating with my distinguished colleagues in strategizing how to bring City government’s historical treasures to new audiences,” said Incoming Chair Joan Millman. 

The following board members are community leaders, historians, librarians, and archivists who will aid with this transition and provide insight on evolving practices in relevant fields.

The Honorable Joan Millman – Chair: Former NY State Assemblymember

Pamela Cruz: Archives Strategist and Advocate 

Dr. Johanna Fernandez: Assistant Professor, History Department, Baruch College of the City University of New York

Glenda Grace: General Counsel & Chief of Staff, Queens College 

Idilio Gracia Peña: Chief Archivist, CUNY Dominican Studies Institute 

Kayhan Irani: Writer/producer         

Lillian Jean-Baptiste: Community Engager, Family Advocate & Cultural Ambassador

Gregory Jost: Partner, Designing the WE

Richard Moylan: President, Green-Wood Cemetery and Historic Fund

Tom Shcherbenko: Community and political activist        

Dr. Robert Snyder: Professor of Journalism and American Studies, Rutgers University-Newark

Dr. Jack Tchen: Professor, New York University 

Peter Williams: Executive Vice President for Programs, NAACP

Mark Winston Griffith: Executive Director, Brooklyn Movement Center

Mary Yearwood: Director of Collections and Information Services, Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture

Elvin Garcia Candidate for City Council - Celebrate with us next Thursday, March 30th

We are exactly 7 days away from my 30th birthday -- and I want to celebrate with you -- the genuine friends, family, and neighbors that have molded and shaped the man I have become. I hope to see you on March 30th as we usher in a new milestone and #ANewBronxTale for Council District 18 - new leadership with the stamina to go the extra mile for our communities. 

What: Elvin's 30th Birthday Celebration

When: Thursday, March 30th 6:00PM - 9:00PM

Where: Havana Cafe, 1247 Castle Hill Ave, Bronx NY 10462

Best,

Elvin Garcia Candidate for City Council - District 18

BOROUGH PRESIDENT DIAZ HOSTS ANNUAL WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION

  Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. hosted his annual Women’s History Month Celebration at Manhattan College’s Kelly Commons Building Today.

 “We cannot minimize the important contributions women have made to our borough and our city, and I was proud to honor so many deserving women at this wonderful annual event,” said Borough President Diaz.

 This year’s honorees included Bertha Lewis, Founder and President of The Black Institute; Hon. Annabel Palma, New York City Council Member and Milagros Baez O’Toole, Board Chair of the Acacia Network. Juliet Papa of 1010 Wins Radio/CBS served as the emcee for the program.

 Each Honoree told a little about themselves. Ms. Bertha Lewis spoke of her activism, of not standing down to anyone, and wondering where the years have gone. Councilwoman Annabel Palma spoke of her troubled youth, and how she was able to overcome her problems by education and strength. Ms. Milagros Baez O'Toole spoke of her involvement, and how her network had grown under her guidance and the help of others.

Above - Councilwoman Palma and Emcee Juliet Papa share a few thoughts.

Below - Former Chief of Staff to Assemblyman Mark Gjonaj now Bronx liaison to Governor Andrew Cuomo chats with a few of BP Diaz's staffers.

Above - BP Diaz gets a few words with honoree Bertha Lewis before the event.

Below - BP Diaz poses with the emcee of the event Juliet Papa.

Above - Ms. Ano Occhino a student at Manhattan College sings the National Anthem.

Below - The Borough President's table with the honorees, Manhattan College President Brennan O'Donnell, and BP Diaz during the National Anthem.

L - R, Honoree Ms. Bertha Lewis, Honoree Councilwoman Annabel Palma, Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr., Emcee Ms. Juliet Papa, and Honoree Ms. Milagros Baez O'Toole. 

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR BILL DE BLASIO ON ANTI-SEMITIC THREATS AND ATTACKS

“We are grateful to our local police and international law enforcement partners for tracking down and arresting a suspect connected to the recent wave of threats against Jewish institutions. Whatever their source, those threats were an assault on our values and our people. As the proud home of the world's largest Jewish community, New York City will always stand ready to face down intolerance and stand up for our persecuted neighbors. History teaches us that we can never be indifferent to the scourge of anti-Semitism, and we can never take lightly threats fueled by hate.”