FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Kristia Winter, Communications Director
KWinter@council.nyc.gov, 718-629-2900

BROOKLYN, NY — NYC Council Member Farah N. Louis (D-Brooklyn), co-chair of the Women’s Caucus, issued the following statement after the presumptive Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden announced California Senator Kamala Harris as his vice-presidential running mate.

STATEMENT BY COUNCIL MEMBER LOUIS

“At a time when our nation is engulfed in movements for racial equity and justice, California Senator Kamala Harris has made history as the first Black woman vice presidential nominee. I also want to recognize Karine Jean-Pierre, the first Black person in history to serve as chief of staff to the vice presidential nominee.

“Women have been at the forefront of every civil and human rights movement and now we stand ready to take our seat at the table in the White House. As our nation slowly recovers from COVID-19, it is imperative that we help amplify the voices of the vulnerable populations hardest hit – Black and brown people as well as the countless women who have been on the frontlines as healthcare and essential workers as well as our small business owners. Now is the time to prioritize the issues that matter most to women including but not limited to protecting and supporting survivors of gender-based violence through the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), pay equity, poverty, homelessness, maternal health, and police brutality.

“Nearly fifty years ago, the Honorable Shirley Chisholm of Brooklyn became the first woman to run for the Democratic Party’s presidential nomination. Today, we must work tirelessly to finish what she started and unite rather than divide our diverse nation through inclusive legislative policies that strengthen our local communities and economies.”

New York City Council Member Farah N. Louis represents the 45th Council District, which is comprised of Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Marine Park, Flatlands, & Kensington in Brooklyn, NY. She is a member of the committees on Civil Service and Labor; Economic Development; Education; Finance; Housing and Buildings; Youth Services; and Justice System. Council Member Louis is the Co-Chair of the Women’s Caucus and Vice Co-Chair of the Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus.

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