Bronx, NY— Today, Speaker Melissa Mark Viverito, Council Member James Vacca, and Council Member Stephen Levin announced the start of a week-long Council food drive to raise much-needed resources, support, and awareness for food pantries in New York City.
The New York City Council also allocated $1.32 million in the Fiscal Year 2015 budget to bolster dwindling supplies in city food pantries, food banks, and soup kitchens.
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Public, transparent process will increase oversight of appointments to the Board of Elections that are directly appointed by a Council’s political party
City Hall- Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, along with Rules, Privileges and Elections Committee Chair Brad Lander and Council Members today announced a series of reforms to increase transparency and oversight of direct appointments to the New York City Board of Elections.
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New York – As acts of anti-Semitism are sweeping across Europe Councilmembers Dan Garodnick David Greenfield are taking a clear stand that this sort of violence is not welcome in New York City and strongly condemn the vicious actions of the individuals responsible for the hate crime committed Monday evening against a young Jewish couple walking along East 63rd Street in Manhattan.
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“The Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions campaign against Israel is a wrongheaded, one-sided, and destructive movement, which jeopardizes prospects for a peaceful resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I firmly believe in protecting the right to free speech. However using a publicly owned bridge to display a flag with a message meant to divide and intimidate is not the venue nor the way to voice these concerns.
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Council will also reform requirements for producing voter guides and require that Riker’s Island officials disclose statistics about treatment of inmates
City Hall – Today the City Council will vote on a pair of bills that will require more thorough disclosure in political advertising for both candidates and independent expenditures. The Council will also vote to require the Department of Correction to report on conditions and treatment of inmates at Riker’s Island.
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“I commend the decision by Staten Island District Attorney Dan Donovan to convene a Grand Jury and applaud his actions.
In this highly emotional case, the District Attorney has shown how seriously he is taking the matter and the next step will be the presentation of the case.
We must also not forget that the New York City Police Department protects New Yorkers every day and the vast majority do so honorably and with great professionalism.
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State and city partnership to make long-term investment in cultural and commercial vibrancy in El Barrio
NEW YORK – Today, Governor Andrew Cuomo and Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito announced the revitalization of La Marqueta, a commercial and cultural corridor spanning 110th to 125th Streets in East Harlem. The project, coordinated between New York State and New York City, marks the robust expansion of this iconic and historic neighborhood landmark to include a vibrant food market, community open space, opportunities for youth development, and vibrant cultural programming grounded in the neighborhood.
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Members Hailing From All Five Boroughs Say NYC Has the Logistics, the Capacity and Venues to Host Convention In 2016
BROOKLYN- Today, New York City Council Members from all five boroughs expressed their strong support for the drive to bring the 2016 Democratic National Convention to New York. The members noted that New York City has an unparalleled history and infrastructure that makes Brooklyn the clear choice to host the Democratic National Convention.
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“Tonight, communities across the country will come together to stand in solidarity with their neighbors to promote public safety. National Night Out Against Crime is an opportunity to build the relationship between the NYPD and the public as we work to build a stronger, safer City for all people. I am proud to join my Council colleagues at Police Precincts across the City as we take part in this important community-building initiative and take a strong stand against crime.”
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“The ruling by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner that Eric Garner’s death was a homicide should give greater clarity to the investigation by Staten Island District Attorney Donovan. Mr. Garner’s death was disturbing and District Attorney Donovan must conduct a thorough and transparent investigation. My thoughts remain with the family and friends of Mr. Garner, many of whom I’ve met these past few weeks, and the City Council will continue to work with the administration and members of the community moving forward.”
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