“I was saddened to hear about the passing of Herman Badillo, a trailblazing Puerto Rican leader. Badillo was the first Puerto Rican Congressman and first Boricua to become Bronx Borough President. He served as a Deputy Mayor for New York City and he also ran for mayor. Herman rose as a leader in the 1950’s and 60’s, an era in which he defended a community that was openly branded as “a problem” for this city.
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New York—Today, Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and the New York City Council broke ground on the expansion of OHEL Children’s Home and Family Services to 1268 East 14th Street in Brooklyn. The new property, funded in part by the New York City Council, will serve as OHEL’s main campus and allow families and residents greater access to OHEL’s community services—including support for domestic violence survivors, services for New Yorkers living with disabilities, and mental health treatment.
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Speaker Mark-Viverito:
“This was a terribly disappointing outcome and is not reflective of the events that led to Eric Garner’s death. What makes this even more infuriating is the frequent lack of accountability, which is why I urge the U.S. Department of Justice to launch its own investigation.
The use of excessive and lethal police force against people of color is a persistent problem nationwide and we must recommit ourselves to building a more just city and society where all people, regardless of color, are treated equally by law enforcement.
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“World AIDS Day is a time for us to reflect on those we have lost, celebrate our survivors, and thank those who have dedicated their lives to finding a cure. New York is a leader in the fight against AIDS; in the 1980s, our HIV/AIDS, LGBT and other allied communities rallied to raise awareness at a time when HIV/AIDS was ignored or unjustly stigmatized.
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Council will also vote to ensure admission into city shelters for domestic violence survivors
City Hall – Today the City Council will vote to approve Astoria Cove’s housing development in Queens. The Council will also vote on legislation requiring the Department of Homeless Services to ensure eligibility in city shelters for applicants leaving Human Resource Administration domestic violence shelters.
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City Council Melissa Mark-Viverito
Immigration Speech at Cardozo Law School
Friday, November 21, 2014
Remarks as Prepared
Thank you and good morning.
I would like to start by thanking my colleague Council Member Rory Lancman from Queens who is here today. He has been a strong advocate for equal access to justice for all New Yorkers, a great partner, and I am happy to call him a colleague.
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New York—Today, Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and Council Member Eric Ulrich visited the Borden Avenue Veterans Residence to donate over 1,000 pounds of donated food collected during the New York City Council’s Veteran’s Food Drive in partnership with the New York City Food Bank.
Veterans are particularly vulnerable to food insecurity and hunger due to the unique challenges they face as service members and the impact of service on their families.
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“For millions of undocumented Americans who pay taxes, go to work or attend school, today’s decision by the President is welcome news. For too long, needless deportations have ripped our families asunder and torn our communities apart. This administrative relief is smart policy that will benefit the country economically and socially for generations to come. It will keep families together and strengthen ties between immigrants and the country they so proudly call home and contribute to.
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New York— Today, Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and the New York City Council issued a comprehensive report detailing the state of New York City’s industrial sector and proposed new approaches to reinvigorating New York’s manufacturing districts as engines of economic opportunity.
The report identifies new zoning and land use tools that can help New York City support and nurture growth in both the manufacturing sector and the growing “creative” sector industries.
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Says “Executive leadership on immigration reform will bring much needed relief to millions”
City Hall- New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito urged President Obama in a letter today to take swift and decisive Executive Action on immigration. In the letter, Speaker Mark-Viverito urged President Obama at a minimum to accomplish the following in the executive order:
1.
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