City Council Formally Directing NYPD Inspector General Investigation into How NYPD Tracks, Monitors and Addressees Abusive Conduct; Will Form CCRB Community Outreach Locations in Member District Offices
CITY HALL- New York City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Council Public Safety Chair Vanessa Gibson and the City Council announced the first steps of a comprehensive response to the Eric Garner incident today.
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The $1.5 million initiative will support programs and activities in the 5 boroughs providing immigrant cultural services
City Hall, NY- Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito along with City Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer, Chair on the Committee on Cultural Affairs, and Council Member Julissa Ferreras, Chair of the Finance Committee today announced the expansion of cultural funding and the development of new cultural initiatives.
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Council will also vote to update and improve the city’s energy code
City Hall – Today the City Council will vote to amend the City’s policy on gender markers for birth certificates, making it easier for transgender individuals to change their specified gender. The Council will also vote to update and improve the City’s energy code.
Gender Markers
The New York City Health Code currently allows individuals to change the gender designation on their birth certificate only if they have undergone “convertive surgery.” This requirement is regarded as antiquated and effectively bars the vast majority of transgender New Yorkers, who do not have sex reassignment surgery, from amending their birth certificates.
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“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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