New York Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn:
“Any action by the Puerto Rican government to water down hate crimes protections is simply wrong. In the past few years, we have seen a rise in the number of hate crimes being perpetrated against LGBT Puerto Ricans. If anything, hate crimes laws need to be strengthened and the current hate crimes laws need to be enforced to the fullest extent of the law.
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Brooklyn, NY- Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn, and Council Members Brad Lander, Michael Nelson, Jumaane D. Williams, David Greenfield and Domenic M. Recchia, joined the New York City Coalition Against Hunger, City Harvest and Food Bank at the Midwood branch of Masbia to distribute fresh produce and turkeys donated by the Council and the UFCW.
UFCW provided Masbia with 50 turkeys for Thursday’s Thanksgiving dinner.
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“Today is a truly historic day for our city and for immigrant communities in New York. We are sending a strong and unified message that this city will no longer allow innocent immigrants who pose no threat to be unfairly detained and deported due to an antiquated immigration system.”
“Immigrants for centuries have made significant contributions to our communities and have thrived and continue to give back to our great country.
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“This week’s court decision upholding a law banning the sale of all flavored tobacco products in New York City is a victory for the city’s children and young adults, protecting them from these harmful products disguised with sweet flavors and brightly colored packaging. The news comes just before today’s Great American Smokeout, a day intended to encourage smokers to make a plan to quit or to plan in advance and quit smoking on this date.
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“I am outraged by the latest act of anti-Semitic vandalism in Brooklyn. Such a display of intolerance is beyond offensive. New York City is a haven of diversity, a place where accepting people from all backgrounds and beliefs is an integral part of everyday life. Our diversity is the very fabric that holds us together and an emblem of our greatest strength.
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“I condemn these heinous acts of hatred and ignorance in one of our own communities. I stand with the people of good conscience in Midwood, Brooklyn and wish for a world without hatred and bigotry – enough is enough.
“It is important for elected officials to be available to answer any questions or concerns the public may have, and I would like to thank Council Member Greenfield for taking the initiative and holding a town hall meeting for the community.
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“As I have said from the very beginning, we must balance the protesters’ First Amendment rights with the rights of the residents, workers, and businesses of Lower Manhattan. We must protect the protestors’ right to peaceful assembly and the local community’s right to a safe and secure neighborhood.
Today’s actions include reports of excessive force by the NYPD, and reports of infringement of the rights of the press.
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“With today’s vote, New York State sends a strong message that everyone deserves to have access to higher education regardless of their legal status. With access to TAP financial assistance and college savings accounts for immigrant students, we will continue to help pave the way for immigrants to flourish and make great contributions to our communities. I would like to thank Chancellor Tisch, Commissioner King and the Board of Regents for their leadership on this salient issue that will make an enormous difference for our immigrant students.
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Speaker Quinn:
“I am pleased that, as a result of today’s court hearing, the City’s dangerous new policy changing the intake procedure for single adults seeking shelter will not go into effect on Monday. I am encouraged that this matter will be heard by the court, and I continue to call on DHS to permanently reverse course and prevent these harmful changes from going into effect.”
General Welfare Committee Chair Annabel Palma:
“Absence of leadership from the Bloomberg Administration on this issue, once again, has the City’s homeless policies shaped more by the court system rather than through collaboration and partnership with stakeholders.
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“Today, I am disappointed that the Bloomberg administration failed to approve the Outsourcing Accountability Act. This fiscally responsible, common sense legislation would have amended a 1994 law to ensure that the City routinely weigh the necessity of outside contracts that cost taxpayers billions of dollars each year.
This past week, the Council held an oversight hearing on outsourced information technology ventures – an area of contract expenditure that the Administration conceded would benefit from greater oversight.
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