{"id":2294,"date":"2022-10-28T20:33:21","date_gmt":"2022-10-28T20:33:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/?p=2294"},"modified":"2022-10-28T20:33:21","modified_gmt":"2022-10-28T20:33:21","slug":"on-day-before-early-voting-starts-new-york-city-council-holds-day-of-action-to-remind-voters-of-racial-justice-commission-ballot-proposals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/council.nyc.gov\/press\/2022\/10\/28\/2294\/","title":{"rendered":"On Day before Early Voting Starts, New York City Council Holds Day of Action to Remind Voters of Racial Justice Commission Ballot Proposals"},"content":{"rendered":"

New York, NY \u2013 <\/strong>Today, New York City Council Members, led by Civil and Human Rights Committee Chair Nantasha Williams in collaboration with Deputy Speaker Ayala and Council Members De La Rosa and Lee, are holding a Racial Justice Ballot Day of Action across the city aimed at engaging and educating New Yorkers on three ballot proposals<\/a> developed by the New York City Racial Justice Commission. On this year\u2019s election ballot after voting for Congressional, statewide<\/a> and judicial candidates, voters will find three \u201cyes or no\u201d questions on the back of their ballots, asking them to decide on whether to amend the City Charter with proposals from the Racial Justice Commission.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs early voting gets underway, it is critical that all voters who head to the polls remember to flip the ballot and cast their vote on the ballot proposals,\u201d said Speaker Adrienne Adams<\/strong>. \u201cI urge all New Yorkers to learn about the proposals and how they will impact our communities. Today\u2019s Racial Justice Ballot Day of Action will engage and inform residents across the city about the ballot questions and remind them to vote in the General Election leading up to November 8. I thank Council Member Williams and my colleagues for their leadership and advocacy in this effort.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRacial justice is a shared responsibility. For decades, communities of color have been denied access to the full benefits of our democracy. These communities are disproportionately impacted by issues such as fair housing, employment opportunities, criminal justice reform, and more. I believe that by providing people with the tools they need to engage civically, we can help them overcome barriers and make a difference in their communities,\u201d said Council Member Nantasha Williams, Chair of the Council\u2019s Committee on Civil and Human Rights.<\/strong> \u201cIn November, voters will decide on several ballot measures that address racial equity. We need to work together to ensure that these measures pass so that we can begin to make real progress toward creating a society where all voices are heard.\u201d<\/p>\n

Proposal 1 would add a preamble to the New York City Charter, which would be an introductory statement of values and vision aspiring toward \u201ca just and equitable city for all\u201d New Yorkers; and include in the preamble a statement that the City of New York must strive to remedy \u201cpast and continuing harms and to reconstruct, revise, and reimagine our foundations, structures, institutions, and laws to promote justice and equity for all New Yorkers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Proposal 2 would require citywide and agency-specific Racial Equity Plans every two years, establish an Office of Racial Equity and appoint a Chief Equity Officer to advance racial equity and coordinate the City\u2019s racial equity planning process and establish a Commission on Racial Equity.<\/p>\n

Proposal 3 would require the City to create a true cost of living measure to track the actual cost in New York City of meeting essential needs, including housing, food, childcare, transportation, and other necessary costs, and without considering public, private, or informal assistance.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe future of New York is in the hands of voters and they alone can determine the path of our great city,\u201d said Diana Ayala, Deputy Speaker of the New York City Council<\/strong>. \u201cI encourage every voter to familiarize themselves with the ballot proposals, educate their friends and family, and to make their voices heard on Election Day.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNew York prides itself on its rich diversity, being home to a variety of different cultures and backgrounds that join together to make our city unique. On Racial Justice Ballot Day of Action, we not only assemble to spur civic engagement amongst our communities, but we also raise awareness about the three initiatives on the back of this year\u2019s ballot that aim to tear down the generational barriers that exacerbate the inequities facing our communities of color in New York City,\u201d said Council Member Linda Lee, Vice Co-Chair of the Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus<\/strong>. \u201cAll residents should have access to the resources and programs our city has to offer that foster a safe, prosperous, and equitable future for their families. I am proud to join Speaker Adams, Deputy Speaker Ayala, Council Members Williams, and De La Rosa, and the Racial Justice Commission on this collective day of action to inform our voters of these vital ballot measures that offer a path forward toward reimagining our city\u2019s racial equity plan.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNew Yorkers have an opportunity on Election Day to guide our government and expand our efforts in creating a more equitable city,\u201d said Council Member Carmen De La Rosa, Chair of the Council\u2019s Committee on Civil Service and Labor<\/strong>. \u201cThis Council is the most diverse it has ever been, and it has been a marvel to see how passionately we fight for equity having witnessed our own communities face systemic oppression. That passion needs support, and a Racial Equity Office, a statement of values, and a true look into the City’s affordability can help steer our ship in the right direction.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEncouraging our community to be more civically engaged is the key to creating true sustainable change for the betterment of our City,\u201d said Council Member Kevin C. Riley, Co-Chair of the Black, Latino and Asian Caucus<\/strong>. \u201cNow, more than ever, we must ensure New Yorkers, especially communities of color, have the access and education to vote and make well-informed decisions that can affect their future and quality of life. The Racial Justice Ballot Day of Action exemplifies partnership and opportunity for us to empower families to flip the ballot and cast their vote on the three proposals from the Racial Justice Commission that seek to increase racial equity in our City.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThis Election Day, I urge all New Yorkers to #fliptheballot and vote on these very important ballot initiatives because New Yorkers of color across our city deserve more,” said Council Member Rita Joseph, Chair of the Council\u2019s Committee on Education<\/strong>. \u201cNew York is truly the world\u2019s city and it is time we launch a Commission on Racial Equity to eliminate raced based disparities in our five boroughs. In addition to equity, we must truly measure the cost of living to ensure we can create a future where our seniors can age in place and young folks can start out without the odds stacked against them.\u201d<\/p>\n

###<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

New York, NY \u2013 <\/strong>Today, New York City Council Members, led by Civil and Human Rights Committee Chair Nantasha Williams in collaboration with Deputy Speaker Ayala and Council Members De La Rosa and Lee, are holding a Racial Justice Ballot Day of Action across the city aimed at engaging and educating New Yorkers on three ballot proposals<\/a> developed by the New York City Racial Justice Commission.<\/p>\n

…<\/p>\n

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