On Sunday, February 9, 2025, my office, in partnership with Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon and State Senator Andrew Gounardes, proudly hosted Light the Way BK, a Community Town Hall focused on organizing, building power, and ensuring collective safety in our neighborhoods. Despite the snow, over 200 of our neighbors and a panel of experts on immigration, education, and reproductive rights joined us.
Panelists
- Jenna Lauter, Policy Counsel at the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) (she/her)
The New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) advances civil rights and civil liberties so that all New Yorkers can live with dignity, liberty, justice, and equality. Founded in 1951 as the New York state affiliate of the national ACLU, our work is rooted in the unrealized promise of the Bill of Rights and the U.S. and New York State Constitutions. With eight offices across the state and more than 90,000 member donors, we connect movements across complex issues, informed by our communities and powered by our supporters.
- Vladimir Tlali, Senior Policy Strategist at the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) (he/they)
The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) is an umbrella policy and advocacy organization that represents over 200 immigrant and refugee rights groups across New York. The NYIC serves one of the largest and most diverse newcomer populations in the United States. Its multi-racial and multi-sector membership includes grassroots and nonprofit community organizations, religious and academic institutions, labor unions, as well as legal and socioeconomic justice organizations. The NYIC not only creates a forum for immigrant groups to express their concerns but also offers a platform for collective action to drive positive social change. Since its founding in 1987, the NYIC has grown into a powerful voice for advocacy by leading innovative policies, promoting and protecting the rights of immigrant communities, enhancing newcomer access to services, developing leadership and capacity, expanding civic participation, and mobilizing member groups to respond to the changing needs of immigrant communities.
- Zakiyah Shaakir-Ansari, Co-Executive Director of Alliance for Quality Education (AQE)(she/her)
The Alliance for Quality Education is a coalition mobilizing communities across the state to keep New York true to its promise of ensuring a high-quality public education to all students regardless of zip code. AQE is working to end the systemic racism and economic oppression in New York’s public schools that continues to shortchange generations of Black, Brown, low-income, and immigrant students. Combining its legislative and policy expertise with grassroots organizing, AQE advances proven-to-work strategies that lead to student success and ultimately create a powerful public demand for a high-quality education. Founded in 2000, AQE quickly became New York state’s lead community-based organization in the fight for high-quality public education.
A special thank you to the community organizations that tabled with resources at the event, including BK Forge, the Carroll Gardens Association, the Alliance for Quality Education, Mixteca, Right to Be, and the PS 39 Parent Association.
Community Q&A – Highlights & Takeaways
- Community Question: Current information is critical in this time of misinformation and information overload. Where can constituents turn for correct reporting, and how do we combat misinformation?
- Answer: Combat misinformation by relying on trusted sources and triple-checking facts before sharing them. Be cautious of sensational headlines and eye-witness reports. To ensure accuracy, verify information with multiple credible sources and consult fact-checking organizations, including local elected official offices. All electeds recommended signing up for their newsletters to receive weekly up to date information on the city and state policy. In terms of reporting ICE in our neighborhoods, you must be wary of reporting incorrect information and spreading panic, read DRUM’s guide to reporting ICE sightings on social media.
- Community Question: Is New York City still a sanctuary city? What do immigrant New Yorkers need to know at this time?
- Answer:. New York’s sanctuary protections are strong and in place. All New Yorkers—regardless of immigration status—have rights and access to city services. Council Member Shahana Hanif has a bill in the City Council that would strengthen sanctuary city protections, called the NYC Trust Act. With 27 sponsors, this bill would work towards the same goal of ending illegal local collaboration with ICE by empowering those who have had their rights violated with the ability to sue for damages. The bill would also create an accountability mechanism to ensure our city agencies are following our sanctuary city laws because not doing so would put them at risk of a lawsuit. We’re currently working on securing more bill sponsors, so spread the word to your family and friends and encourage them to call their Council Members and ask them to support the bill.
- It’s also essential to Know Your Rights and ensure that your immigrant neighbors and friends do as well. Unless ICE has a signed judicial warrant, you do not have to open your door. You have the right to remain silent and request legal representation. Do not comply in advance and have a plan in case of an encounter with immigration authorities.
- Community Question: What can we do to push back against hospitals that are banning gender-affirming care for trans youth?
- Answer: First and foremost, NYCLU expressed that institutions should not comply in advance. Follow the guidance released by New York State Attorney General Tisch James: “In New York state, you have the right to receive gender-affirming care and health care free from discrimination based on your gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, or disability. If your plan excludes medically necessary gender-affirming care, consider reaching out to advocates or legal services for assistance with making a complaint. If appropriate, file a complaint with OAG. You can submit a complaint or learn more about your health care rights by contacting our helpline.”
- If you are a healthcare worker, reach out to the NYCLU to share your story or ask for guidance:
- We need to organize together and your local electeds are on your side. highlight press of council members calling on NYU Langone
- Contact Governor Hochul’s Office and urge her to sign the New York Health Information and Privacy Act, which gives New Yorkers control over their electronic health data and prevents the Trump administration from accessing it to punish New Yorkers who provide, seek, or support abortion or gender-affirming care.
- At the event, we were proud to support local organizers from PS 39’s Parent Association in writing Valentine’s Day cards to over 350 trans youth nationwide.
- Community Question: How is information about immigrant and LGBTQ rights shared with schools or educators? How can we support immigrant and LGBTQ students?
- AQE shared that it is critical for invested community members to join your local Community Education Council, Parent Association, Community Board, or Neighborhood Block Association, as well as political clubs like Indivisible Brooklyn. AQE’s Advocacy Toolkit outlines strategies on how to support students.
- Community Question: How do we support our immigrant neighbors?
- Answer: It’s critical that we pass the New York For All Act, a State bill that would prohibit local law enforcement and state agencies from collaborating with ICE. I’m proud to have introduced a resolution in the City Council calling on the State to reintroduce and pass this critical legislation. Spread the word to friends and loved ones across New York State.
- Community Question: Who is organizing against ICE Raids?
- Answer: Sign up for updates from the NYIC to stay informed on advocacy efforts to support our immigrant neighbors.
- Text ‘NYIC’ to 52886 to receive alerts for upcoming actions and ways to get involved.
Special Mentions
- Community Groups: A special thank you to the community organizations that tabled with resources at the event, including BK Forge, the Carroll Gardens Association, the Alliance for Quality Education, Mixteca, Right to Be, and the PS 39 Parent Association. My office looks forward to hosting more gatherings and engaging neighbors to inspire local change, so keep an eye out for future events. We all play a role in lighting the way for a better future, and our strength lies in our collective solidarity with one another.
- Neighborhood Defense Group: The Carroll Gardens Association is organizing neighbors on the best strategies and resources to have in the event of an ICE raid in our communities. If you’re interested in organizing with their Neighborhood Defense Group, please reach out to them at info@cganyc.org.
- Elected Partners: A heartfelt thank you to Assembly Member Simon and Senator Gounardes for partnering with me in this important effort and to Gabriele Holtermann for the detailed recap.
