Elections

Coalition Seeks to Stop Republican-Led Lawsuit Challenging the “Our City, Our Vote” Bill

By SÍLE MOLONEY
LatinoJustice PRLDEF, community partners, and pro-bono counsel, Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP, announced on Tuesday, April 12, that they have collectively filed a motion to challenge a lawsuit which seeks to reverse the recently approved municipal voting rights bill in New York City, a bill which would extend the right to vote to eligible non-citizens in municipal elections. The move constitutes the first time LatinoJustice and partners will act jointly on the matter before a New York State judge.   According to its website, LatinoJustice PRLDEF works to create a more just society by using and challenging the rule of


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Elections 2022: Community Voices Heard Power Endorses Jessica Altagracia Woolford in A.D. 81 Race

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Jessica Altagracia Woolford, Democratic candidate for New York State Assembly District 81 in the Northwest Bronx, announced on Thursday, March 31, that she has received the endorsement of Community Voices Heard Power (CVHPower) in her bid to win the June primary. According to the group’s website, CVHPower is a member-led, multi-racial organization principally comprised of women of color and low-income families in New York State. Members say they tackle tough issues and build power to secure racial, social and economic justice for all New Yorkers. They do this through grassroots organizing, leadership development, policy changes, and creating new models of


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Sunrise NYC Backs Jessica Altagracia Woolford for State Assembly in A.D. 81

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Jessica Altagracia Woolford, Democratic candidate for State Assembly in A.D. 81, which covers the Northwest Bronx, announced on Thursday, March 24, that she has received the endorsement of Sunrise NYC, the local chapter of the national Sunrise movement. According to its website, and as reported, Sunrise is a national grassroots mobilization to stop climate change and create millions of good-paying jobs in the process.   Reacting to the news, Altagracia Woolford said, “I am proud to have the endorsement of Sunrise NYC as we plan a more resilient, equitable and healthy climate future for the Northwest Bronx, and New Yorkers, statewide.


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Elections 2022: Tenants PAC Endorses “Longtime Tenant Champion” A.M. Jeffrey Dinowitz

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  The re-election campaign for Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz, who represents the 81st assembly district, announced on Wednesday, March 16, that the assemblyman has been endorsed by Tenants PAC in his run for re-election in the Northwest Bronx in the upcoming 2022 Democratic primary.   According to the PAC’s website, the organization raises funds from tenants, progressive labor unions and other supporters of tenants’ rights and affordable housing. “We recruit tenants as volunteers in targeted elections,” an extract from the organization’s website reads. “We are an all-volunteer organization, so all contributions are used only for our modest costs of operation


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Biaggi, Senate Majority Pass Law Aimed at Strengthening State’s Sexual Harassment Protections

By SÍLE MOLONEY
The New York State Senate passed new legislation on March 2 sponsored by Sen. Alessandra Biaggi (S.D. 34) to expand protections against sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace and provide survivors the opportunity to openly speak their truth, without fear of retaliation.   The legislation includes the following laws: Let Survivors Speak Act: This legislation, Senate Bill S.738, sponsored by Biaggi, would reform current Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) laws that financially penalize survivors who speak out about their abuse by prohibiting settlements that require plaintiffs to pay liquidated damages for violating their NDA. Workplace Sexual Harassment Hotline: This bill, S.812A,


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Elections 2022: Diaz Offers Alternative to “Go Along to Get Along” Politicians in A.D. 81

By JULIAN NAZAR
  The following story is an updated version of the one that appears in our latest print edition.   On a brisk Thursday afternoon, George Diaz Jr. descends the steps of Norwood’s 205th Street subway station, located at East 205th Street and Perry Avenue. After swiping his metro card, Diaz shares with Norwood News what changes he would like to see in the station. “We need an elevator,” he said. “Feasibly, it is probably better to make the elevator by this entrance because when you step out, you see Whalen playground, a City park. It should be easier for the MTA


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Our Revolution Endorses Melanie D’Arrigo in New York’s 3rd Congressional District Race

By SÍLE MOLONEY
Our Revolution announced its endorsement of organizer and mother-of-three, Melanie D’Arrigo in New York’s 3rd congressional district race on Tuesday, March 1. The organization is described as “the United States’ leading grassroots-funded, political organizing group,” launched by Bernie Sanders following the 2016 election to help everyday Americans take on the corporate establishment.   Campaign officials for D’Arrigo said the organization’s endorsement of her candidacy shows that her progressive platform – centered on getting dark, corporate money out of politics – is resonating both across the district and across the country. “Melanie is dominating the ‘Left Lane’ in this race, and Our


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Biaggi Earns Endorsements of 12 New York State Senators in NY-3 Congressional Race

By SÍLE MOLONEY
State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi (S.D. 34) announced on Feb. 18 that she had secured the endorsements of twelve New York State senators in her bid to win the race for NY congressional district 3, the parameters of which have recently been redrawn and now encompass parts of the senator’s current senatorial district 34 in The Bronx and Southern Westchester, as well as the area spanning the Sound from Northern Westchester to Suffolk County.   In the context of the announcement, Biaggi’s campaign said the senator quickly earned support from her colleagues in the State Senate who campaign officials said have


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NYC Voter Assistance Advisory Committee Holds Public Meeting February 23

By SÍLE MOLONEY
  New York City’s Campaign Finance Board (NYCCFB) announced that the next public meeting of the New York City Voter Assistance Advisory Committee (VAAC) will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 23, at 5:30 p.m. Members of the public may join the meeting via Zoom.   According to NYCCFB, VAAC advises the board on its nonpartisan voter engagement initiative, NYC Votes, by promoting voter registration, participation and civic engagement in New York City through its many programs and partnerships. It also recommends legislative and administrative changes to improve NYC elections, sponsors the City’s official debate program, produces the citywide voter guide,


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