Category: Equal Rights

Fighting the epidemic of anti-Semitism

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It’s no secret that we’re now facing an epidemic of anti-Semitism across the country, including right here in New York, as the recent attacks in Monsey so tragically demonstrated. In her New York Times op-ed, Congresswoman Nita Lowey said, “We are no longer talking about isolated, occasional actions—bad enough as those are—but a regular phenomenon. Like an epidemic, it must be treated comprehensively, addressing root causes.” I totally agree.… Read more

837 pages, and a whole lot of fear…

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That’s what the new federal “Public Charge” rule means for immigrants. The rule, to be implemented by the Trump administration on October 15, adds new criteria to the factors deciding whether to grant legal permanent status to those undocumented immigrants who apply for it. That criteria says if an applicant is enrolled in public benefits programs during 12 months of any 36 month period prior to the application they are… Read more

New Accessibility Task Force will tackle barriers to access for disabled and senior New Yorkers

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meeting with Accessibility Task Force at Gale's office If you’re in a wheelchair, or use a cane or walker, or even just have a more temporary injury, it can truly be a challenge to get from point A to point B. That’s why I formed my new Accessibility Task Force, composed of stakeholders and advocates who will address access issues in transit and urban design for disabled and senior New Yorkers as they navigate the city. We held… Read more

My Brother’s Keeper forum takes aim at opportunity gap in education

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Gale smiling with my brothers keeper group In November, we held the second meeting of the Manhattan My Brother’s Keeper initiative, which is aimed at closing the opportunity gap by supporting boys and young men of color in Manhattan. President Barack Obama launched the My Brother’s Keeper (MBK) initiative in 2014 to improve outcomes for students of color in schools across the country. New York was the first state to enact the initiative into law and has… Read more

Cultural leaders honored at Borough President’s reception to kick off the African American Day Parade

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Gale speaking at podium for African American Day Parade I recognized 23 cultural leaders in Manhattan’s African American community at a September 14 reception at the Schomburg Center in Harlem to kick off the annual African American Day Parade. All of the honorees are creative professionals, entrepreneurs, and community advocates who have shaped arts and culture across the borough for many years. Some, like Teresa McKinney, Ade Williams, Anna Glass and Anthony McGill are part of venerable institutions: the… Read more

Supreme Court’s decision to uphold travel ban “shameful”

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Protestors hold up signs at John F. Kennedy Airport in NYC NEW YORK – Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer issued the following statement in reaction to the Supreme Court’s decision upholding the Trump Administration’s travel bans: “The Supreme Court failed in its duty today. This decision will go down in history along with cases like Korematsu v. U.S. and Hirabayashi v. U.S. as a shameful legal stamp of approval for a policy rooted in discrimination and xenophobia. “In the long… Read more

Brewer salutes new leaders for Black History Month

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Brewer delivers speech at Black History Month event It’s no secret that we’re living through a storm. The progress we’ve made toward correcting injustices in our society is looking more fragile than we hoped, and we are being challenged as racism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia, and transphobia once again rear their ugly heads. But a new wave of activists is rising to meet those challenges and fight injustice on a variety of fronts, and they are lighting a path… Read more

Remarks of Manhattan Borough President Gale A. Brewer at José Martí statue dedication in Havana

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Brewer stands next to a man in front of Jose Marti statue Good morning, honored guests. Let us make this the beginning of renewed and strengthened friendship between two great cities and their people. At home in the United States we say, “we shall overcome.” Here you say, “venceremos.” I say, welcome home, José Martí! I am Gale Brewer, President of the Borough of Manhattan, where the original of this dramatic statue of José Martí has been inspiring New Yorkers for most… Read more

B.P. Brewer Prepared Remarks at Equality NY’s Rally Against Proposed Transgender Military Ban

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The people in the White House want to divide us. They want a war over who gets to be a real American. They want a war over who gets to be a person. Gender identity, just like sexual orientation, just like race, just like where you were born, has no bearing on courage, excellence, or professionalism. Trans Americans have the right to serve just like everyone else. Fear and distrust… Read more