NYC’s #1 Source for Political & Election News
Queens lawmaker
pushes mental
health legislation
to help end
gun violence
BY BILL PARRY
The state Senate is taking action to staunch
the rise in gun violence that has plagued communities
in recent months.
State Senator James Sanders and the New
York State Association of Black, Puerto Rican
Hispanic & Asian Legislators held a press
event in Albany on June 1 to push his legislation
(S7065) that would require a person
who purchases any firearm, rifle or shotgun
to submit to a mental health evaluation and
provide the seller with his or her approval to
purchase such a firearm.
“We have had many tragic shootings in
my district covering southeast Queens, and
throughout the state and nation, that shows
the need to take stronger action to prevent
gun violence,” Sanders said. “Mass shootings
have become an epidemic in America. Tens of
thousands of Americans are killed each year
from gun violence.”
Many of the perpetrators of gun crimes
have mental issues, Sanders explained, and
this legislation is meant to help protect New
Yorkers and prevent the death of innocent
victims.
More specifically, before any sale, exchange
or disposal of a firearm, rifle or shotgun
at a gun show, by a federally licensed
dealer or private sale — including when such
sale, exchange or disposal in between family
members — a purchaser of any firearm, rifle
or shotgun must submit to a mental health
evaluations and provide the seller with proof
of his or her approval to purchase such a
weapon.
Sanders’ legislation is among a number
of bills introduced in the Senate to strengthen
gun laws which are considered to be the
strongest measure in the country. The legislative
package comes as nearly a dozen mayors
from across the state called on Albany to pass
tough new gun laws before the end of the legislation
session on June 10.
Read more on PoliticsNY.com.
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at
bparry@schnepsmedia.com or by phone at
(718) 260–4538.
AOC backs Wiley for mayor
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez endorses
mayoral candidate Maya Wiley at a rally in City Hall Park
on June 5, 2021. Photo by Gabriele Holtermann
PoliticsNYnews PoliticsNYnews PoliticsNY.com PoliticsNYnews
TIMESLEDGER | QNS.COM | JUNE 11-JUNE 17, 2021 17
AOC endorses Cabán
Tiffany Cabán, a 33-yearold
organizer, activist, former
public defender, queer Latina,
and candidate for New York City
Council District 22, received
the personal endorsement of
Congresswoman Alexandria
Ocasio-Cortez.
Ocasio-Cortez represents
parts of District 22 including
Astoria, Jackson Heights, Woodside
and East Elmhurst.
“Tiffany will put everything
on the line to fight for us, and I
am proud to endorse her for New
York City Council District 22,”
Ocasio-Cortez said. “She has
always had the courage to stand
up to the wealthy and powerful
because she knows what’s at
stake. Tiffany has the vision,
skills and people-powered support
we need in the City Council
to secure racial, social and economic
justice.”
Cabán said she was “proud”
to receive the endorsement.
Hantzopoulos scores key
endorsements
District 22 New York City
Council candidate Evie Hantzopoulos
has received the endorsements
of three prominent
women’s rights and reproductive
justice organizations in New York
City: the National Women’s Organization
- NY Chapter, Planned
Parenthood of Greater New York
PAC and #VOTEPROCHOICE.
“#VOTEPROCHOICE is
proud to make this pro-choice
endorsement, as New York City
deserves champions who will
lead our recovery not just with
short-term solutions, but with
sustainable and equitable protections
for reproductive freedom
and body autonomy,” said
Heidi Sieck, co-founder/CEO of
#VOTEPROCHOICE. “It was
clear that Evie’s commitment,
policy proposals and track record
truly advance the work on
women’s rights. As we rebuild
our city post-COVID, we must
ensure we rebuild with an equity
lens and inclusive process. Evie
is by far the best candidate to do
that.”
BY GABRIELE HOLTERMANN
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez announced
her endorsement of Maya Wiley for New
York City mayor, and a slate of 60 progressive City
Council candidates hailing from across the five boroughs,
at a rally in City Hall Park on June 5.
One of the most sought-after endorsements among
candidates on the progressive left, AOC explained
that Wiley, a civil rights attorney and former adviser
to Mayor Bill de Blasio, was the progressive candidate
to fight the special interests who have been
pouring in an enormous amount of dark money and
to make New York City a place for the people by the
people.
“Maya Wiley is the one. She will be a progressive
in Gracie Mansion. And the movements that
we have and the City Council candidate that we just
announced will hold her and support her in doing
that. We make the decisions that we need to make
to need to make in order to build a city that works
for everybody. Maya Wiley is our number one,” AOC
declared.
Wiley said she was humbled and proud to receive
Ocasio-Cortez’s endorsement and promised that she
would make sure to work for every single New Yorker
and that New York was at a crossroads.
“We have the courage to bring every single New
Yorker with us,” Wiley said. “Because we’re gonna
make sure everyone can afford the rent. We are
gonna make sure everyone safe in their streets from
police violence and from crime. And we’re gonna do
it, recognizing that we are truly safe. When all our
people are well,this is a good place to live.”
Earlier, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and
AOC spoke to the 60 progressive City Council candidates,
with City Hall serving as a backdrop.
The crowd greeted Williams, who is up for reelection
and received AOC’s endorsement, by chanting
“time to shine the light” and “defund NYPD.”
Williams said he was glad to see that all the candidates
had pledged to make the city more progressive.
However, he admitted that “sometimes I’m confused,
and I don’t really know what that word means
anymore because the governor says he’s progressive.
But what I do know is that we want everybody to be
on the trades and freedom, equity and justice, there’s
room for everyone.”
Read more on PoliticsNY.com.
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