V.I.D. fetes Johnson, Bradlow, blue crew
No IDC NY received an award for exposing “fake Democrats” and allowing
New York State to realize its progressive potential. Accepting
the award from V.I.D. President David Siffert, right, is Gus Christensen,
center.
BY TEQUILA MINSKY
The Village Independent Democrats
recently held their 62
awards reception, aptly titled,
Blue New York, to celebrate a blue state
government, voted in during the last
election.
Returning to Tio Pepe, the W. Fourth
St. Spanish restaurant, the annual event
recognized outstanding individuals and
organizations noted for advancing the
progressive agenda.
With a blue majority in the state
Legislature, as well as in Congress, the
mood was much more upbeat than last
year. As usual, the evening offered opportunities
to schmooze with local politicians.
Leading the program off in the liveliest
of fashions, Sing Out Louise, the
resistance chorus with a credo of “Get
out there and make your voices heard,”
distributed its original satiric progressive
lyrics and got the crowd singing.
Upon City Council Speaker Corey Johnson’s
arrival, he was serenaded with a
song tailor-made for him.
Johnson received the V.I.D. Outstanding
Leadership Award. He currently
represents the Village, Chelsea and
Hell’s Kitchen in the Council. When he
was just 29, he won the chairpersonship
of Community Board 4. Johnson has a
reputation as a tenacious advocate for
his constituents and as a prolifi c sponsor
of legislation in the Council.
Another award recipient, the grassroots
progressive organization No IDC
NY, spearheaded the successful 2018
effort to replace six out of eight of the
Independent Democratic Conference
a.k.a. I.D.C. members; the incumbent
PHOTO BY TEQUILA MINSKY
“fake Democrat” senators aligned
themselves with Republicans. No IDC
NY works to ensure that progressive
lawmakers are elected and progressive
legislation passed.
True Blue NY — and the four founding
women who had no previous political
experience who accepted the award
— was also recognized. The organization’s
fi rst task was to defeat the I.D.C.
and Simcha Felder to fl ip the state Senate
blue. They built a coalition of more
than 60 diverse, grassroots groups,
Democratic clubs and issue-driven organizations.
A club stalwart for nearly 40 years
and a longtime Villager who has held
various V.I.D. offi ces, Frieda Bradlow
received the Lifetime Achievement
Award. Bradlow was a social worker,
environmentalist, community activist
and campaign director for longtime
Councilmember Miriam Friedlander.
She was a founding member of Downtown
Independent Democrats but redistricting
changed her territory. This
award recognizes her perseverance,
dedication and compassionate leadership.
The Village’s new female district
leader, Jen Hoppe, was introduced to
the crowd. After some 14 years, Keen
Berger said she would not run again as
district leader. Four women showed interest
in the unsalaried party position.
After endorsements and a club election,
Hoppe prevailed in a close race.
Showing up during the dinner part
of the event, Manhattan Borough President
Gale Brewer arrived and, always
welcome, was applauded upon arrival.
PHOTO BY TEQUILA MINSKY
For a lifetime of progressive activism in Greenwich Village and “an
enduring legacy of environmental concerns that know no bounds,”
Frieda Bradlow received the V.I.D. Visionary Award.
PHOTO BY TEQUILA MINSKY
City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, who represents District 3 in the City
Council, received the Outstanding Leadership Award from V.I.D.
14 June 6, 2019 TVG Schneps Media