FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM MARCH 2, 2017 • THE QUEENS COURIER 19 OUT OF MANY, QUEENS IS ONE Unity rally shows the power of love BY ANTHONY GIUDICE agiudice@qns.com/@A_ GiudiceReport “Love, not hate, makes America great!” Th at was the rallying cry of over 100 people from across Queens who joined together at MacDonald Park in Forest Hills on Sunday to deliver a powerful message to those in power during the newly formed Queens Coalition for Solidarity’s Queens Stands Together Rally. Th e Feb. 26 rally — which was the brain child of Ethan Felder, co-founder of the Queens Coalition for Solidarity and Community Board 6 member — was designed to show a united front of people of all diff erent ages, genders, colors, creeds and sexual orientations in the opposition Photos by Anthony Giudice/THE COURIER Queens celebrated its diversity during the Queens Stands Together Rally in MacDonald Park in Forest Hills. Rally in Bayside against cuts that could spur senior center closures BY SUZANNE MONTEVERDI smonteverdi@qns.com @smont76 Seniors and local politicians spoke out at a rally in Bayside on Th ursday, Feb. 23 against the governor’s proposed state budget that would redirect $17 million in funding previously allocated to the city’s senior centers. Governor Andrew Cuomo’s proposed state budget would shift $17 million of Title XX federal funding from senior centers to “child care purposes,” according to Assemblyman Edward Braunstein, who organized the Feb. 23 rally at Selfh elp Clearview Senior Center. Th is loss of funding would force 65 senior centers to close. “Everybody who uses Selfhelp Clearview Senior Center, or other senior centers in the area, know how vital senior centers are to our community,” Braunstein said. “Whether you come here to socialize, you come to get something to eat, or you come for recreational programs, these senior centers are vital parts of our communities, and we cannot aff ord to see 65 senior centers closed citywide.” “We’re not saying we shouldn’t fund child care, as well,” he continued. “But in a $150 billion-plus state budget, we can fi nd the money — $17 million — to keep 65 senior centers open and provide an increase in child care funding.” Senior center member and volunteer Phyllis Steinlauf spoke about the role senior centers play in the lives of older adults. “Senior centers give you a purpose to get up in the morning and have some place to go and people to talk to,” Steinlauf said. “When you’re a senior, and if you’re alone, and you have some place to go to, it gives you a better outlook on life; it keeps you going … Food, friends and activity is very important in your older, golden years. And we cannot lose it.” State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky said seniors faced this same situation fi ve years ago, but the state restored funding aft er seniors spoke out and contacted the governor’s offi ce. “It is not fair to leave seniors and employees uncertain of their senior center’s fate,” Stavisky said. “We must fi nd an alternative way to come up with the funding that won’t deeply impact the people of New York.” “$17 million doesn’t seem like a lot — it’s actually a drop in the bucket,” Assemblywoman Nily Rozic added. “But we know how many meals that provides; how many services that provides; how many fun activities occur right here at Selfh elp and would be impacted by these cuts.” Braunstein encouraged concerned seniors to send letters and make phone calls to Cuomo’s offi ce. “I’m confi dent that, with enough pressure, we’ll be able to force the governor to back off this plan and continue to fi nd funding for child care,” Braunstein said. Representative from Community Boards 7 and 11 were in attendance, as well as representatives for Congresswoman Grace Meng, Councilman Paul Vallone and Assemblyman Ron Kim. QNS reached out to Governor Cuomo’s offi ce for comment and is awaiting a response. to the current political climate in the country. “Th is rally is a call to action. Th ese are dangerous times. Th is was no ordinary election that just happened,” Felder said. “Here in Queens, we make our opinions known, sometimes loudly. Our rights are too important. Our values are too important. Our Constitution is too important. Th is is a crowd of patriots, not enemies; not enemies. History will remember all of us who are standing right here in this park today.” Th e unity rally drew a lot of attention in the political world as well, with Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, City Council Speaker Melissa Mark- Viverito, Assemblyman Andrew Hevesi, Senator Toby Ann Stavisky, and Councilwoman Karen Koslowitz all delivering speeches denouncing the actions and rhetoric of President Donald Trump, and lauding their borough’s diversity as its greatest strength. “We are here to say, not only in Queens, but in New York and across this country, that is the majority view, that our diversity is our strength,” Mark-Viverito said. “Scapegoating communities whole-cloth for political expediency is suicide. It is destroying the very fabric of this country. It is making us less safe as a nation, less safe as a city.” “Donald Trump is not my president,” Koslowitz shouted through the microphone to cheers from the audience. “We cannot tolerate this. You know Queens is the most diverse county in the entire United States of America, and probably in the whole world, and what we have learned from each other is not to be underestimated.” Koslowitz then went on to read a statement from Congresswoman Grace Meng, who was elected to vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, thanking everyone for showing up to the rally, and also condemning the controversial executive orders signed by Trump during his fi rst month in offi ce. Th e rally also featured several young activists who spoke including Kenneth Shelton, a student at St. John’s University and chapter leader of Black Lives Matter; Sangida Akter, a student from Townsend Harris High School who co-founded the school’s Muslim Students Association; and several more. A slew of other local and statewide organizations were a part of the rally including Forest Hills Asian Association, Imam Shamsi Ali from the Jamaica Muslim Center, Make the Road NY, Queens New Democrats, Queens County Young Democrats, and many more cultural, religious, political and civic leaders. “Th e times that we live in demand active citizenship,” Felder said. “Th is rally, above all else, is a citizens call to action. We must resist. It is incumbent in the beauty of all of us to not just stand with, but protect those who are most vulnerable right now who are targeted. Now, tomorrow, and forever.” Photo by Suzanne Monteverdi/QNS Phyllis Steinlauf discussing the potential impact of budget cuts to senior centers.
QC03022017
To see the actual publication please follow the link above