FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM JUNE 10, 2021 • THE QUEENS COURIER 15
AOC endores Wiley for mayor
BY GABRIELE HOLTERMANN
editorial@qns.com
@QNS
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 fi ve boroughs, at a
rally in City Hall Park on June 5.
One of the most sought-aft er 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 fi ght 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 aff ord 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.”
Th e crowd greeted Public Advocate
Jumaane 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.
Sanders pushes mental
health legislation
in eff ort to help end
scourge of gun violence
BY BILL PARRY
bparry@schnepsmedia.com
@QNS
Th e 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 fi rearm,
rifl e or shotgun to submit to a mental health
evaluation and provide the seller with his or her
approval to purchase such a fi rearm.
“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 specifi cally, before any sale, exchange or
disposal of a fi rearm, rifl e 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
fi rearm, rifl e 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. Th e 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.
Who do they like?
AOC endorses Cabán
Tiff any Cabán, a 33-year-old 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.
“Tiff any will put everything on the
line to fi ght 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. Tiff any 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.
“Building a city that works for the
most marginalized means building
a city that works for all of us, and I
look forward to continuing this work
with our community and with Rep.
Ocasio-Cortez,” Cabán said.
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.”
“I am committed to ensuring women’s
rights are advanced and protected,
and I look forward to being
a champion for women’s rights and
health care when I represent the people
of District 22 in City Council,”
Hantzopoulos said.
Photo courtesy of Sanders’ offi ce
State Senator James Sanders made note of the gun
violence in southeast Queens in pushing for his mental
health legislation before the June 10 summer break.
Photo by Gabriele Holtermann
Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez endorses various candidates at a rally in City Hall
Park on June 5, 2021.
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