New York, NY (January 19, 2021)–The New York Immigration Coalition’s sister 501 (c)4 organization, NYIC Action, today announced its first set of endorsements for New York City Council. The first ten candidates endorsed are all women from diverse backgrounds, religions, and stages of life. All are fierce advocates for immigrant rights with records of service to New York's communities.
Murad Awawdeh, Interim Co-Executive Director of NYIC Action, said, “Over the past year, our city has become the epicenter of two pandemics, COVID-19 and racial inequity, and it has been deeply impacted by the economic fallout of both. New York’s immigrant communities—and in particular, women in those communities—have often borne the brunt of these two intersecting hardships. It’s vital that we elect candidates who represent those who have been voiceless for too long and who respect the endless contributions our immigrant communities make. We believe these candidates will work to create a more just and equitable New York City for all.”
In the Bronx, NYIC Action endorses:
Mino Lora (BX, 11),
Marjorie Velazquez (BX, 13),
And Amanda Farias (BX, 18)
In Queens, NYIC Action endorses:
Tiffany Caban (QN, 22),
Linda Lee (QN, 23),
And Moumita Ahmed (QN, 24)
In Brooklyn, NYIC Action endorses:
Jen Gutierrez (BK, 34),
Crystal Hudson (BK, 35),
Alexa Aviles (BK, 38),
And Shahana Hanif (BK, 39)
The endorsements were made following a careful review of NYIC Action's political agenda, 2021: A Vision for NYC, which calls upon candidates to commit to working towards solutions in 5 major issues areas: Building political power and guaranteed civil rights; Ending state support for detention, deportation, and mass incarceration; Ensuring economic justice and good jobs; Creating quality education for all; and Creating healthy communities. The 2021 platform also includes the Our City Our Vote campaign, which supports legislation to permit lawfully present residents and those with work authorizations to vote in municipal elections, such as races for mayor, comptroller, public advocate, borough president, and city council, as well as referenda and other local contests. The original legislation was introduced by Councilmember Ydanis Rodriguez in January 2020 and supported by a majority of council members (26) and the Public Advocate.
Awawdeh continued, “NYIC Action is committed to electing leaders who actively seek fairness and justice for New York’s immigrants—and who are unafraid to fight to ensure opportunity for all. New Yorkers of all backgrounds and immigration status deserve to have their voices heard, and we believe these are the candidates who will best represent our collective interests within City Hall.”
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