Espaillat Recognizes Anniversary of Khashoggi’s Killing
Representative Adriano Espaillat (D-Washington Heights, Sugar Hill) released a series of tweets yesterday on the anniversary of the assassination of Saudi Arabian journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
On Oct. 2, 2018, Khashoggi visited the Saudi consulate in Istanbul for documents related to his marriage. Weeks later, investigators found his body dismembered inside the consulate. A month afterwards, the CIA determined that Saudi Prince Mohammad Bin Salman ordered the assassination.
“I express my condolences to Jamal Khashoggi’s family, friends and colleagues on the anniversary of his disappearance and murder,” said Espaillat. “On the 1-year anniversary of the death of Jamal Khashoggi, we recognize the dangers that journalists are facing around the world and we thank them for bringing us the truth while risking their lives to uphold press freedom.
Stringer Writes Op-Ed on Saving Small Businesses
New York Comptroller Scott Stringer (D) wrote an op-ed for the Gotham Gazette yesterday on what we need to do to save small businesses in New York.
Stringer wrote that small businesses in the City are closing “at an alarming rate”, depriving the City of one of its greatest sources of “vibrancy, character and diversity”. Last week, his office released a report revealing that vacant storefront space has nearly doubled since 2007. To address the problem, Stringer suggested streamlining the process by which businesses get their licenses approved and offering tax breaks to local businesses, among other measures.
“If we don’t adapt, our local businesses that define our neighborhoods, bring life to our city, and provide goods and services to residents they’ve built relationships with, will disappear,” wrote Stringer. “It’s time we rethink our approach to support our local neighborhood anchors, the mom-and-pop stores that line our streetscapes and serve as some of our most vivid markers in communities across the city. Understanding the changing reality is the place to start. We have the power to shape our commercial corridors and therefore our neighborhoods — let’s take the right steps to move them forward.”
The full op-ed is available here.
Chin Recognizes Eighth Anniversary of Private Chen’s Passing
Council Member Margaret Chin (D-Battery Park City, Chinatown) released a series of tweets yesterday in recognition of the eighth anniversary of the suicide of Private Danny Chen.
Chen was a U.S. Army soldier who took his own like on Oct. 3, 2011. A subsequent investigation revealed that Chen was the victim of racial harassment and violence from his fellow soldiers.
“As we note the 8th anniversary of Private Danny Chen’s passing, we remember the incredible life he led,” said Chin. “Danny grew up right here in Chinatown, playing in Columbus Park & learning Chinese at CCBA. He was a thoughtful young man who wanted to serve his country. Tragically, that patriotism was met with hostility & racism. Working with OCA-NY and the community, we pushed for justice for Danny. Today, we remember him because we cannot forget the ugly bigotry that took him from us.”
