Yonkers Insider: Media Release: Celebrating The Contributions Made By Immigrants.

Celebrating The Contributions Made By Immigrants.

(Our City, Our Vote Coalition Discusses Next Steps In 

Passing The Municipal Voting Rights Bill)

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Washington Heights, NY-- Today, Saturday, September 12th, Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez hosted a breakfast to celebrate the contributions made by immigrants in New York City. The Council Member highlighed the importance of the Municipal Voting Rights bill, which he introduced back in January. The bill would provide a process for lawful permanent residents in New York city to vote in municipal elections. 

The Municipal Voting Rights bill currently holds the support of 26 Council Members including Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, City Comptroller Scott Stringer, and the Manhattan and Brooklyn Borough Presidents. The New York Immigration Coalition alongside over 50 organizations has also pledged their support for the Municipal Voting Rights Bill. And in the past, NYC Council Speaker Corey Johnson has also expressed support for this legislation.

Additionally, the coalition discussed the impact of COVID-19 on many immigrant communities across the City and heard from notable speakers, such as NAACP New York State Conference, Executive Committee Member and Chair of The Civic Engagement Committee, Pharein Griffith, Congressmember Adriano Espaillat, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams,  Senator Robert Jackson, Council Member Ben Kallos, Council Member Brad Lander, New York Immigration Coalition Director Steve Choi, and many more immigrant advocating organizations. The event took place on an Open Street Space at Dyckman St & Broadway following social distance guidelines. 

"We need to elect leaders that reflect the people and the communities they represent. The power of the ballot should never be denied to the people who contribute so much to our Country and our City. As a green card holder I contributed taxes every year, and now as a citizen I continue to pay taxes. Immigrants contribute billions of dollars into this economy, yet they come last on the City's priority list. If you are paying taxes, have a green card or workers permit you should be allowed to choose who represents you on the Municipal level," said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez. "We need to empower all of the immigrant communities in New York City, and finally live up to the words of no taxation without representation."

"Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to honor the history, culture and contributions of the Latino community. From advancing the arts and sciences, to sacrificing in our Armed Forces, to starting millions of small businesses, Latino and Hispanic Americans have many accomplishments to celebrate," said Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13). "The Latino community is being devastated by a generational economic crisis and the disproportionate impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet despite these challenges, Latino and Hispanic Americans continue to push forward and contribute enormously to our country, including the many essential workers keeping America running during this crisis. It remains critical and is vital to the success of our City and to our nation, that we honor the hard work and activism that generations of Latino and Hispanic Immigrants have achieved and allow their voices to be heard on the policies that affect them and their families."

"Trying to measure the positive contributions immigrants have made to New York City is akin to counting the sand at the beach or rocks in a riverbed, it is impossible to do because the contributions are innumerable, " said Council Member Ben Kallos. "This City was built and to this day runs on the effort and work ethic of the immigrant community, there is no disputing that. Thank you to Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez for taking the time to highlight this and for putting forth legislation to give voice to immigrant New Yorkers."