The start of the New Year was all about standing up and being counted…
Throughout Manhattan VID Members and friends gathered to support progressive agendas. At the January 11 General Meeting, Erik Coler got the ball rolling on standing up and being counted by introducing his newest idea – posting anti-Trump fliers in coffee shops to stimulate membership in VID. [Meeting Minutes Here]
NYS Comptroller, Tom DiNapoli
This meeting also hosted NYS Comptroller Tom DeNapoli who regaled the club with a speech congratulating Jerry Nadler, Brad Hoylman, Deborah Glick, and others. He complimented the VID holiday party and spoke of the intricacies of the comptroller’s office and the financial soundness of the city, then took questions about prison reform, Medicaid and nursing homes.
On the Immigration front, Keen Berger and Erik Bottcher reported on the demonstration for Ravi Ragbir, head of the New Sanctuary Coalition. Erik Bottcher spoke about the rally, which was attended by Borough President Gale Brewer and City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, and during which two Councilmembers, Jumaane Williams and Ydanis Rodriguez, were arrested. Keen also mentioned Jean Montreal, who also is in danger of deportation.
The Environmental Committee met on January 19th. Nat Johnson, Chair of the committee, reported that the Trump administration was undermining EPA regulations, which required public hearings, not being held in New York. He urged members to register objections at the EPA website. The night before they had met with the Manhattan Solid Waste Management organization.
Laurie Hardjowirogo solicited volunteers for the True Blue anti-IDC phone banks.
On Saturday, January 20th a large number of VID Members and friends gathered for the Women’s March. (See the slideshow for Tony Hoffmann’s pictures).
On January 22, VID Member, Livvey Mann host a second-home registration phone bank.
On January 25th there was an anti-IDC demonstration in front of Senator Flanagan’s office.
And, then there were the Inauguration festivities for Councilmember Carlina Rivera and for Council Speaker Corey Johnson (also depicted in the slide show – thank you Tony).
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