Hochul Deploys National Guard to Subway + Santos Announces Another Run
No. 365 | Monday, March 11, 2024
The NYC Thorn is a weekly roundup of local political news compiled by members of NYC-DSA.
Local News
Governor Kathy Hochul installed National Guard soldiers and state police officers in the New York City subway system in what she claims is an attempt to quash violent crime, despite data showing that subway crime has recently trended downward. Riders may refuse bag checks and can instead enter at an alternative subway station.
More than 60 protesters were arrested in waves of demonstrations for a ceasefire in Gaza on Friday, March 8. Ironically, these arrests came the same week a settlement went into effect imposing new legal requirements for the New York Police Department’s handling of protests.
On the same day that the Adams administration announced it would miss a legally mandated deadline of 2027 to close Rikers Island jail, it produced reports that detailed the transformation of the island to a wastewater treatment and renewable energy plant.
An appeals court reinstated bribery charges against former Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin after a lower court had thrown out the case in December 2022.
A group of 18 legislators who are also parents in the State Legislature sent a letter to Governor Hochul opposing proposed cuts to school aid. The new "Mom Squad" includes Socialist In Office committee member Phara Souffrant Forrest (Fort Greene, Crown Heights).
Changing clocks for Daylight Saving Time continues despite being widely unpopular and highly disruptive. Several past attempts to end the practice in New York State have failed, and it has not been picked up for the current legislative session.
Election News
After being expelled from his seat representing District 3 (Massapequa, Floral Park, Little Neck) in Congress last year, George Santos has announced he will run again in the neighboring Congressional District 1 (Huntington, Southampton, East Hampton).
State Senator Julia Salazar (District 18, North Brooklyn) and Assembly Member Karines Reyes (District 87, Parkchester) penned an op-ed advocating for the passage of the Dignity Not Detention Act, which would prevent state and local governments across New York State from contracting with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to detain immigrants.
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