DFNYC statement on Eric Garner case

We at Democracy for New York City (DFNYC) are shocked and appalled by the decision of the grand jury in Staten Island to not indict the police offer who choked out Eric Garner.  This incident was captured on video and witnessed by many people.   Eric Garner's wife and children were entitled to see the police officer in this case answer for his actions in a fair trial.  This is another case where racial and class biases have hindered, if not prevented, a chance for citizens to have justice under the law.   We call for this matter to be taken up in federal court.  DFNYC will continue to work with progressive groups and community leaders in our city to ensure that the day will come when people, regardless of race or class, can live their lives without fear. We call on the Mayor, City Council, Police Commissioner and our elected representatives to enact much needed reforms.

Great Election Events!

The 2014 elections are around the corner and NYC progressives are organizing events. Sign up to volunteer today - we need you!

Monday night, Oct. 27: Letter writing to save the U.S. Senate.

Write letters to progressives in Iowa and N.C. (we've got lists!) encouraging them to volunteer for Kay Hagan and Bruce Braley - two great Dems in two close races for U.S. Senate. 6:30-8:30 at Whole Foods at 95 East Houston. Details here. 

Endorsement News!

DFNYC is proud to announce our endorsements in the primary and general election for 2014! After feedback from our members and a voting period that ended on Tuesday, our members have chosen to endorse the following candidates:

~Governor - Zephyr Teachout

Gov. Andrew Cuomo  7%

Zephyr Teachout 87%

No Endorsement 6%

(Note: A write in vote stating "Vote WFP" was attributed to Gov. Cuomo)

~Lt. Governor - Tim Wu

Kathy Hochul  6%

Tim Wu  92%

No Endorsement  2%

(Note: A write in vote stating "Vote WFP" was attributed to Kathy Hochul.) 

~State Senate District 31 - No Endorsement (Our threshold is 60%)

Adriano Espaillat  50%   

Robert Jackson  39%

No Endorsment  11%

Additional Endorsements

Percentages will be posted here later today. 

NYS Senate District 33 - Bronx - Gustavo Rivera

NYS Senate District 34 - Bronx - Oliver Koppell

State Senate District 22 - Southern Brooklyn - Jamie Kemmerer

Congressional District 11 - SI & Southern Brooklyn - Domenic Recchia

*Our newsletter emailed on Sept. 4th erroneously stated that we endorsed Tony Avella in the 11th. (We have supported Avella in past campaigns.) 

Thank you to our vote counters!

DFNYC wishes to extend a big thank you to our volunteer vote counters, who were diligent and patient with our process and extended deadline: Leah Brown and Kesh Ladduwahetty in D.C., and Jennifer Boysko in Virginia. Jennifer is running for Virginia House of Delegates!  JenniferBoysko.com

About the Voting Process:

DFNYC members who had attended 2 events from Nov. 17th, 2011 to Tuesday, August 12, were eligible to vote.  DFNYC is committed to the principle of the secret ballot. After getting feedback from our members in 2012, we moved to an online system, and we preserve anonymity by having trusted DFA activists from outside New York count the ballots. (This year, one vote counter was a DFA activist while the other was not affiliate with DFA.) No one in DFNYC knows who anyone voted for.

Questions? Comments?

Email us at info-at-dfnyc.org.

About Us: 

Democracy for NYC is a local coalition group of Democracy for America. We get involved in progressive issues and campaigns in New York and across the country. Join us for the 2014 midterm elections! To learn more, read What We Stand For.

Read & Vote! Candidates submit responses to our questionnaire and voting in our endorsments is extended one week

Voting is now open for Democracy for NYC's endorsements in 2014 races in New York City, and we've extended the deadline one week to the Tuesday after Labor Day at 10pm, as some candidates in key races have recently submitted questionnaire responses. 

Responses to Our Questionnaire:

(Candidates listed in alphabetical order)

~If links do not work, please visit DFNYC.org to read responses

~Governor

Gov. Andrew Cuomo - click here   

Zephyr Teachout - click here 

~Lt. Governor

Kathy Hochul - click here  

Tim Wu - click here  

~State Senate District 31

Adriano Espaillat - click here  

Robert Jackson - click here  

Ballot: Click here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/DFNYC2014

Eligibility:

If you have attended at least two DFNYC events from Nov. 17th, 2011 to last Tuesday, August 12, you are eligible to vote.  If you are not sure, please vote, as we will sort out eligibility later.

Anonymous Voting:

DFNYC is committed to the principle of the secret ballot. After getting feedback from our members in 2012, we moved to an online system, and we preserve anonymity by having trusted DFA activists from outside New York count the ballots. No one in DFNYC will know who you voted for.

More on Rules & Procedure: Click here.