El Diario Endorses Change

El Diario, the oldest and largest Spanish language newspaper in New York City, has endorsed two pro-marriage equality candidates: Gustavo Rivera and Charlie Ramos.

Both candidates are running against powerful incumbents: Senator Pedro Espada, Jr. and Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr., respectively.  With a daily readership of over 290,000 people, the El Diario endorsement could potentially reach thousands of Bronx voters.

Of Gustavo Rivera, the endorsement reads:

The time has come to close the door on the politics of “me” and for the politics of “we” to reign. District 33 has a chance to do this on Sept. 14 by supporting Rivera.

To help elect pro-marriage equality candidates, visit the MYD 2010 Campaign Page.

Between Now and Sep 14: Anti-Espada, All The Time!

Huge shout-out to Margaret, Betsy, Scott, Richard, Paul and Kim for coming out with me last weekend to canvass in the 33rd. It was tons of fun and talking to people in the district really highlights just how high the anti-Espada fever is running.

To quote one resident, whose door we knocked upon in the 97-degree heat on Sunday afternoon:

Pedro Espada can go to hell.

In that spirit, we’re passing along info on another anti-Espada event taking place this coming Saturday. Our friends at the New Roosevelt Initiative will be leading the charge. Email vp [at] goMYD [dot] com back to get connected with the organizers. Details here:

Mr. Espada is giving away free food and school supplies at two locations on Saturday morning, and we are trying to get 40 people to go out to make his life miserable.  We’re meeting at 9:30, and will hit both of their giveaway sites.  Details are below if anyone can make it!

PROTEST AGAINST PEDRO ESPADA
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, 2010
9:30 am – c. 11:30 am

Vladeck Hall (9.45-10.30)
74 Van Cortlandt Park South (corner Hillman Avenue)

Moshulu Library
285 East 205th Street(10.30-11.15)

Of course, converting anti-Espada sentiment to actual votes on Sep 14 are two very different things. That’s why we need you to mark your calendars for canvassing on Sunday, Sep 12, for GOTV! In a district where only 10-15% of the base gets out to vote, every single vote will count. Again, email me if you want in on the fun: vp [at] goMYD [dot] com.

Pedro’s Fake Home

Email Emmy at vp [at] goMYD [dot] com if you want to help us defeat Pedro Espada Jr! We still have some t-shirts left…

Three Reasons Why Espada Has To Go – And What You Can Do About It

Reason #1:

He’s accused by state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo of siphoning $14million from his Bronx-based Soundview health clinics.

Reason #2:

A high-end Manhattan tailor is suing Espada for walking out on a $7,200 tab for six custom suits.

And this just out, Reason #3:

The Bronx Democrat still owes the state Board of Elections $10,310 for failing to turn over timely financial disclosure forms, board spokesman John Conklin told the Daily News on Tuesday.

Agreed:

“It’s a disgrace,” said Blair Horner of the New York Public Interest Research Group. “After repeated promises to do otherwise, the majority leader is still in violation of the state election law.”

Want to help us oust Pedro Espada Jr? We’re canvassing this weekend in the 33rd District. Free transport, 10-3PM on Saturday, and likely back up there on Sunday.

Email vp [at] goMYD [dot] to get this deadbeat out of office!

Daily  News

Espada Confirms Our Worst Impressions of Him…Again

With crucial legislation (like the Revenue Bill that Republicans hate) waiting for a vote, Espada decides to take the day off depriving Democrats of their majority. You can’t make this stuff up, it’s too stupid. Here’s what the man said:

“I cannot participate in a legislative process that still has not addressed basic and important needs of our most vulnerable citizens. Working in the district today and tending to the needs of my constituents will be far more productive.”

Check it out the full article here.

Espada: You Are Ridic!

Remember how grassroots groups in the Bronx invited us up to the Bronx to Espada’s so-called town hall yesterday, which was only open to “registered participants”? Well, he cancelled the thing and then issued this absolutely ridiculous statement to the press. I couldn’t help but chime in with my analysis, bear with me.

Joint Statement from State Senate Majority Leader Pedro Espada, Jr. (D-Bronx) and Reverend Diego Delgado, Pastor of the Church of the Mediator”

For the safety of the congregation and community residents who signed up to ask questions about job creation and economic development, affordable housing and rent relief for tenants, education, senior services and a number of other issues important to poor and working families in the 33rd district, we are postponing the town hall meeting that had been scheduled for 6 p.m. today at the Church of the Mediator. The meeting will be rescheduled for those who registered to attend so their questions can be answered and their concerns addressed in the civil environment that was intended. This was never a closed meeting, but space limitations required that participants register in advance.

Really? Space limitations? Isn’t the whole point of a town hall to allow open dialogue and communication between concerned residents and their electeds?

It is despicable that political rabble-rousers who are outsiders — and we emphasize ‘outsiders’ — would come into our community under the guise of democracy and tenant advocacy and vow to disrupt a town hall meeting in a House of Worship.

Yeah, housing groups and other advocates who operate on the ground in your district REALLY constitute a bunch of “outsiders”. Or do you just define everyone who disagrees with your conduct as a State Senator an outsider?

We have seen this group in action before — the same people who are paid a small stipend and a food voucher to some cheap restaurant to appear at events to disrupt, spit on people, use obscene language, intimidate and push people around. These people are not from our community, they know nothing of the struggles of our community, and they show up to do the bidding of a political party, which operates under the guise of representing working families and whose days are numbered, and a billionaire who never stepped foot in our neighborhoods until now.

Mr. Espada, we have seen you in action before, and we watched you give free food to residents and then ask them to “sign here”, a signature which was conveniently located on one of your petitions.  No wonder you fear that every New Yorker is being paid off by a billionaire to express certain views. It has nothing to do with a desire for good governance and pushing for better leadership in Albany. I suppose you also think that your actions as a State Senator and Majority Leader and Housing Committee Chair–like the ones we celebrated at our State Senate Coup Anniversary Party, which was co-sponsored by nine grassroots organizations, including two from the Bronx–have had no ramifications either in or beyond your own district? New Yorkers should just stand by and take it when their legislature ceases to function for two months.

Oh, by the way, speaking of intimidation and disruption–maybe you should rein in your son before preaching to others about treating people with respect.

Where were these outsiders when we stopped the Mayor from closing senior centers in our community, when we restored the free MetroCard for thousands of students in our local schools, and when we stopped the Governor from making deep cuts to classrooms in our school districts? Why aren’t these people supporting a five-year rent freeze for struggling families in our community? We know the answers. They are phonies with no ties to our community. We are not going to allow them to desecrate a House of Worship and a community event, or place the safety and well-being of the good parishioners and citizens of the 33rd district at risk.”

You’re totally right, Mr. Espada. These “phonies” are only in for themselves. That’s why they’re protesting a closed-door “community” event to which you only invite people who agree with you.

Tell us–does allegedly stealing $14 million dollars from a local, taxpayer-funded healthcare clinic in the 33rd district put your constituents at risk?

Daily News: In face of unrest, Sen. Pedro Espada scratched Town Hall

Anti-Espada Action on Thursday!

Some of our grassroots allies in the Bronx are hosting an anti-Espada event on Thursday to protest against “another one of his phony, invitation-only, town hall meetings”.

The event is scheduled for Thurs, July 22^nd, from 6:30-8:30pm and will be up in the Bronx — contact Netta Bertucci at antonietta [at] potsbronx [dot] org for more info!

More Photos From State Senate Coup Anniversary Party

Courtesy of MYD member Juan Carlos Pineiro Escoriaza, great photos from Saturday’s event:

Village Voice Coverage of Anniversary Party

From the Village Voice blog: “Pedro Espada Gets Sushi Surprise From Manhattan Young Democrats“:

“We are Democrats, but we do not believe that just because someone has a ‘D’ next to their name they deserve our unwavering support!” yelled Harris, her voice booming down the quiet Beechwood Drive where Espada resides in a picturesque two-story dwelling that stands in contrast to the brick apartment buildings dotting his 33rd District. (Though Espada claims he lives in a Bronx cooperative, which Cuomo’s suit says is paid for with a stipend from his Soundview HealthCare Network, the 20 grand in Japanese takeout also outlined in that suit was delivered to his Mamaroneck address.)

So along with $4.95 pre-made California rolls purchased from a Manhattan Duane Reade, the group packed voter registration cards into their wicker delivery basket, just in case Espada wanted to reflect his real residence. “We also have a red mesh jersey because he played for the Republicans,” said Al Benninghoff, a Manhattan Young Democrats president emeritus.

Other goodies included the group’s riff on the Napoleon Dynamite campaign tee, a number of sushi takeout menus, a first aid kit (because Albany needs fixing), and a framed picture of Espada and Monserrate at a Yankee game. They fringed $2 million in play money, representing the amount of member-item cash that spurred the defection, around the basket.

State Senate Coup Anniversary Party Video and Photos

This weekend’s protest at Pedro’s house was a great success.

Here is our video from the event:

And our photos:

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