CM Julissa Ferreras

Name of Council Member: Julissa Ferreras Name and Title of Person Completing Questionnaire: Megan Montalvo, Communications Director
Campaign Website: www.JulissaFerreras.org
2013 CITY COUNCIL HUMAN RIGHTS QUESTIONNAIRE

1. Many in the United States think of international affairs when they think of human rights. Our work emphasizes the applicability of the human rights framework here in the United States. Please share your thoughts on the domestic applicability of human rights, and discuss why human rights are important to you in the context of New York City and the City Council. For years, New York City has been considered the mecca for individuals seeking to obtain the freedom to express themselves and excel within various fields of opportunity. To this day, hundreds of immigrants from all over the globe still flock here for this reason, often leaving behind their loved ones and homes. Although there is much to be gained from moving to our great City, sadly, disparities in human rights still exist. In my own district, for example, there have been cases of gender and racial discrimination, unfair policies against the LGBT community and instances of sex trafficking. For some, the existence of this wrongdoing may be hard to believe, but this is the reality. As the Council Member representing a district that has experienced these injustices, I consider the domestic applicability of human rights to be extremely important. It is why I have created tougher legislation against sex trafficking and supported measures that call for stronger restrictions against discrimination of any kind. If re-elected, my work in the City Council will continue to focus on resolving human rights issues both for my district as well as New York City as a whole. 2. Please share briefly how you have used your role in Council to advance human rights. As Chair of the Womens Issues Committee, I have been given the opportunity to advance human rights in a number of innovative and groundbreaking ways. For example, this past year, I have worked with the Councils Health Committee to introduce a pair of bills that would improve transparency and accountability in the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. This push for improvement stemmed from reports that were made public in January 2013 wherein it was found that the OCME mishandled 877 sexual assault cases over a decade and failed to upload deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) data to the State DNA database in 56 cases. In addition to this work, I have used my role in the New York City Council to become an active member of the Progressive Caucus, whose mission is dedicated to creating a more just and equal New York City, combating all forms of discrimination, and advancing public policies that offer genuine opportunity to all New Yorkers, especially those who have been left out of our societys prosperity. Over the past year, I have also sponsored and supported the passage and application of essential human rights legislation, such as the Taxi and Limousine Commission bill, Paid Sick Time, The Womens Equality Act, The Trafficking Victims Protections and Justice Act and the New York Safe Harbor for Exploited Children Act.
3. Legislative priorities: Please list your top 3 legislative priorities for 2013. 1. Womens Issues/Resolution calling upon the New York State legislative to pass, and the Governor to sign the Womens Equality Act. (Passed) 2. The implementation and advancement of STEM fields throughout NYC with a particular emphasis on its promotion amongst women and girls. 3. The provision of economic opportunities to immigrant families throughout NYC. What will be your top 3 legislative priorities as a Council Member in the upcoming legislative session? 1. Affordable Housing 2. Quality of Rezoning/Economic Development (especially among minority women) 3. Public Safety 4. Budget priorities: Please list your top three budget priorities of 2013. 1. Education 2. Violence Prevention 3. Parks/Healthy Living Programs What will your top 3 budget priorities be as a Council member in the upcoming legislative session? 1. Education 2. Violence Prevention 3. Parks/Healthy Living Programs 5. Have you used participatory budgeting to allocate your discretionary funds? Why or why not? I have not used participatory budgeting; however, I am looking into using it next year. I wanted to be fully informed on the process prior to bringing this before our community. 6. Please provide examples of recent legislation in Council that you believe promotes human rights. Recently, I have had the opportunity to vote in favor of Paid Sick Time as well as the Community Safety Act. As a representative of a highly-populated immigrant and low-income community, I see my position as one that must protect the rights of these individuals, who have all too often been underserved.
The agreement reached in the Paid Sick Time Legislation is a monumental victory for our City. For the first time in our history, nearly one million workers who are seeking to care for themselves or their children will no longer be afraid they might get fired if they take a sick day. This legislation will greatly enhance the quality of life for the hundreds of immigrants and hard-working individuals living and working in my district. Additionally, the Community Safety Act is leading to the reform of the NYPDs policy on stop -and-frisk. In a recent federal ruling, Judge Shira A. Scheindlin stated that the policy violated Constitutional rights and appointed an independent monitor to oversee major changes. This reaffirms what my colleagues and I have already believed to be true the policy encourages the targeting of young black and Hispanic men based on their prevalence in local crime complaints. The independent monitor will oversee changes to the NYPD policies, training, supervision, monitoring and discipline, which will not only help establish greater accountability, but also safeguard against systemic racial profiling. 7. Legislation is only one of many ways in which Council Members can work to advance human rights. What ways other than through legislation will you advance the human rights of New Yorkers as a City Council Member? Beyond legislation, I continue to educate and inform New Yorkers on human rights issues through a number of local programs and educational events for which I have allocated discretionary funding. In addition, I have also attended and spoken at numerous rallies to advance and create awareness on human rights. These rallies included efforts to: End Street Harassment Protect Workers Rights Reinforce Tenants Rights Reform Stop-and-Frisk Support Paid Sick Time Fight for a Living Wage Create and preserve Safe, Affordable Housing Advocate for Seniors and individuals living with disabilities Create tougher restrictions against Sex Trafficking; And advocating for the full civil rights for all New Yorkers regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or physical disability 8. Some advocates contend that the position of the Council Speaker has too much power over the progression of legislation. Please use this space to respond to that critique. I have worked closely with Council Speaker Quinn and do not think that the Council Speaker has too much power over the progression of legislation. There is a well-established, fair process in which legislation is handled in the New York City Council. For more information, please visit www.urbanjustice.org.

CM Julissa Ferreras

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CM Julissa Ferreras

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Name of Council Member: Julissa Ferreras Name and Title of Person Completing Questionnaire: Megan Montalvo, Communications Director

Campaign Website: www.JulissaFerreras.org

2013 CITY COUNCIL HUMAN RIGHTS QUESTIONNAIRE

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