Jumaane Williams, Anti Semitism, Gentrification and Lies

     

     On Saturday October 7th we attended a press conference held by Councilman Jumaane Williams regarding developments being built in neighborhoods that they do not clearly belong in and something seemed weird about it all.  One speaker was about to reveal the names of all of the developers who responsible for this massive displacement of Black and Brown people as well as those tied to them, and a staff member of Jumaane Williams quickly talked over him and silenced him.  A resident of the community asked Jumaane Williams about "Preferential Rent" which causes the landlords to increase the rent if they want to when you try to renew your lease, Jumaane Williams deflected the responsibilities and promises that he made in order to be able to win his last re-election four years ago by stating the following "There's nothing that I can do about it. It is legal and it can only be changed by the state".  We were able to get a quick second with his opponent City Council Candidate Anthony Beckford, who seemed displeased when he heard that answer and when we asked him if what was said was true, this was his response, "That's Bullshit. You do whatever you can do and more to help the people in the community. The problem is, he is busy helping his wealthy friends and not us. This is another reason I decided to run for City Council.  We need a Change and I am that Change.  We need someone who is actually from the community. I've been living here all of my life, while he has been a ghost all of his.  Hopefully the people start seeing through him and the 141,000 registered voters in my district vote for me. I will be making it my business to remove Preferential Rent, make Permanent MCIs temporary, push for the removal of 421-a since these developers are not building affordable housing and more". And there you have it folks.

We got hold of some literature that showed about 20 developers, real estate agents and lobbyists who have been donating to Councilman Williams. This is an underhanded scheme called "Pay To Play". Many corrupt politicians have been found to be taking part in this practice. This practice is an example if them choosing profits and donations over the lives and enrichment of their constituents.

                       

     The last thing that caught us off guard was the fact that Councilman Williams stated to the crowd, that there was nothing that he could do to stop what was going on.  That's funny, because we overheard a conversation by his opponent City Council Candidate Anthony Beckford that detailed how to stall, stop and even defeat gentrification and developers.  Mr. Beckford expressed to a few attendees that he would work on scrapping 421-a, keep Outside Developers out of the community, and many other things to help provide Affordable Low Income Housing.  We don't know about y'all but there seems to be more lies and cover ups that truth coming from Mr. Williams and actually solutions coming from Mr. Beckford.  This is a City Council race that should be paid very close attention to. It is a tale of David and Goliath.

Kicker: A member of Jumaane Williams' campaign who spoke at the press conference, made a controversial remark about the whole  Jewish community being responsible for the gentrification and the displacement of Black people. Also, when the speaker was about to start naming developers, he was quickly silenced by another Jumaane Williams' staffer who we are guessing is his press liaison. There seems to be some anti-Semitism within Councilman Williams' campaign and some cover ups of the developers.  Good thing we were able to get a hold of the list above with the names of a few developers that was being handed out at the press conference.

We hope the community is picking up on these things contradictions and drama in Councilman Williams' rhetoric and campaign, because this is something that we definitely could not ignore.

- Devine Magazine

City Council Candidate Anthony Beckford shuts down the Parkway

Now many of us have been following politics and some have been following entertainment. Well, we had to follow both this past Monday, because one local candidate stuck out and showed out.  So many of you so the politicians walking in the front of the parade looking like a funeral procession; ex: De'Blasio, Cuomo, Bo Dietl, Jumaane Williams, etc.  Yes, we know, it was a damper on our cultural celebration and did not have any sincerity to it.  Everything was staged and scripted.  After feeling that we needed to be resuscitated, we were given hope.  This beacon of hope was wearing white pants, a white shirt, black and grey sneakers with a backpack on his bag. His banner was 5'x7' and his supporters were genuine.  He had children from what looked like, 6 months old to 10 years old and adults ranging from 18 to probably their 50s lined up behind his banner as he took his position in front of his banner and looked around at all the people on Eastern Parkway and smiled a knowing smile.  This beacon of hope seems to be exiled by the mainstream media since he is going against a popular incumbent.  Well it's a good thing the independent media networks have been spotting him because he seems to never do things for the spotlight or for fame and glory, he has this sense of being humble. His name is ANTHONY BECKFORD and he is running for City Council for District 45, which comprises of Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Flatlands and parts of Canarsie.  The last we reported about Anthony Beckford, was when he spoke out against police corruption and brutality.  This serious advocate and activist who is Jamaican, Cuban and Taíno Indian, showed us that he has a fun side to him.  A true representation of the Black Lives Matter movement, as well as an all around good guy.  We caught up with him and he had this to say "The media uses the downfalls in our community to demonize and criminalize us.  That's not right at all.  Crime happens everyday, we will put a stop to it, but don't tie it to our celebration of our cultures. Tie it to societal racial disparities, lack of funds, poverty, slave conditionings and so forth.  The media needs to stop hiding the massive amounts of sexual assaults and traumas that happen during the St. Patrick's Day Parade and so forth. The racist agendas of the coverage needs to stop. Today we are here to celebrate our cultures and have a good time. This is a time of release."

It was also, good to see that he included other candidates in his parade supporters. He had Persephone Smith, who is the first and only Trans Woman running for City Council in District 37 and had the first ever LGBTQIA District Attorney Candidate Marc Fliedner, along with him. Both of these candidates, Anthony Beckford supports and endorses fully for their seats that they are running for. And, the attendees of the West Indian Day parade were enjoying their energy.   Now, I don't know about y'all, but this seems like one of the realest people in this upcoming election who is actually about the people and the communities.   If you don't believe us, check out the photos and videos below and see why the Parkway went from being a showcase of political dog and pony showings to being about culture, unity and fun.

(photo credit: Peter Eliscu)

photo credit: Paulette Woodard

(photo credit: Peter Eliscu)

photo credit: Joshua Lopez