Councilmember Helen Rosenthal spoke with community members at a post-election forum last week.
By Carol Tannenhauser
Many of the nearly 90% of Upper West Siders who were “with her” in the election are now bummed and bewildered because they got “him.” Hundreds gathered in an auditorium at John Jay College last Thursday night to learn what they can do next. The “Post-Election Community Forum” was organized by Helen Rosenthal, the Upper West Side’s City Council Member. Rosenthal was demonstrating what New York City Public Advocate Letitia James, who kicked off the forum, called “the first rule of the day.”
“We’ve got to organize,” James said. “And we’ve got to show up, because decisions are made by those who show up, as we just saw. There are groups out there fighting for every cause and they always need people to help.”
A panel of “fighters” then presented causes threatened by what Rosenthal called “the divisive, inflammatory rhetoric” of Donald Trump. “There are so many issues that need to be addressed in terms of the larger picture,” she said, “but tonight we’re going to focus very concretely on specific concerns New Yorkers have right now, steps to take to start addressing them, and how to get engaged.”
Norman Siegel, Helen Rosenthal, Commissioner Nisha Agarwal, Tiffany Wheatland–Dis, of the New York Immigration Coalition.
Upper West Sider Norman Siegel, renowned civil rights attorney, activist, and former director of the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU), laid out a preliminary plan: “We need to first focus on our priorities – civil rights, civil liberties, and social justice for all – and then, develop strategies and tactics to protect those precious rights,” he said. Siegel envisions the creation of “an umbrella structure,” with individuals and groups working collectively, meeting monthly, “analyzing, challenging, and, if necessary and appropriate, resisting proposals antithetical to what New York and America are supposed to be about.”
“I am here to reinforce Mayor de Blasio’s commitment to making New York an inclusive city,” said Commissioner Nisha Agarwal of the Mayor’s Office on Immigrant Affairs. Agarwal emphasized the range of services – education, health care, legal assistance – available to all New Yorkers, regardless of their immigration status. “New York has always done this and will continue,” she said. “We also do not collect information about immigration status. So, we’ve been reassuring immigrants – who really need it since the election – of all the protections we have as a city.”
Also represented on the panel were the New York Immigration Coalition, a collaborative of nearly 200 organizations serving immigrant communities; the New York Civil Liberties Union, which fights to protect the principles and values embodied in the Bill of Rights, the U.S. Constitution, and the New York State Constitution for all New Yorkers; the Anti-Defamation League, which combats bigotry, bullying, and hate crimes (up 115% in the city since the election); Planned Parenthood of New York City, preparing for the potential rollback of women’s health care and reproductive rights; 350NYC, the local affiliate of a worldwide organization fighting climate change; and West 80s, founded by Melissa Elstein, an UWS community organizer, who explained how to organize your building, block, or neighborhood. “It’s very positive and inspiring to join together,” Elstein, a yoga teacher, said. “I was amazed at how much power we have.”
Over and over the audience was told by panelists to “go to our website for further information” about volunteer opportunities, upcoming rallies, meetings, marchs, trainings, and other ways of getting engaged. To make it easier, go to www.HelenRosenthal.com, or Rosenthal’s office at 563 Columbus Avenue at 87th street, where you can pick up a paper packet of “Resources for Civic Engagement and Political Organizing,” put together by her staff. It contains the email addresses of local, state, and federal elected officials and organizations you might want to contact. “Get on their mailing lists,” Rosenthal said. She plans to hold more community forums and for her office to serve as a clearinghouse for information related to civic activism. “Every day we learn about new things that are happening,” she said. “As information comes in, we’ll put it up on our website.”
“Let us not lose heart,” she wrote in a recent letter to her constituents, “but instead seek out new opportunities to do right. There is work to be done—let us do it together.”
Photos by Carol Tannenhauser.
I think too many people have forgotten the fact that there was a duly held election under the US Constitution with a decisive vote. To the extent people want to think otherwise, we need only point to both the House and Senate going to the right as well as a majority of the state governments. This is not to say that we should not hold Trump accountable for his stupidities and missteps. There is a difference between “fighting” Trump and holding him accountable to US law and the Constitution which is what governs here. In the end, absent some kind of action that warrants removal under the Constitution, we are stuck with this man for 4 years. Thus, we need to learn how to live with it and hold him accountable. Anything else, including “fighting”, will only ensure failure. And while the failure of Trump may be appealing to many, lest us not forget that the failure of Trump would equal the failure of the country that so many of us claim to love. Let’s think through how to proceed as opposed to react. That is the more rational course of action that will ensure success of our country.
Well said! And I don’t remember when President Obama was elected republicans rioting, looting, threatening boycotts, disrespecting everyone that did vote for him and being indignant to the point of sounding like the whiny sore losers we see now. When he won, he had served four years in the U.S. Senate representing Illinois. Before that, he was a state senator in Illinois for eight years. He was also a senior lecturer at the University of Chicago Law School during that time. Did that list of accomplishments make him the best fir for the white house? No, he got very lucky and squeaked in. So, now Trump, a successful businessman does the same thing and the whole world is upside down? Grow-up, shut-up and move on!
I’m throwing up reading this. Apparently our democratically-elected local officials can’t accept the fact the rest of the country democratically elected our next President. And with the focus off of the real problems that are plaguing our neighborhood – homeless on the sidewalks, gang shootings, trash in the streets, empty storefronts, etc. – things are only going to get worse up here. Why not try working with the man instead of knee-jerking him in the nuts before he even takes office? Grow up already!
Haha! Another great response. I too am fed-up with the politicians (slimy as most are) hiding behind the noise of ignorant people and going after Trump as if he stole the election. All of the people drawing a pay check on our dime need to get back to work and show their constituencies that coming out in great numbers to bitch and moan about this, and eat cheap pizza and stale cookies (that’s why the majority show up) will only take away from any good intentions that thay might have to improve their communities. You are bowing to people that are ignorant, disrespectful and need someone to blame their shortfalls on. News flash: Get back to work befor the 50% of the country that voted for Trump notice and throw your butts out of office when that time comes!
“Apparently our democratically-elected local officials can’t accept the fact the rest of the country democratically elected our next President.”
2.6 million more voted for her than for him. He may have legally won due to our incredibly outdated voting structure, but don’t kid yourself as to who the country actually picked.
Yes!!! Thank you. And to add, I don’t care who is in office, we must not normalize bigotry, sexism, racism, inequality and all the rest that we face. We the people have a right to defend our rights, no matter who is in office.
he;s been kidding himself for years that the rest of the UWS agrees with his right wing rants.
90% of UWS voters went for Clinton.
this is the guy who actually lobbied to support the Salvation army throwing innocent seniors out of their homes by selling the Williams. he urged people to call their elected officials and support the sale!
anything, anything to increase his beloved property value.
i’ll never forget that posting. it really woke me up to what some (thankfully, a small minority) in the neighborhood are willing to do.
here’s the thread where PAulRL urged people to call local elected officials and let them know that local residents supported the sale of the building… while the residents themselves were fighting to block the sale.
in fact, the headline was, “Williams Residents Urge Locals To Contact the Salvation Army, Block the Sale”
https://www.westsiderag.com/2014/09/05/williams-residents-urge-locals-to-contact-salvation-army-stop-sale
thank you for posting those two threads. they show how you have distorted my comments. Anyone who takes the time to read the threads — and i expect few will — can see what i REALLY said… and that it was nothing like what you are asserting.
PaulRL didn’t only “look” awful in the thread i posted — he WAS awful.
if you were so concerned with the Seniors getting compensation and/or being “grandfathered”, then you would have SUPPORTED them and the elected officials, thus strengthening their bargaining positions, instead of undermining them, as you clearly did in the thread i posted.
Jeez, you’re right – I look awful in that post. But you conveniently left out all the other Williams’ posts in which I talk about grandfathering in and compensating the seniors. But it doesn’t matter – your bullying, tantrums, and twisting of facts on these pages knows no bounds when you go after someone who doesn’t agree with you. Same tactics as…Donald Trump! Perhaps he’s your hero. Anyway, since you so generously took the time to dig up an old post and wish to make a sport of it, here are two in which you seem to be downright impervious to showing any sensitivity toward victims of crime right here in your own neighborhood.
https://www.westsiderag.com/2015/02/06/kids-say-teens-stole-their-sleds-assaulted-them#comment
https://www.westsiderag.com/2014/11/17/police-robber-targeting-young-women-on-uws
So, 90% of the UWS were wrong! Get a life and quit wasting taxpayers time and money brooding over your loss. There’s always 4-years from now, and maybe if the Dems clean their act up in time, they can put someone in the white house and watch how the GOP’s act like civil human beings with lives to tend to and not riot, bitch and moan, threaten etc. etc. etc..
Oh, please get over yourself already, Bruce. I never lobbied to have the seniors thrown out. I did support the sale of the Williams Residence as long as the seniors who wished to stay were grandfathered in or compensated justly if they wished to move. But I guess you were too busy lobbying yourself for more drug dealers and child molesters to be housed in our neighborhood to notice. Oh, and by the way, I will never forget the posts in which you actually shrugged off the rise in rape – yes, RAPE – statistics on the Upper West Side. And let’s not forget the you characterized the parents of children that were mugged and robbed of their sleds in Central Park as “wusses.” Such a nice guy and a good neighbor you are.
i guess you feel really comfortable, PaulRL, LYING about what i have said. but that’s not surprising; no different than Trump, who apparently is now your role model.
the facts are the facts, whether you like them or not. while most Upper West Siders were supporting the seniors in the WIlliams, you posted a comment urging people to PHONE elected officials and urge them to SUPPORT THE SALE.
you knew full well there was no way the seniors would stay there if the sale went through. and that is in fact what happened. you knew what you were doing and saying. but you were more concerned with whatever you imagined the sale would do for your property values.
it really was astonishing that anyone would post such a comment.
let’s also stop the hysteria about the so-called “rise in rape” on the Upper West Side. Rape is down in the 24th Precinct by 11% this year and 38% from 2 years ago.
the fact of the matter is that the rape numbers are very low and have remained low, and should not be used to try to stir up hysteria. that is what you and one of your right wing sidekicks were doing. i pointed that out and you decided to try to distort my words and use it as some sort of political football.
‘New York Civil Liberties Union, which fights to protect the principles and values embodied in the Bill of Rights….’
Includes 2nd Ammendment in NYC, right?
Just want to make sure all ammedments are included
Has someone come for your guns? Think you’re ok.
I didn’t get to this event, but as a loyal Dem, politically aware and involved, I keep waiting to hear that the local Democratic Party is taking a good look in the mirror and addressing its machine politics.
I voted for Bernie, then for Hill, and I’m beside myself with concern over the risk to our country. Still, the machine style of local party politics is not hard to see and it’s off putting. I don’t have strong views on whether Bernie could’ve won the race when Hillary didn’t, but I did think it was bafflingly inappropriate for the party to tilt the scales. What I really hope the Democratic Party of New York will do is to fix some of the local machine politics that keep you from doing a more responsive job for your constituents.
absolutely right, Margaret. I’ve been encouraging people to join their local Democratic clubs, volunteer for committees, create committees, run for office….
Can’t agree more
Dear Local Democratic Politicians:
Please clean up the UWS, and address crime and homelessness, before you solve the nation’s problems.
My thoughts exactly
He’s president, not king. Nothing mentioned here argues that he’s illegitimate.
Trump’s actions so far make those of us concerned with social justice and progressive ideals very, very nervous.
Just like the Conservatives were when Obama was elected.
And as for “giving him a chance”… actions speak louder than words… most of his appointees are truly horrific to those of us on this side of the fence (90% of the UWS as per the article). A climate denier for EPA? An oil exec for State? A neurosurgeon with no bureaucratic experience for HUD? Make no mistake, Bannon’s anarchy is behind all this. Buckle in.
So no, I will NOT give him a chance, and I will kick him in the nuts. The GOP gave Obama no quarter, I’m not giving Trump an inch.
Now that the Conservatives are in power, it’s time for Liberals and Progressives to do what the Conservatives have done – stand up for their principles at every opportunity. That means FIGHTING TRUMP and FIGHTING THE REPUBLICAN MAJORITY. Not fighting with physical weapons but fighting with our rights as concerned citizens, with our votes and with our donations. Organizing for the 2018 midterm battleground election. Supporting organizations which will advocate and lobby for our priorities. Doing what we can to mitigate as best as possible the inevitable reversal of the progress made in the last 8 years.
That’s what a democracy is. That’s how politics works. Those that find it “sickening”, make me sick.
And fwiw, he doesn’t have a mandate. He lost the popular vote. Yes, he’s president fair-and-square, but he will encounter resistance as he tries to implement some of his policies. And IMHO his constituency will shrink as many of his supporters start realizing that his billionaire cabinet members have no interest in bringing back their union jobs at union wages. And actually their lives are going to get worse, not better.
And please, no whining about “anyone is better than Hillary” or “should have been Bernie” or whatever. That’s all in the past. Do what Hillary, Bernie and Obama are all doing – looking to the future and figuring out how to stand up for our principles.
Actually, if there are any Republicans in office who have stood-up for conservative principles “at every opportunity”, they are few and far-in-between. The name that immediately comes to mind as a candidate for such a rare distinction is that of the Honorable Senator Jeff Sessions. All of us who believe in our national sovereignty and in the rule-of-law should hope and pray that the good Senator will, first, be confirmed as Attorney General and then, when in that office, will not shirk from his sworn, patriotic duty to uphold and enforce the laws of the nation.
(I’m not sure why you have capitalized “Liberal” and “Conservative”. While there are political parties in this country and this city by those names, the context of your comment makes it rather clear that you were not referring-to them).
Charming metaphor. (At least I assume it was a metaphor.) Great way to convince people not only of your credibility and maturity but also of your commitment to exemplifying and promoting the opposite of what our good Councilmember Helen Rosenthal, as quoted in the article, called, “the divisive, inflammatory rhetoric of Donald Trump”.
(And I’m guessing you were one of those who, with righteous indignation, chastised Trump for his adolescent boasts of grabbing women by their genitalia. Am I wrong?)
Was it even necessary to explicitly make such a stipulation? I know that I, at least, would never, in a million years, harbor even the slightest shadow of suspicion that someone who writes as you do would ever be less-than fully, unequivocally and unambiguously committed to complete and total non-violence. No sir. Someone else, perhaps, but not you; not someone who writes, “I will kick him in the nuts.”
“Our principles”? Like Trump, the Clintons, certainly, have long since made it quite clear that their “principles” consist of acquiring as much wealth, power and prestige for themselves as they possible can. Any ethical or moral constraints that they may have at all are minimal. As for Obama, there is quite a bit of evidence that, at a minimum, suggests that if he is any better in this regard, it is not by nearly as much as so many would like to believe. Of the three names you mentioned, Bernie Sanders would probably come the closest to approaching what could be called “principled”. But look beneath the surface and it fairly quickly becomes apparent that even the self-described “Democratic Socialist” is far from being above reproach.
And why didn’t you do it prior to the elections?
This sort of thing cracks me up.
Contrary to popular belief voting in NYC and NYS is anything but “democratic” and hasn’t been since the days of Tammany Hall.
Machine politics then and now control mostly who gets on the ballots for primary elections, and that is all which is needed. Just look at the recent machinations from the Bronx Democratic machine regarding Robert Johnson.
The then DA was in danger of being voted out of office, so what did the Bronx machine do? They kicked him upstairs to a judgeship and slipped Darcel Clark into the DA spot.
From the WSJ article at the time:
“But in September, Mr. Johnson, 67 years old, said he would seek a state judgeship instead. The timing of his announcement drew criticism from good-government groups and others because it allowed Bronx Democratic leaders to bypass the voters and handpick the party’s nominee.”
If NYC and or NYS politicians truly cared about democracy they’d allow open elections. But that would harm upstate republicans and downstate democrats, so don’t look for it to happen anytime soon.
Some observations here concerning New York City and State offices on the ballot in last month’s election, that I think are apropos “B.B.”s post:
1.) All nine candidates for the NY Supreme Court and the NY Civil Court were Democrats, running un-opposed.
2.) I could find little information on any of the judicial candidates. At most, the most minimal, basic facts such as where they obtained their education, any seat they currently hold, etc. Mentions in an article or blog piece or two for some of them. No campaign web sites that I could find.
(I did not vote for any of these Judicial candidates. I wrote in a few names and left the rest of the slots blank.)
3.) I could find no information whatsoever on the Conservative candidate for State Senator in the 31st Senatorial District, John Toro.
4.) About Melinda Crump, the Republican in that race, I could find very little info.
(But just enough to cause me to decide to vote for her, which I did. If I recall correctly, this was the only state or local seat for which I chose any of the names on the ballot. For the others, I did write-ins or skipped. )
5.) Another candidate on the ballot that I could find zero info about was Stephen Garrin, the Republican challenger to Democrat Daniel J. O’Donnel in the 69th Assembly District.
Is it too much to expect someone running for public office– any office– to maintain a web site containing info informing the public of the candidate’s basic philosophy, positions on key matters and on which the candidate makes the case as to why the voters should elect him (or her)?
I am wondering why our local politicians are only representing some and not all of the residents in their districts. I find it appalling that they care more about illegals than the folks that are Americans.
I don’t know how to make a HUGE emoji of a smiley face, but if I could, I would RIGHT HERE!
“A duly held election under the US constitution with a decisive vote?” Really??
A true Democracy demands constant vigilance by an informed citizenry.
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-election-cyber-russia-idUSKBN13Z05B
“There are groups out there fighting for every cause and they always need people to help.”
I feel that people have become too distracted by politics due to social media and 24-hour news. That energy would be better spent on improving oneself and pursuing a career. People are throwing their lives away obsessing over politics.
Also, people tend to read only news that supports their point of view. Instead of demonizing the other side, those on the Left should try reading some conservative points of view. And vice versa. I am on the Right and make an effort to understand Progressive views, though I disagree with them.
What is the name of the website?
Part of the problem is the historic huge voter apathy that manifests itself not only in NYC, but around the entire state as well.
Bill de Blazio was elected mayor of NYC with one of if not the lowest historical voter turnouts. Yet he (and the CC) claim they have a mandate because of an “overwhelming” victory.
But this is most New Yorkers all over; people moan, whinge, and yak it up about this or that issue. Then on election day suddenly everyone has something better to do. So the die hard core base turns out and that who puts persons into office. Thus it should come as no surprise elected officials and or those who are seeking office cater their messages to groups likely to turn out and vote.
Case in point; everyone was FURIOUS that Michael Bloomberg and Quinn overturned term limits. Yet both won re-election in part because lots of people just didn’t vote. The mayor’s race that year was closer than Bloomberg predicted, and had a few more thousand or so turned out things the outcome may have been different.
I’ll say it again, just like Chicago, Boston, and a few other places NYC (and state for that matter) is still controlled by party machine politics. Who gets onto the primary ballot is largely controlled or manipulated, but if they win (and 99.9% of the time they do), a victory in general election is all but assured.
Now and then the People score a victory; Christine Quinn paying for her many sins including term limits and the closing of Saint Vincent’s Hospital, was one.
Albany is the envy of state legislators around the USA. Once elected state representatives truly have a life seat. Only death and perhaps major scandal can remove them it seems.