Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Phara Souffrant Forrest for NY Assembly District 57
Candidate Name: Phara Souffrant Forrest
Office Seeking Election for: 57th Assembly District
Campaign Address: 12 Crown St, 2D, Brooklyn, NY, 11225
Campaign Website: https://pharaforassembly.com/
Campaign Telephone: n/a
Campaign Social Media Handles (Facebook/Twitter): https://www.facebook.com/Phara4Assembly/
https://twitter.com/phara4assembly
Campaign Contact (name/phone/email):
Campaign Manager: Tascha Van Auken 917-673-4118 vanauken@gmail.com
1. Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district.
I am the daughter of Haitian immigrants and was born and raised in Crown Heights. I attended public schools in Brooklyn, SUNY, and CUNY. I am a Maternal Child Head Nurse with Health and Hospital’s Community Care. I serve low income antepartum and postpartum women and children from infancy to age 18. Coupled with my field nursing, I also work at the Administration for Children's Services (ACS) taking care of children in the foster care system. I started organizing locally three years ago when my landlord began to convert our rent-stabilized apartments to condos. I am now the president of my building’s tenant association, and participated in a mass civil disobedience in June 2019 as part of the Housing Justice for All campaign. We won some of the strongest tenant protections NY State has ever seen. I’ve seen the housing crisis in New York. I’ve seen the climate crisis affect my family in Haiti and destroy communities of color — both in the Caribbean and right here at home. I’ve witnessed the healthcare crisis and how it hurts patients, disproportionately women of color, as a nurse at Kings County hospital. Through my experiences as an activist, organizer and now a union nurse, I have learned that we need to build a grassroots movement to win justice. I’m running to continue these fights alongside the people of District 57.
2. Do you now support or have you ever supported an openly LGBT candidate for public office?
Yes! I am so proud to share an office with and campaign with my friend Jabari Brisport, who is running in Senate District 25.
3. If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBT community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly)
Not applicable. But if elected, I would support the LGBT community by taking the lead from LGBT organizing groups and aggressively pushing for their agenda. I plan to fight for legislation that advances the rights of LGBT individuals and advances the material interests of LGBT people. For example, the decriminalization of sex work (S6419/A8230) would protect the rights of sex workers and uplift the lives of many transgender people due to their disproportionate representation in the industry. I also support S4702/A5207 (Sepulveda/Rozic), which requires state and local correctional facilities to respect the gender identities of inmates.I support bills that would allow trans and non-binary New Yorkers to get crucial documents, like passports and birth certificates, that reflect their gender identity. This would be a crucial step in ensuring that they can access the resources they need. Finally, we must pass the New York Health Act and explcitly guaruntee that the final law ensures access to PReP and to hormones and medical services for transgender people.
4. What LGBT organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
I have volunteered with the Women’s Action Coalition in college and I partnered with The Door to create LGBT youth friendly programming.
5. If applicable, what LGBT organizations have you allocated funds to?
Not yet applicable, but absolutely plan to do so if elected.
6. Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBT community?
I consider myself a proud ally of the LGBT community.
7. Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
I have not yet marched in Pride, but I would like to in the future.
8. Have you employed openly LGBT individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
No, but I have not had any employees until two weeks ago and currently employ two people.
9. If you receive the endorsement, do you agree to identify the club on all literature and electronic materials where you list endorsements?
I will proudly list this endorsement whenever endorsements are listed!
10. What press conferences, demonstrations, rallies and protests in support of LGBT issues, pro choice legislation, criminal justice issues and the Resist Trump Movement have you attended?
Most of my political involvement has been focused on tenant issues with the Crown Heights Tenant Union and the Housing Justice For All coalition. In college, I would help my friends get ready for drag shows. I wanted to support them in their right to express gender on their terms. I look forward to deepening my involvement in LGBT struggles.
11. Have you ever been arrested? If so please explain why and outcome of arrest.
I have been involved in the statewide housing movement and was arrested in a mass civil disobedience in Albany in June 2019 in the final push for strengthened tenant protections. I believe that housing is a human right and that the way to guarantee homes for all is to ultimately decomodify housing.
12. Will you advocate and sponsor legislation to mandate the review of sentences of incarcerated individuals over the age of 55 who have served in excess of 15 years to determine if they warrant release? Yes, the prison system is inherently violent and subjecting our elders to it when they have already served time is punitive.
13. Do you commit to visit constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons such as Bedford Correctional Facility?
Yes, I am proud to commit to visiting constituents who are incarcerated.
14. Do you believe sincere remorse, risk of reoffending and actions taken while incarcerated should be considered over the original crime in determinations of parole?
Yes. If incarcerated people have remorse for their actions, I believe that should be considered during parole.
15. Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests in relation to the issues of clemency and parole?
No, but I would like to.
16. Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
Yes, those who have been incarcerated have a hard time finding work, especially Black and brown people.
17. Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work? Are you sponsoring the bill introduced by Jessica Ramos?
Yes, I do support the decriminalization of sex work and I support Ramos’ bill. Sex work is work and all workers deserve protections on the job. It's also important to understand that the decriminalization, decarceration, and destigmatization of people who participate in sex work helps in the struggle against racism, women’s rights, and LGBT rights.
18. Will you actively oppose legislation that would implement the dangerous Nordic model instead of decriminalization of prostitution?
Yes, I will actively oppose the Nordic model and promote decriminalization.
19. What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and the further New York as a Sanctuary City?
If elected, I will prioritize pushing for the "Dignity for Immigrants in New York State Act,” which would make New York a sanctuary state and prevent the detention of individuals based only on the violation of federal immigration laws. I also strongly support extending voting rights and the right to social services to all New Yorkers, regardless of immigration status, by passing the New York Is Home Act.
20. Will you advocate, including introducing legislation, to remove public funding from religious schools? Yes, I will advocate for and support legislation to remove public funding for religious schools. I believe in the separation of church and state.The government should not be subsidizing religious instruction. Parents have the right to choose what kind of instruction their child receives, however we should not be funding religious schools.
21. Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces?
Yes, these spaces provide much needed services to prevent overdose and provide urgently needed care to those who do overdose.
22. Have you ever endorsed any member of the IDC or any candidates who challenged IDC members? Please identify all candidates No, I view the IDC as a betrayal of progressive values. I was proud to support anti-IDC candidate Zellnor Myrie, who is my state Senator.
23. Will you commit to hiring a member of the LGBT community to serve as a liaison to the community?
I will definitely have a liason to the LGBT community and ensure that I hire someone who can connect to the LGBT community.
24. Will you commit to ensuring diverse LGBT representation among your staff?
I will prioritize hiring staff that are part of the LGBT community.
25. Who did you support for office in the following races A) mayor and Public Advocate in 2014 B) President in 2016 C) Governor and Attorney General 2018
I did not publically support any candidates in these races. I was not active politically during these years and focused on housing issues.
26. Describe any legislation and policy changes that you support in order to address the ongoing effects of slavery, racism, colonialism, and discrimination.
Mass incarceration is one of the most egregious manifestations of oppression that inNew York and this country. I will vigorously fight for structural reforms to meaningfully address this crisis including:
S2101A, to fully eliminate cash bail.
S6806, to prohibit police from lying to suspects to extract confessions during interrogations.
A654/S2253, to repeal the “walking while trans” ban.
A8230/S6419, to decriminalize sex work.
A1617B/S1527B, to legalize marijuana.
A60/S498, to permit safe injection sites.
A2500/S1623, to restrict the use of solitary confinement.
S2144, to enact elder parole.
Another priority of mine would be to protect immigrants from ICE. New York must directly oppose the federal policy of terrorizing immigrants, destroying families and damaging our neighborhoods through ICE raids and end all relationships between New York state and ICE. I would vocally support and organize for the Protect Our Courts Act (S425A/A2176), which would ensure that ICE officers cannot enter New York courthouses to disrupt proceedings. I also want to stand up for immigrant workers who suffer disproportionately from wage theft, by publicly pressuring Cuomo for failing to sign the SWEAT act into law. Last but not least, environmental justice is absolutely central to dismantling systemic racism, classism, and discrimination. It is working class communities of color who are already being hit first and worst by climate breakdown and pollution by industries that have been held unaccountable for too long. I will fight for a Green New Deal for New York to make the energy transition that scientists tell us is necessary to combat the climate crisis while creating new jobs and protecting workers and frontline communities.
27. What legislation or other policy changes do you support in order to make college and graduate school affordable for poor, working-class, and middle-class Americans and to alleviate the crushing loan debt that many students and alumni are facing?
As a proud graduate of SUNY and CUNY schools, I recognize the imminent need for universal free public education from pre-K through college and technical programs and would support legislation to make this a reality. The student loan debt bubble is a massive crisis that disproportionately weighs on poor, working-class, and middle-class Americans as well as people of color. The current average student debt burden in New York is $31,523 per borrower. This is unacceptable and unsustainable, and I would be proud to support a policy that cancels all student debt in our state and across the country.
28. Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Please elaborate.
Yes, this would be one of my top priorities as an Assemblywoman. The fact that people are dying from preventable medical causes simply because they cannot afford to go to the doctor is an extraordinarily violent manifestation of injustice in our current system. I will prioritize getting the New York Health Act passed so that healthcare is a human right in our state. We must take the profit motive out of health care, so that patients’ lives are not made secondary to corporate profits.
29. Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services.
I am a strong advocate for reproductive justice. I believe that reproductive health services such as abortion and contraception should not only be legal, but a human right for all, regardless of class, race, or gender. While the passage of the Reproductive Health Act was a major victory, a single-payer system that covers these services without co-pays, premiums, or deductibles would be essential to making sure that reproductive rights can truly be realized for all New Yorkers. I support making sure that Planned Parenthood and our many independent abortion clinics are fully funded and protected from politically motivated cuts and attacks.
30. Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate industry?
I reject all money from corporate PACs and real estate interests. I am proud to say that I’ve received almost 2,000 contributions, averaging $25.00.
31. Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives at corporations complicit in the Trump agenda?
Yes. I will return any contributions from those complicit in Trump’s agenda. I reject all money from corporate PACs and real estate interests. I am proud to say that I’ve received almost 2,000 contributions, averaging $25.00.
32. Are you against the opening of casinos in New York owned and controlled by anti-union and Trump mega-donor Sheldon Adelson?
Yes. I oppose Sheldon Adelson-run businesses and any other anti-union businesses, including casinos.
33. Do you support the surrogacy bill introduced by Senator Brad Hoylman allowing women to decide control of her body in regard to surrogacy?
Yes. This legislation is especially important for allowing LGBT folks and anyone struggling with infertility to be able to parent.
34. Will you cosponsor the legislation to prohibit evictions without good cause (previously S2892A)?
Yes. My top legislative priority is to make universal rent control a reality and pass Good Cause Eviction. The Good Cause Eviction bill (S2892A/A5030) would protect tenants who are not covered by rent stabilization and rent control. For these tenants, there are no protections when it comes to lease renewal. A landlord can decide not to renew your lease and there's little you can do about it. He can demand a 50 dollar increase, a 100 dollar increase, a 500 dollar increase, or a 1000 dollar increase. A landlord might want to raise your rent because of the color of your skin, because of your gender, or because of who you love. And as long as the landlord doesn’t admit to discrimination, he’s probably going to get away with it under the current system. I’ve seen this in Assembly District 57, where landlords are pursuing relentless displacement of black and brown working class tenants. We need Good Cause to end the cycle of displacement and gentrification that is driving our severe housing crisis.
35. Will you push for the passage of Home Stability Support (HSS) to bridge the difference between the public assistance shelter allowance and fair market rents for NY's 95,000 homeless?
Yes. I support Home Stability Support in the short term as an immediate reform to address the crisis of evictions and homelessness. In the long term, we need to move to a system of social housing by developing limited equity cooperatives, public housing, and community land trusts so we can realize the fundamental human right of shelter, not profiteering by landlords and real estate interests.
36. What additional information would you like Jim Owles to consider when we are making our endorsements decisions?
That’s all! Thank you.