Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Sarana Purcell for DL Assembly District 43

Candidate Name: Sarana Purcell

Office Seeking Election for: District Leader Assembly District 43

Website:

1. Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district. I am an Afro Carib Woman, who is an advocate and truly dedicated to my community. I have over 15 years of experience in government and years of community service. I have organized and implemented various initiatives and distributions within the district. As an immigrant, I was able to understand the issues that others in our immigrant communities face and use my experiences to help others. I am known in the community for the work I have been so committed to and I am always focused on fighting to save our democracy.

2. Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidates for public office you have previously or presently endorsed? Crystal Hudson and Tiffany Caban.

3. If applicable what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? I advocated for the passing of GENDA into law, for gender neutral restrooms, same sex marriages and much more.

4. What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer or professional basis? Caribbean Pride, Caribbean Equality Project and I have stood as an ally with various other groups during the 2020/2021 Black Lives Matter protests.

5. If applicable, what LGBTQ organizations have you allocated funds to? N/A

6. Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community? I am an ally of the LGBTQ community.

7. Have you marched in any Pride parades? Yes Which marches and for approximately how many years? Brooklyn Pride for 4 years.

8. Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently? Yes, I do.

9. If you receive the Jim Owles endorsement, do you agree to identify the club on all literature and electronic materials where you list endorsements? Yes, I will.

10. What press conferences, demonstrations, rallies and protests in support of LGBTQ issues, pro choice legislation, criminal justice reform issues and the Resist Trump Movement have you attended and/or participated in?Black Lives Matter Brooklyn rallies, Black Lives Matter rallies in Manhattan, Immigration Rallies, in support of GENDA, petitions for Planned Parenthood.

11. Have you ever been arrested in pursuit of legislation or for protesting an injustice? Please elaborate. No

12. If you are an incumbent, what have you accomplished in your most recent term? I recently came into my position in late September 2021. Since then I have continued my advocacy and have hosted a monthly fireside chat to keep community members informed,

organized forums for candidates running in a race, organized PPE and food distributions and have connected constituents with organizations and agencies for the issues they are facing.

13. For the following pieces of legislation, please answer if you are currently a sponsor or co-sponsor (if you are an incumbent), or if you will co-sponsor (if you are not an incumbent): A. Fair and Timely Parole (S.1415A / A.4231A): A bill pending in Albany that would ensure access to the parole release process for incarcerated people in New York State. This bill insures that decisions on parole are not solely based on the nature of the original crimes but includes incarcerated peoples’ record of rehabilitation and assessment of current risk to public safety. Support

B. Elder Parole (S.15A / A.3475A): A bill pending in Albany that would allow elderly incarcerated people who have served at least 15 years in prison an opportunity to appear before the Parole Board for a chance at release. Support

C. Will you commit to oppose NY State bill S1922/A659, which makes trafficking 20 or more firearms within 1 year a Class A-1 felony punishable with a minimum of 15-25 years imprisonment or maximum of life imprisonment, and which would expand mass incarceration without promoting public safety? Yes

14. If you will not co-sponsor any of the above legislation, why not? N/A

15. Do you oppose the efforts to weaken bail reform as written. Yes

16. Do you commit to visiting constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons and city jails? If incumbent, when did you do so last? Yes, I do. I am working on visiting Rikers.

17. Do you support legislation outlawing solitary confinement in all prisons statewide including city jails? Yes. Solitary confinement is a violation of human rights.

18. When was the last time you were inside a correctional facility. It was some years ago. I have been working with Black Lives Matter Brooklyn President Anthony Beckford and some of the campaigns he works on to advocate for those who are incarcerated.

19. Do you believe sincere remorse and actions taken while incarcerated should be considered over the original crime in determinations of parole? Yes

20. What do you believe should be done to ensure more clemencies are granted every year? We should provide funding for legal representation and services as well as elect Governors who support clemency because it is right and not low number optics.

21. Will you publicly call on the governor to use her clemency power for the many incarcerated New Yorkers who can safely return home? Yes Will you tweet out your support for this or issue a public statement? Yes Would you be willing to be critical of a governor who does not exercise their power to grant clemencies and commutations to those worthy of release? Yes Have you ever spoken out in such a way? Yes I have.

22. Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests concerning clemency and parole? Yes. With Black Lives Matter Brooklyn.

23. Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?Yes

24. Do you support legislation to prohibit discrimination against formerly incarcerated people in housing and employment? Yes

25. Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work? Yes Are you or will you co-sponsor the bill introduced by Julia Salazar (S.6419 / A. 8230), which fully decriminalizes sex work? My position does not directly deal with legislation, but I will support and advocate.

26. Will you actively oppose legislation (S.6040 / A.7069) that would implement the dangerous Nordic model instead of the decriminalization of prostitution? Explain in detail your views on full decriminalization, the Nordic model, legalization, and the existing criminalization approach. Yes. Sex workers must not continue to be targeted and harassed. They are in need of much needed resources and services.

27. Do you support ending qualified immunity for police and other law enforcement individuals? Yes

28. What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a “Sanctuary State”?To ban ICE from courthouses and schools, continue the ID NYC program, fund excluded workers, voting rights for undocumented, reunify families who have yet to be unified.

29. Are you a sponsor of New York's Medical Aid in Dying Act (A.4321a/S.6471)? If not will you add your name and sponsor? Although my position does not deal directly with legislation, I will state my support.

29. Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces? Yes

30. Have you ever endorsed any member of the IDC or any candidates who challenged IDC members? Please identify all candidates. No, I did not endorse any member of the IDC. Regarding the IDC, while I have never endorsed a member, I did work for the government office of former Senator Hamilton who was a member of the conference.

31. Will you commit to ensuring diverse LGBTQ representation among your staff? Yes

32. Who did you support for office in the following primaries or special elections: A) Mayor in 2021 Eric Adams B) President in 2016 Hillary Clinton 2020 Bernie Sanders C) Governor and Attorney General in 2018? N/A

33. Have you made an endorsement in the current bid for Governor? If so, who? No

34. Do you support term limits for statewide office holders? Yes For State Legislators? Yes

35. Describe any legislation and policy changes that you support in order to address the ongoing effects of slavery, racism, colonialism, and discrimination. I support the Black History Curriculum Bill, Good Cause Eviction Bill, New York Health Act, the end of Qualified Immunity, the right for noncitizens to vote in local elections in NYC and New Deal for CUNY.

36. 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? Elimination of student loan debts and a Free CUNY.

37. Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Yes Do you or will you co-sponsor the New York Health Act? Please elaborate. My position does not directly deal with legislation, but I will continue my support and advocate.

38. Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services. I am Prochoice. There should not be any limitations or intimidation to limit access to abortion services or any other services that are needed. Contraceptives should be made accessible.

39. Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate industry or law enforcement unions/associations? Yes

40. Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives at corporations complicit in the Trump agenda? Yes

41. Will you cosponsor the legislation to prohibit evictions without good cause (S.3082 / A.5573)? My position does not directly deal with legislation, but I will continue my support of the bill and advocate for it’s passage.

42. 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 Will you co-sponsor S.856 / A.6032, which amends the Social Services Law to create a statewide rent supplement for families and individuals who are eligible for public assistance benefits and who face eviction, homelessness, or loss of housing due to domestic violence or hazardous living conditions? My position does not directly deal with legislation, but I will show my support and advocate for passage of the bill.

43. What should happen to 421-a? Would you end it, mend it, continue it? End it. Developers should not receive incentives for not building truly affordable housing. We must hold them to task and make sure that all housing is low to moderate income housing if they seek any incentives.

44. Do you support legalizing accessory dwelling units? Yes

45. Do you support more state funding for NYCHA? Yes If so, how much? Starting at $1.5 Billion

46. Do you, or will you, co-sponsor the Climate and Community Investment Act? (S.4264A / A.6967) I support this legislation. If you are an incumbent and do not currently co-sponsor this bill, why not? My position does not handle legislation, but I am able to advocate for the bill.

47. Do you support the New York Public Banking Act (S.1762A / A. 8290? Yes. If you are an incumbent and do not currently co-sponsor this bill, why not? My position does not handle legislation, but I am able to advocate for the bill.

48. Do you support the New Deal for CUNY (S.4461 / A.5843)? Yes I do. If you are an incumbent and do not currently co-sponsor this bill, why not? My position does not handle legislation, but I am able to advocate for the bill.

48. In view of the fact that Ed Koch has been documented to have caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people with AIDS, and was blatantly racist, would you support a city bill to rename the former Queensboro Bridge? Yes Do you authorize the use of your name for such a purpose? Yes

50. What is your position on removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle and if so, what should replace it?‘ It should be replaced by a statue of an Indigenous person.

51. Do you support reducing the budget of law enforcement throughout the state, and if so, by how much? Starting at $1 Billion to re-divest back into our communities for resources and services.

52. Are you in favor of removing police from any of the following? a) Schools; Yes b) Mental health response calls; Yes ) Homeless outreach and social services; Yes d) Traffic enforcement. Yes

53. Should law enforcements "Vice Squads" be eliminated? Yes

54. How would you recommend law enforcement officers be penalized for refusing to wear masks in public while on duty, in defiance of city and state rules? Suspension and Fines. If it persists then removal.

55. What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? I would support and advocate for reforms that will give the CCRB more strength and oversight. Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding? Yes

56. What will you do to support nightlife in New York State? I will advocate and support actions to stop bias harassment by inspectors who purposely target certain businesses to fine them. I also supported the repeal of the Cabaret Law.

57. Do you commit to speak with restaurant and nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on any policies that affect their businesses? Yes

58. Do you commit to speak personally with liquor license applicants and license holders before opposing any bid for a liquor license? Yes for an applicant seeking your support? Yes

59. What are the top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively? Housing, Mental Health and Education.

60. How much money do you presently have in your campaign account? I currently have close to $2,000 in my account and have various fundraisers coming up in April.

61. What additional information would you like members The Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club to consider when we are making our endorsement decision concerning your candidacy? As a Mother and Advocate, I have dedicated my life and work to further improve our communities and lives for us and our future generations. I have been an avid supportive of the Social and Racial Justice movement. I have done work with community leaders from various communities and cannot be silenced from speaking up for the people. I am beholden to the people and will always be the proper representation needed. I have done a lot of advocacy with NYPAN. Help to mobilize a Central Brooklyn chapter, that worked on the census and actively engages hard to reach communities. I sat on the Executive Committee of NYPAN and served as a Bernie Delegate.