Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Susan Lee for City Council District 1
Candidate Name: Susan Lee
Office Seeking Election for: New York City Council District 1
Campaign Website: https://www.susanleenyc.com/
Campaign Social Media Handles: @SusanLeeNYC
1. Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?
I am a staunch ally and supporter of the LGBTQ community.
2. If you answered “yes” to the first question, do you believe members of hate groups should be permitted to join the City Council LGBTQIA+ caucus? Do you believe the Republican party is a hate group? If you answered yes to both questions, do you support ejecting Republicans from the caucus?
I don’t believe that members of hate groups should be permitted to join the LGBTQIA+ Caucus.
3. What work have you done on behalf of the LGBTQ community? This can include endorsing LGBTQ candidates, drafting or advocating for legislation directly benefiting the LGBTQ community, working with LGBTQ organizations, allocating funds to LGBTQ organizations, marching in Pride parades, attending rallies/protests/press conferences in support of LGBTQ issues, and/or employing openly LGBTQ individuals.
During my time as a paralegal at Sullivan & Cromwell LLC, I worked on a case involving a member of the LGBTQ community facing harassment from police in Guatemala. I performed extensive research on this matter and played a vital role in the litigation team that won him asylum in the United States. If elected, I will employ openly LGBTQ individuals.
4. Has Mayor Eric Adams met the needs of the LGBTQ community? Please include “yes” or “no” in your answer, and explain your answer.
No. I think Mayor Adams has made decisions in his conduct as Mayor that bring into question his support for the LGBTQ community. Specifically, his move to appoint three clergy members who have a history of making homophobic remarks. I found these appointments completely unacceptable, and the Mayor should have as well.
5. Would you demand that the Mayor re-institute its office of LGBTQ affairs, with its leader being a member of the LGBTQ community chosen in consultation with the City Council LGBTQIA+ Caucus?
We should request that the Mayor reinstitute the Office of LGBTQ Affairs. He should engage with members of the LGBTQ community and work in consultation with the City Council LGBTQIA+ Caucus because representation matters.
6. Have you made requests to the Office of the Mayor to demand inclusion of LGBTQ community in city administration and on city boards? Can you give examples?
I have not, but I will demand so because representation matters. Our city administration and boards must represent the City, not just the few. This means that we need to demand the inclusion of the LGBTQ community in all areas of government.
7. Do you support reparations for slavery?
Yes.
8. Do you oppose all efforts to weaken bail reform?
No, I do not think bail reform needs to be revisited for those convicted of hate crimes. As a member of the Asian-American community, I’ve seen hate crimes committed against my community non-stop for the last three years. In many instances, little action is taken, and a judicial framework for what constitutes a hate crime is weak at best. I believe the perpetrators of hate crimes against ALL communities should not be individuals we consider for bail reform.
I support the Governor’s proposal to utilize judicial discretion. I don’t think anyone should be in prison if they can’t afford bail, but also repeat offenders who commit violent crimes should have their bail status determined by the presiding judge.
9. Do you support closing Rikers Island? Do you support the administration’s plan to open borough-based jails?
No, I do not support closing Rikers Island. There is no plan that seeks to address what happens when Rikers Island closes. I did not support the administration’s plan to put a borough-based jail in Chinatown, Manhattan, as there was little community outreach, and the communities’ wishes were not considered. If the plan for borough-based jails is to put them only in low-income neighborhoods of color that already suffer from a lack of city resources, then I can tell you that I do not support it.
10. Do you support legislation outlawing solitary confinement in all jails and prisons, including city jails, and do you support Intro 549 (regarding solitary confinement)?
No. I think those who commit hate crimes should suffer the full penalty of the law.
11. Will you publicly call on the governor to use her clemency power for the many incarcerated New Yorkers who can safely return home? Will you tweet out your support for this or issue a public statement? Are you willing to be critical of a governor who does not exercise their power to grant clemencies and commutations to those worthy of release? Have you ever spoken out in such a way?
I would publicly call on Gov. Hochul to use that power and tweet out my support.
12. If elected, will you include in your office’s newsletter instructions for your constituents on how their loved ones can apply for clemency?
Yes
13. Do you commit to visiting constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons and city jails? When did you do so last?
I am not currently serving in office, so I have never visited a constituent in state prisons or city jails. I intend to do so if elected.
14. Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work? If so, do you support full decriminalization, including decriminalizing purchase and facilitation? Will you commit to opposing the Nordic model, which continues criminalizing purchase and facilitation while decriminalizing sale?
I support the decriminalization of sex work and protecting them. But, I firmly believe that those who take advantage of sex workers and who commit sex trafficking must be held to account. I am a founding board member of Nomi Network, an organization aimed at ending modern-day slavery. We provide workforce development and women empowerment training to help our trainees.
15. What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a “Sanctuary City”?
As an immigrant, I have been committed to standing up for immigrant communities for years. In 2023, I united the community in welcoming migrants who settled in the repurposed facility on Grand Street by hosting two necessities drives where over 20,000 articles of clothing, toiletry, and school supplies were donated. Additionally, I organized two school supplies drives with local schools to ensure our students have backpacks, water bottles, snacks, and supplies for the remainder of the school year. If elected, I am dedicated to advocating for our immigrant communities, integrating them into the full fabric of society, and fighting for them to access the full range of government services, including education, housing programs, and healthcare. I will always advocate for protecting immigrants and ensuring NYC is a “sanctuary city”.
16. Did you support legislation which passed, to allow non-citizen New Yorkers to vote? Do you support the appeal of the case in which the law was held unconstitutional?
I will fight for the implementation of Local Law 11-2022. I want to give every person who qualifies to vote under the legislation a chance to be involved in our government and participate in our democracy.
17. Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces in your district?
While I believe drug addiction is a severe issue, Chinatown already has five methadone clinics and one safe injection site. I support the existence of these sites, but I believe other communities should shoulder the burden of future sites. This will ensure we meet people where they are and not force individuals to take long commutes for essential resources.
18. Do you support ending qualified immunity for police and other law enforcement individuals?
New York City eliminated qualified immunity for the NYPD in 2021.
19. Are you in favor of removing police from any of the following? a) Schools; b) Mental health response calls; c) Homeless outreach and social services; or d) Traffic enforcement.
We must balance having the NYPD focus on its core mission of fighting crime and utilizing non-law enforcement personnel to promote community safety. Currently, school safety and traffic enforcement officers do not carry firearms but are working under the preview of the NYPD. I do not see a problem with keeping them under NYPD jurisdiction. I would support the removal of police carrying firearms from this entire list unless any one of these institutions is under a direct threat.
20. Should law enforcement "Vice Squads" be eliminated?
The intimidation and targeting of vulnerable individuals in our communities should not be tolerated, but quality of life-concerns must be addressed.
21. Should the Gangs Database be abolished and do you / will you co-sponsor Intro 360 on the subject?
The Department of Investigation’s long overdue report on the Gangs Database will provide important statistics and analysis that will help inform my perspective by outlining its functions and oversight within the city.
22. Do you support the Progressive Caucus’s requirement that members support cutting funding to NYPD in favor of alternative safety infrastructure?
Issue pledges and litmus tests can stifle important dialogue and discussion. I did not support the Progressive Caucus’ requirement.
23. What concretely have you done to improve access to reproductive healthcare? If elected, what more will you do? Be specific.
In a time when reproductive rights are under attack, I am committed to fighting for sustainable and equitable access to reproductive care. When elected to City Council, I will work with my colleagues to advance legislation to promote equitable access to quality reproductive health. I fully support the current legislation which mandates the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to make referrals to affordable and accessible services related to contraception, abortion, family planning, breast and cervical cancer screenings, counseling, testing, and treatment of HIV and sexually transmitted infection. I support fully funding DOHMH to carry out the above-mentioned services.
The connection between reproductive rights and economic justice are closely linked. By supporting and enacting policies like paid family or medical leave or raising the minimum wage, we can start to eliminate these disparities that limit access for women of color. To truly fight for access to reproductive healthcare, we must make it readily accessible.
24. Do you approve of Mayor Adams’ approach to sweeping homeless encampments?
New York City is currently facing homelessness and mental health crises. Many individuals experiencing street homelessness are not receiving adequate outreach and mental health services, and I will push for increased funding for outreach. I do not support the Mayor’s approach.
In 2022, I galvanized a community to fight against a proposed low-threshold homeless shelter (weapons and drugs are allowed) in the heart of Manhattan’s Chinatown-steps away from a daycare center and six more within 1000 feet of the proposed site. Ultimately, Mayor Adams heard the community's concerns, and the planned shelter was removed.
25. Do you commit to speaking with restaurant and nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on any policies that affect their businesses?
Yes.
26. Do you commit to speaking personally with liquor license applicants and license holders before opposing any bid for a liquor license? Likewise for an applicant seeking your support?
Yes.
27. 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? Do you authorize the use of your name for such a purpose?
Yes.
28. Do you commit to removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle?
I believe an excellent way to address this issue would be to add historical context to this statue and similar ones.
29. Who did you support for Mayor in the 2021 Democratic primary? Did you make an endorsement in the general election?
Since I am not a sitting official, I did not make endorsements.
30. Are you currently a member of the Progressive Caucus? If you are not currently an incumbent, will you join if elected?
I am not currently a member. I would participate if no litmus tests were based on the NYPD funding.
31. Do you believe the Progressive Caucus should have qualifications to ensure that its members are actually progressive? Please explain.
I have been a leading advocate on many progressive causes throughout my career in non-profit organizations and in my advocacy. As stated above, here are some examples.
I am the founding Board Member of Nomi Network, a nonprofit organization with offices in the United States, Cambodia, and India. Nomi’s mission is to end modern-day slavery through economic empowerment and workforce development. Under my leadership, Nomi Network secured multi-year funding from the US State Department to combat human trafficking. Additionally, I was instrumental in forming coalitions of like-minded individuals to support Nomi Network’s work in New York City.
I served on the Board of Trustees at MercyFirst, a human service agency that cares for New York’s children and families. I was the Chairwoman of the Fundraising Committee and a member of its Mission Effectiveness Committee. Through my work with MercyFirst, I saw firsthand the importance of mentorship, training, and counseling for our marginalized youth.
I am the founding board member of SDR Park Alliance, which was awarded $3.3 M from Governor Hochul’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative Award. I am thrilled that SDR Park Alliance received this significant investment for Sara D. Roosevelt Park. I have always advocated for public gathering spaces because they are essential to the health of our community. The renovated public space will be a green sanctuary for a multicultural and multigenerational neighborhood.
In 2023, I united the community in welcoming migrants who settled in the repurposed facility on Grand Street by hosting two necessities drives where over 20,000 articles of clothing, toiletry, and school supplies were donated.
I do believe the Progressive Caucus should have qualifications and I am happy to take part in that dialog.
32. If you are a sitting Councilmember, name three votes you took in the City Council that differed from the position of the Speaker.
I am not a sitting Councilmember.
33. The rules of the City Council often make it difficult to get a hearing and/or vote on bills of which the Speaker does not approve. Would you support, and introduce if necessary, legislation that could force the City Council to print, introduce, hold hearings on, and hold votes on legislation.
Yes.
34. Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate industry or law enforcement unions/associations?
Yes.
35. Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives at corporations who donated funds to any of Donald Trump’s campaigns?
Yes.
36. With the continued boycott of Equinox fitness on the basis of owner Steve Ross’ support of Donald Trump and institution of “Don’t Say Gay” policies in his residential buildings, do you commit to opposing his application for a casino?
Yes.
37. 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.