Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Alicia L. Hyndman for NY Assembly District 29

Candidate Name: Alicia L. Hyndman

Office Seeking Election for: NY Assembly District 29

With the possibility of Donald J. Trump winning (stealing) the next Presidential election and ending democracy and civil rights in the United States, it is more important than ever that we elect progressive, dynamic leaders to the New York State Senate and New York State Assembly.

1. Based upon your life experiences and accomplishments why should we believe you would be a dynamic, progressive leader who would stand up for Civil Rights and Democracy? Over the years I feel I have proven myself to be steadfast on Civil Rights and Democracy in the state of New York. I strongly believe that working with colleagues in government, advocates and activists have made this state a safe haven for individuals from other states and countries to call New York their home.

What is your involvement in the LGBTQ Civil Rights movement? I have been a consistent ally to LGBTQ civil rights in this state.

2. What candidates have you or are you supporting who are openly LGBTQ? Not sure I know, other than incumbents, any candidates that are openly LGBTQ. What legislation have you/do you support to further LGBTQ rights? You will not see a “N” on any piece of legislation passed in the NYS Assembly that supports LGBTQ rights. Do you /will you have an LGBTQ liaison in your office? I do have an individual in my office that identifies with the LGBTQ community. Did I know when I hired them that they identified with the LGBTQ community? No. I was more concerned with could the individual do the work and they are excellent at their job.

3. What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer or professional basis? Throughout my years in public office I have been an ally, fighting for the rights of the LGBTQ community. Standing with the leaders and advocates.

I supported and endorsed Lynn Shulman over the years, and she’s been a true champion for LGBTQ rights.

4. What demonstrations, rallies, and protests have you participated in support of LGBTQ issues, African-American, Hispanic, Asian- American Civil Rights, pro-choice legislation, criminal justice issues, and Resist Trump? I have attended the Selma March in Alabama for the last three years celebrating the Bloody Sunday March for civil rights which led to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. I feel that attending the March this year was especially important in light of the Alabama high court decision on embryos and IVF treatment.

5. Do you support reparations to compensate African Americans for the history of slavery, Jim Crow, and systemic racism in this country? Yes, I do support reparations.

6. What are your concrete proposals to address current systemic racism in terms of employment, housing, voting rights, and the criminal justice system in the U.S.? Encouraging voting reform and ballot box accessibility is essential to safeguarding the representation and rights of historically excluded communities. The entire legislation package that deals with this has my support. Criminal justice reform and alternatives to jail are something I support. Mass incarceration has completely changed the lives of generations in our community while having no positive effect on public safety.

7. Will you advocate for elder parole where incarcerated individuals aged 55 and older who have serviced in excess of 15 years obtain parole hearings? Are you a sponsor of the Elder Parole Bill, Senate 2423? Yes, I do support Elder Parole Bill.

8. Do you sponsor the Earned Time Act, Senate S774, which strengthens and expands “good time” and “earned time” to support rehabilitation efforts? Yes, I do support this legislation.

9. Do you co-sponsor Eliminate Mandatory Minimum Bill Act, S6471 which reduces excessive sentences and enables judges to look at individual factors and mitigating circumstances? Yes, I do support this legislation.

10. Do you sponsor the Second Look Act, S7872, which allows for reconsideration of prison sentences based on changes in law and circumstances? Yes, I do support this legislation.

11. Have you participated, and will you participate in demonstrations and protests in relation to the issues of clemency and parole? I

have.

12. Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals? I already have a young man employed in my office that was formerly incarcerated

13. Have you and will you visit incarcerated constituents to learn of their conditions? I have visited correctional facilities

14. What are your proposals to have prisons focus more on rehabilitation and less on punishment? I have co-sponsored legislation. I believe strongly in workforce education and continuing education

15. Do you support ending the cruel punishment of solitary confinement, such as was recently mandated by the New York City Council? Yes, but with some reservations. I strongly believe that we have to reduce the incarcerated populations so that correction officers have the tools they need to feel safe. True reform is going to require more than just banning solitary confinement. It takes the passage of the bills mentioned earlier on in this questionnaire.

16. What are your proposals to facilitate individuals who have recently entered the U.S. to be able to live decently with employment and housing? The federal government must do more to create pathways to citizenship and paths to work authorization. The lack of assistance from the Biden Administration has been hor- rible for NY. A Sanctuary City does not mean that our internal infrastructure has to suffer.

17. What proposals do you advocate to combat the cruel and inhumane immigration policies that the Trump Administration commenced and which, to some degree, are still in effect? We need the feds to do their job and send us resources and we need a Governor to be tough with other parts of the state that they need to take migrants into their counties. I work with my congressman on what’s happening federally.

18. Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work? Yes

19. Do you oppose legislation that promotes the Nordic model? Yes

20. What concrete proposals do you support to lift up women after four years of Trump being President?

21. Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Please elaborate. Yes, I am in favor of universal healthcare as a means of boosting accessibility and addressing health inequalities in our communities.

22. What have you done to facilitate reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services? I have co-sponsored and voted yes on bills that have facilitated reproductive rights. I have supported legislation for the expansion of feminine products in schools

23. Will you refuse contributions from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the Real Estate industry, from police or correction communities? I will not

24. Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives or corporations complicit in the Trump anti-American agenda? Yes

25. How do you propose that we address the current surge of Islamophobia and anti-Semitism? We must make sure the curriculum taught in public and non-public schools is culturally appropriate. We must make sure teachers take continuing education credits in how to teach culturally sensitive education topics.

26. Did you or would you have voted for the censure of U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib? No

27. Do you support an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East? Yes, but I support Israel’s right to defend itself.

28. Should we condition further aid to Israel? What conditions should we stress that Israel abides by? I really don’t want to involve myself in Federal issues. I will leave that to my congressman who sits in the foreign affairs committee.

29. Will you refuse funds from Trump-supporting AIPAC? Yes

30. What are your concrete proposals to prevent Trump and his cult from taking over this country and ending democracy? During this campaign season I am attending Sunday Services and visiting my high schools to encourage people to vote.

31. How can we combat the movement in this country to ban books, prevent colleges from discussing issues and demonizing intelligence as “woke”? Educating people about the risks associated with book bans is essential.

32. As Christopher Columbus caused the death/slavery of thousands, should we replace the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle, and if so, what should replace it? Yes, and more discussion is needed. Do you authorize the use of your name for such a pur- pose? Yes

33. As Edward I Koch caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people with AIDS and was blatantly racist, should we rename the former Queensboro Bridge? Do you authorize the use of your name for such a purpose? Yes

34. What will you do to support nightlife in New York State? Yes Do you commit to speaking with liquor license applicants and restaurant/nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on policies affecting their businesses? Use my platforms to showcase the local businesses in my district that respect their neighbors and show that they are a part of the community and can still benefit from having a great time when the sun goes down or comes up, depending on how late I party.

35. What is your opinion of Eric Adams as New York City Mayor? I want him to be successful. He’s successful, our city is successful. Are you involved in finding someone to run for Mayor of New York City? No

36. How can we mandate that every community do its share to have affordable housing and care for the recently arrived people? We have to engage civics and community boards before we site for the recently arrived people. While I know my communities are ready to say no I have learned that when we exclude them it has been turned them against us and each other. We have to create borough wide community engagement groups to engage and site spaces for our migrants.

37. Are you a sponsor of Good Cause Eviction S305 legislation? No

38. Do you support allowing legal Immigrants to vote in local elections? No