Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Amanda Farias for City Council District 18
Candidate Name: Amanda Farias
Office Seeking Election for: City Council District 18
Campaign Website: https://www.amandafarias.nyc/
Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district
Our communities have been and are living under institutionalized systemic oppression that is built around white supremacy and racism. Black and Brown communities in The Bronx time and time again have been left behind, with electeds that do not show up, do not foster any long term changes, and are selling out the borough. It is imperative that new leadership in The Bronx works towards building power locally, while also rooting resources, programming, funding, and organizing in communities. I am running because I believe in NYC being truly progressive, fighting for what communities like mine desperately have been seeking and have been intentionally neglected. I am running because I have spent over a decade organizing, coalition building, chipping away at boy’s club party politics to carve out space for people and women of substance; but I am truthfully running because this is my act of love, my act of service to the people that have done so much for me. This is my way of giving back and I am here to ensure that we have someone who is willing to fight when it's uncomfortable and talk about “non-sexy” issues because they are life and death issues for my community. I’m hoping to be a connector, to work alongside an organization and help build with my community.
Since 2017, I have been a dues-paying Teamster, Local 210, that has been managing and implementing apprenticeships in conjunction with UFT, TWU Local 100, Teamster Joint Council 16, and International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers to increase union opportunities, employment, and membership in locals through my work at the Consortium for Worker Education. I not only have been deeply invested in their nonprofit, unionized work, but also assisting in the city and statewide apprenticeship initiatives with labor, Department of Education - High School, Middle School, and Career and Technical Education Departments, CUNY, and Department of Labor. I come from a single-parent household where my mom is a dues-paying member of 1199SEIU. I am deeply committed and invested in not only amplifying the voice of the labor movement but also, legislating policy through the lens of workers, workers’ rights and safety, and job equity in NYC.
I am a member of the local NAACP Chapter in Parkchester and have a Muslim youth organized voter registration program in the community for the last 2 years with the Arab American Association of NY and Arab Women Voices. Over the last 5 months, I have co-managed a mutual aid group that has served over 5,000 people with groceries, essentials, and PPE. I have served as the local State Committeewoman of the 87th AD since 2018 and have worked to organize local community members electorally, and have helped get residents into localized seats like county committee, state committee, and district leader.
Personally, since 2015 I have been actively involved with many progressive groups organizing workshops and training’s like Indivisible, Swing Left, New King Dems, and Co-Founding Women of Color for Progress and others - all assisting in work in The Bronx and citywide.
Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidate for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?
I have openly supported Tiffany Caban for Queens District Attorney, Jessie Pierce for District Leaders, Samir Nemir for District Leader, and Justin Westbrook-Lowery for District Leader.
If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly)
What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
I have worked with Queeramisu professionally working on civic programming and building of the bench training through my work as President and Co-Founder of Women of Color for Progress. I have recently created a partnership with Caribbean Equality Project and have been serving The Bronx with food, essentials and PPE, and hope to build out membership and our partnership.
Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?
No
Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
Yes, I have marched in Pride 2017, 2018, and 2019. I have also marched in 2017 and 2018 in St. Pat’s for All parades, while not Pride, still a march of solidarity.
Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
Yes, I have previously. I currently only have 1 hired staffer for my campaign.
What press conferences, demonstrations, rallies and protests in support of LGBT issues, pro-choicelegislation, criminal justice issues and the Resist Trump Movement have you attended?
This year I have spoken and marched at one of the Black Lives Matter Rallies in my community, and I marched and provided PPE for the march in Morris Park and Hunts Point, along with participating in many rallies, other speaking and organizing opportunities throughout the city to fight for Black lives. I have attended rallies at City Hall for budget justice, demanding the expulsion of CM Andy King, demanding justice for Layleen Polanco and Elijah McClain. I organized virtual mobilization around repealing 50A and the bill package.
Have you ever been arrested? If so please explain why and outcome of arrest.
No
Do you commit to visiting constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons and city jails?
Yes
Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
Yes
Describe your legislative and policy vision for combatting systemic racism
We understand the history and pervasive effects of systemic racism and oppression that our communities have been under. In order to shift power and access to BIPOC communities, it starts with dismantling and appealing laws that perpetuate racism. Each city agency should be required to do an annual review of its policies and practices to assess for racial bias. A separate commission should be conducting an audit of said policies and practices and providing recommendations on how to create anti-racist policies and practices.
We need to use examples like the city laws - Fair Chance Act and Fair Housing. This is where we can fight for expanded rights and oversight, advocate for penalties to be more explicitly outlined in the law to address things like employers and landlords failing to follow the law and repercussions.
We need an equity task force to really investigate the disparities that are coming up in the areas of housing and employment. This 2020 year has opened up the eyes of many Americans who are disconnected from the experience of people of color, however, we’ve been living under the oppressive system of racism for way too long. It’s time we root out the policies and structures that create racial inequities. We need to sit down at the table and analyze the different elements of employment and housing and pinpoint every aspect of the system that is creating this opportunity gap. We need opportunities and this is the time for us more than ever to shift the system at all levels of government because it is being threatened by a pandemic that has crippled many Americans. We need unity, we need opportunity, and we need progress to a better future for all.
These are a few of my legislative priorities:
Divest and Reinvest - We will use resources from the bloated NYPD budget to reinvest in critical programs for our community that have been underfunded for too long.
End the School to Prison Pipeline - Through the removal of school metal detectors and school safety officers, we will invest in expanding counselors, not cops, in creating restorative models that provide safety and stability for our students.
Close Rikers Island Jail - We will end one of the most notorious eras of cruelty in New York City history by shutting down Rikers Island jail once and for all.
No New Jails - We must advance criminal justice reforms that will end the need for new jails in New York City, including ending cash bail and decriminalizing victimless crimes. I am calling for reallocating these funds to critical restorative programs, including prioritizing local re-entry programs that will support formerly incarcerated individuals rebuilding their future.
Will you not seek, and refuse, the endorsement of Bill de Blasio?
Yes
In view of the fact that Ed Koch has been documented to have caused the deaths of hundreds ofthousands of people with AIDS, and was blatantly racist, would you support and sponsor a bill to renamethe former Queensboro Bridge?
Yes, I’d be happy to introduce it or be a co-prime sponsor.
What is your position on removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle and if so, whatshould replace it?
Christopher Columbus was a terrorist. He committed genocide of indigenous people. Between 1492 and 1600, about 55 million people in the Americas were tortured, raped, pillaged, and murdered at his hands. The Taíno people were virtually wiped out in the decades after Columbus first arrived on the island of Hispaniola. All statues, infrastructure, street names, etc. idolizing slave owners, colonizers, and KKK Members, need to be removed.
I would like to see it replaced with an indigenous status reminding people of the irreparable damage he's caused. As a Bronxite that frequents Little Italy, I would also like to work on how do we acknowledge Italian American influences in the United States or in NYS that can uplift their rich history.
Will you refuse contributions from real estate developers and all law enforcement unions or associations?
Yes
Do you support reducing the budget of the NYPD and if so, by how much?
Yes, I support reducing the budget of the NYPD by the divestment of 4-6 million dollars. This will require diligence and collaboration. Allocations like the NYPD Press Unit Budget, Mounted Unit, and demilitarization of the PD, and the billions allocated towards the proposed new jails must be re-routed to social service safety nets and agencies that need the funding.
How would you have voted on the FY21 City Budget?
I would have voted NO of the FY21 City Budget.
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.
Yes, all of the above.
Should the NYPD Vice Squad be eliminated?
Yes
Should Dermot Shea be fired immediately?
Yes
Should the NYPD Commissioner require confirmation by the City Council?
Yes
How would you recommend police officers be penalized for refusing to wear masks in public while onduty, in defiance of city and state rules?
They should be fined like public citizens. A local citizen should be able to take down a badge number, report this to the city and the officer receives a fine that they must pay. They need to follow the rules we do, and if unable to, receive penalties like docked pay, unpaid suspension, or firing. They are public servants actively putting citizens' health in danger.
What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support statelegislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding?
If we have an Independent Elected Civilian Review Board allowed to fulfill proper oversight, we can achieve accountability if we provide board members with investigatory as well as review authority. Yes, I would allow NYS legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding.
What is your position on the plan to close Rikers and create four borough-based jails?
I do support the closure of Rikers, I am not supportive of a plan to build borough-based jails, nor do I agree to the eleven billion dollar cost associated with the endeavor. Instead, I would reprioritize those funds towards modernizing existing jails and routing remaining funds towards other programs.
Will you advocate for the Governor to review sentences of incarcerated individuals over the age 55 whohave served in excess of 15 years to determine if they warrant release?
Yes
It’s common knowledge that New York City’s 311 system is not adequately responsive to the public’sconcerns. How would you alter the 311 system to combat these problems?
We need to address the parts of 311 where city- and state-run authorities are not fully integrated into the 311 system. With the current partially integrated system, the public loses track, the city loses metrics and data, and we fail our City by lack of adequate response. I would like to support and reintroduce Former Council Member Ritchie Torres’ bill to integrate the system and place all city agencies, including NYCHA, under 311.
Do you support decriminalizing sex work? Will you pledge to oppose the Nordic model?
Yes
Do you oppose school screening, which exacerbates segregation? Which screens in your schooldistrict(s) will you advocate to abolish?
Yes, I oppose school screening. We must eliminate all discriminatory admissions screens, including state exam scores, GPA, attendance, punctuality, zip code, in-person interviews, and specialty exams.
Describe what reforms you would make to the control of the NYC public school system.
I am not in favor of sole mayoral control of city schools. Though mayoral control is thought to allow better transparency, accessibility, and accountability of leadership that directly affects the participating communities, what we have seen is the mayor not connected to what is happening on the ground. Decisions that have been made in the past have been disconnected to educators and administrators, students and parents, and affected communities.
An alternative solution [I would like to flush out more - open to feedback on] - would be a hybrid model of community control over schools where admin and educators, parents and students make decisions on what happens in their schools, in conjunction with an elected school board and mayoral administration appointment. In a combined hybrid model with majority control to the community, we can have additional single post members that are elected and a mayoral appointment to ensure that the community controls decisions made for the school while accountability, graduation rates, poor performance, and large-scale initiatives and changes are implemented, measured and if needed, repaired. I have thought of this idea because it is also important for our parents and students to benefit from large-scale changes or initiatives like the expansion of prekindergarten and “3-K for All,” and others.
Do you support public funding of abortion?
Yes
Do you support the creation of safe consumption sites? Would you support the use of NYC DOHMHauthority to establish SCSs without NYSDOH authorization?
Yes
Do you smoke or otherwise consume weed?
I used to recreationally, but no longer partake.
Have you ever supported any of the members of the IDC? If so, who? What did you do to help defeat the IDC in 2018?
No
What will you do to support nightlife in NYC?
In an effort to support during and post-pandemic, we must ensure we have grants for small business relief, ensure businesses can maintain open through outside dining, correct the issues with FDNY on NYC businesses not allowed to use heaters, and create more open streets for nightlife to utilize for patrons
Do you commit to speak with restaurant and nightlife industry representatives before taking a position onany policies that affect their businesses?
Yes
Will you work to place restaurant, bar and club owners on community boards? Will you commit to notappointing or reappointing community board members who are hostile to food and beverageestalishments?
Yes
Now that the cabaret law was repealed do you support amending the zoning resolution to allow patronsto dance at more venues and eliminate the restrictions against dancing?
Yes
Did you oppose the de Blasio/Cuomo proposal (and giveaways) for bringing Amazon’s HQ2 to Long IslandCity?
Yes
What role do you believe the local member should play in the approval of development proposals beforethe Council?
The Council Member has an active role to play during the ULURP process. They should be holding town halls with the local community board, creating an open dialogue with any developers on negotiating affordability rates, local unionized hiring, and community benefits agreements, and they should also be able to discuss openly with colleagues why development will or will not benefit for their district.
Do you support legislation to prohibit discrimination against formerly incarcerated people in housing?
Yes
Do you oppose the removal of the nearly 300 homeless individuals from the Lucerne hotel due topressure from some local residents?
Yes
What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a Sanctuary City?
Hardworking immigrants have played an essential role in building and strengthening our communities. We need to bring new immigrant communities out of the shadows to create a vibrant future and economy. As a city, we must ensure that we focus on providing more city resources in more languages for our immigrant communities to ensure more participation and inclusion.
Here are my policy platform pieces to continue the work:
Support Pathways to Citizenship – US immigration reform must include amnesty and clear citizenship pathways for all our immigrants. Until that happens, we must provide access to resources for our immigrant neighbors who are legally able to pursue citizenship, yet are blocked by the process’s high costs.
Protecting Undocumented Communities – Ensure our undocumented neighbors’ protection by disconnecting our immigration and criminal justice systems at every point. We will end public charge policies, disconnect cooperation between law enforcement and ICE, and codify data privacy protection for undocumented individuals.
Establishing Fair Representation – guarantee that voices of our immigrant communities are represented equally by establishing voting in municipal and state elections, regardless of immigration status
Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Please elaborate on what policy andlegislative steps the City can take to expand access and affordability.
I support a single-payer universal health care system. NYC Care can be an instrumental first step towards developing a municipal health care infrastructure. Although women's health, eye care, mental health, and primary care are already covered through NYC Care, the program can be expanded to include dental coverage as well. We must ensure that people who are impacted by the coronavirus, are out of work and on unemployment, the homeless, and the aging has access to NYC Care. We must also ensure that longterm post-covid healthcare is covered and accessible, as we still don't understand and know the long term effects or damages covid-19 is imposing on people like we have seen post-9/11. We must also continue to expand and fund the program so that New Yorkers can opt-in to NYC Care over a private insurer.
Who did you support for office in the following primaries or special elections: A) Mayor in 2013 B) PublicAdvocate in 2013 and 2019, C) President in 2016 and 2020 C) Governor and Attorney General in 2018?
Mayor 2013 - Bill Thompson Public Advocate 2013 - N/A, Public Advocate 2019 - Melissa Mark-Viverito President 2016 - Bernie Sanders, President 2020 - Bernie Sanders (endorsed), then Joe Biden
Top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively
Citywide
Divest and Reinvest from the NYPD - use resources from the bloated police department budget to reinvest in critical programs for our community that have been underfunded for too long.
Fund & Defend NYCHA – guarantee the future of public housing by creating new, dedicated funding streams for NYCHA and banning all privatization efforts.
Invest in Public Education – Supporting wraparound services and implementing more holistic approaches to what a “community school” means. I recognize that if schools are to be centers of the community, they need to address the needs of the whole child, including primary health, mental health, dental care, family engagement, and expanded enrichment programming.
Locally:
Eliminate Two Fare-Zones – guarantee that no New Yorker is paying more money because of limited access to transit in their neighborhood by ensuring all two fare-zones are eliminated and that access to more efficient transit options, like our local ferry service, are included as transfers.
Prioritize Re-Entry Programs - ensure funding for local programs that will support formerly incarcerated individuals who are coming home to rebuild.
Expanding Educational Opportunities – provide our students with access to educational paths that include more Career and Technical Education options so that young people in our community are given every opportunity to thrive.
Mayor de Blasio has indicated his intent to call a third Charter Revision Commission, what additionalreforms would you support to 1) the budget process, 2) the land use process, and 3) the powers andduties of municipal offices?
The budget process needs to be more transparent and be reviewed by Council Members and committees, audited by the finance department, and modified quarterly;
The current land use process is too loyal to greedy developers and steamrolls communities. I will support the review of the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP), and expansion of community board involvement and oversight. I believe community boards should have veto power within ULURP and should be included more in the public comment/ hearing phases.
Going into cuts and the fear of austerity, having clear oversight and monitoring of the Department of Finance and city revenue and how NYC creatively looks to create streams of revenue that need reform.
Please explain your vision for the present powers of the office you are seeking and how you intend toexercise them?
I would like to implement a co-governance model. I want governing that leans into deep partnership and accountability between electeds, appointed leaders, staffers, people’s organizations, and people’s collectives. For me, it’s about alignment around a shared analysis of the community, a vision, and an agenda for structural change and improvement for generations. I am hoping to implement an open and inclusive office that hosts town halls, implements participatory budgeting, maintains mobile office hours, and regularly meets with local organizations, schools, and community members.
Do you commit to working with Jim Owles during your campaign and while in office? What role can theclub and the progressive LGBT community play in holding you accountable?
Yes
If you receive the endorsement, do you agree to identify the club on all literature and electronic materialswhere you list endorsements?
Yes
What additional information would you like Jim Owles to consider when we are making our endorsementdecisions?
I am the Candidate in this race that can and will win. I have raised over $52K, have over $33K matchable by the NYC Campaign Finance Board and I am the only candidate in this race that has already qualified and met all thresholds to receive public matching funds. I’m honored to have the endorsement of many organizations and elected leaders at the forefront of creating change in our city. I have been publicly endorsed by the Working Families Party, 1199SEIU, Make the Road Action, Community Voices Heard Power, Road to Justice NYC, New York Communities for Change, Women of Color for Progress, 21 in ‘21, Treeage, Run for Something, Our Progressive Future. And Elected Officials: NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer, State Senator Alessandra Biaggi, State Senator Gustavo Rivera, State Senator Jessica Ramos, Assembly Member Harvey Epstein, Council Member Brad Lander, Council Member Helen Rosenthal, Council Member Antonio Reynoso.
Lastly, the people of The Bronx are deserving. Time and time again, people are told they should be happy with what they have because “it could be worse.” And that’s bullshit. My community, The Bronx community, deserves the same investments made in other areas of NYC. We have the budgets, people, space, and interest that any other community has. I am here showing up for my community to show people the type of investment that CAN be made, that our community has ALWAYS been deserving of it, and leadership needs to look, think, and act differently to get us there.