Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Anthony Beckford for City Council District 45
Candidate Name: Anthony Beckford
Office Seeking Election for: City Council District 45
Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district
My advocacy started at the age of 12 in regards to education and I was able to help stop the racist rezoning of my school district. I am a Community Leader, Single Father within the District and a dedicated community member. I am not someone who wants to be a Council Member for self interest or gain. I am invested in my community and I know that as the next Council Member of the 45th District, I will be the representation that the people have been asking for. As a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran, I have the discipline and focus to accomplish the goals set forth for the district. As a Community Leader, I have always been on the frontlines fighting for the community. I have worked with various Elected Officials to bring more resources and services to the district. I have been highlighted in my efforts and service to the district when it comes to various incidents, such as the hate crime attack of a Black Afro Carib Woman in the district where I led the search to find the racist behind the attack, removing a racist business from the district where three Black Women were brutally attacked, being an advocate for families who have lost loved ones to police violence and gun violence, advocating for children at the schools in the district and so much more. I am thr President of Black Lives Matter Brooklyn and an Elected Kings County Democratic County Committee Member in the district. Any issue that members of the community have, I tend to be the first or second person who they call to help to highlight and to provide solution driven results. Before Covid, I have always went around various communities within the district and distributed food and provided literature for resources and services. During Covid I have cooked over 600 meals for the community and created over 900 handmade bottles of hand sanitizers for the community. I have also distributed over 15,000 masks and over 160,000 hot halal meals. I have always been a representative and public servant for the district. Now I will be providing the legislation that will benefit not only my district, but New Yorkers in general.
Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidate for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?
Cynthia Nixon, Samy Olivares, Marc Fliedner.
If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly)
I was a huge supporter and vocal advocate for GENDA and for stopping gender conversion therapy.
What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
Of and On with Lambda Independent Democrats, supported Victory Fund on legislation they have advocated for and have supported and shown solidarity with Black Trans Nation.
Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?
I am Agender.
Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
In the Brooklyn Pride. For 5 years.
Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
When I owned my own Entertainment Company I have.
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?
Planned Parenthood rallies and calls, rallies to pass GENDA into state law, rallies in regards to supporting legislation for gender neutral bathrooms, Black Lives Matter protests, rallies and protests regarding police brutality in general, protests against Trump's election in 2016, the Muslim Ban, Immigration rallies and protests and much more.
Have you ever been arrested? If so please explain why and outcome of arrest.
Yes. For protesting and copwatching.
Do you commit to visiting constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons and city jails?
Yes and I have done that several times.
Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
Yes. Definitely.
Describe your legislative and policy vision for combatting systemic racism
I will be introducing legislation in the City and I am the lead advocate for the State legislation on creating a year round curriculum of Black History. To combat systemic racism it takes education, accountability and enforcement of the accountability measures. I will continue to help push for the end of the cash bail system, quality of life offenses that are mainly targeted at Black and Brown people. I will work with my colleagues to put a stop to racist rezonings. Another policy will be to provide adequate funding to for much needed resources and services and to shut down rikers without building 4 new jails.
Will you not seek, and refuse, the endorsement of Bill de Blasio?
I absolutely will not seek or accept any endorsement from Bill de Blasio.
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 and sponsor a bill to rename the former Queensboro Bridge?
Yes I absolutely would.
What is your position on removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle and if so, what should replace it?
I would remove it and replace it with a statue honoring the indigenous people. This is Lenape land.
Will you refuse contributions from real estate developers and all law enforcement unions or associations?
Yes. I have a clear policy to not accept donations from them. I am the only candidate that jas taken the pledge and who has refused contributions.
Do you support reducing the budget of the NYPD and if so, by how much?
Starting at $2.5 Billion and reallocating those funds back to our communities.
How would you have voted on the FY21 City Budget?
I would have voted No unlike the incumbent.
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 I am and have been consistently vocal about this and have organized actions.
Should the NYPD Vice Squad be eliminated?
Yes they should be.
Should Dermot Shea be fired immediately?
Absolutely. He should have been fired a while ago.
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 on duty, in defiance of city and state rules?
Suspension and Fines. If it persists, then termination for being a threat to public safety.
What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding?
I would push for an Elected Civilian Review Board and Yes.
What is your position on the plan to close Rikers and create four borough-based jails?
Close Rikers but No New Jails. The funding for the 4 new jails can be used for services, resources, housing and much more.
Will you advocate for the Governor to review sentences of incarcerated individuals over the age 55 who have served in excess of 15 years to determine if they warrant release?
Yes. Have been.
It’s common knowledge that New York City’s 311 system is not adequately responsive to the public’s concerns. How would you alter the 311 system to combat these problems?
I would mandate training based on the issues that 311 is responsible for handling. I would remove certain responsibilities from 311 and create another system as well to handle those issues.
Do you support decriminalizing sex work? Will you pledge to oppose the Nordic model?
Yes and Yes. I have been an advocate and community based sponsor on the legislation to decriminalize sex work.
Do you oppose school screening, which exacerbates segregation? Which screens in your school district(s) will you advocate to abolish?
Entry Exams for Junior High School.and High School and SHSATs.
Describe what reforms you would make to the control of the NYC public school system.
It needs to be joint community and city control. This way the schools will have to address the issues of the children in the community, community members will become more involved in the school system and legislators cannot hastily make decisions.
Do you support public funding of abortion?
Yes.
Do you support the creation of safe consumption sites? Would you support the use of NYC DOHMH authority to establish SCSs without NYSDOH authorization?
Yes and Yes.
Do you smoke or otherwise consume weed?
I used to. Cannot while on disability, which I plan to introduce legislation and work with state and federal legislators to pass legislation on all levels to decriminalize weed and to not restrict those who are disabled from consuming or smoking weed.
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. I advocated against the IDC. One of my endorsers is an organizer from NO IDC NY.
What will you do to support nightlife in NYC?
If the cabaret law was still in effect, I would have pushed to repeal it and tackle the bias inspections used to harass.and intimidate Black and Brown people who own businesses.
Do you commit to speak with restaurant and nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on any policies that affect their businesses?
Absolutely.
Will you work to place restaurant, bar and club owners on community boards? Will you commit to not appointing or reappointing community board members who are hostile to food and beverage estalishments?
Yes and Yes.
Now that the cabaret law was repealed do you support amending the zoning resolution to allow patrons to 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 Island City?
Yes. I was out there opposing them.
What role do you believe the local member should play in the approval of development proposals before the Council?
Local Community Member or Council Member? If Community Member, then the community must have a direct say. If it is the Council Member, we must get rid of member deference and bring the proposals before the community, hold hearings and votes.
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 to pressure from some local residents?
Absolutely.
What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a Sanctuary City?
Keep ICE Agents out of courthouses, hold NYPD officers accountable for any type of collaboration with ICE, expand ID NYC, stop the detainment of children and help to reunify families.
Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Please elaborate on what policy and legislative steps the City can take to expand access and affordability.
Yes. We can expand on New York Cares and pass a resolution supporting single payer healthcare on a federal level and the New York Health Act on a state level.
Who did you support for office in the following primaries or special elections: A) Mayor in 2013 B) Public Advocate in 2013 and 2019, C) President in 2016 and 2020 C) Governor and Attorney General in 2018?
I was fooled by De'Blasio in 2013 as were many New Yorkers. PA 2013: Tish James PA 2019: Jumaane Williams President 2016: Bernie President 2020: Bernie then Biden with caution. Governor 2018: Cynthia Nixon AG 2018: Zephyr Teachout
Top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively
Housing, Education, Criminal Justice
Mayor de Blasio has indicated his intent to call a third Charter Revision Commission, what additional reforms would you support to 1) the budget process, 2) the land use process, and 3) the powers and duties of municipal offices?
1) prioritize the people, education and social services. Allow a $2.5 Billion reallocation of funds from the NYPD. 2) Reform ULURP. 3) Allow City Council to have greater say and oversight of city agencies.
Please explain your vision for the present powers of the office you are seeking and how you intend to exercise them?
With the current powers of the Council, I will do everything in my power and work with organizations, advocates and my colleagues to bring a better representation through legislation and the budget. I will provide equity in funding for community based organizations and directly address the needs of my district. I will use the office to help bring about progressive changes to our city and prioritize the needs of the people, unlike many in the council now.
Do you commit to working with Jim Owles during your campaign and while in office? What role can the club and the progressive LGBT community play in holding you accountable?
Yes. Make sure that I stay on path and never falter. Call, email, text or just come in the office to address the issues that I need to pay attention to.
If you receive the endorsement, do you agree to identify the club on all literature and electronic materials where you list endorsements?
Definitely.
What additional information would you like Jim Owles to consider when we are making our endorsement decisions?
I would like Jim Owles to just truly look at my history as an advocate and the work that I have put in for the people. I want Jim Owles to look at the fact that I have aligned woth the people and organizations at all times and not just during election season and not just for optics to seek an endorsement. I would like Jim Owles to join my campaign in making significant changes and progress for the people.