Candidate Answers to JOLDC: George Diaz for NY Assembly District 81

Candidate Name: George Diaz, Jr.

Office Seeking Election for: NY Assembly District 74

Website: https://www.diazforthepeople.com

1. Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district.

I’ve lived in this district most of my life. This community helped shape who I am. When I graduated from City College, I committed to using my education and the opportunities I was given to make a difference. I did everything I could to give back to the community that made me. New York City has undergone tremendous transformations in that time, but our neighborhoods have fallen behind. We are still struggling. For almost three decades we have had the same representation in Albany- a politician that too many of us have never seen and don't know.

While we struggle to keep up with rising food costs and fare increases, they’re focused on a very select part of the district. Neighborhoods like Norwood, Wakefield and Kingsbridge are ignored because politicians think we don’t matter. But we do!

I’m running for the people who have been neglected and abused by landlords, those who worry about feeding their family, because I’ve been there. I’m running for the people who have never met our political leaders because they won’t come to our homes, and they don’t stand with us on dangerous subway platforms.

My campaign platform is one that calls for change, reform and inclusivity. I am the most qualified candidate to make that a reality for the 81st District.

2. Please identify any openly LGBTQQ candidate for public office you have previously or presently endorsed? Cynthia Nixon for Governor, Jessica Caban

for Queens District Attorney, Juan Rosa for Male District Leader in Upper Manhattan.

3. If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly) One of the issues I think that needs to be addressed is the policy that prevents sexually active gay men from being able to give blood. This policy was made from fear and is archaic. While this is primarily a federal issue, the state needs to step in to make its own recommendations for giving blood which would not use someone’s orientation as reason to restrict blood donated and used within the State of New York, especially today, while COVID has affected the supply and we are experiencing a shortage.

I support the decriminalization of prostitution. It’s long been time to come out of the shadows to be able to report instances of violence, intimidation, harassment and various forms of sexual assault. Additionally, I support the New York Health Act which would provide needed medical service for all New Yorkers. I also wish to use state funding to allocate more money to support organizations like SAGE and groups that support veterans who identify themselves as LGBTQ.

4. What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally? I am not a member of any organization that is exclusively or primarily LGBTQ-centered.

5. If applicable, what LGBTQ organizations have you allocated funds to? If I were elected to the Assembly I will use my position to try to allocate funding whether individually or as a Legislative body to SAGE in particular and also other organizations that support LGBTQ stregnthening the LGBTQ community.

6. Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community? I am proud to consider myself a strong and active ally in the LGBTQ community.

7. Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years? I don’t generally march in parades. However in 2016, following several high-profile hate crimes where members of the LGBTQ Community were targeted, in particular the Pulse NightClub Shooting in Orlando. I felt compelled to march in solidarity to address the fear that was gripping the community and my own friends, family and acquaintances.

8. Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently? My Campaign Consultant is the only person I have hired. I have never asked her status nor do I believe I have the right to ask.

9. If you receive the endorsement, do you agree to identify the club on all literature and electronic materials where you list endorsements? Absolutely, I would be proud to identify the endorsement

10. What press conferences, demonstrations, rallies and protests in support of LGBTQ issues, pro choice legislation, criminal justice issues and the Resist Trump Movement have you attended? I have worked on the successful campaign to end Stop and Frisk, organizing a Stop & Frisk Forum in the Bronx where then City Councilman G. Oliver Koppell spoke and advocated to vote on the issue, along with the President of the NAACP’s Bronx Branch and an

ex-NYPD Sgt. who spoke on behalf of 100 Black Men in Law Enforcement Who Care which advocated for ending the practice. I attended and spoke at rallies and meetings to change New York City’s Minimum Wage Law which we were able to successfully pass. I went to Albany to lobby elected officials to support the Bail Reform Bill and ending Qualified Immunity. I supported Marriage Equality at my college. I marched in multiple rallies calling for the arrests, prosecution, and conviction of the killers of Eric Gardner (Daniel Pantaleo), Sean Bell and Kenneth Chamberlain, Sr. in White Plains with the NAACP. I rallied with my neighbors in the North West Bronx to call for all the votes to be counted, calling attention to states where Republicans were trying to prevent the count which would deliver victory to Joe Biden. I went to March for Our Lives in Washington in 2018 calling for the federal government to change gun laws after the massacre at Marjorie Stoneman Douglas High School.

11. Have you ever been arrested fighting in pursuit of legislation or for the purpose of protesting? Please elaborate. I have never been arrested. I have not been to a protest that turned violent, at least not in the area where I was.

12. If you are an incumbent, what have you accomplished in your most recent term? I am not an incumbent

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):

1. Fair and Timely Parole (S.1415A / A.4231A): A bill pending in Albany that would ensure the parole release process for incarcerated people in New York State is based on incarcerated peoples’ rehabilitation and current risk to public safety. I support the bill

2. Elder Parole (S.15A / A.3475A): A bill pending in Albany that would allow incarcerated people defined by the state prison as older adults, and who have served at least 15 years, an opportunity to appear before the Parole Board for an individualized review of their case and chance at release. I support the bill

14. If you will not co-sponsor any of the above legislation, why not? I have never held office. I support both bills.

15. Do you oppose the efforts of law and order conservatives to weaken bail reform as written? I oppose their efforts. Republicans are dog-whistling about bail reform. The issue is not bail reform, it’s judicial discretion. Judges need more discretion to weigh the crime the person is accused of along with the potential danger posed if the person were on bail, along with how the person's life and that person’s family will be affected if forced to stay in jail. Historically, bail is used in a predatory way towards poor people. Another way to support bail reform as written is to get cases through the court system in a more timely manner.

16. Do you commit to visiting constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons and city jails? I would be willing to visit if the constituent or family requested. I would also visit for potential jail and police reform, as well as understanding why crime is a necessity for some in order to learn more about what makes crime, crime.

17. When was the last time you were inside a correctional facility? I have never been in a correctional facility.

18. Do you believe sincere remorse and actions taken while incarcerated should be considered over the original crime in determinations of parole? Everything should be considered when making such decisions

19. What do you believe should be done to ensure more clemencies are granted every year? As stated earlier everything should be considered. All of the merits and conditions of the applicant should be considered. Sadly, many who are incarcerated have a history of mental illness that needs to be evaluated as a factor and have oftentimes been ignored historically. Drug use is a factor for some. In those cases there should be alternatives to incarceration such as drug treatment facilities, medication and regular therapy sessions. Additionally, not everyone has the same education or work opportunities as others. This is a factor. How many times has someone committed a crime while under the influence that they would not have committed were not under the influence?

20. Will you publicly call on the governor to use her clemency power to the many incarcerated New Yorkers who can safely return home? Will you tweet out your support for this or issue a public statement? 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? Have you ever spoken out in such a way? I will take it on a case-by-case basis.

Clemency has often been used in relation to politics where the governor grants clemency based on the person being a former elected official or has some standing which factors into the decision. I have already called out both the current and former Governors. I criticized my elected officials for not going after the disgraced former Governor. I called out my elected officials for making statements about Dr. King and his efforts but their lack of courage and conviction for putting a bill before the governor’s desk to extend the Rent Mortarium that expired January 15 and the Governor herself. Part of the reason I’m running is because the incumbent and so many other politicians are cowards who are too afraid to call out the governor, the Assembly Speaker and even the Senate Majority Leader publicly.

21. Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests in relation to the issues of clemency and parole? I have not, yet.

22. Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals? I would personally interview anyone I would potentially hire and make decisions based on who I believe will best serve the district I will represent.

23. Do you support legislation to prohibit discrimination against formerly incarcerated people in housing and employment? I emphatically support prohibiting discrimination against formerly incarcerated people in employment. I also support prohibiting discrimination in housing where the situation would not create a public safety issue.

24. Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work? Are you or will you co-sponsor the bill introduced by Julia Salazar (S.6419 / A. 8230), which

fully decriminalizes and decarcerates sex work? I will support Sen. Salazar’s bill. Sex work should not be a crime. The charges punish the worker and generally give a slap on the wrist, if anything at all, to the consumer. I am concerned that more needs to be done to protect such workers, many who are forced into prostitution due to age, coercion, fear, intimidation, sexual orientation, sexual identity, language barriers and/or immigration status. I would look to introduce a bill if it doesn’t already exist that would provide further protection including access to health care, protection from pregnancy and transmitted diseases, blocking ICE and other federal agencies from gaining information and access.

25. Will you actively oppose legislation (S.6040 / A.7069) that would implement the dangerous Nordic model instead of decriminalization of prostitution? Explain in detail your views on full decriminalization, the Nordic model, legalization, and the existing criminalization approach. Our current approach punishes the worker and generally gives a slap on the wrist, if anything at all, to the consumer. I am concerned that more needs to be done to protect such workers, many who are forced into prostitution due to age, coercion, fear, intimidation, sexual orientation, sexual identity, language barriers and/or

immigration status.The Nordic Model essentially makes it illegal to be a consumer (a John), but not a sex worker. I believe in full decriminalization in order to protect and ensure the safety of workers..

26. Do you support ending qualified immunity for police officers? Absolutely, I support ending Qualified Immunity. It was a tool to protect racist cops and their superiors from facing charges for crimes they committed against

African-Americans and eventually other groups. I also am looking to create a permanent Public Integrity Bureau (I’m calling it PIB) that works out of the Attorney General’s office, but the AG doesn’t have access to the files or work, nor can the AG intervene, which would investigate any public employee within the state of New York, with subpoena and prosecutorial powers. This includes any member of Law Enforcement and even elected officials including the Attorney General and governor.

27. What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and the further New York as a “Sanctuary State”? I am championing the New York Health Act to provide health care service to anyone in New York State regardless of age, employment, or citizen status. When we’re all protected, we’re all safer. I am supporting a CUNY New Deal bill that will provide free college education at a CUNY school for anyone who can provide adequate residency within the last 3 years and will push to create a SUNY New Deal bill for anyone living in New York State regardless of citizen status.

accessing information they could use to intimidate, detain and/or deport someone

28. Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces? Yes, I do. Every step to avoid and prevent deaths from overdose should be taken as part of a more holistic approach to caring for and treating addicts.

29. Have you ever endorsed any member of the IDC or any candidates who challenged IDC members? Please identify all candidates. Never. I supported my former boss, G. Oliver Koppell, a former Assembly Member, City Council Member and Acting Attorney General who attempted to unseat Jeff Klein. Sadly, we lost. I also supported Alessandra Biaggi who was successful at unseating Jeff

Klein. The incumbent in the race publicly supported Jeff Klein and made multiple attempts to justify his support even in defeat.

30. Will you commit to ensuring diverse LGBTQQ representation among your staff? I would personally interview anyone I would potentially hire and make decisions based on who I believe will best serve the district I will represent.

31. Who did you support for o?ce in the following primaries or special elections: A) Mayor in 2021 B) President in 2016 and 2020 C) Governor and Attorney General in 2018? A) Dianne Morales, Maya Wiley was in my ranking, B) Bernie Sanders both times, C) Zephyr Teachout, Jumaane Williams and Letisha James (though I’m not sure if I should be proud of my AG pick)

32. Have you made an endorsement in the current bid for Governor? If so, who? No, but I expect to support Jumaane Williams

33. Describe any legislation and policy changes that you support in order to address the ongoing effects of slavery, racism, colonialism, and discrimination. In addition to the legislation and policies mentioned in this document, I support Reparations. Our Prison Industrial Complex is a form of modern-day slavery where those incarated are seperated from their families, take on tasks for menial pay, then those incarcerated are discriminated when it comes to employment. Additionally, I support the CUNY New Deal which would make public higher education free.

34. 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? I support the CUNY New Deal. I will also introduce a SUNY New Deal bill to make all public colleges in the state free. On the state level we need to allocate funds for grants that can be used for private colleges. Additionally, as many banks and lenders are located in New York State

we need to leverage the power of the state legislature to change how lenders can operate within the state.

35. Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Do you or will you co-sponsor the New York Health Act? Please elaborate. Yes, I believe in the New York Health Act and have worked to pass it. Were I elected and the New York Health Act not passed by the time I take office I will personally reintroduce the bill and work feverishly to have it passed.

36. Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services. I believe in a woman’s right to choose. I am concerned with the law passed in Texas and how Republicans are using it to take the matter to the Supreme Court to eliminate abortion. Our state has been pro-choice for decades and we will continue to be. Contraceptives and

pregnancy tests need to be covered by health insurance, Were the New York Health Act to pass I would include these.

37. Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate industry or law enforcement unions/associations? Part of my campaign platform calls for the criminalization of negligent landlords. I doubt they will line up to support me. Groups like the PBA who use dog whistles to support racist candidates and legislation would not get my support and I would not look for their endorsement.

38. Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives at corporations complicit in the Trump agenda? Of course, I don’t see any reason they would consider me and I certainly wouldn’t try to get them on my side.

39. Will you cosponsor the legislation to prohibit evictions without good cause (S.3082 / A.5573)?

I fully sponsor Rep. Salazar’s “Good Cause” bills because as it stands, landlords in our city are able to conduct too much against renters. We need to ensure that landlords do not use unauthorized tactics, methods and procedures to remove tenants based on various things, or try to remove tenants with the goal of replacing them with someone who would be willing to pay higher rent.

40. 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? Will you co-sponsor S.856 / A.6032, which amend 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? Yes I support Sen. Biaggi in this initiative to address housing issues.

41. What should happen to 421-a? Would you end it, mend it, continue it?

The tax exemptions in 421-a should be ended. The exemptions themselves allow landlords to manipulate not just this policy, but the process in which it occurs. It allows landlords to profit even more off the tenant by often “repairs” something, and charges the tenant, whilst still being able to have a “tax exemption”.

42. Do you support legalizing accessory dwelling units? Yes, it would create more availability of safe, regulated housing.

43. Do you support more state funding for NYCHA? If so, how much? Critical repairs must be made to NYCHA to ensure that residents have safe housing with heat and hot water. The federal government can and should step in with funding to modernize the systems in these buildings allowing the state to fully fund this important stock of housing affordability. The state needs to also contribute more.

44. Do you, or will you, co-sponsor the Climate and Community Investment Act? (S.4264A / A.6967) If you are an incumbent and do not currently

co-sponsor this bill, why not?

I will sponsor this bill as it addresses the growth of climate change research and resources, both of which are heavily needed in preparing our communities for the future.

45. Do you support the New York Public Banking Act (S.1762A / A. 8290? If you are an incumbent and do not currently co-sponsor this bill, why not?

Along with groups that have been working on this issue for decades, I support this bill because it is one way to bring economic justice to our neighbors and use public funds to grow local economies and support economic development in a way that directly impacts the most pressing needs of our neighbors like housing.

46. Do you support the New Deal for CUNY (S.4461 / A.5843)? If you are an incumbent and do not currently co-sponsor this bill, why not?

I fully support the New Deal for CUNY. CUNY is a building block for our city in terms of social and economic success here in the city, but outside it as well. Some of the CUNY institutions have even become renowned not just here in NYC, but in the United States, and even overseas. My myself, as a City College and Bronx Community College Alum, understands the foundation higher education can present you with, and improving on that would pay dividends for our communities. I also believe beyond the tuition removal of CUNY programs, increasing faculty ratios is also important.

More support and people in the building will go that much further in improving the institutions.

47. 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? I believe we should rename the bridge and others after the Native Americans who lived in New York. In the meantime, the bridge should go back to being the Queensborough Bridge. I also believe the Tappan Zee Bridge should become the Tappan Zee Bridge again.

48. What is your position on removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle and if so, what should replace it? Columbus Circle should be renamed. I support the removal of the statue. Columbus actively participated in the genocide of indigenous people in the Caribbean, among other atrocities. I would defer to those of indigenous descent to rename the area.

49. Do you support reducing the budget of the law enforcement throughout the state, and if so, by how much? I don’t know what the budget allocations are for the state police or other county or municipal law enforcement agencies. There is a lack of transparency and I believe we should more closely examine how funds

are allocated to get the greatest impact to the community. For example, why would a local police department have a budget for militarized equipment like tanks?

50. 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) Tra?c enforcement.

Yes. We should take lengths to remove predatory policing in vulnerable communities and direct more care and support to communities in need. Policing in schools is especially sensitive because it creates a culture of criminalization among our youth.

51. Should law enforcement "Vice Squads" be eliminated? In support of decriminalizing prostitution, eliminating the vice squads would be critical. I support community policing. Having o?cers regularly patrol neighborhoods would bring a sense of safety to the community and for the o?cers themselves. The resurgence of the NYPD's vice squad would bring back stop and frisk which I fought to get rid of.

52. How would you recommend law enforcement o?cers be penalized for refusing to wear masks in public while on duty, in defiance of city and state rules?

Yes. Law enforcement are public servants, and even more than civilians, they should be held to higher standards, especially in safety, than most people. While this may seem unfair this comes with the territory. Safety of not just themselves, but the countless civilians they work with on a day to day basis is top priority.

53. What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding? I would allow them and want to give them the power to go directly to the Public Integrity Bureau (PIB) I want to establish to investigate and potentially prosecute public employees such as the police. In the meantime they need the power to go to a designated assistant district attorney in the relevant county to ask for an investigation into the conduct of the o?cer and ask the District attorney’s o?ce to prosecute and the ability to keep it anonymous until the o?cer is formally charged.

54. What will you do to support nightlife in New York State? I will meet with current and prospective business owners and managers about what they’re currently doing and are looking to do. I will support legislation to return “To Go” cups and look to see how my o?ce can work with businesses and the community to ensure safety and reduce the chances of receiving noise complaints. This includes attending or having a staff member attend Community Board meetings when applicable.

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

Yes.

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

Yes.

57. What are the top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively? 1. Healthcare and education 2. Quality of life 3. Economic development/ Housing

58. What additional information would you like Jim Owles to consider when we are making our endorsements decisions?

I started my career as a Community Liaison for our local Councilman to represent our neighborhoods. I have used my voice to help improve police relations, to achieve a living wage for workers and to help individuals facing evictions to keep their homes and their power. Even though we succeeded in ending "stop and frisk" and passed a living wage law- the number of people seeking help to fight abusive landlords or access basic services seems to be endless. I learned so much from those experiences. Mainly, it seems, that the more things change, the more they stay the same.

I am appealing to your group for support because we share a vision and values for a New York that is inclusive and just. In order to achieve that vision, we need representation in Albany that is not beholden to machine politics.

I am asking you to support me in my run for New York State Assembly’s 81st district because we can do better, together. I've spent most of my adult life fighting for the change we deserve. This campaign is about being our sisters and brothers’ keeper. This race is about all of us.