Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Gigi Li for City Council District 1
Candidate Name: Gigi Li
Office Seeking Election for: City Council District 1
Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district
I grew up in Lower Manhattan. Over the past 30+ years, I’ve witnessed all our communities’ ups and downs and gained an understanding of the struggles that this district continues to face. When I was three years old, I immigrated here from Hong Kong. I remember my grandfather running a laundry in a basement on Bayard Street, and my grandmother working in garment factories. Like so many immigrants, my parents sacrificed so that I could have more opportunities. Those opportunities led me exactly to where I needed to be: giving back to the community that my family has called home for three generations. Right out of college, as a first generation college graduate, I worked as a counselor and an advocate for New York children and families impacted by domestic violence. I became frustrated with the ill-conceived policies and bureaucracy that made it difficult for my clients to get assistance in their time of need, so I decided to return to school to study social work. After my Master’s program, I spent a decade fighting for quality services for New York children, youth and families. I organized rallies, town halls, and policy briefings that resulted in tripling the number of summer jobs for youth citywide, and doubling the number of Beacon school-based community centers. I was on the forefront of the fight for universal pre-k and the Community Schools initiative, both accomplishments I’m deeply proud of, and which continue to serve our community today. We need a government that is accessible to all and that reflects our diverse communities. It’s us ─ the people ─ who make our district what it is. My desire to implement change locally is the reason I applied to join my local community board. In 2009, I was appointed to Community Board 3. In 2012, I was elected as the first Asian American community board chair in NYC. I worked with residents across our diverse neighborhoods to build affordable housing and rebuild our communities after Superstorm Sandy. I’ve been fighting for my community throughout my career, and now I’m ready to bring my passion for Lower Manhattan to the City Council.
Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidate for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?
N/A
If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBTQ community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly)
N/A
What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
N/A
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, NYC Pride 2018, 2019
Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
My campaign manager is openly LGBTQ.
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?
Fighting for shelter beds for runaway homeless youth, a large percentage of whom are LGBTQ Fighting back against ICE raids in NYC Supporting the development of LGBTQ friendly senior housing in SoHo, also known as Haven Green
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
Currently, every local law that the City Council passes is analyzed for its fiscal impact. I would support adding a racial impact analysis.
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 of thousands of people with AIDS, and was blatantly racist, would you support and sponsor a bill to rename the former Queensboro Bridge?
Yes.
What is your position on removing the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle and if so, what should replace it?
The statue should be removed, and replaced with a monument honoring the Lenape people.
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, by at least $1 billion.
How would you have voted on the FY21 City Budget?
Yes.
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. As a social worker, we understand that there are many contributing causes to a mental health diagnosis or homelessness. The NYPD's approach is overwhelmingly punitive and criminalizes behavior instead of addressing root causes, such as a lack of historical investment in social services in marginalized communities.
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 on duty, in defiance of city and state rules?
Unpaid leave for two weeks, during which time they should be made to quarantine to ensure they pose no risk to the public they are meant to serve upon returning to duty.
What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding?
I support a publicly elected CCRB, and yes, I support making CCRB disciplinary determinations binding.
What is your position on the plan to close Rikers and create four borough-based jails?
Rikers Island has a well documented history as a blight on New York's criminal justice system, and should have been closed years ago. I strongly believe that we should have a decarceral approach to criminal justice, where more investments in social services, gun violence prevention programs, afterschool programs, summer youth jobs and other community resources will lead to more public safety for our city, and less injustices for New Yorkers who are Black, Brown, poor, immigrants, or otherwise marginalized. While I do believe there is a present need for jails for those who commit violent crime, in the long run, I believe in the abolitionist approach of working towards a future with no new jails is achievable and realistic. As a Councilmember, I will also pressure our courts, District Attorneys, state legislators, and other stakeholders to end pretrial detention and implement genuine cash bail reform, which are some of the main reasons our jails are overpopulated and disproportionately composed of New Yorkers of color and marginalized backgrounds.
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.
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?
Better training for 311 operators, to make sure that the complaint is referred to the correct agency, which too often is not the case under the current system’s performance. There should also be more transparency, including a more detailed and transparent resolution posted online when searching for the status of a complaint.
Do you support decriminalizing sex work? Will you pledge to oppose the Nordic model?
Yes. The government should not dictate the terms of or who consenting adults can or can not have sexual relations with. Furthermore, we have seen that criminalization of sex workers has led to widespread reports of abuse and corruption from law enforcement. As it has proved to similarly exacerbate the problem it purports to address, I pledge to oppose the Nordic model.
Do you oppose school screening, which exacerbates segregation? Which screens in your school district(s) will you advocate to abolish?
Yes, I opposed school screenings.
Describe what reforms you would make to the control of the NYC public school system.
The governance of NYC schools should be reformed through a transition to a municipal control approach, where City Council has a checks and balances role with relation to Department Of Education policies. I would also increase roles of Community Education Councils and School Leadership Teams.
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?
No.
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?
I will work to ensure that nightlife establishments are afforded the same protections as all small businesses in New York’s City's recovery efforts and join in calls to expand the federal Paycheck Protection Program’s aid to nightlife establishments.
Do you commit to speak with restaurant and nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on any policies that affect their businesses?
Yes.
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.
What role do you believe the local member should play in the approval of development proposals before the Council?
While I believe that the local member will always play a role in the negotiation and development of development proposals, I do not support member deference.
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?
Yes.
What proposals will you advocate for to protect immigrants and further New York as a Sanctuary City?
I believe non-citizen New York City residents should be extended the right to vote in municipal elections and that city services providing food, housing, and healthcare aid should be available to all New Yorkers regardless of citizenship status. I will fight to maintain New York City’s non-cooperation with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement operations. In the event of ICE raids detaining immigrant New Yorkers, I would work with supportive local law enforcement officials, such as the Attorney General, to provide immediate legal action such as filing lawsuits in the event there is legal standing, as well as work with legal aid organizations to seek legal remedies wherever possible.
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. I support the further expansion of New York City Health + Hospitals’ NYC Care program. H+H hospitals and clinics aim to provide care to all, including those on Medicaid, the uninsured, and the undocumented. In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, we all saw just how critical H+H is to the health of New Yorkers. As Councilmember, I will support the City's commitment to ensure H+H can keep its hospitals and clinics open and resourced to meet increasing medical needs of New Yorkers.
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?
A) de Blasio B) 2013: James, 2019: Williams C) 2016: Clinton, 2020: Biden D) Governor (2018): Cuomo, AG (2018): James
Top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively
Affordable housing: preserve existing affordable housing, build new affordable housing, and increase capital investments in NYCHA, including tackling chronic repair backlogs. Caregiving for seniors & children: our social safety net is often at risk during financial downturns. Investing in universal child care, after school and immigrant services, and our public school system is essential. Our seniors are a diverse and growing population, and the depth and breadth of their needs became clear when COVID impacted our city. COVID Recovery & Small Businesses: decimated by the pandemic, our small businesses are the key to neighborhood stability. We must provide support for small businesses, foster opportunities for local entrepreneurship, and develop a network of local good wage jobs.
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) The requirement for more granular units of appropriation. 2) I support revising the ULURP process to include studying the potential impact of development on displacement and gentrification, particularly in low-income communities of color. 3) I support greater checks and balances in City government, such as increasing the independence of Corporation Counsel and Department of Investigation.
Please explain your vision for the present powers of the office you are seeking and how you intend to exercise them?
The powers of a City Council office include budget, legislation, appointments, and land use. My approach to the office will be centered on increasing inclusivity. It is important to me that stakeholders have an opportunity to voice their perspectives and that they feel my office and I are accessible to them and that I take their input seriously. All of the powers previously listed are exercised in cooperation with the other 50 Councilmembers. I would work diligently to build relationships with my Council colleagues to build coalitions.
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. I expect and welcome the scrutiny of your club and the broader New York LGBTQ Community in my service as Councilwoman. Where I might diverge from the shared interest of the community, I hope to hear about it - privately or publicly - and take all criticism and suggestions into my decision-making in office. While I hope that process is one of consensus building and reconciliation, I do not take your club’s support for granted now or ever and won’t expect to keep it in future elections if I were to betray the trust embodied in an endorsement were I to receive it.
If you receive the endorsement, do you agree to identify the club on all literature and electronic materials where you list endorsements?
Yes.
What additional information would you like Jim Owles to consider when we are making our endorsement decisions?
I have been endorsed by: Councilmembers Ayala, Chin, and Rosenthal, as well as Former Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito.