Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Jamaal Bowman for US Congress NY-16

Candidate Name: Dr. Jamaal Bowman

Office Seeking Election for: US Congress, Congressional District 16 (Bronx, Westchester County)

Campaign Website: bowmanforcongress.com

Campaign Social Media Handles (Facebook/Twitter):
https://www.facebook.com/JamaalBowmanNY/
@JamaalBowmanNY

Campaign Contact (name/phone/email): Bilal Tahir - bilal@bowmanforcongress.com - 732-299-5849

1. Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district
I am the founder and principal of a public middle school in the Bronx, the Cornerstone Academy for Social Action. I built this school based on the principles of equity and restorative justice. At the time of founding and to this day, my goal has been to build an environment where we support the whole child, including fostering their emotional well being and their unique talents and interests, all while teaching standard subject matter. I could not be prouder of what we have accomplished at CASA, as we have been recognized for our work several times. I know this work could dramatically change communities across the country if it were given the platform.

Unfortunately, there came a point when I realized that there were much larger forces at work that continued to stunt the growth of my community. I reached out to current officials time and again, and found that there was a ceiling. 34 children died last year, and there was no outrage. I have been working as an educator and activist for 20 years, and I have developed the relationships and community ties necessary to change the trajectory of my community, once I am given the opportunity to do so as a member of Congress. It is my goal to bring the voices of my community members to the table.

The fundamental difference between myself and my opponent is that I have led without much support, while he is a Congressperson of a strongly Democratic district and has not pushed for any change without being pressured to do so by activists and community leaders. With your support, if I am the next Congressman of NY-16, the community will have a fighter that they can work alongside with, instead of a Congressperson who needs to be lobbied, instead of a Congressperson who takes money from corporations. My record shows that I will refuse to compromise my values in favor of the status quo. Together we can work on solutions that match the scale of the problems we face.

2. Do you now support or have you ever supported an openly LGBTQ candidate for public office?
Most recently, I was a huge supporter of Tiffany Cabán’s campaign for Queens District Attorney. Her progressive platform and focus on dismantling the prison industrial complex is something could have changed countless lives, stretching far beyond Queens alone. I also supported Cynthia Nixon’s campaign for governor of New York. Her vision would have been a welcome change from Albany’s widespread corruption. What I appreciate about both of these champions is that they have continued their fight after the election is over.

3. If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBT community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly)
As I am a first time candidate, I have not introduced or co-sponsored any legislation. However, I have worked with the Alliance for Quality Education and members of the state assembly and state senate to push the Safe and Supportive Schools act forward. This piece of legislation ensures that schools are adequately resourced with guidance counselors and social workers to ensure that every school is a safe haven for kids regardless of background or orientation or identity. My work with AQE and others seeks to ensure that our schools are trauma informed and effective at implementing restorative justice practices. As many LGBTQ youth are victims of bullying, these measures will directly impact how resources and supports at the school level are implemented.

My school, Cornerstone Academy for Social Action, is a safe space for LGBTQ children. Families that have such children will send them to our school because we have cultivated an affirming and welcoming environment for young people exploring their identities. As a result, in my office, I have had children who have come out to their families and to the community.

My initial legislative priorities are to reverse the dangerous decisions made by the Trump administration, and reinstate and expand protections for LGBT students. This must be done by passing the Equality Act through the Senate. We must support and protect members of the LGBTQ community. The status quo is unacceptable.

4. What LGBT organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or
professionally?
Our school partnered with PFLAG in 2016 to bring LGBTQ affirming training to our students. These trainings were designed to further uplift the self worth of all our students, and create a climate and culture of empathy, compassion, and acceptance of all children.

5. If applicable, what LGBT organizations have you allocated funds to?
Not applicable.

6. Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?
I do not. But I consider myself a member of the human family, so I consider anyone who identifies as LGBTQ as a family member.

7. Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
I have not marched in Pride but I have attended Pride marches. I think it's a beautiful thing when marginalized communities build community and show their strength and love by such displays.

8. Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
Yes and yes. We’ve always employed the best people for the job.

9. If you receive the endorsement, do you agree to identify the club using its FULL name on all literature and electronic materials where you list endorsements?
Yes, I would be happy to do so!

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 attended the Women’s March with my family after Trump was elected. I have attended many rallies in support of ending the school to prison pipeline, a major complement of our restorative justice platform.

11. Have you ever been arrested? If so please explain why and outcome of arrest.
I was pulled over not using a signal when switching lanes and hadn’t realized my insurance had expired. I was arrested and paid a fine.

12. Will you advocate for legislation to mandate the review of sentences of incarcerated individuals over the age of 55 who have served in excess of 15 years to determine if they warrant release?
Yes. I am a believer in restorative justice over punitive justice. Excessive sentencing has torn communities of color apart, and advocacy of this kind is merely one step, albeit a necessary one, in reversing that damage. So many of my students have been traumatized by losing family members to the prison industrial complex, and I cannot support a system that has caused this level of harm.

13. Do you commit to visit constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons such as Bedford
Correctional Facility?
Yes. Every person, regardless of whether they have been convicted of a crime or not, is deserving of meaningful representation in government. Visiting them, I would want to highlight the inhumane conditions that they are under. I strongly believe in reducing our prison population, getting rid of private detention facilities, and moving towards a country without prisons. We need to provide mental health support, education resources, and create a nurturing environment for people to have the tools to succeed once they return to their communities.

14. Do you believe sincere remorse, risk of reoffending and actions taken while incarcerated should be considered over the original crime in determinations of parole?
Yes, absolutely. If incarcerated individuals are making an effort to change their lives while incarcerated, we should give them every opportunity to succeed outside of prison walls.

15. Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests in relation to the issues of clemency and parole?
On restorative justice, most of my experience as an activist has been focused on dismantling the school to prison pipeline. I worked with the Dignity in Schools campaign and New Settlement Houses on that particular issue, and organized to establish restorative justice practices in our schools and communities at large. That being said, I am in favor of nonviolent offenders, being granted clemency. The vast majority of our prison population is comprised of nonviolent offenders, who have been criminalized because of the prison industrial complex at large. I am in favor of restorative justice as an alternative. We should also create a system that allows for rehabilitation and thus a greater chance for clemency. My goal is to pass reform that provides meaningful funding to expand restorative justice opportunities, allowing offenders to work with social workers instead of police officers. In order to create a more just and harmonious society, we need to meet offenders where they are and give them the resources to be engaged members of their communities.

16. Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
Yes. My career has an educator has been centered on restorative justice, and this has had a huge impact on how I have approached campaigning and mapping out my platform. Criminal justice reform is an issue that hits home for me, as I have seen the violence of the prison industrial complex cripple communities in the Bronx. We cannot pursue meaningful criminal justice reform without bringing formerly incarcerated people to the table where decisions are being made, which means that having formerly incarcerated individuals on staff would be particularly important.

17. Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work? Do you support amending H.R. 1865 to exclude sex workers who chose the profession?
Yes, I support both the decriminalization of sex work and the amendment of H.R. 1865. FOSTA-SESTA has driven sex workers underground, and sex workers are now unable to report crimes to the police, for fear that they will be criminalized themselves. This bill, in its current form, has only created more situations for sex workers, often women and queer people of color, to be forced into violent situations. Sex workers must be included in conversations about the resources they need. Red Canary Song and Decrim NY are doing incredible work around these issues. My goal in this campaign is to partner up with such grassroots groups to formulate solutions.

18. What proposals will you advocate for the protect immigrants and the further New York as a Sanctuary City?
I support abolishing ICE and DHS, and ending the use of private detention centers. As an educator in the Bronx, I have seen the consequences of these inhumane policies firsthand. I support amnesty for currently undocumented people living in the US, as well as progressive policy that establishes a path to citizenship for undocumented peoples. Under the current system, we are benefitting from the exploitation of migrant labor, while the government simultaneously terrorizes migrant communities. This is unacceptable, and I plan on using my power in office to push through progressive reform.

19. Will you advocate, including introducing legislation, to remove public funding from religious schools?
Yes. We need to revitalize our public school system, and stop spending our resources on stop gap measures, such as charter schools and funding religious private schools. Once in office, I will advocate to dramatically expand public school funding, and push to cultivate high quality curriculums that are culturally sensitive, trauma informed, and accepting of students of all backgrounds.

20. Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces?
Yes. It has been well documented that the harm reduction model is the best way to minimize the harms of drug use while treating people who use drugs with the respect they deserve. If drug users feel that they have a community that supports them, rather than a community that criminalizes them, they are more likely to reach out for the resources they need. Additionally, the criminalization of drug use is one of the pillars of the prison industrial complex. My model for society is to create a world where we take care of those in need, instead of putting them in cages.

21. Have you ever endorsed any member of the IDC or any candidates who challenged IDC members? Please identify all candidates
I have never endorsed any members of the IDC. I did support Alessandra Biaggi in her race against Jeffrey Klein.

22. Will you commit to hiring a member of the LGBTQ community to serve as a liaison to the community?
Yes. This campaign began because I felt that the sitting congressman had failed to maintain relationships with our community, and community needs had fallen through the cracks as a result. Once in office, my goal is to be the best representative possible by maintaining relationships with my constituents. This is a huge undertaking, and requires a diversity of staff members who are able to engage with a diversity of constituents, including the LGBTQ community.

23. Will you commit to ensuring diverse LGBTQ representation among your staff?
Yes - I have members of the LGBTQ community on my campaign team currently, and I plan on maintaining a diverse staff once in office, as stated above.

24. Who did you support for office in the following races A) mayor and Public Advocate in 2014 B)
President in 2016 C) Governor and Attorney General 2018
A. Mayor - Bill Thompson in the Primary, Bill De Blasio in the General; Public Advocate - Letitia James
B. President - Bernie Sanders in the primary, Hillary Clinton in the general
C. Governor - Cynthia Nixon; Attorney General - Zephyr Teachout

25. Describe any federal legislation and policy changes that you support in order to address the ongoing effects of slavery, racism, colonialism, and discrimination
My first legislative priorities include passing the Green New Deal and Medicare for All, which will take the first steps towards leveling the economic playing field. Further, I support reparations. I support HR 40, which would initiate a study of what reparations could look like. We need to support meaningful policy research and further engage with these communities to find solutions that best suit their needs.

26. 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 free public college and trade school. We must invest in public institutions in order to address the overwhelming wealth inequality across the country. That said, any bill that addresses student debt will need to offer solutions to lack of funding for colleges and universities. We need to make sure that the system works for both students and educators alike.

For students and alumni already facing loan debt, I am in favor of cancelling all student debt. This is a necessary step to alleviate wealth inequality. The majority of student loan debt in this country belongs to women and people of color.

27. Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Please elaborate.
Absolutely. I believe that healthcare is a right, not a privilege. All people deserve access to medical care without fear that it will bankrupt them.

28. Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services.
Decisions regarding reproductive health care should be made on the individual level, without coercion and with access to accurate and comprehensive information about all the available options. Additionally, for all to be equal in our society, we must repeal the Hyde Amendment. Furthermore, Medicare for All will ensure that everyone has access to the full range of healthcare services that they need, including contraception, STD and health screenings, prenatal and postnatal care, the morning after pill, and abortion services.

29. Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate?
A resounding YES. The real estate industry has done extensive damage to our communities through aggressive and irresponsible development, which leads to gentrification and displacing people from their communities in order to make a profit.

30. Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives at corporations complicit in the Trump
agenda?
YES. The corporations that run the prison camps at the border, such as GEO Group and Core Civic, are complicit in the human rights violations this administration perpetuates. I will not take their money.

31. Do you oppose efforts to bring Sheldon Adelson’s Sands Casino Empire to New York?
Yes. I do not trust that a massive corporation is going to bring quality job opportunities to our community. I don't think casinos are the best way to create long-term economic development for our communities. Casinos are often linked to spikes in addiction, bankruptcy, and a host of other social ills. There are better industries we should invest in beyond the Casino industry.

32. What additional information would you like Jim Owles to consider when we are making our endorsements decisions?
I ask that you consider the following:
Record in the Community - I have worked hard to build for marginalized communities in my time in education. I worked with AQE to organize parents for equitable funding. I worked with NYSAPE to organize parents to fight against standards tests using civil disobedience: the simple act of opting out. I worked with the coalition for education justice to push for culturally responsive, anti-racist curriculum and training for New York City Teachers. I have taken the lead on trauma informed practices with Bronx Legal Services and the visiting nurse services. I worked with teachers to unite for the Dignity in Schools campaign and New Settlement Houses on fighting the school to prison pipeline by implementing restorative justice practices. I worked with Avenues the World school, Negus World, and Hip Hop Saves Lives to implement innovative design thinking and a new social justice curriculum.

Polling - A recent poll puts us within 19 points of overtaking Eliot Engel. Engel has attacked us on Twitter, and recognizes our campaign as a threat. We have done this in five short months, and with eight months to go, we know we can win.

Fundraising - We have outraised all other competitors except Engel, all while refusing money from corporations and super PACs. We have more grassroots donors than any campaign, and have received over 5000 donations at this time. As the campaign continues, we will continue to grow our fundraising capacity. We have well over $100K cash on hand, and are almost fully staffed.

People Power - We have over 500 volunteer sign ups, and this number is constantly growing.
Endorsements - We have a number of endorsements, and feel confident that we will secure more.

Currently we have been endorsed by the following:

• New York Badass Teachers

• Justice Democrats

• Brand New Congress

• Blue America

• Shaun King

• Terry Gipson
  Cynthia Nixon