Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Marti Allen-Cummings for City Council District 7
Candidate Name: Marti Allen-Cummings
Office Seeking Election for: City Council District 7
Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district
I never planned to run for elected office. Like many transplants, I came to New York because it was the only place that had unlimited potential or so I thought. Since then, I have been called to serve in this capacity because I have seen too many of our city’s leader’s put career plans and political ambitions ahead of the needs of working people. I believe I will be the best voice for District 7 because our stories are more similar than they appear. As a gig worker, I know the struggle of choosing between rent and paying all my bills. I have skipped doctor’s appointments because I am uninsured and I have moved neighborhoods because I couldn’t afford the rent hikes. But just as I share the same struggles, I also have seen the resiliency of this community in my work through the Ali Forney Center and the Hetrick Martin Institute. I am in awe of the people I meet every day through the RDJ shelter or on Community Board 9. My path to this campaign was not traditional but through other means, I have developed the skills and connections to be an effective legislator. Perhaps more importantly - I have worked side by side with those who I am going to fight for and I will be relentless in my advocacy for them.
Please identify any openly LGBTQ candidate for public office you have previously or presently endorsed?
Carlos Menchaca Jimmy Van Bramer Daniel Dromm Tiffany Caban Sharice Davids Elisa Crespo Melissa Sklarz Malcolm Kenyatta Andrea Jenkins
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?
The Ali Forney Center Hetrick Martin Institute Lambda Legal The Trinity Place Shelter Drag Queen Story Hour The RDJ Shelter Intersection Voices Collective GMHC Immigration Equality Community Board 9 LGBQTIA Task Force
Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBTQ community?
Yes - I am a proud Non Binary Queer Person
Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
I have participated in pride in NYC for over a decade. Through Pride I have participated by being a float announcer, emcee, and this last pride worked on a virtual drag virtual event with over 200 drag artist that we transitioned into the Black Queer Town Hall produced and hosted by Bob the Drag Queen and Pepperming to amplify black lgbqia artist. In the last couple of years I have worked with the Reclaim Pride group as well to ensure pride continues with is original intent, to fight for queer liberation, rather than corporations participating one month out of the year rather then 12 months of inclusion for the queer community.
Have you employed openly LGBTQ individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
Our campaign field director, campaign manager, as well as several of our volunteers identify at LGBQTIA.
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?
Over the years I have attended many demonstrations, rallys, and press conferences in support of LGBQTIA issues. From marching on Washington for Marriage Equality to standing alongside our trans community weekly outside of Stonewall demanding justice for the countless Black Trans Lives lost to violence. I am proud to have marched on the streets against Trump multiple times over the last several years, marching and protesting against his bigoted actions against our margilizaed communities. Over the years I have also attended several press conferences including the unveiling of the Marsha P Johnson and Sylvia Rivera Statue Plans, the press conference in support of legalizing surrogacy in NYS, the multiple actions to repeal the Walking While Trans law, to halt solitary confinement. I am a strong believer that with a platform comes great responsibility and through my work as not only a candidate for office but as a drag artist I have tried to amplify the issues that are impacting our community and the marginalized voices within our community.
Have you ever been arrested? If so please explain why and outcome of arrest.
I was arrested during the protests led by BLM in June of 2020. It was not my plan to be arrested but when I saw police abusing their power and authority against people of color, I brought other white allies to the front of the march and we were arrested and beaten en masse.
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
My top priority, as an elected official representing the working people of New York, would be to ensure housing justice for all. The best way to take care of working people is by securing REAL affordable housing and tackling the rampant segregation and discrimination in housing. This means fully funding a broad Housing Plan including the expansion of public housing, rent subsidies, rent freezes, and rent relief during the pandemic. Education is another big priority as our schools in New York are some of the most segregated in the country. There cannot be two different systems based on your family’s income. We must integrate and fund public schools in a way that gives every student an opportunity at a quality education. Funding for our schools’ arts programs and funding for social workers in schools is something that we have made a focus of our campaign. My third priority is reforming our criminal justice system to reflect the progressive values of our citizens. I will fight to spend more on social services and safety nets in order to save on wasteful and immoral systems of policing and incarceration. The next City Council can make a move to end mass incarceration by expanding services for homelessness, addiction and violence interruption and overseeing the legalization of marijuana. Our city is facing a reckoning over racial justice and these changes could play a part in reforming the institutional discrimination faced by people of color. Through these various policies we can begin to combat the systemic racism that has plagued our nation for generations. We must work to provide equitability to ensure equality and justice.
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?
I believe we must remove the statue of Christopher Columbus and rename Columbus Circle. We should name the area Lenape Circle and honor the indigenous communities whose land was stolen with a statue as well as historical markers with information about the Lenape community.
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 $1.5B
How would you have voted on the FY21 City Budget?
No
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.
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 on duty, in defiance of city and state rules?
Fined - and the money collected should be used for building PPE stocks for public hospitals
What reforms would you make to the Civilian Complaint Review Board? Would you support state legislation to make CCRB disciplinary determinations binding?
We must give the CCRB more power to act upon the complaints it is able to substantiate. The NYPD fails to take action in nearly all of the cases where penalties are recommended and wrongdoing is proven. I would support any legislation to make CCRB determinations binding or more effective.
What is your position on the plan to close Rikers and create four borough-based jails?
I support closing Rikers and no new jails.
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?
The 311 system must be structured in a way that provides greater access, transparency, and effectiveness. 311 ought to be a tool that the community can use to connect with city agencies about issues impacting them but often it doesn't provide the help needed. We can also make 311 a more versatile platform by improving the iOS app and adding tracking/status features online. City Council must have greater oversight to ensure 311 is doing what it was designed to do.
Do you support decriminalizing sex work? Will you pledge to oppose the Nordic model?
I support decriminalizing sex work - both buying and selling and I pledge to oppose the Nordic Model. Sex work is work and the criminalization of it often impacts our BIPOC and TGNCNB at much higher rates.
Do you oppose school screening, which exacerbates segregation? Which screens in your school district(s) will you advocate to abolish?
I oppose all middle school and high school screening
Describe what reforms you would make to the control of the NYC public school system.
I believe that the city council must have more oversight over our schools. It is imperative that our parents and teachers are brought to the decision making table and are having their voices heard. Mayoral control gives the mayor all the decision making power. The City Council as well as our educators and parents should have a larger say in the appointment of the Chancellor and what decisions are being happening that will impact our schools.
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
Do you smoke or otherwise consume weed?
No, I am almost 10 years sober
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 have organized and volunteered with multiple campaigns to help throw the IDC out of office and dissuade other groups from forming similarly destructive caucuses.
What will you do to support nightlife in NYC?
As a nightlife worker myself I understand the importance of supporting our nightlife community. Our small businesses and gig workers are suffering as a result of the pandemic and need our support. We need to advocate for our legislators in Albany to implement a wealth tax and use revenue from taxing our billionaires and ultra millionaires to support our businesses that are suffering. Multiple venues across the city, including many queer spaces have closed their doors. Our sex workers and undocumented community haven't been given access to relief or unemployment. We must prioritize the needs of these communities and offer assistance, decriminalize sex work, and provide social sevrices to help people pay their bills. I am a big advocate for the NYC Hospitality Alliance and the Freelancers Unions which have been doing incredible work to support our gig workers and small businesses and as a Council Member will ensure their voices as well the voices of our nightlife community are at the decision making table. I am proud to be a nightlife gig worker and will continue to advocate and fight for this community.
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
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?
The local member should work with coalitions of local organizations, tenant groups, block associations, labor unions and other members to ensure the needs of the district are being met. The residents of the district must be at the decision making table to ensure their needs are met and heard. It is incredibly important to form coalitions to help our people, our workers, and our residents and this means giving them a seat at the table.
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 am a firm believer that we must abolish ICE and no city agency should ever engage in helping ICE or any organization similar to it. We must work to provide access to legal services for our immigrant community who are in need of legal aid. Our city must ensure that immigrants are provided the right to vote in our municipal elections and that anyone regardless of immigration status be granted access to housing, education, healthcare, shelters, social services, and employment opportunities. I would also support removing the Street Vendors cap so our small business vendors can work without the fear of fines or harassment.
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.
I am a supporter of single payer universal healthcare and support the Health Act in Albany that was introduced by Senator Rivera and Assemblymember Gottfried.
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 supported Tish James for Public Advocate. In 2016, I supported Bernie in the primary and Hillary after she won the nomination for President. In 2020, I supported Elizabeth Warren and then Biden for President. In 2018, I supported Cynthia Nixon for Governor.
Top 3 issues you aim to address locally and legislatively
Public Housing and Lowering the cost of housing Integrating schools and Quality Public Education Criminal justice reform through defunding police and jails
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?
I think the City could do a much better job of streamlining both the budget and land use process to align in every department and with long term goals - like increasing ultra-affordable housing and decreasing emissions. I support aspects of the Speaker’s citywide planning framework but also think it is key, City Council retains a voice in ULURP. In addition, I support making the CCRB accountable to the people of New York.
Please explain your vision for the present powers of the office you are seeking and how you intend to exercise them?
Just as the House of Representatives is the People’s voice in DC. City Council is the voice of the people in City Hall. I want to be that voice for District 7 to fight specifically for working people, people of color, and underrepresented communities against the status quo and forces seeking to turn their power into profit. The avenues available to do that include budgeting, land use review, oversight powers and the bully pulpit. I plan to leverage each of these on behalf of working people and coordinate those efforts with other progressives in City Hall, Albany and DC.
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?
I do commit to working with Jim Owels and the members of this organization to implement progressive policies and to fight for equality and justice for all. It is important to work together to fight for our vulnerable communities and in doing so be held accountable when mistakes are made, to amend wrongs, and to put the needs of the people first.
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 am excited for the next council and for the incredible candidates running across the city fighting for progressive values I am proud to be the first drag artist and non binary candidate for City Council and will take this experience along with the voices of the people of my district into office to fight for equitability and to fight for progressive legislation. We have a long road ahead to recover from this pandemic and I am excited to get to work for the people of this city.