Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Rebecca Seawright for NY Assembly District 76
Candidate Name: Rebecca Seawright
Office Seeking Election for: NY Assembly District 76
Website: https://rebeccaseawright.com/
With the possibility of Donald J. Trump winning (stealing) the next Presidential election
and ending democracy and civil rights in the United States, it is more important than ever that we elect progressive, dynamic leaders to the New York State Senate and New York State Assembly.
1. Based upon your life experiences and accomplishments why should we believe you would be a dynamic, progressive leader who would stand up for Civil Rights and Democracy?
I grew up in a small Texas town, fought against discrimination and corruption and later worked for Governor Ann Richards and Roe v. Wade attorney Sarah Weddington. I have lived in NY for 33 years. As an attorney, former Community Board member/PTA activist I have promoted progressive values and legislation during my 10 years as a State Legislator. Passing legislation such as the Equal Rights Amendment, a groundbreaking 3D mammogram bill and other progressive bills for both my district and NYS.
2. What is your involvement in the LGBTQ Civil Rights movement? What candidates have you or are you supporting who are openly LGBTQ? What legislation have you/do you support to further LGBTQ rights? Do you /will you have an LGBTQ liaison in your office? What LGBTQ organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer or professional basis?
I am the lead sponsor on the LGBTQ Awareness Curriculum bill in public schools; Passed legislation to update procedures in Family Court to reflect real family structures regardless of gender or custodial status. I passed in two consecutive sessions the Equal Rights Amendment to prohibit discrimination based on gender expression, gender identity, sexual orientation. Candidates I have supported/support are Tammy Baldwin, Glen Maxey-TX, Gina Ortiz, Corey Johnson, Brad Hoylman, Eric Botcher, Deborah Glick. My LGBTQ liaison in our community office is Courtney Ferrisey. I have been involved with the Feminist Press at CUNY, the LGBTQ Center at Hunter College, Callen-Lorde, Hetrick Martin Institute Inc (HMI), and others.
3. What demonstrations, rallies, and protests have you participated in support of LGBTQ issues, African-American, Hispanic, Asian-American Civil Rights, pro-choice legislation, criminal justice issues, and Resist Trump?
I hosted a press conference on my LGBTQ curriculum bill at the State Capitol, co-hosted a press conference and rally against ‘mothers for liberty’ that supports banning books, hosted a local pro choice rally in Carl Schurz Park with over 200 community members in response to action on Roe v Wade, and sponsored a press conference on behalf of the passage of Clean Slate.
4. Do you support reparations to compensate African Americans for the history of slavery, Jim Crow, and systemic racism in this country?
Yes, genuine reparations to compensate for the harmful history of systemic racism in this country is long overdue.
5. What are your concrete proposals to address current systemic racism in terms of employment, housing, voting rights, and the criminal justice system in the U.S.?
I was a co-sponsor of good cause eviction, the clean slate act, and campaign finance regulations to increase representation of women and minorities to run for office and hopefully elect our first trans legislator.
6. Will you advocate for elder parole where incarcerated individuals aged 55 and older who have serviced in excess of 15 years obtain parole hearings? Are you a sponsor of the Elder Parole Bill, Assembly 2035?
Yes.
7. Do you sponsor the Earned Time Act, Assembly 01128 which strengthens and expands “good time” and “earned time” to support rehabilitation efforts?
Yes.
8. Do you sponsor Eliminate Mandatory Minimum Bill Act, which reduces excessive sentences and enables Judges to look at individual factors and mitigating circumstances?
Yes.
9. Do you sponsor the Second Look Act, which allows for reconsideration of prison sentences based on changes in law and circumstances?
Yes.
10. Have you participated, and will you participate in demonstrations and protests in relation to the issues of clemency and parole?
Yes.
11. Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
Yes
12. Have you and will you visit incarcerated constituents to learn of their conditions?
Yes.
13. What are your proposals to have prisons focus more on rehabilitation and less on punishment?
We must invest more dollars and resources in prison reform, specifically those programs such as educational and instructional programs.
14. Do you support ending the cruel punishment of solitary confinement, such as was recently mandated by the New York City Council?
Yes.
15. What are your proposals to facilitate individuals who have recently entered the U.S. to be able to live decently with employment and housing?
We must invest more resources at the local, state, and federal level so all members of our community have the ability to work and support their families.
16. What proposals do you advocate to combat the cruel and inhumane immigration policies that the Trump Administration commenced and which, to some degree, are still in effect?
I have held press conferences, demonstrations, and rallies in support of our immigrant community, including work authorizations and support for higher education opportunities.
17. Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work?
Yes.
18. Do you oppose legislation that promotes the Nordic model?
Yes.
19. What concrete proposals do you support to lift up women after four years of Trump being President?
I have passed the Equal Rights Amendment each year since 2017, finally have come to an agreement to pass it within the NYS Senate, and it will now be on the ballot in November.
20. Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Please elaborate.
Yes, I am a co-sponsor of the New York Health act and will continue to support it until its passage.
21. What have you done to facilitate reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services?
I was a co-sponsor of the 2019 Reproductive Health Act, hosted the Honorable Sarah Weddington (Roe v Wade Attorney) in the Assembly Chamber and passed a resolution in her honor, and I am a member of the Bi-partisan pro choice caucus.
22. Will you refuse contributions from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the Real Estate industry, from police or correctional communities?
Yes
23. Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives or corporations complicit in the Trump anti-American agenda?
Yes
24. How do you propose that we address the current surge of Islamophobia and anti-Semitism?
I am a co-sponsor of the Holocaust Educational Curriculum bill, I have passed two pieces of legislation to strengthen our hate crime laws, and I have held several forums on combating antisemitism and condemning all forms of hate speech.
25. Did you or would you have voted for the censure of U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib?
No.
26. Do you support an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East?
Yes, the violence must end, including the sensation of hostilities and the release of all hostages.
27. Should we condition further aid to Israel? What conditions should we stress that Israel abides by?
There should be a post-war plan that involves both Gaza and the West Bank and enfranchises the Palestinian people and provides safety for the people of Israel.
28. Will you refuse funds from Trump-supporting AIPAC?
Yes.
29. What are your concrete proposals to prevent Trump and his cult from taking over this country and ending democracy?
We must continue to support democrats at the local, state, and federal level and organize in support of Joe Biden.
30. How can we combat the movement in this country to ban books, prevent colleges from discussing issues and demonizing intelligence as “woke”?
I have sponsored legislation to establish LGBTQ+ curriculum in our schools throughout NYS. We need curriculum standards to reflect the topics and ideals our young people need exposure to in order to empower them to ignite a better future. We need to shine a light on the history of the United States, and not hide from it. We also must encourage our schools to make a commitment to multicultural education. Through this commitment, we can resist the urge to ban books as a method of keeping canonical literature at the forefront of our schools.
31. As Christopher Columbus caused the death/slavery of thousands, should we replace the Christopher Columbus statue in Columbus Circle, and if so, what should replace it? Do you authorize the use of your name for such a purpose?
I would love to see more statues of women and trans people, and Edie Windsor would be an excellent one.
32. As Edward I Koch caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people with AIDS and was blatantly racist, should we rename the former Queensboro Bridge? Do you authorize the use of your name for such a purpose?
Yes.
33. What will you do to support nightlife in New York State? Do you commit to speaking with liquor license applicants and restaurant/nightlife industry representatives before taking a position on policies affecting their businesses?
Yes, and I am always willing to speak with applicants and businesses in our neighborhood.
34. What is your opinion of Eric Adams as New York City Mayor? Are you involved in finding someone to run for Mayor of New York City?
There have certainly been major bumps in the road but the biggest room is the room for improvement!
35. How can we mandate that every community do its share to have affordable housing and care for the recently arrived people?
We need to expand housing policies, make it easier for people to find affordable housing, and ensure that every area contributes to this cause.
36. Are you a sponsor of Good Cause Eviction legislation?
Yes
37. Do you support allowing legal Immigrants to vote in local elections?
Yes.