Candidate Answers to JOLDC: Shaniyat Chowdhury for US Congress NY-05
Candidate Name: Shaniyat Chowdhury
Office Seeking Election for: US Congress, Congressional District 05 (Queens, Nassau County)
Campaign Address: 109-52 160th st, Jamaica NY, 11433
Campaign Website: shaniyat2020.com
Campaign Telephone: 909-586-4275
Campaign Social Media Handles (Facebook/Twitter):
Twitter:https://twitter.com/Shaniyat2020
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Shaniyat2020/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Shaniyat-Chowdhury-for-Congress-NY5-114806879894670/
Campaign Contact (name/phone/email):
Shaniyat Chowdhury (Candidate)
Phone: 909-586-4275
Email: info@shan2020.com or shaniyat@shan2020.com
Claire Robinson (Campaign Manager)
Phone: 703-975-5889
Email: claire@shan2020.com
Explain, based on life experiences and accomplishments, why you believe you are best qualified to represent your district
I think that the people of my district are dynamic and diverse. The truth about my district is that it is diverse and represents a wide swath of political ideologies, socioeconomic classes, and struggles, and that no group of belonging is monolithic. To me, I embody the struggles of my district and I am confident in where I stand as a human being and a Congressional candidate. I was born in Queens, New York to a Bangladeshi mother and father who were driven to the United States by the force of imperial conflict. We moved to a NYCHA complex called South Jamaica Houses, where I still live today with my parents, sister and brother. I attended under-funded public schools where a diverse set of intelligent Black and brown students navigated our way through the public education system that does not treat all minds and talents with value and care. As soon as I could work, I struggled alongside my mom and dad by working at the swap meet for X dollars an hour, and later by joining the Marines to make ends meet for my family. For many poor Americans, this is a reality.
Joining the Marines
Do you now support or have you ever supported openly LGBTQ candidates for public office?
Yes, I supported Tiffany Cabán for Queens district attorney in 2019. I volunteered as a canvasser and organizer for the communities in Queens where I have strong ties. Not only do I believe in affirming her queerness, but I also strongly supported Caban’s policies that look out for all in our marginalized communities. Her dearceral platform and anti-war on drugs policies pushed the national narrative on what a District Attorney can do, and I am proud to have told my community about this.
If applicable, what legislation directly affecting the LGBT community have you introduced or co-sponsored? (indicate accordingly).
I support the Equality Act (H.R.2282), Every Child Deserves a Family Act (H.R. 2640), and the Student Non-Discrimination Act (H.R. 5374).
What LGBT organizations have you been involved with, either on a volunteer basis or professionally?
none
If applicable, what LGBT organizations have you allocated funds to?
none
Do you consider yourself a member of the LGBT community?
No, I do not.
Have you marched in Pride? Which marches and for approximately how many years?
Yes, Queens Pride march, every year since 2016.
Have you employed openly LGBT individuals previously? Do you employ any currently?
Yes, my campaign manager is a queer Black woman and one of three of my field directors is a queer man. My first retail job, I was employed by a gay man and I volunteered for Tiffany Caban for Queens DA who is Queer Latina.
If you receive our endorsement, do you agree to identify the club on all literature and electronic materials where you list endorsements?
Absolutely!
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?
Women’s March in NYC since its inception, marched with Planned Parenthood in Albany, and Veterans against Trump rally.
If elected or re-elected will you become a member of the “Squad?"
Yes, my intention is to become a member of the “Squad” and empower those progressive women and leaders in Congress who have supported radical change and policies that respect human dignity.
Have you ever been arrested? If so please explain why and outcome of arrest.
No, I have never been arrested.
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
Do you commit to visit constituents who are incarcerated in state prisons such as Bedford Correctional Facility?
Absolutely.
Do you believe sincere remorse, risk of reoffending and actions taken while incarcerated should be considered over the original crime in determinations of parole?
I believe in restorative justice. This means that I will stand by community leaders and mediators who attempt to heal and restore wrongdoings that we may commit against one another. I support survivors of harm, first. I believe in methods of restorative justice that center their healing, and I also firmly stand by the possibility for remorse and change in those who have committed harm.
Have you participated in any demonstrations or protests in relation to the issues of clemency and parole?
No
Will you affirmatively seek to hire formerly incarcerated individuals?
Absolutely.
Do you believe in the decriminalization of sex work?
Firmly, I do.
If an incumbent, did you vote for HR 1865 in 2018? Will you introduce and or support legislation to amend HR 1865 so that sex between consenting adults, with monetary exchange, is legalized? This would include the use of ads and on-line contact.
I am not an incumbent.
Do you support a national law legalizing gestational surrogacy? Wii you introduce such legislation?
Yes
What proposals will you advocate for the protection of immigrants and to further New York as a Sanctuary City?
Abolish ICE and protecting immigrant rights in the labor movement ensuring they provided Visas and protected from workplace harassment.
Will you advocate, including introducing legislation, to remove public funding from religious schools?
Yes
Do you support the establishment of supervised drug consumption spaces?
Yes
Have you ever endorsed any member of the IDC or any candidates who challenged IDC members? Please identify all candidates
I have never supported a member of the IDC and in fact align myself with the No-IDC movement. I believe in progressive leadership that are uncompromising on legislation that promotes human rights.
Will you commit to hiring a member of the LGBT community to serve as a liaison to the community?
Absolutely!
Will you commit to ensuring diverse LGBT representation among your staff?
Yes!
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?
• Bill DeBlasio and Leticia James
• Jill Stein
• Cynthia Nixon and Leiticia James
Describe any federal legislation and policy changes that you support in order to address the ongoing effects of slavery, racism, colonialism, and discrimination.
The ongoing legacy of slavery is necessary for America to reconcile with immediately.
I believe in introducing legislation that will create a Baby Bonds program coined by Economist, William Darity, to help close the racial wealth gap. Every child in the United States will be assigned a trust fund through public resources depending on the wealth of the family. Every child can access their trust fund when they reach their young adulthood years which will help them start with financial endowment permitting them to have greater economic security over their lifetimes.
The ongoing legacy of American colonialism ensures that the United States remains an economic and political force over Black and brown countries, and this has to cease. I am committed to ending military interventions including in Central and South America, repealing the Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF), and reasserting check and balancing powers back to Congress. I also support repealing the Jones Act and PROMESA toward ending the United States colonial legacy over Puerto Rico. These legislation are racist and ensure a violent paternalistic pattern; Puerto Rico, and any other nation, should not be an American colony.
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 believe in abolishing student debt, making public college tuition free, as well as other post-secondary education like trade school. I believe in the College for All act of 2019 which would abolish student debt across the board.
Do you support a single-payer universal health care system? Please elaborate.
Every person in the United States should have access to good doctors and the medical care they need.
Nobody should die because they can’t afford insulin, or lose their home because of exorbitant medical bills.
There are approximately 55,000 people in our district without health insurance and this is unacceptable. Every New Yorker deserves healthcare.
I support the Medicare for All Act. (H.R.1384)
Discuss your stance on reproductive rights, including access to contraceptives and abortion services.
Having reproductive freedom is essential to overall health of cisgender women and trans people. Regardless of education or income, individuals should have access to to quality reproductive healthcare services including safe and legal abortions, birth control, family planning services, and affordable pre- and post- natal care. I also support individuals under 18 to make their own choices regarding their reproductive health, and believe tampons should be free and abortions should be the Medicare for All plan.
I support fully repealing the Hyde Amendment and protecting Roe v. Wade.
Will you refuse money from individuals or Political Action Committees representing the real estate?
I have, and I will continue to refuse corporate and PAC money!
Will you refuse and refund any contributions from executives at corporations complicit in the Trump agenda?
By all means, yes!
What additional information would you like Jim Owles to consider when we are making our endorsements decisions?
I will be an ally to create a safe space in religious institutions to be inclusive with our LGTBQ community.