Michael Blake with Ayana Harry on the Democratic Mayoral Discussion board on the Black Agenda at Medgar Evers Faculty on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.
Photograph by Kevin Williams
Eight Democratic candidates for the Mayoral race made their case for a Black Agenda for New York on the Medgar Evers Faculty on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 in entrance of a packed corridor.
Dr. Patricia Ramsey, President of Medgar Evers Faculty talking on the opening mentioned, “The views expressed by these candidates on this discussion board are their very own and never essentially mirror the view or opinions of Medgar Evers Faculty.”
Henry Butler, led the discussion board and launched the candidates.
Ms. L Pleasure Williams – NAACP New York State Department president mentioned, “I’m not right here to endorse anyone, I’m personally searching for candidates to rank myself.” She reminded the viewers that how the significance of rating candidates. “It’s not simply selecting one, it’s ensuring that we’re rating the candidates that we might hear from.” “I additionally need to remind you concerning the energy of our vote after we vote collectively with function and technique,” she added.
Emmy Award-winning journalist Ayana Harry of Spectrum Information NY1 who hosted the occasion targeted her questions on Black Maternal Well being, public safety, reasonably priced/low revenue housing, reasonably priced baby care, gentrification and the institution of an ICE workplace on Rikers Island.
Mayoral candidates who participated within the occasion had been Scott Stringer, Michael Blake, Former Governor Andrew Cuomo, State Senator Jessica Ramos, State Senator Zellnor Myrie, Meeting Member Zohran Mamdani, Former NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer and Metropolis Council Speaker Adrienne Adams
Scott Stringer talking on the housing disaster mentioned, “I imagine we have to have a mayor who’s going to characterize the underside up and construct the housing that we’d like.” There isn’t any purpose who “We want to consider what do do with a thousand vacant tons. These thousand tons mustn’t go to rich speculators however to non-for-profits, to the individuals. Give again metropolis lands and construct Mitchell-Lama 2.0.”
Talking on public safety Stringer mentioned he wish to add 3,000 to the NYPD.
Meeting Member Mamdani mentioned many politicians would say NY city is the best on the earth however what good is it for those who can not afford the hire, your baby care, your groceries and your Metro card. “I’m operating for mayor so as to lastly afford these factor,” mentioned Mamdani.
Blake mentioned he’s operating in order that insurance policies could be made so that folks could make and preserve more cash of their pockets. He mentioned that he doesn’t imagine that credit score scores must be used for hire, and residential possession utility.
Concerning a query from the moderator about his expertise as vice chair of the DNC and classes realized as to how he would apply the teachings as mayor whereas coping with President Trump, Blake mentioned, “You must verify the bully. You’ll be able to’t be silent if you end up coping with a facist, sexist, demogogue.”
Speaker Adams responding to a query about President Trumps involvement in New York together with congestion pricing and Penn Station mentioned that the town has begun “Trump proofing” New York Metropolis. “We all know that New York Metropolis Council has been essentially the most fiscal accountable physique,” she mentioned. “We at the moment are trying on the 2 billion as reserves we’ve put apart to start ‘Trump proofing’ the town,” she added.
State Senator Myrie respsonding to the query as to what steps he would take to guard the well being care security web mentioned, “We’re in an existential disaster with the individual that we’ve within the White Home now. The proposal to chop Medicaid, and to chop it by the t billions would have a profound affect on well being care in metropolis. Six out of 10 New Yorkers depend on Medicaid. Our security web hospitals rely virtually completely on Medicaid.” “The primary order of enterprise is to go after Donald Trump,” mentioned Myrie.
Former Governor Cuomo talking on gentrification mentioned, “Folks shouldn’t be pressured to depart their neighborhood as a result of they can’t afford to pay the hire.” He famous that greater than 400,000 individuals left the town. “We misplaced center class, we misplaced working households who simply couln not afford to reside right here anymore.
