Friends,

The CoronaVirus epidemic continues to rampage our

communities here in New York 5, which is predominantly

Black, Brown and working class.

Of the five area codes shown on this graph, two are

predominately Black neighborhoods within our district. The

11411 and 11429 area codes encompass the Laurelton

and Cambria Heights neighborhoods.

In these communities, and so many like it throughout the

country, there remains serious disparities in testing and

availability. This is making it not only harder for everyday

people who may contract the virus, but also for healthcare

workers on the front lines.

As a result of this pandemic and the fragile nature of our

capitalist economy, over 16 million Americans have

lost their jobs. There is an extremely high volume of

unemployment benefit applications from working class

people who don't have $400 for an emergency, let alone

enough savings to provide for their families right now.

Thousands of people have endured call wait times

exceeding an hour, just to get their unemployment check

so they have enough money to live another day.

Early on in this campaign, I was laid off from my job. It took

months to process my unemployment benefits, and during

that time I personally struggled a great deal. I know the

despair of thinking to yourself, “That check is not coming.”

None of this should happen to any person. Our government

has failed. They failed to prepare or respond to this virus,

and they continue failing to address the serious ecomomic

threat COVID-19 has created for working class people and

people of color.

It is not millionaires or billionaires who are struggling right

now. As 16 million people lost their job, the stock market

surged. While millions struggle to find a way to survive, the

rich continue to get richer. This is the broken system we

must fix.

We need a government that will fight to upend this system.

A government that will fight for black and brown people. A

government that will protect our communities from the type

of geographical and economic oppression that leaves

people in my community at a higher risk.

It is time we elect a Congress that truly understands the

struggle of poverty and how that struggle impacts every

aspect of life.

I know that struggle. I know how poverty influences every

decision we make. I grew up with the reality that my zip

code was the greatest determinant of my future. That is

why I am running for Congress. So, the next generation

does not have to fear that their future will be cut short

by the zip code they were born in.

Please remain safe and thank you,

Shaniyat Chowdhury

Our campaign is continuing our Community Care

Outreach program for as long as this pandemic exists. I

hope that you will consider donating goods, or direct

campaign contributions that will go towards the purchase of

groceries for our families in NY5.

If you are interested in helping our campaign do so, please consider shipping supplies to one of the below addresses, or contributing to the campaign directly. All of the contributions we receive in April are going towards buying supplies for the people of NY-5 and making sure we can pay our working class staff.