Hi John,

I’m Christian Cooper. Last month, I catapulted into the national spotlight after a racist encounter with a white woman in Central Park went viral. 

I want to share my recent experience with you and hopefully explain how it’s brought me to your inbox today, as a proud supporter of Ritchie Torres for Congress.

I’m proud to be supporting Ritchie in this race. He’s a progressive fighter who stands up for our communities against injustice. Can you join me in chipping $25 to help Ritchie defeat his homophobic opponent on June 23rd?

I’m a proud New Yorker, a gay man, and as many people now know, an avid birdwatcher. On that fateful day, I was doing some birdwatching in a designated part of Central Park when I noticed that Amy Cooper (no relation!), didn’t have a required leash on her dog. That’s really dangerous for both bird watchers and the birds, so I decided to speak up. 

After I asked Ms. Cooper to secure her dog, things went left. She threatened to call the police on me, and said that she would tell them that an African-American male was threatening her. Once on the phone, in a feigned frightened voice, that’s exactly what she did. The rest, as they say, is history.

Around the country right now, young people are protesting against glaring injustice. In the wake of George Floyd’s tragic murder, communities are standing up to say that enough is enough. It’s inspiring to see the passion around the country — and it’s a reminder about the importance of speaking up for the voiceless and standing against intolerance.

Proponents of intolerance — like Donald Trump and Ruben Diaz, Sr. — are banking on grassroots folks like you and I to let this historic moment pass us by. But leaders like Ritchie are meeting this moment with action, which is why I’m proud to support his campaign for Congress.

We need your help to reject Mr. Diaz’s hateful rhetoric and win our June 23rd primary election. Can we count on you to chip in $25? [link removed]

I’ve been following this race closely because, as a gay man, I know Ruben Diaz, Sr. well. In 2011, I was one of just two counter-protestors at an anti-same-sex marriage march he organized in 2011. Diaz has been on the LGBTQ+ community’s radar for a long time, because of his shocking willingness to stifle our basic equal rights. 

Ritchie on the other hand represents the inclusiveness and vibrance of New York, and you see it in his personal story. He’s lead on issue after issue, and he’s shown a strong determination in the pursuit of justice over the years.

If recent events reveal anything, it’s that we all have a voice. I’m proud to use mine to speak out against what's wrong and to support people like Ritchie. We need more of that in Washington, John.

Can you join me in chipping in $25 to help Ritchie win on June 23rd? [link removed]

COUNT ME IN! [link removed]

Thanks so much.

Christian Cooper

CONTRIBUTE ⇨ [link removed]

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Ritchie Torres is a born and bred fighter from the Bronx, NY. He's running to give Bronx families a seat at the table -- and to secure a better future for our country. 

Ritchie Torres for Congress
77-02 19th Rd
East Elmhurst NY 11370 United States


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| Paid for by Ritchie Torres for Congress |
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