Friend,

Over the past few weeks, I keep finding myself thinking about New York City in the 1970s. 

Early in my career, I worked at Citizens Committee for New York City, which was founded in 1975 by civic and government leaders to empower ordinary New Yorkers to help the city get through the fiscal crisis. Back then, there was a shared and unyielding belief that the people who made up our neighborhoods were the best experts to know what our communities needed to get through the tough times and shape our city for the brighter days ahead.

Today, our city, our state, and yes, even our country, are in another moment of crisis. 

This was true when the world as we knew it was on PAUSE because of COVID and it's even more true in light of a new awakening of racial consciousness that began when George Floyd was callously killed by a police officer.

We know that things can't simply go back to the way they were because everything's changed now. The virus has shattered the foundations that our city rests on and the racial injustices that existed for centuries can no longer be papered over with empty promises of unity and harmony. 

And yet, this moment isn't being met with that same vision of community empowerment and leadership that motivated us through the last crisis and can lead us again towards a new and better New York. Instead, we have "reimagining councils" made up of billionaires and tech titans and a city government that feels wholly disconnected from the people it's supposed to serve. 

We know there's a better way, and that better way begins with us.

So consider this an invitation: I want to hear from you about what we can do together to shape a newer, better New York. Let's form our own "reimagining council" and be bold in envisioning how our government should best serve its people. Join me in this endeavor by signing up here or by replying to this email. Look out for future events and ways to be a part of this discussion!

I’m energized and excited by what we can accomplish together. 

In solidarity, 

Andrew

P.S. - Free tomorrow night? Join us for an hour as we continue to make wellness checks on our neighbors and make sure that they have what they need during our ongoing health emergency. Email [email protected] to sign up or for more info. 

PAID FOR BY ANDREW FOR NEW YORK

Andrew for New York
725 70th Street
Apt C1
Brooklyn, NY 11228
United States

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