By Brianna Mikes
Members of Make The Road NY (MRNY) on Long Island came together earlier in solidarity with other people of color to tell stories about struggles as minorities.
Among the demands they agreed to make: Giving access to driver’s licenses to all qualified drivers regardless of their immigration status; extending tenant protections to all renters; ending the so-called school-to-prison pipeline; ensuring police accountability; achieving a fair public financing system for elections with a 6 to 1 match; and decriminalizing sex work.
“Good afternoon, my name is Sylvia,” said Sylvia Garcia, a member of MRNY. “I have lived on Long Island for 17 years. With a license, I could go to work, take my children to the doctor when an emergency arises, and I can drive without fear.”
“One night a couple of years ago, I had an allergic reaction that almost took my breath away,” Garcia said. “I had to go to the emergency room, and the only way to get there quickly was by car. My husband, who doesn’t have a license, borrowed a car and drove, and . . . If my husband had not driven that night, I don’t know what would’ve happened to me.”
Garcia further said: “Other occasions have been when my daughter has gotten sick at school, and I needed to pick her up . . . I had to lose a whole day of work since waiting for the bus takes a long time, but it’s my only option. My problems are not unique or special – they are many immigrant families here on Long Island going through the same thing. That’s why I’m here today to ask our senators to support this organization and restore access to driver’s licenses for all. ¡Sí se puede! [Yes, we can!]”
“I live in Hempstead, Long Island,” said Mirna Portillo, a member of MRNY. “I’m from El Salvador, and I’ve had TPS (temporary protected status) since 2001.”
She continued, “A few years ago, I was diagnosed with having stress, anxiety, depression, which has created many other health problems. I need regular MediCare. I am now really lucky to have low-cost health insurance, and I can access all my treatments and medicine that I need. President Trump is trying the end TPS from many countries, including El Salvador. They are saying that my TPS will end in January of 2020. If my TPS ends, I will be left without insurance. I am extremely scared. This will affect my whole life because I cannot afford my prescriptions. I won’t feel well enough to leave my house and may not be able to work. For this reason, I ask New York state assembly members and senators to support by passing this legislation. ¡Sí se puede!”
“I stand here today as a renter who believes that everyone should have access to dignified and affordable housing across our state,” stated Maria Hernandez, another member of MRNY.
“For decades, New Yorkers have benefitted from various forms of rent control,” she added. “Necessary tenant protections that prevented unjust evictions and insane rent hikes [have occurred]. Today, however, those benefits have disappeared. Because of real estate’s tight grip on Albany, thousands of tenants each year lose their protection and their homes. This is not right. In 2019, we need a state legislature that will fight to not just renew the rent laws, but to strengthen them. ¡Sí se puede!”
Twyla Joseph, who identified herself as a youth leader, said: “Young people of color on Long Island need our elected officials to pass legislation that ensures us justice and equity in our schools and communities . . . In Long Island, black students are disproportionately pushed out of schools.”
She added, “In Suffolk [County], black girls are 11 times more likely to be suspended, often from minor infractions . . . We have to change the way we think about safety. Safety is not metal detectors, police, or suspending students. Safety is giving students the social and mental support we need. It is important that the state of New York takes the lead on defending all students, especially black students and students of color.”
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