Reaction is starting to come in from local elected officials regarding last night’s stunning result in the presidential election. Here’s a statement we just received from City Council member Margaret Chin:
Many of us are hurting today. But in the midst of bitter disappointment and diminished hopes, I will always be proud of Secretary Clinton and what she was able to accomplish in this historic election. She may not have broken the final glass ceiling, but she took down barriers that future generations of young women will be able to walk through with greater ease and success. Today we are faced with the reality of a Trump Presidency. I know that many of my constituents, in the Lower East Side, in Chinatown, and across my district in Lower Manhattan, are afraid about what comes next. I share that fear, but I am determined to press on with our City’s progressive goals and to defend the gains made on behalf of all New Yorkers – like a living wage, affordable healthcare, and LGBT rights. First and foremost, we as a City must prepare to protect our people from any ‘deportation force’ that has long been promised by the Trump campaign. I do not want to demonize any particular political party or group. Instead, I believe this election has shown that we need to have more conversations with Americans about the role immigrants, people of color and members of the LGBT community play in our democracy. We need to start those conversations now – because I still have faith in the American people. I have faith that, in the end, love will trump hate.
State Sen. Daniel Squadron, who won re-election last night, also sent out an email this morning:
After a very difficult night for many of us, I wanted to thank the 320,000 people of the 26th Senate District for giving me the opportunity to serve another term. Working for you continues to be humbling, and a great honor. Yesterday was an urgent reminder that civic engagement does not, and cannot, stop at the ballot box.
Squadron is encouraging people in the community to attend his upcoming town hall meetings. He said the meetings will be an opportunity to “discuss what yesterday’s election means for all.” The first town hall takes place in Brooklyn tomorrow night. There will be a second session next Tuesday, Nov. 15, at the DCTV-Firehouse Building, 87 Lafayette St. More info here.
