A Democratic Party leader is accusing wealthier, whiter neighborhoods in her borough of not doing their fair share when it comes to sheltering illegal immigrants.
(Video Credit: NYS Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn)
State Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn unabashedly threw down the race card, laying the blame on white residents for not helping enough when it comes to housing illegal immigrants while praising Mayor Eric Adams for his handling of the migrant crisis. Many, many do not see it that way in New York City. She represents Ditmas Park, Flatbush, East Flatbush, and Midwood.
“With dwindling resources being rapidly depleted, this situation is unsustainable without our entire borough banding together and helping together; as we have to overcome the pandemic and other crises,” read a statement released by Bichotte Hermelyn and the Brooklyn Democratic Party.
“Let’s spread the love the Brooklyn way,” she said in the news release obtained by the New York Post.
“We acknowledge the vital feedback from Brooklynites recommending having migrant shelters in communities from Fort Hamilton Army Base, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn Heights, Marine Park, and Manhattan Beach,” it continued. “We are executing on recommending these neighborhoods in Brooklyn, as well as similarly expanding to underutilized areas across NYC, the entire State of New York, and other municipalities across the US.”
She must be talking about the rich white liberal neighborhoods
— Old School Eddie (@Old_SchoolEddie) September 27, 2023
Mayor Adams rolls out plan to ship out NYC homeless to make room for migrants https://t.co/GQnbKLLord via @BIZPACReview
— BPR based (@DumpstrFireNews) September 27, 2023
The statement also seems to be a challenge to other New York City elected leaders who represent neighborhoods that Democrats claim have not shouldered the burden of addressing the city’s migrant crisis.
Republican City Council member Ari Kagan, who is running against Democrat Justin Brannan to represent Bay Ridge, is one of those being targeted by Bichotte Hermelyn because he opposes placing migrant shelters in southern Brooklyn neighborhoods. He claims that Bichotte Hermelyn is engaging in divisive racial politics.
“It’s terrible race-baiting politics. There’s a backlash against shelters all over the city,” Kagan asserted. “My position has been clear from the beginning. I oppose opening shelters and tents in our parks, recreational centers, and school gyms.”
He went on to contend that the “root causes” of the illegal immigrant crises strangling the Big Apple should have been addressed long ago by the mayor, President Biden, and other political leaders.
“I call on the federal government to secure the border. We have to get back to a legalized and orderly immigration system,” the councilman said while also noting that the city should terminate its sanctuary and Right to Shelter policies.
Securing our Southern border, suspending sanctuary city status, changing Right to Shelter rules, prioritizing New Yorkers, demanding criminal background & health checks, standing up to the Biden’s White House. That’s the only way to go. NOW! https://t.co/K9BQwIDc5s
— Council Member Ari Kagan (@CMAriKagan47) September 7, 2023
“The City of New York is already doing more than its share. Singling out communities and pitting neighborhoods against each other is not helpful and not a solution to an international humanitarian crisis,” Councilman Brannan stated on Tuesday night taking a swipe at Bichotte Hermelyn.
City Councilman Lincoln Restler, who is a progressive Democrat, blasted the Democratic Party leader’s statement, informing her that there are already migrant shelters in parts of his district, Brooklyn Heights.
“Instead of trying to divide our communities, the county boss should be focused on uniting Brooklynites as we work together to receive and support the influx of migrants,” the councilman remarked. “I’m proud that our community has been welcoming new migrant shelters in the northside of Williamsburg and Boerum Hill and new homeless shelters in Downtown Brooklyn and Greenpoint.”
The mayor’s office told the New York Post that Manhattan and Queens were sheltering far more migrants than Brooklyn.
Plenty of room in Park Slope, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn Heights, Fort Greene, Prospect Heights, Williamsburg & Greenpoint. Northern Brooklyn has more than enough space to house another 61k migrants. https://t.co/jgulc5MQJu
— Winfield (@middleburgher) September 26, 2023
“Of the current asylum seekers in shelters, 43% are in Manhattan, 30% in Queens, 14% in Brooklyn, 7% in The Bronx, 2% in Staten Island, and 4% outside the city,” the New York Post reported.
“A City Hall insider said elected officials — including the mayor and council members — are hearing complaints from their base of black and Hispanic and working-class white voters over shelter distribution,” the media outlet added.
State Sen. Roxanne Persaud and state Assemblyman Jaime Michael Williams are fighting against a plan to house migrants at an encampment in Floyd Bennett Field.
“Bichotte Hermelyn’s statement noted that lower-income neighborhoods were already home to a disproportionate number of homeless shelters before the migrant crisis and said the wave of asylum seekers has only exacerbated the burden,” the New York Post wrote.
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. Eric Adams claimed NYC to be a self-proclaimed Sanctuary City but let’s blame the legal New Yorkers for not helping illegals. That is hysterical.
— Tired of being politically correct (@USBornNRaised) September 27, 2023
The statement claims data shows that the higher the poverty rate in a neighborhood, the greater the number of homeless shelters it contains.
“Brooklyn is a welcoming beacon of diversity and hope. It is home to millions of immigrants, comprising over 35% of our population,” the Bichotte Hermelyn-Kings County Democratic Party statement proclaimed.
“We are calling on all communities to proffer their aid while we work with the federal government to uplift all who seek shelter in Brooklyn as we resolve this crisis,” it stated.
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