Rockland United Endorses Alessandra Biaggi in Democratic Primary for U.S. House of Representatives District 17

Rockland United, a grassroots advocacy organization in Rockland County, New York, announced today that the group is endorsing NY State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi in the Democratic primary race for the U.S. House of Representatives in NY-17.

The organization’s steering committee released the following statement in support of Sen. Biaggi today:

When the new redistricting lines unexpectedly left an open Congressional seat in Rockland and the rest of CD-17, our Rockland United community determinedly maintained an open mind about how or to support this race. In the few weeks since those lines were announced, we have been impressed by the way that New York State Senator Biaggi has risen to the challenge of showing up and demonstrating her integrity and continued commitment to the Hudson Valley. We have been thrilled to learn more about Senator Biaggi's proven track record as a progressive advocate for many of the issues about which we in Rockland United care so deeply.   

Not many elected officials are daring enough to be bold and to bet on decisions or races that are not a "sure thing." But Senator Biaggi was instrumental in defeating the IDC that was blocking critical legislation for all of New York State. She was gutsy enough to take on 14-year incumbent Jeffrey Klein and win. Once in the Senate, she worked on some of the most progessive legislation in decades, helping to make criminal justice reform, women’s reproductive health, and Invest in Our NY legislation a reality.

But more importantly, we think Senator Biaggi speaks to the moment. In light of the decisions coming down from the retrograde Supreme Court, we need more representatives willing to disrupt the status-quo, reject the big corporate money that pollutes the way business is done in Washington and call out the hypocrisy of a Republican party long gone off the rails.

We have seen firsthand how Senator Biaggi can energize a crowd and believe that she can bring out volunteers and voters that will be critical to winning an election year of headwinds. Senator Biaggi can persuade reluctant or infrequent voters that they can make a difference and their voice is heard.

It is for these reasons that Rockland United has decided to endorse Senator Biaggi for Congress in the August 23rd primary election. We are committed to mobilizing our community to help elect her to represent us in CD-17, and we are excited to continue the important work together of realizing progressive policies that change lives.

“I am honored to be endorsed and actively supported by Rockland United, residents of District 17 who have been active progressive leaders for years on issues of abortion rights, gun safety, healthcare and much more. Rockland United understands that with so much at risk, we can no longer afford the status quo. This grassroots support is how I will win no matter how much is spent against me,” said State Senator Alessandra Biaggi. 

Rockland United is made up of members of New York's 17th Congressional District united to combat any civil or government actions that threaten our civil rights and protections as outlined in the Constitution of the United States. We are and stand with people of color, LGBTQIA, women, men, immigrants and survivors. We are anti-racist, pro-patriotic, pro-immigrant, inclusive and peaceful. We support efforts aimed at moving our county and country forward and ensuring civil rights are protected for our most vulnerable communities. We do this through daily civic actions and outreach, fundraising to support local organizations and candidates who share our values, and organizing events to raise awareness and build community alliances.

Contact: Paul Diamond

914-420-6562

Rockland United and Rockland Working Families Party Call on U.S. Rep. Mondaire Jones to Run for Reelection in NY-17 Despite a Possible Primary Challenge

Rockland County, NY— Rockland United and Rockland Working Families Party released a statement earlier today calling on Rep. Mondaire Jones to seek reelection in his home district, Congressional District 17, and urged Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney to reconsider running in NY-17. 

In his first term in Congress, Mondaire Jones has faithfully served the people of Rockland County as the progressive champion they elected in 2020. We strongly encourage him to run for reelection in the newly redrawn 17th Congressional District so that he can continue to advance progressive causes in Congress for our Rockland communities. 

As the first congressional candidate in the country to call for Supreme Court expansion, Jones continues to lead the way nationally in protecting our democracy. And as a strong advocate for his district, Jones, in his first year alone has secured more than $10 million in much needed aid for healthcare, LGBTQ+ programs, and water supply protection. We are proud to be represented by such a consequential progressive advocate in Congress. 

With the new CD-17 including approximately 75% of the former district, including Jones’ hometown of Spring Valley, it is only sensible for Rep. Jones to represent his home turf. Now, with a challenge from a centrist Democrat — the sort the candidates Rockland overwhelmingly rejected in 2020 — we implore Rep. Jones to fight for us and run in District 17. 

“It’s alarming that Rep. Maloney, especially as DCCC chair, would forfeit his own district, a crucial swing seat, with fewer than six months before the general election, throwing a critical race into disarray,” said Rockland United Steering Committee Member Paul Diamond. “The growing possibility of a far-right takeover of the House of Representatives should have persuaded Rep. Maloney to protect the Democratic majority at all costs. Instead, he decided to place personal political advantage over protecting our majority.” 

“Progressive Rocklanders worked tirelessly to elect Congressman Jones, and are proud to have brought his leadership to Congress,” said Meredith Wisner, Chair of Rockland Working Families Party. “I think Congressman Maloney will find there is little enthusiasm for his candidacy after so blatantly disregarding the will of our district.” 

We look forward to fighting to keep Mondaire Jones in Congress for NY-17 this November. 

###

Rockland United is a grassroots activist group aimed at moving our county and country forward and ensuring civil rights are protected for our most vulnerable communities. We do this through daily civic actions and outreach, fundraising to support local organizations and candidates who share our values, and organizing events to raise awareness and build community alliances.

Rockland Working Families Party is the Rockland club of the New York Working Families Party. We work in collaboration with local community groups to support working people and progressive candidates in Rockland County.

Contact: Matt Kelley, hello@wearerocklandunited.com

2020 General Election: How We're Voting

In this consequential election, every vote matters--even in blue New York and even in races that seem like they will be easy wins. Please reach out to friends and family, both locally and in other states, to encourage them to vote. There’s so much at stake...vote like your life depends on it. 

We haven’t endorsed in every race, and not every candidate on here is the “candidate of our dreams,” but here’s the list of how (and why) our Steering Committee members are voting in 2020. For details on early voting and voting locations — visit our voting info page.

Federal races:

For President + VP: Joe Biden/ Kamala Harris

Because we want a democracy, not a dictatorship! 

Rockland United was founded in the wake of Trump’s election. The last four years have been even worse than we imagined. Over 200,000 dead Americans. Kids in cages. Right-wing extremists attacking peaceful protestors. Journalists slandered as enemies of the people. Hypocrisy. Lies. Corruption. Nepotism. And a rapid slide towards authoritarianism. Was Biden our first choice in the Primary? No. Is he our first choice now? Hell, yes! We need Biden to win in a landslide if we want to continue to live in a democratic country with free and fair elections. This is NOT the year to stay home or to vote for a third-party candidate.Take nothing for granted EVERY VOTE MATTERS, even in blue New York! We are 100% all in and all hands on deck for Biden/ Harris.  

** SPECIAL NOTE: PLEASE VOTE FOR BIDEN/HARRIS ON THE WORKING FAMILIES LINE (ROW D).  WFP NEEDS 50,000 VOTES TO STAY ON THE BALLOT IN NY.!!  ****

For Congress, NY17: Mondaire Jones

Mondaire is a truly amazing candidate. He is an unapologetic progressive who supports all of the policies we’ve been fighting for: Green New Deal, Medicare For All, Student Debt Relief, Fight For 15, you name it!  Mondaire attended public school in East Ramapo, and is ready to fight for working families in this district. Mondaire also understands that our democracy is at stake. He filed a lawsuit — and won — against Donald Trump and Postmaster DeJoy for interfering with USPS. He believes in expansion of the Supreme Court and a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United. As a queer black man from Spring Valley who grew up in Section VIII housing, he understands the struggles that so many Americans are facing. For him, “policy is personal.” Mondaire was our first ever endorsed candidate, and we can’t wait to see him become our new Congressman. 

NY State

One thing we’ve learned over the last few years is that down ballot races matter, too! Here in NY, we had some huge wins in 2018 — including our biggest win of all, taking down the IDC — and these wins ushered in all kinds of great legislation that helped protect New Yorkers from some of Trump’s worst abuses. Thanks to our Democratic state legislators, we passed common sense gun laws, criminal justice reforms, environmental protections, reproductive health safeguards, and laws protecting women, BIPOC, LGBTQIA and immigrant communities. This year is especially important for state elections because it’s a redistricting year, and this is a once in a decade chance to prevent Republican gerrymandering in NY. 

For State Senate, SD38: Elijah Reichlin-Melnick

Elijah, a Nyack native, is committed to a government that works for everyone, not just the wealthy and the well-connected. A former teacher, he supports our public schools and will fight for full funding. He’s also committed to ending the gun violence epidemic, taking bold action to combat the climate crisis, and making health care more affordable for all. Elijah is an experienced leader who has worked in local, state and federal government, and he’s ready to hit the ground running. We were proud to endorse Elijah in the Democratic Primary, and we’re looking forward to voting for him in the General Election.  So don’t forget to look for his name on the ballot!

For State Senate, SD39: James Skoufis

We’re big fans of James Skoufis! We worked hard to help him flip his Northern Rockland/ Orange County District red to blue in 2018, and, boy, are we glad we did! James revitalized the Senate Investigations Committee and has been an anti-corruption powerhouse. He’s taken on lax building code endorsement, illegal housing discrimination, so-called economic development agencies that are ripping off taxpayers, and is now leading an investigation into NY’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic in nursing homes. James believes that everyday New Yorkers shouldn’t pick up the tab for corporations seeking tax breaks, and he’s committed to making sure the wealthiest among us pay their fair share.

For NY Assembly, District 97: Ellen Jaffee

Ellen Jaffee is a genuinely kind and honest person, a devoted public servant, and an amazing advocate for working families in our district. She’s been on the forefront of the fight for justice for public school students, especially those in East Ramapo, and has never shied away from standing up to special interest groups that are trying to deny kids in Ramapo an education. Ellen is a proud supporter of  the NY Health Act, a leader in the battle for affordable childcare, and a staunch advocate of clean air and water who has opposed unsustainable development throughout the County. Ellen is in a VERY TIGHT RACE against a Trump Republican who gets $7,500 a month from the fossil fuel industry to lobby for more fracked gas and pipelines in NY. This is a CRITICAL SEAT and we need to protect it! Your vote REALLY MATTERS IN THIS RACE!

For NY Assembly, District 96: Ken Zebrowski

Ken Zebrowski has been a consistent champion of criminal justice reform and has supported a monitor with veto power in East Ramapo. He is running unopposed in this election, and he has our support. 

Clarkstown

Clarkstown voters have one additional item on their ballot this year, so don’t forget to turn over your ballot if you live in Clarkstown! Here’s the referendum question you will see: 

 “Do you agree that the Town of Clarkstown shall lift the restrictive covenant that limits the Palisades Center Mall to 1.854 million square feet of gross leasable space?” 

We strongly urge you to VOTE NO ON THIS REFERENDUM!  The last thing Clarkstown needs is another shady deal with developers that undermines years of work by environmentalists! The mall developers (who have recently donated to the campaigns of Clarkstown Supervisor Hoehmann and County Executive Ed Day) have cost Clarkstown taxpayers MILLIONS of dollars already. The last thing we need right now — in the midst of a pandemic and an economic downturn with stores closing throughout the county — is a mall expansion. Something is fishy here! No one needs more mall space. Vote NO!

2020 General Election — Dates & Info

The November 3rd 2020 election will bring unprecedented challenges: from COVID to voter suppression attempts to the slowing of the post office. We have put together this guide as a resource for anyone who wishes to vote safely and securely.

The general election is Nov. 3, 2020. Find your election day polling place here.

Info on how and where to vote is below — details on who the Rockland United steering committee is voting for are here.

EARLY VOTING

If you are able to leave your house, we recommend early voting. Lines are generally very short and polling places have Covid-safe measures in place, like masks, a socially distant line, hand sanitizer and disposable pens.

Rockland has four Early Voting Centers — and all Rockland voters can vote at ANY of these four:

1. Clarkstown Town Hall, 10 Maple Avenue, New City, New York 10956

2. Haverstraw Town Hall, 1 Rosman Road, Garnerville, New York 10923

3. Orangetown Town Hall, 26 West Orangeburg Road, Orangeburg, New York 10962

4. Ramapo Town Hall, 237 Route 59, Suffern, New York 10901

Early voting runs 10/24 through 11/1. Mark your calendar today for the day you will vote!

• Saturday, October 24, 2020 from 9AM until 2PM

• Sunday, October 25, 2020 from 9AM until 2PM

• Monday, October 26, 2020 from 9AM until 5PM

• Tuesday, October 27, 2020 from 12Noon until 8PM

• Wednesday, October 28, 2020 from 9AM until 5PM

• Thursday, October 29, 2020 from 12Noon until 8PM

• Friday, October 30, 2020 from 9AM until 5PM

• Saturday, October 31, 2020 from 9AM until 2PM

• Sunday, November 1, 2020 from 9AM until 2PM

ABSENTEE BALLOTS

The good news: you can now use Temporary Illness/Covid as a reason to request an absentee ballot.

The bad news: slow downs in the US Postal Service could cause delays in receiving and returning your ballot.

Our recommendation: if you are able to go in person to request and to return your ballot, that’s the safest way to do this. Best way — go to the Rockland BOE after the ballots are available (sometime after Sept 18th), request the ballot, receive the ballot, go to your car to fill it out, go back into the office and hand it in. 

Second choice: Request your ballot immediately and return it as soon as you receive it. 

Absentee Deadlines

10/27: Last day to apply online, by email, fax or to postmark an application or letter of application by mail for an absentee ballot. (Please be warned that despite this deadline, the Post Office has advised they cannot guarantee timely delivery of ballots applied for less than 15 days before an election.)

11/2: Last day to apply IN-PERSON for absentee ballot.

11/3: Last day to postmark ballot. Must be received by the local board of elections no later than Nov. 10th. Military Voter Ballots must be received no later than Nov. 16th.

11/3: Last day to deliver ballot IN-PERSON to the local board of elections or to any poll site.

How to Request Your Absentee Ballot

You may apply for an absentee ballot in any of the following ways:

• Online: https://absenteeballot.elections.ny.gov/

• By sending an email request to your local county board of elections voterinfo@co.rockland.ny.us

• By sending a fax request to your local county board of elections 845-638-5196

• By going in-person to your local county board of elections (11 New Hempstead Road, New City)

• By mailing a paper application to your local county board of elections (11 New Hempstead Road, New City, NY 10956)You can download a PDF version of the New York State Absentee Ballot Application Form:

  1. Download English Form ( 485KB)

  2. Download Spanish Form ( 521KB)

• By sending a letter to your county board of elections. The letter must contain the following information:

  1. Name and date of birth of the voter

  2. the address where you are registered

  3. an address where the ballot is to be sent, and

  4. the reason for the request.If you apply by letter, an application form will be mailed with your ballot. The application form must be completed and returned with your ballot.

• If you cannot pick up your ballot, or will not be able to receive it through the mail, you have the right to designate someone to pick it up for you. Only that person designated on your application may pick up and deliver your ballot.

How to Cast Your Absentee Ballot

• Once your receive the ballot, mark the ballot according to your choices for each office following the instructions on the ballot

• Once you have completed marking your ballot fold it up and place it in the Security Envelope. (This envelope will have a place for your signature.)

• Sign and date the outside of the Security Envelope.***THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. THEY WILL NOT COUNT YOUR BALLOT WITHOUT A SIGNATURE AND DATE

• Seal the Security Envelope.

• Place the Security Envelope in the Return Envelope. (This envelope will have the return address of your county Board of Elections on the outside and should have a logo that reads, “Official Election Mail”)

• Seal the Return Envelope.

• You may return the ballot in any of the following ways:

  1. Put it in the mail ensuring it receives a postmark no later than November 3rd.

  2. Bringing it to the County Board of Elections Office no later than November 3rd.

  3. Bringing it to an early voting poll site between October 24th and November 1st

  4. Bringing it to a poll site on November 3rd.

Rockland United Endorses Mondaire Jones for Congress

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 27, 2020
Contact: Paul Diamond, hello@wearerocklandunited.com, 914.420.6562

Rockland, NY — Rockland United has issued the following statement announcing its endorsement of Mondaire Jones, a progressive Democrat running for the Seventeenth Congressional District.

“Rockland United is thrilled to endorse Mondaire Jones in his campaign to represent the Seventeenth Congressional District of New York. As both an attorney and activist, Jones has tirelessly fought for the most vulnerable in our community. The values that Jones has shown throughout his career are the same values that serve as the foundation of Rockland United: equality, justice, compassion, and inclusion.”

“Mondaire Jones has a demonstrated record of community service, in Rockland and elsewhere. He was born and raised in Rockland;  attending Spring Valley High School, where he remains involved in fighting for educational equity for the kids in that district and for Rockland at large.  At Stanford he organized students against racial profiling in Palo Alto, and fair wages for staff at Stanford. Jones then worked at the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Policy for President Obama, assisting in judicial appointments, and following this earned his law degree from Harvard. Most recently he has brought his legal expertise home, working with the Westchester County Law Department, and co-founding Rising Leaders Inc., which teaches leadership skills to underserved middle school students. Jones is a passionate leader. We are impressed with his depth of knowledge on global issues facing our nation, as well as local issues that impact Rockland families.”  

“Mondaire Jones’ progressive platform inspires us and aligns with our own beliefs. Residents of the Seventeenth Congressional District need a representative who will stand up to Donald Trump and his hateful agenda, and also work to protect the rights of working families, support bold legislation to protect our environment, and provide much needed social justice reforms so that the American Dream is available to all. We believe wholeheartedly that Mondaire Jones is that representative.” 

“In this current political climate it is of the utmost importance that we send a candidate to Washington who is committed to Democratic ideals and who has not aligned with Republicans for personal gain.”

“The Seventeenth Congressional District deserves a representative that shows up - not just for Westchester - but also for Rockland.  We need a representative with an unambiguous track record supporting our fellow Democrats and the values that Democrats hold dear. Rockland United is prepared to mobilize this district and do the work to send Mondaire Jones to Congress.” 

To earn Rockland United’s endorsement, Jones cleared a multi-stage process, that included completing a questionnaire, which was designed in accordance with Rockland United’s stated mission and values. Based on each candidate's response, members of Rockland United’s Steering Committee held interviews with selected candidates to better inform their final decision. Jones earned an unanimous vote from Rockland United’s Steering Committee - a requirement for any endorsement to move forward.

Rockland United’s members will be launching weekend canvasses for Jones, and will be organizing postcarding, phone banking, and text banking events on evening and weekends. 

# # # 

About Rockland United: Rockland United is a grassroots activist group aimed at moving our county and country forward and ensuring civil rights are protected for our most vulnerable communities. We do this through daily civic actions and outreach, fundraising to support local organizations and candidates who share our values, and organizing events to raise awareness and build community alliances.

Rockland United's Endorsement Process

February 22, 2020

Rockland United is proud to endorse candidates who represent our values and who we believe will move our county and country forward and ensure that civil rights are protected for our most vulnerable communities.

We created the following process for the selection of the top candidate for endorsement. While this is our current process, it is open to changes for future endorsements.

1. RU votes to endorse in a race: Before the process of endorsement begins, the RU Steering Committee (RUSC) votes on whether or not to endorse in a particular race.

2. Questionnaire: RU sends a questionnaire to every candidate in the race for whom contact information can be found. The questionnaire was created using the Invisible and Working Family Party templates with changes based on the type of race, the legislative and issue priorities of the group and specific needs of the Rockland community. Here’s the questionnaire we used in the Democratic primary for NY-17.

3. Questionnaire Review: All members of the RUSC carefully review questionnaire responses.

4. Interviews: The RUSC votes to interview its top candidates. These are 20-minute interviews that included new questions not addressed in the questionnaire and requests for further info regarding questionnaire responses.

5. Final Vote: RUSC takes a final vote between all interviewed candidates. We only endorse if the vote is unanimous among our steering committee.

Clean Money 2020

October 23, 2019

Press Contact: Tomara Aldrich, Rockland United (347) 225-7119, tomarasue@gmail.com

_________________

LOWER HUDSON VALLEY ACTIVISTS CALL FOR CLEAN MONEY COMMITMENTS FROM CONGRESSIONAL CANDIDATES IN NY17 DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY

A coalition of grassroots groups (activists) in the lower Hudson Valley is calling on all Democratic candidates for the CD 17 seat to reject corporate PAC money through the primaries. The call comes from local progressive groups in Rockland (Rockland United, Rockland Citizens Action Network) and Westchester (Progressive Women of New York, CCoHOPE Indivisible), all of whom have been active in state and local races since 2017. As Democratic candidates begin to declare their candidacies for the seat being vacated by retiring Congresswoman Nita Lowey, Hudson Valley has the opportunity to be a model for the nation by stemming the flow of dark and corporate PAC money that has flooded political races since the 2010 Citizens United U.S. Supreme Court decision. Limiting the influence of big money in this race would prevent wealthy corporations from influencing our elections, as well as legislative decisions, post-election. Such a commitment to how candidates fund their races would amplify the voices of women, people of color, and working and middle class New Yorkers who are so often under-represented in the political process.

“Unless and until we can rid the system of the corrupting influence of corporate money, our political leaders will be beholden to the corporations instead of the people,” argues Rockland United activist Paul Diamond. “The successful national campaigns of Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren show the power of small dollar donations,” he added.

In its first bill of the 2019 legislative session, Congressional Democrats passed HR1, a sweeping bill that would “expand Americans' access to the ballot box, reduce the influence of big money in politics, and strengthen ethics’ rules for public servants, and for other purposes.” In a district where registered Democrats outnumber Republicans by a 2:1 margin, this race provides Democrats a rare opportunity to put these values into practice and become a model for the Country by rejecting all corporate PAC money in the Democratic Primary.

So far, only one of three confirmed candidates has pledged his intention to refuse corporate PAC money, while the other two have made no such pledge and have benefited from the use of PAC funds in prior elections “What I can say is that local grassroots groups will have a hard time putting boots on the ground to work for any candidate who has not made a full throated commitment to rejecting this money,” said local activist Ivanya Alpert. Progressive groups have long been frustrated by the lip service paid to reforming the practice while the politicians continue to raise large sums of money from corporate interest groups. This high profile race is an opportunity to put candidates on notice that grassroots voters are no longer willing to accept the status-quo. “Barack Obama once said that we should be the change we want to see in the world,’” said Tomara Aldrich. “It is time for Democrats to take his advice.”