http://cyvanceforda.com/rss.xml en http://cyvanceforda.com/roadtovictory Start: Oct 21 2009 - 6:00pm End: Oct 21 2009 - 8:00pm   RSVP online by clicking below.   Mon, 05 Oct 2009 12:43:45 -0400 Matt Girgenti 177 at http://cyvanceforda.com http://cyvanceforda.com/119932BJendorsements CONTACT:Erin DugganCy Vance for Manhattan DA(646) 248-4370eduggan@cyvanceforda.com 1199 SEIU AND SEIU LOCAL 32BJ, TWO OF THE LARGEST UNIONS IN NEW YORK, ENDORSE CY VANCE FOR MANHATTAN DISTRICT ATTORNEY Presidents George Gresham and Mike Fishman Praise Vance’s Progressive Vision 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East and SEIU Local 32BJ today announced their joint support for Cy Vance, Democratic candidate for Manhattan District Attorney. 1199 and 32BJ are, respectively, the largest healthcare and property service workers unions in the country. These unions have a major impact on New York City elections and are strong advocates on the local and national stage for healthcare reform, worker protections, immigrants’ rights, and a host of progressive causes. 1199 President George Gresham cited Vance’s Community-Based Justice Model, progressive vision, and commitment to equality as reasons for the endorsement. “Cy Vance is a remarkable leader with the broad experience and commitment to justice that we need in the next Manhattan DA,” said George Gresham, President of 1199. “He will fight to keep our streets safe and our justice system fair. I am particularly impressed with Cy’s experience on both sides of the courtroom, which gives him the insight in both building complex cases while protecting the innocent. His emphasis on crime prevention, including alternatives to incarceration particularly for first-time non-violent offenders and juveniles, will have a broad impact on our community for generations to come. We will mobilize our members and doing everything we can to make sure that Cy Vance wins this race.” 32BJ President Mike Fishman agreed, saying, “Too often, the justice system turns a blind eye to the needs of the people who clean our schools and offices, who drive our buses, who protect our buildings. He will protect immigrants from fraud and make sure they feel safe reporting crimes. He will prosecute unscrupulous employers who abuse workers, steal their wages, or violate workplace safety standards. And he will come to our communities – whether those communities are East Harlem or the Lower East Side, Washington Heights or Washington Square Park – and make sure that prosecutors are working with us to prevent crime and to keep us safe. He is the right person for the job, and that is why we are wholeheartedly endorsing Cy Vance for Manhattan DA.” “This is a significant day for this campaign,” said Vance. “I am so proud to have the backing of both 1199 and 32BJ. They have accomplished an incredible amount on the local, state, and national level in their storied histories. 1199’s leaders are at the forefront of the vital issue of healthcare reform. Martin Luther King Jr. famously described 1199 SEIU as his favorite union, and I’m proud to have its support today. 32BJ reminds us why unions have changed the way labor exists in the U.S., and how powerful the workers voices are when they speak in unison. Many of the workers in 32BJ are immigrants, and they are particularly vulnerable to employer abuse and unsafe working conditions. That is why the DA’s Office must always be there, to make sure that all workers, and all New Yorkers, receive fair treatment and can feel safe in their workplaces. I thank both unions for their support, and I will strive to keep your passion for fairness and your commitment to progressive values in mind in everything I do.” 1199 SEIU represents over 250,000 healthcare workers in New York City, including nurses, hospital workers, nursing home workers, homecare workers, and many others. It also represents over 500 paralegals, support staff and social workers at the Legal Aid Society who work hard to ensure fair representation in the criminal justice system. 32BJ represents more than 110,000 office cleaners, security officers, doormen, porters, bus drivers, school cleaners, and food service workers. Its members work in residential buildings, commercial offices, airports, university and college campuses, public schools, theaters, museums arenas and stadiums. They come from 64 different countries and speak 28 different languages, but are united in a single fight for fairness and decency. The two unions join a strong and diverse coalition of supporters of Cy Vance’s campaign for DA. In the last month Vance has been endorsed by the New York Times, the Daily News, the New York Post, the Amsterdam News, El Diario, the New York Observer, Crain’s, U.S. Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, Borough President Scott Stringer, State Senator Tom Duane, Councilmember Jessica Lappin, Councilmember Inez Dickens, UFT, RWDSU, Tenants PAC, the League of Young Voters PAC and the Innocence Project Co-Founders Barry Scheck and Peter Neufeld. Earlier this summer Vance was endorsed by current District Attorney Robert Morgenthau, former Mayor David Dinkins, Caroline Kennedy, Gloria Steinem, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum, Council Member Alan Gerson, former Comptroller H. Carl McCall, Teamsters Local 237, The Sergeants Benevolent Association, former U.S. Attorneys Robert Fiske and Zachary Carter, the Doe Fund founder George McDonald, and many more. He is also supported by more than 175 former ADA’s – many of whom have worked with all three candidates and know what it takes to be an exemplary District Attorney. **** Thu, 10 Sep 2009 16:21:52 -0400 Matt Girgenti 175 at http://cyvanceforda.com http://cyvanceforda.com/observerendorsement Mr. Vance understands that Mr. Mogenthau has been a national leader in the prosecution of corporate malfeasance in addition to being an effective administrator of a huge office—the Manhattan DA oversees more than 500 attorneys. The task of presiding over such a large operation, and the challenges that come with such a complex case load, will try the patience and competence of anyone who believes the job is simply about getting the bad guys. Mr. Vance best understands the prosaic tasks that accompany the occasional glamour that comes with the job of Manhattan DA. Thu, 10 Sep 2009 12:40:27 -0400 Matt Girgenti 174 at http://cyvanceforda.com http://cyvanceforda.com/events/womenforcyrally Start: Sep 13 2009 - 6:00pm End: Sep 13 2009 - 7:30pm Join GloriaSteinem, Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum, Council Member JessicaLappin and women from all over Manhattanas we support Cy!   RSVP to Sheela Feinberg at sfeinberg@cyvanceforda.com   Thu, 10 Sep 2009 12:22:37 -0400 Matt Girgenti 173 at http://cyvanceforda.com http://cyvanceforda.com/dickensendorsement CONTACT:Erin DugganCy Vance for Manhattan DA(646) 248-4370eduggan@cyvanceforda.com CITY COUNCIL MEMBER INEZ DICKENS ENDORSES CY VANCE FOR MANHATTAN DISTRICT ATTORNEY Dickens Praises Vance’s Commitment to Community, Crime Prevention Council Member Inez Dickens today announced her support for Cy Vance, Democratic candidate for Manhattan District Attorney. Dickens, who represents Central Harlem, Morningside Heights, and parts of the Upper West Side and East Harlem, praised Vance’s commitment to Community-Based Justice and his focus on crime prevention and alternatives to incarceration. “Cy Vance understands the importance of community. I have seen him time and again throughout my district over the last several months, and I know that he will continue to listen, and to help the community once he is elected,” said Dickens. “His model of Community-Based Justice will help prosecutors build trust and work more closely with communities. His tireless work on sentencing reform and his commitment to alternatives to incarceration mean that many more nonviolent offenders will get treatment and education, rather than prison. Above all, Cy Vance is committed to preventing crimes before they occur – he will make our streets safer and our jails emptier.” Cy Vance said: “I’m thrilled to be endorsed by Council Member Dickens. She is a principled leader and an impressive advocate on vital issues such as health care and small business. I look forward to working with her to help prosecutors establish closer ties with communities, to utilize innovative and successful alternatives to incarceration and reentry programs, and to keep the community safe. Above all, I promise to always remember a central truth: a crime prevented is far better than a crime prosecuted.” Along with his plans for Community-Based Justice, Cy Vance has vowed to open an office in Washington Heights, advocate for a Family Justice Center in Northern Manhattan and protect small businesses by cracking down on white collar crime. Vance has spent decades advocating for alternatives to incarceration, as a prosecutor, a leading defense attorney and on sentencing commissions in New York and in Washington State. A top priority as DA will be to keep first-time non-violent offenders, particularly juveniles, out of the criminal justice system, through prevention and smart prosecution. Council Member Dickens joins a strong and diverse coalition of supporters of Cy Vance’s campaign for DA. In the last month Vance has been endorsed by the Amsterdam News, the New York Times, the Daily News, the New York Post, El Diario, U.S. Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, Borough President Scott Stringer, State Senator Tom Duane, Councilmember Jessica Lappin, UFT, RWDSU, Tenants PAC, the League of Young Voters PAC and the Innocence Project Co-Founders Barry Scheck and Peter Neufeld. Earlier this summer Vance was endorsed by current District Attorney Robert Morgenthau, former Mayor David Dinkins, Caroline Kennedy, Gloria Steinem, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum, Council Member Alan Gerson, former Comptroller H. Carl McCall, Teamsters Local 237, The Sergeants Benevolent Association, former U.S. Attorneys Robert Fiske and Zachary Carter, the Doe Fund founder George McDonald, and many more. He is also supported by more than 175 former ADA’s – many of whom have worked with all three candidates and know what it takes to be an exemplary District Attorney. Vance’s Plan to Reduce Recidivism includes: Aggressively Pursuing Alternatives to Incarceration. Diverting first-time non-violent offenders into treatment programs when appropriate can keep a significant number of New Yorkers from beginning the cycle of incarceration. Vance is the only candidate who served on the New York State Commission on Sentencing Reform, which helped overturn the archaic Rockefeller Drug Laws. Creating a Reentry Director. Vance will create a cabinet-level position responsible for overseeing successful reintegration of former offenders into the community. This position will oversee the development, implementation, oversight and expansion of our reentry program, and work with foundations, organizations, corrections agencies and other governmental agencies. Immediately Engaging Upon Release. Since 30 percent of those released are rearrested within one year, there is a narrow window of opportunity to reach former inmates. Providing services concurrent with release is vital and will be made a top priority of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office. Focusing on Comprehensive “Wraparound” Services. The DA’s office will be committed to helping coordinate and promote services. This will involve close collaboration between corrections, parole and service providers, and will be focused on employment-related needs, safe and drug-free transitional housing, and substance abuse treatment for offenders who have a history of chemical abuse. Additional services will include: Drug Treatment – sobriety maintenance and relapse prevention services. Educational Assistance – ranging from pre-GED, to college preparation, to substantial computer skills classes that will provide intensive training and workforce preparation. Financial Literacy – helping participants manage their earned income and plan for the future. Life Skills – classes that teach anger management and conflict resolution. Career Services – career development specialists will provide career planning and interview preparation, help locate stable jobs with opportunities for advancement, and monitor progress in the workforce. Promoting Immediate Transitional Employment. Research shows that lack of employment is the chief factor of recidivism. **** Wed, 09 Sep 2009 11:15:40 -0400 Matt Girgenti 171 at http://cyvanceforda.com http://cyvanceforda.com/jewishpress Mr. Vance is by far the most impressive candidate in the race. He has been a distinguished criminal and civil trial lawyer and comes across as a person of quiet competence and reflection. It is unfortunate that in today's electrified atmosphere, shrillness and zealotry are too often equated with a passion for justice. The Manhattan DA's office is a virtual mini-army with approximately 500 lawyers and many more support staff. It is best led not by a Crusader Rabbit type hell-bent on seeking out wrongdoing and holding incessant press conferences but rather by a public servant dedicated to the responsible, objective and deliberative pursuit of lawbreakers. Wed, 09 Sep 2009 07:00:59 -0400 Matt Girgenti 172 at http://cyvanceforda.com http://cyvanceforda.com/eldiario Vance spent six years in the 1980’s as a prosecutor in the Manhattan D.A.’s office and is currently a trial attorney with Morvillo and Abramowicz, a criminal defense law firm. His experience on the other side of the fence makes him an ideal candidate to lead the necessary changes in the D.A.’s office. He has addressed reform of the criminal court system to the creation of a “re-entry director.” These are all cutting-edge concepts for an office long accustomed to old approaches to criminal justice. Tue, 08 Sep 2009 08:36:38 -0400 Matt Girgenti 170 at http://cyvanceforda.com http://cyvanceforda.com/crains In the 1980s, a friend of Manhattan District Attorney Robert Morgenthau's told him that he had been shaken down at every step of his company's renovation of the Rainbow Room. The contractor told the DA he would never work in New York City again, and Mr. Morgenthau realized what a “tax'' the mob and other predators were imposing on business and the economy of the city. The result was a decades-long crusade by Mr. Morgenthau's office to break organized crime's grip on key sectors. First, he drove organized crime from the trucking business, then he broke up the mob-dominated garbage cartel, then he cleaned up the garment center and the Javits Convention Center. The effort soon broadened to tackle money laundering, securities fraud and eventually executive greed. The key question for the city's business community in the Sept. 15 Democratic primary to succeed Mr. Morgenthau is who will continue his efforts to protect honest business-people. The candidate most likely to continue Mr. Morgenthau's work is Cyrus Vance Jr., and Crain's endorses him. (Since Manhattan is overwhelmingly Democratic, the winner of the primary is virtually certain to be elected in November.) All three candidates—Mr. Vance, Richard Aborn and Leslie Crocker Snyder—served at some point in the Manhattan District Attorney's office and have built solid résumés and run creditable campaigns for the office. All three pledge fidelity to the successes of the Morgenthau era yet say there should be changes, too, which is not unwelcome, given Mr. Morgenthau's 34 years in the position. But Mr. Aborn's emphasis would clearly be on implementing alternatives to imprisonment and on tougher gun laws, the issue where he has done the bulk of his work in recent years. Ms. Crocker Snyder's emphasis would be on violent felons, as befits someone who made her reputation handling such cases in the 1980s. Mr. Vance has had a distinguished career, and his decision to pull up stakes and move to Seattle to escape the shadow of his father is a sign of character, not the negative that his opponents claim. Most important, he occupies the middle ground, which puts him closest to Mr. Morgenthau. He is the best choice to succeed his mentor. Click Here to Read this Article on the Crain's New York Business Website [Subscription Required] Sun, 06 Sep 2009 10:08:52 -0400 Matt Girgenti 168 at http://cyvanceforda.com http://cyvanceforda.com/linaresendorsement CONTACT:Erin DugganCy Vance for Manhattan DA(646) 248-4370eduggan@cyvanceforda.com GUILLERMO LINARES ENDORSES CY VANCE FOR MANHATTAN DA Linares, First Dominican-American Elected Official in the U.S., Praises Vance’s Plan for Washington Heights Office Guillermo Linares, former Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs of the City of New York, today announced his endorsement of Cy Vance for Manhattan District Attorney. Linares, the country’s first Dominican-American elected official, represented Washington Heights, Inwood and Marble Hill on the City Council in the 1990s and is a prominent advocate for progressive issues, including immigrants’ rights. He praised Vance’s commitment to fairness in the criminal justice system and his plan for a Washington Heights Office. “Cy Vance has laid out a visionary, progressive plan for how he will prevent crime and keep us safe, while at the same time establishing a culture of fairness and always seeking justice,” Linares said. “A DA’s office in Washington Heights is a great idea that shows Cy’s commitment to serving all of Manhattan ’s neighborhoods. The office will allow community members to develop a close relationship with the DA’s office, so that they can go there to get resources and help in reporting crimes, including domestic violence. Cy will work to protect immigrants through intensive outreach and education efforts, so that immigrants know they can report the crimes they are often victims of, like unfair wage practices. It’s all part of Cy’s community-based justice model, which will bring prosecutors closer to the communities they serve, so they can spot trends and stop crime before it starts. I’m proud to endorse Cy Vance today. When he is elected, the immigrant community will have a friend in the Manhattan DA’s office.” “Guillermo is a dedicated public servant, and his endorsement today is so meaningful to me because of the values he represents. He stands for equal rights and justice for all – the cornerstones of my vision for the DA’s office. My plan is simple: I will keep us safe and be fair,” said Vance. “But I also have specific ideas about how to do that in the communities that are most affected by the criminal justice process, like Washington Heights. The prosecutors in my office will take an active role in preventing crime by working with community organizations, developing relationships with leaders and engaging with the community. I am honored to have Guillermo’s support, and look forward to an ongoing discussion about the issues most important to our communities.” Linares was first elected to the New York City Council in 1991. In 1998 he was elected Co-President of the Black and Hispanic Caucus of the New York City Council. From 1993 to 1999, he served as a member of the Board of Directors of the National Council of La Raza (NCLR). He was appointed Chair of the White House Initiative for Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans in 1999. Linares joins a strong and diverse coalition of supporters of Cy Vance’s campaign for DA. In the last month Vance has been endorsed by the New York Times, the Daily News, the New York Post, the Amsterdam News, U.S. Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, Borough President Scott Stringer, State Senator Tom Duane, Councilmember Jessica Lappin, UFT, RWDSU, Tenants PAC, the League of Young Voters PAC and the Innocence Project Co-Founders Barry Scheck and Peter Neufeld. Earlier this summer Vance was endorsed by current District Attorney Robert Morgenthau, former Mayor David Dinkins, Caroline Kennedy, Gloria Steinem, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum, Council Member Alan Gerson, former Comptroller H. Carl McCall, Teamsters Local 237, The Sergeants Benevolent Association, former U.S. Attorneys Robert Fiske and Zachary Carter, the Doe Fund founder George McDonald, and many more. He is also supported by more than 175 former ADA’s – many of whom have worked with all three candidates and know what it takes to be an exemplary District Attorney. Vance’s Immigrant Protection Plan Includes: Immigrant Affairs Unit. The existing Immigrant Affairs Program will be elevated to full unit status within the Special Prosecutions Bureau of the District Attorney’s Office. Increased Resources. Resources will be doubled, with specially-trained Assistant District Attorneys and new immigrant-assistance coordinators assigned to the unit. Community Based Justice. Throughout the county, prosecutors will be assigned to specific geographic areas. This will allow prosecutors in immigrant communities to better understand the unique challenges of each area, build relationships, and develop solutions based on the needs of each community. Education. Current pilot programs for public education in the schools and special seminars on immigrant rights and fraud prevention will become formal parts of the unit’s mandate. U Visa Expansion. Vance will support the expanded use of U visas to victims of fraud. This will make our communities safer by encouraging victims of crimes to cooperate with investigations. Issued to victims of certain crimes who work with enforcement agencies, U Visas provide these immigrants with authorized stays and employment authorization. In return, they will help us more effectively investigate crimes. Information. The unit will work with leading members of immigrant communities to inform immigrants of their rights, the programs provided by the DA’s office, and the dangers of immigrant-directed crime. This information will include: Reminders that the DA’s office has a standing policy of not sharing information provided by victims and witnesses to immigration officials. Public service ads warning of the dangers of fraud and the legal rights of immigrants. When it comes to fraud, a more informed city is a safer city. Prosecuting Hate Crimes. The Immigrant Affairs Unit will work together with Vance’s proposed Hate Crimes Unit to prosecute those who target immigrants for their race or ethnicity. **** Fri, 04 Sep 2009 14:34:11 -0400 Matt Girgenti 167 at http://cyvanceforda.com http://cyvanceforda.com/lappinendorsementrelease CONTACT:Erin DugganCy Vance for Manhattan DA(646) 248-4370eduggan@cyvanceforda.com COUNCILMEMBER JESSICA LAPPIN ENDORSES CY VANCE FOR MANHATTAN DISTRICT ATTORNEY Lappin Praises Vance’s Commitment to Construction Safety, Fighting Sex Trafficking Councilmember Jessica Lappin today announced her support for Cy Vance, Democratic candidate for Manhattan District Attorney. Lappin, who represents the Upper East Side and Roosevelt Island, praised Vance’s extensive experience as a prosecutor and defense attorney, his construction safety plans, and his dedication to stopping sex trafficking. She also cited his efforts to guarantee women’s reproductive rights. "I want to tell you a few reasons why I’m going to support Cy Vance. I care passionately about the issue of sex trafficking, which is why I organized a summit to get a major national bill passed. This issue is very important to Cy, and as District Attorney he will prosecute the traffickers - who often come through JFK – who take these women and put them through a short life of modern day slavery,” said Lappin. “My district also suffered through two crane accidents this year, and as someone who was there within minutes of the first collapse, I know too well that the community is still reeling from these accidents. Whether we’re looking at workers, at victims, or at people who just live, work or walk near construction sites, there is a fear in New York that there has never been before. People are afraid and seem to be reading every day in the paper about concrete testing companies that were corrupt and weren’t doing their job. So I’m very impressed with Cy’s construction safety initiative, and I look forward to working with him to keep our neighborhoods safe - because we have lives on the line, both in terms of the people working in those sites and the people who live and walk near those sites. Finally, I wanted to say that I know Cy Vance is going to be a great District Attorney, and is going to be tough but fair." Vance said: "I am honored to have the support of Jessica Lappin. Her efforts on the City Council have made her community a better, safer place to live and work. I also admire her strong advocacy on women’s issues, especially in the vital areas of reproductive rights and sex trafficking. I look forward to working with her to help keep her community safe and to make sure that all the women who live in or pass through Manhattan – whether a teenager facing angry protesters outside Planned Parenthood or an abused woman caught up in a sex trafficking ring - are treated fairly and justly." Councilmember Lappin joined Borough President Scott Stringer at the event in City Hall Park. Lappin and Stringer joined a strong and diverse coalition of supporters of Cy Vance’s campaign for DA. In the last month Vance has been endorsed by the New York Times, the Daily News, the New York Post, the Amsterdam News, UFT, U.S. Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez, State Senator Tom Duane, RWDSU, Tenants PAC, the League of Young Voters PAC and the Innocence Project Co-Founders Barry Scheck and Peter Neufeld. Earlier this summer Vance was endorsed by current District Attorney Robert Morgenthau, former Mayor David Dinkins, Caroline Kennedy, Gloria Steinem, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum, Council Member Alan Gerson, former Comptroller H. Carl McCall, Teamsters Local 237, The Sergeants Benevolent Association, former U.S. Attorneys Robert Fiske and Zachary Carter, the Doe Fund founder George McDonald, and many more. He is also supported by more than 175 former ADA’s – many of whom have worked with all three candidates and know what it takes to be an exemplary District Attorney. **** Thu, 03 Sep 2009 15:48:43 -0400 Matt Girgenti 166 at http://cyvanceforda.com