‘They duped everyone:’ Bayside protesters denounce Democratic lawmaker’s ‘independent’ alliance.
A number of protesters assembled outside of a Bayside-based lawmaker’s office on Thursday morning to demand that he and seven others end their alliance with Republicans and rejoin traditional Democrats in the State Senate.
Protesters gathered outside of Avella’s office — located at 39th Avenue and Bell Boulevard — on June 29 as part of a series of demonstrations at each IDC member’s respective office this morning.
“The State Senate would have a Democratic majority, but since these eight Democratic senators are caucusing with the Republicans, we no longer have a Democratic majority,” said protester Sydney Frankel.
Two members of Avella’s staff came outside to distribute packets containing Avella’s voting record regarding environmental conservation, which protester’s requested earlier that morning.
Rebecca Sheehan, Avella’s chief of staff, also spoke to protesters on her own behalf.
“We are working with climate science experts to strengthen the recently introduced Climate and Communities Protection Act so that New York can act as an example for other states in the face of federal failure.
The members of the IDC are committed to combating climate change and will continue to fight for this issue.” Reaction from protesters was immediate, vocally calling the statement “condescending” and “disrespectful.” Avella addressed protesters’ concerns in a statement issued later on Thursday.
“I am proud to be the Senate sponsor of the ‘Climate and Community Protection Act’ and I will exert the same commitment and passion in getting this bill passed as I did in leading the fight against high volume hydrofracking in the legislature that culminated in Governor Cuomo’s decision to not permit HVHF in New York.
69 in Jackson Heights, with protesters demanding that Peralta also end his alliance.