This primary election, there was so much at stake for our communities.
Community Voices Heard (CVH) Power members mobilized Black and brown New Yorkers across Harlem, the Bronx, and Yonkers to get out to vote and reclaim their power at the polls. As the largest Black-led organizing institution in New York, we know the importance of working with candidates to create new models of co-governance.
Unfortunately, right-wing billionaires got involved in the CD 16 race and poured millions to buy the district and back a pseudo-Republican candidate, making it the most expensive House primary ever.
“… working class people of color are always under attack.”
People who stand up for the rights of low-income, working class people of color are always under attack. The billionaires who poured money into the race against Jamaal Bowman didn’t want him speaking up for Black and brown folks in our district. This type of meddling by Republican mega-donors in a Democratic primary is a danger to our entire democracy.
In Jamaal Bowman, young folks and people of color saw a candidate who talked about them, listened to them, and spoke up for them. As a teacher, a father of three, and a Black man, he made us feel like Congress finally represented us. Last night, it was heartbreaking to watch as young people realized: despite countless hours of work, money can make or break a candidate in our current system.
While we’re deeply disheartened that money won in this race, we know that our members and neighbors in CD 16 are ready to hold their elected officials accountable.
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In the Westchester County District Attorney race, CVH Power-endorsed candidate, William Wagstaff III, also did not win his primary. We are so grateful to him for his unwavering support of the issues that most impact communities of color. We extend the invitation to newly-elected DA Susan Cacace to meet with CVH members to create a more equitable Westchester and reimagine public safety in the County.
In East Harlem Districts 68 and 70, CVH Power-endorsed candidates Tamika Mapp and Maria Ordoñez fought to represent the issues that most matter to CVH members, but the fight continues. It takes bravery to run for office. While we did not taste victory last night, we built a base that will undeniably move the needle forward. We thank Tamika and Maria for creating a platform for our members to be heard.
This primary election season, CVH Power members and staff talked to hundreds of people in Harlem, the Bronx, and Yonkers to urge them to vote and hear about the issues that matter most to them.
We talked to public housing residents; we talked to young women and people of color; we talked to people who hadn’t voted in primary elections before. Our goal: re-engage voters in our communities to take back their power.
“New Yorkers deserve economic security …”
After 30 years of organizing, we know that change takes time. We also know that New Yorkers deserve economic security, access to a fully participatory democracy, and safe, truly affordable housing options.
We remain deeply committed to building power and fighting for policies that meet the needs of low-income people and communities of color across New York. Let’s get to work.
Community Voices Heard Power is a multiracial, member-led organization that builds power through grassroots political organizing. We work to change systems and shape policies to ensure racial, social, and economic justice for all New Yorkers. https://www.cvhpower.org/
Photo credit: HWM.
