Jovan Richards, Author at New York State Young Democrats

Resignations & Impeachment

Posted January 8, 2021 by Jovan Richards

Representatives Chris Jacobs (NY-27), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Elise Stefanik (NY-21), and Lee Zeldin (NY-01) to resign for their complicity in Wednesday’s deadly insurrection on the US Capitol.

Representatives Lee Zeldin, Nicole Malliotakis, Elise Stefanik, and Chris Jacobs have violated their oath to the American people and have shamed and disgraced their home districts and New Yorkers as a whole. With their lawless acts to delegitimize our electoral process, attempting to undermine our democratic institutions, and public-facing objections to a duly elected President – and Vice President-Elect, we have seen firsthand how their actions and words have serious and deadly consequences. What happened on Wednesday was an absolutely disgrace and this all falls on the shoulders of any and all republicans who have aided Donald Trump’s actions over the past four years!

These Elected Officials do not represent New York and they do not deserve to hold any form of elected office. Join Chairman Jay Jacobs and me in signing this petition demanding their resignation.

Today, we have learned that the Republicans will choose not to act (shocking, right?) and that Congressional Democrats will once again have to step in and help save our great country. We applaud any and all congressional representatives (including Rep. Jones, Rep. Bowman, and Rep. AOC), who have drafted articles of impeachment for Donald Trump and expulsion for any of their colleagues who chose to be complacent with Trump’s actions.

Articles of Impeachment for introduction, so proud of everyone co-leading this effort with us.

We need to move quickly to remove this President from office. pic.twitter.com/vbZtA7g6fc

— Ilhan Omar (@IlhanMN) January 7, 2021

The New York State Young Democrats will choose to not sit idly by while our country is under siege by the radical right under the direction of a failed President. We will continue to flood the NYS Assembly, NYS Senate, and the Congressional chambers with young, dedicated, patriotic, and righteous democrats, who will serve and protect the constitution of the United States against all enemies both foreign and domestic.

Happy Thanksgiving

Posted November 26, 2020 by Jovan Richards

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I’ll be direct… 2020 has been a rough year! We have seen tragedy after tragedy while also attempting to get in front of a global pandemic and restoring the soul of our nation. I have asked a lot from this organization, its leaders and members since I became President just a few months ago, and today I wanted you to know how thankful I am for each and every one of you.

I want to wish you and yours a happy, healthy, safe, and filling thanksgiving. I know some tables will look different this year, but remember even if we aren’t together in person—we are spiritually and safely together today and always because we are New York Strong!

Through the hard times of 2020, we have had pockets of joy, celebration, and hope for a better tomorrow. We have a lot to be thankful for. We have secured a new White House administration, we still control the House of Representatives, we are two Senators away from securing the U.S. Senate (and making our own Chuck Schumer the Majority Leader), we now have a SUPERMAJORITY in the New York State Assembly and Senate, we have elected numerous young Democrats (and Young at Heart Democrats) to various levels of government and this organization is continuing to thrive through the most difficult of time. We could not have done this without your help.

Whether you donated, made a phone call, sent a text message, joined us virtually for one of our many events, or simply read one of the hundreds of emails we’ve sent out this year… THANK YOU! Your support has meant everything to this organization. Let’s continue on our path of electing young democrats to office, pushing a principled and progressive policy agenda, and working hard to prove that #YoungGetsItDone.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends!

Today we come together as New Yorkers and Americans to Remember Those We Lost. September 11, 2001 #NeverForget

Remembering & Honoring

Posted September 11, 2020 by Jovan Richards

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As New Yorkers, September 11th is a difficult time for each and every one of us. Today is one of those days where you will always remember exactly where you were when you heard the news. Today is one of those days where you can still feel exactly how you felt in 2001 when watching the news coverage or seeing firsthand any of the towers collapsing. Today is one of those days where you can vividly recall the horrific images of New York and remember living through those uncertain times.

September 11th, 2001 changed us as a state, but it made us stronger!

When tragedy struck, we came together as a state. We weren’t upstate or downstate, Democrats or Republicans, progressives, liberal or conservative, we were New Yorkers, and we were mourning our losses together. First responders came from far and wide to aid the NYPD and NYFD in protecting our fellow New Yorkers and in the recovery process. Many of our brave heroes suffered greatly for their bravery during this time, and we can’t thank them enough for their service to our great Empire State.

On the 19th Anniversary of one of our nation’s darkest days, we honor the brave heroes for their service, we continue to mourn the losses of our neighbors and loved ones, and we stand united together in taking a moment, not to be political, but to be a New Yorker!

Both Sides of the Candlestick

Posted June 6, 2020 by Jovan Richards

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To say the members of the New York State Young Democrats (NYSYD) are sad and hurt regarding the current state of our country would be an immense understatement. We are not only sad and hurt, but we are angry, frustrated, and more ready than ever to mobilize and to do the work necessary to bring ever-lasting change to our state and local governments.

What has happened to George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and countless others are appalling acts of police brutality and racism, and they are not made any less painful by 45’s comments and actions in recent days. Moreover, our anger increases when we have to deal with leaders within our own party — that we help get elected — fail to help create safe spaces for New Yorkers to peacefully protest and come together to mourn (looking at you Mayor De Blasio).

Our anger, our frustration, our hurt, and our sadness have compiled into taking actions and making our collective voices heard in halls of power and in the streets. The NYSYD has always and will continue to always burn the candle at both ends.

Our members from Long Island, to Brooklyn, to Manhattan, to Westchester, to Putnam, to Utica, to Yates, and beyond have marched, rallied, and have spoken out against racial injustice, because we know that BLACK LIVES MATTER! We ask our members to continue to protest, and organize within every community in New York State, but our work cannot stop there!

We, The New York State Young Democrats, call on EVERY New York State Democratic Legislator in the State Senate and Assembly to support an array of necessary and long overdue bills to get passed. These bills, which make up the Police Reform Package have highlighted by our friends at the NYS Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislative Caucus include:

The Repeal of 50-A
1. A.2513/S.3695 (O’Donnell/Bailey)
False 9-1-1 Complaints
1. A.3566 (Ortiz/Benjamin)
Office of the Special Prosecutor
1. A.1601/S.2574 (Perry/Bailey)
Police Stat Act
1. A. 1360a/S.1830b (Lentol/Hoylman)
Right to Monitor Act
1. A.1360a/S.3253 (Perry/Parker)
Local Independent Oversight of Police
1. A.10560/S.7527 (Richardson/Myrie)
Medical Attention For Persons Under Arrest
1. A.8226a/S.6601 (Fernandez/Bailey)
Establishing the Crime of Strangulation
1. A.6144/S.6670a (Mosley/Benjamin)
Failure to Obtain Medical Care
1. A.3056b/S.4076 (Fernandez/Biaggi)
Bans Racial/Ethnic Profiling by Police
1. A.4615/S.1137a (Bichotte/Benjamin)
Reducing Arrests for Non-Criminal Offenses
1. A.4053/S.2571 (Aubry/Bailey)
Expanded Use of Law Enforcement Body Cameras
1. Body Cameras for NYS Police | A.8674/S.6686 (Walker/Parker)
2. Body Cameras for MTA Police | A.8943a/S.6793a (Reyes/Ramos)

WE NEED YOUR HELP TO GET THIS DONE NOW!

CLICK HERE to send your petition to your local elected and DEMAND PUBLIC SUPPORT for this Police Reform Package.

Our work has just begun and we will not be finished until we, as a collective voice, are heard in every corner in every county, and in every chamber of every local and state government.