Brad Lander Campaign Blog

Observing September 11th as a National Day of Service

brad — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 06:35:14 -0400

This morning, I’ll be following President Obama’s call to take part in public service in observation of September 11th, helping to prepare and serve lunch for homeless men and women at CHIPS.Of course 9/11 will always be seared in our minds as a day of unbearable pain and tragedy, of grief and incomprehension and anger. But for me it will always, also, bring to mind those remarkable days afterward, when New Yorkers came together in ways I have not seen before or since – to mourn, to comfort, to try to understand, and to serve.

Honor Julian Brennan by Helping Build Schools in Afghanistan

brad — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 00:46:54 -0400

Marine Lance Corporal Julian Brennan, who grew up on 15th Street in Park Slope, was 25 when he was killed in Afghanistan on January 24, 2009. In a remarkable act of compassion, his parents Bill and Thya Brennan are asking us to make contributions to the Central Asia Institute, which builds schools in Afghanistan.

Statement on Unauthorized Der Blatt Ad

brad — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 10:59:37 -0400

On Thursday, August 27, an unauthorized ad ran in the Yiddish language newspaper Der Blatt, purporting to be “Paid for by Brad Lander for City Council,” falsely claiming that I am opposed to gay marriage, using homophobic, extremely offensive language. We did not authorize, place, see, or pay for the ad. As soon as the campaign became aware of the ad, we denounced it and called for an investigation and a retraction. My support of marriage equality and LGBT rights is widely known, in Borough Park and elsewhere. I am extremely angry that these homophobic statements were, in any way, associated with me or my campaign. I am grateful for the statements of City Council Speaker Christine Quinn and Empire State Pride Agenda Executive Director Alan Van Capelle, making clear that they are confident that I had nothing to do with the ad, and that I am a long-time ally and ardent supporter of marriage equality.

Remembering Senator Kennedy

brad — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 06:22:05 -0400

So many wonderful things have been written about Senator Edward Kennedy, about his passion, his eloquence, and his powerful and effective commitment to civil rights, women's rights, working people, affordable housing, and the most vulnerable in our society. Like so many others, I am saddened by his loss, humbled by his life, and inspired by his undying commitment to building a more just, fair, and compassionate world.

Tragic scaffolding collapse in Park Slope

brad — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 23:19:53 -0400

A construction worker was killed tonight when a scaffolding collapsed at 438 12th Street. Two other workers were saved by safety harnesses and a rapid response from the Fire Department. All our hearts go out to the worker's family and colleagues. It is not clear yet what caused this tragic accident. But it is clear that we can and must do more to protect construction workers (so many of them immigrants), who have one of the highest on-the-job mortality rates of any job sector.