The rally’s attendance was limited to members of the press, a few essential workers and a COVID-19 survivor. 

That Biden is delivering his entire speech in Grand Rapids with a mask on speaks volumes more than any remarks he’s delivering, and he knows it.

— Dave Wasserman (@Redistrict) October 2, 2020

Matt Hoffman, a grocery worker and resident of Imlay City, Michigan stood at the  podium  and urged people to vote Biden for a better America regardless of their political party. He also spoke about the impact of the pandemic on essential workers.

“I live in a small town and our community has been devastated by COVID-19 and the damage it has done to our economy,” he said.“Over these many months, there is not a day that goes by where workers like me are not putting our lives on the line.”

Across Michigan, essential workers have been at the forefront of the pandemic with very few receiving hazard pay. 

Biden’s trip to Grand Rapids, was his second visit to the state in less than a month. Before he commenced his  20 minute speech, he confirmed that he had been tested twice for COVID-19, and received negative results on both occasions. He also sent well wishes to Trump and his wife, First Lady Melania Trump, who had recently tested positive for the virus.  

“I hope that all of those fighting the virus, including the first family, rapidly recover,” said Biden.

The rally  comes on the heels of his abrasive debate session with the President. Biden, who tested negative, urged Americans to be patriotic and wear masks. 

“It’s not about being a tough guy,” he said.

Biden said that the President’s diagnosis showed the importance of taking the virus more seriously.

Trump, who tested positive for the coronavirus after months of downplaying its danger, aroused confusion in the political world and fears among his aides that his diagnosis would backfire among voters and result in a political disaster, further dampening his chances of winning.

Biden sounding like a President-in-waiting at Grand Rapids. Not since Zorro has anyone drawn so much power from wearing a mask.

— Matthew d’Ancona (@MatthewdAncona) October 2, 2020

Biden currently leads Trump in the Michigan polls by 6.7 points as of today.

The primary goal of his rally was to discuss his “Build Back Better” economic plan, and his target audience was the middle class as well as essential workers who were on the frontlines of the workforce during the pandemic. Acknowledging the turbulence of the current times, Biden urged all Americans to unite.

“This cannot be a partisan moment. It must be an American moment. We have to come together as a nation,” said Biden. “Let’s get the heck up, and remember who in God’s name we are. This is the United States of America. There is nothing beyond our capacity.”

The rally was held in Kent County which is a suburban area  and a former republican stronghold that is turning democratic because of its increasingly growing and diverse population.

During his rally, Biden touched on familiar themes of   taxes, job creation, medicare, social security, child care and the economy. He also referenced the recently released job report, acknowledging that the jobs  created were insufficient.

“I do understand that this is a scary time, an uncertain time. I understand and I see you because I see the world from Scranton Pennsylvania where I grew up. A lot like Grand Rapids,” said Biden. 

Biden addressed essential workers again and promised them an increase in their wages if he won the presidency.

“For essential workers, we are not just going to praise you, we are going to pay you,” said Biden to the audience of frontline workers.

Hamadi Baccar, a democrat  and Michigan resident  said that Biden would make good on his promise by creating jobs through his economic plan.

“Increasing the pay to $15/hr will go a long way for people to lead better lives,” said Baccar. 

The post Biden’s back on the campaign trail after testing negative for COVID-19 appeared first on Pavement Pieces.

Hundreds of anti-Trump  protestors welcomed President Trump home, by rallying and denouncing his administration’s agenda yesterday

Bob Brenner raised a sign that read “Reunite Families. “Stop tearing children from parents.”

“I have been holding this sign through too many protests,” he said. “It is time for immigration detention centers to be shut down.”

Brenner considers the construction of the wall to be “a waste of money” and “cruelty for no reason.” His t-shirt read “Immigration Justice Now.”

 “Thirteen thousand children are being held in prison in this country,” he said, referring to the migration crisis at the southern border. “These families are seeking asylum, and even if they are crossing without authorization, it’s a misdemeanor.”

Bob Brenner marched in the anti-Trump rally yesterday in New York City.  He protested against detention centers in the souther border, implemented by Trump’s administration, with a two face sign which read “Reunite families” and “Stop tearing children from parents. Photo by Ximena del Cerro.

The march began at Bryant Park and ended at Washington Square Park. Protestors chanted, cheered and held signs mocking Trump and his presidency.

Trump came to the city to address the United Nations and tell world leaders to reject “globlism” and adopt his “America First” style of governing. 

But for the protestors, his style is just not working.

Nilsa Cordero joined the protest on her walking aid scooter and held the flag of Puerto Rico, her place of origin.

“Puerto Rico has suffered, and he doesn’t think we are worthy of anything,” she said. Cordero described the current situation since Hurricane Maria hit the island in Sep. 2017, as “there is still no water; there are still problems with electricity,” she said. “We are against everything Trump has done.”

Nilsa Cordero, a native of Puerto Rico and her husband joined the march to protest the lack of action from Trump’s administration to relieve victims of Hurricane Maria.  Photo by Ximena Del Cerro.

Among hundreds of angry, sign-waving, chanting anti-trump protestors, a handful of President Trump’s supporters showed up.

Diane Akins carried an American flag and a flag that read “Trump, Keep America Great, 2020.” Her t-shirt simply said, “Trump.”

“In Brooklyn there is a lot of people in the Muslim community, not those who have been here for 30 years, but the newer breed of people coming in, who seem to want to instill their ideology, and implement things that are counterintuitive to a constitutional republic,” she said.

Akins of Brooklyn, fears that immigrants will try to implement their culture here.

“It is not too much to ask, to want to know who is coming into your country, who are looking to stay, and if they want to be part of your culture,” she said.

Akins was a volunteer for Trump’s presidential campaign. After Trump’s first three years in the White House, she said her support “has been increasing.”

“Trump is building the wall,” she said. “There are other policies he is putting in place, and I think that is what he is going to continue to expand upon. His supporters, we want to see that, because we want to secure the sovereignty of this country.”

The post Protestors hit the streets to fight Trump appeared first on Pavement Pieces.

Before yesterday’s climate march in New York City, protesters waited in line outside of St. Paul’s Chapel of Trinity Church in Lower Manhattan to prepare for the strike. It was an interfaith gathering of parents, teenagers and children.

 They were handed buttons that said, “Your on Holy Ground. Act like it”.  They were given supplies to create posters and a light breakfast before hitting the streets.

Azalea Danes, 16, a climate activist, member of Trinity Church choir, and co-organizer of the strike, brought the attention of the climate crisis to the church leaders. She asked them if they would try and mobilize the Trinity community and others for this cause.  And they did.

After being introduced to the excited crowd in the church, Danez thanked everyone for taking action. 

“I am so hopeful and overjoyed with the prospect of all of you coming here and mobilizing for justice and for the justice of our planet,” said Danez.  “I am positive that the mobilization of youth and adults that will be coming together today, will be able to inspire every single person in New York City and all of you become true climate justice activists. If your here today you already are a leader because you are standing up in your community to be a force of change.”

Students decided to skip class to make a clear statement about climate change. They  felt the responsibility of fighting for the world that would be passed onto future generations

Roselani Beguero, 17, a senior and president of student government at Murray Hill High School  in Manhattan, was waiting at Foley Square when she heard that the church was providing breakfast and posters and decided to join in.

“Our world is dying and nobody is doing anything about it,” Beguero said as she worked on her poster. “If we all stand as one then we can possibly make some kind of change. If they don’t change the laws then they can’t change the world.”  

Beguero does not see the actions she believes should be taken. She wants a world where her children and great grandchildren can live. 

“A lot of people ask me what I want to do in the future,” Beguero said. “But if there’s no future in this world then there’s no future for me.”

As the crowd began to finish their posters. A priest walked to the front of the church and provided directions and safety measures before the group stepped out in the street. Children were asked to bow their heads for a moment of silence. 

Afterwords, a group of volunteers walked to the front holding a poster. The crowd was asked to repeat each verse after them. 

 “We’re gonna strike because our waters are rising. We’re gonna strike because our people are dying. We’re gonna strike for like and everything we love. We’re gonna strike for you. Will you strike for us?”

Sk Doyle, 24, works for Trinity  Church’s  Justice and Reconciliation department and was managing the poster station. The young people  were able to pick from a variety of colors to paint their signs. 

“I’ve been really hopefully being here and seeing all these young people doing the work,” said Doyle. 

The group left together for the rally at nearby Foley Square. When crossing the street on Broadway and Barclay, the priest and two volunteers grabbed each others hands creating a human chain to stop traffic and allow everyone to cross together. 

After the rally at Foley Square, the group joined the estimated 60,000 marchers, who chanted and carried signs that pleaded to save the environment.

“Climate change is a real thing it’s affecting us all in our daily lives,” said Elena Mendoza, 17, a senior and Green Team President at Forest Hills High School in Queens. “Even if some people might not see it. They need to look closer and realize that we don’t have much time.“

The post An interfaith gathering before the climate march appeared first on Pavement Pieces.

Democratic presidential candidate Senator Elizabeth Warren called President Donald Trump “corruption in the flesh” during a packed rally in Washington Square Park last night.

Hundreds of young and progressive attendees wore Warren campaign t-shirts and others wore manifestos for the political issues they hold dear.

For Warren supporter Andrew Eliot Jacobs, LGBTQ rights are a priority, even though Warren has not always held the progressive gender and sexuality viewpoints she does today. 

In 2012, Warren disagreed with a court-ordered gender confirmation surgery for a convict, stating it was a waste of taxpayers’ money. During her campaign this year, she has said her viewpoint at the time was wrong and unveiled a new agenda for the LGBT community.

“Warren has more than made up for that one lapse in her record for trans rights,” said Jacobs, who proudly wore a Warren campaign t-shirt designed with LGBTQ flag colors. He considers Warren his first choice.

“Vote blue, no matter who because a new Republican administration would not be interested in reversing the abuses to trans rights that Trump’s administration has introduced, specifically in the military, and those are violations of human rights altogether,” he said. 

Andrew Eliot Jacobs, a member of the LGBTQ community, supports Senator Elizabeth Warren for President. Photo by Ximena Del Cerro

Maurine Soplina, a member of the organization New York Insulin for All, held a five-foot-tall sign that read “Patients over profit.”  

“Warren is my first choice. I appreciate her greater sense of nuance compared to Bernie Sanders,” she said. “Warren’s position is more strategic, she knows we can have Medicare for all, but maybe we cannot get there in two years.” 

While in favor of the candidate, she criticized Warren’s strategy to reduce the control pharmaceutical companies have over the price of medicines, such as insulin. From 2002 to 2013, the average price of insulin almost tripled, according to the American Diabetes Association, making it more difficult for many of the nearly 7.4 million diabetics in the U.S. to take the medication as needed. 

“She has proposed government manufacturing of drugs, and in part, I think that is an excellent idea, but I do not think it can be fully that way,” she said. “Concentrating the amount of power that pharmaceuticals grant in any one place is too much.”

Environmental activist, Sack Westain, hopes to vote for a Democratic presidential candidate who will   address climate issues. Photo by Ximena Del Cerro.

Sack Westain, a member of the action group Rise and Resist, made his way through the crowd giving out orange pamphlets that read “climate emergency.”

“Warren is one of my first choices, but practically anyone except Joe Biden,” Westain said. 

Rise and Resist was formed in 2016 by activists with more than 30 years of experience in advocating for social and environmental causes.

“My primary concern for the next election is Trump,” he said. “My secondary concern is to have to support a candidate who would not bring transformation to this country.” 

Westain was handing out pamphlets demanding a transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy.

“Sanders and Warren are candidates who understand how serious the crisis of climate change is,” he said. “They are committing themselves to transform our economy and our society to deal with that problem. “If Trump stays in office, we are completely screwed.”

The post Warren rallies in front of thousands of progressive voters appeared first on Pavement Pieces.

Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren’s supporters like her presidential plan. Thousands flocked to Washington Square Park yesterday to show her how much. 

Shouts of “Warren! Warren!” greeted the presidential hopeful as she mounted the stage under the park’s historic arch. A gigantic U.S. flag flanked by large vertical banners touting Warren’s name was affixed on the arch’s columns to serve as a backdrop for the occasion.

For three hours prior to her appearance, staunch supporters of the senator waited — chatting, texting, photographing or studying. Music blared and vendors hawked campaign buttons. There was even a sudden brief downpour.

Volunteers handed out fans with ‘I’m a Warren fan” written on them. Many women wore t-shirts printed with “Warren has a plan” emblazoned across the front.

Bronx resident Eileen Blancas, 30, wore one of the shirts.

“I like her anti-corruption plans and her commitment to the environment, climate change,” Blancas said. “There is a [Warren] plan update text notification system that I sign up for.” 

Eileen Blancas supports Warren’s plan.  She attends Washington Square Park, Sept. 16, 2019. Photo by Karen Camela Watson

She said she wanted to stay in the loop with any new developments the campaign may be undertaking. 

Information Technology analyst, Melissa Levinton, was so inspired by the senator’s performance in the three Democratic presidential debates that she immediately signed up as a volunteer and was now working her first event. Warren’s experience as a teacher and her extensive legal background in bankruptcy have prepared her to be President, Levinton said.

“She was very inclusive in the debates,” Levinton said. “She doesn’t attack her opponents. She seems polite, personable, down to earth.” 

Levinton likes that Warren’s plans are thought out and specific. 

“For example, the plan to tax multi-millionaires,” she said. “And she has political integrity. She doesn’t accept money from some groups like Big Oil, PACs.”

She also liked the senator’s plans on climate change and mass restructuring of the nation’s systems.

Andy Gottlieb, 26, traveled from Connecticut to see Warren, as he wants to see a more progressive candidate get elected. So far, he likes her plans and wanted to hear her ideas in person. 

“I just want a progressive in office, not a centrist,” he said. “I think [President Donald] Trump is unhinged with outdated, archaic views. We need someone to move us forward.”

Cristina Gonzalez, 36, said Warren’s biggest appeal is her specific plans to address issues.  

“The system is broken,” said Gonzalez. “Within the economic system, breaking up large corporations, making sure workers get their due rights. She has specific plans for these.”

Warren spoke of exactly that.

“I know what’s broken and I have a plan to fix it — as President of the United States,” she said to loud cheers and wavings of “I’m a Warren Democrat” campaign signs.  

The senator said she planned to take on corruption in government, finance and the environment in order to take on her primary goal: Put economic and political power in the hands of the people.

As she detailed each area she would focus on if she became President her refrain was “I have a plan for that too!” followed by increasingly loud cheers of more “Warren! Warren!” by energized supporters. 

Warren spoke of early workers-rights advocate and Labor Secretary, Frances Perkins, who achieved so much through persistence and the support of millions of people.

“Frances had a plan. She pushed for big structural change within the political system, while others worked from the outside,” she said. 

“This is our moment in history – to dream big, fight hard and win.” 

The post Elizabeth Warren lists her plans in Washington Square Park rally appeared first on Pavement Pieces.

Senator Elizabeth Warren, addressing thousands of supporters in Washington Square Park last night, laid out her plan to root out government corruption. 

The Democratic presidential hopeful vowed to purge corruption in Washington D.C. with what she described as big, structural change to put economic and political power “in the hands of the people.”

“Corruption has put our planet at risk,” the Massachusetts senator said. “Corruption has broken our economy and corruption is breaking our democracy. I know what’s broken. I got a plan to fix it and that’s why I’m running for President of the United States.”

Warren delivered her speech close to the former site of the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, on Washington Place, where a fire in 1911 killed 146 workers, most of them immigrant women. The industrial disaster was the catalyst for carrying out labor reforms.

“It was one of the worst industrial disasters in American history,” Warren said. “One of the worst, but it should not have been a surprise.”

Warren argued that the fire was a result of corruption because factory owners used their political connections to avoid improving work conditions to save money. She asserted that “the same system” is at work today.

“Climate change, gun safety, health care: On the face of it, these three are totally different issues,” she said. “But despite our being the strongest and wealthiest country in the history of the world, our democracy is paralyzed. And why? Because giant corporations have bought off our government.”

To combat corruption, Warren proposed bans on secret meetings between public officials and lobbyists, on corporate lobbyists “bundling” campaign donations, on members of Congress and White House Cabinet secretaries from becoming lobbyists, on lobbyists from making political contributions and on lobbying on behalf of foreign governments, among other actions. 

Her remarks throughout her approximately 40-minute speech were met with cheers and applause from spectators, some holding up signs that read “I’m a Warren Democrat.” Supporters of all ages stood on benches and held their phone cameras high to try to get a glimpse of Warren, who spoke beneath the Washington Square Arch. 

 One of the younger people in the crowd was Abigail Cross, 22, who commended Warren for incorporating the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire in her anti-corruption speech and for pointing out how corruption affects several issues. 

“She underscored the importance of how that extends into every aspect of our lives,” she said. “Our government has so much control over everything, and if that power is corrupted, so many other aspects of our lives are affected.”

The Bronx resident said she was not completely decided on which candidate to support before attending Warren’s rally.

“I’m definitely a fan of Elizabeth Warren and, of course, the fact that she’s a woman running, but I came out of the rally much more a fan of her,” she said. “I like her, but I also believe that she can really do the job well.” 

Stephanie Sperry, 24, a California resident visiting New York City, originally supported Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, who withdrew from the Democratic presidential race late last month. Now, Warren is her candidate.

“I was evaluating the other candidates to see if there was the kind of connection I felt to Kirsten Gillibrand, leading by empathy and compassion,” Sperry said. “And I see those qualities in Elizabeth Warren.”

For Warren supporter Craig Leibner, 62, the senator is the candidate best suited to beat President Donald Trump, whom she described as “corruption in the flesh” during her speech, and has the most comprehensive proposals out of all the Democratic contenders.

The post Warren takes her corruption plan to Washington Square Park appeared first on Pavement Pieces.

Amy Tang hasn’t seen her son for weeks. 

“Everyone is working day and night, day and night,” said the co-owner of Union Wine & Liquor, in Flushing. “My business partner Karen hasn’t seen her daughter for weeks. And we also have a store to run, this is what we’ve invested all our money on.”

Since August, Tang, along with about 150 other Queens liquor store owners, has gone door-to-door, urging local politicians and other store owners to reject the liquor application of a potential 30,000-square-foot mega liquor store in College Point.

“This for sure would be a category five disaster for local wine and liquor merchants for not only Queens but the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan and local Nassau county,” said Michael Correra, the executive director of Metropolitan Package Store Association (Metro PSA) and owner of Michael Towne Wines and Spirits. 

Dozens of liquor store owners, sales representatives and their families met at the East Sheraton Hotel in Flushing yesterday. Standing In front of them, Assemblyman Ron Kim of the 40th District, led the group in a chant, shouting “no to total.”  Participants held up different signs that read “mega stores kill neighborhood businesses,” “UFCW Local 2D,” and “#TotalMonopoly” with a picture of Rich Uncle Pennybags, the mascot of the board game Monopoly.

Assemblyman Ron Kim of the 40th District, defends Queens liquor business owners, pictured behind him. Kim said at first he saw no wrong in Trone’s liquor application, but after realizing who she was associated with, immediately rescinded his support. Photo by Maureen Mullarkey

“We’re all gathered here because we’re so worried, like bye mom and pop, hello Wal-Mart of liquor,” said Tang.

Total Wine & More, dubbed the “Wal-Mart” of liquor stores, is the country‘s largest independent retailer of fine wine and has 199 superstores across 23 states. Last month, Michelle Trone, the daughter of Maryland Congressman David Trone who owns the national brand, filed the application for 30-02 Whitestone Expressway, the former site of a Toys ‘R’ Us.

“Total Wine is a monopoly,” said Tom Baffer, spokesperson for liquor sales representatives in the area. “Total Wine is here to destroy pricing. They have the stores they have the manpower, they have the dollar to do it.” 

At the rally hosted by the Metropolitan Package Store Association on Monday in Flushing, Queens, these pre-written letters were given to local store owners. The letter opposes MCT Fine Wine & Spirits LLC and is intended to be sent to the New York State Liquor Authority. Photo by Maureen Mullarkey

Two years ago, Total Wine opened up a location in Westbury. According to the Metropolitan Package Store Association, in the two years the Westbury location has existed, 63 smaller stores in the area have closed. 

Queens businesses have already been affected.

“My business has already dropped down 30 percent. And that’s just nearby. I don’t have any more holiday sales,” said Tang, who has owned her business for five years. “I don’t have anymore case buying because no one will come to my store now, because they will drive to Westbury and spend 30 minutes driving down and buy a bunch of their stuff for the holidays.”

Trone applied for the license under her own entity, MCT Fine Wine & Spirits LLC. But opposers believe it is a scheme to get around New York State’s law that prohibits store owners from operating more than one store.

“It’s disgusting, what they’re doing. Using his daughter as a pawn? “ said Baffer, in reference to David Trone. “What kind of father does that? You don’t do that.“

The potential location of Michelle Trone’s Total Wine & More store. The 30,000 square foot space once was the location of a Toys R US, which closed down two years ago. Adjacent to the store is a Party City and College Point Multiplex Cinemas. Photo by Maureen Mullarkey

Kim also expressed his thoughts on the deceit. Several politicians had signed a letter in support of Trone, believing she was an independent, small business owner. Kim has rescinded his support.

“I was presented with this by someone had some to me and said it was an MWBE (Minority/ Women Business Entrepreneurs) owned small business owner that was trying to get a license,” said Kim. “So I had no reason to doubt that story. But the moment that I came back to my community and started reading about who this person is, I realized that this is not a small business.”

The New York State Liquor Authority is expected to make a decision in November. 

Until then, local business owners will plan to continue building an opposition to Trone’s approval.

“For a long time until the hearing, none of us are going to be sleeping. We all call each other to consul, to comfort. The four closest liquor store owners around me and they call me more than my husband calls me,” said Tang. “ We are a small family coming together to fight a big family. We will not allow our life savings, our livelihood to be taken.”

The post Queens Business Owners Rally Against Proposed Mega Liquor Store appeared first on Pavement Pieces.

Thousands of people gathered in Washington Square Park  yesterday to hear Democratic presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren speak on her fight against corruption, women’s workplace equality, environmental issues, and other progressive issues that have been fueling the rise of her campaign. 

After walking onstage in one of her signature brightly colored suit jackets, the Massachusetts senator immediately launched into her anti-corruption agenda, giving the crowd a history lesson on the 1911 Triangle Shirtwaist Factory tragedy.

“I wanted to give this speech right here, not because of the arch behind me or the President that this park is named for. We are not here because of famous arches or famous men, or men at all,” said Warren, causing the crowd to erupt loudly with cheers. “We are here because of hard working women, who more than 100 years ago worked long hours in a 10 story building just a block away. These women worked at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory.”

On March 25, 1911, 146 factory workers composed mostly of immigrant women and young girls died after a fire at the top of the building began to spread. The workers, who were on the 9th floor, were unable to escape due to a collapsed fire escape and locked doors, by bosses who were afraid workers would steal scraps of cloth.

For Senator Warren, the factory, which still stands today as an NYU building, has served as a painful reminder of the need for workplace safety reform laws, starting with cooperation from higher ups at companies.

Warren’s anti-corruption agenda, which she confidently calls the “most sweeping set of anti-corruption reforms since Watergate,” is formally known as the Anti-Corruption and Public Integrity Act, and was proposed last August. Warren pledged to work tirelessly to undo the mess  she said that the Trump administration has created.

 The event brought out many young people, who were  excited to hear Warren speak..

“I think that her policies are very bold and detail oriented,” said Amith Ananthram, 27, a software engineer from Fairfax, Virginia. “She has very clear ways to fund the things she proposes, many of which I strongly agree with like the wealth taxes. She’s an older candidate which makes her more attractive because she has a track record you can judge her against.”  

 Naomi Muange,18,  believes that Senator Warren is making great effort to be in tune with young people.

“Obviously it may not come as naturally as it did with someone like Obama, but she is advocating for issues important to young people like healthcare and student loan debt,” she said. “At first, she got off to a rocky start, but she’s trying. It’s the effort that counts.”

 But rally goer, Evelyn Keefer, 18, is worried about Warren’s pledge to fight against corruption, citing that Warren had said she would utilize corporate money during the general election.

 “I don’t know if she can honestly talk about corruption in D.C. while maintaining that stance,” said Keefer.

The post Warren wows the crowd with a fiery anti-corruption speech in Washington Square Park appeared first on Pavement Pieces.

The post Women Demand Equal Pay appeared first on Pavement Pieces.

The post LGBT Community Rally For Voters Who Support Their Community appeared first on Pavement Pieces.