Page 10 - qt edition #49

PAGE 10 THE QUEENS TIMES THURSDAY, DECEMBER 4, 2025

NYC Council Passes Landmark Bill to Bring Gender-Based Mayor Adams, Borough President
Violence Resources Into Salons Richards Announce “Queens

The New York City Council has Council Member Hanif, Co- they are.” Holocaust Memorial”
approved groundbreaking legisla- Chair of the Progressive Caucus, Margarita Guzmán, Executive
tion that will embed life-saving emphasized the importance of Director of Violence Intervention (Continued from page 9) brance for the Jewish community
information about gender-based salons as safe spaces: Program: “This opens doors for in Queens. This garden will stand
violence into everyday community “With this support, we are one people who may not otherwise in capital funding to help bring in honor of the six million Jews
spaces. Intro 1216-2025, spon- step closer to helping thousands find assistance and strengthens this project to life. This garden who were systematically perse-
sored by Council Member Linda of New Yorkers leave abusive partnerships with businesses to will serve as a living classroom cuted and murdered, as well as the
Lee and co-prime sponsored by situations and fostering a more join the fight to end violence.” and a reminder that understanding millions of non-Jewish civilians,
Council Member Shahana Hanif, compassionate and safer City for Kavita Mehra, Executive Di- our history is essential to ensuring soldiers, and prisoners of war who
requires cosmetology establish- everyone.” rector of Sakhi for South Asian that ‘never again’ is not forgotten.” also perished across Europe,” said
ments across the city to display Community-Led Effort Survivors: “The impact of the “This Holocaust Memorial Melinda Katz, district attorney
multilingual posters with details The legislation was crafted Domestic Violence Poster Bill will in Queens honors the profound of Queens. As time passes and
on services and hotlines for survi- through a community-driven be multidimensional, reframing anguish and undeniable truth of we lose more Holocaust survi-
vors of domestic and gender-based process, with strong backing from domestic violence as the public actual genocide that tore families vors—those who witnessed these
violence. The Collective, a coalition of cul- health crisis it truly is.” and communities apart. But it atrocities firsthand—it becomes
Under the measure, the Mayor’s turally specific gender justice or- Yasmeen Hamza, Executive also reflects the extraordinary our collective responsibility to
Office to End Domestic and Gen- ganizations supporting immigrant Director of Womankind: “By resilience of those who survived. preserve their stories and protect
der-Based Violence will design and BIPOC survivors. Advocates partnering with beauty salons— Of people who carried unimagi- the truth. I thank Mayor Eric Ad-
and distribute the posters at no note that many survivors face trusted spaces within diverse nable pain yet still chose hope, ams, Queens Borough President
cost to more than 10,000 hair, nail, barriers to reporting violence, immigrant and marginalized rebuilding, and the promise of Donovan Richards and Memorial
skincare, and threading salons particularly in immigrant and neighborhoods—this initiative a new future,” said Sam Berger, Garden Chairman Michael Nuss-
throughout the five boroughs. The underserved communities. will raise awareness and provide New York State assemblymember. baum for their commitment in
initiative aims to meet survivors In 2024, the NYPD received vital information to survivors.” “Many Holocaust survivors, my bringing this meaningful project
where they are—trusted spaces more than 110,000 domestic vio- A Public Safety Precedent grandparents among them, came to life. This memorial will serve
where conversations are personal lence complaints, though service Supporters liken the measure to Forest Hills seeking safety, dig- as a powerful reminder of the con-
and relationships are built. providers stress that many cases to existing public safety require- nity, and a chance to start again. sequences of unchecked hatred to
“The facts are clear. There is remain unreported. By placing ments, such as restaurants display- They didn’t just rebuild their own ensure that history never repeats
a hidden epidemic of domestic resource-rich posters in salons, ing choking hazard posters. By lives. They helped build Queens. itself.”
and gender-based violence in our the Council hopes to close gaps embedding anti-violence mes- Their strength, their values, and “This Holocaust Memorial
country,” said Council Member in awareness and access. saging into salons, the Council their determination are woven into Garden is symbolic of the times
Linda Lee, Chair of the Commit- Voices From the Community continues a tradition of using the rich and diverse history of this we live in. A garden shows the
tee on Mental Health, Disabilities, Local organizations hailed the public spaces to promote aware- borough. They opened businesses, beauty that surrounds us, while
and Addiction. “As a former social bill as a transformative step: ness and safety. raised families, contributed to our the memorial honors the memo-
worker, I know the importance of Jeehae Fischer, Executive The legislation is expected to civic life, and helped create the ries of those who were brutally
meeting people where they are. I Director of the Korean American roll out citywide in the coming vibrant community we are proud murdered during the Holocaust.
hope this legislation raises aware- Family Service Center: “This months, with posters available to call home. It is vital to continue to honor
ness and connects those affected to bill turns everyday spaces into in multiple languages to ensure “Trauma leaves its mark, but the memory of the Holocaust,
the necessary resources and care lifelines. Survivors deserve to be accessibility across New York’s it does not have to define us,” while also providing support to
they need.” seen, heard, and helped wherever diverse communities. continued Berger. “This memorial the remaining 14,700 survivors
stands as a reminder of the past who live in New York City,” said
Gillibrand Introduces Legislation To Increase we must never forget, and as a Masha Pearl, executive director of
testament to the enduring spirit of The Blue Card. “This is a beauti-
Social Security Benefits those who transformed their suf- ful creation, and we are honored
fering into a legacy of resilience, to take part in this memorial.
The SWIFT Act would expand removes barriers limiting Social As the top Democrat on the community, and hope.” Thank you to Mayor Eric Adams
Social Security benefits for over Security benefits — ensuring Senate Aging Committee, Senator “The Queens Holocaust Memo- and Queens Borough President
one million Americans widows, widowers, and surviv- Gillibrand is continuing her long- rial Garden will create a lasting Donovan Richards for making this
ing divorced spouses receive the standing fight to increase benefits place of reflection and remem- vision a reality.”
Amid skyrocketing prices Social Security benefits they and lower costs for seniors. She
in President Trump’s America, rightfully deserve. Social Security recently introduced the Social Attorney General James Alerts
U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is a lifeline for Americans, playing Security Emergency Inflation
(D-NY) is leading the effort to a critical role in their economic Relief Act, which would provide a Consumers on $700 Million
increase Social Security benefits security and financial well-being $200-per-month increase to Social Google Settlement
and help seniors combat the rising — and yet, many individuals face Security checks until July 2026,
cost of living. burdensome hurdles and arbitrary and the Boosting Benefits and CO-
Senator Gillibrand introduced requirements preventing them LAs for Seniors Act, which would New York Attorney General get their money back.”
legislation to expand Social Se- from receiving the full benefits increase Social Security benefits Letitia James has issued a con- How Consumers Will Be Paid
curity benefits for widowed and they are owed. With this legisla- by leveraging the formula used sumer alert with new instructions Google has already deposited
surviving divorced spouses. She tion, we make sure that no Ameri- to calculate yearly cost-of-living for New Yorkers eligible to re- $630 million into the settlement
was joined on the legislation by can is missing out on the benefits adjustments to better account for ceive restitution from a $700 mil- fund. Beginning December 2,
Senators Richard Blumenthal (D- they need to live with dignity,” seniors’ expenses. In response to lion settlement with Google. The 2025, affected consumers started
CT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), said Senator Blumenthal. Trump administration cuts and settlement, secured in December receiving notices about the claims
Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Patty The SWIFT Act allows wid- overhauls at the Social Security 2023 by James and a bipartisan process. In most cases, payments
Murray (D-WA). owed and surviving divorced Administration, she has rallied coalition of 53 attorneys general, will be automatic, requiring no
The Surviving Widow(er) spouses with disabilities to receive alongside seniors and unions to addresses allegations that Google claim form.
Income Fair Treatment (SWIFT) 100% of the survivor benefits they demand a reversal of staffing unlawfully maintained a monop- Once the settlement is final-
Act makes necessary changes are entitled to, regardless of their and service reductions, and she oly over mobile app distribution ized, consumers will be notified
to Social Security benefit rules age, and empowers widowed and introduced the Keep Billionaires and in-app payment processing on of their payments via PayPal or
by addressing outdated benefit surviving divorced spouses to Out of Social Security Act to undo Android devices. Venmo, using the email address
caps, arbitrary legal restrictions, increase their survivor benefits President Trump’s damage to the The lawsuit, filed in 2021, or phone number linked to their
and claiming requirements — re- beyond current arbitrary caps. agency. charged that Google used its Google Play account. If those
sulting in increased benefits for The legislation also expands child- Senator Gillibrand is also part of dominance to suppress competi- details match an existing PayPal
widowed and surviving divorced in-care benefits for widowed and Senate Democrats’ Social Securi- tion and impose fees of up to 30 or Venmo account, funds will be
spouses. surviving divorced spouses caring ty War Room, a coordinated effort percent on app purchases and deposited directly. Otherwise,
“Our seniors have spent a life- for children, significantly helping to fight back against the Trump in-app transactions. If approved consumers may create a new ac-
time working hard and paying into families struggling with the costs administration’s attacks on Social by the court, the settlement will count or redirect the payment to
Social Security, and they deserve of caregiving. Security and to ensure the Ameri- provide direct payments to con- another account.
to receive adequate benefits and The legislation is supported can people can continue to rely sumers who made purchases on A supplemental claims process
retire with dignity, not spend their by a number of organizations, on these essential programs that the Google Play Store between will follow for those who:
golden years just trying to get including AFL-CIO, AFSCME, they have earned. The War Room August 2016 and September 2023. • Do not wish to use PayPal or
by,” said Senator Gillibrand. “But National Organization of Social coordinates messaging across the “When big corporations use Venmo,
outdated rules and antiquated poli- Security Claimants’ Representa- Senate Democratic Caucus and their monopoly power to stifle • No longer have access to the
cies mean that too many seniors, tives, National Committee to external stakeholders; encourages competition and raise costs, con- email or phone number tied to
especially widowed spouses, and Preserve Social Security and grassroots engagement by provid- sumers pay the price,” Attorney their Google Play account, or
women disproportionately, aren’t Medicare, Women’s Institute for a ing opportunities for Americans to General James said. “For years, • Expected a payment but did not
receiving the benefits they’ve Secure Retirement, The Arc of the share what Social Security means Google took advantage of its receive one.
earned or being treated fairly. Our United States, Justice in Aging, to them; and educates Senate control over its app store to over- Consumers can sign up on the
SWIFT Act will help modernize Alliance for Retired Americans, staff, the American public, and charge its customers and box out settlement website to be notified
the program and strengthen ben- National Association of Disability stakeholders about the Republican competing developers. I urge all when this supplemental process
efits for our seniors.” Representatives, Social Security agenda and their continued cuts New Yorkers who may be eligible begins.
“The SWIFT Act corrects out- Works, and Strengthen Social Se- to Americans’ Social Security for restitution to follow the settle-
dated rules and restrictions and curity Coalition. services and benefits. ment instructions to ensure they (Continued on page 11)