News & Updates
51 Council Members in 52 Weeks: District 25, Shekar Krishnan
The majority of the New York City Council members are new and are part of a class that is the most diverse and progressive in city history. Over the next year Brian Lehrer will get to know all 51 members. This week, Councilmember Shekar Krishnan talks about his priorities for District 25, which includes the neighborhoods of Elmhurst and Jackson Heights..
Five-point plan for NYC Parks unveiled
Councilmember Shekar Krishnan (D-Jackson Heights) gathered along with Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Councilmembers Sandra Ung (D-Flushing) and Mercedes Narcisse (D-Brooklyn) and more at the Flushing Meadows Corona Park Unisphere on Monday to present his five-point plan for expanding New York City parks.
Krishnan was appointed chair of the City Council’s Parks and Recreation Committee at the start of the term. At the time, he said, “Our parks are a matter of social justice.”
That sentiment was abundantly clear as he presented the five-point plan on Monday.
How Our Parks Can Save Our City
New York City’s parks literally saved lives during the pandemic. In my community of Jackson Heights and Elmhurst, our open spaces allowed us to escape the physical, mental, and social constraints of quarantine into fresh air. Today, our parks, pools, playgrounds, and plazas are places of reconnecting and healing for a community pushing forward from its days as the epicenter of a global crisis.
Across our city, parks and public spaces will be essential to meeting the multiple challenges we face, from health care to climate change and more. We must recognize the extraordinary value of our park system and deepen our investment for all neighborhoods, and for future generations. Every community needs and deserves the space to thrive.
Renewed push for NYC to cut ties with Bronx golf course licensed to Trump
Councilmember Shekar Krishnan, chair of the council’s committee on parks and recreation, says it’s long past due for the city to terminate the license it has with the Trump Organization regarding the public golf course Trump Links at Ferry Point in the Bronx.
34th Avenue is An Opportunity to Undo Decades of Unjust, Racist Policies
Immigrant neighborhoods like Jackson Heights and Elmhurst deserve access to open space, clean air, and safe streets just like any other part of this city. Prioritizing these goals in communities like ours will undo glaring racial and environmental injustices that stretch back to the era of Robert Moses and even before.
Jackson Heights community celebrates opening of new dog run at Travers Park
Councilman Shekar Krishnan and NYC Parks Queens Borough Commissioner Michael Dockett unveiled a brand-new dog run at Travers Park Thursday morning, June 30, in response to a surge in dog ownership over the past several years.
Council candidates propose plan to license delivery apps and end exploitation
“Our deliveristas, our essential workers in this city, are from Black and brown communities devastated by COVID and they have been so exploited when it comes to wages,” Krishnan said. “We need to help essential workers get the protections they deserve and end the exploitation.
Shekar Krishnan Racks Up Another Endorsement, Wins the Support of John Liu
“Shekar’s passion for the Elmhurst and Jackson Heights community is unmatched and his record on the issues speaks for itself,” Liu said in a statement. “Candidates like Shekar make history for the right reasons by winning progress for the people they represent with bold action and boundless care, and I’m excited to see him bring that leadership to the City Council.”
Vigil in New York honors victims of Atlanta shooting and anti-Asian violence.
“We are so devastated and pained after what happened, knowing it’s a continuation of a long line of hate and violence against the Asian-American community,” said Shekar Krishnan, a Democrat running for City Council who organized the vigil as a community event. “We are here today to send a message that we will not be silenced. An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us.”
Protesters rally against proposed budget cuts at Elmhurst Hospital
Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz joined City Council candidate Shekar Krishnan, union representatives and members of the New York State Nurses Association at Elmhurst Hospital to protest Governor Andrew Cuomo’s proposed $600 million budget cuts to public hospitals.
“With the primary election date scheduled for June 22, 2021, the Jackson Heights Beautification Group is introducing candidates seeking New York City Council seats in Districts 21, 22, and 25. In this episode, we introduce you to Shekar Krishnan, who is running in District 25.”
“Just because public attention is on it now does not mean that it has not been happening for so long to our Asian-American communities,” activist Shekar Krishnan said.
Jackson Heights community mourns victims of Atlanta shooting, denounce anti-Asian hate
Shekar Krishnan, a community activist and candidate for Jackson Heights City Council who organized the vigil, said anti-Asian hate and violence has existed long before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Opinion: Flushing waterfront rezoning reveals the failure of NYC’s land use process
Op-Ed by Shekar Krishnan
“As we face the unprecedented triple crises of affordability, public health, and racial justice, the proposed Flushing rezoning fails to address any of the urgent needs of our Queens communities.”
Queens congresswoman endorses Shekar Krishnan for Jackson Heights City Council seat
Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez has endorsed civil rights attorney Shekar Krishnan’s candidacy for City Council in District 25, which represents Elmhurst and Jackson Heights, less than a week after he announced his campaign.
Community leader, attorney launches bid for City Council
A longtime community activist and civil rights lawyer kicked off his campaign for City Council last week with an announcement at Travers Park.
Shekar Krishnan announces candidacy for western Queens City Council seat
Community activist and civil rights attorney Shekar Krishnan launched his campaign for the 25th New York City Council representing Jackson Heights and Elmhurst, a seat currently held by Councilman Daniel Dromm who is term-limited in 2021.
Community leader, attorney launches bid for City Council
A longtime community activist and civil rights lawyer kicked off his campaign for City Council last week with an announcement at Travers Park.
Travers supporters take it to the street
Jackson Heights residents say a car dealership is creating unnecessary traffic near Travers Park, putting kids in danger.
After major backlash over planned Jackson Heights tower, community board gives proposal the thumbs down
More than a hundred people packed a room at Elmhurst Hospital on March 13 to express their opposition to a proposed 13-story, mixed-use building on 82nd Street in Jackson Heights.
Why Queens Is the Center of the Nation’s Progressive Movement
Peralta reunites with mainline Democrats as Ramos stays in race
Two days after Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the renegade Independent Democratic Conference had dissolved and reunited with the mainline Democrats in Albany, state Sen. Jose Peralta (D-East Elmhurst) declared it an historic moment that has put the Democratic Party in a position to take over the majority in the Senate for just the second time in more than 50 years.
Dozens of residents, pols protest Peralta
State senator’s political brethren say that the IDC must disband
Community decries car entrance plan
Activists don’t want Koeppel Mazda to use entrance on 78th Street
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