Friends,
Tonight, we will sit down with our families and friends in warm homes for
our Thanksgiving dinners and traditions. I wish all of you a night of
good food, happiness, and thanks.
But I urge everyone to take a moment to remember that, unfortunately,
too many of our fellow New Yorkers will not be able to enjoy in these
same comforts. Tonight, close to 60,000 New Yorkers will sleep in our
shelters - many children and seniors. And a recent New York Times/Siena
College poll showed that
one in five New Yorkers has struggled to put food on the table over the past year.
And this week, my
Worst Landlord Watchlist exposed thousands of buildings where New Yorkers are living in inhumane
conditions - without heat, without water, without electricity.
So as we remember what we are grateful for this Thanksgiving, let's
remember all those who are struggling. Let's enter this holiday season
with a renewed compassion for our neighbors and community, and never lose
sight of the values that make our City so great.
With thanks,
Letitia James
New York City Public Advocate