October 29, 2015
Friends,
Every New Yorker - regardless of income, race, gender, ethnicity, age, language, disability, or sexual orientation - is equal, and should be treated as such.
So when a group of residents living on the Upper West Side approached me last year because they were being discriminated against by their landlord, I knew we had to take action.
These residents, many of whom have been living in their building for decades, were told that a brand new gym in their building was for market-rate tenants only. They were not allowed access.
This policy was a blatant violation of their civil rights, and I immediately stood with residents in protest. I filed court papers with the Human Rights Commission and co-sponsored a bill in the City Council to prevent this type of of discrimination from happening in the future.
And Friday, the landlords finally succumbed to pressure and announced that all residents of the building will have access to the building's gym.
I will continue to stand up for New Yorkers like these, because every New Yorker is equal. Every New Yorker deserves to be treated fairly. Every New Yorker deserves an advocate on their side.
Sincerely,
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Letitia James
New York City Public Advocate