Jan. 31, 2017 By Hannah Wulkan
A group of local politicians are throwing their support behind the Muslim community in Astoria following President Donald Trump’s Executive Order banning travelers from seven majority-Muslim countries.
Four electeds are planning an Astoria Unity Rally in support of the Muslim community on Friday, which will run from 5 to 6 p.m. at the corner of 25th Avenue and Steinway Street.
“Following the abhorrent executive order banning travel from several Muslim-majority countries, we must join together to fight for justice and equality for all New Yorkers,” said Councilman Costa Constandinides, who is co-sponsoring the rally along with Congressman Joe Crowley, State Senator Michael Gianaris and Assembly Member Aravella Simotas.
“Muslim-Americans and Muslim immigrants are a core part of Astoria’s history and community. Our nation was founded by immigrants and immigration continues to be an integral part of achieving the American Dream,” he added.
The rally comes in the wake of an Executive Order that Trump signed on Saturday barring citizens from seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States for the next 90 days, and barring any refugees from entering the country for the next 120 days.
The Executive Order resulted in many travelers being detained at airports across the country and widespread confusion over who exactly the ban applied to and whether legal residents, such as green card holders, were included under the order.
“The Astoria community stands together with Muslim-Americans. Muslim-Americans and Muslim immigrants are a core part of Astoria’s history and community. Our nation was founded by immigrants and immigration continues to be an integral part of achieving the American Dream,” reads the Facebook page advertising the event.
In addition to the four politicians sponsoring the rally, the Muslim American Society of Queens and the Ansob Center for Refugees will both speak at the event. Other officials have also been invited, though not confirmed to attend, including Governor Andrew Cuomo, Public Advocate Letitia James, Comptroller Scott Stringer, City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito, Queens Borough President Melinda Katz and Congress Member Carolyn Maloney.
For more information on the event, visit https://www.facebook.com/events/373619299679020/
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19 Comments
Proud to join my #Astoria friends @Costa4NY & @AravellaSimotas plus @TishJames at a rally in support of our Muslim neighbors! #NoBanNoWall pic.twitter.com/svvzJUUu6s – this is from JVB’s twitter yesterday – on Steinway Street & 25th Avenue –
I liked astoria better when it was greek and italians.
Sounds like you may need the podium Costa – hehe
Great. I am glad they have the support of a group of local politicians and the community. It would also be nice if we saw the Muslim community represented in greater numbers In Astoria supporting other issues by attending meetings and rallies and supporting other issues that take place such as fighting crime, reducing loitering and littering, following traffic and parking laws, overcrowding schools issues, fighting discrimination for other groups and minorities, etc.
really but is was okay on 9/11 that they were dancing on steinway street between 28th avenue and astoria boulevard but that was okay I don’t think so –
This whole thing is a ridiculous political show. There has not been a ‘muslim ban’ – this is just the New York democratic machine getting ready for 2020. It’s called “Muslim-Americans and Muslim immigrants are a core part of Astoria’s history and community.” + insert unspoken text here: If we don’t do this, then Muslim Americans won’t vote for us!
FWIW, Constandinides, Simotas, and Gianaris are in a particularly interesting situation – what about islamist Erdogan and religious rights of the Greek Orthodox patriarchate in Turkey? I wonder what the marchers in Friday’s parade think about that – hmmm….
Are you living in a pothole in the middle of Ditmars Blvd or what? Or just a trump troll?
Thank you!!
Get the heck out of here that they are the core of Astoria!! Explain to me why they were burning an American flag on that same corner???
Who’s “they”?
Do you remember when they rapped all those kids at the Catholic church?
how come JVB name is not listed on here –
he is at the rally as of now 2/3/17 — he would not miss this –
No to sharia law, Yes to womens rights, Yes to gay rights and freedom build that wall!
It only took 15 minutes. Please be nicer. No one is calling for sharia law. The wall is with Mexico, btw.
To be fair, you should say “no to sharia law, Catholic law, and Hasidic Judaism laws” so it doesn’t sound like you’re singling out one group that oppresses women and gay rights and not the others.
She can’t say no to something without including the rest, in fear of making someone feel singled out? Give me a break.
I’m also against Catholics and Jews FYI.
Somebody Jacked my name a Leftist coward.
I agree. All these religions that oppress women and gay rights need to go.
we will stay united , we believe in united state of this great nation USA