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Former City Council Candidate Jin “PJ” Kim
Former City Council Candidate Pete Gleason

Tom Goodkind
Michael Kramer
Sean Sweeney
Jeanne Wilcke
Jim Stratton
Yetta Kurland
Andrew J. Neale

Shutting down fire stations is “absolutely the wrong decision,” said Jenifer Rajkumar, a 28-year-old attorney who lives in Gateway Plaza. “I think there is a great possibility more lives would be lost, more people would be harmed, and response times would increase.”

See Story:
http://www.downtownexpress.com/?p=866

Jenifer Rajkumar is a strong and vocal advocate for Saving the South Street Seaport and Museum.  Along with other community leaders, she spoke out at a rally to Save our Seaport held on May 22, 2011.  Below is a transcript of her remarks.

Thank you, David.  And thank you Peter Sanford.  Wow, isn’t this breathtaking? South Street Seaport really captures the imagination.  Like many of you, as a child, I learned about ships and the explorers of old—Ferdinand Magellan the first person to sail around the world, Henry Hudson on whose river I now live, the immigrants who came to America on ships through Ellis Island.  As an 8 year old, learning about these brave explorers and this rich history instilled in me a life-long sense of adventure and leadership.

          Now there is word that these ships may vanish overnight, due to budget constraints, and we cannot let that happen. Can you imagine this landscape without these ships as part of it?  I just cannot imagine these beautiful ships not being here anymore, to inspire the new generation of children, instilling in them the sense of adventure and history that they instilled in me.  

          As a leader within the Downtown Independent Democrats, a long-standing democratic political club here in downtown Manhattan, I can say that our club understands that the future of the Seaport is important to us—that what happens to the Seaport is important to the future of the city.

          What is happening here to the Seaport is part of a larger issue—quality of life here in downtown Manhattan.  With the imminent opening of the World Trade Center memorial and museum, we face the certain prospect of increased traffic and tourism. With the increased traffic and tourism, coupled with the tough economy and budget constraints, we are going to face some tough decisions about what happens here to our neighborhoods.  Is this going to become a uniform, commercialized area, or will we be able to preserve the real New York?   It is now more important than ever to stand up for the real New York, to hold on to what is dear to us—to  renew our commitment to preserve this historic waterfront and beautiful harbor— to save this beautiful piece of history for New York. 

Now, as we save the Seaport, there may be some changes, and there may be some re-structuring, but the ships have to stay.  As the explorer David Livingstone himself once said, “I am prepare to go anywhere, so long as it is forward.”    And we want to go forward as New Yorkers aware of our history and determined to preserve it for countless more generations. And that is what we need to come together and do.  

So I ask you:
Would you rather have a Seaport here, or would you rather have a parking lot here? [Crowd: A seaport!]
Would you rather have a Seaport, or would you rather have a McDonald’s? [Crowd: A seaport!]
Would you rather have a Seaport, or would you rather have a shopping mall? [Crowd: A Seaport!]
Would you rather have a Seaport, would you rather have a movie theater? [Crowd: A Seaport!]
And finally, would you rather have a Seaport, or would you rather all these ships are moved up to the Massachusetts harbor?  [Crowd: A Seaport!]

Our message is clear.  We need to save our Seaport.  It is time to band together and call upon our entire community to come together for the Seaport, to encourage our elected leaders and Mayor to help us save it.  Thank you.

Adam Silvera, former District Leader of 16 years, Endorses Jenifer Rajkumar and Annoints her as Downtown Manhattan’s “Bashert”

Jenifer Rajkumar kicked off her campaign for District Leader this summer in front of the Statue of Liberty, which is a part of her Assembly District. There, she received the endorsement of Adam Silvera, the former District Leader of 16 years and an attorney at the Cochran Law Firm.  Adam’s remarks are below.
 
Good afternoon Democrats!

My grandmother Laura Friedman, may she rest in peace, would use a Yiddish expression, “Beshert.”  Beshert in Yiddish means destiny.  Beshert is often used as an expression when finding one’s soul mate.  I’d like to anoint Jenifer as downtown’s Beshert.

In a sea of mediocrity, Jenifer stands out as a bright intelligent force. We need Jenifer to help Lower Manhattan, from Battery Park City to Avenue A.  Jenifer has spoken out in support of tenant rights and women’s rights. She has spoken out to preserve the Seaport.  She has spoken out to oppose the closing of firehouses.  In just a short time she has contributed a tremendous amount, and the best is yet to come. 

As the former district leader of this neighborhood for 16 years, I urge all democrats in lower Manhattn to join me in voting for Jenifer.

I am most impressed with Jenifer’s commitment to helping the most forgotten vulnerable members of our community.  While still a student, Jenifer worked to assist victims of domestic violence in this very district she is running in.  As a lawyer, she has worked on cases to protect people with disabilities and to protect whistleblowers.
 
I would like to note that it is particularly fitting that Jenifer as a daughter of immigrants is running in this district.  This district has and remains today one of the first neighborhoods where immigrants still live today and make this city what it is today.
 
God bless you Jenifer.  Thank you for your commitment to Lower Manhattan and good luck.  We will win big this September.  I will be with you to the very end.

Jenifer Rajkumar has the dynamism, energy and understanding that we need right now. While Rajkumar’s integrity and commitment to progressive values are unshakable, she knows that democracy is a consultative process. Her ability to listen to our community, help craft solutions to community problems and work hard to realize those goals is an inspiration. Lower Manhattan, and the New York Democratic Party need Jenifer’s voice.

I am proud to endorse Jenifer Rajkumar for District Leader.

-Paul Newell, Democratic District Leader, 64th Assembly District, Part C

Downtown Manhattan is the fastest growing residential community in New York City and we need new leadership that can bridge the present and the future. Jenifer Rajkumar also represents the honesty and integrity that our political system sorely needs right now.  She is a true voice for reform and she will make us proud. Vote Jenifer Rajkumar for District Leader this Tuesday, September 13th.

Jin “PJ” Kim, Former Candidate for New York City Council

I can think of no one better to be our district leader than Jenifer Rajkumar. She’s dedicated her entire career to social justice, and will bring the same passion and intensity to representing all of us to the democratic party. She is one of the great minds of my generation, and would be a tremendous asset in our work toward a better future.

–Zac Townsend, Financial District Resident, Chair of the Manhattan Young Democrat’s (MYD) Economics Committee*

*For Identification Purposes Only

In my 40+ years of activism in lower Manhattan, I’ve never seen such flair, intelligence and drive. We need Jenifer Rajkumar. Vote for change on September 13.

–Sean Sweeney, Community Board 2, Executive Committee; Director, SoHo Alliance *

*For Identification Purposes Only

Jenifer has been an incredible burst of energy and drive within the Downtown Independent Democrats, especially in terms of addressing the needs of women to speak up and be heard within their communities. More importantly, she is a doer, someone who shows up, does the crummy behind the scenes work, but also does her homework. She’s not
only smart, she’s very, very caring.

–Jean Grillo, Democratic District Leader; former president Lab School PTA *

*For Identification Purposes Only