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[Para ver la versión en español visite aquí).
Dear Neighbors,
In challenging times, true leadership is measured not by the volume of its voice, but by the clarity of its purpose. Across our nation, families are grappling with rising food prices, costly health care, the strain of foreign conflicts, and the loss of manufacturing jobs that once anchored our communities. These are the issues that deserve the full attention of the presidency.
Yet we see energy spent fabricating crises—like a fictitious “crime wave” in Washington, D.C.—while the real struggles of working families go unanswered. This is no accident. It is the deliberate “soft launch” of an authoritarian model—power wielded not to unite, but to punish dissent, normalize overreach, and distract from hard truths.
In recent weeks, the White House has revived the Russia investigation, accused former President Barack Obama of treason, and deployed active-duty troops into our capital’s streets—even as crime there falls to its lowest levels since before the pandemic.
These actions may masquerade as politics, but they are the tactics of governments that fear their people more than they serve them. And while they may appear to be momentary distractions, history warns us that, repeated often enough, such tactics can become the substance of governance itself.
The use of military forces in civilian policing is not new in the annals of authoritarian states. It is a test of public tolerance, a signal to allies and opponents alike. Today it is Washington, D.C. Tomorrow, it could be New York, Chicago, or any city whose people dare to dissent.
And all the while, essential work is left undone. Every hour and dollar spent on spectacle is taken from housing, education, health care, clean air, and clean water—the foundations of safety and prosperity.
As your State Senator, I approach this moment with the seriousness it demands. I have raised these warnings before, not out of partisanship, but out of duty. We must confront the potential for excessive force, the erosion of civil rights, and the corrosion of democratic norms before they become permanent. In Albany, we have a responsibility to use every legislative and legal tool to safeguard the power of the people, protect our institutions, and ensure New York remains a stronghold for liberty and justice.
We must meet this moment with vigilance and resolve. Our history will be written not only by the actions of those in power, but by the courage of those who stood against any attempt to erode the freedoms generations fought to secure.
Our task is not simply to resist what is wrong, but to build what is right. That means staying informed, staying organized, and staying connected—because democracy does not defend itself.
As we continue the work of building a New York that is safer, fairer, and stronger for all, I hope this weekend brings you rest, power, and resolve. Thank you for your strength, your solidarity, and your unwavering belief in a future we build together.
In the sections below, you’ll find vital resources and community updates. Because democracy is not a gift—it is a practice. And it’s one we undertake, side by side.
In Unity,
RJ
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