Melissa Mark-Viverito
2014-2017 Speaker of the New York City Council 2006-2017 New York City Councilmember, District 8Â
2019-2020 Candidate for NY-15
Melissa Mark-Viverito was the first Puerto Rican and Latina to hold citywide office in NYC when she was first elected Speaker in 2014. She was also the first woman to ever represent the 8th District in the NYC Council and is now running to be the first woman to ever represent NY-15.
As Speaker, Melissa emerged as a national leader in the fight for comprehensive immigration reform, criminal justice reform, and for women’s rights. She initiated the commission to close down Rikers Island, established a legal fund for undocumented immigrants, pioneered the first participatory budgeting process, and launched the Young Women’s Initiative.
Melissa also secured over $32 million for the St. Mary’s Park renovation, $2 million for the Betances Senior Center, $2 million for improvements to the Millbrook Houses playground, and $2 million for Patterson Houses. Melissa also secured $3.6 million to open up the only cultural center dedicated to children in the Bronx “ the Bronx Children’s Museum.
As your Congresswoman, Melissa’s primary issues would be:
COVID-19 & UBI
Fighting for vulnerable communities by calling for a $2,000 per month Universal Basic Income (UBI), rent freeze, moratorium on evictions, cancel student debt, and for the expansion of an earned income tax credit.Â
Medicare for All
Ensuring that every person has quality healthcare regardless of their job status, income, geography, or preexisting medical conditions.
Immigration Reform
Passing true immigration reform. Take ICE out of detention facilities, create a municipal ID program for undocumented immigrants, and established a legal fund for unaccompanied minors and for immigrants facing deportation proceedings.
Melissa has been endorsed by: Congressmembers Garcia (IL-4), Soto (FL-9), Castro (TX-20), Grijalva (AZ-3), and Gutiérrez (Former IL-4). NYC Councilmember Diana Ayala and Margaret Chin, San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz, Gloria Steinem, Cynthia Nixon, Sonia Manzano, Pedro Julio Serrano, New York Communities for Change, Latino Victory, NOW, UAW Region 9A, #VoteProChoice, UFT, NEA, AFT, NYSUT, and many other local activists and advocates.
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