Q&A
Mastro's defense of his record on inclusion, diversity, and civil rights
2:17:48
·
5 min
Randy Mastro provides a defense of his record on inclusion, diversity, and civil rights, emphasizing his commitment to these issues throughout his career.
- Mastro argues that his entire record demonstrates a commitment to inclusion, diversity, and civil rights
- He cites specific cases and actions he has taken to support civil rights and social justice
- Mastro emphasizes that his record should be viewed in its entirety, not just his time in the Giuliani administration
- He mentions support from various community leaders and colleagues as evidence of his commitment to these issues
Randy Mastro
2:17:48
It is neither a fair characterization nor does that reflect my values and my own actions and my own history because where we seem to be stuck in the 19 nineties and looking at my entire record, including that time in the 19 nineties, my entire record is one of someone who's been committed to inclusion and diversity and someone who's been committed to standing up for civil rights, constitutional rights, racial justice, and social justice.
2:18:15
So, you know, you'll ask me, this council can have confidence in how I will conduct myself as corporation counsel based on my entire history and record as Randy Mastro and as someone who has brought case after case has served in community service at Citizens Union Legal Aid and otherwise fighting for civil rights constitutional rights racial justice and social justice.
2:18:39
Thank you.
Selvena Brooks-Powers
2:18:42
Again, Mister Mastro, the concern that I feel that I have and a number of my colleagues share is Wanting to know that we would be having a corporation counsel that has the sensitivity to ensure that they stand up against racial discrimination, and also creating opportunities for qualified people in the workforce to be able to have up affordability as well.
2:19:16
The Giuliani administration was not necessarily known for that as shared the the numbers and numbers don't lie.
2:19:24
And, you know, in terms of the questions asked, I haven't gotten a clear idea of the metrics that was set during that administration how you while you said you were not the conscious, but someone else deemed you the conscious, you know, it's interesting that you don't feel that you were either.
2:19:43
But wanting to know, like, what did you do?
2:19:46
How did you stand up to that.
2:19:49
The corporate racing council must not only seek justice on behalf of the city of New York, but also must operate an agency with hundreds of employees.
2:19:58
And my concern with the nomination currently is that nothing in your background indicates that you will run an equitable and diverse agency or that you understand what it means to do so this year because I have not been cleared through your responses of in those moments, how you stood up in those moments as chief of staff or as the deputy mayor for operations.
Keith Powers
2:20:23
Mister Mister Mitchell, I'll give you we're gonna go to
UNKNOWN
2:20:25
the next one,
Keith Powers
2:20:25
but I'll give you an opportunity to respond to that.
Randy Mastro
2:20:27
Thank you.
2:20:29
Why don't you ask the peaches who were serving in government or community leaders.
2:20:36
Why don't you ask people like David Patterson?
2:20:40
He'll testify here later.
2:20:42
Billy Thompson.
2:20:44
Reverend Sharpton.
2:20:46
Why don't you ask people whether I was the person in city hall who had an open door?
2:20:51
And I don't describe myself as the conscience of the Giuliani administration.
2:20:55
That was described by one of my democrat black colleagues who I love like a sister, and I wear that as a badge of honor.
2:21:04
And I have a record of standing up on these issues.
2:21:07
Ask Janet Morgan when she's up here how I won her job back when she was a victim of racial discrimination.
2:21:13
Ask Rashida Buchanan, one of the peaceful racial justice protesters who was assaulted at Lafayette Square Park.
2:21:19
And why don't you ask my colleagues at Gibson Dunn where I took a litigation a New York litigation group that had partnership that had no diverse partners at all when I went back and over 30% women and other diverse partners by the time I left.
2:21:36
I have that track record counsel.
Vickie Paladino
2:21:38
Oh, wait.
2:21:38
I have that track record.
Selvena Brooks-Powers
2:21:40
Thank you for that, Mister up.
2:21:41
But what I'm asking you is in your role of chief of staff or deputy mayor for operations,
Vickie Paladino
2:21:49
what did you do
Selvena Brooks-Powers
2:21:51
to address these these matters at that time?
Randy Mastro
2:21:54
I I I did a tremendous amount And there are many issues on which I and others in the administration spoke candidly and confidentially to the mayor.
2:22:08
That's why I am a trusted adviser.
2:22:10
But it's also the case because you don't cite this, but if you looked at the press clips at the time, we had greater Hispanic representation at assistant commissioner at above level in our administration than any administration in history up to that point in time.
2:22:27
That is so there's a complete record to be looked at, and I just urge the council to consider my entire record over the course of my entire career which is one of stamping up for civil rights, constitutional rights, racial justice, and social justice.
2:22:44
It's not 4 years.
2:22:45
It's 40 years, council member.
2:22:48
So I appreciate the questions.
2:22:49
I appreciate why you're asking.
2:22:51
I'm, again, I'm my own man, and I've stood up for those issues for 40 years.
Keith Powers
2:22:56
Mister Castro, can I before we move on, just ask a Thank you?
2:23:00
Just clarifying question.
Randy Mastro
2:23:01
Sure.
Keith Powers
2:23:01
Can you describe just just understanding your role as this were just questions coming up, what was in your portfolio as the deputy mayor of operations at chief of staff.