Q&A
Reconciling Mastro's pro bono work with his role in Giuliani administration
2:41:53
·
3 min
Council Member Hudson challenges Randy Mastro to reconcile his pro bono work in furtherance of racial justice with his role in the Giuliani administration, which she characterizes as using racist tactics against New Yorkers of color.
- Hudson points out the apparent contradiction between Mastro's pro bono work and his role in the Giuliani administration
- Mastro defends his record, citing his work on domestic partnership legislation and other social justice initiatives within the administration
- He argues that his values have been consistent throughout his 40-year career
Crystal Hudson
2:41:53
I'm glad you brought that up because I do have a question about about that and other pro bono work you've done.
2:41:58
How do you reconcile that pro boner work that you've done in furtherance of racial justice against being the conscience of a mayoral administration that used racist and bigoted tactics to malign black New Yorkers and New Yorkers of color.
2:42:12
On the one hand, you're referring to your your successes and your record of 30 years.
2:42:18
On the other hand, you're telling us that you don't remember certain things from 30 years ago.
2:42:22
And on the one hand, you're referring to pro bono cases that you litigated on behalf of racial justice, social justice.
2:42:30
But on the other hand, you worked in administration that directly had a negative impact on black and brown New Yorkers.
2:42:37
So I'm asking you, how do you reconcile THE TWO THINGS.
2:42:41
BUT I DON'T NEED A WHOLE LONG THING ABOUT IT.
2:42:46
I Just WANT TO KNOW How DO YOU RECONCile THOSE TWO THINGS, BECAUSE THEY'RE CONFLICTING.
Randy Mastro
2:42:51
PLEASE LET ME ANSWER 1.
Crystal Hudson
2:42:52
I WOULD LOVE IT IF YOU WOULD answer my specific question.
Randy Mastro
2:42:55
I am council member.
2:42:57
And the fact of the matter is that it's not reconciling something to recognize that I have these values within my administration when I served in that administration, you know, I I was recognized as someone who advocated for similar values.
2:43:17
That's why another member of that administration
Crystal Hudson
2:43:19
And you've also worked against those values.
Randy Mastro
2:43:21
Please, please.
2:43:22
That's why another member of that administration, Debbie Wright, Democrat, blacks served in the Dinkens administration.
Crystal Hudson
2:43:28
I don't want you to pull out every black person that considers
Randy Mastro
2:43:32
me considered
Crystal Hudson
2:43:33
On your character.
2:43:34
Okay?
Randy Mastro
2:43:36
Please.
Crystal Hudson
2:43:36
I'm asking you to answer a very specific question.
2:43:39
There will be people here who will have their opportunity to give their account of their experiences with you.
2:43:46
Black, white, and otherwise.
2:43:48
So I don't need you to give me a listing of every black person who supports you, every gay person who supports you, every woman who supports you.
2:43:55
What I'm asking you is when you have a whole list of cases that you've worked on to further social justice, And then you've worked in an administration that has discounted that work.
2:44:08
How do you, Mister Mastro, reconcile the 2 things?
Randy Mastro
2:44:12
I, in city government, I I am trying to answer your question.
Crystal Hudson
2:44:16
You're trying to talk around
Randy Mastro
2:44:18
my question.
2:44:19
I'm not
Crystal Hudson
2:44:20
you're not answering my question.
Randy Mastro
2:44:21
Just let me answer your question.
2:44:22
I'm
Keith Powers
2:44:23
I should just give him an opportunity to answer a
Randy Mastro
2:44:25
quick question.
2:44:25
I was also working for social justice in the Giuliani administration.
2:44:30
That's why I spearheaded the passage of the most sweeping domestic partnership legislation for same sex couples at the time.
2:44:36
I did many things to advance social justice in the Giuliani administration, and that's why I was described the way I was by Debbie Wright.
2:44:45
And the fact of the matter is that you have a 40 year career to know that I embody those values.
2:44:52
And we are focusing only on a 4 year period of a 40 year career, and even then you have hard evidence of how I exemplified within the confines of being in a support position of those values.