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REMARKS
Appreciation for work with currently and formerly incarcerated individuals
0:49:47
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Council Member Rivera expresses gratitude for the libraries' work with currently and formerly incarcerated individuals. She highlights the importance of addressing misconceptions about voting rights for this population.
- Rivera acknowledges the libraries' efforts both on Rikers Island and in communities
- She mentions encountering people who mistakenly believe they can't vote due to past incarceration
- The council member emphasizes the importance of informing this population about their voting rights
- Rivera also praises the libraries' work with teens, noting their impressive awareness and capacity
Carlina Rivera
0:49:47
You know, I would you mentioned adults in the in in your testimony, I appreciated the work that you're doing with people who are currently and formally incarcerated.
0:49:57
You know, for anyone who has ever stood on the street for any cause, whether political or not, you know, there's this eventually, you get to the point in the conversation where you're like, well, you know, to to make this change, you should register to vote.
0:50:10
Right?
0:50:11
That that'll come up at some point.
0:50:13
And I can't tell you how many people I've spoken to who would say something like, you know, I actually serp.
0:50:19
Like, I I did I did time.
0:50:21
I I was previously incarcerated, and I can't vote.
0:50:25
And I do think there is this there are many, many misconceptions about who can and who cannot vote.
0:50:31
So I just wanna thank you for, you know, doing the work, you know, on the island and off the island and and just making sure that we're in connection with those individuals because they certainly have the rights as well.
0:50:48
Just to go back to your teens, I'd I'd remain impressed by the young people that walked through the doors of your libraries.
0:50:53
They are incredible people.
0:50:55
I wish I had 50% of, like, the capacity and the just sort of the awareness that they exhibited, and I was very proud to to participate in in that panel.
0:51:05
You have an online author talk.
0:51:07
You said held by teens?
0:51:08
You said that I think in your testimony, I think that's that's so interesting.
0:51:14
Because I do feel as I don't know.
0:51:16
I guess it's I don't wanna say controversial, but as as deep as the discussion is about access to online and digital platforms.
0:51:24
I do think that space is so important to have that discussion about books and literacy and and the topics that are involved that affect our everyday life.
0:51:33
So we would love to continue promoting that.
0:51:36
You know, from our office, and I think in the council, I we think that I think that's very, very cool.
0:51:41
Just one question because I see one of my colleagues who wants wants to ask.