PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Dua Yang Zi Sherpa, Spokesperson for United Sherpa Association Inc., on Intro 100 and Intro 276
4:34:37
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120 sec
Dua Yang Zi Sherpa, representing the United Sherpa Association Inc., testified in support of Intro 100 to suspend alternate side parking on Losar (Tibetan New Year) and Intro 276 to end unfair deactivations by Uber and Lyft. She emphasized the importance of recognizing Himalayan New Yorkers' cultural traditions and addressing challenges faced by community members working as ride-hailing drivers.
- Explained the significance of Losar as a New Year celebration for Tibetan and Himalayan communities
- Highlighted that over 80% of families in her community own cars, with many working as Uber or Lyft drivers
- Shared personal experiences of community members struggling with alternate side parking during cultural celebrations
Dua Yang Zi Sherpa
4:34:37
Hello.
4:34:38
I'm Dua Yang Zi Sherpa.
4:34:40
Joshua Laid, Namaste, and good afternoon to everyone here.
4:34:43
Thank you to our women, Brooks Powers, and members of the Transportation Committee.
4:34:49
I am a Sherpa Napali woman, and I live in Sunnyside Queens.
4:34:53
I'm the board member and the spokesperson for the United Sherpa Association Inc.
4:34:58
More commonly known as Sherpa Kiduk.
4:35:01
I also serve as an adviser to the network of Sherpa students and professionals NSSP and organization dedicated to strengthening the Sherpa youth and professional network.
4:35:09
We also dedicated to Sherpa cultural preservation and building intergenerational relationship between Sherpa elders and youth.
4:35:17
Today, I'm here to testify in support of introduction 100 from council member, Julie Won, to meet Losar, or to bed in Sherpa, and many Himalayan ethnicities, New Year holiday for alternate site parking.
4:35:29
Before we dive into the testimony, I'd like to share that Losar is a Tibetan word that translates to New Year.
4:35:35
Low means year, and Sar means new, as festival celebrated by Buddhist communities around the world.
4:35:42
This bill is important to me and my travel community because more than 80% of the families that I know of own a car in New York City as majority of them work as independent contractors under Uber or Lyft.
4:35:54
So I will support Intro 276 to end unfair, Uber, and Lyft, yeah, activation as well.
4:36:02
I do not own a car, but I have had my share of stories on how many Sherpa people and people from my community have had to lit view their seats.
4:36:12
During family get togethers or community celebrations to keep up with alternate side parking rules.
4:36:18
By suspending ASP on LOSR, New York City sends a powerful message to all Himalayan New Yorkers that New York City sees us all.
4:36:26
Our city recognizes us and our cultural traditions that New York City is also our city.
4:36:33
I hope you can join us at one of our communities, Los Angeles celebrations.
4:36:36
Thank you.