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PUBLIC TESTIMONY

Testimony by Yodon Thonden on Intro 100 - Suspending Alternate Side Parking for Losar

2:41:43

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130 sec

Yodon Thonden, a member of the Tibetan community in New York, testified in support of Intro 100, which would suspend alternate side parking for Losar (Tibetan New Year). She emphasized the importance of recognizing this significant holiday for the growing Tibetan community in New York City.

Thonden identified herself as the first Tibetan born in New York and a Manhattan Community Board 5 member.
She highlighted the growth of the Tibetan community in New York, now numbering around 60,000 people.
Thonden mentioned that Tibetans work in various professions, including as for-hire drivers, connecting the testimony to the broader hearing topic.

Yodon Thonden

2:41:43

Thank you chair and members of the committee.

2:41:47

My name is Yoden Fonden, and I'm here to talk about intro 100, so thank you for allowing me to jump the line a little bit.

2:41:59

I come from the Tibetan community in New York, and we also have a lot of for hire drivers in our ranks, and but I'm here to talk about intro 100.

2:42:11

And thank you to council member, Julie Wong, for sponsoring this So I am a lifelong New Yorker, Tibetan, born and raised in Manhattan, district 3.

2:42:25

I've raised my 3 kids here.

2:42:27

I also have this strange distinction of being the 1st Tibetan born.

2:42:33

In New York.

2:42:34

And I also serve on Manhattan Community Board 5.

2:42:39

So I grew up in the city in the seventies and eighties at a time when the entire Tibetan community in the tri state area could literally fit in my parents' living room.

2:42:53

And it's been amazing to see in the last decades how our community has grown to now tens of 1000 So I'm asking you to support this bill that would allow us to fully celebrate the most important holiday of the year for us, Losar, Tibetan, New Year.

2:43:16

This holiday is shared by all those who follow the Tibetan lunar Buddhist calendar, and we now number 60,000 in New York City.

2:43:27

We fill all professions and walks of life, and we are also your 4 hired drivers.

2:43:33

The next time you get into a cab or an Uber or a Lyft, it might be one of us.

2:43:39

Losar is our most high holy day, and we request the recognition that we deserve in this great melting pot and Mosaic of New York City.

Selvena N. Brooks-Powers

2:43:48

Thank you.

2:43:49

Let's just ask that you submit the rest of your time.

Yodon Thonden

2:43:51

Thank you very much for your time.

2:43:53

Thank you.

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Testimony by Desmond West, President of Royal Rose Transportation, on Commuter Van Regulations