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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Ruth Lopez Martinez, Cooperative Owner and Member of Nimnoc Council
6:22:49
ยท
6 min
Ruth Lopez Martinez, an immigrant and cooperative owner in New York City, testified about the importance of immigrant-run cooperatives to the city's economy and the current challenges faced by immigrant communities. She expressed concerns about increasing discrimination, xenophobia, and a lack of support from politicians for immigrant rights and businesses.
- Martinez highlighted the economic contributions of cooperatives, including job creation and tax payments
- She described a shift from feeling supported by the city to experiencing fear and insecurity due to racism and xenophobia
- The testimony emphasized the need for politicians to protect and support immigrant populations and their businesses
UNKNOWN
6:22:49
First of all, thank you very much for being here.
6:22:51
It's very important that you hear my voice.
6:22:57
And also that I can be heard my voice be heard in Spanish in this moment.
Lorena Lucero
6:23:04
My
UNKNOWN
6:23:05
name is Ruth Lopez Martinez.
6:23:12
I'm one of the million immigrants that live in the City Of New York.
6:23:19
And that we've made of the city our home.
6:23:28
I've lived for a certain time or for a long time with a parallel economy that has grown in the city of New York New York, which is the cooperatives.
6:23:49
I have a my own cooperative with other people called Palante.
6:23:57
And I also belong to the Council of Advocacy Nimnoc.
6:24:08
Which is the cooperative network in New York that, they support They support the growth and the creation of new cooperatives around New York.
6:24:30
The cooperatives in New York, we have, made a lot of effort day by day to better our own economy.
6:24:41
That of our family members in our countries.
6:24:45
And to be part of the economic, social, and cultural growth of the city.
6:24:59
We pay income.
6:25:11
So we generate employment, and we pay business and personal taxes in the City Of New York.
6:25:26
I would like you to know that in this more than a decade that I've been doing this, I felt happy.
Lorena Lucero
6:25:35
I
UNKNOWN
6:25:38
felt happy, supported, and respected by the city.
6:25:57
So everything changed, and I would like to talk about how we feel those from the cooperatives and the nonprivileged communities.
6:26:07
And the minority classes of the City Of New York.
6:26:13
Since this year started 2024 those with and without documents.
Jasniya Sanchez
6:26:29
Because
UNKNOWN
6:26:35
all of us, in some way, we've been impacted by racism, discrimination.
6:26:45
And also by xenophobia, cultural racism, and intolerance.
6:26:53
We feel security and fear.
Natalia Aristizabal
6:27:02
Because
UNKNOWN
6:27:03
of the lack of effective and total, safety that in our, civil rights that we immigrants feel right now.
6:27:16
And in spite of this economy that we have provided to the city.
6:27:24
In spite of the support that we're offering the city.
6:27:29
With our cooperatives.
6:27:35
Today, we feel socially excluded.
Lorena Lucero
6:27:38
Because
UNKNOWN
6:27:43
of sex, race, or or ethnic origin.
6:27:52
Class, language.
Natalia Aristizabal
6:27:57
And
UNKNOWN
6:28:00
we're feeling an acute vulnerability condition.
6:28:08
That is affecting our capacity for interaction To work.
6:28:17
Of our own cultural identity.
6:28:23
Even our psychological and physical condition.
6:28:31
As part of an active part of this community.
6:28:42
We don't feel there's a real commitment by part of our politicians.
6:28:53
In order to protect and advance in the fight for immigrants.
6:29:24
Thank you very much.
6:29:25
And we ask that your hands be fair, and they support the population and all the businesses in our community.
6:29:33
Thank you very much.