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Q&A
Council member questions Raul Rivera about his organization and representation
5:51:07
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95 sec
Council Member Brooks-Powers engages in a Q&A session with Raul Rivera, questioning him about his organization 'NYC Drivers Unite' and his representation of TLC drivers. The council member seeks clarification on the organization's formal status, membership, and Rivera's own standing as a TLC driver.
- Rivera claims to represent about 300 TLC drivers but admits the organization is not formally registered
- Brooks-Powers questions Rivera's current TLC license status, which he confirms is active
- The exchange reveals tension between Rivera's advocacy efforts and the council member's attempts to understand who he truly represents
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
5:51:07
Thank you.
5:51:07
You can have a seat.
5:51:08
I have questions for you today.
5:51:12
Mister Rivera, what organization do you represent?
5:51:15
Turn your mic on please.
Raul Rivera
5:51:19
Myself and NYC drivers unite.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
5:51:21
NYC drivers united?
Raul Rivera
5:51:23
It's it's just it's just a name.
5:51:25
We're not we're not signed up as a non profit.
5:51:27
We don't ask
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
5:51:27
for So you're not a formal organization?
Raul Rivera
5:51:29
We don't we don't we don't ask for money.
5:51:32
We're not a non profit.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
5:51:33
So you're registered with the attorney general's office or No.
5:51:37
You're not an organization?
Raul Rivera
5:51:38
That's done on purpose.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
5:51:39
So who do
Raul Rivera
5:51:40
you I'm surprised you're asking questions.
5:51:41
You never ask questions
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
5:51:42
I have questions today.
5:51:43
Thank you.
5:51:44
I'm not done.
5:51:46
So in terms of who you represent, could you give me an idea of how many people are a member of your organization?
Raul Rivera
5:51:53
About 300.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
5:51:54
Three hundred?
Raul Rivera
5:51:55
Yes.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
5:51:55
Okay.
5:51:56
What does the org is comprised of?
5:51:59
What type of people in in
Raul Rivera
5:52:00
the They're all they're all TLC drivers.
5:52:02
In order to join the group, all you have to do is have a TLC license.
5:52:06
That's it.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
5:52:06
And are you a TLC driver?
Raul Rivera
5:52:07
Yes.
5:52:08
I am.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
5:52:08
Do you have a current TLC license?
Raul Rivera
5:52:10
Yes.
5:52:10
Fully licensed.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
5:52:11
Okay.
5:52:11
Because I recall in past testimony you said that you lost your your ability to be a driver.
Raul Rivera
5:52:17
No.
5:52:18
I have a license.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
5:52:19
And it's current?
Raul Rivera
5:52:20
It's active, yes.
5:52:21
Okay.
5:52:23
And if I didn't have a license I can still advocate, you know that right?
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
5:52:25
You can advocate.
5:52:26
I just want to understand who you represent because you come into this hearing every time and talk about who's represented by where but we never have full line of sight of who you represent because I only ever see you.
Raul Rivera
5:52:38
You know who I am, Powers.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
5:52:40
I know who you are Raul.
Raul Rivera
5:52:41
I've been I've been here.
Selvena N. Brooks-Powers
5:52:42
That's what I'm saying.