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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Andy Waldron, Member of the Public, on Civil Service, Labor, and Music Industry Challenges
1:25:21
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102 sec
Andy Waldron, a native New Yorker and working musician, testifies about the challenges faced by workers in the music industry and arts sector in New York City. He emphasizes the importance of supporting local music venues and addressing the financial struggles of musicians despite their significant contribution to the city's economy and culture.
- Waldron has worked in traditional music jobs like record stores and music venues, highlighting the cultural significance of these businesses in NYC.
- Despite being part of the 14,000 working musicians contributing to NYC's economy, Waldron still relies on Medicaid and struggles to pay fellow laborers and musicians.
- He urges council members to support the resolution to improve conditions for musicians and preserve NYC's status as a cultural epicenter.
Andy Waldron
1:25:21
Check.
1:25:23
Used to it now.
1:25:24
Hi, my name is Andy Waldron.
1:25:26
I was born in District 1, represented by council member and then I live in District 34 by council member, represented by council member Gutierrez.
1:25:36
I'm here to speak about the like civil service and labor council member De La Rosa mentioned of wanting us to stay here.
1:25:49
And as someone who has who was born here, who continues to work here in what has been traditional music job and labor, like record stores, like rough trade, who's chosen to have their sole US location in the great New York City, or knitting factory who has also been a foundation for many wonderful and innovative musicians.
1:26:13
I worked at those places because I knew that New York City had a community and a music and an arts way of living and cultural epicenter that I want to continue singing along with all my friends here today.
1:26:28
And I still have to be on Medicaid.
1:26:31
I still have to figure out how to pay my fellow laborers, my fellow musicians, my fellow stagehands.
1:26:38
So as one of the 14,000 working musicians that help contribute to New York City's economy through the arts sector, I would like to like my wonderful colleagues constituents here share and work together to continue that song, continue that melody and I hope my council members from where I was born and where I currently work also sign on to support this resolution as well.
1:27:03
Thank you.