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Name of Council Candidate: John Ciafone Name and Title of Person Completing Questionnaire: Campaign Website:

2013 CITY COUNCIL HUMAN RIGHTS QUESTIONNAIRE


1. Many in the United States think of international affairs when they think of human rights. Our work emphasizes the applicability of the human rights framework here in the United States. Please share your thoughts on the domestic applicability of human rights, and discuss why human rights are important to you in the context of New York City and the City Council. It is important to divest all investments in countries and businesses who violate human rights law. 2. How have you used current or previous professional positions to advance human rights? I have volunteered as an attorney on several human rights issues. 3. What will your top 3 legislative priorities be in your first term as Council Member? 1. Divest public investments in countries that violate human rights law. 2. Promote positive progressive legislation. 3. Fight for higher wage laws. 4. What will your top 3 budget priorities be in your first term as Council Member? 1. Increase funding for communities. 2. Promote positive progressive legislation. 3. Improve wage laws. 5. Do you plan to use participatory budgeting to allocate your discretionary funds? Why or why not? Participatory budgeting is important to allow a more fair input into discretionary funding needed. 6. Please provide examples of recent legislation in Council that you believe promotes human rights. The recent modifications to Stop and Frisk, discrimination in employment, and not lastly, domestic violence, just to mention a few that would be utmost on my agenda to push forward in legislation.

7. Legislation is only one of many ways in which Council Members can work to advance human rights. What ways other than through legislation will you advance the human rights of New Yorkers as a City Council Member? I will have public press conferences to highlight the outstanding issues facing human rights violations. For example, right here in our backyards, discrimination in every shape and form and we allow it. We need to put a stop to it. With that said, legislation is the channel to voice and implement action. As mentioned earlier, domestic violence is on the rise. When we think of domestic violence, we only think of women being abused, but statistics show that men are being abused as well. This has to be addressed through services that execute public awareness. You also have, unemployment discrimination, housing discrimination, just to name a few. The list goes on and on. 8. Some advocates contend that the position of the Council Speaker has too much power over the progression of legislation. Please use this space to respond to that critique. The Speaker has too much power over the progression of legislation. Changes in the law and rules must be made to change this.

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