Name of Council Candidate: Mercedes Narcisse Name and Title of Person Completing Questionnaire: Michael Roberts, Campaign Manager

Campaign Website: www.mercedesforcouncil2013.com

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. Human rights does apply to local issues, as a matter of fact, its in local communities that real human rights violations are most common. In my 46th Council District the face of human rights violations is rape, especially the rape of young children, sexual abuse and domestic violence against women. For men, especially young Black males, its stop and frisk, arbitrary detention, harassment and police brutality. For me these are both public health and human rights issues. Human rights go the heart of all our other rights and should be protected, defended and improved. New York City has come a very long way in dealing with human rights there is a now city commission on human rights. But there is still a very long way to go to end the not easily seen human rights issues of workplace discrimination, covert racism, homophobia and violations by law enforcement officials. I believe that the City Council has to do much more and promote a more aggressive human rights agenda. I am committed to leading this movement. 2. How have you used current or previous professional positions to advance human rights? 1. I have been involved in Mothers Against Gun Violence in the wake of the Newton massacre. Gun violent is a serious issue in my district. I believe that gun violence is a human rights issue and I have used my position to highlight and work with young people to help them deal with gangs and youth-related violence. Gun violence creates only victims no winners. 2. Ive also counseled battered women who were the victims of domestic violence which is a very serious issue in my district. Its treated simply as a violent crime but not seen as a human rights issue. Everyday literally thousands of womens human rights are violated. 3. What will your top 3 legislative priorities be in your first term as Council Member? 1. Passing the Small Business Jobs Survival Act. As a small business owner and the president of the Avenue L Merchants Association I will being a unique business persons perspective to this deliberation and conversation.

2. Job Creation and strengthening of the local community economy. The number one issue that goes to both human rights and dignity is job creation. I also believe that when we strengthen the local economy and build our small businesses we create jobs, keep the money in the community and improve the local economy. 3. Womens issues, including workplace discrimination, and under the table discrimination when working women become pregnant. Women still face serious human rights and discrimination in the most liberal of states in the nation. The list is long and I this is a fight that I will take on. Its time that womens voices be heard after all we are the majority population in the city. 4. What will your top 3 budget priorities be in your first term as Council Member? 1. Make participatory budgeting a peoples participation engine in the 46th Council District. 2. Push for more transparency, especially when it comes to discretionary spending and a new more equitable approach to allocation of budget resources, based on the needs of various communities this should not be a one-size fits all where affluent communities get all of the resources while poor ones get the crumbs. It should be the other way around. 3. Push for more information about the city council and its work to be put online. In the public domain its will be opened for comments, advice and/or criticisms. 5. Do you plan to use participatory budgeting to allocate your discretionary funds? Why or why not? Yes, I am. I believe that participatory budgeting presents us with the opportunity to engage the community in a proactive and democratic way. Its a useful tool to educate ordinary New Yorkers about the budget process. It also guarantees that projects will be decided on the basis of a democratic community input. 6. Please provide examples of recent legislation in Council that you believe promotes human rights. 1. Paid sick leave 2. Wage increase 3. NYPD Inspector General legislation Paid sick leave is commonsense human rights legislation that helps increase productivity and now offers a right to ordinary workers who hitherto were forced to work when sick because they needed the income. As a working single mother of five and a small business owner for over 12 years, I understand what working mothers and fathers go through when they are sick and cant work. This law levels the playing field. The NYPD has proven that its incapable of policing itself and when its members commit a crime it behaves as if its above the law. An inspector general with subpoena powers is a good move to protect ordinary individuals and their human rights when rogue officers run amok. The IG will also be able to shed light on those not so open human rights violations that the NYPD currently gets away with because there is no oversight and the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) is a paper tiger that does not have the respect of the NYPD.

Wage increases are long overdue but still not in keeping with inflation. But this is a good first step. 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? 1. I will be a strong advocate for the rights of women and children. I believe that no child in NYC should go to bed hungry or be fettered by poverty and want. These are the unfinished human rights work and business that has to be dealt with. 2. While I believe that violence is a public health challenge, I also believe that unwarranted violence by law enforcement officials is also a human rights issue that must continued to be addressed. 3. Sexual abuse is a serious crime and issue, especially when it impacts the lives of minors, I believe that this is a most egregious violation of human rights and is something that I will have a zero tolerance for at the city council. 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. Yes, I think that the office Council Speaker as presently constituted has way too much power. For example, when doling out discretionary money the Speaker favors his/her favorite members who vote in lock-step with him/her 100 percent of the time. He/she punishes dissent by denying and giving limited discretionary funding to real or perceived opponents many representing communities that are seriously disadvantaged and in badly need of resources. Further, the ability to kill legislation should not be at the whim and subjective fancy of the Speaker. Many times lobbyists and the Speaker act in collusion to stifle and kill important legislation for narrow special interest or partisan issues. Those opposing this undemocratic behavior are punished by the Speaker doling our pittances to errant members and signing off on limited resources thus killing off or rendering impotent many community based programs that help the poor and disadvantaged. Programs like food pantries in Black and Latino districts.

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