WOMEN’S BAR ASSOCIATION STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF PROP 1 THE ERA AMENDMENT IN NEW YORK

 
 

November 6, 2024, New York, NY
Progress For New York
ERA Enshrined Into the New York State Constitution
Progress for New York is always a priority of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York (“WBASNY”).

WBASNY achieved a longstanding legislative priority as the New York Equal Rights Amendment was enshrined into the New York State Constitution by the vote of an overwhelming majority of the electorate.

WBASNY has been an ardent supporter of amending the New York State Constitution to include sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity/expression as protected classes, together with other protected classes already recognized under the New York Human Rights Law, namely: ethnicity, national origin, age, and disability. The ERA, now enshrined in the New York State Constitution, solidifies equality under New York law permanently and enduringly.

 

WBASNY’s mission includes the fair and equal administration of justice. Sex and gender bias have long been pervasive in our social structure, and given recent events, biases against sexual orientation and reproductive rights have also become much more commonplace across the country.

While constitutional guarantees are needed at the federal level to prevent further discrimination, WBASNY is relieved that New York State took up the fight to protect its citizens. By working with the New York legislature, the people of New York made WBASNY’s legislative priority a reality and ensured that every New Yorker’s rights are protected.

 

WBASNY gives special thanks to Governor Kathy Hochul, Assemblymember Rebecca Seawright, and Senator Liz Krueger for their leadership.

WBASNY also recognizes its Chapters, ERA/Civil Rights Committee Co-Chairs Debra Cohen, Esq., and Louise Derevlany, Esq. as well as the Social Action Committee Chair Katrin Falco, Esq. for their tireless work to protect these essential rights.

WBASNY also thanks President-Elect Lisa Noroian, Esq. for her work on the ERA programming provided for its members.

WBASNY’s President, Marea L. Wachsman, Esq., wrote an OpEd that was published in no less than 7 publications, and WBASNY members participated in social media campaigning and continuing legal education classes, presented programming at law schools, registered people to vote, sent out postcards, met with legislators, and handed out Vote ERA buttons at the polls on election day.
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NOVEMBER 5– MR. LATIMER GOES TO WASHINGTON, WINS 16TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OVER FLISSER.

Hail to the Victor! George Latimer speaking to a crowd of  over one hundred Democratic supporters last night at Colosseum restaurant after winning the 16th Congressional District Race.

WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2024. UPDATED 8 A.M. EST By John F. Bailey. November 5, 2024:

County Executive George Latimer defeated Republican Miriam Flisser 60,426 votes to 32,103, 65% of of the vote to win the 16th Congressional District. He will be  going to congress in January, capping a political career of achievement in which he has never lost an election Rising from town Council in Rye, to assemblyman to state senator and Westchester County Executive. Now he is going to Washington

A Special Election will be  held within 90 days in January to fill Mr. Latimer’s last year as County Executive

Mr. Latimer announced a winning sweep of Democrats to the STATE assembly:

MaryJane Shimsky, Amy Paulin, and Steve Otis. State Senator Shelley Mayer was reelected to the State Senate over Trish Lindsay 86,509 votes to 59,646; Mondaire Jones, Latimer said had defeated Mike Lawler for the 17th Congressional district, but that Mr. Lawler overcame the deficit.

UPDATED 8:50 A.M. EST 11/6, INCUMBENT MICHAEL LAWLER WITH ALL VOTES COUNTED DEFEATED MONDAIRE JONES, 191,681 VOTES TO 166,331 A 52.5% TO 45% MARGIN TO WIN  A SECOND TERM SERVING  THE 17TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT.

Statewide, Proposition One the new Equal Rights amendment passed with 63% of the vote.

State Senator Peter Harckham defeated Gina Arena.

The Westchester County Proposition that would extend County Legislator terms from 2 years presently to 4 years was rejected by Westchester voters 80,587 votes to 46,395.

Kirsten Gillebrand was reelected to her Senate Seat in Washington over Michael Sapprascone.

As of 8 AM EST, The Associated Press reports the Republicans have won the majority in the United States Senate. The House results are still undecided.

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ELECTION ANXIETY

SUN RISE AS POLLS OPEN AT WHITE PLAINS HIGH SCHOOL ABOUT 5:40 A.M.

POLLS OPEN 6 A.M., OPEN UNTIL 9 P.M. IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY. JUST VOTE, BABY

ELECTION WORKERS READY FOR 6 AM OPENING OF THIS POLLING PLACE

15 VOTERS WERE ON LINE AS OF 6 AM TO “HAVE THEIR SAY” By 7 AM 49 HAD VOTED.

 

WPCNR CAMPAIGN 2024. NEWS & COMMENT By John F. Bailey. November 5, 2024.

It is 4:25 A.M Eastern Standard Time.

I could not sleep..It is still dark in White Plains New York USA.

The sun will rise at 6:30 this morning and the polls open at 6 A.M.

This election day is like no other I have ever experienced in my voting lifetime

I am melancholy.

Unlike other election days, when I went to the pols to “have my say” in how our leaders are running the country, I am worried about the future this day will bring.

Will my fellow Americans decide to change the way its government treats people who live here going forward? Or will enough of us realize what may happen if a new way forward quite different from the way  the America of the past has been lead?

When I asked my father years ago, what if Adlai Stevenson is elected in 1956, instead of Dwight Eisenhower. He told me that I should not worry because over his lifetime, he has found that nothing much changes when a new administration takes over in Washington,D.C.

This Election may change that perception.

 

However when you fill in the little circles on your ballot today if you have not already voted early or by absentee ballot, what circles you fill in will have Washington, Jefferson, Adams, Madison, Lincoln, Grant, the Roosevelts, looking over your shoulder.

You have the legacy of these leaders of the past in the choices you make.

If you vote one way you may forever change the unique country that is The United States of America by changing the framework of how decisions are made, what kind of character your decision-makers have and the kind of decisions they will make for the country, quietly changing how you are governed for better or worse.

As my father told me, a new administration may not change too much.

That is what I am hoping that those politicians who are elected to our congress will listen to the voice of their consciences and do the American Way, making compassionate, fair productive decisions to compromise and avoid hurting Americans no matter who they are.

I am hopeful for sensible fair decisions.

All I have is one vote today.

There are millions of votes out there to be cast.

Mine is just one.

It may be my last vote

But it will be cast with confidence and I will cast it to send a message to the leaders who might be, telling them with a firm mark where I stand and what my vote means.

Many countries have fixed elections.

Russian people fear their leaders

Chinese fear their leaders.

There are so many countries where leaders do what they want when they want to whomever they want with no compassion, or guilt, even eliminate those who speak against them.

Trust me I know no one will like that here, really.

But it could happen here and today may set the stage for just this kind of atmosphere if those we elect and the persons who work in the new administration do not think with you and me in mind.

Whoever is elected today have to change the way politicians act and think.

They have to be accountable to us, we the people.

We are not people to be hurt and manipulated and controlled.

A member of congress is not there to assure the wealthy and powerful are not held accountable and get what they want to do with their business practices  to their profit, whether it hurts the people or not. You who are elected have to get over being lobbyist lapdogs.

You  are not there to throw people in jail if they disagree with what you  say like  Elena Sassower of White Plains was jailed by a congressional committee chairman for shouting from the committee gallery. Senator Charles Grassley did that to Ms. Sassower.

I suggest whomever is elected this day to congress or the Oval Office check their arrogance and self-importance at the  Capitol doors.. Stop listening to the lobbyists and listen, really listen and vote with integrity of conscience listen to what used to be in your head when you were a kid.

Being elected is not endorsement of anything you say as a congressperson or  Senator or anything you want to do.

Our judges on the Supreme Court have forgotten that.

Get a grip on what is right.

If you do that when you vote, if officials elected today when elected, America will be all right.

When you fill in the circles today, think who will treat the country right.

That is what voting is all about.

Your vote counts! Use it.

United we stand.

I have never met wherever I have traveled in this country people who have disliked me, We do not hate each other.

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