Orange County Democrats say Black Lives Matter, social justice resolution watered down by GOP
News 12 Staff
Updated on:Jan 27, 2021, 6:14pm EST
A legislative resolution in support of social justice and the Black Lives Matter movement is raising controversy among Orange County legislators.
Democratic legislators say a resolution drafted last summer by Democrats to show solidarity with the movement and address social and racial injustice is now being watered down by the Republican majority.
They say the Republican-led Legislature instead has now submitted a revised version – removing any reference to Black Lives Matter – and including statements condemning anti-Semitism.
Democratic lawmakers say while anti-Semitism is a concern, the resolution was created to specifically address injustices faced by other minority groups.
In response to the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in Washington, Democratic Party of Orange County Chairwoman Ada Briceño released the following statement:
“Congratulations President Biden and Vice President Harris. We’re ready to build with you. This is a new moment for our nation, and a mandate for change. We’re united to end four years of hardship created by Donald Trump and enabled by Republicans in Washington and Orange County.
This moment is a testament to Orange County communities, who stand strong for a safe pandemic response, for economic recovery that includes everyone, for our climate, for justice and truth.
Local Democrats celebrate inauguration with virtual watch parties
By FOX 35 News Staff
Published
Another big change on this Inauguration Day.
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. - Another big change on this Inauguration Day.
Hundreds of thousands of people will not be celebrating at the National Mall. Instead there will be virtual watch parties including in Orange County where local democrats are hosting one.
Local democrats say they are excited for today and even though they can’t physically be together because of the pandemic they’ll be together virtually. I am super excited, said Sandra Fatmi-Hall.
She says nothing can steal her joy over Inauguration Day. Not even the fact that she won’t be attending in-person like she had planned because of the pandemic.
Hudson Valley Republicans, Democrats Clash Over Bus Going to DC
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Former New York Senator Jet Metzger who represented New York s 42nd District, which includes all of Sullivan County, and parts of Orange, Ulster, and Delaware Counties alleges Assemblyman Colin Schmitt of the 99th NYS Assembly District sent Trump supporters to Washington D.C. on Wednesday to protest the election results. A Facebook group made up of Orange County Democrats made the same allegation.
On Wednesday. Schmitt was sworn into his second term in the State Assembly by Orange County Clerk Annie Rabbitt during a virtual ceremony that occurred at his Washingtonville District Office. The Republican later released the following statement denying the allegations.
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Former New York Senator Jet Metzger who represented New York s 42nd District, which includes all of Sullivan County, and parts of Orange, Ulster, and Delaware Counties alleges Assemblyman Colin Schmitt for the 99th NYS Assembly District sent Trump supporters to Washington D.C. on Wednesday to protest the election results.
A Facebook group made up of Orange County Democrats made the same allegation. PHOTO OF ASSEMBLYMAN COLIN SCHMITT (maskless) SUPPORTING A BUSLOAD OF RIGHT WING EXTREMISTS THIS MORNING!!! SHAME ON SCHMITT FOR UNDERMINING OUR DEMOCRACY! Call his office now to demand he RESIGN!!! for encouraging this extremism and his disloyalty to our country’s democratic institutions. 845-469-6929. Also tell him to #wearamask, OCNYDems wrote on Facebook.