Tag: assembly-member-claire-valdez

MTA launches phase one of Queens bus redesign, affecting 800,000 daily riders

queens bus

Jun. 30, 2025 By Barbara Russo-Lennon and QNS News Team The long-anticipated redesign of the Queens bus network officially launched on Sunday, June 29, marking the most significant overhaul of the borough’s bus routes in nearly 70 years. With temperatures nearing 90 degrees under clear skies, commuters gathered at stops across Queens, largely taking…

Get Fit Sunnyside returns with deals at 16 fitness and wellness spots

Jun. 27, 2025 By sobrien June 27, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Get Fit Sunnyside, the annual fitness campaign encouraging Sunnyside residents to get active through discounted classes and healthy food deals, has returned for its fourth year, just in time for summer. Hosted by the Sunnyside Shines Business Improvement District (BID), the campaign launched…

NY Irish Center hosts fourth-annual Queens Irish Heritage Festival at Culture Lab

The fourth-annual Queens Irish Heritage Festival platformed Irish music and culture at Culture Lab. Photo: Shane O'Brien.

Jun. 16, 2025 By sobrien June 16, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Hundreds of people visited Culture Lab LIC Saturday for the fourth-annual Queens Irish Heritage Festival, celebrating Irish music and culture as well as the importance of diversity in Long Island City. The event, co-presented by the New York Irish Center and the McManus…

‘Live in fear or leave’: Sunnyside tenants say harassment, ICE threats used to force them out

Assembly Member Claire Valdez, Woodside on the Move, the Met Council on Housing and Sunnyside residents protest against alleged tenant harassment at 43-33 48th St. Photo: Shane O'Brien.

Jun. 12, 2025 By sobrien June 11, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Tenants in a Sunnyside apartment building say they’re being harassed, intimidated, and even threatened with deportation simply for requesting basic repairs—sparking a rally on Saturday led by Assembly Member Claire Valdez, Woodside on the Move (WOTM), and the Met Council on Housing to…

Valdez calls for NY resistance to Trump policies at Sunnyside town hall

Assembly Member Claire Valdez speaks at a town hall at Sunnyside Community Services on Monday, June 2. Photo: Shane O'Brien.

Jun. 4, 2025 By sobrien June 4, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Assembly Member Claire Valdez emphasized the importance of community solidarity in resisting the Trump Administration during her first town hall in Sunnyside since taking office earlier this year. Valdez, who won the District 37 State Assembly seat last year by defeating Johanna Carmona…

Gonzalez, Valdez back increased state funding for New York parks following Park Advocacy Day

Pepsi sign Gantry Plaza State Park / Hunters Point Park South (Photo by Michael Dorgan)

Mar. 6, 2025 By sobrien March 6, 2025 By Shane O’Brien State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez and Assembly Member Claire Valdez have expressed support for increases in state funding for New York State Parks following calls from activists for Park Advocacy Day in Albany last week. Rob Basch, president of the Hunters Point Parks Conservancy…

St. Pat’s for All Parade in Queens takes on political significance amid Trump policies

St. Pat's for All organizers and grand marshals march during the 2025 St. Pat's for All Parade. Photo: Ramy Mahmoud

Mar. 3, 2025 By sobrien March 3, 2025 By Shane O’Brien Thousands lined Skillman Avenue Sunday afternoon to celebrate the 26th annual St. Pat’s for All Parade in Sunnyside, with organizers stating that the 2025 parade took on increased significance following a slew of executive orders from President Donald Trump targeting DEI and the…

Velázquez leads Queens town hall against Trump policies, calls for activism

U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez addresses a town hall at Sunnyside Community Services. Photo: Shane O'Brien

Feb. 20, 2025 By sobrien Feb. 20, 2025 By Shane O’Brien U.S. Rep. Nydia Velázquez held a town hall in Sunnyside Community Services (SCS) Wednesday night in response to the first month of the Trump presidency, urging voters to flood the offices of moderate Republicans with phone calls encouraging them to stand up to the… Read more »

State Sen. Mike Gianaris and Assembly Member Claire Valdez introduce bill to aid fire victims with housing

Jan. 31, 2025 By sobrien   Jan. 31, 2025 By Shane O’Brien  State Sen. Mike Gianaris and Assembly Member Claire Valdez have introduced legislation aimed at ensuring fire victims in New York State have access to housing following their displacement. The bill is inspired by the ongoing plight of tenants displaced by a five-alarm fire… Read more »

LIC Partnership kicks off fourth-annual Lunar New Year celebration at newly-opened Chi Chicken

Elected officials, LICP representatives and Chi Chicken owner Taro Yang (second from left) pose with ceremonial lions at launch of LIC Lunar New Year. Photo Ramy Mahmoud

Jan. 28, 2025 By sobrien Jan. 28, 2025 By Shane O’Brien  The Long Island City Partnership (LICP) launched its fourth-annual Lunar New Year business festival at the newly-opened hot pot restaurant Chi Chicken Friday, with special promotions at dozens of local businesses. The event marks the beginning of a month-long LIC Lunar New Year celebration… Read more »