Melissa mark viverito biography of williams

Melissa Mark-Viverito is a leading progressive voice in New York. In , she once again made history becoming the first person, and woman, of color to serve as Speaker for the New York City Council. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Melissa is a product of a family that prized education and service to others. She worked for over a decade in local activism, nonprofit organizations and grassroots labor organizing before being elected to the City Council in As Speaker, she championed women, immigrants, our LGBTQ communities, and black and brown New Yorkers that were historically ignored by city government.

Throughout her career, Melissa has stood up to power— and stood up for New Yorkers. Melissa called for closing Rikers Island, demanded the city decriminalize low-level offenses, and fought for lawyers for all undocumented immigrants. Every time, the establishment opposed her — but she brought community leaders and advocates to the table and delivered.

As Speaker, Melissa announced a groundbreaking public -private partnership to fund legal representation for unaccompanied immigrant children facing deportation in New York City. Melissa is an outspoken advocate for criminal justice reform. Melissa was the first citywide official to call for closing Rikers Island and put forward a plan to close it—and convinced the Mayor to get on board.

Under her leadership, the New York City Council initiated a citywide bail fund that assists low-income individuals in qualifying cases to post bail rather than spend needless time in jail while awaiting trial. In the Council, Melissa championed working class and low-income families, youth, seniors and immigrant communities. Melissa Mark-Viverito.

Melissa Mark-Viverito (born April 1, ) is an American Democratic politician and former speaker of the New York City Council from to

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