Week in Review 3/12/21

Politico [3/8]

Yang asks Cuomo to step aside temporarily

Mayoral hopeful Andrew Yang is asking Gov. Andrew Cuomo to temporarily step down while he is investigated for sexual misconduct.

In a letter to Cuomo released Tuesday night, the former presidential candidate asks the governor to “step aside until both the Attorney General's investigation is complete and until the legislature has a chance to act on it — and have Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul serve as Acting Governor during that period.”

NY Post [3/9]

Andrew Yang wants MTA to make subways free this Memorial Day weekend

"What we need to do is we need to let everyone know that New York is back, and that the subway is the best way to get around,” Yang told reporters at a press conference outside Manhattan’s West 110th Street subway station.

“A summer fare holiday is going to be a fantastic way to signal that our city is open, and get people back on mass transit at a time when we need to do just that.”

Under Yang’s proposal, the MTA would provide free subway rides for a week beginning the Friday before Memorial Day in order to boost businesses for merchants across the city, who’ve been financially devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Additional coverage in the Daily News, AMNY, Politico, 1010Wins, and WOR

AMNY[3/9]

Andrew Yang and Terrence Floyd discuss police reform at round table meeting in New York City

As Andrew Yang continues his campaign for mayor, he met with Terrence Floyd—brother of George Floyd—on March 8 to discuss strained race relations in New York.

Accompanied by the Pastor of Grace Tabernacle John D. Wright and Rev. Kevin Mccall, Floyd sat across from Yang at a small table situated in the center of the house of worship located on 17-45 Pacific Street. Yang began by offering his condolences as many are waiting on baited breath for the murder trial against Derek Chauvin to begin as jurors are selected. 

“Your brother’s passing—I mean murder—in front of everyone, it was so heartbreaking and devastating for any human being with a conscious but then for my Black friends it was like an entirely different experience. And then for you and yours seeing it, it’s actually your loved one, your brother, your relative, it would be a completely different level,” Yang said.

NBC’s Today Show [3/11]

Living in fear and closing early: Rise in anti-Asian violence strains NYC restaurants

New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Yang tweeted “Proud to stand with so many others today against anti-Asian violence at the rally organized by @AAFederation. There is no place for hate in New York,” after attending the rally in February.

Fast Company [3/11]

Andrew Yang has some concerns about Zoom

Fast Company: Congrats on the latest poll. Were you surprised at all to be leading the field with 32%?

Andrew Yang: I’m excited that New Yorkers are excited. I think a lot of people are frustrated with what’s been going on in the city this past number of months and years. We know we need a different kind of leadership. I’m thrilled that people see that we can do better for ourselves. That’s my main mission, to restart the engine of New York’s economy and get the agencies and bureaucracies functioning at a higher level. 

Daily News [3/11]

Freelancers Union endorses Maya Wiley AND Andrew Yang for NYC mayor

"Both these candidates were the first to reach out to Freelancers Union to learn and talk about how their campaigns can help highlight the needs of the freelance community,” the union’s Executive Director Rafael Espinal said in DUMBO, Brooklyn. “Their genuine concern and their understanding of the role freelancers will play in bringing back the city shine through.”

Additional coverage on NBC NY