I don’t live in NYC, but if I did I’d vote for James Lane on Tuesday.
James is the Green Party candidate for New York Public Advocate, He is also an LDA (Late Discovery Adoptee) who learned in his early 20s that he was adopted, but that under New York law, he was prohibited from getting information about his biological family or his adoption. Being barred from accessing his own birth records propelled James into lifelong social justice activism for adoptees and others;
From James’ campaign webpage:
From that moment, his fight for justice through political activism formally began, with the hope that laws such as denying a person’s right to know about their origins will be removed from our society forever.
James has been active in adoptee rights movement for years. I can vouche for that! He won’t remember this, but we ran into each twice, once at an AAC conference a few years ago and again in 2011 at the Times Square Hard Rock Cafe. Ramping up activism to electoral politics, James has made the restoration of OBC access the centerpiece of his Public Advocate campaign (with election reform especially involving third parties and re-allocation of tax money “back to the 99%”)
A few weeks ago James spoke at the New York Unsealed Initiative protest at Brooklyn office of perpetual OBC obstructionist Assembly member Helene Weinstein. who has tied up access bills for years.
The job of Public Advocate is important. Very important. Billed as an “ombudsman” or “watchdog” the person who holds this position serves as a non-voting member of City Council who can introduce and co-sponsor legislation, provides oversight of public agencies, and investigates citizen complaints against the city. Importantly, the Public Advocate is the first in line to succeed the mayor in case of resignation or death.. Current Public Advocate Bill De’Blasio is expected to take the mayor’ seat in Tuesday’s election. The latest Quinnipiac poll gives him a 39 point lead over Republican rival Joe Lhota.
James is a native New Yorker, born in Flushing, reared in Harlem, matured in Hell’s Kitchen. and currently in living Park Slope, Brooklyn. He knows the city, the people and what is the needed, not what politicians treat them to. He is an activist of long standing, not a professional politician controlled by special interests. He is tied to adoptees, not the adoption industry. Running on social and economic justice issues he represents people, not money.
James Lane as the Public Advocate will be in a powerful position to exert serious political influence to unseal records in New York and elsewhere. He will be, in fact, the most politically powerful adoptee rights advocate in the United States.
If I were in New York, I’d be hitting the streets for James,. I’m not. But, maybe you are or you know people who are. Spread the word. Support James Lane.! He supports us! This is how we win!
Free the OBCs
Vote for James Lane for New York City Advocate.
