Latest news with #CatalinaCruz
Finextra
10 hours ago
- Business
- Finextra
NY legislature passes Statewide cash law
A bill banning retailers from refusing to accept cash payments has passed both houses of the New York State Legislature. 0 The legislation, sponsored by Senator James Sanders Jr and Assemblymember Catalina Cruz, prohibits food stores and retail establishments from refusing to accept payment in cash. The sponsors say the move ensures that all New Yorkers — especially low-income, elderly, and unbanked people — can access essential goods and services in an era increasingly dominated by digital payments. The measure now awaits Governor Hochul's signature. Says Senator Sanders: 'Cash is still king for many New Yorkers who live paycheck to paycheck or who simply don't have access to credit or banking services. 'No one should be denied a sandwich, a bottle of water, or a loaf of bread because they don't have a debit card. This bill is about fairness and basic dignity.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Queens Pride Parade highlights LGBTQ+ rights and unity
QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) — The beginning of Pride Month kicked off with the 33rd annual Queens Pride Parade, the second-oldest pride parade in the city. This year's celebration also included direct messages to the Trump administration. More Local News 37th Avenue in Jackson Heights, Queens, was filled with colors, music, and Pride Sunday afternoon. 'Love everyone, love everybody,' shouted one of the attendees. A message of love along with this year's theme, defiant Joy and Unity. 'It is probably the most important pride of our lifetime because of the hate and attacks and trying to erase our community,' said David Kilmnick, President of the LGBT Network. Assemblymembers Catalina Cruz and Jessica González-Rojas were two of the three Grand Marshals for this year's Queens Pride Parade. The third one was Andry José Hernández Romero, who is now detained in the maximum-security Prison, CECOT, in El Salvador after being deported by the Trump Administration in March. Romero is a gay man who was seeking asylum in the United States after fleeing Venezuela in May of last year due to alleged threats because of his sexual orientation. He was deported because the government claims his tattoos link him to the Venezuelan gang, Tren de Aragua. 'Andry represents everything that is Queens. He is queer, he is an artist, and he is an immigrant. That is who we are,' said Rojas. 'This is not normal. We can't normalize the disappearance of people under a constitution that is supposed to protect us all, no matter who the president is,' added Cruz. The first Queens Pride Parade was held on June 6, 1993. Decades later, attendees are saying that today is more important than ever to show up because of the current political climate under the Trump administration. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State 'I really wish they would rethink a lot of these positions; people of the LGBTQ community just want to be able to live and love and have the life that everybody else wants.' Said Aubrey Nelson. 'Syddiq and his wife, Sabar, brought their son, Syris. They say they want him to learn about equality from a very young age. 'You just have to accept everyone, hatred is straight up for losers,' said Syddiq With thousands of spectators, over 140 diverse groups marched down from 89th to 75th Street, promoting the visibility and accomplishments of the LGBTQ+ community and fostering acceptance. 'Transgender people are human, transgender people are right, transgender people are not invisible,' SOT Yanitza Lara. Others are also sending a message to younger generations. 'Come out, don't be afraid, be yourselves! Stand up for yourself no matter what!' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
