YALLA VOTE ‘08 Our Voice. Our Future.

The stage is set for what is sure to be a fascinating race for New York’s 13th congressional district seat- but

more on that later…this Past Tuesday, I hit the streets for some good old fashioned GOTV work on 5th Avennue in Brooklyn. The only problem was the streets decided to hit back with a good old fashioned torrential downpour. Nevertheless, I blanketed the streets with some snazzy palm cards designed by the attendees of our most recent coalition meeting. The cards reminded people to vote, provided a number for those unclear on their polling location, and offered rides to the polls. Foot traffic was a little light, but I’m looking at it as a warm up for a much larger GOTV effort in November.

However, in the midst of the rain and chaos, an election took place that day. The two candidates who emerged from the primary fray are Bob Straniere, and Michael McMahon. Now the proccess begins of getting both of them to come to our candidates night for a little Q&A. Both candidates have fiercely loyal supporters, and the racr between Democrats and Repiblicans is heating up in the 13th district in a way that it has not for many years. Democrats are making a lot of noise this year in a traditionally Republican district, which is sure to lead to a tight and hotly contested race.

Also going on in the world of AAI New York, is preparation for the upcoming AAI “Fear of Arab Planet” Hip Hop Tour, on which I plan making Fordham University a memorable stop. But more on that to come…’Til Next Time

-Matt