NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — Leaders of the Black community in New York gathered in Midtown on Friday to raise awareness on the way Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s budgets have treated minorities in the state.
With the governor swept up in dual scandals involving sexual harassment allegations and his administration’s handling of COVID cases in nursing homes, Cuomo has sought shelter in Black churches.
He has appeared routinely in them over the past few weeks and some members of the Black community say it's been a strategic move.
“Governor Cuomo uses Black New Yorkers as a political shield,” said Sochie Nnaemeka, the state director of the New York Working Families Party. “It's clear that the governor recognizes that the political cover afforded to him by the Black community can help him get out of crisis.”
She says Cuomo’s budgets hurt Black people.
“From underfunded public schools in majority Black and Brown neighborhoods, to slashing the Medicaid and public transit budgets that working families rely on,” she explains.
City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams says the governor doesn't hear Black voices and caters towards lobbyists.
“He tends to listen to the people who donate money, whether it is real estate or nursing homes,” he said of Cuomo.
Williams slammed Cuomo’s leadership skills, comparing him to former President Donald Trump.
“You are manipulative, abusive, aggressive, revenge-driven leadership that mirrors Donald Trump – it’s going to continue to be exposed and there will be some accountability,” Williams said.
WCBS 880 has reached out to Cuomo’s spokesman for comment.
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