How to Push Back Against Trump? Brooklyn Leaders Schedule Brainstorming Session

PARK SLOPE, BROOKLYN — The local Brooklyn response to last week's election of Donald Trump continues to develop, with Councilman Brad Lander taking an outspoken stance in opposition to many of the president-elect's policy platforms.

Lander, whose district includes Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Gowanus, Park Slope, Kensington and Windsor Terrace, is hosting an organizing meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 15 focused on "how we can prepare for the Trump presidency, and get organized to defend the progress we’ve made and the values we hold."

The meeting will take place at 7 p.m. at Congregation Beth Elohim, located at 274 Garfield Pl. You can RSVP online here.

"We have to accept the results of the election (despite the fact that Trump lost the national popular vote, and in fact received fewer actual votes than Mitt Romney or John McCain did in their losing campaigns)," Lander wrote in an email. "But we must not accept or 'normalize' attempts to gut our core American ideals."

Lander's email also highlighted various issues of concern. Among them: he said he'll work with the New York Immigration Coalition to push back against Trump's call to deport undocumented residents; partner with Planned Parenthood NYC to protect reproductive rights; and focus on climate change action, considering Trump's call to eliminate Barack Obama's Clean Power Plan and increase fossil fuel production in the U.S.

Last Friday, the councilman joined Bengladeshi activists at a Kensington rally, where he said, ""We will not let this country become a place that is characterized by Islamophobia, that gives into fear and hatred."

Pictured at top: Brad Lander speaks at Friday's rally in Kensington. Photo by John V. Santore